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ndflowers's review against another edition
4.0
Love Kristen Callihan's books but I am fully not a fan of 3rd act breakups. It's so much more meaningful and courageous of the characters when they give a relationship a real chance despite their fears.
petraperusesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
EXPOSED - KRISTEN CALLIHAN
One of the most anticipated books of my TBR pile, for the last, I don't even know, maybe four years?!
A long while ago, I fell in love with Kristen's writing while reading one of my all time favourite romance novels, penned by her MANAGED. I love that book, it is one of my comfort reads, I frequently reread it. So, I had high expectations, especially because the adversary the characters portrayed in the previous books of the series.
I admired Brenna before she was a main character, she seemed fierce, put-together, had no time for shitty people or things. Rye was seen as kind of a polar opposite of her - goofball, free-spirited, a people's person and a big peronality all rolled into a macho player.
Going into the book I knew the two had tension, not just the sexual kind, but there was definitely something that once put up the hostile environment the two seemed to share.
The book was everything I really love about Kristen's writing. That being paired with an enemies to lovers trope was just magnifique . Her stlye is simply just right up my alley, I get lost in her stories, only needing one or two days to finish them, then craving more. So afterwards, I usually tend to reread something of hers to lower my appetite. I'm honestly a junkie when it comes to her books, I've considered reading her earlier paranormal work, even though it's really not my cup of tea.
The catalyst for Brenna and Rye's story was a simple overheard conversation. After years in the industry, and being an all around epic girl boss, Brenna realises she needs a different outlet. She craves human contact, that is different from anything her friends can provide. She doesn't want a relationship, has no time for it really, and one-night stands simply lost their appeal.
Luck should have it, Rye overhears this outburst, and realising they are in the same boat, proposes her. I was really glad, that their romantic relationship didn't begin right in that moment, that their platonic relationship was put forward, regardless their attraction.
Kristen dealt the right cards, by making the brooding hero and preppy herione both simultaniously realise their jealousy towards any potential new partner of each others. And boy, does the smell of a possible waste of a chance pull them together!
The characters have depth, they are both having low points, uncertainty in their life, and seeing their friends accomplished and thriving in their respectable relationships only fuels their fire. I enjoyed their journey, how they rediscovered that the have a nice foundation in the form of their friendship - doesn't matter how fractured it is -, how they are all too familiar to each other, yet have sides the other one couldn't have seen prior them being romantically involved.
Rye was a pleasant surprise, I think in the series before, he was largely overlooked, as he had little "screen time". He was nurturing, intelligent - his knowledge and passion for music is immense -, his care for his family and friends is refreshing, his old wounds and recent mental and health problems made him less of a rock star and more of a flawed human. His drive for success in his life made his persuasion of chasing the girl of his dreams even more sweet.
The big confrontation before the "and they lived happily ever after" was honestly anticipated, and maybe even needed, because the balance of the MC's relaionship was weighed down a bit more on one side, and them not being mutually on the same page about their intentions and hopes would've made them miserable.
The book didn't disappoint, I'm hoping we could meet the pair in the last instellation of the series.
One of the most anticipated books of my TBR pile, for the last, I don't even know, maybe four years?!
A long while ago, I fell in love with Kristen's writing while reading one of my all time favourite romance novels, penned by her MANAGED. I love that book, it is one of my comfort reads, I frequently reread it. So, I had high expectations, especially because the adversary the characters portrayed in the previous books of the series.
I admired Brenna before she was a main character, she seemed fierce, put-together, had no time for shitty people or things. Rye was seen as kind of a polar opposite of her - goofball, free-spirited, a people's person and a big peronality all rolled into a macho player.
Going into the book I knew the two had tension, not just the sexual kind, but there was definitely something that once put up the hostile environment the two seemed to share.
The book was everything I really love about Kristen's writing. That being paired with an enemies to lovers trope was just magnifique . Her stlye is simply just right up my alley, I get lost in her stories, only needing one or two days to finish them, then craving more. So afterwards, I usually tend to reread something of hers to lower my appetite. I'm honestly a junkie when it comes to her books, I've considered reading her earlier paranormal work, even though it's really not my cup of tea.
The catalyst for Brenna and Rye's story was a simple overheard conversation. After years in the industry, and being an all around epic girl boss, Brenna realises she needs a different outlet. She craves human contact, that is different from anything her friends can provide. She doesn't want a relationship, has no time for it really, and one-night stands simply lost their appeal.
Luck should have it, Rye overhears this outburst, and realising they are in the same boat, proposes her. I was really glad, that their romantic relationship didn't begin right in that moment, that their platonic relationship was put forward, regardless their attraction.
Kristen dealt the right cards, by making the brooding hero and preppy herione both simultaniously realise their jealousy towards any potential new partner of each others. And boy, does the smell of a possible waste of a chance pull them together!
The characters have depth, they are both having low points, uncertainty in their life, and seeing their friends accomplished and thriving in their respectable relationships only fuels their fire. I enjoyed their journey, how they rediscovered that the have a nice foundation in the form of their friendship - doesn't matter how fractured it is -, how they are all too familiar to each other, yet have sides the other one couldn't have seen prior them being romantically involved.
Rye was a pleasant surprise, I think in the series before, he was largely overlooked, as he had little "screen time". He was nurturing, intelligent - his knowledge and passion for music is immense -, his care for his family and friends is refreshing, his old wounds and recent mental and health problems made him less of a rock star and more of a flawed human. His drive for success in his life made his persuasion of chasing the girl of his dreams even more sweet.
The big confrontation before the "and they lived happily ever after" was honestly anticipated, and maybe even needed, because the balance of the MC's relaionship was weighed down a bit more on one side, and them not being mutually on the same page about their intentions and hopes would've made them miserable.
The book didn't disappoint, I'm hoping we could meet the pair in the last instellation of the series.
sjffy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Spicy! 🌶️
darbyart's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
natimmediato's review against another edition
3.0
Brenna was so annoying. The female narrator also really annoyed me so the combo wasn’t great. I also thoroughly dislike a miscommunication trope. So there’s that.
heliea's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I admit I loved it.
This series is getting better and better.
The drama and fallout were nicely handled, especially because instead of "bam! separation - bam! sudden wedding!" they stay close and work through their problems? FUCKING FINALLY!!
Great sex too, great chemistry, Brenna is a powerhouse and I'm getting very attached to the VIP universe and its characters.
This series is getting better and better.
The drama and fallout were nicely handled, especially because instead of "bam! separation - bam! sudden wedding!" they stay close and work through their problems? FUCKING FINALLY!!
Great sex too, great chemistry, Brenna is a powerhouse and I'm getting very attached to the VIP universe and its characters.
lazyydaisy's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Like many, I've been waiting YEARS for this book. And it was definitely worth the wait because I loved this sooo much!
I love how absolutely whipped Rye is for Brenna. This is a trope that I love so much and I especially love how it was so obviously from the first page that he has been low-key in love with her since they first met over a decade ago.
I do wish some plot stuff was tied up a bit more, but overall I had such a great time with this book and I can't wait for Whip's book! I'm hoping he'll end up with a certain assistant *cough* Jules *cough*.
Like many, I've been waiting YEARS for this book. And it was definitely worth the wait because I loved this sooo much!
I love how absolutely whipped Rye is for Brenna. This is a trope that I love so much and I especially love how it was so obviously from the first page that he has been low-key in love with her since they first met over a decade ago.
I do wish some plot stuff was tied up a bit more, but overall I had such a great time with this book and I can't wait for Whip's book! I'm hoping he'll end up with a certain assistant *cough* Jules *cough*.
linguin's review against another edition
4.0
Kristen Callihan hat mit ihrer Idol Reihe eine großartige Rockstar Romance geschaffen, die mit Band zwei schon ihr Highlight erreicht hatte. Alle anderen Bände waren zwar lesenswert, aber den zweiten Teil hat keiner vom Thron stoßen können, so auch nicht dieser vierte Teil.
Tatsächlich hatte ich anfänglich etwas Mühe, mich wieder mit den Figuren anzufreunden, denn die Lücke zu Band drei war ja doch extrem groß. Nachdem ich mich wieder einigermaßen eingewöhnt hatte, konnte ich die Geschichte recht gut genießen, der fluffige Schreibstil sorgte für ein angenehmes Leseerlebnis und einen tollen Fluss.
Rye und Brenna kennt man beide schon aus vorherigen Teilen, ebenso wie ihre Wortgefechte. Ich hatte Spaß dabei, ihnen zuzuhören, es war schon amüsant, wie die zwei sich ständig kabbeln. Ab und zu hätte etwas mehr Ernsthaftigkeit ihnen nicht geschadet und ein wenig gingen sie mir auch mal auf den Keks, aber dann habe ich einfach eine Pause eingelegt und am nächsten Tag weitergelesen. Die Chemie zwischen den Protagonisten passte auf jeden Fall, das lässt sich nicht leugnen. Mir hätte es noch besser gefallen, wenn mehr Bezug zur Band und dem PR-Management da gewesen wäre, das kam für mich etwas kurz.
Für mich nicht der stärkste Band der Reihe, aber ich fand es schön, Kill John mal wiederzutreffen. Von mir gibt es 4 von 5 Sternen.
Tatsächlich hatte ich anfänglich etwas Mühe, mich wieder mit den Figuren anzufreunden, denn die Lücke zu Band drei war ja doch extrem groß. Nachdem ich mich wieder einigermaßen eingewöhnt hatte, konnte ich die Geschichte recht gut genießen, der fluffige Schreibstil sorgte für ein angenehmes Leseerlebnis und einen tollen Fluss.
Rye und Brenna kennt man beide schon aus vorherigen Teilen, ebenso wie ihre Wortgefechte. Ich hatte Spaß dabei, ihnen zuzuhören, es war schon amüsant, wie die zwei sich ständig kabbeln. Ab und zu hätte etwas mehr Ernsthaftigkeit ihnen nicht geschadet und ein wenig gingen sie mir auch mal auf den Keks, aber dann habe ich einfach eine Pause eingelegt und am nächsten Tag weitergelesen. Die Chemie zwischen den Protagonisten passte auf jeden Fall, das lässt sich nicht leugnen. Mir hätte es noch besser gefallen, wenn mehr Bezug zur Band und dem PR-Management da gewesen wäre, das kam für mich etwas kurz.
Für mich nicht der stärkste Band der Reihe, aber ich fand es schön, Kill John mal wiederzutreffen. Von mir gibt es 4 von 5 Sternen.
deansbookdump's review against another edition
4.0
IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. TURN IT UP
omg omg omg i’ve been waiting for ryebrenna bc the tension in the other books and the lead up to this book WORTH IT
also a whip book when?
i just knew i loved the friends w benefits trope and getting to see everyone else from the previous books happy and together it makes my heart happy <3
however at the same time when it brought up topics from the previous books my heart also broke bc that means i basically read how what had happened affected each character and boy did that hurt to read
i love this universe so much ahhh i can’t believe i’m done
omg omg omg i’ve been waiting for ryebrenna bc the tension in the other books and the lead up to this book WORTH IT
also a whip book when?
i just knew i loved the friends w benefits trope and getting to see everyone else from the previous books happy and together it makes my heart happy <3
however at the same time when it brought up topics from the previous books my heart also broke bc that means i basically read how what had happened affected each character and boy did that hurt to read
i love this universe so much ahhh i can’t believe i’m done