Idol by Kristen Callihan
Series: VIP #1
Publication Date: June 7th 2016
Libby
I found Killian drunk and sprawled out on my lawn like some lost prince. With the face of a god and the arrogance to match, the pest won’t leave. Sexy, charming, and just a little bit dirty, he’s slowly wearing me down, making me crave more.
He could be mine if I dare to claim him. Problem is, the world thinks he’s theirs. How do you keep an idol when everyone is intent on taking him away?
Killian
As lead singer for the biggest rock band in the world, I lived a life of dreams. It all fell apart with one fateful decision. Now everything is in shambles.
Until Liberty. She’s grouchy, a recluse —and kind of cute. Scratch that. When I get my hands on her, she is scorching hot and more addictive than all the fans who’ve screamed my name.
The world is clamoring for me to get back on stage, but I’m not willing to leave her. I’ve got to find a way to coax the hermit from her shell and keep her with me. Because, with Libby, everything has changed. Everything.
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You have NO idea how excited I was in anticipation for Kristen Callihan’s first rock star romance!! I LOVE her sports romances, and I also love rock star romances, so Idol sounded absolutely perfect to me. Plus, how gorgeous is that cover!? In the end, this book surprised me – it was surprisingly slow and sweet. Not at all what I’m used to in the rock star books I’ve read, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I liked Idol – I didn’t love it the way I wanted, but I still enjoyed it. It was entertaining, and I adored the sweet hero. Fans of the author should definitely check this one out!
The beginning of the book is without doubt, my favorite part of Idol. Libby, our heroine, finds rock star Killian James passed out drunk on her front lawn, except she doesn’t recognize him and the mess he’s become. The lead singer is intrigued enough by Libby and her distaste for him that he wants to stay around her… so good thing that they’ve become new neighbors, right? There’s a bit of hate/love going on when Killian and Libby get to know each other – Libby hates Killian because she’s got no tolerance for drunk drivers, but she’s ridiculously attracted to him. Killian is annoyed by Libby, but still wants to know her better. The tension between them is delicious, and I was definitely hooked onto the novel because of it. And wonderfully, the two eventually develop a sweet friendship as they connect over music, listening to and creating it. But the underlying tones of desire and longing added a nice touch of angst and emotion to the story.
We know each other. We can talk about anything, or nothing. It never gets old or boring. Libby is my resonance; when I’m in her vicinity, I’m suddenly amped up, with everything moving at a different frequency. And I don’t care if that’s sappy. It’s the truth.
Once Killian and Libby do get into a relationship (and holy hell, are they hot together!), sadly things flatlined a bit for me. I loved the tension, but once that was done, I didn’t really find myself connecting much with anything else. I liked Libby and Killian, but I never emotionally connected or related to them. I don’t always have the same taste in music as the rock star books I’ve read, but the authors are usually able to make me feel immersed in the music anyway. I didn’t really feel that here in Idol, and I got a little bored during the middle, honestly. It was just a little too slow, and my disconnect with the characters, the music, and the rock star life just wasn’t working.
Still, I did love the way Idol ended. The beginning and end were the highlights of the story, the parts that had me hooked on the romance. Killian is the absolute SWEETEST, which is surprising since he came off as a broody alpha-male at first. I enjoyed Libby’s transformation from hermit to an up-an-coming rock star herself. Theirs is a sweet, slow-burn romance, and even though I had problems in the middle, it was very enjoyable to read. I wish I could’ve connected more, and I’m sure it’s a me-not-you thing – other readers are more than likely to adore this unique, sexy rock star romance.
Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.
Now here’s an excerpt from Idol! ❤
“You know,” I say conversationally, as I kick back, “I want to fuck you right now.”
Libby jerks as if pinched and sits a little straighter, before getting a hold of herself and slouching as if she’s completely chill. Cute.
She gives me a smirk and sips her water before drawling, “And what? Mark your territory? Assert your manly dominance?”
“Yep.” I slide my gaze to hers. “But mostly I just want to fuck you all the time.”
God, I love the way her lips part and body flushes with heat. So subtle, but there all the same. It makes me hard as steel, my balls squeezing tight. I don’t look at her but pretend I’m observing the room. The lights are dimming for the movie now, the empty chairs in front of us obscuring our lower halves.
Slowly my hand falls to space between us and smooths along her hip. She delicately shivers as my fingers trace down her thigh.
“What about you,” I murmur, lightly toying with her skirt in the darkening room. “You want to fuck me, baby doll?”
“Right now, I want to kick you,” she gets out between clenched teeth. “Keep your hands to yourself. There are nosy ass people everywhere.”
“They’re all watching the movie. Not us.” Focusing on the screen, I keep my expression neutral as I ease my hand under her skirt. Her skin is smooth and warm. The movie starts in a blast of music and the familiar old logo as I trace over her knee and up her soft thigh. “And that wasn’t a ‘no.’”
She makes a cute growl in the back of her throat, but her legs part just enough to give me room to delve between them. Her inner thighs are hot and damp, and my cock twitches.
The storyline rolls along, my touch idly roams. Libby remains utterly still but I can practically feel the tension vibrating within her. When the tip of my finger skims the crease where her thigh meets her hip, her breath catches, legs parting wider.
“Have I mentioned how much I appreciated this new skirt-filled wardrobe?” I whisper, lightly drawing circles along her skin.
“Brenna’s idea.” Her hips shift just a bit, following my touch. “Right now, I’m missing my shorts.”
I smile, my eyes on the screen, my fingers drifting to the edge of her panties. “Later, you can put them on and we’ll play ‘Fuck the Farmer’s Daughter.’”
She grunts, a stifled laugh, which turns to a strangled whimper when I pluck her panties. Her voice turns breathy. “I’m trying to watch the damn movie. I’m not interested in fooling around.” She moves a tiny fraction, nudging against my finger.
In the dark, I grin, heat and lust pulling my abs tight. “I’m sorry,” I say, not sorry at all, “But I don’t believe you. I’m gonna have to check.”
Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.
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A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.
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