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A review by openallnight
Idol by Kristen Callihan
4.0
4.5 Stars
I absolutely loved this book!
Killian and Liberty meet when he crashes his bike and ends up passed out drunk on her lawn in a tiny town in the remote Outer Banks. From there they dance and weave around each other, slowly integrating themselves into each others lives and filling the empty spaces in each other. For a time in the beginning, Liberty has no idea who Killian was and I wish the author had continued that for just a wee bit longer. Watching Kilian try to win Liberty over without using his rock star persona was endearing. I really loved the time spent with them on the Island and felt a little bereft when the story suddenly jumped ahead 2 months. I really, really wanted to see more of the mundane moments as they stoked their friendship and attraction. The Island was also a hot and steamy background for the hot and steamy toe curling sexual tension between Killian and Liberty that explodes when they start making music together.
The transition from the Island to being on tour together is an abrupt one and it changes the tone of the story a bit. Liberty is adamant that their romance is kept under wraps from the rest of the band for a variety of very valid reasons. That is both frustrating as well as serving as a vehicle for some seriously hot secret sex. That time in the bathroom after Liberty's first time on stage? *fans myself*
The angst becomes heavy and the tone turns darker when Liberty is forced to pursue her own interests, both Liberty and Killian trying to the "do the right" for each other. As with the time bump in the beginning of the story, the parting between L & K here felt inorganic to who their characters had been up till then. I just didn't buy that Killian would behave the way he did... that being controlling his impulsive, emotion driven personality enough to be apart from Liberty.
Then there was this issue that stuck in my craw:
I seriously can't wait until the next installment of the series. I loved the way the author used music to contextualize the story and am looking forward to watching the rest of the band find love.
I absolutely loved this book!
Killian and Liberty meet when he crashes his bike and ends up passed out drunk on her lawn in a tiny town in the remote Outer Banks. From there they dance and weave around each other, slowly integrating themselves into each others lives and filling the empty spaces in each other. For a time in the beginning, Liberty has no idea who Killian was and I wish the author had continued that for just a wee bit longer. Watching Kilian try to win Liberty over without using his rock star persona was endearing. I really loved the time spent with them on the Island and felt a little bereft when the story suddenly jumped ahead 2 months. I really, really wanted to see more of the mundane moments as they stoked their friendship and attraction. The Island was also a hot and steamy background for the hot and steamy toe curling sexual tension between Killian and Liberty that explodes when they start making music together.
The transition from the Island to being on tour together is an abrupt one and it changes the tone of the story a bit. Liberty is adamant that their romance is kept under wraps from the rest of the band for a variety of very valid reasons. That is both frustrating as well as serving as a vehicle for some seriously hot secret sex. That time in the bathroom after Liberty's first time on stage? *fans myself*
The angst becomes heavy and the tone turns darker when Liberty is forced to pursue her own interests, both Liberty and Killian trying to the "do the right" for each other. As with the time bump in the beginning of the story, the parting between L & K here felt inorganic to who their characters had been up till then. I just didn't buy that Killian would behave the way he did... that being controlling his impulsive, emotion driven personality enough to be apart from Liberty.
Then there was this issue that stuck in my craw:
Spoiler
While I felt Killian, the band etc took up for Liberty when that jacknozzle sexually assaulted her, I hated that once again we watch a woman be made the scapegoat under the heel of Money and Power. And I hated that Liberty didn't fight for herself because of a misguided attempt to "not make waves", to "protect the band and Killian". That was straight up bullshit. Was it true and probably exactly how it would have been handled in the 'the real world'? Yeah. It was. I'm just so tired of our Rape Culture perpetuating victim blaming. And maybe this is me projecting but damn it... if the chips are stacked against victims in the real world I want my h's to kick ass in combat boots in make believe land. Mini-rant over.I seriously can't wait until the next installment of the series. I loved the way the author used music to contextualize the story and am looking forward to watching the rest of the band find love.