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Managing the Rock Star

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Marrying your rock star crush wouldn't happen in real life, right?

Reese Montgomery's family and friends dubbed her a schemer because of her love of strategy and planning. Taking a job as a social media strategist was right up her alley, until her boss sent her on tour with her teenage crush, rock star Sterling James. After a terrible first impression, her job is under threat and Reese needs to be a complete professional. Even when her feelings are anything BUT.

Rock star Sterling James is at a turning point in his career, but his negative image may hold him back. Hiring a social media strategist won't change his emotional family crisis, but can hopefully help him put on a better public face. But he has little faith in Reese, at least at first. As she continues to prove herself, Sterling has another problem: he is falling hard for the sweet, scheming woman sharing his tour bus.

When his family problems come to a head at the same time as a PR nightmare, both Reese and Sterling will have a crisis of faith and a choice to make: career or love?

This is a clean Christian romance, and the first in The Blushing Brides Series, standalone sweet romance novels from some of your favorite authors!

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2020

384 people are currently reading
496 people want to read

About the author

Emma St. Clair

62 books3,861 followers
Emma St. Clair is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves sassy heroines, witty banter, and love stories with heart and humor. She has an MFA in Fiction and lives in Katy, Texas (go, Tigers!) with her hubby, five children, and Great Dane. Her favorite place to write is tapping on her phone while on the elliptical machine. No Emmas have been hurt in the writing of these novels. (Yet.)

Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante

You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.

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5 stars
361 (51%)
4 stars
200 (28%)
3 stars
114 (16%)
2 stars
24 (3%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
Profile Image for ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ.
1,114 reviews17 followers
May 9, 2019
This book was okay, but it has flaws. I'd say the plot was okay, but I have a problem with how they had our heroine drunk and acting like a fool in the first chapter. My biggest problem with this book is the Christian aspects. I don't mind inspirational romances, but it was.... wrong... in this book. It wasn't done well. Example.... she wanted to pray for him before he attended his lil sister's drug intervention.... his response was to get very angry, storm off and his thinking was....

"He wasn't mad at Reese for her stupid beliefs as much as he was at himself for not realizing sooner that she was just like his mother, putting her trust in some invisible force that didn't exist and didn't care about her and definitely not about him."

Now, a few chapters later I'm suppose to believe he's such a changed man as to read his bible on the tour bus, studying with another, and praying all the time. It just isn't believable.
Profile Image for Barbara Seidle.
Author 5 books2 followers
February 4, 2019
I have to admit, I almost skipped this one. The idea of the lead female being scheming, and her love interest being a rock star didn't really appeal to me. However, the day my advanced reader's download arrived, I found myself stranded in a doctor's office with nothing to do. Having loved everything Emma St. Clair has written, I decided to give it a shot. I'm so happy I did. The female characters, from the lead woman to the side characters were women of integrity, complex, believable and likable. The male lead and his best friend were also characters you could root for. The story line felt authentic with a mix of present day joys and conflicts as well as enough past history for us to understand the character flaws each main lead struggled to overcome. What I think I loved most about this book was the way the faith of the main character shaped her life in more overt ways than is typically found in faith based romances. Often, the faith component is either barely mentioned or seems forced. This story made in authentic and a key element in the plot and conflict of the story. I think, this ended up being my favorite of Emma St. Clair's novels. So glad I gave it a chance.

*I received an Advanced Reader's copy of this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Karen.
5,385 reviews74 followers
February 4, 2019
This story was done very well. I've read a bunch of books about gals who get work with a rockstar and romance develops. It's different here because her job is really interesting and relevant to his success. It's also different because she is a Christian. It's not preachy but he has a major life event and she offers prayer. She handles herself with dignity. I really liked the clean story without sex scenes. The relationship was quite quickly into marriage but it worked.

My first book with this author and I look forward to more!
Profile Image for Toni Shiloh.
Author 56 books1,884 followers
May 30, 2020
This book surprised me in so many ways. I enjoyed the story line and chemistry between the hero and heroine. I really liked the faith aspect. All in all, I simply enjoyed discovering a new author.
I'll definitely pick up book 2 in the series.
805 reviews
February 11, 2019
I loved this book! Giggles galore and all the feels. This is the best book I've read from Emma St. Clair so far. Such a fun story and not really what I expected.
982 reviews6 followers
May 14, 2024
This book wasn’t what I expected. I’ve read the authors series “Love Cliche” which I loved and I was hoping for something different. If you do not like books that mention faith, prayer and God this might not be the one for you. I don’t have a problem with them as long as they don’t feel preachy. This came close but didn’t pass that line.
Sterling and Reese were good characters. Reese fangirling like she did left a bad taste in my mouth. It was a little much to plan your wedding to a celebrity (even if you were 14) and then announce it to them. It made me worry about the book and the characters. Happily the author handled it well and I ended up liking Reese. She turned out to be strong and put her love for Sterling above her own job and reputation. It showed the kind of woman she was.
Sterling had a rough relationship with his family that really affected the story line and characters. I appreciated the seriousness of addiction and how it affects those around them. The scene with the intervention was probably my favorite one because of how Sterling handled it and the emotion behind it.
As much as I ended up enjoying the book I don’t know if I will be continuing the series.
Profile Image for Tayo.
591 reviews25 followers
December 1, 2021
In broad strokes:
- I get why people would like this but it wasn't for me
- Every romance trope including the kitchen sink was thrown into this book and not in a fun way
- Sterling wasn't great as his very real mood swings weren't fun to read about especially when he lashed out at people
- Reese felt a little hypocritical in a bunch of places
- Also where I really gave up was when Reese doesn't answer Sterling's calls at the climax of the book, doesn't reach out to him either, just sits in her house and broods about missing him - okay!
- Kind of boring, felt longer than it needed to be

And that's it, that's why this is two stars for me. Obviously a fan of St Clair but yes not all her books work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
333 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2019
Rock star and the fan-girl!

Reese and Sterling most definitely had a rough start. Who would have thought one glass of wine would have such interesting, long-lasting, effects.

I liked this story because it showed the human side of christianity. The side where we do dumb things and make dumb choices. The side where we aren't as intentional about our faith as we want.

I like how this book wasn't preachy. And didn't paint the non Christians in a terrible light to make the Christians look better. They all have moments of being a hot mess. Which is accurate.

I also liked that Sterling's anger and depression weren't better instantly because his faith was .ore or less restored. He had to work for it. And through it. He needed help and sought it. He challenged it head on, and didn't run away.

Staci is the best friend every one needs! She wasn't one to hold back. And she definitely challenged Reese when she was running away. I loved her tough love.

Overall, this book shows people pushing each other out of their comfort zones and into something better. It stretches them. But all in ways to grow and become better versions of themselves!

The 4 stars comes from inconsistencies in throughout the book. Something that usually isn't present in Ms. St Clair's work.
Profile Image for The Mysterious Reader.
3,588 reviews66 followers
February 4, 2019
Reese and Sterling’s story in Emma St. Clair’s The Rock Star's Scheming Bride (The Blushing Brides Series Book 1) is a beautifully written sweet and clean romance. There are deep dark guilt spaces in Sterling’s soul that he needs Reese to bring he light to, and she in turn needs the love he is capable of giving her no matter how he may resist it. This is a beautifully written, and pretty darn powerful, novel. The publisher’s blurb describes it fairly well except that it’s only tangentially a “Christian” novel in that Reese is a believer and would like to end up with a man who is as well. This is not one of those novels where the author’s faith is “in your face” or you feel like you’re being actively proselytized or that the author is disparaging anyone of a different faith (or even no faith). But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
Profile Image for Mikkayla.
302 reviews10 followers
November 6, 2020
There was a lot in this book that I totally and completely loved. But Sterling has a night and day kind of personality which can make him a total jerk, and his personal growth takes way too long.
Whereas Reese is just an amazing person and so likeable.
There were parts where I felt like he didn’t deserve her. I would have liked to see him do more in reconciling and making up for what he did. She forgave too easily.
I guess that’s part of it too though, when we love someone, we’re usually more willing to overlook their imperfections and vice versa. But that’s never an excuse to be a jerk and turn on someone who doesn’t deserve it. Sterlings moods seemed more like anger issues than just moodiness. And we’re I in that sort of relationship, I’d be concerned about that.
He does get help, but it’s such a small part of the story. He just wasn’t my favourite guy I suppose.

Overall it was a cute story. But things by a like Sterlings abrupt changes is personality and a lot of prayers throughout, it all just took away from the overall story for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cheyenne Davis.
303 reviews2 followers
December 20, 2019
Loved it!

I loved this story! I stayed up way too late reading it and caught myself smiling many times. Sterling and Reese are great characters. Flawed, quirky, wholesome, and loveable. They each have their own journey. Sterling especially has some deep painful things to work through, and I thought his pain was portrayed realistically. I loved the theme of vulnerability being strength and letting faith and hope help heal emotional wounds. The characters didn't all of a sudden have a perfect relationship with each other or with God, but improved little by little, which seems more realistic to me. The conflicts in the plot felt realistic and not contrived. The characters are solid and easy to root for. I liked the dual perspective between Sterling and Reese--especially in the beginning when Sterling is....terse and hard for Reese to read. This is definitely a book I plan on rereading!
Profile Image for Sarah Faith.
26 reviews
January 6, 2026
It started interestingly good… and then….


This was hard to read. I felt like Reese’s best friend watching from the sidelines who did NOT agree with the outcome or the quickness of the romance. Sterling was emotionally abusive and gave Reese whiplash and his love-bombing ways are all RED FLAGS for me. I love the concept of this story but it rushed the ending. It would have been better if by chance they had seen each other at Stacie’s wedding instead. All of it just felt rushed, alarmingly rushed. Not a fan of the lack of working out his actual issues. Kudos to Emma giving her MMC therapy which was a refreshing touch, but it just felt like he never should have assumed Reese was going to say yes to him. I wish he would have been more contrite, more humble. Ugh. Frustrated because I love the concept and the story trope, but it just… makes me feel bad for Reese, who will be hurting the way she was before, only behind closed doors for no one to see this time because of the ending.
Profile Image for Patty Scott.
Author 17 books93 followers
April 18, 2019
Great characters, engaging storyline

I read all Emma St Clare’s books. This one was the first to actually get me to shed tears on more than one occasion. It’s not a sad story, per se. The circumstances and emotions of some of the characters gripped me. I love that everyone’s lives weren’t neat and tidy. The story gives you a girl to root for, but the complications in the romantic relationship keep you on your toes. I love the main male character despite (and maybe even because of, his struggles), want to hang out with the two supporting characters. The way faith is woven into this story resembles real life. Faith is messy, involves questions, and doesn’t always come easily. I highly recommend this book. It might be my favorite. I think I say that after every Emma St. Claire book, but I mean it. Well, except the Sandover books. They really ARE my favorites.
Profile Image for Nicole.
905 reviews22 followers
March 4, 2021
My #1, most favorite trope is when the out-of-your-league guy (or gal) falls for the regular Jane (or Joe). This trope is my favorite because I love that moment when the “popular” character finally sees the regular Jane (or Joe) as the truly wonderful person she is. I also love this trope because of the character evolution the “popular” character undergoes in order to become the man/woman the regular character deserves to have in his/her life. The best example of this trope will always be Jane Eyre, but Managing the Rock Star by Emma St. Clair is a pretty close second. Managing the Rock Star has everything I love in a story — a FANTASTIC storyline that’s so engaging, I read this book in one day, characters who are complex and endearing and relatable, and conflicts that kept me turning pages well into the night cause I just had to know how things would work out. If I had one complaint with this book it would be that it ended. Managing the Rock Star is a book I could read again and again. This is a must-read story! If you are a fan of super sweet, excellently written, inspirational Contemporary Romances, then make sure to check out Managing the Rock Star. Truly, this is a book I just cannot recommend enough!

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on March 1, 2019, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Heather Green.
Author 9 books11 followers
February 5, 2019
Wasn't sure to begin with...

I had no idea who the love interest would be from the beginning of the book, but I didn't want it to be Reese. I didn't like her drunken fan girl vibe. But she grew on me and I ended up loving her! From her kindness to the bus driver to her forgiveness and selflessness, she won my heart. I also don't love rock star or Hollywood romance stories because I never feel like they'll stay together forever and I'm a together forever kind of girl. But I have hope for this couple. Their faith and down to earth attitudes will hopefully conquer life. Witty and charming. Clean and fun. I'll come back for more from this author
945 reviews9 followers
October 26, 2019
Swoonworthy (who wouldn't want to work for their music idol?) and fast-paced clean romance. I loved the humor between the H and h as well as their seemingly real-life happenstances with its ups and downs, mistakes, and doubts. I enjoyed watching the characters grow and transform as they wrestled with their faith in difficult circumstances. I applauded when Reese's BFF gave her advice with tough truths (not necessarily what she wanted to hear) and that Reese made decisions & sacrificed for Sterling, despite the negative impact they would have on her. Emma St. Clair is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! I highly recommend this book!
4,529 reviews38 followers
January 28, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed The Rock Star's Scheming Bride. The characters are well developed and personable. Reese is really outstanding at social media. Sterling is not your typical rock star; he is an introvert. Sterling has more than just image problems. His younger sister is an addict. He wants to help but his mother says stay away. There is a lot going on; I could not put the book down. If you are looking for an really well written, sweet, clean romance, do not miss The Rock Star's Scheming Bride. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Leslie  Bakke.
115 reviews
February 6, 2019
This is a great book. The story starts off with a comical situation and continues taking the reader on a rollercoaster ride. The book explores how family dynamics can cause emotional scars and insecurities. Emma St. Clair is one of my favorite Christian authors. All her books reflect her faith in a way that is not “preachy” or “judgmental”. I read the beta and couldn’t wait for the book to be published because Ms. St. Clair left the Epilogue off the beta. I needed to find out how the book ended so I purchased the book. The ending was perfect.
Profile Image for Janet Graham.
2,506 reviews12 followers
February 8, 2019
Clean Christian Romance
This is a sweet and clean Christian romance that is not anything like what the title suggests. While it has elements of faith and that is significant to the storyline, it is not as faith filed as many books. I enjoyed the story. It is not your bad-boy rock star romance. This is a straightforward story with believable and down to Earth characters. While the plot doesn't have too many surprises, it is done beautifully. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.
2,684 reviews19 followers
February 11, 2019
Another great book from Emma St. Clair. I enjoyed this story about Reese and Sterling because of all of the little stories making up the big picture. You have a story of a rock star, a media marketing person, a broken home, addiction, paparazzi, fake stories, losing faith in God and trying to believe again, so all of the little stories make one beautiful book that seems very real. I really liked all of the characters that helped to tell the story too. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Profile Image for Darla.
142 reviews
February 13, 2019
Oh so cute

Reese is an independent single women working a job she loves but a boss she doesn't. Sterling is a rockstar needing to improve his image. From the moment they met there was a spark between them. I enjoyed the story & the characters very much. However I did feel that some of the book was long winded.
If you aren't religious at all this book might not be a read you would enjoy. I am not extremely religious but I enjoyed everything about the faith that was written about in this book.
63 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2020
Sometimes the head must convince the heart of truth

A very true maxim. Christians are to live by the truth find in the Word of God, not according to how they "feel" about things. This is a well done representation of the additional challenges the Christian faith brings to difficult area of romance. I enjoyed the development of Reese and Sterling's relationship, especially when the solution Reese determines necessary to "fix" a problem that arises for Sterling, ultimately finalizes it. I will definitely be reading more of this author's books.
33 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2021
Don't miss this one!!!

I loved this book from the first page to the end!! Brought back memories of meeting my favorite artist as a young 20 something I could feel Reeces excitement when she met Sterling and then her dismay how it went. I loved the strong faith aspect that Emma chose to add to this book. It was a roller coaster of a read with major highs and descending lows again loved every bit!! I have already read the other books in this series didn't realize there was an order, a great series and for sure a new favorite author I'll add to my collection.
Profile Image for Chastin Scharfe.
69 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2022
Romance novel w message

I appreciate a good quick read that includes characters with depth. They face challenges, convictions and faith crisis. This is real, even if the whirlwind romance isn’t. I love how Emma gently weaves faith throughout the book and gives hope not just for the circumstances at hand but true hope from the ONLY One who can set us free from our guilt and shame and bondage. She reminds readers long lasting change isn’t from our own strength but found in God.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
1,534 reviews14 followers
May 18, 2022
Contains: a few mild swear words, kisses, religious elements. I think my biggest beef with this book was the turn around. Day 1 Sterling does not like Reese day 2 Sterling thinks Reese is the best person in the world. What happens between day 1 and day 2? I really don’t know. They sure didn’t talk that much in those times. These books are good for entertainment value but not really believable. I also really don’t like it when people make stupid decisions like being seen in public with someone who is not your girlfriend when you are a major celebrity that sort of stuff.
Profile Image for Ifeoluwa  Shobande .
716 reviews
June 5, 2024
This book talks about faith. Sometimes we don't know how we are hurting, we let our hurting out to hurt the people we care about cause we are so blinded that we cannot see how our Hurt is hurting oneself and the people we promised to love and protect.

This book started with hurtful guy now it ended with a married and fully healed in the Lord.

I love those book so much, even though I was lazy to read for somedays now. But thank you This a beautiful picture.


Thank you Emma St. Clair for this faithfully book.
3 reviews
December 2, 2024
Where Has This Book Been Hiding?!

I really thought that I had read everything that Emma St. Clair had written… enter “Managing the Rock Star” from FIVE years ago! Not sure how I missed this one other than to say that God sends us things when we need them. For different, but similar reason, I’ve been struggling with my faith lately, much like Sterling. This book as a great reminder that God loves us and wants us to be happy no matter how distant or how stifled we may have become in our relationship with Him. All that plus a HEA?! YES PLEASE! ♥️
Profile Image for Geneva.
90 reviews
January 5, 2025
While this seems to be a very popular scenario these days PR Rep turns romance with rock star I have to say this was one of the best I have read. I loved the characters. Reese is funny and witty and Sterling is like most musicians a man with many moods. The Christian overtones in the book might turn some off but it was done well. I devoured this book over the course of a day. I also have to give extra props to the author. You could tell she knows how to write about tours which is a huge plus for this music industry girl!
Profile Image for Daisy Dandelion.
765 reviews4 followers
April 21, 2025
Reese and Sterling

I love how this story weaves prayer into life and decisions. I applaud Emma St. Clair for embracing this concept. I wish more authors would. It makes no sense to me to go through the good and bad times without prayer.

Here's my favorite quote from this book: “There is great strength in vulnerability. People are afraid of it. They don’t understand that other people inherently recognize how brave it is to be raw and real. You would be tougher and softer at the same time. Powerful, but tender. It’s the best combination.”
Profile Image for MaryEllen.
2,906 reviews29 followers
February 5, 2019
Oh, my goodness! That was awesome.
It's great to see all these hurting people still do what's right, even while they are afraid of hurting further--the mom hoping, the sister choosing to go before she has the chance to change her mind... and of course our main characters praying for each other and their relationship.

I love that God work what they saw as a major blunder into a windfall.

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
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