Interviewing Michael

by Desiree Span

Rock star legend Michael Siel has never enjoyed being in the public eye and following the tragic accident that killed his brother and career, he’s sworn the media off forever.
Music journalist Allison Webber is desperate for the perfect feature article to get her dream job. During a routine interview about Sandra Siel’s latest music album, Sandra’s brother, Michael literally lands in Alli’s lap—after coming home very drunk and flirty.
A few days later, Michael finds himself answering the door to the beautiful journalist. If it were up to him, he'd slam the door in any journalist's face, but Allison is there for Sandra's follow up interview; an interview he screwed up.
When Allison and Michael are forced together sparks fly. But Michael is broken and knows Allison would be better off without him.
Can Allison charm her way into a feature article and keep her heart?
Can Michael overcome his fears, tell the world his story, and heal his own?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2022

About the author

Desiree Span is an emerging voice in contemporary romance and women's fiction, with novels praised as "must-reads," "heartbreaking," and "captivating."

Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and a Caribbean mother, she was raised with the best of both cultures and surrounded by a mix of languages, traditions, and perspectives that continue to shape her storytelling. Her stories draw readers in with emotional depth, multicultural characters, and the kind of settings that stay with you. Her protagonists are deeply human—flawed, complex, and each facing their own struggles as they fight to earn the love and happily-ever-after they deserve.

She holds a master’s degree in English and Education and another in Film and Performing Arts. When she’s not teaching English, Desiree is working on her next novel or enjoying a cozy moment with a hot chocolate and a good book.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. I prefer my romances darker but this had some darkness along with the sweetness and angst of their romance. I’m all for a happy ending. Sometimes the darkness of these books is too dark. There are some triggers including addiction and severe grief.

[Resse · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You made me realize I'm capable of picking up my life again."

Stories about broken people tend to draw me in. It feels more realistic than a perfect, flawless person. It could be because, on some level, I can relate to it. It also could be because a kindred spirit recognizes a kindred spirit situation.

A person's past can impact their present/future more than they would realize. Michael being a rockstar, is beyond my reach, but rockstars are people too. Even though their life is out in the spotlight, they have feelings and are the same as everyone else. He hates the media. It was worse after a tragic accident that changed his life. He went into hiding, evading interviews and doing his best not to be caught in public. However, being a celebrity, especially from a young age, makes people more curious about your life. Allison is trying to get her dream job, but to do that, she must catch a big story for her application. She's a journalist with a famous mother, but instead of using those connections to get what she wants, she got there on her own. Allison understands where Michael comes from because growing up in the limelight is difficult. Allison is a fixer. She always chooses broken people and tries to fix them. And it never works out for her. But once you're in a familiar pattern, it's not easy to break because that's what you're comfortable with. Enter Michael; he's broken, and Allison deserves better than him. But you can't choose who you love, can you?

The only problem I had was how it was continually pointed out that Michael was a bad person, or at least bad for her, which was why she was attracted to him. People base their opinion of Michael not being a good person on secondhand information rather than getting to know him personally. And yet, somehow, Charlie is a good and sweet person. Allison questions why she couldn't be attracted to Charlie instead of Michael because he would've been better for her. However, based on my opinion, Charlie is far from sweet. His actions say he's more of an a-hole than anything. But somehow, his actions are justified as him being a good person. However, the ones that are considered a-holes are the ones that are sweet under their hard exterior. That is why the saying, 'never judge a person by their cover,' exists.

There was a point where it was so emotional that I cried, which I wasn't expecting, but it was a pleasant surprise because that's a good indicator that I enjoyed Interviewing Michael. Or, at the very least, it was a part that I could relate to.

I'm glad this is only the first book in the Siel series, and there will be more. Interviewing Michael was the first time I read something from Desiree Span, and I can't wait to read more from her.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25)

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allison Webber, music journalist, has scored an interview with one of the infamously reclusive Siel family. Sandra, the oldest is releasing a new solo album. The Siels are still mourning the loss of one of their own in a tragic accident and are coping in various degrees of healthy strategy. Enter Michael, the younger, drunken brother, who is not only grieving the loss of his twin brother but also his career. He, too, was in the accident and lost an arm, making playing guitar nigh impossible. During the interview, he hurts himself, leaving Allison without her Sandra interview. As Michael and Allison get closer, the abusive patriarch Leonard, drops the news that he intends to profit from the family's grief by writing a memoir. Sickened by the idea, Michael offers Allison an interview with him, something that he hasn't done since before his injury. Fools, as it's said, fall in love.

Both Allison and Michael are flawed characters that I fell in love with 50 pages in. They have wonderful, flirty chemistry from the jump. The character growth from both is stunningly done without feeling like insta-love. Michael's struggles to figure out how to do the things that were lost to him on that night are in no way small and Allison is instrumental. Allison, who is the daughter of a singer who died of an OD, needs to learn to forgive herself and to stop being such a people pleasure which - surprise - is where Michael fits in.

The only reason this was not a perfect rating is the supporting characters. Compared to the labor of love that is the book's couple, they felt a little flat for me. It didn't affect my enjoyment of the narrative, but I just wanted a little more from them. The disability representation felt natural and, for lack of a better word, real.

If you like forced proximity, one bed, bad boy with a heart of gold, and friends to lovers, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book.



✰✰✰✰

Special thanks to the publisher and Hidden Gems for sending me a copy of this book.

[Jahara - Jarjarbindings · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She’d been his salvation, and loving her, having her in his life, eased the lingering pain of grief."

Blurb: Rock star legend Michael Siel has never enjoyed being in the public eye and following the tragic accident that killed his brother and career, he’s sworn the media off forever. Music journalist Allison Webber is desperate for the perfect feature article to get her dream job. During a routine interview about Sandra Siel’s latest music album, Sandra’s brother, Michael literally lands in Alli’s lap—after coming home very drunk and flirty. A few days later, Michael finds himself answering the door to the beautiful journalist. If it were up to him, he'd slam the door in any journalist's face, but Allison is there for Sandra's follow up interview; an interview he screwed up. When Allison and Michael are forced together sparks fly. But Michael is broken and knows Allison would be better off without him.
Can Allison charm her way into a feature article and keep her heart? Can Michael overcome his fears, tell the world his story, and heal his own?
My thoughts: This book was such a different, fun, sweet story to read! I loved the storyline, the grief that the characters were experiencing felt so honest and real, and just the overall setting and theme of the book was so enjoyable, and I really loved the writing style and I always adore books centered on music (my first love!) so i really think you should pick this one up! Its on kindle unlimited!

I give Interviewing Michael by Desiree Span ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ayana Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is an emotional story with the ups and downs people face.

Michael has grown up with musical family through his whole life. However when he loses his twin brother everything goes downhill for him. With the months of the accident he keeps blame himself for the accident of his brother. Michael meets Allison, who is a journalist who want to get her dream job. For Allison to get it, she is Interviewing his sister. Michael hates the media, he wants to stay hidden and not pay attention to the media. However with the accident the media has just gotten worse.

Allison and Michael slowly form a friendship with them both growing up with famous parents. So with the understand of the famous family, Allison understand what Michael is going through with the media and ups and downs it comes with it. She try to tell him his not like all the other journalist out there.

This story is filled with so much. So if you like

- Rockstar Romance
- emotional read
- suspense
- edge of your seat

Then check out this book today.

[Dolly G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is the first one to make me kick-my-feets giddy in a long while...

Allison is a journalist, and Micheal is a musician. As his life drops from the highest skyscraper possible, they meet. Her original goal was the conduct an interview with Sandra Siel, but ended up meeting and getting to know the world's very own Micheal Siel!

I absolutely loved the relationship between Micheal and Allison, it made me giddy in every way!! The way the author writes the romantic scenes is my favorite, all the details were there, enough to make me picture the scene as a whole.

I definitely plan to read more of Desiree's work, I quickly became OBSESSED!!

Interviewing Micheal is a romance book worth going on your shelves! I definitely recommend it to those who love rockstar romance & suspensful romance 🫶🏻💗

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. Allison and Michael shared much in common with their upbringing and having famous parents. And also suffering the loss of a parent, both changed by that loss and more. Allison, an aspiring journalist looking to land a new job with a magazine, was tasked with interviewing Sandra Siel and getting a more in-depth piece to make her stand out. But when Michael crashes the interview a whole new opportunity makes itself available to her and getting an interview with Michael Siel, himself. However when work and personal feelings get mixed together, things tend to go awry. With betrayals and battles with alcohol become too much, Michael runs and Allison once again has to piece herself back together. Their story is one of heart break and second chances. I loved it from beginning to end.

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interviewing Michael is an emotional story about two people who are struggling to overcome the trauma in their lives. Allison and Michael meet when Allison is there to interview his sister. Allison hopes that this interview will help her land a great job. Michael stumbles into the interview inebriated and falls and hurts himself. Michael uses alcohol to try to forget about the the accident that him and his brother were involved in. However, Allison also has some insight into addiction since her mother died of a drug overdose. Despite all of this Michael and Allison fall in love, but as always the road or path to true love is never easy. This book will take you on a emotional roller coaster of many highs and lows sit back and enjoy the ride.

[Ally Doby (Schleicher) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael and Allison

This was a sweet book about overcoming grief, self insecurity, heartbreak and addiction to find your HEA. It is told in third person POV and follows a journalist with a plan to boost her career, but what she finds is so much more than she expected. It also follows a musician who has lost his way and allowed his demons to overcome him until he sees the light he never thought he deserved show up to save him.

The chemistry and banter between Allison and Michael was great. I loved that she knew when to push and when to back off. I loved that even though he fought his feelings, he was able to overcome them and come out on top.

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What an emotional ride. I loved the plot. It was well written. It’s emotional covering topics such as mental health, PTSD, and addiction. The characters are easily relatable. While I though they were well developed, the internal thoughts were repetitive. I also experienced switching scenes a bit confusing. One sentence she said she needed to find a dress and then the next sentence she’s s at the party. Nothing major that took away my enjoyment. I was glad to see their growth especially Michael’s What a transformation. Don’t get me started on Charlie - what a jerk! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Amanda Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all this book I'm not even sure where to begin with it !!! I loved every single min of it. I loved the writing style and how the author didn't shy away from discussing hard things like alcoholism, PTSD, depression and anxiety and copping mechanisms and how to go about them correctly and I loved how the author used Michaels disability for good and how it made him stronger for it. Something that isn't talked about a lot in books or in life is depression anxiety and disability they all play a huge role in so many lives !!! I loved this book I'm pretty sure I read in a few hours ( sorry family lol) y'all go get this book !!!

[Ms.Sophia Firewall · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart was almost giving out on me!

The storyline starts in a refreshing intro to a curious and intriguing setting of tone, swooshed to feelings of attraction...heart gives out of saddnes and grief and pulls me right back out of almost crying to barely breathing...!

The female lead has a humorous character and lively attitude while the male lead is opposite but not so cliché as I thought in the beginning. Their involvement takes interesting turns untill the romance is on which will make you count your heartbeatings when reading.

Overall, I loved this! It made me feel happy, made me smile, made me sad and angry and that is what an accomplished novel will do.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author. This story revolves around Allison and Michael. Allison interviewed Michael’s sister, Sandra. Sandra is basically Allison’s idol. She’s a famous classical musician. Michael shows up drunk and gives himself concussion. He has to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance due to his head injury. Michael was in an accident that killed his twin, Luca. He’s in pain over the loss and Allison is an addict that stems from her rock star mother who died of a drug overdose. They,both have a great deal of baggage to overcome

[Devons book corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interviewing Michael was a really good, but emotional read about two people that are struggling to overcome the trauma they have in their lives. Allison is a journalist. She ends up meeting Michael when she interviews his sister. Michael is a musician trying to battle his demons. Together, these two share some incredible chemistry, all while overcoming the hurdles in their life. I think this book was very well written, and the author did a good job writing about sensitive topics.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absorbing, emotional story of a man in pain and the woman who wants to save him. Michael is a drunken, guilt ridden mess who is flushing his life down the drain. A brilliant musician, he's having difficulty coping with the aftermath of a tragic accident that cost the life of his twin brother and ended his own career. Allison is a fixer, always falling for the broken musician and is determined not to do so this time, but in her heart, she knows Michael is different, and she is the one who could end up broken.

This is the first book I have read by Desiree Span and I loved it. The writing is great and I was completely caught up in the story. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shavonne Belford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A damaged rock star and a reporter looking for a story to take her career to the next level. This story was dramatic,suspenseful, romantic, and heartbreaking a journey of two souls recovering from the past one over the loss of his brother and he thinks his careers after a terrible accident and her the child of a star whose life ended to soon with many unanswered questions

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!
This book gave me all feels. There was angst and steam and so much more. I thought the characters were relatable. I loved the relationship that grew between Michael and Allison. Overall, I loved it.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story of Alli and Michael. The character development and the storyline were well done. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

This is an emotionally charged book. Michael is a musical genius. He is from a musical family with a dark past. He was is a downward spiral after losing his twin brother in an accident. Michael blames himself for the accident. By chance, Michael meets Allison, a journalist who is interviewing his sister. They form an uneasy friendship due to growing up with famous parents. When Michael wants to give an in depth interview, he calls Allison.

This book deals with addiction, abuse, and mental health. It is a good book that I enjoyed. It was written to where the reader could feel and emphasize with the characters.

[RupeLove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get enough of this book. It definitely had a grumpy/sunshine trope. This was one of those books that your heart just hurts for both characters because it's hard to fault either one for the pain they inflict on each other.

Allison is the daughter of one of the greatest female rockers of her time. Her mother died of a drug overdose when she and her brother were young and Alli always felt that her mother never cared for them. She has a ton of emotional trauma from her mother's death, and from all the times she had to take care of her when she would be passed out in her own vomit. She always wondered if anything would have been different if anyone in her mother's band or who was close to her would have tried to get her clean, instead of partying with her. From the outside, she knows her family looked like a good time and no one thought about her or her brother, Milo, or what they went through. But inside the family was hell. It's because of this that she decides to be a music journalist, so she can tell the real stories behind the music and these music families.

Michael Siel is, from the outside, a washed up musician. He has been in multiple bands with his family in childhood, and then just with his brother in adulthood. 8 months ago, he was in an accident that took his twin brother from him, and left him without most of his arm. The guilt of the accident mixed with not being able to play the guitar to escape into music, leaves Michael a shell that he numbs with alcohol and women. The family is notoriously private and no one talks to the media. This has been engrained since childhood. Michael and Sandra are the only ones left in the family who make music. Their mother died when Michael was young of heart failure after one of her concerts, and Luca died in the accident with Michael. Michael and Sandra know they need to keep all the secrets their family is holding.

Allison works for Tunes magazine and scores an interview with Sandra Siel and is determined to get information on the elusive Michael Siel. As Alli starts to push Sandra to the point of making her upset, Michael shows up drunk and starts to hit on Alli. He then falls down and busts his head open. He's rushed to the hospital and Alli has to sign and NDA and is forced to reschedule her interview with Sandra.

Through a mix up in the reschedule. Michael and Alli spend some time together waiting for Sandra and he starts to thaw a wee bit. He starts to realize that he feels better when Alli is around. He finds out who her mother is and knows that she has been through some of the same stuff he has. He also learns that she needs this interview. In this getting to know you time, Alli learns that Michael isn't all hard edges, but is kinda fun to be around.

Fast-forward: Leonard Siel is getting ready to write his memoirs to make money to get the IRS off his back. Above all, the father of the family cares about his reputation, and taking credit for the musical talents and achievements of his wife and children, even in their deaths. Sandra and Michael need to make sure the true story is able to come out, before he spouts his lies and makes more money off their family. They enlist Alli to write this up. From the way Michael sees it, it's a win-win situation: the Siel story will come out and negate everything Leonard's book says, and Alli will get her story before her deadline.

Of course Michael and Alli become closer and are falling for each other. Michael, though, breaks it off with Alli over and over and then comes back right after. Alli can't believe that after all they've been through, both legal an illegal, he can just leave her. More than once, she has to take care of him in his drunken state, just like she did her mom. When Michael sobers and realizes this, it reaffirms that he cannot stay with her and doesn't deserve her. After all the toxicity, Alli finally doesn't let Michael come back.

Will the two be able to heal themselves to be good for each other? Or will they both be stuck in the emotions of their pasts?

Loved both of these characters and the side characters (except Charlie - jealous turdface). Both were deep and made you FEEL their feelings.

My one issue with his book is there was no break in pages when the scene changed. I would be reading in one scene and setting and the next line would be different people in different settings. No line spacing or indication that the scene had changed....so confusing.

Spice: 2.5/3
POV: Dual

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

[Patty Baumeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Book Review
Interviewing Michael
A Novel Written By Desiree Span
Fiction
Published 2022
297 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really liked this book. The two main characters are flawed. They both come from families in the music industry. Allison Webber’s mother was a well know singer whose death was caused by a drug overdose. Allison is now a music magazine journalist. Michael Siel is a musician who was in a band with his twin brother. A car accident killed his twin brother and ended Michael’s music career. Michael feels grief, regret, and guilt because of the accident. He is dealing with PTSD and using alcohol to mask his grief and guilt. Although flawed, Allison and Michael are very likable. The author’s writing had me hoping for the best for both of them.

Allison has hopes that an interview with Michael’s sister, Sandra, will lead to a better job with a leading music magazine. Instead she is interviewing Michael.

Can these two troubled individuals save each other?

“But when I’m with you….it’s like every bad thought and feeling sort of gets put on hold.”

[J Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy. Allison is a journalist for a music magazine and she is trying to interview Sandrea Siel, Michael's sister when these two meet. Michael was in a band with his twin brother when his brother was killed in a car accident. Michael has been coping with his grief by using alcohol. Allison ends up interviewing Michael. Michael is struggling and Allson who only wants to help fix people thinks she can help Michael. Michael and Allsion have a strong attracton to each other but both have so much pain and baggage it is hard to see how they could overcome it all. Will Michael get the help he needs before he destroys himself and his relationship with Allison?

[Pea Easter-Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey Now,

So we all know I love a HEA but I live for the underdog!!! Michael is broken and know it and he is fighting the blackness that is so easy to fall into. And then you have his family and friends that want to help but really don’t know how. But the best is Alli because she blindly believes in him. She doesn’t care that she is repeating her own vicious cycle. I mean to see the growth in such a short time, I read it fast. This book hit all my happy triggers.

[Nikki W · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱: rockstar romance, chemistry, overcoming trauma & addiction

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: I really liked this one. I was a 4 ⭐️ for me. The writing was good and I loved the plot. The MCs had amazing chemistry. It dealt with PTSD and past trauma for both. They healed and overcame it to make each other stronger.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was a rock star when an accident killed his brother so he hides away. She needs an interview with his sister and he screws it up so they try again. The sparks fly between them and his life may just change when she arrives. What is going to happen? How will it all go? See how it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Reading_with_dani93 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a book with broken characters finding their way through the darkness you will enjoy this book. The chemistry between the characters was great and I did like the plot. I will definitely be reading more by Desiree in the future!

[Raechel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

This is a heavy one full of heart-wrenching revelations throughout. However, this story is, ultimately, one of healing and survival. There are a few gaps in the background story for the FMC, but overall a good read.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Michael and Allison’s book. It was an engaging read. And am voluntarily leaving this review.