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5+ stars!







Sophie Darling is on a flight to London for a job interview, and it seems luck is going her way when she gets upgraded to first class. She also gets seated next to someone who could be on the cover of GQ.

Handsome, English, but standoffish, Gabriel "Scottie" Scott, the manager of one of the biggest bands in contemporary music, finds himself seated next to a bubbly and vivacious blonde on a seven-hour flight. Even after paying for two seats, he has no choice but to sit next to Sophie on the way to London. Curse his luck. He's deathly afraid of flying, and now a beautiful but annoying/entertaining woman will become witness to his breakdown.

In the span of a seven-hour flight, Sophie manages to cuddle with Gabriel (blame it on the turbulence), flirt with/annoy him, and find out that he is her potential boss, which is also news to Gabriel.
Fast forward to Sophie getting the job. She tours with Kill John and Gabriel in their European leg, and Gabriel proposes an arrangement that would benefit them both. Sleep together each not. Not sex, just sleep. They've been having trouble sleeping lately, and have only slept peacefully when they were together. And so they sleep together while they both fight the attraction and sexual tension that's so thick and sharp, it could cut glass.

I love this book. I'm still buzzing from the high I got from reading this. I liked what I read about Gabriel Scott in Idol, but I completely fell in love with him in Managed. This book is one of my top reads this year. Kristen Callihan wrote this romantic masterpiece with amazing characters, the perfect slow burn, and a swoon-worthy relationship. I want to read it over and over again!

Now let me tell you more about the things I loved about the book:

Gabriel Scott. Oh man, he's ruined all men for me. I am a sucker for the brooding leading men who are actually cuddly teddy bears who will give you the world if he lets you in his. He is every bit the English gentleman with his perfectly-tailored suits, penchant for tea and pudding, and proper English manners. He appears cold and unapproachable––an impenetrable wall––and he may have made a grown man cry, but he's more than meets the eye. His past broke my heart and his present made me love him even more. And he's a complete and utter romantic. I'm swooning right now.

The world can fuck off when I'm with Sophie Darling. There is only us. I don't have to be anyone but Gabriel."

Sophie Darling. I've never related to any characters as much as I did with her. She's a happy-go-lucky girl who lives life by the day, but sometimes she can't help but worry if she's defective because she's not like the rest. Plus we have a similar job. Kind of.

Her past career has traumatized her, and she still carries that weight of the guilt on her shoulder. You wouldn't think that with how she acts. She's a ball of sunshine, but she won't let anyone treat her like sh*t. I love her!

And she's part-Filipino!!! Granted, her mother is half, so she's like 25% Filipino, but hey. I'm all for that! And Lumpia? Lumpia is life.

Plus, she's hilarious!

He's an arrogant assmunch...And why the hell does everyone call him Scottie? The name doesn't fit him at all. Beelzebub would be better."

Their relationship. A-freaking-dorable! They seem like polar opposites; while Sophie lives life by the day, Gabriel spends his planning it. Truth is, they have a lot in common than they thought. They're also attuned to each other's needs, it made me melt!!! Gabriel doesn't have to tell Sophie anything, but suddenly she's there and she's helping him and making him feel things, therefore making me feel things. And I love how Gabriel is when he's with Sophie. Swoooon! Their banter's pretty hilarious, too!

Me: Your sarcasm smells of slain interns' blood and the souls of missing record execs.
Sunshine: False. That is what I eat for breakfast. Keep up, Darling."

Their first time. Oh my gosh. What a scene. It was a slow build up, and the story was filled with the perfect balance of sexual tension and sweet little moments. I wanted to celebrate when I finally read their first time. It was perfect.



The camaraderie between Kill John, Libby, Gabriel, Sophie, and Brenna. They're always there for each other and they're a family––with the exception of the romantic relationships, of course. I also love how Jax looks out for Sophie and how much they understand each other. But Kill John and Gabriel wins best bromance ever. They're such adorable idiots when they're together! I love them!

The pace and voice. I breezed through this book. I had no idea hours had passed by because I was so invested, so immersed in the story. I didn't feel rushed, and I was so entertained by both Gabriel's and Sophie's POVs. PLUS THE ENDING omg. It was beautiful.

So, it's safe to say I love this book. I'll recommend this to any romance novel lover, especially to those who have a weakness for the secretly romantic brooding man and a feisty and amazing heroine.

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