I don't like reviews that "gush"...they build my expectations up too high and I'm usually disappointed. Because we're all unique...I've learned what floats your boat might sink mine....etc. and so on, and all that. Therefore, I usually stick to the 3 star reviews...they're more honest. So at the risk of gushing over a story, here I go. This story wasn't easy to put down---even when my life and duty were threatening me. It has a fun and witty beginning with 25 y/o Sophie Darling being seated o...

I don't like reviews that "gush"...they build my expectations up too high and I'm usually disappointed. Because we're all unique...I've learned what floats your boat might sink mine....etc. and so on, and all that. Therefore, I usually stick to the 3 star reviews...they're more honest. So at the risk of gushing over a story, here I go. This story wasn't easy to put down---even when my life and duty were threatening me. It has a fun and witty beginning with 25 y/o Sophie Darling being seated on a plane next to a stuffy (but hawt) stuffed shirt...aaaaaaand the fun begins. Because Sophie is an outrageous, intelligent, warm, curvaceous platinum blond (this month), hottie. She's fun, chatty, vibrant and full of life. She's unpredictable and refreshing and I loved her. She can't help but poke the bear.

But it was Gabriel "Scottie" Scott who stole the show for me. Gabriel Scott is a very serious, prickly, stodgy English snob who values his privacy and keeps everyone, even loved ones, at arms length. He's one stern, rigid and yummy piece of hawt cheeze who's bored with women coming onto him. He's scorching ice...a testosterone menace. Too, too handsome, never smiles...always in control of himself and all things...he's a cold, emotionless machine who never seeks a relationship. Ever. His motto is: "When you don't yearn for anything, nothing can let you down". I loved his complex, arrogant, persnickety character who looks down his nose at everyone...who loves his solitude even though he'd never admit to being sometimes, very lonely. The most important thing in his life is managing the rock band, Kill John, and its members, who are closer than family to him. There's nothing he wouldn't do for them.

I quickly became addicted to this story. Couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end but couldn't read fast enough. It held me captive, often forcing laughter outta me and I'd reread paragraphs and pages just for the fun of it all. Superb, original and witty dialogue that holds throughout the story and builds up anticipation nicely. Sophie was such a breath of fresh air. So full of life; and she could see right through Gabriel. She's happy and vivacious but battling her own demons; she doesn't realize how transparent she is to Gabriel. A wonderful romantic story of a rigid and proud man who struggles to maintain his rules and regulations he puts on himself, but longs to let go when he meets this platinum blond tornado. It's about Gabriel facing the demise of his rigid persona and the birth of his new life. This story was nicely paced...told in 1st person with such clever dialogue balanced perfectly with narration. Sex scenes are explicit and steamy, but they're few and don't overpower the plot. Character descriptions are strong and the author never let my mind wander or forget what our protagonists looked like. She gave me detailed descriptions giving me the perfect visual and I immediately connected. Great controversy, drama and angst.

Even though I've read this author before, let it be known that I didn't receive an ARC and I am not acquainted with her.

Overall Opinion: I feel like this deja vu for me in regards to how I felt about the first book, Idol. I LOVED the first part of this book! I loved the witty banter, the chemistry, the grumpy hot H and the awkward funny h! I was on my way to having a 5 star read!

Then, sadly, it fizzed out. I got antsy about waiting for them to actually get together. While I loved their friendship and their banter, I just wanted them to get it on ;)! It took until 73% for them to kiss for the first time!!!!...

Overall Opinion: I feel like this deja vu for me in regards to how I felt about the first book, Idol. I LOVED the first part of this book! I loved the witty banter, the chemistry, the grumpy hot H and the awkward funny h! I was on my way to having a 5 star read!

Then, sadly, it fizzed out. I got antsy about waiting for them to actually get together. While I loved their friendship and their banter, I just wanted them to get it on ;)! It took until 73% for them to kiss for the first time!!!! I am definitely not a fan of instalove. I need to feel their connection before the "L" word starts being thrown around (even in inner dialogue). BUT I also am not a fan when the "slow burn" is too slow! I need a good balance, and unfortunately because I didn't feel like this was properly balanced it lost me. I don't need them to get frisky right off the bat in a book for me to like it, but I just didn't understand why they weren't giving in to their feelings here. It became frustrating to me, and I started to feel the itch to skim. I didn't! I stayed with it, but I really was ready for them to start up an actual relationship.

I also was extremely frustrated with the "drama" that was thrown in at around the 85ish% mark. It felt like drama for the sake of drama, and it honestly just made me upset with the h. I know that the H was the one that we probably are supposed to feel "messed up" (because he is the one that made the big effort to make-up), but the h was bordering on that tstl line for me with her behavior. I loved her otherwise! I was just really bummed with how she reacted and didn't fully trust the H and the relationship they had to be honest. I know that I am usually harder on the hs than I am on the Hs, so that might just be the case here.

I also wanted more! I wanted to see their HEA!! I wanted a farther jump ahead epilogue to see them with a family and settled down like Sophie had said was all she really wanted in life. While the epilogue was cute, it just didn't leave me with that feeling of fulfillment.

**See Goodreads.com/NMmomof4 for my full review with spoilers**

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Sophie and Gabriel's story. They meet on a international flight when they are seated together in first class. They quickly engage in some fun banter and have an instant attraction, but they eventually figure out that Sophie is on her way to interview for a job with the band Gabriel manages. They end up working together and forming an strong friendship where both of them help each other out, and much to everyone's surprise Gabriel lets Sophie in to see the real him. They spend more time together, and the line between friends becomes really blurred and they fall in love. There are some laugh out loud moments, some sexy times, some sweet moments, and a little drama...but they do get a HFN ending.

POV: This alternated between Sophie and Gabriel's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Great for the first half, but then I struggled with it. It is my biggest complaint tbh. I never skimmed though.

Instalove: No, but instalust and instant connection.

H rating: 5 stars. Gabriel. I loved him! I loved how protective and loyal he was to those he loved. I loved how he was with Sophie, and his inner dork.

h rating: 3.5 stars. Sophie. I loved her until she decided to keep something from the H close to the end.

Sadness level: Low. Never needed any tissues.

Push/Pull: Yes

Heat level: Moderate. They take a long time to get there, but once they do they have good chemistry and scenes.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW/OM drama: Yes, but mild

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: Not really

Closure: This had ok closure with a jump ahead epilogue. I would call it a HFN ending, but others might be fine with calling it a HEA. Being the greedy girl I am, I wanted more!

How I got it: I paid the $3.99 on Amazon for it.

I do not have enough words in vocabulary to adequately express my admiration and gratitude for this author.
I am currently on my third re-reading of the book, loving it so much.
There is just something special in a way she puts the words together, magical and utterly captivating.

I find myself revisiting certain passages, charmed by the dialogues between the characters, touched by their inner turmoil.

The bond between Sophie and Gabriel is one of the kind, the beautiful souls once lit...

I do not have enough words in vocabulary to adequately express my admiration and gratitude for this author.
I am currently on my third re-reading of the book, loving it so much.
There is just something special in a way she puts the words together, magical and utterly captivating.

I find myself revisiting certain passages, charmed by the dialogues between the characters, touched by their inner turmoil.

The bond between Sophie and Gabriel is one of the kind, the beautiful souls once little lost, now anchored together.
I loved their tender moments, raw emotions, exquisite development, delicious tension, how deeply they care for one another.
Ms Callihan writes from the heart and soul and with craftmanship that is unique to find in romance.