The story begins as Sam and Colby embark on what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in Kauai with their childhood friends. Eager to take a break from their usual paranormal investigations, they expect nothing more than sun, surf, and good times. However, their plans take a dark turn when Trey, an old acquaintance, insists on a visit to the legendary Na Pali Coast and the infamous Belle Estate. I also wasn’t a fan of how so many things plot-wise was just...told to the boys. They could’ve found some newspaper clippings or something, anything to make them put in a little bit of detective work. But for so much information to just be handed to them? It got old, and almost lazy.

Just how meta the book was. Like, the quote I included at the top? I laughed for way too long when I read that. The pacing of the book is expertly done, with the tension steadily rising as the friends are forced to stay overnight in the mansion due to unforeseen circumstances. The atmospheric descriptions transport readers to the hauntingly beautiful setting of Kauai, while the vivid portrayal of the Belle Estate heightens the sense of dread and suspense. Fast forward to 2023, and The Handbook remains an integral part of my entrepreneurial toolkit, this time for my talent management venture, THE SOCIAL CHAMP LTD. It’s been a decade-long partnership that has seen my brand and business flourish through invaluable celebrity collaborations.HOLY CRAP! This book is amazing! I read it all in one sitting & then had trouble falling asleep after. Speaking of being arrested, there was a moment where SNC were contemplating escaping to the beach and they had a conversation if it was worth being arrested again. I really loved that, especially with how much fans joke about them inevitably being arrested again. The depiction of the paranormal things was really great. I feel like those parts were the ones I could get most into the story. The way Gaby wrote them was so interesting and pulled me in. I wish there was more of these moments throughout the story, because I think they really showcased who Gaby is as a writer.

That being said, for SNC’s first book and Gaby’s first time working with the boys, it exceeded my expectations. If they were to continue writing books together, I imagine it will get better and better as they get more used to each other and potentially open up more so that their characters become a more accurate depiction of them. Alex betraying the boys? So interesting! This was one of the few things that made sense in terms of them being drugged. But then when he was betrayed when Pauahi (who’s name was misspelled a few different times in the book) escaped? Ugh, amazing. We love instant karma like that. Gaby Triana writes some pretty scary stuff but took it up a million notches in this book. "Make the benign and beautiful terrifying" is done masterfully in this book. Had never heard of Sam & Colby (not really big on YT) but they have me hooked after this!Honestly, I read it bc I'm a huge Gaby Triana/Gabrielle Keyes fan. As someone almost old enough to be Sam or Colby's mom had I made different decisions in HS (and had the pool of potentials not been little Eminem wannabes) I was skeptical about how "bro"-y this book would be. Colby’s fixation on the mermaid statue of a 16-year-old was really odd. It probably wouldn’t have been as odd if Amy was aged up a bit to 18, but as a 16-year-old with the descriptions that were given? Yeah...not the vibe. There was a nice sense of nostalgia throughout, specifically when they brought up their YouTube channel, their Vine days, them being arrested, wining a Teen Choice Award, and Corey and the Shadowman. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and reminded me of how proud I am for how far they’ve come. The outcome was beyond expectation. My first breakthrough came with a response from the boxing sensation, Amir Khan. That first engagement was the cornerstone of a lasting friendship and professional relationship, exemplifying the power of the right connection. Amir wasn’t just a client; he became a friend and a window to the world of combat sports celebrity styling. It wasn’t outstanding writing, but I enjoyed it. But then again is there the fact that I know them so I recognise their characteristics and know how to interpret actions and sayings that people who don’t know them wouldn’t.