Oakley Ford is sort of Harry Stiles(ish) for me. He is a conceited rock star who has been famous since the age of 14 and likes to indulge and party at every chance. Now at 19, he wants to have his music taken more seriously but it won’t be easy to clean up his image. His “people” decide a fake relationship with a normal girl will be just the thing to turn this perception around and get him back in the good graces of fans and music executives. Enter Vaughn. She’s had to mature very fast to help her family stay afloat and that’s exactly why she takes on the job of Oakley’s girlfriend when it’s offered.

So there isn’t a lot of original in the basic structure of this plot, and there’s even quite a bit of cliché. But somehow along the way I stopped caring and I just started enjoying. Oakley definitely won my heart a lot faster than Vaughn did. Seeing behind the curtain of Hollywood and how things are not always what they seem on social media was so much fun and gave you exactly what you needed to see through Oak. I understood the lonely position he felt he was in, boxed in by his past actions and by his music, not really able to be who he wanted to be, to be respected and looked at ass a serious artist or even to trust his friends. That jerk exterior suddenly just felt like his armor and I couldn’t help but love him for it. Jerkish ways and all.

Vaughn, like I said, I didn’t warm up to as fast. I’m not sure why because she seems like a girl with a good head on her shoulders. But I didn’t “love” her. I do think she has great chemistry and banter with Oak. I also think the author did a great job at still making her act and feel her age even though she’s been dealt a hand that makes her grow up much faster. She still deals with the insecurities and life questions that anyone at her age should be dealing with and her reactions to things do make sense for her age as well. And as a bonus, I didn’t want to murder her because of all her teenage angst.

I can’t compare this to the other Erin Watt books since I haven’t read them but I have a feeling this falls more in the young adult genre than their other work. I am here to tell you I’m a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Contemporary Young Adult is not really my thing, I usually find the characters quite annoying and my eyes end up hurting from rolling them so much. The premise of this story could’ve been a disaster for me. But I trusted the author, went in with a good attitude and was so pleasantly surprised that I shocked myself. I might’ve even texted a few friends while reading this and after finishing it asking them how was it possible that I so into it!

WHEN IT’S REAL is a fun-filled story. Perfectly light and addictive to read by the pool this summer. I just ate it up so fast I think you might as well and just fall in love with the little brat rock star hero just like I did.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 rockin' stars

Erin Watt is a new-to-me author. I own her Royals series, but I've yet to read it – I will soon rectify that.

When It's Real is too young to be new adult but a bit too old to be young adult, so I'm just going to go ahead and say it's a mature YA. One narrator is an innocent 17, the other a jaded 19 yet innocent in matters of the heart. There are sexual situations, but not above the norm for teenagers (descriptions are light, and fade-to-black, so if you know what's going on, you do – if you don't, you won't). If I had a child, I'd let them read it 14+. If I were a teen, I would've gone nuts over this book (as an adult, I did too). Plus, I felt there were several good messages that would impact a teenager for the positive.

Vaughn is our heroine, a 17-year-old orphan being raised by her older sister, as they jointly raise their 12-year-old twin brothers. Their struggles make Vaughn completely relatable. She's the girl-next-door, innocent, caring, giving, highly intelligent, yet she is also flawed.

Oak is our hero, a 19-year-old rock star. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, unable to know who to trust in a world of fake, and he's blocked when it comes to his music. He's in need of a muse and a mature makeover, so he no longer comes off as Justin-Bieber-esque. Oak is a bit of a d-bag, but he's a relatable, flawed d-bag. He's 'our' d-bag with a heart of gold and in need of a real hug from someone who loves him, not wants something from him.

Without writing out a plot summary/book report... Vaughn and Oak had great chemistry, tension, a realistic friendship that grew over the course of the book. Oodles of teenage angst due to the storyline. When It's Real had the recipe for an intoxicating young adult novel.

I give mad props to Erin Watt for focusing on the negatives of the recording industry, instead of going the vapid way out, making it all about sunshine and rainbows, and the thrill of having money and anything your heart desires. While Oak loved the spotlight, the thrill of thousands of fans screaming his name, he also craved a family, normalcy, anonymity – all things he recognizes in Vaughn.

At the core of the story, Oak has biological relatives but no real connection, yet Vaughn's family is tighter due to tragedy. So their connection is forged by being able to share and show each other what is most important in life, balancing out the good and bad.

I highly recommend to young adult fans (may be a bit too mild for new adult fans who are looking for the usual gut-twisting angst and explicit sex present in most new adult books) and for those young at heart looking for an injection of the warmth from first love.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆☆
I quickly became a fan of this author duo when The Royals series came out and I couldn't wait to see what they did next! When It's Real has exactly the kind of addictive quality we've come to love from Erin Watt. So, it's no surprise that I was immediately sucked into Vaughn and Oakley's story.

Oakley Ford, a teen pop star, is in need of an image makeover and his team decides to accomplish this with a fake girlfriend. Oakley's fake girlfriend is supposed to help show the media that his party days are a thing of the past and his new wholesome girl is helping to settle him down.

Vaughn's family is strapped for cash and playing Oakley's fake girlfriend is worth way more than her waitress job and the kind of money she couldn't possibly pass up. The amount of money his team will be paying her will definitely be worth putting up with all the crazy publicity, parties, and a self-centered pop star.

When It's Real will easily win over fans both young and old. The characters were well developed and I easily fell in love with them all. Plus, the chemistry between Vaughn and Oakley was on point! I can't wait to see what Erin Watt has in store for us next!


Kris – ☆☆☆☆☆
I absolutely loved this book. It had everything I like in a rock star romance but with a sweet innocence of the young adult genre. Although not quite young adult, but not quite new adult, it has a nice mix of steamy moments without too much detail, just enough to make you get that nice little thrill. Oakley Ford's character as the teen pop sensation (think Justin Bieber) was perfectly portrayed and very well written. Bratty and prone to getting his way, but trying to become a better songwriter and change up his music, Oakley is hoping to snag the very desirable King to produce his next record. King won’t have a thing to do with Oakley until Oak shows some maturity. Oakley is told he's going to be dating a "normal" mostly to snag King. His publicist and manager have picked the girl for him, Vaughn Bennett. She's just what they need to clean up Oakley's image – a young, fresh nobody, a normal teenage girl with a wholesome background.

Vaughn has been floating since her parents died. Not really sure where her future is or should be going. She's approached to spend a year being Oakley Ford's girlfriend for a very large sum of money. Money that her family could desperately use since their parents died leaving her twin younger brothers to be raised by her and her sister. Vaughn has a boyfriend but decides this is important for her family and hopes W (yep, he goes by W) will understand it's all fake. The love triangle is well written with enough strife to be interesting but not overdone. I totally "shipped" Oakley and Vaughn and wanted them to have their happily ever after! The Twitter feed portions were nicely added, showing everything a normal girl would face dating a huge celeb with the internet involved. Oakley's famous parents aspect was on point and well played. I only wish the end wasn't as rushed, seemed a bit all squished at the end, but maybe I just wanted more. I do have a bit of a book hangover!! One of my best reads so far for 2017.

I have to admit I really enjoyed the Royals series by Erin Watt and that was the reason I was so excited for their next stand alone which is When It's Real. For those of you who don't know, Erin Watt is the pen name for the author duo of Elle Kennedy and Jen Fredrick. I love their books individually as well but together they create the most addicting stories. I'm happy to say that When It's Real was no different and it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

This book goes on from both Oakley and Vaughn's point of views. Let's start with Oakley. Oakley Ford is a celebrity and a pop star. He rose to fame just when he was thirteen and hasn't looked back since. His parents are movie stars practically making him Hollywood royalty. When Oakley finds himself in trouble his publicity team decide for an image overhaul which leads Oak to fake a relationship with a normal girl- Vaughn. I really liked Oakley. Yes, he was spoilt and self centred but he didn't know any different. He had been under the spotlight for as long as he lived. But slowly and steadily we can see Oakley making efforts to be a better person.

Then we have Vaughn. I LOVED Vaughn. She was the perfect heroine, especially for Oakley. Vaughn at first has no interest in playing a spoilt pop star's girlfriend but her family is struggling to make ends meet. Vaughn's parents passed away in an accident and now she and her older sister have to take care of her younger twin brothers. Vaughn was the girl next door but her personality was so much more than that. She didn't take any body's bullshit and she genuinely cared about her family and Oakley.

Vaughn and Oakley start off by arguing with each other. But slowly they start understanding each other and the reasons behind their personalities. I just loved Vaughn and Oakley together. Their romance was sweet and slow burn. It has been some time since I've genuinely enjoyed myself while reading a young adult novel and this one was just perfect. It had an amazing combination of love, friendship, family and finding yourself.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the side plot of Vaughn's sister Paisley and Oak's body guard. I hope we get more of them. I loved Vaughn's brothers as well. Erin Watt has written such fully fleshed out characters that every one's personality is distinct. If you are looking for a light yet heart warming read which will leave you with a smile on your face, I'd say pick up When It's Real.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

It's been some time since I've read a story about falling for that very first time. As soon as I heard that this dynamic duo were releasing such a book I couldn't barely contain my excitement and just as what I imagined.

When It's Real is about a teenage pop-star named Oakley Ford who is thought to be losing his edge. His management predicts he is about to become a has-been and so they come up with this elaborate ploy to get him back on track by changing his image. A part of this is inserting a young and innocent Vaughn Bennett into his daily routine.

At first, I didn't know what to think about this "partnership". On paper, they made perfect sense but in reality? Nothing about them did! Erin Watt proved me completely wrong however. I loved how Vaughn made such a amazing impact on Oakley. Her simplicity changed him. She made him realize that there was so much more to life than what he had.

If you're looking for a beautifully written, wholesome and sweet love story than this is a book is definitely for you. Personally, I think anything written by Elle Kennedy and Jen Frederick is a must-read.

4.5 Stars!
Oakley Ford is a gorgeous 19 yr. old teen rock star living in LA. He's the child of famous movie stars & has always been in the public eye. He's been a young celebrity since he signed his first contract at the age of 14. Lately the tabloids keep exploiting all his wild nights & partying, and his image has taken a hit. He just wants to make music he loves, & recently it all seems to fall flat. He's experiencing a creative block, & hasn't recorded anything decent since his last album a couple years ago. He's had unreal success, but doesn't want to become a washed up pop star.

He's trying to turn over a new leaf, & wants to be taken seriously. His dream is to work with his favorite music producer. His team decides it's time for an intervention. He needs a full image makeover to show the world he's settled down. The perfect way to do this is to find a good girl. An ordinary, normal girl the public can relate to.

Vaughn Bennett is a 17 yr. old girl who's a part-time waitress & a devoted sister. After losing her parents, Vaughn & her siblings are barely keeping their heads above water. When a unique opportunity she'd normally never even consider comes her way, Vaughn decides to go for it. She's offered a lot of money to be pop star Oakley Ford's fake girlfriend for a year. She has the wholesome girl next door look. She's the perfect non famous, down to earth girl for him to pretend date. She decides her family could really use the money & financial security.

Vaughn thinks fake dating Oakley Ford shouldn't be too bad, but then she meets him. He's a shallow, arrogant, conceited, egotistical jerk who thinks he's better than everyone else. She's totally unimpressed with the star. They initially clash, but then Vaughn begins seeing glimpses of the real Oak. He's kind, & the more she gets to know the real him, the more she likes him. Soon she doesn't feel like she's pretending anymore, and real feelings are developing.

To the outside Oakley Ford has it all. A beautiful beachfront home, millions of adoring fans, a huge bank account, & a fabulous girlfriend. Lately all he wants is to make new music & be with Vaughn. He loves spending time with her, and is tired of playing make believe. His feelings are real, & he wants to be with her. She completely owns his heart.

Vaughn is caught up in Oak's world of Hollywood, publicists, & being in the spotlight. Everything is confusing & overwhelming. The only thing she knows for sure is she wants Oak to be hers & she doesn't want money to get in the way. Can this couple make it work, or will the media & outside influences try to destroy them?

I really enjoyed this book & loved Oak. Such a sweet, sexy, swoony rock star! I hope we get a book for Paisley & Ty next. :))

YA isn't generally my go to read. Which is odd because they are always the ones that I end up loving the most. This was the absolute definition of a feel good young love story.


The whole storyline was really unique. Here you have Oakley, the son of mega movie stars. Pop star at a very young age essentially growing up in the spotlight. He has the world at his fingertips, and is surrounded by people 24/7. Yet he's lonely. He doesn't know who is in his life for the right reasons. I had a huge soft spot for him. There were times in the book when his inner jerk surfaced but it was never over the top.

Vaughn totally fit the bill for the girl next door. She's had some heartbreak in her past but it didn't stop her from doing what she needed to help her family. I think what I loved the most about her was her fears and insecurities. They were absolutely true to what a 17 year old girl would be struggling with. This is a time in a girls life where big life decisions are being made. So it was totally understandable as to what was going through her head.

The two together were such a fun dynamic. Vaughn wasn't easily dazzled by Oakley. She was constantly calling him on his bad behavior. Oakley really had to work hard to impress Vaughn, something he's not used to doing. There some childish back and forth behavior between these two, but certainly not in an obnoxious way. The age of the characters were 17 and 19 so it was fitting. There were also a lot of sweet moments between them as well. The two were showing each other what real friendship and love means.

When It's Real checks off all the boxes for us and is adding to what we now know we should expect from an Erin Watt book. It has fantastically snarky dialogue, lots of great tension, and two interesting teenage characters--Oakley and Vaughn. Let's start with those two, shall we? The writing duo Erin Watt has a way of making me strongly dislike their male protagonists only to turn the tables on me and have me totally loving them. When I first "met" Oakley he was so easy to dislike--so arrogant and spoiled and frustrating--but as the novel progressed, so did Oakley. He gradually became less douchey and more vulnerable and open, even as he held on to this sort of swaggering confidence; it was this combination of alpha vulnerability that turned things around for me and a large part of that had to do with Vaughn. Vaughn was more likeable than Oakley but she was not without her own flaws (as we all are); namely her weaselly boyfriend W (ugh, that guy was a loser with a capital L) and she also tened to use her snark as her armor when with Oakley. As she shed her armor and allowed herself to be open and more vulnerable with Oakley, she seemed to trigger him to want to do the same. I especially liked that the writers created her to be less than confident on her next steps after high school --I think it's great to see a main characters not have all the answers and are allowed the room and space to explore rather than make a hasty career/school decision. Oakley and Vaughn were a fun pairing to read.

Part of the fun was never knowing what one would say to antagonize the other; I liked how the tensions started with their first meeting and continued to simmer in the background as their feelings morphed into what we see at the end--that tension kept it interesting . the dialogue and texts and tweets weren't just what moved the plot along they enhanced the entire reading experience--there was a lot of laughing and swooning going on.

Not only were the main characters interesting, the secondary characters were too. The various conversations and situations with body guards, friends, and family members, and others helped round out Oakley and Vaughn and have me hoping that we may revisit them all in the future. I enjoyed them all so much that I'm already hoping they'll be a holiday short or a newsletter special or a cross over into the Royals so that I can see them all again--I miss them already.

Erin Watt fans--this isn't the high drama of the Royals (thank god, I barely made it out alive) and we think you're going to love When It's Real because it's not that high drama but something that is equally good and stands on its own.

Erin Watt has created yet another sweet and completely captivating romance in When It's Real, which takes place in the world of celebrities, fame, and fortune, where reality is harsh and love is impossible.

Oakley and Vaughn's characters were from completely different worlds, but I genuinely felt for them equally in where they were coming from in their lives. They were both so complex and had such difficult pasts to deal with ... Poor Oakley (I love the name by the way) was so damaged and had completely shut down his feelings and hope for real happiness. Being so successful and at such a young age, he should seemingly have everything he could ever want. However, he had constantly been let down in life. Only his music nurtured his soul, and when he lost the ability to create nothing was left but anger and resentment.

Vaughn was sweet, simple, and appreciative. She lived wrapped up in the warmth, support, and love of her younger brothers and older sister. Desperately holding on tight to her past and the unexpected loss of both of her parents, Vaughn is kind of stuck in a holding pattern of complacency, not really knowing or really particularly looking for her place and direction in life. She would do anything for her family and is only concerned about living up to what she perceives everyone’s expectations of her to be.

Oakley and Vaughn were incredibly strong-willed and stubborn, and they struggled so much with their fears in life. Oakley, with his fear of never having a real life where someone could actually love the real person and not just the celebrity persona, and Vaughn, afraid to take a chance and live her life for herself and not the way she believed everyone thought she should. They both had almost completely shut out their feelings to future possibilities in order to protect themselves from their fears.

Oakley and Vaughn’s relationship transitioned quite naturally in the story and was certainly fun and entertaining to follow! Although it was understandable, due to being thrown into their fake relationship together, they were both just completely awful to each other in the beginning. Their dislike for both their situation and each other was certainly immense. However, their banter was really witty as the two battled and eventually began to understand each other, find common ground, and build a friendship. They really were a great balance for each other and their insecurities. The flow of their relationship grew so naturally and effortlessly, and the slow buildup of sexual tension between them was perfectly paced and certainly palpable. The only element that seemed a little off to me was regarding the timing of Vaughn giving Oakley the one thing she had never given ‘W'… I understood her feelings were totally different toward Oakley and he wasn’t pushy about it, but it just caught me off guard and seemed a little early in their relationship.

The story had many meaningful secondary characters who were very real, authentic, and true to their roles and whose presence definitely made an impact in the story. Vaughn's friends and family were so supportive, and I really enjoyed the warmth and fun banter they all shared. King’s character also stood out in particular to me as a necessary role model to Oakley, with his voice of wisdom and experience in the industry. He wasn't going to fluff feathers for anyone and called a spade a spade, and I really felt that Oakley needed someone like that in his life to look up to and show him some type of positive direction and support in his career.

The musician and celebrity lifestyle was conveyed so well in this story, and it was very interesting to know more about the inner workings of the industry, as well as the personal effects of it. Honestly, I haven’t ever really put much thought into how violating it could feel for celebrities when their fans overstep their personal boundaries. Seeing the flipside of it with the negative tweets from the fans and their overall behavior and criticism for their lives was incredibly sad, and I just can’t imagine that lifestyle. I felt so sympathetic to Oakley, in his lack of any kind of normalcy in his life, as well as Vaughn, in seeing how his celebrity status also affected her own. I think the social media included in the story with the tweets, Instagram, etc. also really helped to convey how out of hand fans can be with their character attacks and even with the simplest acts like getting ice cream.

This duo can certainly write! This suspenseful and unique storyline just pulled me in like a spider to its prey. The story wasn’t overly angsty, and it had just the right amount to remain light-hearted yet keep me wrapped up and engaged all the way through. The dual point of views really helped to submerge deeper into the true feelings and challenges that Oakley and Vaughn faced, and I just couldn’t resist turning page after page to see what would happen next with this complex couple. I also want to mention that I thought their marketing for this book was really good as well. I know this was in the Young Adult genre and maybe that's why, but I was especially happy to see a cover that was unique and not yet another half-naked hot guy!

I truly enjoyed and loved Oakley and Vaughn’s romantic journey. It was incredibly sweet and the conclusion really did leave me with the shivers. Although the story had a perfect ending, I honestly really didn’t want this one to end!

'You're the one person in my life who wants nothing but me and it's terrifying and awesome at the same time. Don't ever leave me. I love you. You're my heart.'

*** 4.5 Stars for Me! ***

I absolutely love the Paper Princess series by Erin Watt, so I was excited when I heard about When It's Real. While I have been reading more NA and Adult romances lately, I couldn't wait to see how Erin Watt took on the world of YA.

Oakley Ford has it all, but what he doesn't have is inspiration to make an album that feels real and not the same teen pop he's already come out with. Oakley also finds himself in need of an image makeover if he has any chance of working with one of the best producers in the industry. Seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett has put off college for a year to help support her family after their parents died when she was fifteen. When Vaughn is offered the job to pose as Oakley Ford's wholesome girlfriend, she wants no part of it. But the money could help put her little brothers through college, so Vaughn says yes. Even though she knows Oakley is a self-centered, teenage popstar, Vaughn will always put her family first.

From the beginning of this book, it definitely felt much more YA than Paper Princess was. It was a little hard to get into because of how cliche Oakley's character was, but as we got further into the story and Vaughn was able to see more beneath Oakley's facade, I really started liking the characters. I do wish we got even more of Vaughn and her family since they were so important to her, but I did enjoy watching Vaughn and Oakley learn more about each other and rethink their preconceptions of one another.

As this story went on, I started liking it more and more. I loved the whole cast of characters and how Vaughn was so real and relatable. She was hired because she was so normal and she was. I liked the social media aspect that was used and how Vaughn was affected by what others were saying about her online. I also enjoyed how realistic the romance was between Vaughn and Oakley and how Oakley's character really did start to change because of Vaughn.

In the end, When It's Real surprised me. It was a fun romance that makes the cliched girlfriend-for-hire story unique. I enjoyed the main characters and appreciated how relatable our main character was. While it wasn't as angsty and addicting as Paper Princess, it was definitely a fun read!

What a fabulous 5 stars read! For a mature YA storyline it was one that got me captivated. It was filled with a bit of everything starting with my go-to type themes entailing musician(s). This time around it encompasses a fake boyfriend/girlfriend relationship that starts off as enemies to friends and hopes to turn into lovers. Although it started a bit slow and over the top and the end seemed a little rushed; as the story progressed and continued it lead to one that had my heart fluttering and giddy.

"Am I already the washed up pop star before I hit my twenties? "

Rockstar Oakley Ford is someone who has a reputation of getting into trouble. Privacy is hardly an option for him. He has been through so much personally and business wise that he is at a point where his career is at standstill. He is itching to do more with his music; however, his constant antics and prominence is holding him back from being a serious artist through the music industries' eyes particularly one he is wants to really work with. The solution per his PR team is to find and pay a down to earth good girl to be his girlfriend and keep him in check.

“Half the time when you open your mouth, you say something that makes me want to punch you.” Vaughn gives a rueful smile. “But when you sing…you make it really hard to hate you.”

​The lucky girl...Vaughn Bennett.​ Her life is far from easy at such an early age and where she had to grow up quick due to a change in her family dynamic. She is a person who cares hard for her love ones and have made some sacrifices to her life. When an offer to pretend to be Ford's girlfriend is on the table it was one hard to pass up thanks to the financial opportunity that will help her and her household. It would be a win-win situation for both sides and the consequences be damned.

"This is as real as and awful and as wonderful as it gets. I'd hold her forever it she'd let me. "

This read takes you on inside perspectives of being in the public eye. It will make you wonder how much is actually true when it comes to pictures taken by the paparazzi and the stories that are created (fabricated or not) when it comes to being of celebrity status. People, especially the fans will decide what they believe. Feelings will definitely be tested and hearts will be either be broken or swooning. It was a journey that had me falling hard for the leading man and the average heroine.

Anyone that knows me KNOWS that NA is my jam. There is something about it that I adore. The excitement of first love and the angst and passion that comes right along with it. Just sign me up! So when I saw that Erin Watt was writing an Enemies to Lovers type NA/mature YA novel I kind of lost my mind! I absolutely adored their Paper Princess series so to say I was uber excited about When it's Real is an understatement. This novel was absolutely fabulous. Vaughn and Oakley had great chemistry and banter and I could not get enough. I absolutely loved this novel!

Vaughn Bennett is going through an (almost) quarter life crisis. At 17, she has no idea what she wants to do for the rest of her life and after graduating high school a year early, she's working a dead-end job to help support her family after the sudden death of her parents. But when she agrees to become a Pop Star's fake girlfriend to help revitalize his image and career, FIREWORKS happen. But when boundaries get crossed and emotional walls fall down, what happens when a fake relationship starts to feel more real everyday?

I absolutely loved this novel. I found this book to be funny, emotional, so riveting and very honest. Both characters were so relatable where they just wanted to be able to express themselves, be happy and to figure out their place in life. I also loved the twitter and social media references as it made the novel so so realistic. This is another fantastic read from Erin Watt and I can't wait to see what this amazing duo has in store for us in the future. Bravo! ~Ratula, 4 stars

4 Sweet Heartwarming Stars

To say I was looking forward to this read is an understatement, after reading The Royal Series by Erin Watt and completely devouring and loving them, I couldn't wait to get my hands on their newest release and a YA book to boot!
They certainly didn't disappoint, this book had it all, celebrity/small town girl, fake girlfriend/ fake boyfriend, enemies/ lovers and don't let that put you off either because it all worked so well together! You just want to devour this book as soon as you start just like I did.
I adored Oakley and Vaughn's story, they both had a few issues that they needed to get through and in becoming somewhat friends through their bizarre arrangement, they helped each other through it all and more. Oakley at first comes a cross as a spoilt brat, but he's not that at all, you soon find that he is the sweetest guy and begin to fall for him completely. Vaughn is not your typical small town girl either, she certainly doesn't take any attitude from Oakley even though the pair of them clash at first, but like I said before they end up building a strong friendship which turns to more. Vaughn does have a few fears that she has to work through but it's great to go through both of their issues and fears together and come out stronger in the end. This was a fantastic coming of age YA story that I highly recommend and I can't wait for more from Erin Watt in the future!

Such a huge fan of this author duo Erin Watt! I loved their Royal Series and was so excited for a new book from them. They have quickly become a must read author for me. I devoured this book once I started. This is one you don’t want to miss.

Oakley is in a band and needs to make his image better. He is a huge hit with the younger crowd and wants to transition his sound now that he’s older. The best way to do that is to date a nice average girl. He needs someone who will help him to be taken more seriously.


Vaughn has had a rough couple of years after her parents died. When an opportunity lands in her hands she can’t pass it up. Vaughn and Oak don’t get along so well and continuously butt heads. I loved the pace of their relationship.

I loved the banter and sexual tension between these two. The flow of the story was perfect and pulls you in. This was a fun, fast and easy read that once you start you won’t want to put down. If you’re in the mood for a YA book I recommend this one!

4.5 "Shivers" Stars!

"When you were at the club singing, every person in there thought you sang to them. It doesn’t matter what your sound is. People are always going to want to hear you."

Oakley Ford is a rock star. He is the son of famous movie star parents. You might think he has it all, so far-from-it. He is in need of an image makeover. His troubling ways are starting to catch-up with him and the tabloids are eating it all up. Oak's team want to reinvent his image and that includes him having a fake girlfriend. They want the public to see he's changed his ways and has settled down with his troublemaking ways.

Vaughn Bennett is the quintessential girl-next-door. Especially being the "normal" girl other than the other girls that have been involved with Oak. She's the perfect girl for the job. Vaughn wouldn't be caught dead in taking the job, but financial circumstances have her saying yes.

Vaughn and Oak's first meeting is anything but peachy. They're ice cold to each other, you can cut the tension with a knife. Vaughn is regretting her decision in being Oak's fake girlfriend. But, she knows her family needs the money, so she'll take one for the team.

"I think I might be crushing on Oakley Ford…and it freaks me out."

Vaughn starts seeing Oak in a different light. She starts to realize that he isn't that guy the tabloids have pegged him to be. Feelings for Oak start surfacing and there isn't anything fake about them.

"I want to kiss her forever. We should stay like this forever. Generations from now, they’ll find us in the rubble, two lovers who died kissing."

Oak and Vaughn were so cute together. The progression of their relationship from not liking each other, and then to becoming friends and then more than friends was such a joy to read. Really really really liked Oak and Vaughn as a couple, so adorable.

"I know I’d be fine without you. I’d live a perfectly good life. But I don’t want a perfectly good life. I want a messy, exciting, happy, sad, emotion-filled, loud life with you."

This was my first Erin Watt book I've read, and it most certainly won't be my last. I've heard amazing things about 'The Royals' series and I can't wait to devour all of those books!!!

Make sure to add 'When It's Real' to your TBR stack, you won't be disappointed.

What can I say about Erin Watt that I haven't already said? I LOVE them! Erin Watt is DOMINATING the Young Adult Romance genre right now! When it's Real was a great follow-up to the Royal series.

Do you remember when you were a young girl, fantasizing that your favorite pop star was going to show up at your door, profess his undying love for you, and then you'd live happily ever after in your mansion by the sea, taking week long Mediterranean cruises on his private yacht? No? That was just me then? Well, in When it's Real, I felt like one of my childhood fantasies was coming true! (Substitute Oakley for Justin Timberlake, of course.) But as with any Erin Watt series, there is always a twist...

I was sucked in from the first page, and found myself chuckling out loud at a few parts. I spent most of the day, and it was the weekend I was supposed to be moving, sneaking in parts of the book on my phone, because I couldn't get the story out of my head! I needed to see what would happen next!

Oakley stole my heart. While he had a hard exterior, he had a soft core, and I loved when he exposed that side of him. Vaughn has led a hard life the last few years, and I definitely admired her strength. The chemistry was real between the two, and I loved the antagonistic relationship between the two. The relationship was relatable (except the whole celebrity piece of it) and realistic. Some times, you want a good "love at first sight" type of story, but there is something magical and relatable about a slow burn romance, one that follows realistic timelines. Put those two pieces together, and you can see two of the many reasons I loved this book!

The storyline was multi-dimensional, with many of the secondary characters having an integral part of the storyline, and their relationships with the main characters were complicated. During the book, you can see these relationships evolve and grow, and I was just as anxious to see what direction those relationships would as the main characters!

Overall, I really liked this story, and I hope they continue this on as a series, featuring other characters!

Erin Watt continues to realistically capture teenage angst in all its varying degrees as well as the overwhelming and contradictory emotions that are attributed to growing up in their newest mature YA romance release, When It’s Real.

Let’s be honest…teenagers are over the top when it comes to dealing with almost any situation…their hormones are all over the place and who they are and what they stand for are just being developed. In the simplest terms, teenagers are a work-in-progress, so when their lives become more than they can handle, whether it be due to a loss or instant fame at a young age like our hero and heroine experience, there are bound to be issues where they don’t think things through or do what’s expected or safe quite simply because they don’t take the time to look at the big picture and understand the complications of their actions.

Oakley Ford became a household name at an extremely young age, indulging in all that comes with stardom, and while boys will be boys, especially when they’re left to their own devices, Oak’s image has taken a hit, causing his label as well as his manager to get creative in rehabbing how the public views him.

Enter Vaughn Bennett

Vaughn fits the “normal” girl persona that Oakley’s team wants as his fake girlfriend, and while Vaughn has a number of reasons why she shouldn’t take on this role, the only one that matters is what motivates her to follow through with their farcical relationship.

But in a place where everything is already fake and masks are worn to conceal who everyone truly is, how does an ordinary teen separate what’s fake and what’s real, especially when she doesn’t even know who she is or what she wants out of life?

Erin Watt does a fantastic job of illustrating the contradictory nature of Hollywood as well as the price that’s paid for choosing to live in its fishbowl environment. Oakley Ford appears to have everything he’s always wanted, but none of it’s real…none of it has a lasting impact; in fact, all it does is make him appear even more self-absorbed and screwed up than he already was. It’s a “plastic existence” until Oak realizes what’s important, which only happens once he gets over himself and truly sees the new kind of normal that Vaughn can offer him, even in their fake relationship.

Both Oakley and Vaughn are imperfect characters and that’s why they will resonate with readers…even those who are way passed their own teenage years. There is such transformation and awareness that comes with growing up and when extreme situations become part of the picture, things are bound to get shaken up, leaving these young adults with a whole lot of food for thought as well as a reason to self-assess and figure out a way to change for the better because they want to…not just because they have to.

The one overpowering idea that teenagers want to grasp and truly feel is that they belong…what that looks like and who or what they belong to is not universal, but being aware of the fact that they have a say in their own lives and the direction it takes gives them control, which is what Oakley and Vaughn desperately need, and even though their desire for it stems from two very different situations, together, they seem able to face the reality of things…to exist in a life and a society that clearly want something from them, but they get to decide what that is as long as it’s real!

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

4.5 stars
I'm in love, absolutely in love with Erin Watt.
This amazing duo has managed to give us a fantastic story about a young, famous music star and a normal girl who catches his heart.

Honestly, I haven't read a YA book in a long time, so I was a little worried when I started reading this book. But I shouldn't have been, because I absolutely love it!

The banter between Oakley and Vaughn is like fireworks, especially at the beginning when they can't stand each other. I wish I had been in the same room to be a witness of their dialogues!
I had a great time reading about the PR stunts they had to pull up, some of them where really out of the world! And I almost died laughing about the "why" paragraph (if you read the book, you will understand!).

I liked that this book saw a character growth for both Oakley and Vaughn. Oakley was for sure the character who changed the most: at the beginning of the book he appeared like a lost boy, cynic, without a guide in a world full of opportunists and gold-diggers. Thanks to Vaughn, he starts to find his way and his voice, and finds again a purpose in his life.
Vaughn's change is more subtle, but she learns to let go of her past, take control of her life and do not let fears drive her actions.

So yes, it was a great great read, and I strongly recommend everyone to read this book!

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**4.5 Stars**
Oh how I love everything Erin Watt gives to us readers, te dynamic duo that makes up Erin Watt has a gift and oh did they deliver. When It's Real is no different. Oakley and Vaughan are two of my favorite characters of 2017. Don't expect this story to be anything like The Royals because it's so different, which I think is why I loved it even more. There is just something about Vaughan and Oakley that you love from the first page. I seriously couldn't get over how awesome this book was and how much I loved it. The slow burn romance between these two is something I so needed when I read this and it was perfect.
At first you can't get over how spoiled Oakley is and how much of a jerk he is. But when you start seeing the many layers being pulled back, you start to see why he is the way he is and you hurt for him. He might be a rock star but his life seems empty. So when his PR team throws someone normal like Vaughan at him to be his fake girlfriend for year, you kind of hurt for them both. Vaughan hasn't had an easy life recently either, but when this opportunity comes up, she does it for the money. But, does she keep doing it for the money or does she end up really having feelings for him?
I LOVED Oakley and Vaughan. I seriously can't say that enough. Their story was unique to them. It shows them each grow up in different ways. Vaughan has to learn to trust the playboy and Oakley has to learn to think more of himself. Erin Watt gave us this story of a normal girl falling in love with a rockstar guy. But in the end, Vaughan gave Oakley the chance to do "normal" things as well. Which made their story even better.
**I submitted a request to the publisher/author to read and voluntarily review an uncorrected advance reader's copy of this book**

ory line in When It's Real.

Oakley is a teen pop star on the edge of losing the limelight. He has hasn't written new music in years and is popping up in the tabloid for all the wrong reasons. He's team want to overhaul he image. Oakley is kind of cocky but he's also funny.

I loved Vaughn. She is a normal girl that gets pulled into being Oakley's fake girlfriend.
Vaughn hasn't had an easy life. She definitely is a family person and put them first.

The banter between Vuaghn and Oakley was pretty funny at times. They start off not really liking each other but slowing the start to like each other. As the get softer with each other they are also finding themselves.

I really enjoyed this one.

I love Erin Watt and everything they have written so far, and this brand new standalone from them is no exception! As soon as I knew they were releasing it, I just knew I needed to get my grabby hands a hold of a copy... And they didn't let me down! They had a hard bar to meet following the brilliant 'The Royals' series, and this was just as brilliant. It was totally different and a book I simply could not put down.

The word flowed from the pages and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story line, the characters and all of the little twists and surprises which added to a small amount of drama and angst (and it really is a small amount!!). It wasn't Over the Top, but personally I think it all worked pretty perfectly.

Vaughn is a great female lead character. I loved her sassiness, and the fact she wasn't totally starstruck and glassy eyed at Oakley, She gave him grief and treated him no differently to anyone else. Oakley is a super famous singer, going through a bit of a rough patch, releasing no new music and lacking a lot of inspiration. He's been in the press but for all the wrong reasons.

His PR team decide it's time to take some drastic measures to improve his image. And this is where Vaughn comes in! Oak really doesn't come across as particularly likeable at the beginning, but he really did grow on me throughout the book. And by the end he certainly redeemed himself!

This was a super slow burn romance, put I think considering the circumstances it worked well. Told in dual PoV from both 'him' and 'her', there was great flow. The characters had a great connection and I loved their banter at times, with some very funny moments, but also some incredibly sweet (sometimes a little cheesy) times too.... Yes, there was an element of predictability in the story, but that did not take away from my overall enjoyment.