When It’s Real by Erin Watt is the perfect, romantic, fluffy summer read.
Oakley Ford is a teen celebrity whose early rise to fame and penchant for trouble has attracted a slew of negative publicity. Desperate to rehab his image before he becomes a washed-up has-been at 19, his management suggested that he dates a normal girl to not only rehab his tarnished image but to also help him land the next producer for his album.

Vaughn Bennett may be a “normal girl” by Hollywood’s standard but her life hasn’t a bed of roses. Orphaned and desperately helping her sister raised her younger siblings made Vaughn’s decision to be Oakley Ford’s fake girlfriend a no-brainer.

Despite a rocky start, Oakley and Vaughn found themselves becoming friends. But paparazzies, jealous exes, Hollywood gossip, nosy publicists and crazy fans are just few of the things that Oakley and Ford had to contend with. They also had to deal with their growing feelings for each other, which makes things a little bit more complicated.

I appreciate how the authors didn’t just focus on the growing romance between Vaughn and Oakley. It also focused on Oakley’s growth from being a spoiled brat musician who had fame way too early in his life to a mature young man whose passion and love for music was unquestionable.

Even though this premise has been done a lot in the past, I still enjoyed this book immensely. I liked that this was different from their other series. Low drama and low angst but still in keeping with the Erin Watt tradition of having smart, capable teenage characters that would appeal even to older readers.

And what makes me even more excited was the fact that I could share this book with my nieces. This is a true YA book, not just because the characters are in their teens but also the way it’s written which means no explicit or overly sexy scenes. So yes, you could recommend this to a younger audience without fear of being accused of corrupting them.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers who are looking for smart, romantic YA reads.

I don't think I have stayed up all night reading a book in one sitting in a while. I have to say after my all night binge read, When It's Real is fantastic!

I have to admit I really wanted to read this book because I love Erin Watt. I know the description sounds really cheesy almost like Justin Bieber fan fiction. I am here to say that this book is super good and super addictive. I fell in with Vaughn and Oakley so much that I could not this book down. Even though this book is about a 17 year old "normal" being paid to date a bad pop star for his image it is a story about love and finding people who support you for you.
I firmly believe that entertainers are people too. There is an appropriate time to fan all over famous people like when they working aka concerts, conventions and etc. Times when you as a fan have paid for their time and they are therefore working. Inappropriate times are when they are out for a quiet jog with their dog or out to dinner with their S/O. I thought this book did a good job of showing the highs and lows of being a celebrity. When It’s Real starts out as a hate to love story. I loved that Vaughn having grown up in LA knows this about celebrities and she is not impressed by Oakley and his antics and gives him attitude.
It is also a story about a young girl that is way too grown up and boy who still has a lot of growing to do. Sometimes age is just a number but it is how we live our life with maturity that I think determines if you are a grown up. Vaughn has helped her older sister raise her little brothers since her parents died. She didn't get that carefree teenage experience. Oakley was born a celebrity, the son of famous actors, and he has been a pop star since he was 14. Both of these characters need each other. I loved watching them fall in love. I think it was said best in the classic movie Gidget, "To be a real woman is to bring out the best in a man." This applies to both partners because I think Vaughn and Oakley bring out the best in each other.
I know I am gushing but really, When It's Real is such a good story. I cannot recommend it enough

4 stars

I'm not much of a reader of YA, but it’s from Erin Watt - an author I love - so of course I could not pass up. Even though I loved THE ROYALS series, I was afraid I was not going to like this, but fortunately I was surprised by a story that was really nice and easy to read.

WHEN IT'S REAL introduced us to Oakley, a music celebrity at the age of only 19. As a bit of a party-goer, his label has the idea of hiring a girlfriend from the "normal" world, with the idea of showing that he has grown up and wants a more serious career. Then we met Vaughn, who, thinking of her family and how much the money she would receive would help, ends up accepting this madness.

It took me a while to enjoy Oakley. He was born in this environment and sometimes was arrogant. But if you only think about the privileges of fame, it may even seem like he is actually annoying. However, think about it... A person who lived all his life in this environment, with no confidence in anyone and with people wanting to take advantage of fame and money, could only feel suspicion and be a little arrogant, alright. And this "bad impression" of him is only at the beginning. As the story progresses the hero really change, knows himself more as a person and an artist and so I started to like him more and more.

And I love characters that are not afraid to speak what is on their minds and do not back down, so my connection to Vaughn was instantaneous. She had a childish attitude, yes; after all, she's only 17 years old. But I think the balance between her strength and her insecurity has been well explored.

The only thing I didn’t like was the epilogue. I think the last chapter was already cute and great and the epilogue didn’t add anything substantial in the story. However, I think that this is only me, I don’t think it's something that will disturb anyone while reading.

The story is about two young people who have to do what they don’t want to achieve a goal, which they hate at first, but with coexistence, the affection grows into something more. The authors have actually created a delightful story to read, without dramatizing too much, or putting the characters attitudes out of reality. I liked that both look like they were 18 and 19 years old.

Elle Kennedy and Jen Frederick, with WHEN IT'S REAL, only reinforce this wonderful partnership. As I said in the reviews of their previous books, I love that you don’t even notice the difference in the writing style. The dynamics of these two authors is so good that it seems that it was written by only one person. I expect many, many more good books from them together.

WHEN IT'S REAL shows the world of the music backstage in a believable way. It's a standalone about two people who are in that phase of finding out who they are and becoming their best. It is a quick reading, fun, cute and without much drama. I highly recommend it.

When I heard the two authors behind Erin Watt were coming out with a new book, it was an instant pick-up for me. I loved the Royal boys in their other series. While this one lacked a bit of a punch, When It’s Real is still a delightful book with a musician hero and the “normal” girl who upends his world.

Oakley Ford is in a rut. His fans have been clamoring for new music from him, but nothing’s vibing with him. He thinks working with a big-name producer is just what he needs, but the guy in question won’t give Oak the time of day. It leads to him agreeing to a PR stunt—a fake relationship with a “normal” girl. One who can’t stand him.

Vaughn has taken on the role of parent alongside her older sister after their parents died. She’s taken a year off from school trying to figure out her next move and saving money for her twin brothers’ futures. The chance of a lifetime comes when she’s asked to pretend to date musician, Oakley Ford. The money’s too good to pass up, but what happens when everything starts to feel all too real?

I haven’t read many books where the main character is a famous singer, but I liked how this one was done. Successful but struggling popstar has to pay a girl to date him and try to get his mojo back. It’s an interesting premise, and even though I’m not the biggest fan of the fake relationship plot, I love seeing how walls (and assumptions) crumble. And boy, were there a lot of walls for them both!

It isn’t an easy beginning for these two. Even though Oak is Vaughn’s employer, she thinks he’s conceited and doesn’t care about anyone but himself. But there’s a sadness and loneliness that she sees every now and then that has her digging a little deeper. Oak, for his part, can’t remember the last time he had anyone be real with him. The exception to that is the girl who’s supposed to pretend to like him. He’s a little reluctant to let anyone close, but Vaughn is Vaughn. Abrupt, but sweet too.

There was a good amount of plot that kept me flipping the pages, and these two had some good chemistry! The problem that I had with it? There was quite a bit of unnecessary drama for me. Vaughn has a college boyfriend even before she agrees to fake date Oakley. I wish she hadn’t because it ended up being more of a distraction. Then Vaughn’s real boyfriend stays lingering in the background, causing extra chaos that muddies the waters. Honestly, I thought the book would have been better spent digging deeper into Vaughn finding herself and Oak's career.

Overall, When It’s Real had it’s swoony moments, it’s lighthearted, humorous ones, and the drama I expect in an Erin Watt book. I recommend it for their current fans as well as new ones looking for a sweet young adult romance.

4 stars!

This book was okay. It wasn't what I had hoped it would be. It wasn't bad, but it felt kind of... eh.
Erin Watt dates the book immediately going in by naming a bunch of current celebrity heartthrobs and comparing them to Oakley.
Oakley is essentially a Justin Bieber cutout made to look just slightly different. He gets his start on YouTube and blows up, releases a few albums but is in a bit of a "block" until he finally changes his sound. He meets his "girlfriend" through Twitter after his last fake romance with a girl who was getting her start in acting.
There are slight changes, but it wasn't even like she was trying to hide it.
A lot of name calling, hate, and vandalism. After the third time Vaughn was called a slut, I was desensitized.
Like I said, it wasn't bad, but it was pretty superficial.

When It’s Real is by far the cutest book… like ever! I love every single minute of it. It’s the PERFECT summer read or whenever you want to read the most charming story ever!! If you have read The Royals series by them you already know how well these two authors mesh. However, in their recent standalone; When It’s Real is the polar opposite of their previous series, it will completely place you on the other realm when it comes down to the ‘feels,’ department. This just proves that these two authors can cover a wide range of genre in the utmost satisfying way.

I wasn’t sure how I will feel from knowing how twisted these two authors can be from their previous series (which I LOVE, and if you haven’t read it yet – get on with it) to reading something that is on the lighter side. Let me tell you, I think I was smiling like an idiot throughout this read. YES, I read it in one-sitting. I mean how can I not? The natural response in feeling good and happy is to keep feeling it, right? Yeah, I thought so!

Not only will you find yourself falling head-over-heels for the main characters, but the secondary characters will light a torch in your heart as well.

If you are looking for a book that will permanently paste a smile on your face and lifts your heart – When It’s Real is the perfect read for you.

I am a total YA/NA junkie, and this book certainly gave me a fix! It's not a friend to lover book, but more of a teenage crush turned loathing turned to interest and then love. WHEW! Oakley has the world in the palm of his hand after having found fame, but at the same time, he's lost himself and his voice. Enter partying, drinks, and girls. So now it's time to turn his life around. The best way to do it is to find normal, but's what's normal anyway?
Well, according to the label, normal is Vaughn Bennett. She's the ticket to reforming Vaughn, and maybe, just maybe, she's might also help Oakley find what he lost.

There is the perfect level of angst and drama to keep you glued to the book. And chemistry, man, these authors get the chemistry right between the two characters. In the beginning, I wanted to hate Oakley (he does come off as a bit of a pr*ck), but the good in him just needed the right person to force an appearance.

These two authors did an amazing job blended their voices to write a highly addictive set of characters and plot. I hope they'll collaborate again in the future!

I still have yet to read Erin Watt's Royal series, that being said when I saw the blurb for When It's Real I just had to sign up. I am a die hard fan of Rock Star Romances, the two main characters loathe one another. Can't be in the same room without bashing heads. Vaughan and Oakley are polar opposites, one being a famous Icon and an average young girl.

One thing I loved about this book was the slow burn, what started as bitter hate turned into something neither expected..... love. On the outside Oakley is your typical spoiled bad boy, get's what he wants. While Vaughan is struggling to live day by day.

From the get go these two start off on the wrong foot. They could never be together, she wouldn't fit into his world. But they both get the shock of their lives when they find out how much they mean to each other. I loved how sweet and sour these two could get. It's a long angsty road for the both of them.

Behind the flashbulbs and the glamour of the show business, not all that is shining it's gold.

Oakley Ford is a celebrity. He's a pop star, son of two famous movie stars. He has all that anyone would dream, but he wasn't happy. His life resolve around music, but he found himself unable to create more songs. His lifetime dream was to work with a famous producer, but with his reputation as a wild and inmature boy, nobody would take him seriously. His career isn't as shinny as it was in the past, and he wil accept to do whatever it takes to keep his dream alive. And when I say 'whatever' I'm saying ANYTHING!

When his manager proposed to fake a relationship with a fan, Oakley wasn't sure how that would help him, but he agreed. That's when we met Vaughn, the "fangirl". The perfect "fake girlfriend".

Vaughn Bennett is a normal girl. She will take the job and pretend to be Oakley's girlfriend for her family's sake, but she doesn't like him. Not even a little bit. That gig is a job. A job that will put food in her table and money in her bank account to help her sister to take care of the things. But somehow, all the lies turned in something more. Tha fakeness started to die when the feelings between them started to flow.

Admiration, doubts, fear, attraction... how thin is the line between pretention and real love? And how a relationship that started as a fake will become something real?

When it's Real has a stunning storyline, characters with strong personalities who will fight to be faithfull to themselves while they´re pretending to be in love, and a addictive narrative rythm that will hook you up since the first page. The development of the plot is perfection. The emotional ride, the evolution of the characters and their relationship, and how Oakley finally found "his sound" was incredible.

This book is the first produced by Erin Watt out of The Royals world, and it was refreshing. The authors keep that particular voice of them, that style that's fresh and funny, but with a side of drama, and take it to a new level of awesomeness. I really enjoyed how they reflected the music (and show) bussiness and the life (and problems) of a young rock star. As I said before, not all that glitters is gold, and Vaughn discovered it fast enough. I think is safe to say I'm a fan of Erin Watt. I'm impressed for their creativity, and their capacity to make us connect with their characters and the feelings they put into their books. Can't wait for more of their work.

This is no Paper Princess book which I was hooked within the first 50 pages and couldn't put down.

This book uses the rock star and fake relationship trope. The story was fun and fluffy. But I had high expectations from this author. I was hoping that the story will hook me.

Oakley has been born famous - his parents are huge Hollywood stars.
And when he was 14 he started being famous on his own. He became a pop star.

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And after living the life for the last five years, it's finally catching up to him. He's constantly in the tabloids for stupid stuff, he's losing social media followers, he's not feeling the music anymore.
He needs this next album to be a huge success. And he needs this famous producer - King - to produce it!
But King will only do it if Oak cleans up his act!
And the only thing that can achieve that - says Oak's manager Jim - is to hire a fake girlfriend. A girl all his female fans will love. A normal girl, just like them.
Enter Vaughn.
She's 17. Already done with high school, she's working as a waitress to help feed the family.
Her parents died two years ago, and her older sister is now responsible for Vaughn and the 12-year old twin boys.
Twenty thousand dollars a month to pretend to be Oakley Ford's girlfriend would help Vaughn's family so much. It would put food on the table until the boys left for college and it would also pay the boys' college!
But, Vaughn kinda has a boyfriend. And she's also not really impressed by the rather cocky and spoiled singer!
Let the fun times begin!!! ☺

What will happen to Vaughn & Oakley?
Will there be a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺

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I JUST LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

I'm a huge #RockStarRomance fangirl!
And this story was sooo adorable!
It's not your typical erotic, on-the-tourbus, live rock-shows, kind of thing.
It's a sweet story written for the younger crowd. But this older blogger still loved it!

It's all so adorable!
The way they're both fighting for their future.
The way poor Oakley is trying so hard to make new, and better music.

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The way Vaughn tries to resist him. Because the real guy behind the star, is someone she really likes. A lot.
I loved watching them both doing a lot of growing up and finding themselves.
This was such a perfect book. Full of fun and laughter. Romance and feelings. Family, friends - real and fake. Love and hate. I loved every second of it!
I so want to see this book made into a movie! And I also want to travel back in time to when I was 17 and be Vaughn! Well, at least the #rockstargirlfriend part.☺ Vaughn is SO my spirit animal ('cause just like me, she hates cats and is afraid of butterflies!☺)

WHEN IT'S REAL was the most adorable #RockstarRomance! Sweet, funny, serious, moving. Just beautiful! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Oak - this one is MINE!!! ☺


And now I'm excited for whatever the Erin Watt ladies have for us next!☺

I don’t read a lot of Young Adult novels. I feel like there’s just too much unnecessary drama in many of them or they contain problems that seem insignificant to me now. Trust me when I say that I get enough drama every day from my own three teens. So yeah, I’m selective when it comes to YA books. When It’s Real is light on drama and just plain fun.

Oakley is a 19-year-old pop superstar whose career is in jeopardy due to partying and scandals. He needs to clean up his image ASAP, so he hires a squeaky clean, normal girl to pose as his girlfriend. Vaughn is 17 and struggling to support her family financially. She reluctantly accepts the job of playing the humble girlfriend. Of course this book is a complete fantasy, but I enjoy a good fairytale from time to time.

This could easily be a Pretty Woman type of story where the heroine gets swept off her feet with makeovers and a wealthy lifestyle. I love Vaughn’s non-conformist attitude and how she isn’t impressed by Oakley’s fame. In fact, she is snarky and unafraid to show her disdain for him. He isn’t just another disgraced tabloid target. He’s an extremely conceited, selfish jerk, and it’s difficult to feel sorry for him in the beginning.

Vaughn and Oakley’s living situations make the storyline straddle the line between Young Adult and New Adult at times. However, with the social media posts and high school friendships, the story maintains a youthful feel. I really enjoyed how Oakley’s agent and PR person are incorporated into the plot.

When It’s Real is very different from Erin Watt’s Royals series. Don’t expect an angsty, sexy story. There’s an appealing attraction between the couple, but on a PG-13, wholesome level. This enemies to lovers romance has a wonderfully gradual build up that’s satisfying and sweet. It made a nice change of pace for me to read.

4 YA Love Stars
* * * *
I have a confession...I'm really not a YA reader...So what are you doing reading it, Wendy...
Well, it was done by Erin Watt...
And since I loved The Royals...
I had to give When It's Real a go...

I'm guessing, this had all of the markings of what a YA Teen Romance should have. There was the overall romance of a "Justin Bieber Level Rock Star" needing a "Normal" to romance so he could clean up his reputation.

Oakley started singing early on and his parents were famous movie stars. He never had to want for anything except their attention...

When he was around 13 or 14... he really started to take off with a record label wanting to sign him to a major contract. His manager made sure the deal was solid. When Oakley discussed it with his family... the dad was jealous of what was happening with Oakley... and told him not to sign. The fight over the contract caused a chain of events which led to a major separation with Oakley and his mom. He was done with his dad.

Years go by and Oakley's career at 19 is insanely good... tours, groupies, Grammy's Awards... everything a singer-songwriter should want. He has been everywhere...Won every Award and had his fill of mindless sex, too much booze, etc...

He is at a crossroads with his music. Oakley's last album was done two years ago...He hasn't done anything since....

Well, that's not exactly true. He has worked with a various producers who all come from different genres trying to find that inner new voice he wants to come out. He is bored with the same old same old and refuses to put out a record that will mirror more of the same. He has this idea brewing of what his music should be but he can't quite make it happen...

There is one producer he knows who could bring it out of him...But the producer he won't return his calls. Even his manager has been trying to put Oakley together with this guy but the response is Oakley needs to show how serious he really is about his art before the guy will consider working with him.

Well, hell what is Oakley going to do to make this happen...His manager tells him he has a plan. He is going to clean up his image with a "Nice Normal Girl" for him to "Date" and then things will turn around. Oakley has no desire to do this... as the last time he did a fake relationship, it blew up in his face. No, the manager says... this will be totally different... no one from the industry... contracts and everything. All Managed.

Vaughn Bennett was minding her own business... she was helping her sister raise their twin brothers. It hadn't been easy when their parents died in an accident leaving them with a minor life insurance policy. Vaughn's older sister worked hard holding the family together so that no one was put in foster care. Her sister sacrificed and now Vaughn feels delaying her going to college for a year to contribute financially is the least she can do.

Vaughn is a little lost, too. She really doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. She has a boyfriend who was there for her when her parents died; he is her safe place. They had planned to be together at USC; now his is there without her. She is working as a waitress at an up scale steak franchise so the tips are decent. Yet other than working, taking care of the house and brothers, Vaughn is stuck trying to figure out what this 17 year old girl plans to do with her life.

It is a picture in a cubicle which starts all of this rolling. The manager sees Vaughn in a family photo her sister has pinned by her computer. He stops... looks closer and then takes it off the wall...Her sister is called into the office with all of the entertainment management team and asked about Vaughn. As the questions come fast and furious, it becomes clear Vaughn has been picked to be Oakley's "Nice Normal Girl"....

Vaughn doesn't know what to think of this crazy idea when her sister presents it to her...it is too much...Even though there isn't any hanky panky involved...she just can't quite put her head around it...

But then she is told how much money the 1 year contract is...
And she thinks of her twin brothers and the funds they will need for college...
And finally...She thinks about all her sister did for the family so it could be this loving family together....She tells her sister she will take the meeting and listen to what they present.

Vaughn enters the conference room and all the suits are there; lawyers, pr hacks, assistants, the owner of the entertainment company and her sister's boss. But no Oakley...

When Oakley does swagger in, Vaughn has been there for hours dealing with too personal questions, no food and her patience is done. If Oakley expected someone to gush and be pleased to meet him, he had another thing coming. Vaughn was no ordinary teenage get a long girl. Vaughn had her own mind, didn't fit that Barbie Wanna Be Mold...she danced to her own drummer. So even though seeing Oakley in person was breath-taking and made her mind almost turn to mush... she fought it and gave a bit of attitude.

It was from this meeting we get a glimpse of where this is may go...Oakley as a "child rock star" never had to work for anyone's attention or interest...and he is certainly not going to work for Vaughn's... that's for sure...

Or Not...because this book is exactly about these two characters and the arcs they go through... becoming more clear in what they want out of life... and then each other. We experience who all of the experiences, insecurities and other factors play out and affect these two. There is the add layer of today's social media which was entertaining but also revealing in how something can take on a life of its own, too.

This is chocked full of interesting characters... The sister, brothers, the security team and how all of them interact...I smell more books with them and they should be solid.

This was YA and again I am not an expert in how these romances go... but there was humor, discovery, hurt, understanding and self realization happening throughout. All of it done in the capable hands of Erin Watt.

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~

What did you think...
That this Erin Watt was a One Note Wonder....
That she (they) could only write New York Times Best Seller Series....
That it had to have Cliffhangers in order to keep us interested...

Hell No...

Erin Watt has something else to tempt us...
An out of control Teen Rock Star....
(Think Justin Bieber at his worst)
Needing a total Publicity Redemption...

Partner it with an everyday girl...
Living her life with her family who have all sorts of financial burdens....
What's a gal gonna do...
She will play the part...
Because how hard could it be not to fall...
After all it's not like...

FREAKIN ADORABLE!!! Erin Watt fans are going to implode with all the feels! Totally my kind of YA read. I love when books labeled YA are just that: Young ADULT. It’s about people that are learning what it’s like to move and navigate through the real world, just with a bit of a learning curve; figuring out what’s right, what’s acceptable and what are, in fact, the best situations to put yourself into for maximum life knowledge.

We have two very different people here. Oakley Ford is a teen rock star with all the perks of daddy’s money and fame to back him up. He acts up and acts out. He’s let the celebrity and the people around him corrupt and coddle him, giving into his every whim.

Vaughn Bennett is the extreme opposite. She is the second oldest in a family of four children— four now orphaned children. Life was never luxurious, but it was good. It was normal and it has been shattered. Between Vaughn and her sister, they are doing the best to get their younger sibling through school while maintaining a “normal” for them.

When It’s Real is a fantastic story of a girl getting an opportunity to take care of her family while trying to bring some wholesome image repair to a spoiled rock star. What happens is expectedly unexpected. Irritation turns to liking, liking turns to respect, and respect turns to love. But the best underling thread throughout When It’s Real is the discovery of self and the realization that supporting someone else’s needs and dreams can be just as fulfilling as getting your own needs met.

“--You told me not to settle. You said to find my passion, but I don’t know what that is. I only know what I don’t want.” “That’s as good a place to start as any.””

5 Stars
Tanja

GRADE: C+

Favorite Quote: “You can’t treat girlfriends like props, brother. Not even fake girlfriends.”

Meet Oakley Ford.

Nineteen-year-old heartthrob and celebrity pop star Oakley Ford is ready to make the leap to a serious musician but his antics on and off the stage has made him persona non grata among record producers. He wants the very best to produce his next album but unless he cleans up his act, it’s a no go. His manager decides what Oakley needs is an image overhaul and the first step is finding him a noncelebrity, all-American girlfriend.

Meet Vaughn Bennett.

Vaughn is a seventeen-year-old waitress who is helping to raise her two younger siblings with her older sister Paisley. She graduated high school early and put off college to help out when their parents were killed in a car accident. When she is first approached to pose as Oakley’s faux girlfriend, she says no. That is until she finds out the obscene amount of money they will pay her. Money that will take the financial burden off Paisley and set up her brothers’ college funds. Of course, she will have to get rid of her own boyfriend and learn to hide her dislike of Oakley. It’s only for a year and it’s not like they are going to fall in love for real.

Right?

From their first meeting, Oakley and Vaughn lock horns and butt heads. As their prickly animosity grows into a heady attraction, Oakley and Vaughn will discover a lot about themselves and each other.

Right before I started When It’s Real, I read an article about Harry Styles and how his new supposed girlfriend (food blogger Tess Ward) was being ripped to shreds by 1D fans. I remember thinking what the hell is wrong with these people? Why would they set out to make this person feel terrible and how hard it must be for her to read the awful things they are saying. Watt addresses this behavior and young celebrities in general and makes you wonder how much of what we see and hear is real and how much isn’t.

“Are you talking about April Showers? That was fake? Oh man, I believed in ShOak. My childhood dreams are crushed.”

When It’s Real is a standalone YA romance contemporary that offers up a cute and amusing story of self-discovery and growth when a teenage celebrity falls for a young woman who isn’t impressed by him or his fame. It had a bit of a Pride and Prejudice vibe to it which I enjoyed. Watt takes an antagonistic relationship and slowly turns it into something wonderfully real between our protagonists. They focus on love, loss, and choices; showing us two teenagers who were forced into adulthood and the different ways they’ve dealt with it.

I’ve drunk, smoked, ingested and experienced nearly everything the world has to offer in the past five years. Am I already the washed up pop star before I hit my twenties?

The story is pretty straight forward. The trope is predictable though the journey is entertaining. Heavily character driven, the lack of drama and ridiculous antics give us real people with real issues. They are easy to relate to. Their joys, fears, wants, and needs are laid bare and we are allowed to experience with them the everyday growing pains of life. Told in dual narrative, the execution flows smoothly and the dialogue is appealing. We are never left to guess at our protagonists’ emotions and thoughts. They are refreshingly honest with one another and themselves.

“You realise there are millions of girls out there who would kill to be sitting beside me right now?”

“Yeah? Then why are you paying me to do it?”

I enjoyed meeting Vaughn and Oakley. Both are intelligent, hard working, snarky teenagers who act like teenagers. Vaughn has a little bit of a drama queen in her that manifests during stress while Oakley just tends to act out when upset. Their chemistry builds slowly, fueling the romance and we get to enjoy the show. Watt doesn’t use tired cliches or insta love to facilitate this romance. Their evolution from enemies to friends to lovers is slow and steady, requiring this couple to spend time together getting past their respective negative first impressions to discover their connection.

“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.”

Solid secondary characters round out the story. Vaughn’s family is an integral part of the story, offering a lifeline to Oakley and Vaughn to cling to in their quest to find common ground. Oakley’s staff maintain a solid presence and reveal all how invasive and intrusive. We have the users, abusers and jealous exes to add a little spice to the story. An enjoyable secondary romance blossoms behind the scenes and after the one and only real bout of over the top melodrama, we are left with a satisfactory HFN.

I will admit I did have a couple of issues I couldn’t overlook. Vaughn’s boyfriend was a glaring plot device and I admit I was shocked he wasn’t utilized more to create conflict. I also had an issue with Vaughn and her drunken misstep. Her actions were out of character, her explanation was weak, and Oakley’s instant acceptance was odd. It felt very out of place in the storyline.

While When It’s Real isn’t a dramatic or high energy ride, it is an enjoyable lightweight read that will appeal to those who prefer more a sweeter laid back romance.

Looking for the perfect summer, beach read? Then When It's Real is IT! This dual POV storytelling was a great refreshing read for me! I love the light, good feeling story that Erin Watt created which is a vast difference from The Royals series (which I also LOVE!).

Hot Hollywood relationships are always interesting when you see them working out in matching workout gear and holding hands running (Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes)... It makes you wonder are these pairings fake or real? Erin Watt wrote this perfect Hollywood arranged relationship with Rocker Oakley Ford being forced to romance Ordinary, Girl Next-door, Vaughn Bennett and make sure that their coupling is believable to the world! The hilarious Twitter posts throughout the book are On Point!

Travel along through the book as Vaughn navigates being thrust into the paparazzi spotlight and Oakley having to fix his bad-boy rockstar image while pretending to be a couple. "Half the time you open your mouth, you say something that makes me want to punch you. ... But when you sing you make it really hard to hate you." When It's Real gives you all the feels in this refreshing page turner!

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but I don’t think I was expecting to love it as much as I did. But, I loved it! It was so cute and fun and was a well done Fake-Relationship story (which we all know are my favorite kind).

I thought both Vaughn and Oakley were likable characters. Oakley definitely had his egotistical jerk moments, but we see way more of him being sweet and funny and sometimes vulnerable. I liked Vaughn, but had to remind myself a few times when she did something or reacted to something in a way that annoyed me that she’s only 17. But, seriously, as far as YA heroines go, she was a pretty level headed one. I also really liked Vaughn’s family and Oak’s bodyguard.

This book had all the things I love in a good Fake-Relationship story. I loved the awkwardness of hammering out the terms of the contract and the initial antagonism between Vaugh and Oakley. I loved their fake date outings and how they slowly started to become friends and then more. I thought they were so sweet together (even though things did almost get a little too sappy at times) and I shipped them hard. After reading The Royals series, which I thought was far too explicit for YA, I was a little concerned about how graphic the sexual content would be in this one. And though there was still a little more than I prefer for YA, it wasn’t very graphic and I liked that the their feelings for each other were highlighted over the physicality. There was also some underage drinking and casual drug use, but it was also much less than The Royals series and more YA appropriate (if those things are ever appropriate for YA).

Overall, I really enjoyed When It’s Real. The writing was addictive and I never wanted to put it down. It was funny and sweet and I just had so much fun reading about Vaughn and Oakley. There was one thing, though, that kind of brought my reading experience down and it’s not the book’s fault. The e-ARC I received had some major issues on my Nook with missing text – often paragraphs at a time. I hate to even mention that because it obviously won’t be an issue with the finished copy (and I did find a solution by downloading a copy for the Kindle app for my phone so I could find the text missing from my Nook), but it kind of cast a shadow over the whole thing for me.  However, as you can tell, I still loved the story. I definitely recommend it to YA Contemporary fans.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars

Who among us has not dreamed of the moment when that sexy rock star we silently (or maybe not so silently) fawn over walks into our lives and falls in love with us? Go ahead…admit it…you’ve had the dream! This book plays right into those fantasies and does it oh so well. With wonderful, well developed characters, and a storyline that has just enough drama and angst, this story captured my imagination and my romance-loving heart. Truth be told, before I even finished the first few pages I wanted Oakley Ford to fall in love with me. No matter that he appeared spoiled, no matter that he was jaded by life, I knew that deep down he had a big heart. I knew this story would fill me with joy. And it did. Sigh.

The Oakley we first meet is, in his own words, “That unique blend of annoying jerk and irresistible rogue”. He’s taken his rock star status to heart and behaves like he thinks people want him to – a guy with a big ego. But, in reality, he feels disconnected and vulnerable. Everyone wants a piece of him and all he wants is to make great music. In an effort to clean up his image, his manager brings in Vaughn, a normal girl, to try to turn the bad boy rocker into a mature musician. But Vaughn is different…she’s not starry-eyed over him, she calls it like she sees it, she’s sassy and smart. And soon enough, Oak realizes that she’s just what he needs in his life. Of course, there are misunderstandings and communication issues, those who try to sabotage their fledgling relationship, and fan-girls who want a piece of Oak for themselves as you would expect in this type of story. But I was so invested in their happily ever after that I embraced every obstacle and cheered on every step they took towards building a swoony romance.

Oakley and Vaughn’s romance was a slow burn. It brought the feels and the flails. I loved hearing their story from both of their points of view and it had a cast of secondary characters that I couldn’t help but love. This was a quick, fun read that had me smiling and my heart melting. And…thanks to Oak and V (and Erin Watt) my rock star dreams are more vivid than ever! 🙂

From the writing dynamo, Erin Watt comes a relatable, young adult romance about first love, family, and the struggles of transitioning into adulthood.

"When It's Real", tells the story of a wild and spoiled young male who, at the young age of 19, is already on the verge of being a washed up musician. Concerned, his well-paid team of assistants and manager decide his image needs an overhaul. They hire "the girl next door" to be his fake girlfriend for one year with the hopes that not only will his image improve, but maybe he will be inspired to write new music. Vaughn Bennett, at the tender age of 17, is helping raise her 12 year-old-twin brothers with her older sister. Two years ago their parents died, leaving the two older girls responsible for keeping the family together. Money is short, so when propositioned with a large amount of money to be a fake girlfriend to the obnoxious and self-absorbed Oakley Ford, Vaughn puts her family first.

Readers who devoured The Royals series should find they appreciate this latest book from Erin Watt. These two authors write spectacularly on their own, but when coupled together, they are a force to be reckoned with.