If you're in the mood for a light and fun romance novel, this is a great choice. It starts with that tried and true premise -- girl needs pretend boyfriend -- but this one's got enough twists to make it fresh. I loved Theo and how he was an interesting combination and emotionally bruised and yet able to be the alpha male when needed. If I had any issues, it was with April. She seemed a little one note at times and I had a hard time making a connection with her as a main character. The plot moved quickly and I didn't have much trouble with it except the ending was a little abrupt and too neat and tidy. It was a nice, summer type of read. Definitely recommend if you're a romance fan.

Such a sweet love story!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just love this story! It’s a twist on a familiar theme where you rent a fake friend for an event. However, this one is a bit different because it’s the female renting the boyfriend for a long weekend at the parents. Why bring your own date? Because everyone is relentless about hooking April up with someone from home.

So April has a friend who knows a guy that rents himself out for events. From the time April and Theo meet you can just feel the connection. The wit, humor, and playful banter is so refreshing and made for a perfect story. They understand each other and Ms. Blakely brought in the intense attraction and getting to know you phase just perfectly. Heck, even the parents liked him!

However, Theo's not perfect and I love the fact that the author built in those reservations and imperfect parts of his life so that we could see that, even with imperfection, he still perfect for her.

This story is funny, sexy, and even a bit serious at times, but I love the wonderful feeling story gave me. Ms. Blakely crafted a story that is everything a rom-com should be and more. Amazing characters, smart and witty banter, and intense connections you won't forget. The Real Deal left me with a smile o my face and that’s the mark of a wonderful writer.

The Real Deal was adorable. I don't think I've read a Lauren Blakely book quite like it before. It had her sassy humor, witty dialog, and amazing characters, but it felt much sweeter. I liked how surprisingly low drama it was. 

The fake relationship in The Real Deal stood out from others I've read. Theo was hired through a Craigslist ad. He wasn't someone April already knew. Normally, fake relationships tend to fall in the friends to lovers category and I liked that this one was different. I didn't feel like I was re-reading a book I've already read. (I hate to say it, but that happens sometimes!)

Theo and April were fun characters. Theo was a reformed bad boy with a shady past who was trying to stay afloat. April was a sweet, almost innocent, woman trying to avoid her family's meddling. Their agreement to pose as boyfriend and girlfriend helped them each reach a certain goal. They wanted to keep their relationship professional, but their attraction to each other took over.

I absolutely adored the getting to know each other part of this book. Theo and April's real and fake stories of how they met and fell in love were perfect! They made me laugh and smile so much! I couldn't get enough of how they fed off each other and bonded. It made their falling for each other seem destined and utterly perfect.

Another thing I loved about this book were all the side characters. There were so many of them with the whole family reunion thing going on. It gave the book such a fun, loving feel to have all of these family members play a part in Theo and April's love story. Plus, they added a ton of entertainment. 

Obviously, I couldn't get enough of this book. It was just so dang sweet and fun to read. It's the perfect summer romance to escape in. I hope Lauren Blakely will write more books set in the town of Wistful. I would not mind returning to it.

This book was so good.

April lives in New York and is a body painter. She was heading home for a family reunion but needed a boyfriend to ward off her family from the guys the pick for her to date. She finds an ad on Craigslist’s and that’s when she meets Theo. Theo is a bartender and does the boyfriend for hire ad. Their role was to be real with one another but play fake boyfriend to her family. They come to realize they have stronger feelings for one another. In the end they love one another.

I love this book. I love happy endings and how they work out their issues with one another. She didn’t turn on him and judge him for his past and that she loved him no matter what. He wanted a better future and learn from his past. Just in an all around good book. ARC provided by netgalley

The Real Deal is a Fresh and Edgy Take on the modern day romance. I felt like I was watching a love story unfold on the screen of my mind. Elizabeth @ White Hot Reads

April and Theo's story is sexy, sweet and funny. Theo has secret's that he shares with no one, but after a few days with her, he wants to share them all with April. She feels like the Real Deal for him. Through his relationship with her and the friendships he makes upon meeting her, he finds his true calling in life and the future he wants is now in plain sight... with her beside him.

You will enjoy this story for all the layers of new developments that keep unfolding and fun writing the author shows.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher**

Lauren Blakely is always a one-click author for me. Her books are always fun, sexy and the story is always engaging. The Real Deal is no exception to that!

April Hamilton is not thrilled that she has to head to her hometown for her family reunion. Ironically, it has nothing to do with not wanting to see her family or wanting to go to the reunion, she just doesn't want to put up with the matchmaking that her family seems to be so keen on lately. She decides to take matters into her own hands and basically rent-a-boyfriend from Craigslist.

Theo Banks is a guy who is just trying to put his past to rest so he can move on with his future. In order to do that, he has some debts to pay and to earn some additional money, he has started his side business of being a boyfriend-for-hire. When he gets the request from April, he expects this will be just like all of the other jobs he's done, but will it really?

It's clear from their first meeting that sparks are there between April and Theo. Their fake relationship begins to blossom at the reunion as they play the games and they are able to step away from the grind of their daily lives. The flirty banter and interactions were fantastic and they definitely added a layer to this story that made me as a reader grin throughout. While there was some drama and a bit of angst, it was the perfect amount in my opinion and the epilogue just tied this story up absolutely perfectly.

If you are looking for a great summer read, I highly recommend picking this book up. It will definitely make you smile!

light rom com

Though I had a little trouble getting into Lauren Blakely's The Real Deal I ended finding the story cute. It was a light read for a sunny day.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

I completely loved this sweet and hilarious romantic comedy! It was exactly what I was looking for and I couldn't get enough of April and Theo! The fake boyfriend/boyfriend for hire trope is always fun and Lauren Blakely executed it perfectly! The backdrop of the Hamilton family reunion and games kept the story light and fun and really gave April and Theo time to connect and shine without the drama of their every day lives. They had incredible chemistry (Gah! The build up was delicious!) and I couldn't help but have a huge grin on my face while reading this book. Their banter and witty comebacks were fantastic and I loved each and every one of their "Do you remember..." stories.

One of the best parts of the book though was the Hamilton clan! I especially loved all of April's female relatives! They had me laughing out loud with their good intentioned meddling and it brought some great comic relief when things got a little heavier. I really appreciated that though there is some drama and angst, it didn't overrun the story and created just the right amount of push and pull. The epilogue was wonderfully sweet and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ending! Definitely recommend this sexy and lighthearted read!

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

April hires Theo to be her fake boyfriend when she travels home to Wistful for her family reunion, a.ka. the Quadrennial Hamilton and Moore Summer Lawn Olympics and Games, to act as a much needed buffer against all of her family’s match-making attempts. The only problem? You’re not supposed to fall for your fake boyfriend and you’re not supposed to fall for your client.

“But even though we started as a made-up couple, concocting fables and telling tales, that spark between us was always real. And then, as I got to know you, it turned into something more. It turned into the real deal. That’s what you are to me, and that’s what I want to be for you. Maybe that’s why this job has been the hardest one of all—because I had to pretend the whole time that I wasn’t falling in love with you.”

The Real Deal is a laugh-out-loud tale of how to fall in love in an “incredibly, nontraditionally, bizarrely romantic” way. After all who thought you could find love hiring a fake boyfriend? Only in romance novels. Filled with a fun cast of characters, witty dialogue, great chemistry, and an oh-so-sweet and swoon-worthy HEA The Real Deal is a perfect light-hearted romantic comedy.

4.5 stars

Theo and April felt too unreal. Their banter just didn’t work for me, it felt forced and not easy going, sexy and funny as it was meant to be.

another great book by ms blakley, April and theo are just so funny, swoony and made me lol alot!
I loved aprils mum and family they made this story.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.

April thinks Theo is the perfect solution to her family’s constant meddling in her love-life. Fake a boyfriend, keep everyone off her back.
She wasn’t prepared for real feelings she would have for Theo. But he has secrets. Ones that he thinks will tear them apart. Can he trust her with his past?
5 stars!

5 Real, Real Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
First, understand this is a Terrific Rom/Com. However, I have some thoughts first of what this story brings to the table...

Each of us are unique. We are products of our genetics, how we are nurtured and what we experience in our formative years. That doesn't say whatever happened is set in stone or people have no control of their lives. It is how we react and the challenges we have to handle allow us to make changes and grow.

In Lauren Blakely's The Real Deal, she takes all of those ideas and makes them relatable. We are able to see many of the challenges these characters go through and remember possible situations we went through, too. I mean, how many times have you had to explain to your parents exactly what your career is...how just because it may not fit into the standard configuration of Lawyer, Doctor or Teacher...it is just as rewarding and fulfilling.

Or what about those who had life deal them a heartbreaking hand... where families are not picture perfect and children end up having to raise themselves. Where trying to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies shape more than what society deemed fit...

Some of these circumstances may not seem to be equally important... but then again, people can only judge from their own lives... so when presented with individual challenges...each has weight and we dig in to figure out how we handle them.

So with that being said, picture the woman who has taken the road less traveled. April Hamilton came from one of those families that was close knit, financially more than solid, was invested in what their children did with their lives and if that wasn't enough....lived in a small community.

Her family loved her unconditionally yet truly didn't understand how successful April was in her chosen profession. She was a sought after body painter... the one who made models look as if they were wearing clothes when they were naked... or created them into snarling animals. She had paid her dues in the toughest market, New York City, but to them she was still the teen who painted butterflies on kids cheeks at the town fairs. All they wanted was her to settle down and move back home.

And on April's last visit, she made a critical error; she got a little drunk and shared how she had been done wrong by the last guy she was with. An Asshat had played her good. He was juggling her and a WIFE! So when she lamented about the situation, others heard her and decided to step up.

Yup, that small community was the kind that was in Everyone's Business so when the annual family reunion approaches, April starts receiving emails about different men who are available to meet for coffee, walks or any number of other things...

Gahhh, April knew her family loved her but she was not moving back to her hometown and did not want to be the object of fix ups during this visit. She reached out to her good friend and lined him up to pretend to be in a relationship with her. Unfortunately, at the last minute, he got a professional offer for the same time he couldn't refuse.

He did have an idea, though. He told April about Theo Banks who does these type of pretend dates for a living. He is the guy you can hire to be the Break Up Guy, the Sh!t Disturber for an In Your Face Family Event, or the Best Boyfriend Ever...April is really stuck, trusts her friend as he vouches for Theo, so she reaches out.

Theo does this business of Pretend Guy and does it well. Presenting a different persona or acting has been something he has done from a very young age. He and his brother had to figure out how to keep a roof over their heads...and slowly came into understanding what they could do...As they developed into men, choices were made, lessons learned and Theo is close to making his final obligation from those years be done.

When April reaches out to Theo for this week visit, she hasn't decided yet if this is happening. They both chat a bit and from the very first moment, there is this connection. It is as if they start this dance... one comment is met with a another and soon a story is formed of how they met, their attraction and when they knew...It is banter, laughs and thrilling in the speed they connect. April decides this is happening, lays out the needs and Theo makes sure April understands the rules... He is a pretend boyfriend, not a Lay. Both are on board.

Over the course of a few days, they text... with fast responses feeding into each other... smart, funny, sarcastic, quick. Both are a bit intrigued and taken with each other...and both keep remembering no hanky-panky.

The day arrives for the train ride to the town, April is nervous because this is it, she is meeting him for the first time...Theo comes towards her and she has to just relax. They talk on the ride...and then April drops the bomb... this reunion is going to be a bit more then expected. People she does not wish to see may be there and then there is her competitive family. Theo looks deeply into April's eyes and tells her he's got it.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. The level of layers and concern for the characters is just right. The swoon worthy moments are there. The respect and consideration for April by Theo is there. April learns to appreciate being cared for...and Theo is the one to show her how wonderful she is outside of her career.

Their chemistry is off the charts and everything you could want. There is more then just fun and games, though. We do have complications which add challenges for Theo. He has some reckoning to handle and learn from.

Lauren Blakely's writing works in so many ways for so many readers. There is a reason; She just gets how to rope you in from the start, gets you to care for both of the main characters and gives you a romance to make your heart sing. What more could you want...whatever it could be... She's got that covered to!

He is cocky and vulnerable at the same time. His skills know no end! He is a chameleon at changing personalities, voices, and improv to suit your needs. He is the boyfriend-for-hire April hires to accompany her to the family reunion.

If you think this is a run of a mill boyfriend-for-hire story, think again! Theo is just lost in this world like a rolling stone looking for a place he belongs. He has scraped his way through life since he was fourteen and his parents died. All he knows is the con game and grift life in order to survive. Now is the time to finally pay off all his debts and look for where his heart belongs.

April is just a girl who has sworn off men in lieu for her career and keeping her heart from being hurt again. All she wants is honesty in her life. She cannot deal with any more lying men! Rather than fight all the matchmaking efforts her family will drop on her, she would rather pay a "boyfriend" to accompany her and make this weekend stress free.

This story has two uniquely gifted characters that can improv their way through fantasies of their "relationship" on the spot. They talk with the same rhythm, like the same things, and light each other's hearts on fire. Amusing, thrilling, emotional, and it will make you smile all the way. It is a spa for the mind!

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing her book with me.

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have not read a book by Lauren Blakely before but I really enjoyed this one. April has a over bearing family that just wants to see her in a relationship. When her family's reunion is coming up she asks her best friend to pretend to be her boyfriend. The only problem is that at the last minute her best friend cancels on her, but his buddy on the side is a boyfriend for hire. She meets Theo before the reunion and there is an instant connection. The two make up random stories about how they met and their relationship that makes you laugh and sigh at the same time. Somewhere along the way the two start falling for each other. The only problem is that Theo has a past that he's not completely proud of and when they start falling for each other he has to decide if April is worth telling his secrets to. April has had a rocky dating past, part of the reason her family wants to set her up so badly, and she has to decide if Theo is the one who might break her dating curse. Overall, this was a cute book that's perfect for summer time reading.

The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely is a beautifully written romance. It will make you laugh, grip your heart and take you on an emotional journey that will just make you happy. I really loved this book and highly recommend it.

What a fantastic story this is. I loved it. An easy read that starts with April dreading going home for her family reunion weekend because her family is seriously into matchmaking. Obnoxiously so. April is a well known body painter, she makes a great living and is up for a coveted opportunity and is excited about that. Her family is clueless really as to what she does and all they panther to do is move back home. Not gonna happen. Her friend Xavier was her fill in arm candy for the reunion,when he's offered a chance of a lifetime and has to bow out of his commitment to her, he sets her up with a friend. A friend who is a bartender and rents himself out as a platonic boy friend. He is the master actor. She's a lot reluctant but when she responds to his ad on Craigs list and they meet it's perfect. They hit it off and she brings along her friends who are protective to make sure he's not a serial killer, and they make plans to get to know each other before and while she fails to warn him the intensity of her family and how seriously they take their reunions, these two really are so suited for each other. I loved the flow between them and how easy they seemed to fit. While Theo isn't fully honest with her about his past history it's more of an omission. But they talk easily and freely and it takes them a while to make the final leap but the tension between them is palpable. The author does a great job showing us the emotional connection between them.
Theo's brother is a problem for Theo at times. Theo feels the need to take care of him and one of the reasons he's hiring himself out is paying off a debt that was his brother's. A debt that shouldn't have been owed, I digress. Theo is well received by her family and things just take off. April takes it upon herself to call Heath, Theo's brother and invite him for the last day of the family festivities. When she overhears a conversation in part... she flips a switch. Rightfully so, although I will hand it to her, she did stop and listen to what Theo had to say. She said she needed space and he gave her that. No more than that because I'd give too much of the storyline away.
For a couple that was only supposed to not for real, this two could not have been more real. Loved the book, the characters, all of it. Stellar read.

*arc from NetGalley and St Martins for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.**

Lauren Blakely has delivered in her brand new romance, The Real Deal. Fans of romances that feature fake relationships and small town feels are going to want to grab this one. It's a true pleasure to read. I quickly got sucked into the story line and fell head over heels for April and Theo. I love how Lauren added some humor to the story (my favorite books ALWAYS have laugh out loud moments) and how she made it feel real and serious at the same time.

April Hamilton is visiting her hometown for their brand of summer Olympics. But because she doesn't want her family meddling in her personal relationships (aka love life) she decides to hire a man to pretend he's her boyfriend for the week. Easy peasy right? Wrong. Her fake relationship quickly becomes something she could see a future with. Too bad someones hiding some things that could lead the end of their HEA before they know it.

Theo Banks can be anyone you want him to be. A French man, cowboy with a sexy southern drawl, a bad boy who will hit on anyone (including your mom) and everything in between. In need of extra cash he rents himself out as a boyfriend for hire.. Which is how he meets the beautiful April Banks. But what happens when a job turns into something real? And what happens when the demons he is hiding rear their ugly little heads?

The Real Deal balances romance, humor, and heart perfectly. There are some secrets being hidden and a tiny bit of angst during the build up, but is an overall lighthearted and fun read. I recommend this book to those who love the authors books/writing (I mean, who doesn't love Lauren Blakely) and for those who love a book that will make them smile and laugh.

The Real Deal is a great romantic read. April decides to 'hire' a boyfriend for an upcoming weekend at her parents house, knowing it will be full of pressure for her to settle back home and give up her New York City life not appreciating how well she is doing as a body artist having many assignments.
Theo s a bar man but once a week to earn extra money to pay off family debts he acts as an escort, no sex involved. When hired by April they travel to her parents and along the way enjoy each other's company. Their dialogue is brilliant, very funny and we have here two characters with depth and a developing relationship. A lovely entertains read which I throughly enjoyed.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book honestly.

***3.5 Stars***

I do love me a good fake relationship romance and was all geared up to dive into this baby. And though I didn’t love it as much as I had hoped to, it was still a sweet, and smexy read filled with humor heart and good touch of drama to keep things interesting.

I really liked April and Theo. April is independent, sassy and snarky. I loved how quick witted she was and how much she loved the career she chose. Theo was an interesting one, but it was a good interesting. There was an honesty to him, even though he wasn’t necessarily on the up and up the entire time, that made it easy to be drawn in and a mind that I wanted a closer look at.

Their slow burn journey was a lot of fun, especially because of the whole fake relationship thing going on. They weren’t supposed to be more to each other, but as they got to know each other it was easy to see how good they were and could be together in all areas. That little plot twist in their journey was definitely an interesting one and though I understood why it was a big deal, I was pretty much #teamtheo. Thankfully, the drama didn’t last long and I really liked how it all got resolved and where they were at in the end.

The funny thing with The Real Deal is that I really liked the premise of it and thought all of the crazy characters were well written and a lot of fun, but it didn’t hook me like I thought it would. I enjoyed it, laughed out loud and definitely smirked a lot as Theo and April tried their best to not fall, but I also got easily distracted. That most definitely could be simply fall under the whole “Any given day/it’s not you it’s me” thing, but it is what it is. But outside of that, this was a fun read and if you’re looking for something fun this summer, then this is the one for you!