Book Review: When Its Real

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Word to the Wise: This book has content that is best suited for 18+ audience, however, it does not affect the overall plot of the story (AKA you can skip it).

What's the Skinny: From #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Erin Watt comes the addictive contemporary tale of a teen rock star in need of an image makeover and the teen girl hired to be his fake girlfriend.

I love the premise of this book. One. It's adorable. Two. It is a perfect summer read. I read it during the first two days of my vacation. Three. The characters are pretty relatable. Set in the heart of Los Angeles, Vaughn Bennett is taking a year off before heading to college to help support her family after her parents die. Enter Oakley Ford, famous teen pop star who is in desperate need of some positive media attention. Oakley and Vaughn have likable chemistry and you are rooting for them the entire time. Even if you think you know where the story is going, Erin Watt delightfully surprises you as the reader with intriguing characters.

If you want a good love story with well developed characters this is a good place to kick off your summer. Vaughn at first was not my favorite character. She seemed too goody two shoes and Oakley seemed like the typical Hollywood pop star, BUUUUT these characters GREW and because they GREW, the characters GREW on me. Before you knew it, I was very attached to the story. 

I initially was afraid that the story would be heavy because of the Bennett family parents dying BUT Erin Watt handled it beautifully with just the right amount of seriousness and depth juxtaposed with some fun moments between all the characters. 

Honestly, I have watched how the authors interact with their fans from The Royals series to When It's Real ,  and I have nothing but good things to say about this duo! 

In Case You Read the Back of Books: Meet Oakley Ford-teen celebrity, renowned pop star, child of famous movie stars, hottie with millions of fangirls… and restless troublemaker. On the surface he has it all, but with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry, and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley's team decides it's time for an intervention. The result: an image overhaul, complete with a fake girlfriend meant to show the world he's settled down.

Enter seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett-devoted sister, part-time waitress, the definition of "normal." Under ordinary circumstances she'd never have taken this gig, but with her family strapped for cash, she doesn't have much of a choice. And for the money Oakley's team is paying her, she figures she can put up with outlandish Hollywood parties and a team of publicists watching her every move. So what if she thinks Oakley's a shallow, self-centered jerk? It's not like they're going to fall for each other in real life…right?

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