The Real Deal: A Novel (Kushiel's Legacy)

by Lauren Blakely

April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn't been on GigsForHire since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn't even spend that much time online. And even if she did, she would not be looking up personal ads. But going home alone for her family's summer reunion is an invitation for every single relative to butt into her personal life. She simply can't handle another blind date with the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker from her hometown. So when she finds an online ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she's ready to pay to play.

Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I'm the REAL DEAL.

Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He's this close to finally settling all his debts, and one more job as a boyfriend-for-hire will do the trick. He's no gigolo. Please. He's something of an actor, and he knows how to slip into any role, including pretending to be April's new beau: the bad boy with the heart of gold.

Even if it means sleeping in close quarters in that tiny little bed in her parents' inn. Even if it means spinning tales of a romance that starts to feel all too true. What neither one of them counts on is that amid the egg toss, the arm wrestling, and a fierce game of Lawn Twister that has them tangled up together, they might be feeling the real deal.

• ISBN10: 125076453X
• ISBN13: 9781250764539
• Publish Date: 8 September 2020 (first published 10 July 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Saint Martin's Griffin,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Leigha]

A woman hoodwinks her family by bringing her "boyfriend" home for a family reunion.

April and Theo are the perfect combination of sweet, fun, and forgettable. I enjoyed spending the time with them, and surprisingly bought into their five day romance. It's hard for me to believe in an emotional connection between people when so little time has passed in the novel, but it worked for me here. These two are involved in several shenanigans, including some steamy moments. The ending packed an emotional punch without being too intense. I honestly don't think this story is memorable, but perhaps it will surprise me. It's like bubbly champagne - enjoyable in the moment, forgotten in the next. I'm okay with a champagne read once in a while. 😉

tl;dr A cute, yet forgettable, romance with sweet characters and fun shenanigans.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Caffeinated reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to The Real Deal

• What's a girl to do when she wants to avoid the dreaded parental unit talks about her still being single at their upcoming family reunion? Why hire a boyfriend of course! I love arrangement tropes and Blakely had me when April Hamilton hires Theo Banks through his GigsforHire  Ad I was all in!



• Told in dual POVs and narrated by the sexy and talented Zachary Webber and equally talented Erin Mallon. Blakley's witty humor and charm popped as we got to know April and Theos.



• April is a talented artist, hoping to land a contract that she hopes will launch her career. She already talented and successful, but her parents just don't get her career choice.



• Theo is loveable but not without flaws. He isn't really an actor, he's a bartender who pretends to rents himself out. He's not a gigolo, he is simply trying to get himself out from a debt that hanging around his neck.



• The banter..oh how I loved the back and forth exchanges between April and Theo. The two have this genuine rightness about them when they are together and I liked watching the buzzing chemistry between them sizzle.



• The family reunion was a hoot, and made me want to plan one, from the games, to April's old prom date.



• While the romance developed quickly, it never felt like insta-love and I easily rooted for them. Drama was kept low, but gave enough of an edge to keep me listening.



• If you are looking for a feel good, fun, sexy listen that will leave you smiling like a fool, The Real Deal should be your next romantic listen.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Cocktails and Books]

3.5 Cocktails

This was a cute story. It was absolutely perfect to read while floating around in the pool. I would have liked a little more interaction between April and her family to get a good understanding of the dynamics there, it was still a good read.

[Rowena]

This was a cute story and I thought it was super cute, only the fake relationship felt real from the jump so that was weird but aside from that, April and Theo were great. I'm mighty curious about what Theo actually sounds like. Still, cute.