The Real Deal: A Novel

Lauren Blakely

Jul 2018 · Kushiel's Legacy Book 64 · Macmillan Audio · Narrated by Erin Mallon and Zachary Webber

About this audiobook

Get ready for your next favorite romantic comedy audiobook from Lauren Blakely, THE REAL DEAL!

April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn’t been on Craigslist 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 the Craigslist 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.

She only wanted to show her family once and for all that she had no need to settle down.

He didn’t expect to have the time of his life at her parent’s home.

They didn’t plan on loving every single second of the game.

But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?

Praise for The Real Deal:

"I loved everything about these characters, from their sparkling banter to their electric attraction. Witty, clever, and swoony." -Amy E. Reichert, New York Times bestselling author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake

"A hilarious, hot slow burn. The Real Deal is full of witty banter and characters you'll fall head over heels in love with." -Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author of Shacking Up

Ratings and reviews

Review for ebook - not audio: Do you remember when you read The Real Deal and fell in love with Theo and April. Remember how they were so perfect together and how they played out little scenes about remembering things they had done together…things they had never done together but that fed the little lie they were telling her family? It was freaking awesome! I absolutely loved Theo and April. Their chemistry was instantaneous and despite the deal they had going neither of them could keep things platonic for long. This was a low angst read with plenty of mature humor that had me smiling the whole time. April hired Theo to act as her boyfriend during a family reunion that is chock full of competitions. The games aren’t the problem, the problem is her family is determined to set her up with one of the locals so she’ll stay in Wistful where they all live. Finding Theo was the perfect solution even if their “remember whens” and their pretend relationship did start to feel very real. This was a very upbeat read with some incredible secondary characters and plenty of laugh out loud moments. The steam is sizzling although this couple don’t get down and dirty until 80% into the story. That doesn’t mean there isn’t teasing and tension…lots and lots of tension. So, remember when I gave this five stars because it was exactly what I wanted, when I wanted it and it left me with the best feel good feeling one can expect from a book? Yeah, I remember that too. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and St. Marin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5* The Real Deal is the perfect summer read! It's sweet, funny, and sexy- everything you could want from a Lauren Blakely book. The whole fake relationship between April and Theo was terrific and so entertaining. They had such amazing chemistry and their banter was the definition of witty! I loved April's independence and Theo's determination. Theo's a little different than most of Ms. Blakely's heroes- he's strong and confident, but he has a vulnerability that I found completely endearing. Even with all their differences and life experiences I thought April and Theo were a perfect match. I really enjoyed their getting-to-know you talks and stories and how that led to them forging such a deep connection. Family plays a huge part in this book- the good, the bad, and the not really ugly. April's family was seriously awesome and crazy and a whole lot of fun. The women especially had very obvious and definite intentions when it came to her love life - all done with love, of course! And it made for some laughs, that's for sure. Theo's family story is a little sadder. He didn't have the loving upbringing April did, and although it had a profound effect on him, he didn't let it color his outlook on life. Theo and April may have started off as a pretend couple, but by the end there was nothing fake about their love!

Wow! I have never read a Lauren Blakely book I didn't enjoy immensely. Theo and April were such a well matched couple. April has a family reunion to go to and she is tired of her family always trying to set her up with a man as well as trying to get her to move back to her hometown. What's a woman to do? Well, seems Theo is able to offer his services as a boyfriend for hire. What starts out as a way for April not to have to deal with what appears to be her meddling family; soon turns into something more than just a boyfriend for hire when the two start falling for one another. In true Lauren Blakely style this a a wonderful rom com, with a bit of a cameo from a character mention from another of her fabulous books. You will have to read the book to find out who it is. I really enjoyed the way April and Theo bounced stories of their romance off one another when coming up with a background story for her family of how they met. I rally liked how those stories seemed to fuel the fire of the feelings they had for one another. Even though they knew that what they originally agreed upon neither could seem to help the bit of jealousy they felt at times. I found that so sweet. This is a really well written story and the ending was just perfect. wonderful HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. Provided by Netgalley.

About the author

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles (like Big Rock and Mister O) have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. She enjoys comedies, cake and good company.