That smoking hot one-night stand with a former rock star? Turns out he’s my son’s new music teacher. The night I met Campbell all I knew was he played my body the same way he strummed a guitar — like he owned it. Now I’ve learned he’s the man coming to my house twice a week to teach my kid — the best music lessons money can buy.Time to turn down the volume on the late-night shenanigans with the … shenanigans with the sexy single dad. Only that’s easier said than done.
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I can rock a guitar solo in front of thousands, I can write chart-topping tunes, and I can absolutely stop thinking about my student’s mother naked.
Trouble is, the more I get to know Mackenzie, the more I like all of her — she’s an awesome mom, a great friend, and she gets along perfectly with my teenage daughter.
All we have to do is set some rules and no one gets hurt.
It’s all working out beautifully. Until we start breaking the rules, one by one.
ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME is a standalone novel about Campbell & Mackenzie in the HEARTBREAKERS series of standalones! The books in this three-book series can be read in any order, but are best enjoyed in the following order: ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME, ONCE UPON A SURE THING, ONCE UPON A WILD FLING!
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Mackenzie is a young mother, single and proud. Owning her own business, she splits her time between work, nights of trivia and motherhood, and she definitely does not have time to date.
Campbell is the father of a teenager girl with culinary skills who loves to post recipes on Instagram. He is also a handsome and once famous musician. A prodigy of music who becomes an excellent teacher.
A couple full of chemistry who meets in a bar and has everything to go if it were not a small problem: Campbell is the new teacher of Kyle, the son of Mackenzie.
My first book by Lauren Blakely and I totally fell in love with her writing. Mackenzie’s unusual, laid-back family structure, Campbell’s relationship with his daughter. All the supporting characters are great and well built: Kyle, Samantha, Jamison, Roxy, Campbell’s brothers and bandmates.
Kyle and Samantha give a show during the plot twist. And if it has a message that the author wanted to convey is that everything is not always as complicated as it seems or how we think. A very peculiar cliché, very well narrated, fun and highly recommended. That reading that you enjoy from beginning to end, without getting tired, with that couple that you miss when the book ends.
I escaped into this rockstar romance about a single dad. It’s funny, dirty and very very swoon! Another hit from Lauren Blakely!
Sweet, hot, and sexy are just a few words to describe Once Upon a Real Good Time by Lauren Blakely. Mackenzie and Campbell’s story will have a smile on your face right from the start. Loved it!
I swear every time Lauren Blakely comes out with a new book I have a new favorite couple, and trust me you’re going to love Mackenzie and Campbell.
Once Upon A Real Good Time is a sweet and light hearted love story about two single parents who have concentrated on their kids life and put aside any thought of romantic relationships for themselves.
The chemistry is instant between these two. They are perfect for each other. And omg Campbell and his dirty talk is so damn hot! I dare you not to fall for him!
Do yourself a favor and one click you won’t be disappointed. I Cannot wait to read the next in this series!!
5 Hitting All the Right Notes Stars!!
I just love Lauren Blakely and ALL her rom-coms. And this first book in her new Heartbreakers Series is another perfect example of why I’m a huge fan of all her words. Campbell and Mackenzie meet one night at Mackenzie’s favorite bar where she rules as the Trivia Queen. As a single mom this is one of the things she really allows herself to do because her son Kyle is her entire life.
What she wasn’t counting on happening this particular night was the immediate attraction she had to Campbell and then she acted on it with a sizzling one-night stand. Neither of them really expect to see each other again, until she takes Kyle for his first guitar lesson and low and behold it’s Campell!!
Let the good times start!! I loved the banter between these two. He’s quite the swoony man and he’s ready to have so much fun with Mackenzie but not anything more than that given both of them have so much going on in their lives. You see, Campbell has a daughter Samantha that he lives his life for.
But sometimes, fate has other plans and while they start as “friends” it quickly leads to more and they need to navigate this road to ensure that no one gets hurt. Trust me when I tell you there’s some outside forces that may not want Campbell and Mackenzie to have their HEA!
This book has everything I love about Ms. Blakely’s writing. There’s humor, heat, a H/h that I couldn’t help but love and the always enjoyable dialogue between them. I found myself several times snort laughing at some of their conversations. And don’t get me started on how I felt every single time he called her “Sunshine!” Oh my!!!
I’m ready to move on to the next brother in this series and can’t wait to see what Ms. Blakely has in store for Miller and Ally!
Once Upon a Real Good Time was the perfect mix of sweet and sexy read that gave me all the feels.
Admittedly rockers are my kryptonite. Make him a single dad who adores his daughter and can make me swoon with his dirty mouth like Campbell can and I’m a goner. Not to be outdone Mackenzie was an amazing, hardworking mom with quite the head for trivia. Though quite a bit different these two fit together so perfectly and had me laughing out loud from their witty banter, fanning myself from the sparks they generated and swooning from the beginning until the end.
Once Upon a Real Good Time provided me with a real good time I wasn’t in a hurry to end. After the amazing introduction to the secondary characters I’m eagerly looking forward to the rest of this series!
Lauren Blakely taps into the forbidden fantasy of every woman on the planet with this deliciously sexy romance between a former rock star and a beautiful trivia buff whose one night stand is guaranteed to fulfill every woman’s wildest dreams. There’s a good reason why romance books have gorgeously muscled men on the covers and Lauren Blakely rocks at picking the best cover models I’ve ever seen. You can be sure I kept that delectable cover in mind the entire time I was reading Campbell and Mackenzie’s story. What I enjoyed most about this book is that these lovers are mature 30-something characters who always remember that their teenage children come first in their lives. That rarely happens in this day and age and for a mature reader like me, I find that really sexy! I read an early copy of this book and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
Once Upon a Real Good Time by Lauren Blakely is book one in her new series, The Heartbreakers. A three-book series that stars the Hart brothers: Mason, Miller and Miles.
The first book focuses on Campbell Mason Evans (aka Mason Hart) and his life now that he is no longer part of the Heartbreakers, though his brother Miller keeps asking to get the band back together.
Instead, Campbell is playing incognito with an indie band while raising his fifteen year old daughter, Samantha, and teaching music as a private tutor. When his band plays at a bar during trivia night, he can’t tear his eyes off the woman enthusiastically playing trivia while watching his every move on stage as he gets ready to play. What starts off as simple eyes meeting across the room, then weeks later a night to remember, soon leads to an awkward moment when reality intrudes and Campbell finds the woman he is attracted to is the mother to his new music student.
Mackenzie is definitely hot for teacher, but with her son Kyle being her main priority, she and Campbell put their feelings on hold. What I love is that a lot of this story was seeing their friendship grow into love and I enjoyed their moments with their kids. Ms. Blakely really pulls you into this romance that is not only sexy and funny, but heartwarming with its emphasis on family. The kids Kyle and Samantha were charming and stole the show.
Overall, Once Upon a Real Good Time by Lauren Blakely is a fun read and very enjoyable. I happily recommend.
(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)
Ahhh new from Lauren Blakely! Check this one out if you’re into rock star romances, single dads, romantic comedies, and a mix of forbidden and steamy fun. 😉
Have you ever read the expression “he stroked his guitar like he was caressing and making love to the body of a beautiful woman”? I do not think I will ever look at a guitar again and not think of this book!
Campbell is the ex-rocker who gave up everything after losing his wife. Now, he dedicates his time teaching children how to play the violin, while he and his new little band play at the local pubs a couple of nights a week. This solves all his needs: giving back some of his gift to help others and making music with his friends. The money is not important. The fame is definitely not wanted. His life is filled with love for his daughter and making music. Yes, sometimes it is lonely, but his heart has been dormant after he lost the woman he loved. Meeting Samantha at a local pub on one of the nights he was playing began a connection that could not be sated by a one-night stand.
This book is full of the feelings that go with a mature love that recognizes the responsibilities that hold us back and the desires that cannot be denied. I was thrilled to follow the journey of Samantha and Campbell as they become friends while parenting their teenage children. Taking a step beyond friendship is hard when you are a single parent. Leaping into a love relationship can be the scariest proposition these two characters will ever face. Yet, how can you hold back when you are falling in love?
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
Lauren Blakely’s writing is becoming my new addiction. I always enjoy her writing, she always thoroughly entertains me with her humour, characters that you instantly love and adore, and some pure steamy moments.
This is the first book in her new Heartbreakers series. A series of romantic comedies based on three sexy as sin, rockstar brothers. What is there not to love about that??
This is Campbell and MacKenzie’s story, they are both single parents. Campbell is the total DILF, he’s a loving, caring and totally devoted father. MacKenzie is a confident, sexy, doting single mother. The chemistry is off the charts between them soon as they meet and end up having a one-night stand but when they meet again the tension between them is palpable.
Blakely has brought us some great wit and one-liners which is the perfect mix with the steam and passion. Once I started I couldn’t put this book down so ended up with another late night. I am now looking forward to the next one Once Upon A Sure Thing out 24th September
GAH! I am so in love!! Lauren Blakely is such a great author! I want to be friends with her characters! Campbell and Mackenzie are so cute and witty! I love this book! Five stars are not enough!
This book was…GAH! You know all those rock star book boyfriends readers gush over? Well, Campbell Evans blows them out of the water even if he is, technically, a FORMER rock star. The guy exudes this confidence but he is by no means cocky. He doesn’t downplay his musical talents but he also acknowledges that he’s good enough that he passes on what he knows to kids who share the same gift. And to be paired with someone like Mackenzie? Jeez but how adorable AND smoking-hot these two were! There’s sweet but there’s also sexy, and there’s a whole lot of amazing storytelling in between. I also happened to like the supporting characters who were part of the story, with special mentions going to their respective teenagers. With a healthy dose of humor and lots of heart, this series starter was a change of pace from the author’s previous release, which had more angst. I love that Lauren Blakely is able to keep things interesting for her fans and readers, and if the rest of her new Heartbreakers series is as fab and funny as this opening salvo, the next few weeks will be great! Five-plus stars for Once Upon a Real Good Time.
Tender moments and talking candidly about single-parenthood was NOT on the menu when Mackenzie and Campbell first met and shared a fiery hot one night stand. They weren’t even sure a second date would take place. But sometimes, fate steps in and has a way of changing plans.
Although they try and fight their physical attraction to one another, deciding to be good, they still share an “epic” connection. As Mackenzie and Campbell continue to stay away from each other sexually, to avoid complicating their relationship, they relish the time they do interact with one another.
Soon the two realize that in the attempt to stay away from one another, they are actually growing more and more attached. It is the first time in either of their lives that they have been with someone of the opposite sex without feeling the pressure of letting their top priority of parenthood take a back seat.
So, what are the two to do when they are miserable staying apart? That is for you to find out in this delicious tale full of heart, charm and some great teenage personalities.
As Always, Happy Reading!
“5/5 Beaming Brains!” – Laura, Lit-Up My Mind
This was a funny, romantic, sweet, sexy, lighthearted, quick read. I love Lauren Blakely’s comedic timing in he books. She has the ability to make you laugh and swoon at the same time.
I loved Aiden! He is a loving single dad of a daughter named Sam. Who wouldn’t love a sexy single dad with washboard abs, a gorgeous face, former teen heartthrob, turned lead singer/guitar player in a local band?! When he sees Mackenzie playing trivia at one of the places where his band plays, he is immediately attracted to her. She’s different than anyone he’s dated before. He just wants the nookie. No commitment. Will Aiden be able to resist and stick to his guns?
Mackenzie is a single mom of a son named Kyle. She is a very dedicated mother and also runs a graphics design business from home. She occasionally allows herself some fun by going out to trivia night with her best friend. This is where she first spots Campbell. She is instantly attracted to him and after some coaxing & interference from her best friend, she decides to go for what she wants. All she wants is a one night stand. She doesn’t have time for relationships. Her life revolves around her son and her job. What’s it going to hurt? Right? She can have a one night stand and move on, can’t she? Will one time be enough with this sexy guitar strumming rocker?
I loved the witty banter and sizzling chemistry between Aiden and Mackenzie. I also loved that they were both single parents and put their kids first. The supporting characters were charming, funny, and likeable. There is just the right amount of comedy, hot steaminess, and swoon worthy romance in this book! I am looking forward to the next book in the series. She is such a talented rom-com author! Thank you for a great start to the Heartbreakers Series!!!
HOLY HOTNESS! Lauren Blakely is on fire with this story! I LOVED IT! Campbell and Mackenzie’s story is sexy and fun with a whole lot of angst. I think I wiggled and smiled throughout this entire book. The chemistry between these too is white hot and delicious. Not to mention, the storyline is super endearing and I just adored the kids. If you are looking for something light and steamy that you can consume in one sitting, Once Upon A Real Good Time is it!
Review by Lys
Famazing! The smart, witty, intelligent dialogue blew me away in this sweet, sexy romance with two of the best characters I’ve every read. Super mom Mackenzie is a hoot with her trivia skills and marvelous life attitude. She’s put her love life on hold to focus on her son and his needs but when she lays eyes on the sexy guitar player at her favorite haunt it’s on. And Campbell is right there with her. He is such a dirty-talking hot hunk! I was swooning from the first hair flip to the last melting kiss. He’s a great single dad in addition to his other amazing attributes. There’s so much to love about this fantastic story from the sizzling chemistry between Campbell and Mackenzie to the wonderful secondary characters, especially the kids, to the funny, sweet banter to the great ending. This is a feel-good rom com that’s low on drama and high on love. Lots of sexy love! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
5+++ stars!
All hail the queen of the rom com. Lauren Blakely wowed me again. I devoured this book!! DE-VOU-RED! I just could not get enough of the chemistry between Campbell and Mackenzie. My goodness!! Everything about this book had me giddy as can be. Once Upon a Real Good Time had all my favorite elements – outstanding characters, fun & flirty banter, single parents romance, sexy rock stars and all the steaminess you could want. It was a sweet, light read with tons of heart and many swoons. Lauren Blakely is the master of witty and entertaining dialogue. The characters had a natural chemistry that made the banter between them feel effortless and extremely enjoyable. It had me smiling the entire time. This book will now be my go to book if I ever need a jolt of happiness.
Once again Lauren Blakely has created a group of characters that were easy to root for. Mackenzie, Campbell and all their family and friends were so brilliantly entertaining. There was not one person I disliked even a little. I absolutely loved Mackenzie. Her strength, intelligence and her selflessness are a few reasons why she will always be one of my favorite heroines. She’s had to (happily) dedicate so much of her life to her son. I loved seeing her open herself up to a possibility with Campbell. Not that that was a tough challenge because Campbell Evans… holy cow!…am I drooling? I have a massive crush. He’s so talented, charming and sexy with a deliciously dirty mouth. *fans self* Seriously hot! He’s also just a really great guy. Whether he’s on stage, in the kitchen tasting his daughter baking creations, or on the phone watching Netflix with Mackenzie, this man was easily winning over my heart.
Their connection is my favorite part of this story. They started off fast but when they were forced to step back the friendship they built was everything. It felt real.
I love love love this book! When I finished it, I immediately wanted to read it all over again. I can’t wait to see what the other sexy rock star brothers have in store. If it’s half as good as the first book, than I already know it’ll be a future favorite read.
Whoo! Get ready for one hot, sexy rom-com from the Queen herself! A whiz at trivia, Mackenzie normally isn’t distracted by the hot rocker on stage on their local bar. But he’s making eyes back at her and she can’t help but wonder if one night of wild might be worth it. A whirlwind one night stand turns into a few and Mackenzie is left in a dreamy state with her rocker. There’s just one slight hitch…he’s her son’s new music teacher and a prodigy. She’s not willing to sacrifice her son’s future for her own happiness. So they strike a deal to keep it civil….but can they keep their hands off each other?
Campbell’s seen thousands of beautiful women, a side effect of being a rockstar in your prime. But the cutie with a brain sitting in his local dive bar is driving him wild with hope. And he wants to turn one night into forever the more he talks and touches her. But when she puts on the brakes due to their new…shared interest…Campbell can’t push it. Weeks of friendship leads to stolen moments and steamy kisses. Now these two have to decide if their future is worth the risk.
I feel like Blakely did a reversed Cinderella story here! Campbell is playing in a band under a false name in the evenings and music teacher by day. Mackenzie comes in a presents a future he didn’t think he would get. A loving woman and mother and someone he has intense chemistry with. And there is chemistry in abundance; not only sexual but in their friendship and banter. Blakely has an uncanny ability to write conversations that flow and develop so fantastically between all of her characters no matter the situation. This whole romance is a case of will they or won’t they and Blakely reigns readers in and strings them along just long enough with little tastes to keep you guessing. Some more fun and almost care-free romance from Lauren is just the next read you need!
Fabulous book in a new series! I fell in love with both Mackenzie and Campbell right away. They were both awesome people and parents and were absolutely fabulous and HOT as a couple. Campbell was a super sexy rockstar and dirty talker….holy cow the dirty talk! And Mackenzie gave it right back to him just as good. I loved their kids and how Mackenzie and Campbell each became friends with the others kid before they became a couple. I can not wait for Miller and Miles’s books.
Do you know that author you always read when you are on a book funk or need a pick me up? Lauren Blakely is this kind of author to me. I know it’ll not disappoint and will bring a smile to my face. Her books are always funny, emotional and with well developed characters all around, be it the main characters or a doorman, they are well thought and have depth. Once Upon a Real Good Time is no exception. Being a first in a new series, it does a great job in introducing a whole new world. I fell in love with Campbell and Mackenzie from the first page. Both in their 30’s it’s easy to relate and understand where they are coming from. It’s great to see there their kids are their first priority and how they do everything to make them happy. The kids were a great addition to the series and so real! I want to bake with Sam so much! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series and know more about the Heartbreakers brothers!