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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And they say actions speak louder than words. Blakely continues to take that saying to heart with her captivating characters and witty dialogue. Once Upon a Real Good Time is the start of something marvelous. Amidst bumbling cluelessness and magnetic attraction a family is made. Campbell and Mackenzie find that sometimes the most embarrassing moments can have an everlasting impact. Imperfect can turn out to be just right. Can’t wait for what comes next in the Heartbreakers series.
Oh, my lord above. This book?? I don’t think I’ve ever smiled quite as hard before. This sweet, sexy, smile-athon of a story was just THE best book ever. If you’re feeling down, or just read too many dark, or angsty stories then Once Upon a Real Good Time by Lauren Blakely is the perfect antidote.
Campbell and MacKenzie are such down to earth characters, they will steal your heart the moment you meet them. Campbell is a music tutor by day, musician by night and just happens to be one of the ‘Heartbreakers’ a legendary trio of brothers from the 90’s. This rock god is now playing in bars incognito and that’s how he and MacKenzie meet.
Single dad Campbell plays the guitar and knows all the ways to strum a woman’s body, plus ge’s drop dead gorgeous, sexy as the day is long and has a devilishly dirty mouth.
Yeah, that mouth was sooo dirty. Filthy, hot and all the girls will wants him. He’s the newest top BBF to hit the charts.
But, it’s the look in his eyes that capture Mac’s attention and his voice. God, can that man sing.. And play.
MacKenzie’s life didn’t go quite the way she planned in college, but she wouldn’t change a thing. She runs her own graphic design business, is a mom raising her music prodigy son alone and has a great best friend, plus she still has her son’s father in her life, they’re just not together. So, what else could she need?
Love and romance and a hot who treats her right and keeps her happy and satisfied, inside and outside the bedroom, and that’s what Campbell does.
I loved how real these two were together, they attraction was instant, their chemistry was so hot it sizzled between them. There was no pretending between them either, which was fun. But, there was a stumbling block or rather two, to their blossoming romance. Can they find a will to tick all the boxes and have the family they each have been secretly longing for?
Well, I for one am still smiling so what does that tell you!!!
One-Click today and get your own happy on.
Lauren does it again with her hot new Heartbreakers series as she hits it out of the park with her laugh out loud whit and banter. Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Holy moly! This story was do freaking awesome didn’t want to put it down! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Sexy hot former teen rock star turn single dad and music teacher and the sassy trivia playing single mom make for one wonderful story. These two are hot from minute with their chemistry and kept me turning the pages and not wanting this book to end. Campbell and Mackenzie love for their children’s well beings and not wanting to screw things up make them act like the teenagers they are trying to protect. This story gives a preview of Campbell’s brothers and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
I’ll try to write a decent review but really all I can think about is if I can get my kid into music lessons with someone like Campbell….
This single parent rom-com was perfect. From the smart, flirty banter, the smoking chemistry, what amazing and devoted parents Campbell and Mackenzie are and the great kids they’ve raised, this book is definitely a real good time.
This book has so much going on, I just don’t know where to begin explaining how amazing it is! It’s the first in a trio of books that centers around 3 brothers that were in a boy band in their teens and early twenties. It’s about their life after the boy band. What happens when they grow up?!?
Campbell is a complex character. Single Dad, Singer, Musician, Teacher. But underneath it all, he is a really cool guy. Despite his past as a popular musician, he is really down to earth, almost humble. Don’t get me wrong, he is as cocky as the next guy, but not about his career, or fame. He is an amazing dad, who has taken a really tragic situation and made the most of it, always putting his daughter first. Mackenzie is such a strong woman! She didn’t let mistakes derail her life. She took things in her own hands and made an amazing life for herself and her son. Her determination to put her son first in every decision is admirable.
This story was amazing from beginning to end. I read without stopping, it was just that great. The characters had an unstoppable chemistry, and completely set the pages on fire! This book begins with one of the hottest one night stands I’ve ever read about! But from there, it moves past that, into a connection that was just…..perfect! There is no other way of putting it. There are hints about what is coming in the next book, and I’m anxiously waiting to see what happens with the other brothers!
A pub quiz. That’s where Mackenzie sees him for the first time. Campbell’s on stage tuning his guitar to perform after the quiz. And she’s mega-insta-attracted. Same for him. But she has to leave to get her son from music class before they can even start flirting or even talking.
But then she goes back two weeks later – and he’s there again.
This time they do a lot more than flirt and talk.
But a few days later they realize that he’s her son’s new music tutor!
Whoops.
What now? We can’t be having any intimate relations now, right???
What will happen with Mackenzie & Campbell?
Will there be a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
I just love a good romance written in dual POV!
I LOVE LOVE Lauren’s male POV romcoms, but hearing both their thoughts is great too.
And this one was really adorable. Funny, sparky, sexy, cute.
I just adored Mack and Campbell. And the kids too and the friends and siblings and Kyle’s dad and the music and the quizzing and the texting and ugh … it was just the sweetest, most adorable and perfect romance.
I wouldn’t mind seeing it on Netflix one day!
Can’t wait to get the other two brothers’ story asap! And it will be almost asap – only 2 weeks until book #2!
ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME was such a fun and adorable & sexy love story!! Run to your nearest amazon asap for your own Campbell – this one is MINE !!!
Oh my, this story, this man! I just….sigh. Campbell Evans is so sinfully delicious. He is incredibly sexy and such a dirty talker which is in stark contrast to the fact that he is such a wonderful single dad to his daughter. He is so sweet and honestly both sides of him are equally charming and attractive and swoonworthy. Mackenzie is a single mom to her amazing son and is rocking motherhood and an awesome career. I really like her! I love that he calls her Mackadoodle! So stinkin’ cute!! Once they meet nothing will ever be the same for either of them again. Their attraction is undeniable no matter how much they try to deny it when they realize Campbell is her son Kyle’s music teacher. I absolutely love them together; they have oodles and oodles of chemistry and really burn up the sheets. But more than that they develop such a wonderful friendship and really are perfect for each other. They are both amazing parents! I really love both of the children in this book; Kyle and Campbell’s daughter Samantha really hit it off and are just wonderful. Despite all of this toe curling chemistry, is it possible for the four of them to blend together as a family and live happily ever after?
Wow !!!! What a great start to a new series and if Once Upon a Real Good Time is anything to go by Lauren Blakely will have yet another hit series on her hands.
Campbell Evans was a teen idol in a boy band but that all changed when he became a single dad and his priorities had to change so now he plays in the local pub teaches music to kids and watches his very talented teenager daughter bake and make cookery videos. Mackenzie is also a single parent her teenage son is a very talented violinist who needs a music teacher to push him in the right direction and when her ex introduces her to their sons new teacher she suddenly realises this is the man she meet in her local pub who was only meant to be for one night ……both Campbell and Mackenzie agree the line they crossed once can not be crossed again their children need to come before any needs of their own but what happens when the feelings become so strong what happens when teenagers get into the match making business well you get another brilliant read with all the Lauren Blakely touches we have come to expect, chemistry, banter, loveable characters and a new man to add to the Blakely stables of swoon worthy men. A brilliant fun read that I couldn’t put down and I’m so excited for the rest of this series which I understand isn’t to far away.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title compliments of the author in exchange for an honest review**
I adore Lauren Blakely and her books and Once Upon a Real Good Time was no different. I absolutely devoured this book in one day. It’s a great start to Blakely’s new Heartbreakers series.
Mackenzie is a single mother who is a graphic designer by trade, but also excels at trivia, so she spends time at a local bar with her friend entering trivia contests. During one of the evenings she’s out at a contest, Mackenzie catches a glimpse of an absolutely hot guy that piques her interest, but she’s sworn off dating as she wants to focus on her teenage son.
Campbell is a musician through and through and also a single father. He is the lead singer in a band that plays at various bars around town and he spends his days teaching kids how to hone their own musical crafts. He is equally as captivated by the woman he spies across the bar and so when his set is over, he approaches her and asks to have a drink.
The chemistry between Mackenzie and Campbell is off the charts from the second they touch for the first time. They both enter into their night together with eyes wide open and ready to scratch that proverbial itch for one another. Little do they know that Campbell is going to be the person that can help take Mackenzie’s son to the next level in his musical pursuit. Will the development than Campbell is now Kyle’s new music teacher end everything before it starts? Or will the absolutely beyond obvious chemistry win out in the end?
Campbell might be one of my favorite heroes that Blakely has written. He was an awesome dad, a fantastic musician and couple that with the fact he was sexy as all get out and he is a dirty-talker as well and that just about makes for the perfect guy! I also loved that while Mackenzie hadn’t been dealt the easiest life, she has carved out an amazing life for she and her son. She might have had curve balls thrown her way, but she managed to overcome them.
I absolutely loved this book and I was drawn in from the outset. I didn’t want to put it down and I simply can’t wait to see what happens in the next book, Once Upon a Sure Thing – I have no doubt that it is going to be as equally engaging as this one was!
Lauren Blakely is one of the authors that provides some real good reading therapy. Need proof? The only reason I put this book down was to adult. Basically I finished it happily in two sittings.
While the title says a little about the story, in true Lauren Blakely signature, she promises and delivers more. Once Upon a Real Good time is provocative, invigorating, and.. gleeful. Mackenzie and Campbell really are quite the pair.
Before I reiterate my love for these characters allow to share a little nugget of what to expect when meeting Campbell Evans:
*Musician
*Inked
*So dang sexy
*DIRTY TALKER
Should I have started with that? Dirty talker. Oh, he is. I mean, I was sold with him being a musician alone. Sweet on the guitar sinful above par. BUT.. I loved Mackenzie just as much. I connected with her on so many levels. A single mom who gives her all for her kid, puts her own happiness aside to ensure her child has the best? Yes, I loved her, immediately. She was my hero, and the balm to my single mama heart.
Once Upon a Real Good Time was a fun, easy read. I loved the main characters and I’m already half way in love with the upcoming ones. I cannot wait for Once Upon a Sure Thing.
This is a MUST read!
Once Upon a Real Good Time by Lauren Blakely
You know what? When you’re ready to start this book, get yourself settled in nice and comfy because you’re definitely in for a real good time with Campbell and Mackenzie! I honestly could not put this book down and read it in one sitting!
Mackenzie is innocently attending trivia night at the Grouchy Owl where she can’t help but eyeball the hell out of the guitarist who is setting up to play for the night. Eyeballing is reciprocated and while I wish I could say that’s where the shenanigans started, they didn’t happen until much later – and that’s only thanks to meddling friends ;).
Once Mackenzie and Campbell have their scorching hot night of passion, they soon realize that Campbell is the newest violin teacher to super-talented Kyle, Mackenzie’s son. As two mature adults, they agree not to pursue a romantic relationship as it might negatively impact Kyle but they simply cannot help themselves!
This book had everything I’ve come to love and expect and adore from Blakely: the witty banter, the delicious swoon, the steam… I could go on but let’s just say that Blakely delivers all of that and more in spades. I love reading single parent stories and with two single parents in the one, I was in fictional heaven! I’m sooo looking forward to the next Heartbreaker book particularly with the little glimpse we got in Once Upon a Real Good Time.
*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.
Wow! Meet Campbell, single dad & dirty talker extraordinaire, when he meets Mackenzie, single mom and one hot momma!! Together they make an amazingly fun, hot couple!
He’s former hot boy band, she’s led her life adjusting to whatever comes her way! Both are amazing parents to their kids, always putting them first! It’s those kids Sam & Kyle, that end up making their relationship interesting so to say!! These two gave me all the feels, my emotions were very invested in these two!
I absolutely loved this story, Lauren amazes me each and every time I read her stories! Yet again I’m left to make room in my heart for more of her characters! These two were amazing, and I’m looking forward to the next book!
5+++++++ rock stars for this one! Grab it as soon as it’s available!
Lauren Blakely never disappoints! This book was fun, quirky, entertaining and romantic. Campbell and Mackenzie are perfect together. Two single parents trying to figure out if finding someone to be with and be in love with will compromise their children’s own happiness. It was wonderful to see them find what they were looking for. Great story!
Please explain to me why the heck I waited so long to read this book. It has been on my TBR since the pre-order went live.
I want to apologize to Campbell and MacKenzie. I have failed you as a reader. I took this greatness that was your fighting the inevitable for granted. Please forgive me like you guys were going to ask for forgiveness from Kyle and Samantha. I tell you those two were smarter than you gave them credit for.
Lauren thank you for the sexiness, tremendously romantic nights, unorthodox dates, and a load of back in forth denial. I truly enjoyed the transformation of a chance encounter turning into so much more.
Just pure fun wrapped up in this quick read/listen. MacKenzie is a single mom who is a whiz with trivia and from across the bar during a game she meets the eyes of the guitar god who is setting up with the band. She doesn’t meet him that night but is convinced to come out a few days later and when she does and they meet up what turns out to be a one night stand turning into a next date and then, oh my, Campbell turns out to be her son’s new violin teacher. Campbell is a former rock star and now single dad who teaches violin and moonlights in a band. These two have such chemistry but know they cannot cross the line now but chemistry wins out until the kids get involved. SUCH FUN! Definitely cannot wait to see what happens in the rest of this series!
I listened to the audiobook, and I think the narration was excellent. I could really feel Campbell and Mackenzie’s connection.
This was a sweet romantic story involving around single parenting of teenagers. I liked it because their kids were older, which comes with different issues than babies or toddlers. Also the kids were not obnoxious.
Along with this being a sweet romance, Campbell and Mackenzie managed to ratchet up the sexual tension to a boiling point. I also liked the story behind Mackenzie getting pregnant with her son. It was a little different.
I am looking forward to listening to the next book in the series about Campbell’s brother.
Audio Review
I am always excited to see Sebatian York and Andi Arndt as narrators! They always do such a great job and in this book it was no different. It was actually really fun when text messages were voiced by the respective narrators.
Once Upon a Great Time was a wonderful, sweet, but still steamy story about two parents who, despite the intense chemistry, puts their children’s happiness before their own. Campbell and Mackenzie initially meet in a bar where Campbell was performing during a trivia night. Mackenzie does not really socialize all that much any longer but because she is the queen of trivia, she enjoys these nights out. From the first eye contact, the attraction was instantaneous. Unfortunately that was all that was to be, stolen glances, until it wasn’t. They meet again and they have an amazing night. Unfortunately the next time they see each other is when they realize that Campbell with be teaching Mackenzie’s son.
All in all, this was a great story, the chemistry between these two were off the charts, starting with their initial night. There were so many scenes where I was smiling so much. It was really amusing watching these two try so hard to stay away from any romantic entanglements but try the whole friends thing. Both the kids were wonderful and loved how they were integrated into the story.
Enjoyed it, love your sense of humor
I absolutely loved this story; the characters were beautiful inside and out, and the steam factor was off the charts. Everything this author writes is fabulous, in my opinion. If you enjoy rock stars, older characters, and single parent stories then this book is a must read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written and a great story