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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I enjoyed this series
Can’t wait for the rest of the series!!
So we meet the first Campbell, I had gotten and ARC for the next book but I felt like I had to read this one first just to get the most out of these brothers and I was happy I did. So we met Campbell or Mason he was once part of a group the heartbreakers along with his brothers, first they were a duo until the third brother joined and they were famous. Now he is a single dad and a music teacher along with playing in a bar on weeknights. He sees Mackenzie one night and is instantly attracted, Mackenize is also a single mom who is a trivia queen and doesn’t really have much of a life besides being a mom. When she is encouraged to let her hair down and have fun before her son returns from summer camp she does with Campbell and they had a fantastic night only to then find out he is her sons new teacher and you can’t go there can you?..fun grab a copy and enjoy!
Love, love, love!
When I first heard about this series I couldn’t help but be excited. A trio of books from my favorite author all releasing closely together? That’s like a birthday and Christmas all at once. Once Upon a Real Good Time was a sizzling, sexy read that I absolutely devoured.
Mackenzie made me smile. I love her thirst for knowledge, her devotion to her son and her attitude in general. I appreciated her caution but loved seeing her let her guard down, even when she thought she wasn’t. I would absolutely be on a trivia team or take in a Broadway show with her; she’s the type of character I could easily be friends with.
Campbell is one of my favorite Lauren Blakely book boyfriends. I have a running list of them and Campbell may have knocked someone out of the top five…but I won’t name names. Campbell just is so insanely sexy-and has epic dirty talking skills- but has this sweet side that just killed me. He’s definitely the total package in my book. Strong, sexy, sweet, smart and did I mention he’s a musician? I would definitely be a groupie for his band!
These two just click together from the moment their eyes meet. I loved every moment of them together. Their first kiss totally set the tone for me (I’m telling you, nobody writes first kisses like this author) and I just buckled in and enjoyed the ride. The sexy times in this book were some of the steamiest and sexiest that I’ve read in a long time. I truly thought my kindle would melt-they were that hot. But they were so much more than epic sex. Their connection outside the bedroom was just as believable and fun to read about.
The supporting cast of characters in this book were an absolute blast. They didn’t overshadow Mackenzie and Campbell at all but they added to the story in such a fun way. I’d love to hang out with Jamison for a day! There are books where you feel like you can just jump in and join the characters, live in their world for a bit. Once Upon a Real Good Time was one of those books for me. I could happily live among these characters. There were some Easter eggs in this book that definitely had me smiling as well.
I didn’t want this book to end. I thought it was a clever, fun and unique storyline. The writing was sharp and the pacing flowed just perfectly. I laughed, swooned and had to fan myself repeatedly throughout the book. Once Upon a Real Good Time definitely lives up to its name as this book definitely provided me with a really good time. I can’t wait for the next book in this series! I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it.
Fantastic read! Campbell and Mackenzie have scorching hot chemistry and their sexy banter leads into a great new start of the Heartbreaker’s series. I devoured and highly recommend this read!
This feel-good romance was so steamy good my panties were melting off reading the sexy words that dripped out of Campbell’s mouth. Single dad, guitar playing prodigy that fell hard for the geeky trivia girl that puts family first. OH-MY-HEART!!
This was a romcom that ticked off every box on my “I’m in love” list and once I started it reading I wasn’t able to put it down. Once Upon a Real Good Time delivered a real good time and I loved every moment of it!
Campbell “Mason Hart” Evans used to once grace the covers of Tigerbeat magazine as a teen heart-throb right along side his brothers since they were part of the boy band The Heartbreakers. Ten years have passed since Campbell has shed his teen heartbreaker ways, all grown up, he now spends his days teaching music lessons and playing with a local band at night in bars and pubs all while raising his teenage daughter singlehandedly. He doesn’t get a chance to date much given his full schedule, but when he catches Mackenzie watching him play at The Grouchy Owl one night something about her pulls him in.
Mackenzie doesn’t have time to date. She’s a single mom who runs her own business and barely has time to think much less date. Her son comes first in all priorities, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t enjoy her fill of eye candy and boy does Campbell fill her bag of sweetness for eye gazing. Watching him play while she plays trivia on game night is no hardship, if only she had time in her life to make a meal of the treat he offers.
When Mac and Campbell give into one night of blissful insanity as much as they would both love to dive in and gorge on each other, they also both realize they have huge responsibilities waiting for them at home and know that to pursue something further wouldn’t be fair to either one of them or their children, but like fate often does, it has other plans for these two hot lovers and eventually temptation may overrule their sensibilities.
Get ready for a the first in a heartmelting series and have a real good time reading Campbell and Mackenzie.
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 strikes once again with a fantastically heartwarming and sexy story of family and friendship and love.
Once upon a time, Campbell Evans was known as the teen idol Mason Hart. But these days Campbell is a part time guitarist, part time music teacher, and, most importantly, full time father. But lately, Campbell has wanted to add something else to that list: man who’s involved with Mackenzie. After meeting her at one of his band’s gigs and having the hottest one night stand that he absolutely wants to turn into another date, he comes face to face with her again in the most unlikely of places. Because Mackenzie isn’t just the hot graphic designer with a brilliant mind for trivia, she’s also the mom of the latest violin prodigy Campbell’s been hired to teach. They both agree that their kids come first and they have to be professional, but that’s way easier said than done…
Once Upon a Real Good Time once again proved why Lauren Blakely is the rom-com queen of my heart. Everything about this book was gold.
Absolutely the best part was the relationships between all the characters. I adored the instant chemistry and palpable lust between Campbell and Mackenzie. But even more than that, I loved the teasingly flirty relationship they developed as friends, after deciding to put the breaks on the romantic side of things. Having them attempt to behave and just get to know each other as friends, and through the other’s kid, made the whole relationship and their relatively quick journey to love and a merged family feel pretty natural.
It wasn’t just the relationship between Campbell and Mackenzie that was great, but also each of them with their own kid and with each other’s kid. I don’t always care for single parent romances because I often find the writing of the kids one-dimensional and feel like they’re used just for contrived drama and angst. But Blakely did a spectacular job of avoiding that. Both Sam and Kyle were real, developed characters with lots of emotion and nuance and I found myself growing to love them as much as I loved their parents, making the distance Campbell and Mackenzie felt they needed to keep actually make sense. And the addition of Mackenzie’s friends and Kyle’s father and all of Campbell’s bandmates and brothers just added to the feeling that these characters were surrounded by love and family, whether they be natural family or found family.
I especially loved that Blakely didn’t go with the common single parent trope of having the other parent/ex play a dramatic role as a villain. Instead Campbell was a widower and Mackenzie was co-parenting with her son’s father, who happened to be her gay best friend. It made for a beautiful story of unconventional families without the unnecessary drama of exes.
The entire book was filled with witty dialogue and perfectly balanced the line between heartfelt and sexy moments, and just left me salivating for the next two installments in this three part series.
This book will give you one heck of a good time. Great characters, awesome plot, talk about the intense chemistry and sense of anticipation, coupled with mixed family dynamics and amazing kids – makes Once Upon a Good Time a truly fantastic read!
Mac is a great mom and the story behind her motherhood is pretty much interesting. It was different from the usual – but it works for everyone. She puts her son’s needs first. So when a one-night stand that rocked her world turned out to be the teacher that her son’s need, she stepped out of the way and fought the attraction between the two of them – but until when?
Previous rock star Campbell is happier with playing in a small bar, living a quiet life with his teenage daughter. He likes teaching, and what he would like more is to have another chance with Mackenzie. But how can he convince her that they’re worth the risk?
A promising beginning to Lauren Blakely’s new series, Once Upon A Good Time is another unputdownable read, one that will give you all the feels, and make sure that you will have a really, really good time reading it!
Absolutely Brilliant!! 4.5 STARS!
I was hooked right from the start and hardly put my kindle down a couple times.
Beautifully well written, great plot and amazing and likeable characters that kept me flipping the pages until the very end.
I love the chemistry and connection between Mackenzie and Campbell. It was palpable and believable. They kept me smiling, laughing hard and feeling every single emotion they were going through. It was an amazing read!
Lauren Blakely is a freaking genious of storytelling. I can’t get enough of her amazing stories! I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it!!
Once Upon A Real Good Time is everything I thought it’ll be and much more. This is part of a series but can be read as standalone.
I absolutely fell in love with this book!!! I loved Campbell and Mackenzie together. Their values synced perfectly with one another and at times that makes thing hard for them to find love. Campbell was just perfect for Mackenzie, the instant attraction that made denying themselves impossible. You definitely can’t deny that dirty mouth that’s for sure.
Her history was interesting and one that was funny since it turned out so well. His was tragic and really affected how he does things now. They both have commitments that make being together difficult but maybe what they have is worth making it work and I absolutely loved the journey!!
This is a MUST read and you will love it!!! I can’t wait for the next Heartbreaker.
Great start to a new series! A big hello to the Heartbreakers! Three brothers who experienced rock star success more than a decade prior to when the story begins. The Evans brothers are Miller, Miles, and Mason (Campbell Mason that is). This is Campbell`s book. Campbell is over the rock star lifestyle. He is single dad to a teenage daughter and musically he lays low, playing occasional local gigs incognito. Life experiences have schooled him regarding his priorities which include raising his daughter and teaching music to select students. He meets our heroine, Mackenzie (Mack) at one of his small gigs and the sparks sure fly. Mack is also a single mom of a teenager. It is great to see her successful co-parenting with her son’s dad. Sometimes the horrible ex trope gets old so it’s nice to see this pair as besties. Mack is also a woman who puts the well-being of her son first. Herein lies the conflict between Campbell and Mack and their budding relationship. Campbell becomes her son’s music teacher. A bad idea to become involved with him, she thinks so they agree to cool it. Easier said than done though because they just click physically, emotionally and intellectually. Ms.Blakely excels at witty, sharp dialogue between her characters. It was easy to see that these two just had to be together. I loved watching Campbell and Mack try so hard to fight their attraction, thinking that parenting should be their only priority. Watching them realize that it’s ok to want and deserve more. Looking forward to books for the remaining Heartbreaker brothers.
Reviewed by: Jamie B.
For me, Lauren Blakely is one of the all time best romantic comedy writers ever. And she proves it once again with this first book in the Heartbreakers Series. Once Upon a Real Good Time is funny, romantic, and to be honest, simply a feel good story that captivated me from the very first page and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.
Campbell and Mackenzie are two incredible characters. To be fair, considering that Campbell is a tattooed ex-rock star with an adorable teenage daughter, he is straight forward irresistible. So it is not a surprise that I fell for him from the very start. Bu I was a little bit surprised that I liked Mackenzie that much. She was so sweet and I loved her geeky self, even if at times she was scared to take the risk.
Ultimately, this is an amazing funny and relaxing read from THE mistress of romantic comedy. So don’t waste any time and pick up your copy NOW 🙂
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Queen of RomCom strikes again!!! Holy Hotness!! Musician meet trivia loving nerd heroine … fun, sexy, heartwarming, feel good romance. Eeekkkk! My heart is a happy camper 🙂
Campbell is a single dad, performer and music teacher who seemingly live a simple quiet life. He has a secret past that he likes to keep bury deep though – Campbell used to be a teen rock star in a band until an unfortunate event happened which left him broken hearted and music ceased to exist… until now. Mackenzie is also a single working mom who devoted her all her time for her son … well except a little fun time she has playing a game of trivia with her friends. Mackenzie is not looking for any relationship but love comes when you are least expected right? The first-time Mackenzie laid eye on a gorgeous guitar player on stage he silently gave her an answer to a music trivia question … sparks flew and she knew she is in big trouble. Campbell and Mackenzie spent one incredible night together but they soon find out there will be no going back second time … Can they be platonic friends when they were not exactly friends in the first place?
I love the passion, the chemistry, fun and flirty relationship. The kiddos are sweet, adorable, well-mannered teenagers which is so refreshing for a change. I like the light-hearted romance, low drama and angst. Well-written, fast pace, entertaining read!
Lauren Blakely is my feel-good romance savior. See, I love angsty romance stories, but they get to me. Like really get to me. Thus, when I am reading one that hits me straight in the gut, and it’s a bit too much for me to take at the time (yes, I take my romance reading seriously – escapist here), I start reading something a little more light-hearted. Lauren Blakely is my usual go-to-girl for something a bit lighter.
Her new book, Once Upon a Real Good Time, does not disappoint in the light-hearted feels department. The story revolves around Mackenzie, a single mom to Kyle, and Campbell Hart, a rocker, former boy trio heartthrob Mason Hart, and single dad to Samantha. Mackenzie spies Campbell at a local bar where she is the trivia queen. Immediately, she is drawn to his good looks and his charm. They meet a few nights later at the same bar and end it between the sheets. Having an instant rapport, what is seemingly a one-night stand becomes the potential for more. Unfortunately, a few days later, Campbell unexpectedly shows up as Mackenzie’s son’s violin teacher. Being a most responsible single mom, Mackenzie decides to forgo a dating relationship with Campbell to protect the interests of her son. Then, the fun of the story begins as we realize Campbell and Mackenzie are tethered together in a steamy chemistry. What’s a mom to do in this situation? Read the story to find out.
Characters:
Blakely’s characters do what I expect them to do: make me laugh out loud and feel good about romance. To me, that’s the genius with Blakely’s form of romance writing. Yes, she creates sexual chemistry between her characters, but, unless it’s an enemies-to-lovers-type of story, she creates emotional and spiritual chemistry too. For this book, I enjoyed Mackenzie and Campbell’s rapport as much as their bedroom shenanigans. These characters are believable, and you root for them from the outset of her story. Even more, you fall in love with them, so that her epilogue becomes a vital piece of story, wanting to see life after the character’s HEA.
Story:
A story is always important to any book. I wear Blakely’s stories like a warm blanket. Like I wrote earlier, I sometimes need relief from heavier romance stories. Blakely’s stories provide that break. This isn’t to say that her stories aren’t without angst, but she doesn’t prolong it as some authors do. In the story of this book, there are moments of doubt and worry and sadness, but Blakely deftly allows us to feel it and move forward. We aren’t left to torture our souls by the trials of the main characters. I gave her story four stars because there is a familiarity to her story with other romance stories, but creating a focus on single parenthood gives it a slant that is different from the typical rocker and girl/woman trope.
Sexiness Quotient:
Ummm…Campbell is sexy. Like really, really sexy. He loves to talk dirty, and it raises the temperature of the book, along with his sexual chemistry with Mackenzie. No surface is off limits for sex in this story: kitchen, bedroom, back office of a local coffee shop…Yep, anywhere is game for these two characters.
Style:
Blakely’s stories are meant to connect you easily to the characters and stories. She doesn’t draw out comparisons, and she keeps it light. The rom-com variety is her speed, and it works.
Overall:
Humor, wit, and a balance betwen a little strife and an HEA are Lauren Blakely’s wheel-house in the romance world. And I am thankful for a writer like her who provides the much-needed shade in the sunshine and heat of more serious, angsty romances. This book was the right amount of shade for this reader. I can’t wait for the next book in this series: Once Upon a Sure Thing. More Hart men to go around.
Fore more reviews, check out my blog at professorromance.wordpress.com
Wow, this delightful book is the whole package! I absolutely adored it. Every time I pick up a book by Lauren Blakely, I know I am going to be blown away. This book is smart, sweet and flirty with just the right amount of sexy. From intriguing characters to explosive chemistry to an entertaining story-line; this book has it all!
Once Upon A Real Good Time follows the story of Campbell and Mackenzie. He is a single dad and former teen idol rock star turned music teacher. She is a single mom, trivia extraordinaire and graphic designer. Due to her history with men, Mackenzie doesn’t give her heart out to anyone. Instead she focuses on her son and putting him above all else. All of that goes out the window though the second that she meets Campbell. The two of them try to keep things professional for the sake of their kids, but this proves to be rather challenging.
Laced with humor, heat and swoon-worthy characters, Lauren Blakely has written a winner. It’s filled with lots of love, wonderful family dynamics and fighting for what you want. This book is the perfect example of everything I have come to know and love from this author. I am 100% addicted to these characters and cannot wait to see where the Heartbreakers series will take us next.
5 swoon worthy smoking dirty stars
I. Loved. This. Book.
1) I want to hang out with this couple. They’re just awesome
2) very little angst.
Sometimes I love an angsty book. But sometimes I want it to just be slightly bumpy waters vs grab a life jacket and home on.
Mackenzie:
Super awesome chic. Great mom to a 13-year old violin player. She’s also wicked smart at trivia and apparently mini golf.
Campbell.
Way amazing dude. Rocker in a bad that plays at her trivia hangout. Also a music teacher and previous boy band heartbreaker 😉
They meet. Have a smoking hot time. Set a date.
Then…. he turns out to be the newest music coach for her son.
No other people drama. No triggers whatsoever.
Great dialogue. Phenomenal character development. Smexy smexy smexy times. Aka smoking hot sexy = smexy
I highly recommend for an easy feel good read!!Lauren Blakely
This story is so well developed and wickedly funny. Lauren has once again hit a home run with the story of Mackenzie and Campbell while delightfully addressing single parenthood and fame. This book has all then necessary twists and turns that leave you laughing, crying wanting and loving. I hated to reach the last page. I finished with a new heart throb Campbell and a best friend Mackenzie who could ask for anything more.
NO SPOILERS!
Once Upon A Real Good Time was a sexy, funny, quick, lighthearted standalone romantic comedy, and I absolutely adored it! Lauren Blakely is a queen of romantic comedy, and let me tell you, she knows how to write a sexy, flirty, feel-good rom-com like no other. Once Upon A Real Good Time has been my favorite romantic comedy from this author so far, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the Heartbreakers series!
Everything about the storyline was superb. I loved the concept of the plot and how Lauren Blakely developed everything throughout. I was addicted to her writing style and amazing sense of humor, and I simply adored the story she created in Once Upon A Real Good Time. There wasn’t anything I didn’t love, and I enjoyed reading every single page. If you’re looking for a sexy, humorous, and heartwarming read, then Once Upon A Real Good Time is definitely for you!
The characters were my favorite part. Campbell and Mackenzie (along with their kids and several other secondary characters) were amazing, and I loved them all so much. I loved Campbell and Mackenzie’s personalities and explosive chemistry together. I loved reading the book from both Campbell and Mackenzie’s point of view, and all of their banter and interactions with each other. I loved how their relationship developed throughout and their kids’ involvement in it. Campbell and Mackenzie’s story has been my favorite one from Lauren Blakely so far, and the conclusion made me very happy.
Once Upon A Real Good Time was a quick, sexy, hilarious, and heartwarming standalone romantic comedy, and I would HIGHLY recommend it! Lauren Blakely blew me away with Campbell and Mackenzie’s sexy, flirty, feel-good story, and I was very pleased with the outcome. Once Upon A Real Good Time was a magnificent introduction to the Heartbreakers series of standalone rom-coms, and I can’t wait to dive in to the remaining two books, Once Upon A Sure Thing and Once Upon A Wild Fling!