Get ready for your next favorite romantic comedy, THE REAL DEAL, from #1 New York Times bestselling author 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 … 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 GigsforHire 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?
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This book was as the title says, The Real Deal, as hilarious and adorable story from the Queen of rom/coms. It was super sweet, very sexy once Theo Banks and April Hamilton got it together. Loved that treehouse scene- can I just say, HOT and not only because of the weather lol.
April has a family reunion she has to attend, one where her nearest and dearest will try yet again to hook her up with someone from the quaint town of Wistful where she grew up. Everyone wants to bring her back home, but as a specialist body painter, April’s work and life is in New York and she’s more than happy for it to stay that way.
But, in order to survive her family’s machinations, she needs a buffer. A pretend boyfriend for the long weekend getaway. Her BFF, Xavier was meant to be the one to save her bacon, but he had to cancel at the last minute and set her up with bartender/ craiglister Theo.
Theo has played the pretend lover before, and is more than happy to step into Xavier’s false shoes. And even more so when he met April. These two had an instant and undeniable chemistry… even before they’d so much as puckered up. They were simply divine, the banter, the wicked stories of ‘how they met’, the getting to know you period spent on a train journey, and even though they had completely different lives now and growing up, the were the yin to the other’s yang.
Watching them navigate, not just pretending for her family while taking part in the Hamilton Olympics, but their growing ‘real’ feelings was quite an aphrodisiac, and so easy to get lost in.
Even though this was Theo and April’s story, the secondary characters got to have quite a say, they featured heavily, but didn’t overshadow the blossoming romance.
All was going well until the ‘other shoe’ dropped and the angsty part of the story took over.
Will Theo and April get over the hump?
Will they get to ride off into the sunset like they might have talked about during their ‘remember whens?
Come on, this is a Lauren Blakely book, you KNOW she’d never let you down like that. But, if you want to find out, then One-Click this little diamond today and get ready to SMILE!!
I received a copy of The Real Deal from St Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April hires Theo to be her fake boyfriend when she travels home to Wistful for her family reunion, a.ka. the Quadrennial Hamilton and Moore Summer Lawn Olympics and Games, to act as a much needed buffer against all of her family’s match-making attempts. The only problem? You’re not supposed to fall for your fake boyfriend and you’re not supposed to fall for your client.
“But even though we started as a made-up couple, concocting fables and telling tales, that spark between us was always real. And then, as I got to know you, it turned into something more. It turned into the real deal. That’s what you are to me, and that’s what I want to be for you. Maybe that’s why this job has been the hardest one of all—because I had to pretend the whole time that I wasn’t falling in love with you.”
The Real Deal is a laugh-out-loud tale of how to fall in love in an “incredibly, nontraditionally, bizarrely romantic” way. After all who thought you could find love hiring a fake boyfriend? Only in romance novels. Filled with a fun cast of characters, witty dialogue, great chemistry, and an oh-so-sweet and swoon-worthy HEA The Real Deal is a perfect light-hearted romantic comedy.
4.5 stars
He is cocky and vulnerable at the same time. His skills know no end! He is a chameleon at changing personalities, voices, and improv to suit your needs. He is the boyfriend-for-hire April hires to accompany her to the family reunion.
If you think this is a run of a mill boyfriend-for-hire story, think again! Theo is just lost in this world like a rolling stone looking for a place he belongs. He has scraped his way through life since he was fourteen and his parents died. All he knows is the con game and grift life in order to survive. Now is the time to finally pay off all his debts and look for where his heart belongs.
April is just a girl who has sworn off men in lieu for her career and keeping her heart from being hurt again. All she wants is honesty in her life. She cannot deal with any more lying men! Rather than fight all the matchmaking efforts her family will drop on her, she would rather pay a “boyfriend” to accompany her and make this weekend stress free.
This story has two uniquely gifted characters that can improv their way through fantasies of their “relationship” on the spot. They talk with the same rhythm, like the same things, and light each other’s hearts on fire. Amusing, thrilling, emotional, and it will make you smile all the way. It is a spa for the mind!
I am voluntarily revieiwng this book. Thanks to the author for sharing her book with me.
The annual Hamilton family reunion is approaching, and April Hamilton is a little weary about returning home without a date on her arm for the festivities, it would be so much easier if she were dating someone that she could take home to meet her family. But after her last relationship ended in disaster she decided to stray away from men for a while and focus on herself and her work. Then a friend suggests she hire a date for the festivities, so she hits up a website, and finds herself a fake boyfriend… and a whole lot more that she bargained for, her fake date might just be her soul mate!
Theo Banks burns the candle at both ends, working two jobs to make ends meet, and to try and pay off an insurmountable debt that has been haunting him for a while now… and he is so close to being debt free, he just needs one more date for hire job to make it happen. Then out of the blue he receives a call from a woman in need of a buffer, someone who can make her overbearing family believe that they are madly in love, and she hopes he is the man who can help her with that. It sounds like an easy enough job so he signs up for it, packs his bags and is ready to head off and meet the family… sounds like a perfect little getaway!
The Real Deal was an absolute delight, the moment I cracked the cover I found myself completely mesmerized by these amazing characters, and their little adventure! These two were quite the pair, neither looking for love, but the moment they met they knew there was something there that could not be denied, it started off as a game of pretend, and quickly became something a whole lot hotter! It was so much fun to watch them navigate these new feelings, and being bombarded with questions from April’s family, they had me giggling, swooning, and smiling throughout! I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, it’s a lighthearted tale certain to leave your heart overflowing!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
ARC received for an honest review
I adore Lauren Blakely’s dual POV rom-coms, and The Real Deal is no different.
We all know what it is like, trying to live up to our parent’s expectations. And when they are trying to set you up with every eligible man in town, you just can’t blame April for hiring someone to play her boyfriend to get them off her case.
I get the smaller town vibe from this book, where everyone knows everyone’s business – I live that life!
As much as I adore April’s family, gosh at times they frustrated me. The way they treated April, as if whatever she did wasn’t good enough -gah. The way they treated Theo when he arrived. I wanted to slap the lot of them – but they did get a lot better and they made me laugh out loud a lot of the time.
I adored watching April and Theo’s insta-lust turn into more. It was fun and flirty, sweet and sexy.
Theo’s to-and-froing though irritated me. I like you but you shouldn’t like me, this is all over blah blah blah. Just make up your mind good sir!
A sweet fake-to-more romance that will have you smiling as you read.
Can’t wait to see what Ms Blakely brings us next.
The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely… I give this book 4 1/2 stars.. it took a a little while to really get into it ..but then I loved it. Thanks to #Netgalley for letting me read this book. April Hamilton needs a buffer for her family reunion… her friend backs out at the last minute but sends her to Graigslist and a friend of his for a “boyfriend for hire”. Theo Banks …bar tender …ex grifter.. “boyfriend for hire” is the man for the job. She has sworn off men lying men…he never gets involved with a “job”. this is where the fun starts….so many feels…and fun family interaction…some hard truths and a very HEA.
A rom-com at its finest. This book reminded me why I love this author’s work. The witty banter between the main character’s, April and Theo, along with the some serious chemistry, and a sprinkle of some meddling friends and relatives equals a great story. I had a very difficult time putting this book down because it all flowed so well. The story is the full package; sweet, funny, spicy, quirky, with a little trouble in paradise. The author’s ability to write conversation between characters that masters verbal foreplay made this book all the more swoon worthy (dirty talk goals). If you’re a fan of the author’s work, this book will not disappoint, and if you’re new to the author’s work than this is a great place to start.
Sweet, sexy, funny and addictive. Definitely addictive, I could not put this book down. The story, a fake boyfriend for hire, was not in anyway unusual, both Theo and April had their reasons for doing this and they were hell bent on not being in a real relationship with each other, or anyone else for that matter. I fell instantly in love with Theo, I loved his sense of humour, his inadequacies, his loyalty and the way I imagine he looks. April too, had an awesome sense of humour, their banter and conversations together were heartwarming, they certainly made my heart go pitter patter. I especially loved their imaginary world. April’s family were wonderful, they gave me many laugh out loud moments. I loved the writing. Perfect. This book really is The Real Deal. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely
Ahh! I love me a good fake relationship book!
Neither Theo or April are in the market for a relationship: April needs a fake boyfriend to get her well-meaning family off her back and Theo is trying to make enough money to pay the piper. When April answers his (hilarious) ad and they meet up to sort out the terms of their faux-relationship, it’s immediately evident that these two won’t last without some conditions being broken.
April has been burned by men far too many times and the last being used as ‘the other woman’. She’s not a man-hater at all, but she is on a firm dating diet and is putting all her energy into getting the one particular job she’s after. Theo has had it hard. After his parents passed away, he and his brother were sent to live with an uncaring aunt and essentially left to fend for themselves. He’s not a woe is me kind of man. He’s just doing what he must to get his and his brothers lives sorted out, without any complications. April and Theo were perfect together and I’m so glad they worked through their pasts in the way that they did.
This book was FUN! In fact, I read with a smile the entire time. From April’s family practically pushing her into the arms of every available man in Wistful to the swoony ’remember whens’ murmured between two people who are desperate not to cross the line, The Real Deal was a real delight.
*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.
4.9 Stars
Due to some mega idiots and bad decisions, April swore off men.
But now she needs a ‘date’ to join her for her family’s reunion thing. Five days with parents and aunts and siblings trying to set her up with the town’s hardware store owner or the neighbor’s grandson. Nope. Not again. April needs a pretend-date asap!
Enter Theo. He desperately needs money to pay back an old ‘friend’.
He works as a bartender in his normal life, but in his I-need-money-asap-life he’s a boyfriend for hire!
April was sent to him by his buddy Xavier – who was supposed to be her date, but he got a super job in London and had to cancel.
Theo will be April’s bad boy date to the family reunion.
But the pretend part of the whole thing might be a bit of a problem. Both April and Theo are mega attracted to each other from the first second they met.
Pretend Dating. Meddling Family. Lies. Secret Pasts. Love.
LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!
What will happen with April & Theo?
Will there be a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
I just love a romantic comedy 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.
Mega funny, sparky, sexy, cute. A bit mysterious/secretive.
I adored April and Theo!
And the family reunion. LOL!
Poor April – her family is hilarious – at least for us to read about!
All through the story we’re afraid that April won’t be able to understand Theo and why he does what he does. What he used to do. Ugh. But of course this is a cute Rom Com, so we know that it’ll all be ok in the end. But it takes us a while to get there! And we love every second reading about that journey!
THE REAL DEAL was an amazingly adorable & hilarious & sexy but also serious love story!! Run to your nearest amazon asap for your own Theo – this not-so-bad bad boy is MINE !!!
I enjoyed this immensely! Neither Theo nor April were looking for any type romantic relationship. And then, BAM! It smacks them upside the head in the best way. I adored seeing them try to navigate real life between the rules of their deal. Lauren Blakely is such a queen of the rom com!
Another great Rom-com from Lauren Blakely! April Hamilton is dreading going to her family reunion as her family will be trying to set her up after her last boyfriend forgot to mention he was married. She decides to hire Theo Banks, bartender and part time rent-a-boyfriend. Theo’s part time gig is strictly platonic, but he and April are attracted to each other from the moment they meet. April and Theo have to get through his checkered past, her family’s distrust of him or any man from NYC, and the crazy reunion competition. The Real Deal brings both laughs and an HEA. I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley for my honesty review.
**I received a copy of The Real Deal from Net Galley and St. Martins Press in exchange for a honest and voluntary review**
The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely really makes you think…what would you do if everyone from your home town wants to set you up with their pick of a perfect husband for you? They also don’t understand why she can’t do her job, Body Painting, there vs. New York City. It’s made April Hamilton not want to return home but this time for the annual family reunion games she’s asked her BFF Xavier to come posing as her boyfriend. When he gets a job of a lifetime he recommends Theo Banks a boyfriend for hire on with the most awesome ad on how he could be just what you needed him to be on Craigslist.
Theo Banks has secrets though he’s an ex-con, former con artist but now is walking the straight and narrow and this next job with April Hamilton will allow him to pay off his brother’s debt to a former partner in crime. But can he convince not only April’s mother and father but the whole town that he loves April without falling in love with her for real?
April Hamilton loves her body painting job and get through the next four days of her families reunion and games while convincing everyone that Theo is the love of her heart and soul. But when feelings become real and she catches Theo in a lie will she be able to forgive him?
This book is totally worth 4.5 stars and I highly recommend reading it.