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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Lauren Blakely never ceases to entertain me! She has done it once again with The Real Deal. I loved this book!! It has everything I love in a rom com. She brings the sass, the fun, the family feels, and the heart along with her outstanding characters and addictive dialogue. The Real Deal is one more must read by this author!
April is a sassy, independent body painter in the middle of a dating diet. When she has to go back home for a family reunion, she hires a Theo off Craigslist to pretend to be her boyfriend and buffer to ward off her nosey, meddling, matchmaking family.
The chemistry between these two is insane right off the bat. I could not get enough of Theo and April’s storytelling. My favorite, favorite, FAVORITE thing to read is witty banter and easy flowing conversations. Lauren is a master at this. Every piece of dialogue was pure gold. Addicting and fun! My goodness! The way these two continuously concocted their story so effortlessly made my heart sing. It was like they shared a mind. I just love them so much!
It is not hard to fall for a Blakely hero. I’ve fallen for plenty. However, there is something extra special about Theo. I love his charm, his sex appeal, his fun accents and talents, more than that though, I love that he has a past; that he’s not as squeaky clean as some of her other heroes. Yet, he is still a genuine good guy. I swooned with the pride he showed for April’s job. I loved how he was quick to defend her work to her family. He is definitely one of my new favorite heroes.
It’s weird to say The Real Deal is a slow burn considering the story takes place in a span of five days but it feels like one. Lauren Blakely did a fantastic job building the connection between Theo and April with all their touches, just because kisses, and their sexy storytelling. I was salivating over here, eagerly waiting for this insane connection to finally erupt. When it does, it was simply delicious.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough. It’s classic Lauren Blakely with a little extra flair. LOVED it!!
It was supposed to be just a job. For months April had a plan but it backfired and now she has to rely on Theo. By all counts he is perfect but the thing is Lauren Blakely doesn’t make this is an easy fall in love story. We have two people who are playing a game yet when the heart gets in the way one must choose. I loved that these two are funny, shy and afraid to really go into it. Another great hit by Lauren Blakely creating a beautiful book of the possibilities in just believing.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
This has got to be the funniest book I’ve read all year. Lauren Blakely’s rom-com just get better and better with every story she brings to life and this one is no exception.
I can’t even tell you who I love more, because with each chapter I laughed and love them both equally. Theo and April are refreshingly exceptional. Their chemistry is wrapped in a complimentary banter that you can help but fall for.
Like all romantic comedies, there’s so much heart behind both characters. Then again, when you read a Blakely novel you don’t just fall in love with the characters, you fall in love with everything. Every word is a brick to an epic story.
The Real Deal is a slow burn that you will truly love. If you are looking for meaningful beach read, look no further, this book is truly the “The Real Deal”.
I LOVED this book! One of the best romantic comedies I’ve read this year so far! It’s sexy. It’s sweet and at time quite hilarious.
C’mon, a boyfriend for hire? A sexy bartender puts out a craigslist ad for his platonic services? Of course there’s going to be shenanigans afoot!
One thing I love about Lauren’s books is that it’s always something new. April is a body painter! Yup, you read that right…she paints scenes on people’s bodies. What a great and unique job. It was very interesting and intriguing to read about her paining people. Sounds like a really fun job!
And Theo, he’s sweet and very charming and such a great character. Trying to make extra money as a “boyfriend-for-hire”. He really is doing it for the noblest of reasons, even though his past may suggest otherwise.
And April’s family reunion was a blast! I had so much fun reading about it, it was like I was there too. And those games sounded so fun…especially the Junk in the Trunk game. I really want to try that with my kids. Lol!
If you’re looking for the perfect summer read, light and sweet, humorous with a lot more meaning, this is for you! You’ll get swept up in April and Theo’s “pretend” romance as they spin tales of their first meeting, sexy encounters and their relationship made up on the fly.
“I want to see how she looks beneath me, falling apart into a thousand beautiful pieces.”
In true Lauren Blakely fashion, she made me smile, laugh, blush, and swoon all over the damn place with her latest standalone romance, THE REAL DEAL. It’s hard to express the pure joy that comes over me when I get to dive into a new romance by one of my favorite authors. Blakely knows what her readers want…what they crave…what they need in their lives right now, and THE REAL DEAL was THAT for me. April and Theo were such a delight! Their chemistry and their connection was absolutely PERFECTION! From start to finish, these characters had me hooked! If you’re looking for a romance that takes it to the next level, look no further than THE REAL DEAL! It was sexy, sweet, hilarious, charming, and chock-full of the kind of romance we all dream about! I absolutely ADORED this book!
Theo is a struggling boy who needs to pay off a debt of the past and offers to accompany girls in situations where they need a man.
April is tired of her family arranging dates for her in the hope that she will return to her small hometown while she only wants to pursue her career after several frustrated dates.
When the day comes to see her family and participate in a competition and she ends up losing her friend Xavier to be her fake boyfriend, she agrees to hire Theo and that’s where our adventure begins.
The attraction between the two of them is fulminant and as each one opens their heart to the other the connection increases and we become more and more addicted and in love with the couple.
I loved the plot made in the ideal dose for me, I loved the point of unexpected conflict and I especially loved April’s family and the end.
Theo Banks is IRRESISTIBLE!
I’m so in love with this book! Theo is my new favorite hero! He’s not perfect, but he’s pretty darn close. From his sexy swagger to his good heart, from his charming personality to his witty humor, this man will steal your heart and you aren’t getting it back. His past might have been rocky to say the least, but that past helped to create the man he’s become. Like I said…irresistible.
April is girl-crush worthy! I loved her! She’s smart, witty, and insanely talented. She’s also independent and marches to the beat of her own drum, much to the dismay of her family. She’s got her life all figured out. Now if she can just convince them of that. But I’m glad she didn’t, because then how would she have ever met Theo?
These two together are PERFECT! From funny banter to heated sexual innuendo, Theo and April will have you wrapped up in their magic. I fell in love with them the minute they met. This book is packed full of feels! Sweet, steamy, sexy, and everything in between – this book is fantastic! A definite must-read for any Lauren Blakely fan.
Lauren Blakely never fails to bring us a sweet, funny, steamy romance that you will be engaged with from the first page. I love her spin on the fake-boyfriend-for-hire trope
She has given us great characters in Theo and April. These two together are witty, sweet and oozing lots of chemistry. I loved how they instantly jumped into impromptu storylines. This just showed how in-sink and perfect for each other they were.
This is one hell of a must read!
Lauren Blakely doesn’t disappoint with The Real Deal! The fake boyfriend/fiancée/husband is a particular favorite of mine (when well done), so I was really looking forward to reading this one.
April is trying to avoid the matchmaking machinations of her well-intentioned family and hires Theo to be her fake boyfriend to get them off her back. April and Theo are adorable together right from the get-go. They have amazing chemistry and their connection is palpable. Although April’s family is acting out of love, it’s hard for April to have them continually think of her as a hapless artist struggling to make ends meet in the “big, bad city”. This story was as much about the growth of her and Theo’s relationship as it was about her finally feeling strong enough to speak up to her parents about her success.
And Theo certainly doesn’t come into the story baggage-free. In fact, he’s got a whole train full of oversized bags that need dealing with, and eventually is. Again, there’s a lot of growth on Theo’s part, separate and apart from his relationship with April.
You can’t help but root for them and it’s particularly sweet when they do get together in the end.
Hired boyfriend + meddlesome family + forced proximity = Lots of Romance & Fun
April hires a platonic boyfriend-for-hire to accompany her to her family reunion. Theo supplements his income as a bartender by hiring himself out as whatever kind of buffer a person needs for any event: office party, family gathering, etc. He thinks of it as an acting gig.
As happens in these sorts of stories, there’s an instant spark between April and Theo. Their chemistry is delightful. Their flirty banter is unusual in that it frequently involves talking about made up “memories” of their faux relationship, which makes for very creative dirty talk.
April’s family is a hoot. They were dimensional and charming. They’re also hilarious.
While frothy and easy-to-read, The Real Deal still gave me the right amount of tension and feels. It’s the perfect patio read. Absolutely recommend it!
Oh god, Lauren Blakely never ever ever disappoints. This book was yet another true LB masterpiece, romcom meet fake relationship meet romantic af = perfection!
I freaking loved this book! It was everything you crave in a good romcom. It had those laugh out loud moments, the freaking sweetness and romantic moments that make you swoon and wish your new book-boyfriend existed IRL, and that little bit of angst that makes everything hurt for a second and absolutely delightful the next.
I devoured this baby, honestly couldn’t put it down, it was just sooo good. I need a Theo Banks in my life. He was perfect! But I also loved April so so much. She was amazing and I really enjoyed getting to know both their families. Everything in this book was amazing and kept me glued to the pages till the very end with the love, humor, friendship and the freaking chemistry, hmm was it was delicious to read.
If you’re a fan of romcoms, fake relationships, Lauren Blakely or just a damn good book to read, this is a MUST read.
I just loved Theo and April. Theo was so perfectly swoony, and I loved the way he and April bounced off each other, making up their stories that sounded so perfect all while weaving their real feelings into the mix. Both had troubles in their past that made them cautious of what they felt happening between them, but the tension was amazing as it grew into a nice little fire. I’ve enjoyed every Lauren Blakely book I’ve read, but this is definitely one of my favorites. I never expected the bad boy Craigslist ad-poster to be as amazing as he turned out to be.
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!
NO SPOILERS!
The Real Deal was a sweet, sexy, hilarious, and entertaining standalone romantic comedy, and I absolutely loved it! The storyline and characters were phenomenal, and I loved Lauren Blakely’s writing style and sense of humor. Ms. Blakely is one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for a feel-good and humorous romantic comedy, and she completely blew me away with The Real Deal. It has definitely been one of my favorite novels from her so far!
The storyline was incredible and even better than I imagined. The boyfriend-for-hire concept wasn’t necessarily new, but I loved the twist that the author put on it. The Real Deal had heart, humor, heat, as well as amazing characters, and I absolutely loved everything from beginning to end. There were several plot twists that I wasn’t expecting when I started this book, but I loved how everything came together. Lauren Blakely truly did a fantastic job with this story, and I can’t wait to read more from her.
The characters were phenomenal, and I loved all of them so much. Theo and April were especially close to my heart, and I loved them dearly. I loved their personalities and red-hot chemistry together, and how their relationship progressed throughout. I loved reading the book from both Theo and April’s point of view, and all of their banter and interactions with each other. The start of their “relationship” was certainly unconventional, but I loved how things worked out in the end. Lauren Blakely definitely didn’t disappoint with any of the characters in this book, and I really enjoyed Theo and April’s families. They were a little crazy every now and then, but their hearts were in the right place. There were plenty of funny and entertaining moments that made this book incredibly enjoyable, and I loved the romantic and steamy times as well. Theo and April’s story has been one of my favorites from this author so far, and I absolutely loved the conclusion. It was even better than I expected, and I couldn’t have been happier.
The Real Deal was another sweet, sexy, and entertaining standalone romantic comedy, and I would HIGHLY recommend it! Lauren Blakely always creates amazing, memorable, and laugh-out-loud stories, but she especially did an outstanding job with The Real Deal. I loved this book so much, and I was ecstatic with the outcome to Theo and April’s story. Lauren Blakely is definitely one of the queens of romantic comedy, and I can’t wait to devour more from her in the future!
Romance readers are quite familiar with the ‘pretend boyfriend’ or ‘boyfriend-for-hire’ trope, so the fact that April Hamilton and Theo Banks meet one another through a ‘Gigs for Hire’ personal ad because April wants her overbearing family to stop hounding her about her personal life is a predictable storyline, but Lauren Blakely brings freshness to a commonly used story line by infusing it with comical character interactions, a palpable attraction between the hero and heroine, and a first person perspective that provides April and Theo’s internal musings and diatribes as they start a connection based on a paid transaction and slowly moves to something they never anticipated but perhaps sorely needed.
Theo is definitely more of a mystery than April is, and as the story progresses and Theo’s past is carefully revealed, his hesitancy makes sense…his need to payoff his debt and all that that process entails is understandable, and while April’s reaction to the man Theo used to be is concerning, not showing April exactly who Theo was and is will only make things that are developing between them hit a roadblock that they might not be able to overcome.
April’s family adds so much hilarity and dramatics to April and Theo’s story because due to her relatives meddling, April and Theo find themselves in some rather precarious positions throughout all the family fun that’s had and the close quarters that are forced upon them as they begin to get to know one another and find that their attachment to each other is stronger than they could have ever imagined. Imagine the squirrelest and craziest bunch of relatives that someone could have and that’s April’s crew. But, the fact that they are all up in April and Theo’s lives and pull some crazy antics does provide a bit of comic relief when things get too tense or overwhelming for what’s developing between April and Theo, so this interesting bunch of people help to balance the stress and sexual tension that seems to surround this ‘pretend’/‘real’ couple.
The Real Deal is another fantastic romantic comedy from the hilarious and gifted mind of Lauren Blakely, but there’s also quite a bit of angst mixed in with the entertaining scenes, adding depth to the plot and allowing it to take an unpredictable course, which keeps readers’ interest until the very last page of April and Theo’s book.
4.5 Poison Apples
I love a good fake romance and add in the fact it’s written by Lauren Blakely? Sign me up!
April is home and doesn’t need her family all up in her personal life, or lack thereof. When the guy she is supposed to take home cancels, April decides to hire Theo to be her pretend boyfriend. How hard can it be when it’s only for one week?
Theo is a jack of all trades and he can be whomever you want him to be…as long as you’re paying him. He’s in desperate need of extra cash so renting himself out to April is a smart thing to do..until that job suddenly becomes the real deal.
Dual POVs are my favorite and Theo and April’s crazy, funny ride is one you need to take! The Real Deal is full of fun, romance and heart, with a pinch of secrets and angst thrown in for good measure. If you are a Lauren Blakely fan, this is definitely a book for you!
Playing pretend has never been so fun and sexy. And I would totally love a trip to April’s hometown. Theo’s a “bad boy” who really isn’t bad. He’s sweet, loyal and devoted to a fault. Another book that left me smiling long after it was over.
A refreshing new sound to Lauren Blakely’s romcoms! Theo’s a man for hire; not anything dangerous or illegal, but the platonic fun kind. Dial-a-date, if you will. But this bad boy has a true wild side that’s cost him dearly. He’s kept his clients at a distance…until now. And she’s threatening everything.
April is quick-witted and tough as nails in life and in her art business. But when it comes to her family’s hopes of her moving back home…April can’t handle the pressure. Backed in to a corner and no where else to turn she hires Theo to be her “boyfriend” and out to rest the hope that she’s coming back. But as they navigate their “relationship” the lines blur between what’s for fun and what’s real. As more and more pieces of the puzzle that is Theo begin to come together, April has decide who’s the man and who’s the actor.
I LOVED this hero and heroine couple. Blakely’s always got a knack for making her couples chemistry fly off the page. But Theo’s improv mixed with April’s quick wit makes for some entertaining reading! Not only are these two funny, they’re steamy as hell! On fire and ready to burst I couldn’t wait for them to fall for each other. Knowing Theo’s truth had me wondering just how our heroine would handle the news. Filled with wonder and hope I couldn’t wait to turn each page to find out just what would happen next. Loved it all and can’t wait for more!
The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely is the perfect summer and beach read.
The Real Deal is a full length, standaolne, romance novel.
Meet Theo Banks. He´s a bartender, professional companion for hire and all around bad boy with a soft soul. He´s a good guy who was dealt bad cards in his life. He gets hired by a carefree city girl.
April Hamilton needs a boyfriend for a family reunion. She hires Theo to accompany her and these two hit it off right from the start. They have this crazy insta connection and their chemistry is through the roof high.
April is a up and coming artist, successful and carefree.
But Theo keeps secrets from April. Shameful secrets that in the end threaten to destroy their perfect relationship.
The Real Deal is a witty and fun read. The writing is great and I loved the story and the characters. I recommend The Real Deal.
It has been a while since I have read this author but I will not make that mistake again. This book was filled with humor, passion, romance, lots of romance, and so much fun I wish I had a family who got together like this. April’s family is trying desperately to set her up with someone from her hometown so she will move back home to live and they are using the family reunion as an excuse to throw men at her. Because of this, she plans to bring home her friend instead as her fake boyfriend but he gets a last minute job but he gives her Theo’s Craigslist link for boyfriend-for-hire. It is a match made in the stars and the first time they meet there are sparks. Theo has had it rough and had to do many things growing up to survive including running cons to make enough money to get through school and then every job you could think of including dog food tester to professional sleeper (which I would like to be signed up for some days) but he is now a boyfriend for hire and that comes with a satisfaction guarantee and totally platonic. With these two? Could that last when the lines are blurred right from the beginning. Oh, this was so much fun to watch! I totally recommend this one for a fun read!!!!