Bakery owner Willow Dalton’s friendship with Zane Walker has always been a bit complicated. Now a scrumptiously hot A-list actor, Zane’s always had a reputation as a player. He’s arrogant, and he’s definitely not boyfriend material. Sure, he did Willow a favor by agreeing to take her virginity before college, but is that reason enough for her to go along with a fake engagement a decade later—even … later—even if it comes with a real diamond ring?
Zane should have known better. Nothing involving Willow has ever been easy. Still, he knows her better than anyone, and becoming America’s hottest new leading man means cleaning up his reputation. An “engagement” to curvy, sass-mouthed Willow is the perfect PR move…provided no one gets hurt.
Now Zane and Willow’s little white lie has turned into an irresistible recipe for sweet temptation. And soon no one will be able to tell the difference between their fake engagement and the real thing—including them.
more
#dnf
One thing I love most about Melissa is her ability to write the most sweet & sexy romance novels, and even better second chance romances, and if The Real Thing is anything to go by Sugar Lake is going to be a great series for Melissa to add to her already amazing collection of books.
Willow Dalton & Zane Walker have been friends since childhood, and secretly loved each other from afar all these years. Before Willow headed to collage she enlisted Zane to take her virginity so she could away to collage a “woman” – she said there would be no strings attached and he was more than happy to oblige. Over the years they have kept in touch, with some flirting along the way, but it was always Willow who held back.
Now Zane is back in town with a proposition for Wills – as he nicknamed her – a proposition of a fake engagement to him for a few weeks as a publicity stunt thought up by his PR to gain him more exposure as a romantic actor, then once it over they go back to their respective lives. Willow naturally is against it at first as she is very close to her family and they will raise all sort of questions about the sudden engagement, but Zane seems to have it all planned out.
The lines begin to get blurred between fake and real and you are left wondering just how this is going to play out. It is clear that Zane & Willow want to be together and that he has thought of her for years, but as I said before it was Willow who held back – can this be the prefect ruse to bring them together again for real?
The banter between them both is brilliant and real, there are time when they are annoying and their are time when the lines blur and no one know what is real or fake, over all this is a great story from Melissa and I can not wait to read more from the Sugar Lake series!
4.5 stars – Holy hotness! This was a steamy book that will have you requesting dessert! This book had a little more heat than I typically read, which you can skim and get the gist of the story. I enjoy reading stories about rekindling a past love and relationship. An enticing read for the beach that may leave you hotter than the sun!
I enjoy books where the subjects have family values and the struggle is how to stay true to their selves. This story was entertaining with Willow and Zane working through a series of incidents in their lives where they got off track because of wrong assumptions. [spoiler alert] They finally trusted each other enough to voice feelings that made them feel vulnerable, risking broken hearts. I was disappointed with the ending, wanting something a little more concrete about their future.
Another great read by the talented Melissa Foster. Whenever I am looking for a sweet romance than I know I can count on Melissa Foster to deliver. Don’t get me wrong because in between the sheets they are as hot as ever and their road to each other hasn’t been easy but when these two finally open their hearts and their minds it is a sweet story.
These two have known each other since they were kids. Things happen between them and after that things get complicated. They have stayed in touch with text messages all this time and have gone to each other for opinions but it isn’t what it was. He know has to clean up his rep and asks her. Things get aired out and they have the chance for more but will they be able to? Can they get over past hurts? Can they be able to find a middle ground? They live on opposites sides of the country, how will that work? He is famous and she is the small town baker. He is a playboy and she is not looking to share.
I highly recommend this read and think that if you are looking for a romance that is light with a bit of angst and heartbreak, then this is for you.
Melissa Foster strikes gold again with her story The Real Thing. I do not do retell the story in my reviews as I do not want to spoil a great thing. I absolutely loved the main characters Zane and Willow. This book is sizzling sex, humor, love, real emotions both good and bad, and fun.The story moves right along and not once did I feel like it was dragging or lost my interest. I couldn’t put the book down once I started and I am eagerly looking forward to reading more stories in this series.
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
I haven’t read anything with such a swoon worthy hero in a long time. Zane wasn’t only swoon worthy he was also delectable and I totally understand why Willow named some of her pastries after him.
Zane is best friends with Ben, Willows brother, and since he practically grew up at their house Zane and Willow had a friendship of their own so when she wanted to loose her virginity before she left for college Zane was the man she chose. Things remained the same for Zane and Willow after their one night of passion but there were many clues that Willow never picked up on that would let her know that Zane had feelings for her.
Now, here we are about ten years later, Zane has to clean up his playboy reputation so he does the one thing that would help…get engaged to Willow. Fake Engagements is always a fun trope for me to read but throw in Friends to Lovers, and Second Chance at Love, and you have a really great read. I love the way Melissa Foster takes sweet romance stories and makes them a bit more steamy, the best of both worlds. I not only fell in love with Zane and Willow, I fell in love with Willows family as well, each one of them has a different personality that you have no idea who is going to say or do what next. I really hope we get to see more of the Dalton’s as this series continues.
THE REAL THING is the first installment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult SUGAR LAKE romance series focusing on the men and women of Sweetwater, New York. This is Hollywood actor and former Sweetwater resident Zane Walker, and bakery owner Willow Dalton’s story line,
Told from dual third person perspectives (Willow and Zane) THE REAL THING is the ‘quadfecta or four-pack’ of romance tropes: friends to lovers, second chances, best friend’s younger sister, and fake fiancé. Zane Walker’s reputation as a ‘manwhore’ precedes our hero’s return to his childhood home of Sweetwater (Sugar Lake), New York. When his latest big budget movie is scheduled to begin filming in and around Sweetwater, our hero devises a plan to clean up his celebrity image using his best friend’s younger sister as the foil to his reputation- offer a two week, no-strings attached ‘fake fiance’ proposal to his best friend’s younger sister Willow Dalton, in return for an exclusive catering contract with the movie production company. What ensues is the building romance between Willow and Zane, and the potential fall out if the truth were revealed.
Willow has loved Zane Walker for as long as she can remember. Zane was Willow’s first ‘everything’ but Willow and Zane walked away from one another, towards their own independent futures, without looking back. Zane headed to Hollywood and broke Willow’s heart, and it is the ensuing, tempestuous, fake fiancé relationship that struggles with Willow’s inability to trust or to let go of the bad memories from the past.
The relationship between Zane and Willow is one of second chances but a relationship damaged by Zane’s Hollywood reputation, as well as his lack of contact with our story line heroine. Willow ‘gave’ Zane her virginity before escaping to college but Zane’s life as an actor took control, and everyone and everything in Sweetwater became a distant memory for our story line hero when fame and notoriety took hold. Yet, like many things in life, misunderstanding and a lack of communication prove that Zane never forgot about the only woman he would ever love but Sweetwater held too many bad memories about his own dysfunctional family. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a very large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Willow’s extended family: her sisters Piper, Talia and Bridgette, nephew Louie, brother Ben, and their parents Roxie and Dan. We are introduced to Zane’s co-star Remi Divine and her brother Aiden as well as Zane’s personal assistant Patch Carver, and Aurelia Stark-a woman who runs the local book store. There are some heated glances between many of the secondary characters. Bridgette and Bodhi Booker’s story line is next in ONLY FOR YOU (December 2017).
The world building focuses on the people and town of Sweetwater, New York: their lives, their families, their business, and their loves.
THE REAL THING is a sweet and sexy story of second chances but I struggled with Willow’s early and misdirected emotions as it pertained to the ‘fake fiancé ‘ scenario. Our heroine knew going in that playing Zane‘s fiancé required a little bit of acting and physical contact yet she continued to push all of Zane’s buttons in regards to the entire fake fiancé trope. The premise is entertaining and fun; the romance is fun, sexy and provocative; the characters are numerous, colorful and very opinionated 😉 . THE REAL THING is an enjoyable but familiar story with a heartwarming couple and an energetic cast.
I have become a fan of Melissa Foster over the last year and believe me she does not disappoint. If you want a feel good romance with some sexiness added, The Real Thing is IT!!! Believe me when I say that I told my husband he needs to be just as sweet as Zane. Willow was adorable and even though they started on a rough patch, things heated up soon enough!
Zane had me swooning from his words to his actions. I am serious I did not put this book down. The zolt of electricity Zane and Willow have is exciting. I am a huge “New Love” fan. I get the butterflies and a cheesy smile over it and The Real Thing gave it to me. The storyline was great, the cover gives you a perfect idea of Zane. Did I mention I obsessed with the guy 🙂 Just because the book is a feel good romance, you get the zest with the sexy times too.
Willow owns a bakery and gets a job offer from a resort. She shows up but it’s be all a lie. Zane, Hollywood actor and long time friend, is the one who made up the job. He wants her to pretend to be his fiancée for two weeks while he’s filming in their hometown. But they have to keep it from her family. Willow has loved Zane for years but he left her after taking her virginity and headed to Hollywood. Now he’ll do anything to win her heart. Lots of sex. Funny. Beautiful baker and hot actor. Secrets. Family. I know this is short but it’s a great story and I didn’t want to give too much away.
* Voluntarily reviewed this from Netgalley *
The Real Thing is the first book in Melissa Foster’s Sugar Lake series….and it’s AMAZING! Set in the small town of Sweetwater, New York, the story features the Willow Dalton and Zane Walker. The characters, small town setting and the author‘s fabulous dialogue quickly drew me into the story.
At first, I was not thrilled the ‘fake engagement” trope in this novel. But, I quickly discovered that The Real Thing isn’t about a fake engagement; it’s about two people coming to terms with their long standing feelings for each other. The writing is rich in detail and the characters are so likeable that it’s easy to forgive Zane’s fake engagement idea and Willow’s sassy comebacks because it is apparent that these two people are meant to be together. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts and kudos to Ms. Foster for the sexy, steamy, fun, tender bedroom, bakery, blanket and car scenes! The novel is beautifully written and each word, each scene between Willow and Zane captivated me. Enjoyed reading how the couple sorts out theirs feelings for each other as desire changes to love.
Loved Willow’s relationship with her sisters and her mom. Zane won me over when Spiderman arrived at Willow’s nephew’s birthday party. Zane went out of his way to make a little child happy and showed Willow he truly cared for her. This scene had all the feels. It was hysterical, emotional, loving and poignant. Ms. Foster does a fabulous job weaving in Willow’s family members, bakery regulars, friends and Zane’s assistant and coworkers into the novel. These minor characters added a lot of fun and depth to the story line. Can’t wait to see if the next book features Piper or Bridgette Dalton. The smart, snappy dialogue between Zane and Willow drew me into the story. Zane used the fake engagement ruse to connect back to Willow, his heart’s desire and that’s what makes this story so romantic and special to me.
Melissa Foster has the ability to write an honest, relatable, entertaining romance—and I can’t wait for book two in this amazing series!
The Real Thing is a great read to kick off a new series from this author. The characters are funny and well developed and the storyline is nicely paced and entertaining. It’s a second chance story that will make you laugh and swoon. I’m don’t really care for the “Hollywood” stories but this one isn’t about the glam and glitz. It’s more about coming home and seeing what’s been there all along. This is definitely a great read and one I highly recommend.
Remember that first time? The hopes, the dreams, the feelings! Remember how long that mood stayed with you? Willow Dalton tried to control it. She asked her friend Zane Walker to be her “first” & then forget about it. No special feelings involved, just one night. She screwed up though. She fell for him. He stopped texting and her heart was crushed. In every encounter after then, she’s guarded her heart by being sassy & snarky towards him. Now he wants her to be his pretend fiancée to clean up his image. Can she keep herself safe through that? Can she keep up a lie to her family for that long?
Zane Walker is now a Hollywood leading man but he never forgot Willow. A perfect situation to reconnect with her dropped in his lap. A focus group said he needed to clean up his image & date someone nice. Zane took it a step further thinking that if he could get Willow to open up, he could express his feelings. He’s been in love with her since that night years ago. His life feels empty. He has everything he’s dreamed of except her. Can he get Willow to ignore his image as a playboy? Will she fall in love with him?
OMG, I love Zane! So many times, the girl falls in love & the guy wants a one nighter. Not in a book by Melissa Foster! She’s flipped it around to Willow wanting the one night stand, Zane in love with her for years & both of them suffering for years. The characters are well defined & the reader is given a good look at the characters for the rest of the series. The Dalton’s love to give each other crap but support each other through thick & thin. I loved the interaction between Willow & Remi when they first meet. I am not going to leave spoilers but I had to laugh! I can’t wait for the next book! I would recommend this book to all contemporary romance lovers that like their stories with spice & heat. There is some dirty language & sex but that isn’t the focus of the story.
Fiery arguments, arrogant jerks and naughty thoughts, do not a relationship make. What happens when the guy of your fantasies needs a favor? A decadent game of hearts. Zane and Willow are a mess. He’s the jerk that broke her heart and makes her temperature rise. She’s the woman that adds spice to his life and makes his heart rejoice. The Real Thing has all the ingredients to deliver a box office hit. Heat and sweet meet to create a deliciously tasty treat.