The Real

Swoon!

4.5 stars
“You never really know someone unless they want you to.”

The Real is a book that looks deep into your soul. It’s like looking into a mirror, that’s showing merciless our faults. But faults are what makes us human. The imperfections that makes you perfect for your significant other, for your family, for your friends.

“A kiss can be an introduction, statement, and a promise. I plan to make all three when you let me.”

Kate created a story giving us what we want, showing us what we need and the real truth about it all. The older we get the heavier becomes our luggage. Consisting of our life experience. Things that shaped us, made us into the person we are today. And as much as we would like to leave this luggage behind, we simply can’t. If we embrace what and who we are, accepting that we can only change while moving forward, life will reward us.

“He might have been the one on his knees, but I was the one at his mercy.”

Abbie is a wonderful woman. And I could totally relate to her. I even saw me in her many many times, as life threw similar stones in my way. I let it shape me but not destroy me or change the person I am. I’m still trusting too easily, I always try and want to see the good in people, not believing that they can be cruel or hurtful. But I started to question things, a lot. Every good intention from someone I just got to know. I always asked myself “what’s his hidden agenda?” And I still giving chances, because I still believe that there is no such thing as bad people. Only bad decisions, and we’ve made them all at some point.

“You give me a new reason to want you every single day.”

So, yes. Abbie is real, she’s human with flaws and faults, looking for being loved for who she really is. And in Cameron she found her perfect match. He’s honest, intelligent, self-reliant, successful, thoughtful, hot. A man with humor, patience, who’s loving openly, caring freely and attentive to detail. And yet he’s somehow broken. However, Cameron let his love for Abbie starting to heal his wounded soul. Through Abbie he could imagine a future and living his live again.

“The only thing that could trump you today, Abbie, is you tomorrow. And I don’t want to be without you tomorrow.”

I really loved the whirlwind of a love story Abby and Cameron created for themselves. Even if it seemed to be a slow burn story, it was the perfect pace they set for each other. It’s like you get on a boat and need to steer out of the harbor. You need to be slow and careful to take your boat out of the shallow waters. But once you reach the point where you can speed up, you do. You take on full speed, enjoying the excitement, getting carried away. That’s what happened with Abbie and Cameron. And reading it was a great joy. It made my heart and soul happy.

“Look at me,” he whispered. “This is me at my worst. Please don’t do this to us.” “I didn’t do this.” “You’re right. I did. Love me anyway.”

But then the shoe dropped. The inevitable happened. One luggage popped open, because it was too heavy for the speed they where going. The stuff spilling all over the floor and it hurt. It hurt Abbie, it hurt Cameron on so many different levels. And that’s when the part of the real healing begins. While picking up the stuff, sorting through it and taking the chance of sorting out. This doesn’t happen on a day or two. It takes time, trust and hope. Learning to forgive, most importantly yourself.

“Love is only meant for the brave”

The Real is a wonderful journey of two people who couldn’t be more perfect for each other. They were meant to be. I really believe in fate, and that you meet people through your life’s journey that shape you to be the person for your yet to meet significant other.

There are a few things that keep me from giving a full 5 star review. But they are minor and regard simply to my taste in things. However, this book truly deserves all the great, wonderful and touching 5 star reviews it already got and hopefully continue to receive!

“Love broke us both and put us back together.”

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Story 4 stars Narration 4 stars
Interesting and intense book about a couple that meet and really take their time before actually talking face to face. It’s all done at a coffee shop while sitting at different tables with their laptops. I say it’s intense because when they finally do get together it’s very intense between them. As in, soul mate and lots of sex scenes. But. There is a major fly in the ointment and a huge coincidence to get past. Not usually a fan of coincidences to move a story along but this one worked for me. For the most part, I really enjoyed the listen. The female narrator’s male voice is good, but she used the same voice for all male characters. Took me out of the story every time.

I grabbed the audible with audible escape and when I wasn’t able to listen I read the paperback.

This is one of those stories that I just couldn’t resist reading/listening to straight through. I went into it blind so wasn’t sure what genre it was as this is the first book I’ve read by Kate Stewart. I would consider this a contemporary romance with a bit of rom-com and drama built in. I don’t want to give any spoilers (even though the book has been out for several years, I don’t roll that way).

The story flowed well, it takes a turn midway and I was a little surprised; It took me out of the story for a brief moment but I got right back into it. It is told in her point of view until a certain point (i’m bad at math so can’t say what percent into it that it happened) and then it becomes dual POV which added another layer onto it.

I really felt all the feels with this book. I chuckled and swooned, I ugly cried and recovered, and I enjoyed the epilogue.

Does Dr. Dick get his own story?

4 strong stars

The Real was lovely. I loved the way Cameron and Abbie grew throughout the story and how real their story felt; the obstacles that stood in their way and their way of working through them was heartearming.
My favorite line of the story: Love me anyway.

The Real by Kate Stewart is an emotional, slow burn, contemporary romance told in dual POV. The story follows Abbie and Cameron’s relationship as they get to know each other at a coffee shop by communicating through computer chats and then later as they take their relationship offline and out into the real world.

At the start of her communication with Cameron, Abbie sets some ground rules for them both to follow. They both agree to leave all baggage at the door – no expectations, no absolutes, no promises that can’t realistically be kept, no talk about the past, only staying in the present and getting to know the people they are now.

Their relationship develops from a slow simmer and builds into a sizzling, fiery, consuming passion. When the time comes for things to get real, some shocking, hidden truths are revealed that threaten to destroy the connection that Abbie and Cameron have built. Can their relationship survive?

I absolutely loved Abbie and Cameron’s story. They were both likeable and relatable characters. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well. The story is full of humor, fun, heartbreak, pain, sorrow, sweetness, and tenderness – an emotional tsunami that is original, genuine and thought-provoking. This is my first Kate Stewart book and it definitely will not be the last.

After reading Loving the White Liar, Kate Stewart quickly became an auto-buy author or me. I have described her books to others as emotional, angst filled, sultry, sweet, or funny. With The Real, she flexes her formidable writing muscles to produce a love story that embodies all these traits.

In a genre that frequently falls victim to fatal cases of insta-love, the creative setup of this story is especially endearing. Abbie and Cameron meet in a café, and throughout the course of many visits and countless lattes they establish a relationship by communicating strictly through instant messaging and furtive glances across the room. I love that they start to fall for each other long before exchanging words or touches. The setting of the eclectic coffee shop is über cute. The clever slogans on the coffee mugs had me laughing out loud. Some of my favorites are, “Surely Not Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting,” and “I Wish I Were Felicia. She’s Always Going Somewhere”. I’m totally getting a shirt made with that quote on it.

Cameron is definitely ultimate book boyfriend material. He’s patient, funny, and so romantic. “A kiss can be an introduction, statement, and a promise. I plan to make all three when you let me.” Is that drop dead sexy or what?

Abbie is cautious, smart, and independent. Her hesitancy creates a slow burn and intense attraction between her and Cameron. I appreciated Abbie’s amusing quirkiness, and I adored her friendship with her crazy no-filter best gal pal, Bree.

Although I enjoyed the characters, the steam, the drama, and the humor, I did find the storyline to be too predictable for my taste. Even so, The Real earns a strong four stars from me, and I think it will appeal to the true romantics at heart.

Every now and then I’m lucky enough to finish a book that could be described as “haunting”. I can’t stop reliving what I’ve already read, anxious to pick up where I left off when life interrupted me and even once I’m finished, it sticks with me…it was just that damned amazing! A story that leaves me speechless yet full of a hundred thoughts at the same time. I’m there right now after finishing The Real. Mentally, I’m a little bit wiped out at the moment but I assure you that’s the best thing possible after reading a book, I’m still processing! To me, it means that the author succeeded in pulling me into their story so completely that that’s the only thing I can think about; life as I normally know it is on pause.

Abbie and Cameron both have some baggage but when they meet, they decide to temporarily leave that at the door so that they can spend their time and energy really getting to know each other without anything hanging over their heads. Theirs is a relationship that starts out with a slow, steady burn but you can feel the underlying chemistry. It felt natural, not forced and as with all of this authors books, it has just enough “realistic” to it. Without even realizing it, they are helping each other tackle their own insecurities and fears, strengthening each other enough so that they can finally put that baggage to rest. They complement each other just right. All of it just clicked for me!

I feel as though Kate Stewart brought me into the fold and shared Abbie and Cameron with me in a way that let me experience their journey right along with them. I assure you, The Real isn’t a book that you just read, it’s a full experience that you feel! Highs and lows, tears and laughs and a twist that left me in shock with a side of “oh no, you did not just do that”. I found myself speed reading at one point because I was desperate for more but then I caught myself stalling a little because I didn’t want it to end. I wanted my resolution but I knew once I had it, I was going to lose Abbie and Cameron. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place!!

This book will tap into your emotions and grab hold of your heart but I enjoyed every minute of the ride! Kate Stewart’s words pack a punch! This is at the top of my 2018 favorites and it’s going to be pretty tough to knock it out of 1st!

Abbie and Cam will lead you on a mesmerising journey that will leave you both swooning and reeling. Abbie didn’t expect that message from a smart and cocky stranger to start the next grand adventure in her life. The dynamic between Cam and Abbie is bubbling in chemistry and teams with depth. I won’t spoil the genius that Kate Stewart has masterfully created here. I encourage you to join Abbie and Cam as they explore the road to happiness.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book.

5+ ‘We are absolute’ Stars!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Who would have imagined a simple “Hi” in a computer screen would be the start of an epic love story? Well, I knew it because Kate Stewart is the author behind it. I have the most huge crush on her, seriously! Her words just make me feel. With her novels I feel, I love and I connect. Her books are just something out of this world and The Real was no exception. This novel is pure PERFECTION. It was everything I expected (and I do have crazy high expectations with this lady!) and so much more.

So, The Real is Kate Stewart’s newest standalone release and it’s the journey into a mind-blowing love story. Abby and Cameron, our main characters, have baggage from their pasts. Abby is very reluctant to accept Cameron’s advances but who is able to say no to the King of Woo himself? So, these two decide to leave their pasts at the door and just enjoy their present as two people who have connected in a very special way. They start a relationship, it’s all about the sexual tension and the adorable and quirky moments. It’s all about the off-the-fucking-charts sex and the romance. Of course, they fall head over heels in love. That is when things get a little bit grey in a world that seemed to have plenty of colors. Will Abby and Cameron survive it? Let’s find out!

A kiss can be an introduction, statement, and a promise. I plan to make all three when you let me.

Yes. Yes, I rated another of Kate’s books with my special rating. And you all know what that means, am I right? It means this book could not get any better. It means this genius of an author gave us another excellent piece of contemporary romance. It means she has written an outstanding love story with two brilliant and complex main characters. It means humor, sexual tension, smoking hot sex, surprises and lots of emotions. I mean, if you have read anything by Kate Stewart before, you know you are about to experience something magical. And it’s obvious the woman did not disappoint.

If karma and fate truly existed, I would make the exception and believe in them for the sake of us.

“Abbie, I had no idea what this would be. You have to believe I didn’t know it was you I was looking for. This, us, it means everything to me. I didn’t expect this.”

I felt an instant connection with this story. I fell in love with Abby and Cameron on the very first page. Their relationship is.. there is no word to describe it. I loved how they get to know each other, I loved their funny and adorable moments in the café, I loved the heat of their sexual attraction, I loved how Cameron wooed Abby (he definitely deserves his title as King of Woo!), I loved the honeymoon phase of their love story (man, THE SEX!), I loved seeing them fall in love and yes, I loved how emotional it got (even though I wanted to kill Kate when THAT happened). This novel has everything that makes it an epic love story. I connected with every aspect in it and I enjoyed the heck out of it to the very last word.

Love is only meant for the brave.

Therefore, my rating for The Real is 5+ STARS because, as I said, it could not get any better. This novel is an excellent piece of writing with two main characters that competely stole my heart. Abbie and Cameron’s love story is not an easy one but it’s beautiful, adorable and oh-so-sexy: trust me, you don’t want to miss reading it because it was simply the perfect romance. Kate, well done girl! You keep killing it! And get ready to be wooed, ladies!