Lauren Blakely

Is it possible to find someone real when you’re looking for love online? April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn’t been on GigsForHire since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn’t spend that much time on at home, on her computer—really. And even if she did? She would NOT be shopping for romance on a digital dating site. But going by herself to her family’s summer reunion isn’t something she’s not sure she can own up to, either. So when she happens to see an online ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she’s ready to pay to play. Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He’s close to finally settling all his debts, and just one more pretend-boyfriend gig should do the trick. Given his acting chops, Theo knows how to slip into character—including the one that requires him to hold April’s heart. But playing this role might not be as easy as Theo bargains for as the sparks fly, the desire heats up. . .and his and April’s real feelings can no longer be denied. “Hilarious...hot...you’ll fall head over heels in love.”—Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author of Shacking Up

A Novel

The Real Deal

"April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn't been on Craigslist 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 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 Craigslist 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?"--

Jackie

The Real Deal was honey-sweet. Those types of reads you want when you need something simple and easy. An uncomplicated life to read about and forget about your very complicated one. 

I enjoyed April and Theo a whole lot. Both charming characters with interesting backstories, from a traditional family in a quaint town to the troublesome past of an ex-con artist. You could feel how effortless it was for these two to like each other, and reading the tales they'd create about their fake relationship was fun.

However... I have to say it. 

I never pay much attention to realism in romantic novels because some are so unrealistic one simply must move on with it and accept it as another element of the romance genre to enjoy the story. I usually go on with no difficulty. It comes with the package deal. That being said, the fact that these two characters were confessing they were in love with one another only after five days of knowing each other might have been a little too much for me. It felt natural and good, but my mind kept going to the calendar. Five days. Not even a week. 

The rest was, like I said before, simply sweet. I'm not a fan of books where the characters have to do activities and take us through the whole thing, but this one was bearable. 

The fake dating trope is always entertaining and filled with swoon moments. Is it real? Are they acting for the people? The doubt and mutual pinning gets me every single time. This one however might have not been like this because it didn’t feel like acting with Theo and April from the beginning. 

ausra

loved this! they fell in love quite too quickly for my liking but it’s fiction and it’s cute so whatever, everything else about this was perfect! adored their conversations, the tension was on fire and just plainly a super nice book. 


involves: fake dating, one bed trope, minor dirty talk, minor jealousy, spice, witty female character, double POV

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 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 parents' home. They didn’t plan on loving every single second of the game. But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?

Heather Harrington

*4.5

April Hamilton is in a bit of a bind. Her friend had to back out of being her fake date to her family reunion, and she simply refuses to face her matchmaking-obsessed family alone. In a moment of desperation, April pays boyfriend-for-hire Theo Banks to pretend to be in a relationship with her. Theo didn't set out to be a fake boyfriend, but after some bad decisions in his past led to debts he can't seem to shake, he needs to take whatever paying gig he can get. So, if April needs a bad boy with a heart of gold to show off in front of her family, he's more than up for the job. What neither of them expected was to actually start falling for one another over hula hoops and scavenger hunts. Soon all the touches and stories they've spun start to feel very real, but when Theo's past comes to light, will April be able to trust that what they've shared wasn't part of some big con?

For whatever reason, I wasn't expecting much going into this, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. I can never get enough of the fake dating trope and this one was done fabulously. April and Theo had such great chemistry from the moment they met, so I was just waiting for when it'd turn into something more and I was not disappointed. I loved how the conversation and interaction between them felt natural and believable, and it was just fun watching them let loose and go all-in on the ridiculous games at the family reunion. April's family were all so caring even though they were busybodies about April's career and love life. Seeing as how her parents especially were a little overprotective, it did surprise me just how nonchalant they were when they found out who Theo really was so that was my only small issue with this. I didn't even mind how insta-lovey this was because Blakely made it work so well. If you're looking for a fun, steamy, addictive contemporary, check this one out.

Jobananareads

so funny!!!!! like i loved this dinamic .... i will say i did this one as an audiobook and the fact that my fave Zachary Webber was Teo definatly help

Chantale

What’s there not to love? This is a sexy rom-com that I very much enjoyed. I had a few laughs and it was a quick and easy read. 
 
I highly recommend this

The Real Deal A Novel

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