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.

Thank you to Lisa for letting me take part in this blog tour. This is a new series for Melissa and I have to say I like the new look.

The story follows Willow and Zane. Willow has been featured in the Bad Boys books so she is not a completely new character but we have only heard snippets about her and her family before this book.  Willow has been in love with Zane for as long as she can remember but she has kept him at arms length since she was 18 because he unknowingly broke her heart. She compares every man to him and none of them live up. I really liked Willow she was easy to identify with. She is sweet strong and has an immense amount of willpower.

Zane couldn't wait to go an conquer the big wide world. Life in sweetwater lake was just too small for him. But now he's a big shot Hollywood actor but something is missing. Zane needs to clean up his act for his next role and the only  person he can trust to help him is Willow. I thought Zane was a cheeky chappy with a big front but deep down he's a good guy with a big heart.

I really enjoyed the style of this new series. It was sweet with heat. It still had Melissa's stamp on it but with a fresh new edge.

I hope that there are more books to come from the rest of Willow's family. I can already see some stories forming.

I tried hard but couldn't finish this one. I struggled to get through the first half and finally gave up. I didn't enjoy the characters at all, and couldn't find a reason to finish.

4.25☆ I thought The Real Thing was a great start to a new series. As it was an enjoyable, sweet, easy to read second chance romance. That was low angst and entertaining. Plus the story itself drew me in and kept me hooked throughout. I also found the characters very engaging and likable and not just the main two Willow and Zane. But all of Willows family too and I would therefore happily recommend this book to others. Especially if you are a fan of Melissa Foster.

I really enjoyed this book. Melissa is a phenomenal writer. It was witty and fun at times. It was also serious and steamy. It is a second chance romance between best friends.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

DNF. I just couldn't get into this one, and after forcing myself to continue a bunch of times, had to call it quits. She was nuts if she thought after asking him to help with her virginity and putting conditions to keep him away that they would magically be together. And she was really kind of a jerk to him. And judgemental. Just not for me.

A wonderfully sweet second chance love story that was equal parts swoony and sexy. Melissa Foster fans will fall in love with Willow and Zane and go nuts over this new series.

I have only read a couple of Melissa Foster’s book and would venture into characterizing her stories as low drama high voltage swoony sexiness. They’re easy to read with just the right amount of steam and heart that support a strong connection between the main characters. The Real Thing is Zane and Willow’s story which unfolds in the small town of Sweetwater. It is one full of friendship, desire and affection as well as the obstacles that accompany a second chance at love.

Willow Dalton and Zane Walker fell in love when they were so young they couldn’t have possible understood the concept but they never expressed their feelings toward the other. He was her older brother’s best friend, the boy who spent so much time at her place he could practically be part of the family. They’ve always been close friends and before she went to college she asked him to be her first but then he moved to LA to become an A-list actor and turned into a well-known player. So why is he back a decade later asking her to be his fake fiancée?

Zane thought his decision to clean up his playboy name by asking Willow to help out was harmless enough and solely for public relations purposes, but as soon as she’s in his arms pretending, all the feelings of familiarity, intimacy and love they’d never acknowledged before flood them, lines get blurred and neither can distinguish between what’s real and what’s fake. But do they really want to?

The closeness between Zane and Willow practically leaps from the page. They were cute and sweet and sexy. It was wonderful and heartwarming to see these two get their second chance at a love that had been latent for years and how their relationship helped Zane find his life’s purpose.

Zane realizes he’s deeply in love with Willow and would do just about anything to be with her. He goes big with everything he does to convince her to give them a chance and the things he says are super sweet and cheesy. He was incredibly endearing. And let’s not forget about the sizzling chemistry between them! I really enjoyed how Melissa explores all the ties that bind them starting from a young age and the lasting power of their love.

And although I personally don’t have a big sweet tooth and like stories with a bit more drama, I found Zane and Willow’s journey very enjoyable, smiling and swooning throughout their story and can’t wait to read about Willow’s brother and sisters.

The Real Thing is the first book in Sugar Lake series by Melissa Foster. It is a full length second chance romance that is easy to read with likeable characters, very little drama a whole lot of sexy sweetness. It has a happy ending and is told from both points of view.

This book was a bit I have to admit disappointing. I had high hopes but it felt a bit flat, hence not being able to finish it, Thanks for the opportunity.

The Real Thing is book one in the brand new series, Sugar Lake, by Melissa Foster. This is my first book by Melissa and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would her book be sugary sweet, or have some heat? Would there be humor? The answer to all of these questions is YES!

Willow Dalton grew up in the small town of Sweetwater and loved it there. She was very close to her three sisters, her brother and parents. Willow loved to bake and owned her own bakery, Sweetie Pie Bakery. The only thing missing was a man to love. Willow dated but no one ever measured up to the one man that had always had her heart, Zane Walker.

Willow has known Zane all her life. He was her older brother’s best friend and like a part of her family. When she was young she always had a crush on him. Just before she left for college, it was Zane she asked for the biggest favor of her life, to take her virginity. But that secret night by the lake was so much more than it was meant to be. It was the night she fell in love.

But Zane’s life was not in Sweetwater. He couldn’t leave town fast enough when he was old enough. He was now an A-list actor in Los Angeles. He was known for his action films and his playboy lifestyle. But now he wanted to break in to romantic comedy and needed to clean up his reputation. What better way than to come up with a squeaky clean, sweet, small town fiance. Zane would only consider asking one woman to play this role, and that was Willow.

As Zane and Willow prepared for their role, though, memories were unburied and feelings were finally faced. There was a reason neither Zane nor Willow had ever been able to find someone they were interested in. Because no one could ever measure up to the one person they always yearned for.

“She was his every fantasy come true, only better. Because she was Willow, and she was finally his.”

Once Zane finally realized that Willow was the one, was his one and only, this man was seriously swoony. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about him, asking Willow to play such a role. But when he owned up to his feelings, nothing was going to stop him from proving to Willow that he was the man for her, that he was her man.

“Every day we’re together will be more perfect than the last, because every day I’m learning how to be a better man for you.”

But Willow’s life was in Sweetwater, and Zane’s life was in Los Angeles. His life was crazy filled with paparazzi and fans and autographs. Her life was quiet filled with sugar and cupcakes and frosting. But once Zane spent time with her in her little apartment above her bakery, she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it.

“Five minutes would never be enough. A week would never be enough. Loving Zane Walker would take a lifetime. And then some.”

This was such a sweet book. I fell in love with Zane and Willow. And there was some serious sexy times as well, which is a good thing. Zane and Willow had no problem with chemistry and Zane most definitely brought out Willow’s inner seductress.

This was such a sweet start to this series (pun intended) and I look forward to more. The next book will be about Willow’s sister, Bridgette in Only For You.

“Willow was his. Willow was home.”

4.5☆
Melissa Foster is one of my go-to authors.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The humor
Part of a series: Sugar Lake
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading more from Melissa.

Give me Zane on a platter with a side of Ben. IJS... Holly hotness on the wooing and making Willow a believer. I don't think I swooned that much while reading a book.

Thank you Melissa for making this second chance live story into a will of past versus present. Doubt versus reality and growth. I welcome the knowledge of how they knew they would be there for each other in a time of need. Also how Zane put her first in shielding the negative and lime lights from Willow. A Man of honor and truths after a little coherencing and half truths.

The real thing
By: Melissa Foster
📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

So many sweet surprises

Small town girl and the Hollywood heart throb....its been done.....Right? Nah not like this. I will say this you might want to strangle our leading man Zane at the beginning but he just might be the sweetest surprise. Zane and Willow grew up in the same small town. Zane two years older than her and her brothers best friend was always around. Spending more time as part of Willows family than his own they've always been close. Giving Zane her innocence before she heads to college was her choice and she made the rules. Zane never being able to say no to Willow went with it when she asked.

This is wrre things change. Even though they have stayed in each other's lives things have never been the same.

Getting ready to shoot his latest movie and told by the production company to clean up his act Zane ask Willow to be his fiancé. When truths and feelings get involved will these two finally open their hearts or will fears and outside jealousy get in the way.

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks you Netgally for letting me read and review.

The Real Thing is a book that allows you to escape reality for a few hours, a book that pulls you in so quickly and refuses to let go.
Willow and Zane's love runs so deep that even with misunderstandings the struggle to fight the attraction is strong.

Melissa has crafted a story that will take you away from reality wrap you up in soft, warm blanket and melt your heart. A book filled with moments of sweetness, spice and a story line that flows effortlessly make The Real Thing a 4 star read.

Zane and Willow are best friends who are secretly in love with each other. Zane needs Willow to pretend to be his fiancee to convince his backers of his new film that he can indeed switch from being an action hero to a romantic hero. Cue his best friend Willow, who is reluctant at first, but as it benefits her also she agrees. This story has a feel good vibe and is about the discovery of who they really are.
I loved this story as it was happy, uplifting but still had some very serious parts too. Recommended to all romance readers.

The Real Thing is a lovely romance with sparkling dialogue, some pretty 'hot' scenes and very little angst just a great developing relationship.
For years Willow has been friends with Zane, he was her brothers best friend but is now a top Hollywood star with a reputation as a total player. They had made love when willow was 18 so she was prepared before she went to college, I know sounds odd but in this story it so works. She has been in love with him forever and it broke her heart when he just appeared to want to be best buddies with her, but Zane has always loved her but didn't think he was good enough for her.
So begins his declaration of love and total wooing of willow, prepared to show her she can rely on him, Willow is unsure, especially how she would cope with the heartbreak if he lets her down again.
Take the journey with them, it's beautiful and flows along at an enjoyable pace.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book honestly.

The book was sweet all over, beginning through end and it had actually nothing to do with Willow's sweets.
I quickly fell in love with Zane and Willow, they were the cutest together and the love they shared was so strong, it was beautiful to read. Their journey was an amazing one, even with those 10 years spent with their feelings towards one another and that night buried. That time 'apart' made the way they came together again even more perfect, it was a true joy to read. It was just really so sweet, I was swooning throughout almost the whole book with how cheesy and dreamy Zane was with Willow.

I had heard such good things about Melissa Foster but my first exposure to her writing was reading Read, Write, Love at Seaside under her other pen name, Addison Cole. It really didn’t grab me and I ended up putting it aside without finishing. So I was a little leery of jumping in again but this book sounded so cute I couldn’t resist. I’m glad I didn’t because this was such an enjoyable read.
I loved Zane so hard! He is nothing like what you would expect from one of the hottest actors in Hollywood. He is so sweet and I loved that he’s adored Willow since she was an awkward teen. Seeing him trying to win her over and convince her about his feelings made me fall in love with him. Once Willow stopped getting in the way of her own happiness I really came to enjoy her character as well. There were several side characters whom I also fell for and cannot wait to read their stories as well.
If you haven’t read Melissa Foster before I highly recommend this book. The Real Thing was a refreshing, thoroughly enjoyable read and readers will fall in love with Zane!

I absolutely adore Melissa Foster books and her writing style. The Real Thing is everything I thought it would be and more. Its a sweet, sassy and sexy friends to lovers/brothers best friend/second chance romance. Willow and Zane love them. They are one of my favorite characters from all of Melissa Fosters books. Timing is everything and with Zane and Willow they finally got it right. I defiantly swooned for Zane. Like where is a Zane in real life. Willow is so full of life and sassy and I want to best friends with that girl. Willows whole family is wonderful. I'm so looking forward to being able to get to know the characters more in future books to come. I loved this book and didn't want to put it down.

I adore this new series by Melissa Foster! As usual she is on point with her master story-telling and extremely lovable characters. She sure has a knack for writing some of the most lovable heroines I’ve ever read and Willow is one such heroine. She is sweet, sassy, funny, generous, loyal and so very real.
She owns a bakery in her small hometown of Sweetwater and is definitely everyone's favorite hometown girl because she is just so adorable, sweet, genuine and kind.
Zane is an amazing man. He may be an A-list action hero movie star who is gorgeous and sexy but he is so sweet, down to earth and lovable and deep down is still that boy Willow fell in love with all those years ago. He goes through great lengths to find what has been missing from his life and make things happen. He was Willow’s first everything, but he left Sweetwater to pursue an acting career and is now a very successful Hollywood actor. Needing to clean his reputation as a player up, he enlists Willow who has remained a good friend over the years to be his fake fiancée. She finally agrees and soon finds out that what was supposed to be fake is a very real thing for both of them. he wants to be her last everything.
I loved watching everything unfold and come together for Zane and Willow. There were so many sweet and magical moments. So many moments that made me swoon and just feel everything a romance should make you feel.
This story is so well written with equal parts of sweet and sexy. One of my favorite couples from Melissa to date for sure!! Now I can't wait to see what is in store for Willow’s siblings and how they will get their HEAs as this new series continues. 5 Hollywood Blvd Stars!!!

I loved this! Fun, flirty and sexy. This was such fun to read! The storyline might be something that's been done before, the fake fiancee, but it was so good. The hero and heroine are so great together. Their chemistry is off the charts! Couldn't put it down. I love this author and I can't wait for more!