I simply adore this book! It was very well written and I loved bot Willow and Zane. Their connection and chemistry was so real and you could feel the heat, so to say. The plot was nothing unusual, another fake engagement story but it was done so well. I needed something light and that's what I got :)
Melissa Foster delivers again!

Zane is an A-list actor who needs to clean up his playboy reputation. In order to do this he requests the help of his old friend and bakery owner, Willow. Zane needs a fake fiancé and uses the argument that Willow owes him since he took her virginity before college at her request. Willow and Zane then craft a fake relationship to help Zanes career. The problem is that Willow can't decide what is pretending and what is real. Is Zane really the playboy he is made out to be?

This was a good read and the character development is great. I really liked the details to the characters past together. I enjoy a book with a hea and his book did not disappoint. I really liked this book and would love to see what happens to the characters in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the advance reader copy.

And this is such a nice second chance story... Melissa Foster is a fave author of mine and she doesn't disappoint here. Read the book. Zane, while all hot and sexy, is sweet and Willow is just as likeable. I was rooting for them a quarter into the book. I like that they both had to grow up to be the person the other needed before they could be together. They both were the ones who put a spanner in the works years before. And yet, despite that, they both managed to still be part of each other's lives, smaller than before but still there, so they were not strangers at all when they finally restarted again. Happy sigh.

Curious now about the rest of the supporting cast... :)

In this book we have our main characters Willow and Zane. Willow and Zane have known each other since they were like 9 years old. Before Willow went off to college she asked Zane to take her Vcard and to not make a big deal about it. Willow goes off to college and opens a bakery as Zane becomes a big time actor. As the years go by they text each other regularly and keep in touch. Willow never allowing Zane to get to close and denies all advances.

Zane begs Willow to help him clean up his rep by becoming his fake fiance`. Little does she know Zane has an ulterior motive.

This was such a touching story. Not your typical fake fiance`story. There is so much misunderstanding and moments in time lost. Zane leads a life that to others is glamorous, when deep down he is lost. Willow is a sweet girl who is sassy with a bite. I love Willow's family. They are so close and love each other deeply.

This book is the beginning of a new series and I am looking forward to the next story. If you are looking for a romantic tale of love lost and refound, then this book is for you. I highly recommend it. It is a wonderful story that will have you from the very first page. *Warning this book is not a cozy romance with PG scenes.

This was a very enjoyable, fun story. I loved the sparky relationship between Willow and Zane. Willow and Zane have been good friends for a long time and he is her brother's best friend.

Willow has her own bakery in their little town of Sweetwater that she is busy trying to grow and promote, and Zane is now a big action-hero movie star. But they have stayed friends and text each other all the time even though they don't actually see each other that often these days.

Then Zane is filming nearby and because he has a playboy image that the publicity people think is putting the general public off him he asks Willow to pretend to be his fake-fiancee for a couple of weeks until he's finished filming, then she can break up with him. So a win-win, he cleans up his reputation and she gets more publicity for her bakery.

Of course best laid plans.... and because they had such a strong relationship before the fake engagement, probably without even realising it, the foundations of their relationship were already there and their feelings just developed more and more as the fake engagement went on.

Of course Zane being famous did cause a couple of hassles along the way, with Willow being dragged into things because she was his fiancee and the world wanted to know more about her too, but they worked through them.

There were lots of side characters that I really liked too - Willow's sisters and her friend Aurelia especially - and I look forward to reading more in this very cute, romantic, easy-reading series.

The Real Thing includes witty dialogue between the main characters as they reconnect. They've known and loved one another their entire lives, but we're too afraid to admit it for years. However, they stayed in touch and eventually acknowledged their feelings. This book is the first in a new series, and many of the characters in future books were introduced. I look forward to reading the remaining books in the series!

this was exhausting from the get go. A cute story but soo much. Had a hard time keeping up.

I received a copy of THE REAL THING from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and author.

Five stars and here’s why:

I fell in love with Melissa Foster’s writing! This is my first book by this author and she sucked me right into the story. The pacing is super fast, the supporting characters are well developed, and the hero and heroine are both sweet and playful. Romantic suspense actor Zane is swoon-worthy in how much he carries a torch for his best friend’s younger sister Willow, who owns her own bakery, instead of living that player Hollywood lifestyle. Willow is not only smart, but she’s also sweet and sassy and doesn't put up with all of Z’s hijinks. I love a good romance with a strong female heroine and Ms. Foster delivers. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Foster’s books so I can find out what happens with each of Willow’s siblings! Highly recommend!

When I want a getaway from a tough day, I just love to pick up a quick romance and this book fits the bill for that. Just a fun, sassy read with plenty of steam, anticipation and hot sex with fun characters and an interesting plot kept me very happy with this story/book. Enjoyable and easy read for a delightful getaway from the world which sometimes you just need and this book delivers just that. Well done Melissa Foster. Definitely 5 star for this book and totally recommend

This book grabbed me from the beginning. The interaction between the two characters started right away and didn't keep you waiting. Zane, famous playboy actor who I fell in love with right away, propositions his best friend's little sister Willow, to pretend she is his fake fiancé. Agreeing to this engagement has opened the door to how they truly feel for each other, and what they could miss out on by trying to protect their hearts. This was my first book by Melissa Foster, and I loved how she incorporated so much of Zane's and Willow's past into the book. Though this 'relationship' is new, they each remember so much about each other that they've experienced throughout the years. I also liked how she included so much of their families, they each played an important role. Though this was part of a series, I believe it could be read as a stand alone. If you're looking for a cute and fun romance, pick this one up!

***this ARC was provided by author/publisher through NetGalley

In the beginning, I thought:  Not my kind of book, it feels like an old-fashioned romance novel. The author is using the trope of fake engagement, which the woman accepts, but then she's complaining all the time. She is on the defensive, he is offensive. He's a Hollywood actor, shooting a film near his hometown. She is his best friend's little sister, and many years ago, he took her virginity. Mind you, at her request, and under a series of instructions so she could get rid of the encumbrance and be able to walk away from him and leave for college. But then, in college, she was waiting for wedding bells, huh?  Over the years, they kept a friendship of sorts, through texting. He says she's her conscience, she says he's her best support when she needs to make hard decisions. However, when they meet up and he asks her for a favor, she accepts but their behavior is truly juvenile. Really, I've read YA books where the main characters show more maturity. He looks lustily at a woman who walks by, she grabs and squeezes his crotch, he affects a hangdog face so she will forgive him, then laughs, then she starts a flirtation with a guy on a boat during the ride, you get the idea.  I was getting a little mad, but then I changed gears.  I realized this is chick lit, so all this was supposed to be funny, duh!!

Once I was clear on that, the rest of their bickering, which was frequent, was fun.  Zane was manipulative and pushy and Willow was feisty and snarky.  But, all along the book, I was always convinced his feelings were real and he had loved Willow all this time.  It was Willow who had kept them apart all this time, because she was hurt that he didn't come for her all those years ago after she left for college.  

Once the "fake" engagement started, the real feelings came out, and the story turned into a sexy romp between two very expressive characters.  Very entertaining.

This is a lovely sweet story throughout. The characters were really easy to love and I fell in love with them from the start. This is the first book in this series by this author and what a fab start. This book can be read as a stand alone read. This is a fun quick read that will keep you hooked from the first page till the last one. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

Loved this book! It was funny, passionate and above all else realistic and sincere in its character portrayal! Melissa foster has sucked me in and I look forward to other books by her! Fantastic job!

This book starts a new series but it totally stands alone and does NOT end on a cliffhanger. There is both cursing and on-screen sex so if those things will cause you to leave a bad review you should skip this one.

This was my first Melissa Foster book and I absolutely adored this story and the characters in it. I will admit that at first I wasn't sure what to expect from Zane – his introduction is, uh, 'unique' to say the least – but I really liked him. And Willow was hilarious. She might have allowed herself to be talked into a ridiculous relationship, but she wasn't a pushover and she wasn't weak. I loved that about her. Their deeply loving and slightly antagonistic relationship was perfect, and I was sad when I reached the end not because the story wasn't fleshed out perfectly or it didn't come to a beautiful conclusion, but because I wanted more of these two. Their personal chemistry was ridiculous from the first time they share a page together and it didn't get any less intense as the book went on.

The only two little things that I didn't enjoy about this story was that many characters were described using famous people rather than a quick physical descriptor which would allow the readers to use their imagination. I know that is a personal preference and it isn't a huge deal, it was just disappointing because Ms. Foster has such a talent for descriptive writing but didn't use it for those purposes. The other thing that I didn't particularly care for was Zane's snobby disdain for his parents because he grew up “poor”. I was hoping he would show a little personal growth during this book and learn to not look down his nose at his parents for 'living paycheck to paycheck' - like most people in the country do - but that never happened. Instead of appreciating how hard they worked or that he didn't have an abusive, horrible home life, he still talked about them as if they were dirt to him but Willow's family was great because they were upper class. There is nothing wrong with working hard, with not being rich, and his snobbery in that regard was a total turn off. Not enough to cost the book a star, but still annoying to this reader who works very hard and has a very fulfilled life but still lives paycheck to paycheck just like his 'unfulfilled' parents.

If you enjoy a book about two people who are crazy in love with each other but who fight like crazy for that love, or if you just enjoy a full-on love story with a ton of crazy sexy scenes and a ton of emotion, you should read this book. After getting to know Willow's siblings, I very much look forward to books that will round out this series.

I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this book via the publisher and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write this review, I did so because I adored this story.

5+ stars

Willow and Zane have known each other since they were kids and share a very complicated relationship. After a night together he leaves town to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. And despite them both having feelings for each other, they never let the other know.
Now years later, Zane needs to clean up his image and he can't think of anyone but Willow to help him do that, and so they start a fake engagement charade.
What they didn't expect was their true feeling coming to surface, and start something which they are not totally prepared for.
The sweetest thing was totally sweet read. I loved the dynamics between Zane and Willow and was totally rooting for them. Ms Foster has started the series with an awesome read and I can't wait for the next one.

This book is exactly why I fell in LOVE with Melissa Foster’s writing.

She gave us a fun and entertaining storyline and characters that were relatable and lovable. You can’t help but get sucked into this book. This was a perfect story for that warm, sunny afternoon at the beach. A great friends to lovers story without a lot of excess drama.

The Real Thing is a standalone novel told in Dual POV from the third person. Sometimes when I read a book in the third person I feel like some is telling me the story, but that is not the case in this book. I felt like I was a part of the lives of these characters. I felt all the feelings the author was trying to convey.

This book is the first book in Melissa’s newest series and I think that she off to a GREAT start. I am truly looking forward to each of the sibling’s books

What I loved the most about this book compared to some of the other books I have read by Melissa, is that this book was filled with wonderful dialogue. I am a reader who really doesn’t like a lot of inner monologue in books and I was happy to see that, that wasn’t the case in the book. I love when the characters interact with each other. It helps me connect with them better and it makes the bond and love story feel more real. The flow and pace of this story was perfect. I loved watching Willow and Zane reconnect and grow into stronger people and a wonderful couple.

The Real Thing is a friends to lovers story that has a hint of the second chance romance and also the Hero is a famous A-list actor. Zane and Willow grew up together and have known each other for many years. Zane is also Ben’s (Willow’s brother) best friend. When they were growing up both had secret crushes on each other, but were afraid to act on them. Until Willow got the nerve to ask Zane to help her lose her virginity. But she had a whole bunch of rules to follow it and Zane ended up chasing his dreams and moved to L.A. Fast forward 10 Years and Zane is now coming back to Sweetwater to film his newest film and to win the heart back of Willow. Their journey was a sweet, sassy and sexy ride and I am glad I went along with them on it.

I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the friends to lovers story and if you are looking for that beach read that will sweep you away. This was a truly romantic love story. I can’t say enough about this book and these characters!!!

I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
as
I am a big fan of Melissa Foster's book and this is no exception. Zane and Willow have great chemistry, although Zane definitely need to mature through their relationship.

The Real Thing, Sugar Lake Book 1, Melissa Foster

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, general fiction (adult) 

I was in the mood for a simple easy romance and this was all that but, it was also that was all...no big drama, secrets, revelations. I really enjoy those in a story, the stuff that keeps me thinking "how will/can they/ what about? " 

The sweetness isn't just in the bakery treats either, the characters are - and I can't think if one that wasn't- sweet, nice, kind, so much so that my teeth ached at times.
I love good characters, but I do like some unpleasant ones for balance too, and here the only ones were Zane's family who we didn't meet but just got an edited view of a difficult childhood.
Zane was nice, his friends and employees were nice, Willow was nice, her family was nice...you get the picture?
For lots of readers that's perfect, and will make this into a five star read, and I'm happy for them and the author but for me I need a little more drama, angst, emotion. I need the characters to have to work for the HEA not just for it to unfold easily. 

I loved Zane and Willow, but the friends to lovers transition was almost seamless, and there just wasn't any conflict to keep me engrossed.
There were secrets, but the reasons for them were pretty thin and they really made mountains out of molehills, I had to reach, really stretch my imagination to find actual drama from them. There just wasn't any conflict - anywhere, nothing hiding, its an all-out-in-the-open romance. 

I did read it all, did enjoy it as a straightforward, romance but to be more than just 3 star "good" for me it needed more edge. 
 
Stars: Three, a good story but one of those which for me was just too light in drama and emotion

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

I really wanted to like this book more. It's a good beach read despite its one major problem - total lack of tension. The main characters get together in the first pages and their relationship is almost perfect till the end. I'm used to romance novels having unrealistic characters (especially the men), but something about that lack of tension made these guys feel like just about the most unrealistic I've read in a long time. Even the family that could have been upset with the lie (and therefore introduce some tension) forgives everyone in about two paragraphs. Good set up, good characters, good potential for other books, but this one didn't work. (Also, Zane decides to walk away from being a movie star so he can write screenplays. I don't think so.)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B01N4OKMRB/R1HFKKR4O3T7XX?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl