I literary jumped at the opportunity to read a book by Melissa Foster that would be the first in a series. I have read some others by her, but I always got involved in the second or last book. It’s ok, just that I hadn’t had that feeling of knowing everything there is to know about the characters, be those main or not. So here I am, reviewing the first book of the “Sugar Lake” series.

Zane and Willow come together by means of a lie. Zane is back collecting on a favor he did for Willow in college, when she asked him to take her virginity. And how could he refuse her? She was his best friend’s sister, a pretty hot sister I might add. Now he’s back asking her a favor in return. Zane has become this big actor, hunting for a role in a romantic comedy and looking to clean up his reputation. The best way to do that is to show the media he is a serious guy, involved in a serious relationship, with a nice girl from a small town. But what to do when the lie becomes truth?

Willow has trusted Zane even since college, when she decided he was the one to offer her the lovely memories of the first night with a boy. Their invisible bond has always been there since that time and once they are united again, sparks become full flames. Still, when Zane realizes she is the one for him, he must fight for her trust with all his weapons. There are issues no be solved between them, she is not willing to leave her bakery, he has a successful career in Los Angeles. The way they connect, their interaction, this is what kept me reading this book until the end.

This was a quick read for me. I didn’t even know when time flew by. I was right there with the characters, I suffered with them and felt the butterflies again. I am giving this book 5 stars with all the love of reading! And this is my favorite, out of all of Melissa Foster’s series. I think the writing for this one is really amazing! Please give it a go if you are a Romance addict like me! Enjoy :)

Such a sweet and pleasurable read. Melissa Foster has a way with words that will capture you from the beginning and make you feel like you are apart of the story.

I adored Willow, she's a smart, strong and fun character. Zane did get on my nerves a little with his cockiness, but in the end he made up for that lol.

A great start to a new series and I'm really looking forward to who's story is next. If you love the friends to lovers type of stories, then go "one-click" you're in for a treat.

4.5 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.

This is Willow and Zane’s story. Willow and Zane have been friends forever. He did her a favor before she went off to college and now he needs her to help him out. It’s all pretend he just needs a fake engagement to help his PR side of his career. But what happens when things don’t go as you thought they would. It all started out fake but what happens when feelings get involved and lines blur. Can these two figure out what they want from each other before it all goes down in smoke? Do they both want something fake to be real or is one wishing that more than the other?

I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I highly recommend this book.

A really enjoyable page turner. My first time reading a book by Melissa Foster and am looking forward to reading the other books of hers I've already bought.

This is so sweet! These 2 have had a crush on each other for years and they just needed an excuse to get together, talk, and try. Even if the excuse is fake.... At the beginning Willow was reluctant to go along with Zane's crazy idea but the truth is, how can she say no? Why deny herself the chance to be closer to the one guy that has ruined her for the rest? A guy that is all in and without even realizing it has been saving himself just for her. The characters dynamics are great because you can get the sense that above and before anything else they are great friends. And while Willow doesn't ask for anything big, Zane is committed and dedicated to show her with big gestures that she comes first. Even if it means making changes to his life.

Charming, sexy, funny and gives new appreciation to womanly curves, friendship and happily ever afters.

I really didn't expect anything different, but was surprised how Foster took me from the beginning to the end. What a wild, excitingly naughty ride. If I wasn't already in love with Zane just from her choice of models, I was by the middle of the book. Though, I was ready to help Willow bury him in the backyard at the beginning.

Lust has a way of making the most intelligent person addle brained. Foster captured every embarrassing moment in the way she developed her characters, main and supporting. Honestly, I am looking forward to the next installment of this new series to the Sweetwater Series of books.

As an aside, if there is a town as wonderful and welcoming as Sweetwater, someone please let me know. I think I'd like to move there!

an ok read. held me attention

Zane Walker is known for his roles in action films, but in order to get people to take him seriously as an actor about to have a starring role in a romance film, he needs to clean up his reputation. However, the only way he sees possible is to ask Willow Dalton to be his fake fiancé. Will Zane be able to convince Willow that he wants their fake relationship to be the real deal, or will Willow walk away before she gets hurt?

What an enthralling, fast-paced, wonderful read Ms. Foster has penned in this first book of her new Sugar Lake series, which encompasses the fake relationship and brothers best friend tropes; two enchanting main characters that have some tough obstacles to overcome; and fantastic dialogue that had me loving the interactions between the hero and heroine as well as between the main and secondary characters. The way this story started had me liking the heroine immediately, as she's determined to do whatever it takes to make her business the best it can be in hopes she'll be able to expand. Will her dream come true? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time in this story where this story became very intriguing, as Willow can't believe Zane had the nerve to trick her the way he does.

Both the main characters kept me entertained from start to finish due to their back stories and their growing relationship that had me wanting to know why the heroine was so annoyed and unwilling to give the hero a chance when they first come face-to-face. What did Zane do in the past that has the heroine so bothered by his presence? Is it only because he's tricked her or is there something else going on? Moreover, the heroine is resilient and courageous when it comes to doing everything she can to help the hero. I also liked how kind, caring, and hard-working Willow was, which is proven by everything she has done to make her business a success and how much she is loved by the townspeople. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is the tight bond she shares with her family and that she would do anything to help one of her sisters finally move on from the loss she suffered.

While the hero, he's confident, protective of Willow when it comes to the media, and I liked how determined Zane was to win the heroine over, because it's palpable how much he loves her by his dialogue and his actions. I also liked how kind and caring the hero is and that he would do anything to win over the secondary characters that aren't all that happy with him being together with Willow, which is proven by what he does for Willow's nephew. Who knew a gorgeous A-List actor could win the hearts of children so easily? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is how he rose to the challenge Willow provided him with her sassiness.

Overall, Ms. Foster has delivered a worthwhile read in this book, which has me looking forward to more of this series and where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance explosive due to the hero's dirty talk and illustrates how good Zane and Willow are for each other; and the ending had me worried for this couple's happy ever after because of what happens that tears their relationship apart. However, I liked Zane's determination and how far he was willing to go to win the heroine back, as she means everything to him. Certainly, his actions show he's not afraid to do something embarrassing to take the spotlight off Willow when it comes to the media, while his words are beautiful when it comes to getting what he wants and what he wants is a future with the heroine. I would recommend The Real Thing by Melissa Foster, if you enjoy the brothers best friend trope, the fake relationship trope, the friends to lovers trope, or books by authors Melanie Shawn, Bella Andre, Erin Nicholas and Melody Grace.

The Real Thing
 What a wonderful story of 2 people who find their way back to each other! I love the relationship between Zane and Willow. It was a warm, loving, caring, and hot. This new series by Melissa Foster will be as amazing as all the others she writes.

Within the first 10% of the book, I was bored. I was hoping it would get better but the story never took off. There was no conflict. No drama. The protagonist was annoying. Their friendship was inconceivable. The story was unbelievable. I do like the cover though.

I so wanted to put this book on my did-not-finish shelf but felt like I owe it to the author/publisher to finish it. I would like to thank NetGalley and Montlake Romance for supplying a copy of Melissa Foster's "The Real Thing" in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic start to a new series overflowing with characters I can't wait to read more about.
I am sure they all have delicious secrets and hot crushes. Melissa is the queen of building communities.

Willow did not want to start college "inexperienced." She was also not the type to fall into bed with just anyone.
Zane has a bad boy reputation. Once he was Willow's big brother's best friend. Now he's a well known playboy actor.

Zane worked hard to overcome his childhood difficulties. He thinks he has the world fooled.
When he returns home he learns that some people understand him better than he knows himself.
When trying to clean up his image he reaches out to the only person who has ever truly held his heart.

Willow is a very rounded personality, caring, loyal, ambitious. She believes Zane has always been the only love for her. So why does she find it so hard to believe and trust him?

They can't resist each other and things get HOT. Will this plan backfire?

A hit story about overcoming obstacles and learning to accept oneself and those you love.
Besides getting to know this wonderful family, it was fun to look behind the scenes of the movie business.

Willow is adorable and still crushing on childhood friend, Zane. So when the movie star needs a fake fiancé, he turns to the sister of his best friend. Separately they are engaging and funny but together they are combustible.
While I love a good friends to lovers story, this one also has elements of second chances and best friends sibling...so it's a trifecta of favorite tropes rolled into one. No real conflict between Willow and Zane, except she's a little wish washy about if she can trust him. But that's to be expected and didn't distract from the story.
Fun secondary characters, many who will have their own stories I'm sure. Having read many of Melissa Foster's books, this one seems lighter without sacrificing the sexiness that her books are known and loved for. I'll be back to Sugar Lake for sure!

Though not our first visit to Sweetwater, this time it's not just a visit. It's home. As the first book on this new sub series it's a great way to start out. Honestly I wish Willow's bakery was real because I can almost taste the goodies though my kindle screen. Zane is just dreamy. Even with his history when he starts to open up to Willow and tell all the things he's been wanting to for years you can't help but swoon. I can't wait for the next one. I can't wait to see Ben and Talia fall. I think it will be hard.

Melissa Foster has created a hit with her latest book ‘The Real Thing’. This is the first book in the new ‘Sugar Lake ‘series. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this sweet contemporary second chance romance. I love these type of stories, so I was eager to dive into this book, and I am glad I did. It was everything I expected and more.

What the story is about.
In ‘The Real Thing’ introduces us to Willow Dalton, the owner of Sweetie Pie Bakery, and Hollywood actor Zane Walker. Zane and Willows’ relationship has been a complicated one, which went as far back as their high school years. For Willow, Zane was the one man she never got over and it did not help to know he was the one she gave her V card.

Zane has returned to Sweetwater to film his latest movie, a romantic suspense, which is very different from the gritty action movies he usually stars. To prove that he could be a romantic hero he had to clean up his playboy image, and this involved being in a steady relationship. To accomplish this task, he approached the one woman he believed he could trust with such a task. He convinced Willow to act his fiancée for the time he would be in Sweetwater filming. Will they be able to maintain the pretence, or will their fake relationship become the real thing?

Willow is one of those characters you will love but at times find her actions frustrating. I did not agree with her behaviour towards Zane over the years when she was the one who had made the rules regarding their relationship the night when she gave up her virginity. She made the rules so why be upset when he did what she wanted? In spite of I enjoyed the role she played in the story. She displayed a level of strength and bravery, but when it came to Zane, she struggled with insecurities. Doubts and insecurities clouded her judgement, and she believed every emotion displayed by Zane was an act.
I could totally see myself with a guy like Zane minus the paparazzi of course. A hunky and famous movie star who cared about others. The way he treated Willow and her family was a testament to his caring nature. Zane thought his current file would provide with his biggest role to date. However, he would come to realise that his biggest role would be convincing Willow that what he felt for her was the real thing. Along the way, he would discover his purpose.
It was good to see them work at resolving the issues from their past and coming to terms with the mistakes they made. Dealing with those issues makes it easy for them to handle their romance on a mature level.
I loved the secondary characters. They helped to make things interesting. The information provided whetted my appetite and I am eager to see what Ms. Foster has in store for them.
I enjoyed the romance, which was hot and sweet. I liked that this was not an instant connection. Their feelings for each other have been building over the years and it only grew stronger as time went by. There were a lot of swoon worthy moments. Family and friendships featured strongly in this book, which came as no surprise. If you are familiar with author’s contemporary romance, you will understand what I mean.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I enjoyed this installment. I am looking forward to the next book, which centres on one of Willow’s sisters. I would recommend this to fans of sweet romances and second chances.

The Real Thing is the first title in the Sugar Lake series, and features Willow Dalton and Zane Walker. This pair have a history, and Zane is Willow's older brother's best friend.

The story revolves around the small town of Sugar Lake, which readers may be familiar with as some of the characters and the town appeared in both Bad Boys After Dark: Mick and Wild Boys After Dark: Logan.

This is a second chance contemporary romance, but primarily it's a heartfelt story of family and friendship. What starts as a favor to an old friend ends up being so much more. Zane an A list Hollywood star asks Willow to pose as his fake fiancee as a PR stunt in order to improve his reputation. He uses their joint history to gain her compliance. The lines begin to blur between what is made up and what is real, as the pair both secretly have unrequited feelings for the other.

This pair of characters are incredibly endearing, and the sexual chemistry and attraction between this pair is intense and undeniable. Their interactions are fun and flirty, but also quite sexy, heat filled and humorous.

I adored the secondary characters in this title particularly Willow's siblings, they all captivated my attention and I will be eagerly awaiting more stories of Sugar Lake. I would recommend this title to anyone who enjoys a contemporary romance, and enjoys a good series, with lots of character cross over.

I am a fan of Melissa Foster’s books and was excited to read her latest “The Real Thing.” I was not disappointed!

Willow owns a bakery in a town in upstate New York and has a wonderful opportunity to expand her catering business when she is summoned to a resort for an interview… or so she thinks!

Zane is an actor who stars in action movies and just happens to be the best friend of Willow’s brother, Ben, and is the man who was her first love and lover. He has manipulated Willow into thinking she has a potential job as a ruse to get to see her and to convince her to pose as his fake fiancé. He is starring in a romantic role and his producer feels he needs to clean up his playboy image by getting involved in a serious relationship... thus the fake fiance ruse is born.

The cream puff hits the fan so to speak when she finds out there is no catering job on the line and that Zane is behind the ruse. You see, they have been frenemies since their one night together so convincing her family and their friends that they are engaged is going to be a tough job.

Zane is very clear about his feelings toward Willow but she struggles to trust him and her feelings. They belong together but take their sweet time in realizing that!

The story was well written with just the right blend of heat and sweet romance. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next in the series.

Great refreshing love story between two people who have known each other pretty much forever!
Willow & Zane, where do you begin with them, she's crushed hard on him since she met him, little does she know he felt the same way!
When he comes to her with a proposal, will they be able to keep to the rules, or will fate finally intervene and bring these two together.
Melissa as always wrote a lite refreshing story, I absolutely fell in love with these characters and I can wait to read more in this new series! 5 stars, grab it as soon as it's available!

I'm passionate about the writing, the characters and the stories of Melissa Foster but in The Real Thing she got over it, bringing a delightfully romantic plot with an engaging hero and passionate plate full to many sighs and muffins. She created a chocolate-coated frosting-flavored cutout and right-wing cream on top. OMG !

I love books with fake engagements especially if the couple has known each other since childhood because I already expect a lot of romance and melted hearts.
Zane and Willow have no idea what awaits them with this engagement or better thinking they have an idea and so everything happened so quietly, love took its course towards the deep waters of the commitment and in the end I only could float.

As they coexist more with each other, they rediscover themselves, getting to one side that they did not know each other very well now and that got me into the book, I could not quit until I knew how they would face her family with all this little lie.

I loved too much and I can not stop talking about Willow's family, highlight for her sister Piper and her mother with her sweetness and love portions. In addition to several references and analogies to candies throughout the book .... A sweetheart love story!
Narrated in third person from the perspective of each protagonist, it was a delight to accompany this journey towards the Happily Ever After with a prince charming a princess in love.
I loved the cover full of references of the book . I only wanted a point of conflict a little more enthralling of those that leaves people tense.


4,5/5 stars
BEIJOS, Myl

The Real Thing was like this delicious cream filled, frosted donut. With sprinkles! There's no way you can just take one little bite. Nope. You must devour the whole thing!

From the get-go, this story has it all. Sweet sass and humor laced with undoubtedly the best dates and wooing I've read in a long while. (Well, ok, maybe not a long while. probably since the last Melissa Foster book, because this woman rocks at this!)

Willow just rocks her curvy, spunky self and Zane pretty much does everything in his power and pulls out all the stops to make her his! For real this time-they're getting married even! At least that's what they're trying to have people believe. And it's going pretty good until the line between fake and real blur to a point where there isn't even a line anymore. There's only Zane and Willow. And it IS The Real Thing.

I loved this story so hard. It's fun, flirty, emotional, and so full of sweetness. You want this one, you know you do. Just as much as that jelly-filled goodie on the top shelf. 😘

This book is an absolute delight – a treat as decadent and delicious as one of Willow's Loverboy pastries. Melissa Foster creates a face-paced and believable romance with two likable and honest main characters. Second chance romance/friends to lovers/fake fianceé all rolled into one emotionally satisfying, positively sexy, seriously scorching tale. Highly recommended!