This was my first book by Melissa Foster, and I didn't really know what to expect. I liked her writing, especially how she handles the sexy times. I love reading the romance genre, but I don't always like how the author writes the sexy scenes. Melissa Foster does just the right amount of sweet & sexy.

My favorite stories are the ones where the main characters have a history, and boy do Willow and Zane have a history! I wasn't sure if I liked Zane at first, although now that I think about it, it's not that I didn't LIKE him, it was that I wasn't sure if I could TRUST him. I think Willow was feeling the same way, since she knew him before he was an actor, and now she has to figure out if the things he is saying to her/promising her are true, or if he's just acting. I liked that there was not a lot of drama in this book, but a few bumps in the road that the couple had to work through to get the HEA that we wanted them to have.

I like that The Real Thing the start of a new series, because there were several characters who definitely need their own stories told!

I have to say that The Real Thing was an adorable read. I mean we have a big Hollywood actor who needed to clean up his act, and figures asking his best friend sister to play his fake fiancee would be the perfect way to go. Seriously, what could go wrong.

So, we have Zane Walker who is hunky and a big Hollywood actor who would like to branch out to more romantic movies, but his playboy lifestyle is hampering his aspirations. Like most guys he figures the simplest way to get this would go after Willow Dalton. Willow is a small town girl through and through. She's willing to do anything for for Zane, because he's the first love of her life. However, she needs to protect herself from Zane's life, so there has to be boundaries and rules. Yeah, we all know how well that goes. As we watch the story progress they have to decided if what they are sharing is worth going after for reals.

Like most of Melissa's character is Zane is hunky guy, and has to realize what he wants in life. One of the parts of the story I liked was when he has to decides what his purpose is, what he wants to do. After all he's young and hunky the sky is the limit. Then we have Willow who is über adorable. She has a little self conscious about her appearance. She's with Zane and she feels like she doesn't match up well with him. However, Zane sees her as perfect. Aww.

Like a said The Real Thing was an adorable read. Zane has me eating out of his palm of his hands, because he's so sweet and caring towards Willow. Willow made me want to bake, after all she would talk about all those sweets. I looking forward to more of this series. If you are in need of a cute read, The Real Thing might be what you are looking for.

Copy provided by Montlake via NetGalley

An arrangement with her best friend who just happens to be a famous actor and is in need of a favor has Willow pretending to be Zane's fiance.

The Real Thing is a love story that will have your heart melting an leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. Willow and Zane are so cute together and I love the relationships that come out with the members of her family

In general I really enjoyed this book – it had all the things I’ve come to expect from Melissa Foster. The characters were detailed and interesting, their interactions popped and kept me entertained, and the story flowed so well that the book was over before I knew it.

But I did have a couple of smallish things. I really wished that we’d gotten a bit more of their history first hand. Foster makes sure that you get that there is a lot between them – they’ve known each other since they were kids, were (unbeknownst to each other) their first love, and have kept a connection to each other throughout the years. I just wish we’d gotten to experience it a little more, instead of through conversations and memories, because I think that it would have helped deepen their relationship.

The other thing is a personal preference … Zane is a bit of a manwhore. He’s a big time Hollywood actor with women throwing them at him and he doesn’t necessarily turn them down. I know that rakes make for great SOs once they find The One (at least in romance novels) but it just kinda squicks me out. We’re supposed to feel this thing between them (see above) and while I understand that they aren’t supposed to necessarily be acknowledging it to anyone, even themselves, the sleeping around just isn’t my personal favorite. Maybe I’m too old fashioned but it just didn’t sit all that right.

Buuuut, not enough for me to dislike the book because they really are cute together and once he makes a commitment Zane is definitely all in. And it is a joy to behold 🙂

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! I cannot say this enough! This book was so much more than I thought it would be! I was so much fun, steamy, and so worth the read!

Zane & Willow were two of the best characters I have read all year! Not only were they long time friends but also in love with each other and just never said anything! 

I absolutely love stories like this! I married my high school sweetheart bit I absolutely love reading these tropes. There are always those people who love each other madly and never say anything because they don't wanna get hurt. But who is to say what would really happen if you told them?

Zane was the man to stage a fake engagement in order to not only help his image but also to be close to Willow. Little did Willow know what all Zane had in store for them!

Zane was willing to do anything and everything to make sure that Willow knew how he felt, even if she had trouble with how she thought he was. Even if she knew who Zane truly was. The unknown for so many is a hard thing to tackle, but she was willing to make that choice and take a chance.

I absolutely couldn't get enough of this book was so sad when I was finished! I cannot wait to see what else Melissa comes out with next!!!

I've never read Ms. Foster before.

I don't know or can't say why as many of her titles have typically appealed to me for one reason or another - they sound/look great. Plus she has LOTS and I mean LOTS of fans.

I've blogged for her titles in the past and did buy the "clean" version of one of her title for the cover alone repackaged and sold under her other name Addison Cole (Read, Write, Love at Seaside).

After reading The Real Thing, I will move the above listed book higher up on my to be read mountain.

The Real Thing kicks off the new Sugar Lake Series and it's just about perfect. From the setting, tone, and characters - there really is a sense of "The Real Thing". Meaning, I found the book to be real- not always an easy thing for an author to accomplish, especially in a "second chance" type story line; which by the way I typically despise . But here in Ms. Foster's hands, it;s real and fresh.

I really loved Willow and Zane. Their chemistry was off the charts and authentic and the banter and humor between the two had me laughing.

There was plenty to like about this sweet with heat romance. Overall it was well developed with likable characters and I plan to read on in this series as well.

Whoa. I fell hard for Willow and Zane from the very first pages of The Real Thing. Seriously, the pictures Melissa Foster painted in my mind through her words were vivid and completely cracked me up!

I love a second-chance, best-friend’s-little-sister romance. And add in the quirkiness of a small town and I am all in. I so enjoyed watching Zane and Willow work through their issues—their perceived feeling and their real feelings.

I loved all the time I spent with Zane and Willow and Willow’s awesome family. I couldn’t read fast enough to know what happened and how they finally figured everything all out. I loved their give and take relationship. Loved their banter and their oh-so-sexy times. And I finished The Real Thing with a big ol’ smile on my face. I can’t wait for Bridgette’s story in Only for You.

It's real, my love for this book is very real. Melissa Fosters' track record is already spotless and I am already a die hard fan, but there is just something about this story that left me with all the happy feels. The Real Thing has landed on my 2017 favorites list. I simply can't recommend this feel great romance enough. This story has ALL my favorite tropes; unrequited love, friends to lovers, and second chances.

Zane Walker hit the BBF of 2017 list. My love for him wasn't immediate and I love that the story was plotted to slowly show us the truth behind what motivates Zane. When the story opens, Zane has returned home as big time movie star filming in his hometown for two short weeks. Zane's been told to clean up his image for the PR sake of the movie. His ploy is to ask his childhood friend "Wills" to play his fiance and with her agreement, the story takes flight.

Willow is absolutely delightful. I loved being in her head. She's witty, loyal , and self assured. I love that she's a strong character and any fretting she might do over Zane is not over the top. It's all within reason. In Zane Foster gives us the quintessential romantic lead and is an absolute dream. Forster created a wonderful connection between Zane and Willow and conveyed it perfectly. Their adventures and the way they have each other's backs servers to solidify the feeling that they are going to make it.

Melissa Fosters' The Real Thing is a swooney heartwarming love story that took me straight to feeling the buzz of love and kept me there throughout the read. I felt the promise of Willow and Zane and Foster delivered. 5 Stars and a #mustread #2017favorite recommendation!

I'm not usually one for cutesy romances but I do find something particularly intriguing about a forbidden romance. This is exactly what we get in The Real Thing with Willow and Zane. I was happy to be shown how cute can also be dramatic and entertaining...

Willow and Zane have history. Lots of it. Zane is Willow's older brother's lifelong best friend. Zane has always been considered part of the Dalton family and he wouldn't want to hurt her or upset his surrogate family. They've had a bit of an unusual relationship since she convinced him to take her virginity years ago.

Zane is now a big time movie star but his reputation has taken a bit of a battering recently. If he's going to keep getting huge movie roles he needs to find a way to win over directors and the press. What he needs is a wholesome image and a serious relationship. Who better to help but Willow as he did help her out all those years ago? Zane somehow convinces Willow to play the part of his fake fiancee - genius plan, right?

The banter. The Real Thing has all the banter. I loved the constant back-and-forth between the two. They have an intense sort of frenemy slash could be lovers kinda chemistry vibe going on.

I have to admit I wasn't initially on board with the speed of how things progressed; they seemed to operate at warp speed at times, but this is largely due to their shared history, and, I hate to say it but the genre of the book.

Back to the cute. I have to admit Melissa Foster did manage to win me over with this sweet story. I liked learning more about their past and seeing them struggle with the future.

4 Stars in my Sky!

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Real Thing is a small town romance, fake engagement/second chance at love/ friends to lovers again story. It is funny, it has great chemistry between the main characters, it is both sweet and very sexy (combustible) and the dialogue was really entertaining. Zane and Willow will definitely keep readers on their toes with regards to the emotions between them. It also lays out the ground work for future books with the introduction of a lot of secondary characters. I liked it but it was also a bit dragging towards the end but not enough to bring the whole book down. It's perfect for readers who love small town romances and series books!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel by Melissa Foster. It’s the first book I’ve read by the author and I do have to warn you if you're not familiar with the author that it’s a sexy read with quite a bit of heat. If you like cleaner romances, I would suggest you check out a similar author, Addison Cole. Her novels have the same romance vibe minus the bedroom scenes.

The sexy scenes add a naughty element, but the overall story is about two people falling in love and figuring out how to make it work together. I loved all of the characters written into the story and I can’t wait to read more about each one, as I believe the author will have more novels in the series focusing on the different characters. Family bonds are an important theme in the novel with the realization that family doesn’t always have to be blood-related.

The first book in a new series and it begins with Willow Dalton, a local baker in a town named Sherwood. Along with her three sisters, and a brother, not to forget her nephew Louie this makes for a good story. Zane Walker has been in her life some way or another most of her life. Her parents took him in when his own parents were not taking care of him as a youngster. He was also her brother’s Ben best friend. Now ten years after high school he is a famous actor. He has come back to Sherwood for two things. One to make a movie in his home town that is not an action picture but a romantic one. Two to ask Willow to be his fiancé to help his rep in the press. After getting over the way he goes about it she still has issues about agreeing with helping him. The problem you say? She is and has been in love with him for most of her life. What she does not know is that Zane is in love with her, and has been in love with her since high school, but because of her rules that she had after one night they had in high school he has not told her. As the story goes on, and you are brought to their story and how they are in love you think that there must be something that will derail them. There is and it was something she did when she was younger for him in pictures but she never picked them up because at 19 she was not sure that he was in love with her. Now they are causing her to run home and apologize to her family. The problem is that they support her and want her to be with Zane and not to break up. When Zane shows up how he fixes it is priceless, along with the rest of the ending of the book. Overall this is a very good story and the scenes of love between these two are hot. A very good book and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

Melissa Foster has done it again and absolutely blown me away. This story is poignant and sweet with a little spice. Mixed signals, fear of broken promises, a tangled past, and paparazzi all combine to make an unforgettable romance that will have your heart aching for Zane and Willow as they try to weave their way through the maze of life and find each other's hearts.

"I need you, Wills. This time for real."

I just have one word to say...LAWD!! *praise hands*
Oh my goodness! This book was so good!

I love everything Melissa Foster, but this one baked the cake (bakery pun totally intended;))

I fell so in love with Willow and Zane.
I'm a huge fan of friends-to-lovers and second chance romances.
This book was both those things and much more!!

"Z, I'm having trouble defining the line between real and fake."
"Then let's not define it."

Two people that have always loved each other, but they never once told the other their feelings.
Years of longing, and tension building, made this story what it was!

Zane needs a fake fiance and Willow is the only person to fill the shoes.
It didn't take long for their true feelings to come to surface, and when it does, wowza!! That was chemistry inferno!!

You get lost in their story and how much they have always cared for each other.
The little tidbits along the way that show they were simply meant to be.

"You're the sweetest thing."
"I'm your sweetest thing."

I can tell you that I got a tad emotional as the story unfolded. I was so immersed into their love story, that I felt everything.
The tension.
The emotion.
The heat.
The passion.
The friendship.
The love.
I felt every single thing!

I'm a huge fan of Melissa's and I think this book ranks as one of my top favorites of hers!
I absolutely enjoyed every moment!!

Can Zane be real?!
He made ME fall for him!! hahaha!
Willow is one lucky lady;)

Can't wait for more in this series because I have to know what happens with all her siblings!!!

"You love me."
"Always have. You're my best friend, Wills. My frosting queen."
"This is our moment, Z. Our forever moment."

This was a sweet story and the first in the new Sugar Lake series. While this centers around Zane and Willow, you are introduced to many characters whose tale will propel the series.

Zane is a successful actor who is in desperate need of a "character" makeover. It would appear that he does not like the playboy reputation and furthermore, it could hurt his career. He comes up with a plan to help soften his image but it will require the consent of a childhood friend. Enter Willow. She has had a crush on Zane since she was a little girl, and Zane is also responsible for being her first, but it was a one-time event. Her heart was broken.

Willow has since moved on and has worked hard running her own bakery. She has a potential new client that can help boost income but soon learns that the client is Zane. Zane pleads with her to help him and convinces her that the exposure can put her bakery on the map. She goes along with the plan and as they spend time together, the old feelings start coming back. What surprises her is that Zane, too, has feelings for her. Will they follow their heart or allow more time to pass them by?

This was a fun, quick read and the pace was pretty consistent throughout. If you are a fan of Ms. Fosters, this will not disappoint.

I haven't read anything with such a swoon worthy hero in a long time. Zane wasn't only swoon worthy he was also delectable and I totally understand why Willow named some of her pastries after him.

Zane is best friends with Ben, Willows brother, and since he practically grew up at their house Zane and Willow had a friendship of their own so when she wanted to loose her virginity before she left for college Zane was the man she chose. Things remained the same for Zane and Willow after their one night of passion but there were many clues that Willow never picked up on that would let her know that Zane had feelings for her.

Now, here we are about ten years later, Zane has to clean up his playboy reputation so he does the one thing that would help...get engaged to Willow. Fake Engagements is always a fun trope for me to read but throw in Friends to Lovers, and Second Chance at Love, and you have a really great read. I love the way Melissa Foster takes sweet romance stories and makes them a bit more steamy, the best of both worlds. I not only fell in love with Zane and Willow, I fell in love with Willows family as well, each one of them has a different personality that you have no idea who is going to say or do what next. I really hope we get to see more of the Dalton's as this series continues.

This was my first Melissa Foster read, so I didn't know what to expect other than thinking the synopsis sounded interesting.What I got was a sweet and sexy read with characters that from time to time frustrated me or had me laughing at their antics. As this is the beginning of the series it was also a great introductions to the secondary characters that will hopefully all get a chance to shine as well.

Willow has grown up in this small town that she has created her business in. She loves the town and it's people. Sure she hasn't had much success in the relationship department but hopes it will come some day. Working hard and baking up a storm is what keeps her going from day to day. Well that and her memories of that one time with Zane, probably the only man she has ever loved.

Growing up Zane only ever wanted one thing, to get out of Sweetwater and be more than his parents ever desired to be. The Dalton family was the only piece that kept him in contact with Sweetwater once he found his was in LA as an actor. When he finds himself in a bind and needing to clean up his playboy ways he finds himself back in Sweetwater with a proposition for Willow. He has kept in close contact with her over the past 10 years, well as close as she would let him. Certain that she will go along with this "Fake Engagement" for him.

The last thing Willow expected when she started this fake arrangement was for old feelings to come back. Was this Zane's plan all along? Was he hoping that this fake arrangement would become more? Could it be more? But they live worlds away, how would that work? Will they find their HEA in each other?

I have marked my calendar and look forward to Only For You and reading more of Ms. Foster's work.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

Zane Walker and Willow Dalton have been friends since they were kids. He is her brother’s best friend. Zane is also the man she gave her virginity to, he was 20, and she was 18. Willow went on to college and Zane went on to Hollywood and became a famous actor. They continue a strange, quirky, texting friendship. It’s 10 years later and Zane finds himself in a position where he needs to improve his playboy image. He tricks Willow into meeting him, otherwise, she never would have shown up, and convinces her to play his fake fiancé.

I had so many issues with this book.

Zane convinces Willow to be his fake fiancé but immediately leers at a buxom leggy blonde when they step off the elevator together.

He convinces her to lie to her family who practically raised him, encouraged him and whose house he spent more time at than his own growing up.

Saccharine sweet romance. They fell back together rather seamlessly. There’s no conflict or drama anywhere or with anyone, no working for it. I struggled to finish, not sure I would because there just wasn’t anything to keep my attention.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher