I received this free eARC novel from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Oakley Ford has been a teen-pop star singer since he was a wee thing. He wasn't shy of being in the public eye with his famous movie star parents, and going into the music business was like a second home. But it's been 2 years since he has released a new album or created new music, and his agent thinks that if he doesn't release something soon, he will lose his thousands of fans. Oak doesn't think that he needs to do anything except partner up with another popular singer, King. But King won't go near Oak because of his wild reputation. However, if Oak could change his image, King might be willing to work with Oak.

And that is where Vaughn comes in. She's a "normal" girl and Oak's PR team want all of the girls who follow Oak to think that he could fall for a girl just like them if they can get Vaughn to agree to date Oak for a year. Vaughn already has a boyfriend and thinks that this idea is ridiculous, but the amount of money they are willing to pay here would make a huge difference in her life. When her parents passed away, life has been hard for Vaughn, her older sister, Paisley, and her younger twin brothers. Vaughn had to graduate high school early and take a year off from college to work and help get money for bills and food.

So when this deal came through, she really couldn't say no. Doing this gig for a year would make a lot of differences, and also help the twins go to college in the future.

But while Vaughn used to have a crush on Oak when she was 15, at 17 she realizes how much of a spoiled child Oak has become and she's kinda over his superiority attitude.

Except that the more she hangs out with Oak, the more she realizes that he's not exactly the jerk that he pretends to be sometimes. And he seems to like her well enough, even though she is "plain" and "normal" and would rather wear jeans and Converses than dresses and heels.

Just as things are starting to become intense between the two, the media explodes with information from Vaughn's ex-boyfriend and Oak's ex-band member that might ruin what has been building between Vaughn and Oak.

I really liked Vaughn. She is down to earth, she is looking out for her family and is sacrificing a lot for her own happiness to make sure that her family survives through the next few years after her parents died. Vaughn doesn't take any crap thrown at her, and that goes for Oak's attitude as well. And I think that's why Oak starts to fall for her. He's used to others fawning over him, wanting him to autograph or take selfies with him. Vaughn couldn't give a care about any of that.

Plus, Oak loves being with her family and I think that is the sweetest thing in the world. He's always hanging out with her younger brothers, without Vaughn even knowing about it, and that shows that he really likes to just chill with them.

Oak was very immature and spoiled at the beginning, and he was the one that grew into a better person by the end of the novel.

I really enjoyed this novel and watching these characters go through different emotions throughout the book. It does have a different feel than The Royals series, but I think fans of music and teenage love will really enjoy this book!

I'm very glad that I got this as an eARC so I could devour it early!

There’s something about the writing duo that is Erin Watt. There is something intangible that makes their writing very compelling. I have been so frustrated lately because I’ve been having a hard time even finishing a book. I haven’t been able to connect to characters or find any interest in a story long enough to stick it out. But then I started When It’s Real and for some reason I couldn’t put it down.

There’s nothing inherently unique about this story. A “normal” girl and a rock star fall for each other. They each have issues from their childhood. Fans try to tear them down. There’s lots of drama and so on and so forth. But these authors found a way to take an overdone trope and elevate it enough that I was interested and wanted to keep going.

I connected well with the characters; Vaughn and Oakley had great chemistry and I really wanted to see them make it. I loved the tension in the beginning of the story and how that slowly evolved into a tentative friendship and eventually more.

I do have to say that I cringed some while reading it because it’s considered YA. This book seemed a bit mature to me. Maybe I’m becoming a prude the closer I get to my 30s or maybe it’s that I have a daughter. If you have a teenager wanting to read it, I suggest you read it first. There’s drinking, language, and sex, although the sexy scenes are mostly fade-to-black. I’m inclined to say it’s more New Adult, but again, maybe I’m just starting to forget what it was like to be a teenager.

Overall, I think this book was very well done. The writing was good, the story was sweet, and I totally fell in love with Vaughn and Oakley. I wasn’t expecting a lot since it’s classified as YA and I’m not usually one for that genre, but they completely won me over. They brought all of that magic from their series The Royals that makes you unable to put the book down and infused it in this one. I think their writing was even more developed in this book than in their past. You can tell they’ve grown together. Definitely recommend for when you need to lose yourself in a book. This one will take you back to your own days of young love and the feelings will swallow you whole.

3.5 stars

A sweet enemies-to-friends-to-more story about living up to expectations and obligations vs.seeking a future to achieve personal happiness. All while finding that fake love has never felt so good.

If there is one piece of advice I could give, is that if this is not your first Erin Watt book, going into it with a fresh mind. While this is YA like the Royals, there are hardly any other similarities, so don't expect the same pace and drama. If you haven't read any of their books, this book is true to the genre - a slow burn with an endearing couple who are plagued with insecurities.

Have you ever wondered how much of the Hollywood drama and coupledoms (Bennifer) are real vs. a publicity stunt? This book tackles that subject, with a relationship that begins under a very fake setting, and morphs into something else along the way.

On the surface, Oakley Ford is your typical egomaniac performer, who believes the world revolves around him. Whether it was the author(s) intention, I kept thinking of Justin Bieber's rise to fame and missteps along the way. This story picks up with Ford's career in a standstill - no new music, several scandals, and falling popularity. So his PR team cooks up a fake relationship with a "normal" girl to build a more wholesome image for him. Vaughn is that girl.

I felt bad for Vaughn's circumstances. Her parents have passed and her family is struggling to make ends meet. Given her current relationship status, she does a very selfless thing to help, putting financial security before love. But as a reader, I kept hoping that one circumstance would lead her back to that place. I will warn you that while that may happen, it takes time. As I noted to before, I would consider this a slow burn, and given Vaughn's innocence and the genre, I had no problem with that.

As an adult reader, you have to get in a special mindset when reading YA. While I have matured over the years (hopefully), the characters have not. They are insecure, no matter how much fame and money they have. They crave acceptance and praise, but not in a fake way. That made this story intriguing, as Oakley constantly struggled to win Vaughn's admiration, in an honest way, not because she was being paid. On the flip side, Vaughn is aware that this isn't Oakley first rodeo with a fake relationship. How can she believe it is real?

This book is about the path the two take from fake to real, and how that path takes them both to a happier place, personally and professionally. There isn't as much drama as I would have expected, until the last 10%, and the angst was minimal, imo.

If you are looking for a light Hollywood love story, check this one out.

I loved The Royals by Erin Watt, so when I saw that they were writing a new story, with new characters, I was intrigued. Would it be just as good? Or was the series a one hit wonder? Well, after finishing this story I have to say, definitely not the latter.

First things first - Oakley Ford. At first I found him quite childish, acting like a brat, and it took a while for me to warm to him. He has spent the last few years living it up, partying hard and answering to no one. I had a hard time picturing him as anyone else but Justin Bieber, which was really hard for me, because I can't stand that guy. In order to fall for Oakley, I needed some other visual inspirations, so I put myself in Vaughn's shoes and thought back to when I was 17. If I had had the chance to meet the heartthrob I had idolised at 15, who would that be? And then boom! Oakley was transformed into Joey McIntyre from New Kids On The Block, and it was all systems go!

So, onto Vaughn. At 17, she has had enough heartache to last a lifetime, and is pretty mature for her age because of that. She wants to see the best in people, but finds that pretty hard when she first meets Oakley. Any nerves she had over her former teen idol are soon calmed when he turns out to be a complete knob head, and she starts to wonder what she has signed on for.

Oakley has never had a 'normal' life. Right from the very beginning he grew up in the spotlight, being the only child of a famous Hollywood duo, then hit stardom at a young age as a singer. He has only ever known hangers on and people interested in his fame, and what he can do for them. So when Vaughn comes along, she's a breath of fresh air.. She isn't impressed by his status, she isn't interested in the fame, and she isn't even part of the deal to benefit herself, shes doing it for her family. I liked how they challenged each other, and I loved how things slowly develop between the two of them, going from barely tolerating each other to friends, then to something more.

I really enjoyed this story, it was a light, easy read and I managed it in one sitting. If you're looking for a book that's sweet, with just a tiny bit of angst, and no cliffhanger then this is the one for you.

There are two types of guilty pleasures.
The first ones refer to characters so royally twisted and messed up that the sensible part of yours keeps bothering you with nagging thoughts like "how could you love them?", while the other part enjoys this delightful addiction. And then there is the second kind, the one that in order to experience it properly, you go through an inviolable sacred ritual: you wear your fluffy (insert cute animal) pajamas and eat a bucket of ice-cream or something equally fattening and delicious (like cupcakes or cheesecake) while witnessing a wonderfully sweet and adorable love story that makes you wonder why this has never happened to you, shed a tear or two because life is so unfair and eventually you come to terms with reality and pick the cats that will probably be your only company for the rest of your life. And then eat more ice-cream.
And Erin Watt excels in both!

Boy (who happens to be an ultra-famous, rich and spoiled pop star) meets girl (who happens to be your typical, composed and definitely normal girl-next-door).
Boy thinks girl should drool over his hotness.
Girl thinks boy is a complete jerk.
They pretend they're a couple for the sake of press.
They are bent on keeping their relationship strictly business.
They fail miserably.

I know what you're going to say: you've read / watched this story before. I'm not gonna lie, I thought so too. And it took me some chapters to become truly invested inWhen It's Real. But one thing I know for sure when it comes to Erin Watt, is that this duo is a miracle-maker. No matter how absurb or far-fetched or unoriginal their stories might seem, they always manage to suck you in their world, to crawl beneath your skin and snatch a place in your heart. If you didn't like the Royals rejoice, because When It's Real couldn't be more different. And if you liked the Royals rejoice, because When It's Real is a bet Erin Watt won, with its quick pace and cuteness and the cloud of fluffiness that took you on a journey to LA!

Oakley and Vaughn's story was adorable. When It's Real contains the perfect blend of tenderness and affection to make your insides melt into goo, tension to set you on fire and witty banters, with a little angst and scandals to spice things up! Every single character is well-portrayed, and I loved the family moments and side-stories that interweave with the romantic element only to make it stronger. And since it's the show business we're talking about, the media involvement will keep you at the edge of your seat, and maybe awaken some violent tendencies. But despite the anger and the occasional pain, Erin Watt will tug at your heartstrings and fill you with joy and hope.
“Stop being afraid of life. Go out and let love take you on a journey.”

While there were many aspects of this novel I found endearing, the main reason my heart swelled with so many feelings was the powerful connection between Oakley and Vaughn. Oakley was not an easy character to love, he could be really self-centered and spoiled, blind by his egotism and his success, but you could see that deep down he was insecure and lonely, even though every single dream of his came true. And that's precisely what drew Vaughn. She was a lovable and prudent character, always trying to hide her feelings and do the best for her family, while she was searching for a purpose and a place to belong. She saw Oakley's good traits when all everyone else saw was his smoking body, his music and his fame. Oakley on the other hand saw her vulnerability beneath her tough and snarky exterior. He knew that she was good at pretending but not good at living, and he took it upon him to show her the world. What it feels like to be loved. To belong. But the question is, can something that started off as a publicity stunt but turned into something deep, meaningful and burning, survive in the celebrity world, where the vultures are lurking, waiting to tear them apart?
“This is as real and as awful and as wonderful as it gets. I'd hold her forever if she'd let me.”

Sparks fly in When It's Real, an easy, quick, fun and emotion-filled story that will make your toes curl!

19-year-old Oakley Ford has a problem. He hasn't brought out a new album in two years and he's losing followers on social media by the thousands. He's dying to change his sound and work with his dream producer but all the producer sees is another pop star who isn't serious about music or life.

Insert Vaughn Bennett - a regular girl who's just trying to work hard to help support her family after her parents died two years earlier in a car wreck. Oakley's PR team have thought of the perfect solution - a made-for-publicity relationship with a "normal" girl so people will start thinking he's getting serious about life and music again. Vaughn is hesitant. She has a boyfriend, W, who she adores even if he is pressuring her to have sex with him. And okay, she can't stand the stupid Youtube videos W and his friends make. But they want her to pretend date Oakley Ford - the guy who cheated on his last "girlfriend?" Are these people crazy? But when Vaughn hears what Oakley's management team are willing to pay her she has no choice. Her family needs the money.

Everything has been carefully planned - from Vaughn's fake breakup with W to her meet-cute with Oakley on Twitter to the beginnings of an unbelievable-if-it-weren't-true romance - except for one thing: Vaughn and Oakley can't stand each other. Oakley can't believe he's stuck with the one girl in the world not falling at his feet and Vaughn thinks Oakley is an arrogant self-entitled jerk. This will never work. Or will it work too well?

When what starts out as a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt begins to turn into the real thing, will Vaughn and Oakley's relationship survive the Hollywood fishbowl of paparazzi, online haters, and fame whores looking to sully Vaughn's name to make one for themselves? Or will Oakley's fame tear them apart?

At first, I was afraid I wouldn't like When It's Real as much as I've loved Erin Watt's Royals series. I was afraid Oakley was being made out to be like a Justin Bieber-type, but as I allowed myself to dive deeper into Oakley and Vaughn's story I realized I couldn't be more wrong. I loved When It's Real, every single minute of it!

While Vaughn did slightly remind me of Ella from the Royals Series, I found her struggle to balance friends, work, relationships, and helping her sister Paisley care for their younger brothers to be genuine and relatable.

Oakley, meanwhile, transformed from a self-absorbed jerk into a decent guy as he began falling for Vaughn and I loved his friendship with Ty and the way he, with Vaughn's help, began to mend his rocky relationship with his mother. Erin Watt portrayed what we sometimes forget about celebrities: that they're just people too. People that make mistakes and deserve some sense of privacy. What they do for a living doesn't mean we have the right to invade every aspect of their life and the normal things we take for granted are things they rarely get to truly enjoy.

I easily fell for Vaughn and Oakley, enjoying the chemistry they tried to deny, hurting for Vaughn as she dealt with W - who was a total creep - and when the trolls on social media said horrible things about her and celebrating with both of them as they fell in love and learned from each other about what really mattered.

Overall, if you love hate-to-love romances with a dash of humor and characters that will ruin you (in a good way), When It's Real is a contemporary young adult novel that you'll definitely want to toss in your beach bags and take with you this summer because you won't want to put it down!

3.5 stars

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

When It's Real is a very enjoyable read. The characters are relatable enough and the story has "hooking you up" potential.

I do believe it left some things unsaid, almost like lose ends, but it was nice to see the charcaters growth. Some parts fell flat for me, but overal, it was a book ai enjoyed reading and I'd definitely recommend it for fans of NA romances (it's not quite NA in my opinion, but it's somewhere between a YA and a NA book).

I liked the heroine, but she annoyed and frustrated me sometimes. I had a hard time connwctimg with the hero. I liked him from start, but it took me some pages to actually connect with him.

I think some things in the story could have been given a bit more focus on or maybe at least a line or two more. I still recommend it!

I'm not a fan of famous people in books. I don't know. It's just so hard for me to connect with them for some reason, and the drama always seems to stem from their celebrity status. Nevertheless, having enjoyed Erin Watt's The Royals series, I was eager to get to When It's Real. I loved this book and wound up absolutely devouring the story. It's certainly different in tone from The Royals, and instead of a book with dark, mature theme, Erin Watt gifts readers with a sweet romance that will have your hearts fluttering in joy.

When It's Real is told from the voices of Vaughn and Oakley and I found both of them to be very likable. Vaughn, especially, was a sweetheart. There was an endearing quality to her character that made reading through her POV pleasant. Her big heart, her loyalty to her family and her genuineness truly made the story exceptional for me. She wasn't just sweet though, there were many added layers to her personality. I especially enjoyed when her more fiery side emerged, especially around Oakley. The girl knew how to stand her ground, and defend herself, and I loved that about her. Oakley, on the other hand, was a little harder for me at first. I was unsure of what his motivations were, but as the story progressed, and we got to see the boy within the superstar exterior, I found myself loving his character. He might have been rich and famous and had all the girls throwing themselves at him, but he didn't have the one thing every kid deserves to have, affectionate parents. He struggles with his relationship with his parents in the book, and it's heartbreaking to read about his desires. Thankfully, he finds a surrogate family in Vaughn's family.

The relationship between Oakley and Vaughn was a fake-dating that turns into more romance, a trope that I think needs to be more popular in YA. It was very thoughtfully done, and even though Vaughn has a boyfriend, she and Oakley don't cheat or fall for each other while she's still in the relationship. Their relationship was initially full of snippy comments, and antagonism, but they slowly find companionship with one another, and it was the best. The kisses were swoony, and the softer more emotional moments between Oakley and Vaughn were adorable. I totally shipped it! I thought the addition of Vaughn's siblings was also really well done here. It's only her sister, Paisley and her twin brothers - they lost their parents in an accident. They love, camaraderie, and pure joy that existed between these siblings made me so happy. We also get a pretty awesome secondary character in Oakley's bodyguard, Ty, who surprisingly develops his own sweet romance in the book with Paisley. If Erin Watt wants to write their book, I wouldn't complain one bit!

Once again, Erin Watt has written a book that's addicting, swoony and entertaining from start to finish. I have no doubt YA contemporary fans will fall for these characters. I'm excited to see what else they have up their sleeves!

4,5 stars
An ARC has been kindly provided by the author, via NetGalley.com, in exchange for an honest review.

I‘ve heard this one got mixed reviews but honestly I don’t care!
It’s been some time now since I’ve read a book in one sitting but that’s what happened here.
Maybe this story is imperfect and I know the trope has been used and abused (hot singer falling for the girl next door after a fake relationship has been staged by his PR team) but it just worked for me.

I don’t know what kept me reading and reading like that.
Maybe I just needed a sweets tory without too much angst?
Maybe I needed some spunky girl taking the hot singer down a peg?
Maybe I needed a handsome singer with green eyes, blond hair, lots of muscles and a raspy voice to die for (I loooove deep raspy voices they’re the best to sing ballads, rock, blues, country… anything!)? Maybe I needed to live some times in the crazy life of celebrities hounded by paparazzi and spied on social media (there’s a lot of tweeting happening in that story)?
Maybe…

Whatever the reasons everything worked really good for me. So good I nearly forgot to feed the family. The hungry cries of my kids stomachs reminded me that there still was a world outside of When It’s Real!

Now let’s go back to the story and try to have something coherent in this review.

After having read the blurb you already know that Oak short for Oakley is a young successful singer that needs to rebuild his image in the public eye. He needs it so much as he wants to work with King, THE magic producer. Only problem: King can’t take Oakley seriously.
That’s where Vaughn plays her part. Vaughn has lost her parents two years ago and lives with her older sister Paisley and their younger twin brothers. They’re fighting to have a decent life and offer a future to the twins. When Oakley’s managers asks Vaughn to play Oak’s fake girlfriend for one year and earn a lot of money, Vaughn can’t refuse.
She may seem a gold digger said like that but you could not be more wrong.

I loved Vaughn as she is the girl next door, down to earth, supportive and ready to help her family. She also has quick remarks and I loved the banter between her and Oak. Oak is piqued in his ego when Vaughn does not fall at his feet.

In the beginning Oak was a big jackass and Vaughn took great pleasure in taunting him. No he was not the Seventh Wonder even if he was very easy to look at and had a fantastic voice!

So the book revolves around their relationship and broach the downside of celebrity where you’re never wanted for you alone but for your fame and money.

Vaughn’s character was easy to relate to thanks to her “normal “life. She is not a super-hot model. She is smart and loyal but does not already know what she wants to do with her life. Her insecurities, the reasons why she stayed with her boyfriend were the little flaws that made her so easy to identify with.

Vaughn was just the right fit to help Oak grow up and become less infatuated. I loved witnessing Oak’s evolution. From hot but conceited jackass he opened up and showed his weaknesses for everyone to see. He made amends when he treated someone badly. He ditched his entourage to really make his own decisions. He matured.

So if you want a story featuring a sweet romance between a hot singer with the girl next door sprinkled with some social media circus and twitter gossips give this book a chance.
I hope it will be a “one sitting read” for you as it’s been for me.

When It's Real was over the top goodness that kept me highly entertained throughout. It was also annoying at times when I didn't agree with the characters choices and things they said but for the most part I loved these characters and the growth they experienced on their journey.

I'd definitely recommend it because it kept my attention even during those moments when I wasn't loving what was happening yet I couldn't help but continue to read. Kudos to the authors for such an enjoyable read.

READ THIS BOOK, PEOPLE!

Seriously, read it.

The duo that makes up Erin Watt is back with another unbelievably addicting book. In When It's Real, Vaughn Bennett becomes pop star Oakley Ford's fake girlfriend. Vaughn isn't exactly thrilled with the situation. Oakley's cocky attitude and bad boy ways aren't exactly her idea of fun, but the money she's making is worth it.

Oakley Ford's used to getting what he wants when he wants. People jump to his needs and wishes, and yet there's something his fame and fortune aren't getting him. Oakley needs to make a new record, but his inspiration has run dry. To make matters worse, his partying ways have his management hiring him a "normal" girlfriend.

Neither Vaughn or Oakley is thrilled with their fake relationship, but both know it will give them what they need. What neither of them counted on was the connection their fake relationship would build between them. They're trying to fool the fans and the paparazzi, but they may also be fooling themselves.

When It's Real is one of my most favorite fake relationship stories ever. This book was everything I expected it to be and, because it was written by Erin Watt, more. The writing was fantastic. It was super fast-paced, while also moving appropriately in time. The characters stole my heart. Their dual point of views were filled with just the right amount of emotion and personality. When It's Real had so many great little surprises in store for the reader. I'm not going to go into too much depth in this review because of that. It's definitely a book one has to experience for him/herself. All you need to know is that I absolutely positively adored this slow-burn romance.

When It's Real sucked me in from the beginning, and didn't let go of me even when the book ended. I keep trying to come up with ways the author could continue the When It's Real world. It needs to be a series. There definitely needs to be a book for Paisley. Maybe an April Showers book? Or one for the twins when they get older? Please, Erin Watt! Give us more!!!

4 stars!

I admit that I requested an ARC just because Erin Watt is kickass and I loved Paper Princess so I hadn't read the blurb in months.

I. Loved. It.

This book easily gets 4 stars for the binge read factor, I seriously read this within a couple of hours and I could totally read 2 more books, seriously didn't want it to end!

Oakley Ford is a teen pop sensation in need of an image revamp. So his team searches for the perfect girl next door type of girl who is not famous so as to give his fans the illusion that they stand a chance with him. Enter Vaughn. She's amazing, down to earth and hell bent to take care of her family after her parents died and left her, her older sister and her twin brothers orphans. Her older sister is the main provider so when Oakley's agent presents her a huge one year deal she can't say no.

I loved how Oakley and Vaughn were different from when they had to stage pics and appearances and when they were alone, I just loved them!

The only thing that I didn't like was the cliché of the douche ex boyfriend and the bad PR people doing stuff behind their client's back, I mean, come on. But other than that, all the yeses!

Erin Watt has done it again, they have written yet another book that I have absolutely loved.
This book is so completely different but just as good as the Royal Series. Don't go into this expecting something similar to The Royals because it isn't like those books at all.

This book is a Rock Star romance where the two main characters would rather chew of their own arms then have to deal with one another. Vaughan and Oakley are two people that would never interact with each other. He's a young rockstar she is just your average young woman trying to do what's best for her family.

This book is a slow burn romance. I was immediately loving this book right from the get go.
At first glance Oakley is a spoiled, entitled rick young rock star that comes from famous parents and has an easy ride at life. Almost seeming like everything has been handed to him on a silver platter. Vaughan is the normal young woman whose family has been through heartache and are struggling and she takes an opportunity she can't ignore in order to help them.

These two definitely start off on the wrong foot and the banter back and forth between them at times is almost like you are watching an intense battle of wits and their obvious disdain of each other. As the story moves along however things start to change between these two and they start to chip away at the shields they've both put up.

This was such an awesome read seeing these two navigate in each others worlds. With so many sweet moments mixed with some bumps, bruising and others that seem to want to interfere. This fake relationship will leave you laughing, smiling and wanting to see it turn into something more.

When it’s Real by Erin Watt

This books starts with Oak’s perspective. He is a very famous pop-sensation, who hasn’t been publishing any new songs since two years. His life is just something - he doesn’t even „party“ around anymore, because he has enough (he’s been there and done it all) - until his manager tells him, that one of the biggest producers, might want to work with him, but only if he grades up his lack of being a grown man (did that make any sense?!) - he is consenting for anything. (even fake dating a ordinary/normal girl)

Next we get to know - Vaughn (YES, that’s her freaking awesome name)
We soon get to learn that she, her elder sister and their two little twin brothers, are living together. They are barely getting through, caused because their death parents didn’t deposit money for them.
Well yes, Vaughn: She is awesome! A quirky, sassy, beautiful, selfless and kind hearted person.

If you still didn’t guessed what happens.. This happens:
Vaughn’s sister works for a guy, and his brother is Oakley’s manager. Oak’s manager sees a picture on Vaughn’s sisters workplace and thinks that Vaughn is the perfect fake-match for Oakley.
Even though Vaughn has a boyfriend, she agrees on being Oak’s girlfriend, because her sallery each month is $ 20’000.-
So this is how all this starts.


The Idea of this story is not something new for this world. We all know this kind of story and we all love it!
The story is well though trough. You really do have the feeling that the authors have had been through in something like this in real life. *cough*

I cringed a lot! A little too much even!
But I love to cringe - It makes the book more fun.

And the chemistry between them both - Red hot !! RED HOT!!! 
I was overwhelmed by sass. :)

There are no steamy scenes. I didn’t even get that she had a orgasm until I reread the line twice.. So it’s totally R-rated :D

Its entertaining to read, how they develop from strangers to enemy and then finally to lovers. How they cope and love together. It fascinated me. And those random tweets in between every chapter were just one of the best idea’s ever (it kept the sorry funnier!

But there is something that rubbed me on the wrong way:
There were some scenes - they were just so dumb.
I wanted to walk through a wall.
Obviously the good scenes compensated the bad one’s. But I am still not found of some scenes.
They were childish and I was annoyed by how infantile the characters reacted - I mean there are some limits, okaaay?!?
But as I already mentioned it, the good scenes will let you forget the bad one’s immediately.

This story is too sweet and so compact. Didn’t wanted to put my kindle down. I literally devoured it like these chicken tikka sandwiches from Subway! (I love ‚em)

I just ended this book a few minutes ago and ugh, I don’t know what to to with my life.
Every time after I read a really good book. I have breathing problems for like 15 seconds. After this book I had them for like 2 minutes.


When it’s real - I must say, is not better than the Paper princess Series.. sadly! But it’s still one of my highlights from this year. I really enjoyed reading it. Time just flew by. Can’t wait for the queens to write the next book.

It's almost 6 am, just finished and well as you can guess I got no more energy ti write the review now, just heads up for a 5 star book! --- review will be written in a few hours...


<img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_OuWZW0BoO8/maxresdefault.jpg"/>

Andres Ceballos is who I pictured as Oak.

Ok let me start with saying I love rock stars books, they are my weakness, I totally root for all of them, so when Erin Watt announced that When It's Real was next, I couldn't wait for it. I received the ARC on my Kindle and started reading immediately, couldn't stop until I finish it.

Oak and Vaugh, what a great couple. I love the way they plotted the story line, not the regular girl fan that falls for the rock star. This time it was a twist and to top that I laughed at some parts. Vaughn was just a great character, but Oak stole my heart. I totally need more of this couple. I would also like to see in another spin off one other couple, I won't say which so I don't spoil the story.

So please Erin Watt, don't leave this characters just yet, give us more, there is so much potential and I need at least one or two more books for the main couple.

(Reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Facebook, Blog and the rest of the Social Media will follow as soon as it goes live)

When It's Real by Erin Watt is a fun read that captures the lives of two very different characters.

Vaughn Bennett and her family have experienced great loss and are doing the best they can to keep their family together and moving forward with grace and love.

Oakley Ford is used to being the center of attention and having whatever he wants come his way.

However, Oakley is facing a major turning point in his career, and one person can help to make or break him.

Erin Watt created a storyline that had many different layers happening at once. You will find yourself rooting for both of the main characters, and hoping that the powers that be let them find their way.

4 Stars

Okay, I’m just going to say it… I read this duo’s other series of books and when I downloaded this one, I was super terrified that I was going to get more of the same.

I’m happy to report I did not.

I loved this book.

Oakley Ford lives his life behind a wall of celebrity. He’s the son of famous movie stars and ventured out and made a name for himself. But that celebrity came with a price. Sure it may seem like he has it all, but he is estranged from both his mother and father, and the only people he would count as friends are the body guards that he spends his days with. Even the members of his band are all trying to get something out of him. But his biggest worry is becoming irrelevant because he hasn’t been able to come up with new music that he loves.

Oakley’s PR team decide it’s time for an overhaul.

Vaughn Bennett hasn’t exactly had it easy over the last few years. The deaths of her parents forced her to grow up faster than her friends and so at 17 she’s graduated from high school but completely unsure what her future holds because she’s not passionate about anything. Then an opportunity presents itself in the form of becoming Oakley Ford’s fake girlfriend. Not only would the money be helpful to her struggling family, but it will definitely shake up her regular, normal life she’s been living.

I, for obvious reasons, love the idea of regular girl meets famous boy and they fall madly in love. I absolutely love that Vaughn kind of totally hates Oakley from the get-go. He’s a jerk and she’s already got a boyfriend… she is absolutely only in this for the money. Until she isn’t.

Let me just say that I hated her douche bag of a boyfriend and I kind of hate that he was a part of this story. He was so super cliché it is probably the one thing that I totally hated here. I wish that there was more to him and her relationship (especially after 2 years) that was explored and that we weren’t just presented with surface stuff that caused this rift and then watched him become the biggest asshole on the planet. ALSO I really hated that she was so meek with him and yet the complete opposite with Oakley.

So what I loved was the relationship that evolved between Cassie and Oakley. These two started out barely tolerating each other and eventually found the commonalities in their lives. Plus they were pretty cute together and the feelings between them were believable and I loved how they pushed and supported each other.

This was a super quick read for me, and extra bonus, no cliffhanger. This is a standalone, but I can’t say I’d be disappointed if these authors decided to write Paisley’s story.

Even if you weren’t a fan of the first books by this writing duo, make sure you check this title out. I’m so happy I gave them another chance and if you’re a fan of contemporary YA this one will most likely hit all the right notes for you too!

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.