I love a good fake relationship romance, and The Real Thing does it perfectly! Willow and Zane have known each other for a while, but have been out of touch. When Zane reaches out to ask Willow for a favor, she can't help but agree. Their fake relationship's lines begin to blur, and from there they have to decipher what is real and what isn't.

Willow and Zane were a fabulous couple. From the first time we see them together, chemistry oozes from them. I fell in love with them quickly and loved watching it all unfold. The Real Thing was fun and exciting read. I loved the backstory, and felt the book was evenly paced. I'm very excited for the next book in the series!

*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*

Amazing start to a new series! I really loved Zane and Willow's characters. They were so well developed and the sparks between them you could feel as read about them. Watching these two characters come full circle from their teenagers years and lusting after one another unknowingly, was just the greatest thing! Zane may have tricked her not being his fake fiancée for a short period, but they soon found their way to opening up to their real feelings and a real engagement. I cannot wait to see the stories develop for the rest of this series!

Willow Dalton thinks she is on her way to be launching the next phase her bakery career only to find out Zane Walker was at the client. Willow is furious with Zane but he pulls his favor card after he did her a huge favor years ago. As an A list Actor Zane has a reputation on and off the stage as a playboy. He needs a pretend fiancée to win over the people who doubt he can be the star in an upcoming film due to his prowess with the ladies. He wants Willow to be his fiancee for the next couple of weeks, he trusts her more than anyone. Throw in family dynamics who are questioning everything. Can Willow and Zane prove they are the real thing especially when feelings get involved?

This was fun, Willow is feisty and Zane is a bit obtuse where real relationships are concerned. I thought this story was well paced and entertaining.

Zane and Willow made for one sweet and delectable story by Melissa Foster!

Zane has been a friend of Willow's family since he was younger and has had a crush on her ever since he can remember. However, due to his not so fantastic upbringing, he was always determined to get out of town and move onto bigger and better things for himself. Even after the absolute best night of his life with Willow, he leaves to pursue his dream of becoming famous.

Now years later Zane is in his home town to film a new movie and clean up his image, while trying to win Willow for good.

Can these two overcome the pressures of Hollywood for love?

Watching these two get their HEA was as addictive as the sweet treats Willow bakes up every day. LOVED this book!

Melissa Foster has been on my reading wishlist for some time now. I'm a little sad that it's taken me so long to read her. The Real Thing definitely found a place in my heart. I'm looking forward to reading more from Melissa in the future.

This book was a whole lot of nothing. I kept expecting something to happen, but all that happened was nonsense.

In the beginning, this book got me triggered. Zane was constantly touching Willow, even when she told him not to. We only knew she liked it because we have access to both of their point of view, but he kept grabbing her and touching her that it had me triggered.

But when we get past that, we have this scenario where Zane needs a fake fiance, which is okay, but since it was only for two weeks, why did they have to lie to her parents? I would have understood if it was for a few months, but two weeks? This was doing too much.

The main thing about this book was it could have been a novella and it would have been a cute story, but the author stretched it out so she had to come up with new conflicts to just throw at the story to make it stretch and I read this book in disbelief.

The main reason why Willow didn't trust Zane was resolved the first 40% of the book, yet this book still dragged on. And just when you think that the book is finally going to end, the author throws another random conflict into the plot and got pretty old quick.

This book should have been a novella and not a full-blown novel.

I am so late on giving this review, but better late than never. Foster's Sugar Lake series has such a different vibe from her other series. There's just something about it that I make sure I never miss a release. It's a little more comfier and cozy, but still the same heat and excellence you come to expect from Melissa. I've read this book multiple times and it remains on my go to list!

I Love Love Love this book. Willow and Zane have known each other since they were kids and now that they are adults, they have such great chemistry. I love how they banter with each other and how they truly know the other person. Zane is a superstar, who seems so approachable and real in this story, and Willow is the sweet girl next door. This is a great start to a new series. Read this book! You will not be disappointed.

Her secret first and she’s is best friend sister. It’s a fake relationship that ends up turning real. Overall good story with a touch of sweet and spice.

I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.

3.5

"The Real Thing" is the first book in the Sugar Lake series and it is also the first book I have read by Melissa Foster.

The book was enjoyable with likeable characters and a nice setting but still it stays very average as most things went a little bit too smoothly. Normally I am not a big fan of too much unnecessary drama but here I would have liked a little bit more action.

I was looking forward to the small town atmosphere of Sugar Lake which was definitely nice but I missed the cosy and comfortable feeling which makes you feel at home with the town. I was also expecting a little bit more atmosphere with Willow's bakery.

The romance was cute and I liked both Willow and Zane but I wasn't completely feeling with them and the characters stayed a little bit shallow at times.

Overall it was an entertaining read with a cute romance and a nice setting.

I have read lots of fake fiancee books, but this one is not the same. It is so much more. Zane is an A list actor, that is looking for a fake fiancee to clean up his image. That sounds familiar, but that is where the familiarity stops. He asks his friend; Willow, to do it. Per her request, he had been her first when she was near 18. Since then they have had an interesting relationship through texts. I do not want to tell you too much, but I will tell you that Melissa Foster has written another 5+ star book, that you will love. It is hot and steamy, but all in context of a wonderful story. Also, she increased my vocabulary. I now know what a fluffer is, and I will tell you that it has nothing to do with your pillows. Also, I loved the game that they played. It was very entertaining. I highly recommend this first book in this series. I know I can't wait for the next one.

Friendship taken to the next level is not something new to romance stories but Zane and Willow are new to romance stories. They have been friends forever, they have an amazing history, and a hope for a future together. It all starts with a fake engagement just so Zane can change his playboy image. Willow goes along knowing that she has never gotten over him.

While Zane isn’t a bad boy there are times that he has that vibe to him and he is trying so hard to be good for Willow. The funny thing… I think Willow really likes that bad boy part of Zane she just is making him jump through some hoops to make him prove he is worthy of her heart. Of course, Zane was willing to prove himself without any grudges to Willow just to win her trust again.

As with all of Melissa Foster’s books, the characters Zane and Willow along with their families and friends are wonderful. They are real, true to themselves, loyal to those they love, and have the hugest hearts ever. The relationships they have are not perfect but they are perfect for them. They put themselves out there to show their worth and prove they are worthy of each other.


I definitely recommend picking up your own copy ASAP. It is a must read from Melissa Foster.

The Sugar Lake Series is a new series by Melissa Foster, and her typical fashion she did not disappoint. Zane and Willow have been friends forever, brother's best friend what isn't to crush on about that? Zane needs a fake fiance and turns to Willow to fulfill that. Willow is a striving baker who gets Zane's cupcakes in all sorts of dough :) Will their fake engagement lead to something else or will they be friends forever. History doesn't lie, neither do second chances.

HOLY MOLY! Melissa Foster has done it again. Zane Walker appeared in another on of Foster's books as a total player, but looks can be deceiving.

Zane Walker knows what he wants - Willow Dalton. How he goes about making sure that she is his happily ever after...priceless! Starting with a fake engagement that Zane neatly crafted, Zane slowly works past all of Willow's walls to show her why he became a player. For years, he has carried a torch for her that she didn't even know about.

I think my favorite part of the book was when Willow discovers just how much Zane cared about her through a coworker of Zane's. Willow discovers that when she had appendicitis, Zane left the set claiming a family emergency. Although he told Willow that he was in the area, this little piece of information jolts Willow into the realization that she really is the one Zane wants to be with, and has been the whole time.

Of course happily ever after doesn't come without its share of ups and downs - watching Zane and Willow's journey unfold was a pleasure from beginning to end. I can't wait for the next book in this spinoff series!

What a fun read! Read this while on vacation, and it was the perfect beach read. Highly recommended and looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Loved this story beyond words! A great romance that started this series off right! I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what would happen next!

Cute read. I like that the hero is an A-list celebrity and has a friendship (that throws digs at each other) with the heroine. Yes, it is his best friend's sister... but there is also a fake engagement along with this story. Definitely my catnip.

Another awesome read by Melissa Foster! The story of Zane and Willow was truly enjoyable. Their chemistry was off the charts and noticeable from the very beginning. Didn't want it to end. Can't wait to read about all the other siblings!

loved this book! This book had me hooked from the very beginning! I just devoured this book! What is better than a best friends little sister romance storyline?!?! Willow and Zane grew up together and when he comes back to town he asks Willow to be his fake fiancé. Who knows how that will go...Willow is witty and oh man did Zane make me swoon!! I enjoyed the secondary characters in the book! Can't wait to read the stories in the series!