I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
Melissa Foster is one of my favourite authors of this genre so I was thrilled to receive a copy of this book, especially as it is the start of a new series. An endearing romance with some great characters. The chemistry between Zane and Willow is off the scale and there are some steamy scenes. I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next book in this series.

This is the first book in the new series by Melissa Foster.
First let me start off by saying Wow! The writing was fantastic and she sucks you into the story from the first. You're totally sitting there rooting for Willow, you want her to succeed. She is adorable and funny and doesn't take any crap. And the chemistry between her and Zane, get your fans out! Add on their history together, sigh... Hurry up and buy this book already and then wait patiently for the remaining books of Willow's siblings.

Melissa Foster's books are addictive to read. I have all her books.This book was another hit. The storyline between Willow and Zane was well written and is a must read. Zane is Williow's brothers best friend. Zane helped Willow lose her viginity before she went to college. She left to college thinking that they had a future but it broke her heart. Zane is back and needs help to clean up his image. He tells her she owes him for help her a decade ago. That spikes her anger and she says "no way". He wants her to be his fake fiancé and they have to act like a couple even to their families. I give this book 5 stars. I whole heartedly recommend this book. It is the first book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed this NetGallery Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

I enjoyed this book so much. This is a fun sexy book, but it's got its ups and downs too. It's refreshing that the alpha male lead doesn't have to be a controlling jerk through most of the book before he redeems himself. Zane has the perfect amount of cockiness and Willow sure isn't a wilting wallflower. She's got spunk and sass. She gives as good as she gets.
I think it's great how Zane and Willow have stayed connected all these years and yet never realized the relationship they had going. I laughed and had my heart hurt with them as they navigated past hurts and current/future situations. They were always meant to be, they just had to get out of their own way to realize it. And how could they not when Zane is determined to communicate about everything.
"I want to strip away the bullshit and get to the bottom of who we are. The good, the bad, and the frustrating."
It was so fun to spend time with Willow's family and learn more about all of them.

Melissa Foster strikes gold again with her story The Real Thing. I do not do retell the story in my reviews as I do not want to spoil a great thing. I absolutely loved the main characters Zane and Willow. This book is sizzling sex, humor, love, real emotions both good and bad, and fun.The story moves right along and not once did I feel like it was dragging or lost my interest. I couldn't put the book down once I started and I am eagerly looking forward to reading more stories in this series. Melissa Foster never disappoints with her stories and if it's possible they just keep getting better!

melissa foster kicks off her sugar lake series with the real thing. zane and willow were each other's firsts, but back then neither of them was really prepared to handle all those emotions. so a series of misunderstandings had them at odds in a way, but connected nonetheless.

zane for his part has been trying to reconnect with willow since then, but she never takes him seriously. so he tricks her into meeting him at a local resort, convincing her that she is up for a job interview. instead he wants her to pretend to be his fake fiancée. willow is not okay with this at first, but when zane reminds her how he agreed to be her first and how he followed all her rules, she supposes that she does owe him one.

but all too soon things get complicated by the very real feelings they have for each other. feelings that they've always had for each other. and for zane, it's very clear what he wants, he just needs to convince willow that he's serious about it. this is harder than it seems because zane happens to be a big hollywood star with a life in los angeles that willow doesn't really want a part of. she loves living in sweetwater, ny, and as far away from big city life as she can get.

these obstacles are not insurmountable but it's enjoyable to watch them figure it all out. we also get to know willow's family and other secondary characters around the town of sweetwarer, who i'm sure will pop up in future books in the series. the real thing is a good start.

'The Real Thing' by Melissa Foster is the First Book in the New Series called "Sugar Lake. This is the story of Willow Dalton and Zane Walker.
Zane was Willows brother best friend and always popular in school, where Willow was the opposite. Before she went off to College she ask Zane to do her a favor by taking her virginity. Now 10 years Willow has her own bakery and Zane is a famous actor. Zane comes back to ask if Willow would be his pretend fiancée to help build his image up.
This was a very sweet love story that I really enjoyed.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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The Real Thing is the first book in Melissa Foster’s Sugar Lake series….and it’s AMAZING! Set in the small town of Sweetwater, New York, the story features the Willow Dalton and Zane Walker. The characters, small town setting and the author‘s fabulous dialogue quickly drew me into the story.
At first, I was not thrilled the ‘fake engagement” trope in this novel. But, I quickly discovered that The Real Thing isn’t about a fake engagement; it’s about two people coming to terms with their long standing feelings for each other. The writing is rich in detail and the characters are so likeable that it’s easy to forgive Zane’s fake engagement idea and Willow’s sassy comebacks because it is apparent that these two people are meant to be together. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts and kudos to Ms. Foster for the sexy, steamy, fun, tender bedroom, bakery, blanket and car scenes! The novel is beautifully written and each word, each scene between Willow and Zane captivated me. Enjoyed reading how the couple sorts out theirs feelings for each other as desire changes to love.
Loved Willow’s relationship with her sisters and her mom. Zane won me over when Spiderman arrived at Willow’s nephew’s birthday party. Zane went out of his way to make a little child happy and showed Willow he truly cared for her. This scene had all the feels. It was hysterical, emotional, loving and poignant. Ms. Foster does a fabulous job weaving in Willow’s family members, bakery regulars, friends and Zane’s assistant and coworkers into the novel. These minor characters added a lot of fun and depth to the story line. Can’t wait to see if the next book features Piper or Bridgette Dalton. The smart, snappy dialogue between Zane and Willow drew me into the story. Zane used the fake engagement ruse to connect back to Willow, his heart’s desire and that’s what makes this story so romantic and special to me.
Melissa Foster has the ability to write an honest, relatable, entertaining romance—and I can’t wait for book two in this amazing series!

As deliciously, sweet as it is sexy, this is an irresistible second chance romance. I loved everything about this book, the plot, the pacing, and especially the characters. The Real Thing had it all. Wildly romantic! Incredibly sexy! Witty and Sweet! A sigh worthy love story and steamy love scenes. It will leave your heart full and a smile on your face. You will fall in love with Willow and Zane. Their chemistry is combustible. They are simply magic together. Melissa Foster infuses sweet emotions into almost every single interaction. Fun, heart tugging, emotional, titillating and off the chart Hot. You definitely will want to get your copy and fall in love with Willow and Zane. This is my new Favorite story, I couldn't put it down and neither will you. Loved it! Cannot wait for more in this series.
Thanks for this utterly charming, witty, deliciously sexy story filled with laugh out loud moments, swoons and even a tear or two.
Received an ARC through Publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily wrote an honest review.

If you ever doubted that you can meet the right person at the wrong time, then you need to read this second chance romance by Melissa Foster!
Willow and Zane have been life long friends (and a little more) when he decides to use a career issue to spend more time with her and hidden desires blossom.
These two were fun together! I loved the idea that they had 10 years of miscommunication to deal with and that they never really let the other one go.
Willow and Zane don't have a perfectly smooth road once they reconnect, but it's a definitely an entertaining one to watch.
As the first book in the series, we spend time with Willow's family as the cast of Sweetwater is established. As important as the secondary cast is, the focus is firmly on our lovebirds and their journey to happily ever after. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next in the series!

Reviewed on behalf of Amo’s Book Corner

4 Stars

Willow has always loved her hometown of Sweetwater, when she left for college it was very bittersweet so as soon as she could she returned home and has since opened her own bakery.

Zane, grew up with Willow, he is her brother’s best friend. He could not wait to get out of Sweetwater and move to LA where he became a very well-known actor.

These two have some history, Willow gave her virginity to Zane before she left for college. They have always had a crush on each other but never said anything.

When Zane needs Willow’s help looking better for the press will she help him? Will they both get all they have ever wanted or will it all crash and burn when everyone finds out they were lying at the start?

I have chosen to not review this title.

Thank you.

Sweet and sexy second chance romance from the author of the Love In Bloom series.

Zane and Willow have known each other from childhood. Zane was her older brother's best friend and the most popular boy in school. Willow was the slightly shy, slightly awkward little sister of his best friend. Ten years ago, just before she left for college she asked him to take her virginity so she'd never have any regrets and afterwards they moved into the background of one another's lives. Now that they're adults things have changed a bit, Willow owns her own bakery and Zane is a hugely famous A-list actor. As a favour she agrees to be his pretend fiancée for a couple of weeks, but what happens when the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur?

This was incredibly sweet and I fell head over heels for Zane, he was amazing! He was sweet, sexy, funny and just enough arrogance to make him entertaining but not enough to become obnoxious! I was rooting for his character from the opening pages as he was never anything but committed to Willow. I had a slightly harder time with the character of Willow I must admit. She was sweet and loyal with her family, but she constantly underestimated Zane and that bugged me. At every obstacle it seemed she was ready to throw in the towel and it was Zane who fought for their relationship. It was sweet, but I'm always left a little uneasy when a relationship is unbalanced like that (one character giving more, making more adjustments and compromises than the other).

I did love it though and eagerly look forward to reading Bridgette's story next.

*ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review*

This is my first Melissa Foster book and I throughly enjoyed it, though it was a bit spicier than I like my books. The story is well written and entertaining. Zane and Willow's second chance is a fun story with surprises. Their chemistry and personalities compliment each other perfectly. Willow is the only one Zane has ever truly wanted and I love his determination to win her over by the end of their "engagement".
If you enjoy a second chance romance that's so steamy you can see the fog like it's lifting of a cool mountain lake then I highly recommend The Real Thing.

Willow Dalton loves having her own business, but when a blast from her past,in the form of actor Zane Walker, asks for a favor, she finds her world turned upside-down and everything she thought she knew starts to become unraveled.
Willow and Zane are my favorite couple created by this author, and I can't wait for the rest of the series featuring Willow's siblings! A great romance with endearing characters, for a story you don't want to miss!

I love that Melissa Foster has set this SUGAR LAKE series in Upstate New York...I'm from there and it brought back great memories of LAKE GEORGE and LAKE CHAMPLAIN and wonderful summers. Willow and Zane have the kind of love story that makes you feel like you are part of it. So many laughs and a few tears later and I can't wait for the next sibling's story...will it be Bridgette?

I have become a fan of Melissa Foster over the last year and believe me she does not disappoint. If you want a feel good romance with some sexiness added, The Real Thing is IT!!! Believe me when I say that I told my husband he needs to be just as sweet as Zane. Willow was adorable and even though they started on a rough patch, things heated up soon enough!

Zane had me swooning from his words to his actions. I am serious I did not put this book down. The zolt of electricity Zane and Willow have is exciting. I am a huge "New Love" fan. I get the butterflies and a cheesy smile over it and The Real Thing gave it to me. The storyline was great, the cover gives you a perfect idea of Zane. Did I mention I obsessed with the guy :) Just because the book is a feel good romance, you get the zest with the sexy times too.

I loved this well written romance. It has a good plot, two friends who have had longtime crushes on each other. I also enjoyed this author's writing.

Willow and Zane have been friends since they were young. He did her the favor of removing her virginity and then stuck by the rules she had laid out afterwards. Now, ten years later, he’s cashing in the favor. He needs to repair his reputation as a playboy A-list actor and the only woman he wants to pretend to be his fiancée is Willow. It’s always been Willow. She’s his real thing and this story showcases how this couple moves from a friendship into a romantic relationship.

I loved Willow and Zane! As individuals they were both sincere and likable. As a couple they were intense, engaging and so hot I’m sure my Kindle was scorched. This story has a crew of secondary characters that will be getting their own stories and there’s not one of them I’m not anxious to read about.

I’m relatively new to the Melissa Foster bandwagon, but OMG…I’m so glad I was able to hop on!

ARC provided by NetGalley

Dual POV
Safety issues – they slept together once when they were young and they each have other relationships afterwards but once together as a current couple there is no one else
No apparent triggers

Long time friends, with long time crushes, play the fake engagement game to help Zane seem settled. But when it turns to more for both Willow and Zane, they have to figure out how to continue the relationship. Fun read, I love a good friends to lovers story!