Willow and Zane's story captivated me from the first page and had me reading till the final page in one sitting. Willow was the perfect mix of stubborn and sweet strength. Nothing between her and Zane is ever easy, but they discover during this book that things are right between them. Zane has fame, fortune, and everything a single guy could want. He was charming, sexy, and made me wish he was real. This story was a fantastic read and I can't wait for more in this series.

4 1/2 STARS!

A sweet and sassy romantic fake fling ... or is it?? Melissa Foster has yet again spun a magical connection of friendship, love and hot steamy lust into a story that steals your heart! In the first book of the new Sugar Lake series, we get Willow and Zane's story. The characters are fun, flirty and attention stealing! I love the bond that the characters have and how her family was a major part of their story. Can't wait for more in the series!

Bakery owner Willow Dalton thinks she's walking into a dream job when low and behold her best friend Zane Walker has pulled a fast one on her! The A-list actor needs her help to revitalize his player reputation and will stop at nothing to finagle her into it. Even pulling out the old "you owe me" routine ... so she talked him into taking her virginity before she left for college years ago ... big deal!

Telling the world, including her close-knit family, that they are engaged might seem like a crazy plan, but surprisingly no one doubts it. It seems the crush they have each had on each other for years wasn't so secret to everyone around them! When even they have a hard time deciphering whether this romance is real or fake, they better take a look at what the future really might hold for them!

THE REAL THING is the first installment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult SUGAR LAKE romance series focusing on the men and women of Sweetwater, New York. This is Hollywood actor and former Sweetwater resident Zane Walker, and bakery owner Willow Dalton’s story line,

Told from dual third person perspectives (Willow and Zane) THE REAL THING is the ‘quadfecta or four-pack’ of romance tropes: friends to lovers, second chances, best friend’s younger sister, and fake fiancé. Zane Walker’s reputation as a ‘manwhore’ precedes our hero’s return to his childhood home of Sweetwater (Sugar Lake), New York. When his latest big budget movie is scheduled to begin filming in and around Sweetwater, our hero devises a plan to clean up his celebrity image using his best friend’s younger sister as the foil to his reputation- offer a two week, no-strings attached ‘fake fiance’ proposal to his best friend’s younger sister Willow Dalton, in return for an exclusive catering contract with the movie production company. What ensues is the building romance between Willow and Zane, and the potential fall out if the truth were revealed.

Willow has loved Zane Walker for as long as she can remember. Zane was Willow’s first ‘everything’ but Willow and Zane walked away from one another, towards their own independent futures, without looking back. Zane headed to Hollywood and broke Willow’s heart, and it is the ensuing, tempestuous, fake fiancé relationship that struggles with Willow’s inability to trust or to let go of the bad memories from the past.

The relationship between Zane and Willow is one of second chances but a relationship damaged by Zane’s Hollywood reputation, as well as his lack of contact with our story line heroine. Willow ‘gave’ Zane her virginity before escaping to college but Zane’s life as an actor took control, and everyone and everything in Sweetwater became a distant memory for our story line hero when fame and notoriety took hold. Yet, like many things in life, misunderstanding and a lack of communication prove that Zane never forgot about the only woman he would ever love but Sweetwater held too many bad memories about his own dysfunctional family. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a very large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Willow’s extended family: her sisters Piper, Talia and Bridgette, nephew Louie, brother Ben, and their parents Roxie and Dan. We are introduced to Zane’s co-star Remi Divine and her brother Aiden as well as Zane’s personal assistant Patch Carver, and Aurelia Stark-a woman who runs the local book store. There are some heated glances between many of the secondary characters. Bridgette and Bodhi Booker’s story line is next in ONLY FOR YOU (December 2017).

The world building focuses on the people and town of Sweetwater, New York: their lives, their families, their business, and their loves.

THE REAL THING is a sweet and sexy story of second chances but I struggled with Willow’s early and misdirected emotions as it pertained to the ‘fake fiancé ‘ scenario. Our heroine knew going in that playing Zane‘s fiancé required a little bit of acting and physical contact yet she continued to push all of Zane’s buttons in regards to the entire fake fiancé trope. The premise is entertaining and fun; the romance is fun, sexy and provocative; the characters are numerous, colorful and very opinionated ;) . THE REAL THING is an enjoyable but familiar story with a heartwarming couple and an energetic cast.

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I really really loved and enjoyed this book. Really an awesome story line with wonderful characters. I could not get enough of Zane and his charming ways. This is the first book that I have ever read by Melissa Foster and I will be definitely adding more of her books to my TBR. I could not get enough of her writing, was hooked right away with this story.

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!

Review by Amber for Love Romance Books Blog

Willow has lived in small town Sweetwater for her entire life. She is happy there, with her family, friends, and bakery business,and one day hopes to combine her business with a bookstore. She has her dreams, modest as they may be, but when a potential job opportunity comes up she sees it as her chance to make her dreams come true. When she shows up for the job interview, though, she finds out that it is not at all what she expected.

Zane has been her brother's best friend since childhood. He also was her first love, and they have stayed in touch over the years in a quirky love-hate relationship. When Zane needs help clearing up his image, Willow is the one he goes to for help. She has a hard time saying no to his plea, and soon she finds herself as Zane's (fake) fiancée. The only thing is that the more they hang around each other, the less it feels fake.

I would give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed both the story of the main characters, and the setup for future stories with Willow's sisters.
I was asked by the author for an honest review.

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.

Willow owns a bakery in her small hometown, Sweetwater, where she lives a mostly quiet life running the bakery and spending time with her family. Zane and Willow grew up together and generously taught her about sex before she went away to college. They’ve kept in touch over the years but when she arrives for an appointment about catering event, she gets the surprise of her life when she is greeted by Zane who needs her to pretend they are engaged to improve his public image.

Typical of Melissa Foster’s novels, I immediately fell for Zane. He appeared as if he was some cocky playboy but Foster slowly revealed the true Zane throughout the novel and he just better and better. I also loved Willow, don’t get me wrong, but Zane completely stole the show in this one. Willow had a great personality, was creative, driven, etc. However, the two characters together just set this book on fire with their sparks and chemistry.

Although the story was based on Zane being an actor and crazy famous, I love that Melissa Foster still kept this novel to a realistic tone that was believable, had plenty of conflict, but more than enough romance and steamy scenes. There were several fantastic characters between Willow’s sisters, brother, parents, and Zane’s friends and co-workers. There were a lot of different personalities and lifestyles, but everyone came together perfectly making this book truly seem like it was about one big family. I have nothing but the highest praise for The Real Thing and remain in awe of Melissa Foster and her ability to pull me in and surprise me with one fabulous novel after the other. I cannot wait for the second in the series about Bridgette and Bodhi!!!

Contemporary romance fans – grab The Real Thing today and get ready to love this new 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.