I really struggled with this series and especially this book. There is a lot going on. And the characters are unlikeable.

This is the second in a series. I do think it would be beneficial for the reader to read the first book before starting this one. I didn’t, and although it was able to follow along I know I didn’t fully grasp the story the way the author intended.

**So Real**
by Abby Millsaps
Narrated by June DeBorahae, J. River Pierce, Liam Dicosimo, and Keval Shah

I approached this audiobook with an open mind, excited to dive into the story, especially since I was aware it was the second instalment in a series. However, I was caught off guard to find that it picks up right after a cliffhanger from the first book, which left me feeling disoriented as I tried to piece together the backstory. I had already reviewed the trigger warnings associated with the content and was prepared to navigate those themes, but I still found myself struggling to connect with the characters on a personal level.

The narrative structure alternated between past and present, and I generally find this format challenging. It added another layer of complexity that made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged with the plot. After giving it a solid effort, I reached about 40% of the audiobook before I had to face the fact that it simply wasn’t resonating with me. While the narrators—June DeBorahae, J. River Pierce, Liam Dicosimo, and Keval Shah—did an impressive job of expressing the distinct personalities of the characters, their performances alone couldn’t sustain my interest in the story.

This review is not a critique of Abby Millsaps’ writing talent. Rather, it reflects my personal experience as a listener who struggled to find that crucial connection with the material.

That cliffhanger! Why?? I liked the book, but I still feel like something’s missing, though I can’t quite put my finger on it. And Greedy deserves so much more. Why is he always the one to give in like that? He had the right to from the start and to be treated with more respect. I teared up when I found out what he did with the library, that showed so much devotion and love.

The audiobook was fantastic too; the narrators and accents were spot-on.

I was lucky enough to receive an ALC of this book while I was about halfway through the e-book. I LOVED switching back and forth (or pulling up my e-book while listening so I could highlight something).

I don't have a lot to say except that I loved this e-book and I love this audiobook. There's just something about HEARING Spence call Hunter all those names... The story in itself was great and I was SO THANKFUL to finally see some healing between Hunter and "not her brother" Greedy (I feel like I've been waiting for this since we first saw Greedy in the Lake Chapel series!!

The audio book is available now, and the next book in the series released in paperback and e-book today so you won't even have to wait to long to figure out that cliffhanger (that Abby loves to torture us with). Although I'm sure the next book will just have an even bigger cliff hanger..

Story: 5/5
Spice: 4/5

This is the second book in the Boys of South Chapel Series. You can not read this book without reading the first book, So Wrong. At the end of that book we drove off a cliff and my heart was broken for Hunter. Before we dive into this book I think there might be some things discussed that might be upsetting to some readers. Be sure to check your triggers before diving in.
This book picks up right were we left off. With Greedy's world exploding and Levi in shock and a new character Kibar Spencer or Spence was introduced. Things just got a whole lot more complicated for these four characters. Now that Kibar is here the guys quickly learn that London was way more than they ever could have imagined for Hunter. This poor girl will bring you to tears with some of the things that she has been though. This book will flash back to the past and I loved that we got to get Hunters experience in London. How she met Kibar. These four have to learn for the sake of everyone to get along and figure out just what they are going to be to Hunter. We see her mom return and oh my goodness y'all!! What a selfish, self center woman she is. I feel so sorry for Dr. F. However, if you thought the cliff for the first book had you going oh my goodness, buckle up because this one is shocking. I loved reading this book and I am so loving this series.
I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrators did an absolutely amazing job of bringing this book to life.

I absolutely loved So Real! The narration brought the story to life in such a perfect way. The female narrator captured the main character’s personality exactly as I’d imagined, making her voice feel real and relatable. I especially appreciated having a British narrator for Spence—it added so much charm and authenticity to his character. While I would have loved a touch more of a southern accent for Levi, the narrator still did a great job bringing him to life. The storyline itself was engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish. And that ending—I’m so glad I don’t have long to wait for the next part!

✨️💚✨️Audio Book Review✨️💚✨️

Book: So Real
Author: Abby Millsaps
Rating: 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Wow this series is so intense!

& each book gets wilder and wilder.

I loved the introduction of the new character in this one and with him came the BDSM, that I most definitely was not expecting.

I really enjoyed how even with all the drama these three people found each other and found a way to make it work.

And of course they ending ... I need book 3 stat!

You get:
• Why Choose
• Past Trauma
• BDSM
• Forced Proximity
• Second Chance
• Stepbrother's Best Friend
• Lovers To Enemies

I highly recommend this series! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook.

So Real is the second book in the Boys of South Chapel by Abby Millsaps. I didn't read/listened to the first book So Wrong and at first it was a bit confusing to follow. The book follows Hunter as she confronts her past and present. Hunter had left South Chapel and moves to London to be closer to her dad. While working at one of the hotest night clubs Hunter meets Kabir Spencer. Hunter soon realizes that Spence is the owner of Splice London club and soon start their affair. That was three years ago. Now back in South Chapel Hunter is currently at her mother and stepfather's house during the Christmas holiday. Along with Hunter, her boyfriend Levi, Greedy ( her ex lover/stepbrother) , and Spence (her lover) are all going to spend the holidays together. What could go wrong? This is a dark steamy romance that touches on a lot of hard subjects and is not a book for someone with certain triggers.

I DEVOURED THIS BOOK AND LEFT NO CRUMBS!

Abby! WTF girl! This book was next level! From the spice, to the drama, to the relationship dynamics - it was all amped up and I didn't want to turn it off!

This story picks up right where book 1 left off and being thrown right back into that heartbreaking moment was like reliving it all over again. Watching all of them process Hunter's big secret was painful. Learning about Hunter's struggle from her time in London after she ran was painful. But at the same time, she met Spence and that change her and altered her path in a way neither of them expected. Her dynamic with Spence is just as powerful as the ones she has with Greedy and Levi but in a completely different way. That dynamic is essential for her coping and healing processes and at first, Levi but more so Greedy, are not happy about this dynamic and find it hard to accept or understand, but by the end, they realize how beneficial it is for Hunter to engage in this dynamic and intertwine themselves into it as well.

The way that Spence loves Hunter is so sure and strong. He knows she is his end game. He is willing to do and accept whatever he needs to do make her happy and keep her safe. He understands her at an almost molecular level that Greedy and Levi don't fully comprehend. He is sure of himself when he is with her and even though she ran from him he knew that he would always be her anchor. His initial introduction to the story is blunt and the way he bumped up the spice on this story threw me for a loop in the best way! 5-alarm fire hot!!

As the story progresses and they are all navigating through the secrets, pain and trauma, Hunter's mother lingers in the background and when she drops her next big manipulative bomb on everyone its a blessing Hunter has her men to support her through it all. The Italy teaser and cliffhanger on this story is MEAN! I am dying for the next one!

Wow this audio cast was wonderful. June DeBorahae is amazing as Hunter. The way she portrayed Hunter through her struggles in London was incredible. The pain was palpable and the joy was jubilant - I'm so glad I found this narrator what a hidden gem! Liam Dicosimo and J River Pierce reprised their roles and were fantastic as Greedy and Liam. I've never listened to Keval Shah but what a fantastic casting! He really embodied Spence and the charm and power this character has. Dynamic and powerful performances like these are why I love audiobooks!

I don’t even know where to begin on this one. It’s a why choose, sports romance which is light on the sports and heavy on emotional foreplay and spice. It features our same cast from last time and adds in a filthy mouth British billionaire! I listened to the audiobook and this was a good time! The narration was multi narrated and seemed to match the vibes of the book. This was definitely fully seasoned with spice, so be prepared to clutch those pearls. This is a quick one sitting, unputdownable read which packs a mean impact punch like a 500+ page book. It’s very emotional and includes a now and then style dual timeline with relational flashbacks.

This is an interconnected series and unfortunately ends on a cliffhanger. Insert, the emotional agony of waiting for the next book. 😭 Will I be returning for more??? That’s a big fat, HECK YES!

Themes & Tropes:
🩷Why Choose
❤️Second Chance Romance
🤍Dual Timelines
🩷BDSMish excursions
❤️British Billionaire Lover
🤍Mental Health Representation
🩷Dirty Talk

Several sensitive and difficult themes were featured in this book. The author identifies several potential triggers in the beginning of the book, so make sure you check those! ⚠️

Overall, luved this read! I am beyond excited for book 3!

I am loving this series so far! I devoured the first one, and when given the opportunity to listen to the second early, I JUMPED!

The audio for the first was great, & this one was even better with the introduction of man number 3, Spence/Kabir! This one is full of the same intense emotions that the first is, and these narrators did a great job once again bringing those out! The dynamics that play out between them all are so well done, it was a great listening experience!

I loved how this one just keeps developing, and how we got to see more of the years that Hunter spent away from home, & how she came to know & love Spence. The way that they developed, and how he cared for her in crisis (that whole explanation & time was done so well!) was so good! Also, I love how he came into Greedy & Levi's dynamic like a dang wrecking ball haha!

FYI: I still DESPISE Hunter's mother, and I just want to rip the rose colored glasses off Greedy's dad's eyes.

This one ends on another cliffhanger, and I am SO READY for the next installment!

🎧Audiobook Version🎧
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“So Real” by Abby Millsaps is narrated by June DeBorahae, J. River Pierce, Liam Dicosimo, and Keval Shah. This is my first time hearing each narrator’s performance, and they effectively brought the characters to life. I would rate the narration ⭐⭐⭐.25.
∙
However, the story itself did not engage me, which honestly is what I anticipated. I actually almost DNF’d this audiobook - I fell asleep listening to some of it. 🫣🥴😬 Ultimately, I decided to push through and finish by increasing my listening speed from 1.5x to 2.5x. 🫣
∙
There were three twists: the first felt a bit random, the second was confusing and seemed unnecessary except to possibly add to the overall story in the third book, and the third twist was a cliffhanger ending, which was somewhat interesting but not particularly exciting.
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After finishing “So Real,” I jumped into the ARC of the third book because of the cliffhanger at the end.
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I would rate the story ⭐⭐.5. Averaging the total, I would give it 2.87 stars, rounded up to ⭐⭐⭐ for the overall experience. This rating is attributed to the 🌶️ MM scenes. They were pretty good IMO.
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I usually rate stories I really enjoy and love with ♥️s, so this ⭐⭐⭐ rating reflects my view of both the narration and the story. Even though I didn’t LOVE the story, I LIKED it enough to rate it with ⭐s.
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💳 I would still recommend “So Real” because there’s an audience that will love the storytelling more than I did—as long as listeners/readers who are sensitive to certain content read the trigger warnings before jumping in.
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Please don’t let this review deter you from listening to or reading “So Real”. If you do decide to listen to or read “So Real,” enjoy!
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Thank you for the opportunity to listen to “So Real” in advance.

Thank you Netgalley ans dreamscape media for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I wanted to love it however this was a miss for me. I didn't like the story at all. I did enjoy the narration but the characters were too NA for me and ultimately not a fan.

3.5/5☆

Format: 🎧 Audiobook 🎧 (ALC)
Narrators: June DeBorahae, J. River Pierce, Liam Dicosimo and Keval Shah
Style: Multi-cast dual
Please check TW's; this one deals with some very heavy topics.

Previously reviewed as an eARC - please see review entry under "kindle edition" for that original review. This is purely a review of the audiobook/cast.

This, again, was another book by Millsaps that was truly brought to life by the actors. The return of DeBorahae, Pierce and Dicosimo as Hunter, Levi and Greedy respectively was amazing, and it was like being welcomed back into the South Chapel world once more. Add in Shah as the domineering (and dominating!) Spencer, and oh boy, was this an experience for the ears.

Once more our actors were cast exceptionally, bringing the emotions and the strength to narrating this story. At times, it was a struggle to listen, purely because of how perfectly this cast portrays the dialogue and how exceptional their acting is - if I thought I was near tears reading this as an eBook back in July, it doesn't touch my response to the audiobook of it. But it's not all emotional, heart-wrenching scenes. The initial scene with Hunter and Spencer? And the hot tub scene? Holy hell, was that a new experience in audio format, and I am here for it!

Again, this is very much a case of I cannot wait for the next book in the series - both in print and in audio - just to hear these characters and their story expanded on, and to be fully immersed in their world once more.

Thank you to the author, @dreamscape_media, @netgalley and @valentine_pr_ for the ALC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.

This is one emotional read/listen. This is the middle book in a trilogy so it doesn’t have a normal start or end, but it is a vital bridge (I hope) in the story. I am anxious to dive into book 3 but this one was just what was needed for the story. I feel like our characters needed the journey of this middle book to help them get to what I hope will be our glorious HEA ok book 3. There are some twists that this one brought in that I can’t wait to see explored and concluded in the next book. I am loving the series so far and can’t wait for book 3.

ALC Review - 4.5⭐️
So Real is book 2 in the Boys of South Chappell series and it features Hunter, Greedy, Levi and Kabir.

I previously read this book but being given the opportunity to listen to the audio book ahead of the third book coming out this week was great ! I was able to remind myself of everything that happened and leaving me more excited to find out what comes next !

I felt that the narrators were perfect for each character but personally the narrator for Hunter when she spoke as Kabir was my favourite! Also getting to listen to the spicy scenes was chefs kiss (hot tub scene IYKYK😮‍💨).

Thank you Abby & Valentine PR for the opportunity !

I needed a “Previously On…”
It dives straight in where book one left off and honestly I was confused for a second there. Took me a minute to get my bearings.
I’d also probably have followed the story better if it was told in chronological order. The continuity of the story is not seamless with all the choppiness of the past present time lines.
As for the audio… so well done. Once again. I cannot wait to have the third one already.
Thank you NetGalley, dreamscape media, and Valentine PR for this ALC

FIVE FREAKING STARS for this Why Choose romance! I loved 𝙎𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡. I, quite literally, could not put the book down. It is the 2nd book in the 𝙱𝚘𝚢𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚎𝚕 series and my obsession with this series and these characters knows no bounds!

My heart definitely went through it while reading this book. There were moments that absolutely broke my heart, and moments that had me crying happy tears. Everything was so incredibly well done and the heavy topics are handled with great care.

I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship development between each of the MC’s in 𝙎𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡. Their dynamic is everything and more. I honestly love every single MC. I could never pick a favorite because I love them all equally. I truly empathized with each of them greatly. Hunter who has gone through such heartbreaking trauma yet her strength and resilience is ever present. Greedy who is still a devoted and kind hearted man although he is struggling deeply with grief and betrayal. Levi who has the gentlest soul and continues to be a peacemaker. Kabir who showed up and shook things up yet he is as steadfast as they come. They’re beautifully complex characters and they deserve all the happiness.

𝙎𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 is really an AMAZING book. 10/10 recommend! I cannot wait for more. Especially after that ending 🤯 That cliffhanger was wild. I don’t even know what to do with myself while I wait for book three. Not to be dramatic or anything but I need it like I need air to breathe 😅

🎧 I listened to the audiobook of 𝙎𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 and was so incredibly impressed by it. The narrators June DeBorahae, J. River Pierce, Liam Dicosimo, and Keval Shah portrayed these characters beautifully. I absolutely loved it. It truly enhanced my reading experience.

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
💕 ᴡʜʏ ᴄʜᴏᴏꜱᴇ
🇬🇧 ʙʀɪᴛɪꜱʜ ʙɪʟʟɪᴏɴᴀɪʀᴇ
💘 ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ
✨ ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴛɪᴍᴇʟɪɴᴇ
❤️‍🔥 ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇꜱ
✈️ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇꜱ ᴀʙʀᴏᴀᴅ

Thank you so much Abby Millsaps and Valentine PR, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ARC & ALC of 𝙎𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 🫶🏼💕

As always, a phenomenal performance from the full cast! I’ve read this story several times, and the audio elevates the experience and some of the most heartbreaking moments are even more haunting - and all the love more palpable.

Greedy Ferguson saying “I’m all in” out loud? As if I needed more of a reason to love my man 😍

Thank you so much to Abby Millsaps and Dreamscape for the opportunity to listen!