When It's Real by Erin WattPublished by Harlequin Teen on May 30th 2017
Genres: contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 413
Format: Hardcover
Goodreads
From #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Erin Watt comes the addictive contemporary tale of a teen rock star in need of an image makeover and the teen girl hired to be his fake girlfriend.
Meet Oakley Ford-teen celebrity, renowned pop star, child of famous movie stars, hottie with millions of fangirls… and restless troublemaker. On the surface he has it all, but with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry, and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley's team decides it's time for an intervention. The result: an image overhaul, complete with a fake girlfriend meant to show the world he's settled down.
Enter seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett-devoted sister, part-time waitress, the definition of "normal." Under ordinary circumstances she'd never have taken this gig, but with her family strapped for cash, she doesn't have much of a choice. And for the money Oakley's team is paying her, she figures she can put up with outlandish Hollywood parties and a team of publicists watching her every move. So what if she thinks Oakley's a shallow, self-centered jerk? It's not like they're going to fall for each other in real life…right?
Surprise!!!! When It’s Real was my first read by the marvelous duo Erin Watt! I’ve seen and heard many things about this amazing duo. I was quite eager to read their previous series, The Royals. However, I was in a dire need to read a YA contemporary, romance novel and When It’s Real fit the bill. I’m actually really glad that I did. I really enjoyed this enemy to lovers story between these two characters.
Oakley Ford, a rock star hero who was born into the limelight is, in a huge mess and needs help fast, before his career becomes a distant memory. Vaughn Bennett is just your regular girl, that was forced to grow up sooner than most teenagers, after a devastating accident that left her and her siblings to fend for themselves.
As one can imagine, things for Vaughn aren’t all rainbows and unicorns. Vaughn and her sister work hard to keep up with the demand of the household and still try to have a normal life. But in the end, the worry is setting in about sending the boys to college and the upkeeping of living. While Oakley is in a career rut that keeps getting worse by the minute.
Therefore they both need a miracle and so the story begins with a legendary plan to help Oakley Ford and Vaughn. I for one really liked this story a whole lot. I know to some this story may have been “corny” and at times “unrealistic” but to me, this was outstanding with great life lessons that are great for teenage girls to take with them in real life! Which to me is what made this story amazing.
There were plenty of great lessons in When It’s Real, but the most relevant one was Vaughn’s relationship with her “real boyfriend”! I’ve read some reviews and to my surprise, many, many people didn’t even mention this. Which was a bit upsetting to me. I believe that being an adult YA Blogger, you have a huge platform and with that platform, you should at least help others. We as adults have gone through many of these YA scenarios in life.
We have the opportunity to reach out to young minds and teach them the rights and wrongs in life. So that maybe, maybe if they listen to you, then they don’t have to go through the same thing you did.
Sure reading YA is fun, we all love romance and love squealing with delight over our favorites characters and their relationships!!!! That is all amazingly great but when you have the opportunity to teach your target audience, by all means, please do so. It’s our duty to teach young minds and hopefully, show the right path.
Nonetheless, in this story, the lesson is that Vaughn’s boyfriend is the epiphany of a douche bag. One who every girl should get far away from. What Vaughn went through is a great lesson for anyone to learn that not everything a “boyfriend” tells you, in good. The bottom line is Boyfriends or girlfriends shouldn’t pressure their significant other into thinking sex is ok when they aren’t ready to take that step!
In the end, this book was great, it was smart and intelligent with many key points! It also got the message across with some heart-wrenching moments with a great romance story. This was a delight of a read and can’t wait to read all other books by this duo.
Always, Helena
About Erin Watt
Erin Watt is the brainchild of two bestselling authors linked together through their love of great books and an addiction to writing. They share one creative imagination. Their greatest love (after their families and pets, of course)? Coming up with fun–and sometimes crazy–ideas. Their greatest fear? Breaking up.
I have a copy of this book and need to crack it open soon! Your gif game is super strong and lol to “epiphany of a douche bag” XD
Eileen recently posted…DNF Review: Zero Repeat Forever (The Nahx Invasions #1) by Gabrielle Prendergast
Bahaha!😂 I was so angry that no one has said anything about the “DB”! I was on a rant for sure.😂 I hope you get to crack it open soon. It’s a great book. Thanks for stopping by again, 😘 you’re the best! 💋 xoxo
Helena, I’m so glad that you loved this book! I’ve been on the lookout for this since it came out but unfortunately, our local bookstores here in Manila don’t have it in stock. I guess I’ll have to order via Book Depository or Amazon. Great review as always, btw! 🙂
Thank you so much!😘 Awe… that is sad! I hope you get to read it someday. It was a great story. Thank you for stopping by. It’s always a pleasure to see you. 💖
I laughed as I read your review. Totally agree that Vaughn’t boyfriend was pretty much the worst. For me, the star of this story was Oakley. He ended up having a lot more depth than I originally thought he would, and as the authors slowly revealed the better side of him, I slowly fell in love with him.
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😝 Lol, glad, I could make your day!💖 I also fell for Oakley. He wasn’t perfect at the beginning but I totally understood why. It was truly a great story! xoxo
I’ve been wanting to read Paper Princess, but this one also sounds quite good! Great review!
Thanks, Angela! It was a great read. I still haven’t read their other series as well. Hopefully, that will change soonish? 😝 lol, Thank you for stopping by xoxo.
I haven’t read anything by Erin Watt yet, but this one sounds real good (though that boyfriend sure sounds AWFUL!). I’m glad you loved this- and thanks for bringing this on my radar! xx
Ruzaika Deen recently posted…The Secret Life of a Book Blogger
Haha, He is truly a “DB”! But definitely a great life lesson. You are truly welcome and thanks so much for visiting today!💖 xoxo
I loved your review, Helena 🙂 I am so glad to hear you enjoyed this book – I added it to my TBR a little while ago after hearing great things about it overall. Really, really eager to read it someday 😀
Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books recently posted…3 years of blogging – You asked, I answer : here’s the massive Q&A !
“Vaughn’s boyfriend is the epiphany of a douche bag.” I have to admit I LOL’ed when I got to this line in your review, haha. I had never heard of this book, but it sounds quite good. I also agree with what you said about adult YA bloggers having lived through a lot of the scenarios that we read about. That’s one of the main reasons why I find YA contemporaries so relatable. If I haven’t lived through something similar myself, I know someone else who has. Great review!
I love a great YA contemporary and there are so many aspects about this book that really intrigue me. You are totally right in your belief that the YA genre is a perfect platform to educate and help teens from making mistakes that those before them have made. Your review is so honest and fresh! I am definitely going to give this one a try! 🙂
The Candid Cover recently posted…Wishlist Wednesday #133: The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk
I’m a big fan of Erin Watt and cannot wait to dive into this one. The size is a bit intimidating to me at this time since i’m not in a huge reading mood. I’m glad you liked this overall <3
Jessica | ReadingwithJessica recently posted…2017 Holiday Wishlist
This book sounds awesome! I’d never heard of it, but I really want to read it now 🙂