Book Review: When It's Real by Erin Watt

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WHEN IT'S REAL
Author: Erin Watt
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: May 30, 2017
Review Source: Harlequin Teen

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?

When I heard that a top favorite duo was coming out with a new book, the first thing I did was immediately add it to my good reads TBR MUST READ list.  Then the cover was revealed and OMG, I absolutely love it. It is simply stunning.  I did not read the blurb or anything else because I wanted to go into the story completely blind.  Erin Watt.  Never.  Disappoints.

Due to the fact I went into this book completely blind, I had no idea what to expect other than I knew it would be an awesome read because HELLLLLLO ERIN WATT wrote it.  It was nothing like what I expected, which is a great thing.  I love being continuously surprised by an author.  The book is about Oakley, aka Oak, Ford which had a pretty successful career as a teen star.  However, now that he's more older, he wanted to change his tune and produce something a little more mature/serious.  He is advised to date an average girl and so that's exactly what he does.  Vaughn, said average girl, is kind of in a hard spot financially so even though she wouldn't normally go for the famous type, she decides to jump on the option to date Oak when given the chance.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it wasn't as angsty as the previous books I've read by Erin Watt but I did like how fun and sweet this story was.  I wanted to smack the crap out of Oakley in the beginning but he really grew on me the more I read the book.  Vaughn tried my patience a few times also but I like her character as well.  I felt the story was written really well and the character development was on point.  I LOVE the deep connection that develops between Oakley and Vaughn.

I'm rating this story 4 stars because I really loved the book and it was a quick, fun read.  Erin Watt is a duo that I would one click anytime they write a book.  I am seriously obsessed.