Review- When It's Real by Erin Watt

Summary-

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?

Release date: May 30th, 2017

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Page numbers: 416

Review-

I have to admit I really enjoyed the Royals series by Erin Watt and that was the reason I was so excited for their next stand alone which is When It's Real. For those of you who don't know, Erin Watt is the pen name for the author duo of Elle Kennedy and Jen Fredrick. I love their books individually as well but together they create the most addicting stories. I'm happy to say that When It's Real was no different and it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

This book goes on from both Oakley and Vaughn's point of views. Let's start with Oakley. Oakley Ford is a celebrity and a pop star. He rose to fame just when he was thirteen and hasn't looked back since. His parents are movie stars practically making him Hollywood royalty. When Oakley finds himself in trouble his publicity team decide for an image overhaul which leads Oak to fake a relationship with a normal girl- Vaughn. I really liked Oakley. Yes, he was spoilt and self centred but he didn't know any different. He had been under the spotlight for as long as he lived. But slowly and steadily we can see Oakley making efforts to be a better person.

Then we have Vaughn. I LOVED Vaughn. She was the perfect heroine, especially for Oakley. Vaughn at first has no interest in playing a spoilt pop star's girlfriend but her family is struggling to make ends meet. Vaughn's parents passed away in an accident and now she and her older sister have to take care of her younger twin brothers. Vaughn was the girl next door but her personality was so much more than that. She didn't take any body's bullshit and she genuinely cared about her family and Oakley.

Vaughn and Oakley start off by arguing with each other. But slowly they start understanding each other and the reasons behind their personalities. I just loved Vaughn and Oakley together. Their romance was sweet and slow burn. It has been some time since I've genuinely enjoyed myself while reading a young adult novel and this one was just perfect. It had an amazing combination of love, friendship, family and finding yourself.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the side plot of Vaughn's sister Paisley and Oak's body guard. I hope we get more of them. I loved Vaughn's brothers as well. Erin Watt has written such fully fleshed out characters that every one's personality is distinct. If you are looking for a light yet heart warming read which will leave you with a smile on your face, I'd say pick up When It's Real. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.