Book Review: When It's Real by Erin Watt

Summary: 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 2017
Age Group: New Adult (too graphic to be YA), Contemporary, Young Hollywood
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
Reviewed By: Nat

Review: 

Before I write anything, we must first appreciate the names of the lead characters...

• Oakley Ford, translation: an ode to sweet shades and a freaking Ford Raptor.

• Vaughn Bennett, translation: any girl that can rock a male dominant name is gold and HELLO Miss Elizabeth Bennett. You know I went all Pride & Prejudice when she was referred to as Ms. Bennett. #winning

The story is set in the fame and misfortune that is Young Hollywood, hence I refer to these books as Hollywood Glam. And I am always a sucker for Hollywood, scandals and of course a spitfire heroine.

Oakley Ford, was a young and entitled rockstar. Sometimes I would think I was reading about Justin Beiber and then I would think maybe Nick Jonas mixed with a little anger flare of Kanye West (you know in those total douche moments). He was fun but Vaughn was the real gem. That chick had spunk and yet she was still pretty naive to love. The twists and turns kept me interested until the very last page. Plain and simple, it was really a good, fast read.

And I am just going to throw this out there... When It's Real could actually be a Hollywood Starlets story! ... We will never know, well played Erin Watt.

If you love Contemporary New Adult with Hollywood Glam, then this is the book for you!

If you liked these stories, then you are sure to love When It's Real.

Between the Lines: Review HERE
Famous by Default: Review HERE