Audiobook 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
Released: May 30th 2017
Review Source: Harlequin Teen

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 It’s Real was a total blast! I read Erin Watt’s previous series, The Royals, and could not wait to get my hands on their new book. Then I read the premise, a bad boy singer needing an image change, so they get a girl next door, ordinary, not in the limelight girl to help him out. Oh yes, this will definitely be something I will enjoy. So as soon as the audiobook was in my hands, or on my phone, I was all in.

Oakley Ford, definitely needs an image update. He’s had some bad press and even if they say any press is good press, it’s not always the case. Especially since Oakley wants to change his music, do something more him and less pop. He can’t work with the producer he wants to because of the image that is portrayed of him in the media. He kind of reminded me of Justin Bieber (and I’m totally a belieber so it’s a good thing), he’s been in the limelight since he was a kid and growing up with everyone watching has to be tough. All your mistakes for the world to see, I know we’ve all made mistakes we aren’t proud of just luckily we didn’t have the world watching. Then we have girl nextdoor Vaughn Bennett. Her older sister, Paisley, works for the same PR company that represents Oakley. They notice a picture of Vaughn at her desk, ask a few questions, do a little digging, and then bam! contracts are made and they’re offering Vaughn a lot of money to be a fake girlfriend and becomes too hard to turn down. That kind of money provides a brighter and easier future for Vaughn and her family.

This book was an absolute blast reading, the animosity between the two in the beginning, watching Oakley start to fall for Vaughn, watching Vaughn fight her feelings for Oakley, and all the great dialog in between. Vaughn was a total snarky girl and it made me love her so much. Please pick this book up! Great read for the summer, great read for whenever. These are the YA books I eat up like no other.