Once upon a Real Good Time

Publisher's Summary

That smoking hot one-night stand with a former rock star?

Turns out he's my son's new music teacher. Oops. 

But I didn't know that the night I met Campbell. All I knew was he played my body the same way he played a guitar - like he owned it. 

My libido is still high-fiving me after being self-served for too many years, and we’re both ready for another night or two of fun, especially since we don’t just have chemistry in bed - we connect over everything. 

That is, until I learn he’s the man who’ll be coming to my house twice a week to teach my son - the best music lessons money can buy. 

Time to turn down the volume on our shenanigans. Only that’s easier said than done. 

***

I can rock a guitar solo in front of thousands, I can write chart-topping tunes, and I can absolutely stop thinking about my student’s mother naked. 

After all, I’m a single parent too, and I know what it’s like to put your kid first. That’s what I do every damn day. 

Trouble is, now that I’ve had Mackenzie, it’s hard - and I do mean hard - to stop wanting her. Harder too when I get to know her, and learn she’s an awesome mom, a great friend, and, oh yeah, she happens to get along perfectly with my daughter. 

All we have to do is set some rules. No dating, no nookie when the kids are around, and no one gets hurt. 

It’s all working out beautifully. Until we start breaking the rules, one by one.  

Making music with her in the bedroom is easy. But will we be more than just a real good time when the music stops?

©2018 Lauren Blakely (P)2018 Lauren Blakely Books

A GENUINE & DELICIOUS SLOW-SIMMER TO PERFECTION

With the perfect mix and blend of wordsmith heavyweights Lauren Blakely, Sebastian York and Andi Arndt you’re always guaranteed a Real Good Time.. and, by the end of chapter two, I so wanted to borrow one of Cupid’s arrows for the loveable hero and heroine.. to match them and their families up and give them a happy ending. However, I left it to the rom/com maestro and Lauren didn’t disappoint - in fact she surpassed.. the stolen moments, the tender touches, the dirty talk, the hot hero, the strong heroine, the humor, the secondary characters and the romance are all there as she spins her magical web of feels. It’s a feel-good romance as a one-night stand (with potential for more) comes screeching to a ‘platonic only’ zone for totally selfless reasons.. however their lust and longing and mutual respect for each other grow until it’s clandestine rendezvous and stolen touches and unspoken feelings. It’s a story of two hearts that have connected, two loving parents, two tight family units.. and two crafty teens who see a lot more than their parents think.

Worth a credit? This entertaining and brilliantly narrated dual POV love story starts off hot.. then simmers and slow boils until it reaches that all important perfect hallelujah moment. It’s got humorous, snappy and quick witted dialogue, it’s sweet, it’s savory and it’s deliciously hot too.. and YES it’s creditworthy.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

So Much More than a 'Real Good Time'!

What do you get when you cross a Trivia Queen with a Rock Star? You get a fabulous rom com that is so much more than a 'Real Good Time'! I just couldn't get enough of this fun and flirty, hot and steamy romance. Campbell and Mackenzie are both single parents who put their children first. When they have a chance meeting one night, they click right away, and the sparks fly. They have a hot night of passion that neither want to be a one time thing. Unfortunately, before their first official date, Campbell becomes Mackenzie's sons' music teacher. Their promising relationship has become a forbidden romance. I loved Campbell and Mackenzie so much! I love their personalities, how smart they are, how committed they are to their children, who were delightful as well. I loved their fun banter with their friends and family, and the deliciously dirty talk between them.
Blakely's writing is so mesmerizing. I am completely charmed by her amazing characters, and fascinated by the lives they lead. She creates beautiful romances with the perfect measure of angst, heartache, humor and passion. She continues to put a smile on my face and Campbell and Mackenzie's story was a compete joy to listen to. This was also due to the amazing talents of Andi Arndt and Sebastion York. Their comedic timing is impeccable as they deliver the Blakely banter I love so much. York is so perfect as Cambell. As a famous child actor and rock star, Yorks voice is the perfect sexy, alpha male who oozes confidence and seduction while also showing his softer, loving, fatherly side. Arndt has such a soothing voice that is easy to listen to. I loved her characterization of Mackenzie as a loving, attentive mom discovering the woman and lover hidden underneath. This is a great start to the Heartbreakers series, and I can't wait for Ally and Miller's story next!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

I know I can always count on Lauren Blakely to give me a feel good story with lots of dirty talk and hotness all wrap up in a beautiful drama free package!

This is a single parent romance which is my favorite, especially when the kid(s) are teenagers. I love to see great parents who put their kids first fall in love and get the beautiful life they deserve. Campbell is a single dad of a teenage girl and the relationship between father & daughter is so perfect it made my heart soar. Mackenzie is a single mom with a teenage son who ALWAYS puts him first and really deserves to find happiness in love. The kids are great in this book, no teenage angst. The attraction between these two was off the charts steamy. The little tiny bit of drama this book had was not even drama, just a little hiccup that they try to be the best parents and deal with but as the saying goes... Love Conquers All! They were just meant to be!

I loved that these characters both were quippy and the banter they share is perfect. It's sweet, cute and fun which was perfect for these two serious parents. I enjoyed the random trivia throughout this book too, I kept thinking about how much fun Lauren must have had finding all the random facts she used. Even the kids were fun, I especially liked Campbell's daughter with her cooking and her teasing playfulness she has with her dad. It was sweet and made me smile the whole time.

I can't wait for the next "stand alone" in this series. I always look forward to LB's Rom Com's especially when i'm in a funk and no book is working for me, she can always pull me out with her sweet, funny and hot books.

The narration was great as always with Sebastian York and Andi Arndt. I have to say I never thought I'd hear Sebyo say unicorn so many times in a book ;)

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Romcom at it's best!

When they call Lauren Blakely the queen of romcoms, they are not kidding. This fun, flirty and hot novel has everything you want in a book and will make you smile the entire way through. Combining all the things I love, rockstars, trivia, single parents and especially music education, I was hooked for the entire listen. Campbell and Mackenzie lock eyes in a club where Campbell is playing with his band. When they meet and hookup, it is evident there is more there than just a one night stand. But when Campbell turns out to be the new music teacher for Mac's son, things get dicey. Blakely writes her stories so we can feel and relate to each character. I could tell exactly how both Mac and Campbell were feeling through the story. Their love, passion, frustration and resignation is clear and hits you right in the heart. But I have to say, my favorite parts of this book are the interaction with the kids. The prodigy violin player is near and dear to me, as a band parent I can relate to getting your kids the best teachers. And the youtube baking kitchen is the absolute best idea! Mac with Campbell's daughter is priceless. This is a book you do not want to miss, it's feel good and happy!

Narrated by the incredible Sebastian York and Andi Arndt, you know you cannot go wrong with this listen! They are the characters they narrate and will bring you pure enjoyment.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Sebastian, Sebastian, Sebastian. Enough said!

Campbell is a former teen music superstar along with his brothers, current low-key band front man, single dad to a teenage daughter. Sounds like a good start. Add in Mackenzie, graphic designer, single mom to a teenage son, and we discover Campbell has another talent: wicked dirty talker and obvious panty-dropper. I love the mind of Lauren Blakely!! Sebastian and Andi do an amazing job--as usual--and their filthy tongues are stellar!

Campbell and Mackenzie have a chance encounter. When Mac's son needs a music teacher, she comes face to face with her "little more than one-night-stand!" As parents, they both decide they have to put their children first, and their wants have to take a backseat. What ensues is a beautiful story about a parents' love, sacrifices, and finally going after what you want.

I love their kids, probably because of the role they played in Campbell/Mac's HEA. With that said, this story is not for the kids. It's for naughty, nasty grownups who like a significant amount of dirty in their romance tales. As usual, the dynamic duo of Sebastian and Andi give a fantastic, filthy, sweet performance.

There are two more books in this series, and I can't wait for the next brother's story!

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Fun and light romcom!

This was a fun and light romcom that is superbly narrated by the ever talented duo of Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. Sometimes narrators sound too young or old for a character to me, but these two fit Mackenzie and Campbell perfectly! Sebastian York as the sexy former teen heartthrob Campbell, was just the right amount of alpha and doting dad. Andi Arndt's performance as the quirky trivia loving Mackenzie was also fantastic. The playful banter and sexual tension between these two really came to life in the audiobook. Though this is not a duet narration, I did love that the text messages between Campbell and Mackenzie seemed to all be performed by their respective narrators. Because of this, it gave the feel of duet narration for those portions of the book.

I really appreciated that though Mackenzie and Campbell both wanted more from the other, their first priorities were always the happiness of their children. Having them both be single parents was a twist on the trope I haven't seen often and I found it really refreshing that the hero and heroine were both mature and responsible adults with established careers and lives. Once Upon A Real Good Time was low on angst and drama and was a wonderful single parent love story with a touch of forbidden thrown in for good measure. Fans of Lauren Blakely will not be disappointed! I can't wait for Miller's story next!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A Pleasure For The Heart, Mind And Ears!

Mackenzie and Campbell are a sensational pair! I knew right away this was a story I would enjoy!
Humorous, deliciously sexy with such intense, immediate chemistry- I took every stolen moment I could to listen!
Lighter on the drama but not in feels this one will tug at the heartstrings of parents and even non-parents I'm sure!
Lauren Blakely ingenuously took the delicate balance of what's best for your kids and what's best for the parents a widely debated, guilt-inducing subject and intertwined it with a melt me into a puddle; I want more hugs story that left me smiling from ear to ear!
Andi Arndt and Sebastion York rocked it out on narration! I swear those two are some vocal ninjas!
Once Upon A Real Good Time is an absolute blast of an Audiobook!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Fantastic

There isn’t one thing I did not love about Once Upon A Real Good Time. What’s not to love about a hot musician/music teacher/super dad! Campbell is the total package. Whispered words across the stage had Mackenzie falling and contemplating a one night stand. This single mom had no intentions on mingling, but things might change. These two are absolutely perfect together both in and out of the bedroom. Hot-Hot-Hot!!! There was no way one night could ever be enough. An unexpected discovery made things a lot harder and a lot more interesting! Get ready for the sexy times texts and more that will leave you wanting more!

The narrators really brought this book to life. I could listen to Sebastian and Andi all day long!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This is better than a good time!

Lauren Blakely created a fantastic world I never wanted to leave in her Heartbreakers series. Once Upon A Real Good Time was filled with memorable characters, laughter, love and combustible chemistry.

Lauren has an incredible way of drawing you in and never letting go. She makes her characters so realistic, you want to dive into the world she has created. I felt each and every emotion they experienced and my heart has been taken by Campbell.

What starts out the perfect scenario for a one night stand, soon turns into intricately woven lives. Mackenzie has her hands full with the deck that life has handed her. She's a single mom who co-parents well with her son's father. She runs her own business and puts her son above everything else in her life. She doesn't have time to date. Especially sexy drool-worthy rockstars - who happen to be her son's music teacher.

Campbell has led the Rockstar lifestyle. His success has gotten him where he is today. But when a sexy trivia queen makes an appearance in his life, he knows better than to walk away. Even if all they can be is friends, it's a risk he's willing to take to be around Mackenzie.

I love how Lauren intricately weaves multiple characters throughout this book that lead to possibilities for future books to come. I can't wait to read Miller's book next. I am completely intrigued with his story.

PS - Sebastian York and Andi Ardnt are fantastic at narrating this book. Lauren, Sebastian and Andi are the perfect trifecta when it comes to entertainment. I can't wait for more from all of them.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book

Great book but it was Just too short. Love the story and narrators. Would buy again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sexy & Fun

As always I can rely on Lauren for a sexy, fun listen inbetween the thrillers I go for. I love a happy ending, a strong hero and heroine and a cast of characters that always leave me wanting to hear their story too.

Luckily in this story I know I am getting more! Gimme the next book!

Funny and hot story

A new series from Lauren. I repeat a new series from Ms Blakely. I simply am over the moon. The sexiness she can deliver with one story is simply off the charts. I live every single book of hers. And the narrators she is choosing are perfect for each book.

I loved this story Mac and Campbell are one of that couple that it’s hard not to like. You are incredible jealous of their love, chemistry. Simply everything. Lauren shows how much love can overcome. Tragedy. Heartbreak. Everything. All the feels Ms Blakely delivers are worth all the struggles the characters are going through

It is a fun and sexy story. Definitely worth picking up.

Always a pleasure !

This is another wonderful collaboration of beautiful voices, together with the supreme "wordsmithery" of Lauren Blakely's art.
Great imagery from the spoken word and chuckles aplenty.
Yet again, Highly Recommended !

A perfect love story

What a wonderful feel good romance with two single parents who hit it off both in and out of the bedroom. The story is funny, sexy and oh how I loved their dirty talk. A good old fashioned romance with wonderful characters, the children, the brothers, the ex and the best friend, all just wonderful. No angst, no biatching, just a perfect love story. I cannot wait for the next in the series. Sebastian York and the lovely Andi Arndt narrate perfectly.

5 Can This Woman Do No Wrong Stars!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Can This Woman Do No Wrong Stars!!

Lauren Blakely does it again! When does this woman sleep???

Have you heard the one about the Quiz Nerd and the Rockstar???

If you know me by now then you will know that I have a love for second chance romance stories, it's not even a guilty pleasure, I have no guilt at all, I fly my Swoon flag high people!

This is a first in a new series, but each one can be read as a Stand-Alone.

This was everything you need in a story with the added benefit of kids!

Yes, our two MC's both have teenage children, and I loved them, one was a little music prodigy and the other was an avid baker with her own YouTube channel.

Mackenzie is a woman that has dedicated her life to her son, she has put herself on the back burner, and managed to find a delicate balance between dating and quizzing, meaning she quizzes more than dates!

Campbell had a privileged life when he was younger being a former Rock Star, now days you will find him chilling with Netflix and sampling his daughters baking creations, although he does still sing in a band, he does not use his former stage name, and is now just a part-time singer and music teacher.

In true Lauren Blakely style the witty banter was there in spades, Mackenzie gave as good as she got, and it was hilarious, I had a grin on my face throughout, and Campbell had a dirty mouth, and I loved it!!!

🎧🎧 Narrated by the dream-team of Andi Arndt #SexyVoiceQueen & Sebastian York #SebYes this was just sheer narration perfection.

These two together are a masterclass of narration, my Andi/Seb comfort blanket was wrapped around me and I didn't want it to end, well not until the next one in the series is released!