Real

By: Katy Evans

Narrated by: Charlotte Penfield

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

An indie phenomenon and a New York Times and USA Today best seller, the first in a heartwrenching new adult series about a beautiful young sports rehab specialist who can't fight her attraction to a dangerously sexy underground fighter - a fallen boxer.

A woman with a broken dream.

A competition…

He even makes me forget my name.

One night was all it took, and I forgot everything and anything except the sexy fighter in the ring who sets my mind ablaze and my body on fire with wanting…

Remington Tate is the strongest, most confusing man I've ever met in my life. He's the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit, and I'm drawn to him as I've never been drawn to anything in my life. I forget who I am, what I want, with just one look from him. When he's near, I need to remind myself that I am strong - but he is stronger. And now it's my job to keep his body working like a perfect machine, his taut muscles primed and ready to break the bones of his next opponents...

But the one he's most threatening to now, is me. I want him. I want him without fear. Without reservations... If only I knew for sure what it is that he wants from me?

©2013 Katy Evans (P)2013 Simon and Schuster Audio

Eye Opening to the torments of Menal Illness

Before reading this book, I had no idea how tormenting Bi-Polar could be for someone plagued by it. And the idea that a woman could willingly take on a relationship knowing that the man she loves is tormented in this way left me in awe. I couldn't have done it, but the heroine of this book did! In her ignorance, she made a few mistakes with RipTide, but I was left with the notion that she'd learn how to live with the effects Bi-Polar can create.
This is a very different love story. It starts out rather slow and I almost decided not to listen to it because the narration was mono toned. However, give it time, because it does pick up and you won't be disappointed. Brook and Rip Tide share a bond as dedicated, disciplined athletes. However, both are also damaged and this story tells how they embrace those and their union makes both of their lives better.
I enjoyed this book. I did listen to it in one session. Thank goodness I'm retired and have the time to do such a thing.
There were times I wondered if Rip Tide was beyond being able to live with, but you'll see how that's concern is squashed as you listen.
It's very erotic and this listen is done strongly from the female's experiences. Different, but very interesting and well done.

good book

I wish Remington's voice was a little more deep or hard. Since he is a fighter and a very complicated person.

unconditional love

great story about lust, love, family, wants and needs. the story line and delivery was good, the story flowed smoothly

Not realistic

I felt like this book was not realistic!! No one is ready that quick all the time and I also thought Brook was not the brightest!! She made stupid decisions and then wonders why everyone is so mad. I can't with her right now.

Oh my goodness!!

One of the best books I have read/listened to and I am an avid reader! Hot, possessive, dominance. Remy is hot! The love Remy has for Brooke and the secret he holds inside. Great story line! You will not be able to put it down once you start listening!

Good story.

Good romance. Little light on the eynding. Never did find out if the hero ever won his fight with the bad guy.

Very good start to the series :D

4 stars

This was a very good story. I liked both Brooke and Remy and liked their story. This is the first book I've read by this author and based off this, I'll probably be trying more of her work in the future.

Brooke use to be a track star with a chance at the Olympics. She had an unfortunate accident where she tore her ACL and it ruined her chances of staying in her sport. Brooke went to college and just graduated with a degree in physical therapy and is now looking for a job in her field. She hasn't had the time or inclination to date.

Remy is a good guy but he has mental issues that can cause behavior issues that makes his life difficult. He used to be a professional fighter but got thrown out due to mis-conduct (because of his mental issues). He now has a good career in the underground fighting and is trying hard to keep his life on an even keel.

Brooke lets her BFF (who is a big fan of Remy's) convince her to go to an underground fight with her. They get there and things are pretty normal until Remy comes out for his first fight. Remy takes the ring and when he sees Brooke he can't stop looking at her and they exchange a very hot exchange before the fight. Remy wins his first fight and as he's beginning his second fight, Brooke decides to leave her seat (just for a bathroom rum) and before she's even partway down the aisle, Remy has knocked out his opponent and jumped out of the ring to chase her down. They end up exchanging names (and Brooke's BFF throws out her phone #) and after a hot kiss, they go their separate ways. Brooke is hoping that Remy will contact her and so is surprised when she instead is sent tickets for her to use to go to his next fight. Brooke goes and since she hasn't been able to forget about Remy since she saw him last, she fully intends to have a one nighter with Remy. Brooke goes to the fight and when she sees Remy, the attraction is just as strong. She thinks it's on both sides but soon becomes confused when she finds out Remy isn't offering her a night in his bed but instead is offering her a job as his personal physical therapist for the next 3 months. Brooke is rather frustrated since she's really attracted to Remy but she really needs a job and a job with Remy would help her career greatly so she accepts.

Brooke and Remy start traveling and working together and things go well...outside of some major sexual frustration on Brooke's part. Since a good portion of her job includes touching a rubbing Remy's body, Brooke ends up rather frustrated and it isn't helped by the fact that as things progress, it appears that Remy still is attracted to Brooke. Regardless of the possible mutual feelings of attraction, Remy isn't willing to allow their relationship to include sex (at least in the beginning). Eventually they start kissing and even more, but Remy wont let it go all the way. During this time, Brooke's feelings are being fully engaged by Remy (as they talk together and do sweet things like exchange Ipod songs and such) and she realizes she's falling for Remy. She's also concerned about him though because the longer she's around him, the more she realizes that Remy has issues he's not sharing with her (his mental issues). Eventually Brooke pushes things and Remy admits that he wants her but not just for a night, he wants her completely. He tells her that the reason he wont have sex with her is because he wants her to know they're "REAL". Remy convinced himself that he needed to let Brooke know the true him before he claims her and because once she's claimed by him, he won't ever let her go. There's some ups and downs during this time but Brooke and Remy's feelings only grow stronger and eventually they do end up having sex and their relationship gets very serious. Unfortunately, some issues interfere with things and drama ensues. Remy does something that Brooke reacts badly to and ends up leaving Remy because of it (I can understand what she thought it was and why she left but I still felt it was wrong). Things look bad for a bit but Remy and Brooke are reunited and, after they talk some things out, they get back together and start their HEA.

This was a very enjoyable story. I liked both Remy and Brooke. Remy had his issues but I really liked him and considering his issues, I thought he did very well for himself. I liked Brooke overall but she made some stupid decisions that made it difficult at time. I realize that most of the mistakes she made were due to ignorance but there were a few things she did that were just stupid (but maybe not quite to the TSTL point). I liked how things ended in this story..it does leave it open for more of Remy and Brooke's story but it's not really what I'd call a cliffhanger. I may decide to read the next book in the series in the future. I'd recommend this story. :)

Magnetic attraction

Remy is an underground fighter who dominates the ring. He comes across as confident and in control that is until he spots Brooke. Brooke has been a professional athlete but lost out going to the Olympics due to an injury. Remy hires Brooke and the two can’t deny their connection. Music seems to be their way of saying what they really want. While Brooke can’t deny her feeling she is left wondering why Remy will not go any further with her. When he reveals his secret, will she be strong enough to stay? Can she be the woman for him? The chemistry is explosive. Remy’s character is sullen at times but so Alpha. Brooke seems to be the one to calm him. When an unfortunate incident happens, Remy shows how in love he is with Brooke. Unfortunately, Brooke was too stupid to realise what he sacrificed for her. This story was great and secondary characters played a huge part. The story deals with a serious subject matter. On the whole, I loved this book and the characters. My only negative would have been about Brooke, at times I felt she was immature and self-centred. Let’s see if she can redeem herself in the on-going series. I read this book as well as listened to the audio. This was my first audio and I was pleasantly surprised.
Reviewed for Hot books and Sassy Girls book blog

All time favorite books!

I love this whole series!! I grabbed the audible as I was heading out for a road trip with my 20 year old daughter. We named our Boston Terrier “Remy” (Remington). So I thought it was a good time to introduce her to where the name came from. 😁 that was the quickest 6.5 hour trip!! She immediately downloaded “Mine”. 💕

loved it. so much enjoyed it

I thought I wouldn't like it but after a couple of chapters I couldn't quit listening to it!!! absolutely loved it!