The Real Deal

A Novel

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Zachary Webber

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Get ready for your next favorite romantic comedy audiobook from Lauren Blakely, The Real Deal!

April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn’t been on Craigslist since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn’t even spend that much time online. And even if she did, she would not be looking up personal ads. But going home alone for her family's summer reunion is an invitation for every single relative to butt into her personal life. She simply can’t handle another blind date with the butcher, the baker, or the candlestick maker from her hometown. So when she finds the Craigslist ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she’s ready to pay to play.

Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I’m the REAL DEAL.

Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He’s this close to finally settling all his debts, and one more job as a boyfriend-for-hire will do the trick. He’s no gigolo. Please. He’s something of an actor, and he knows how to slip into any role, including pretending to be April’s new beau - the bad boy with the heart of gold. Even if it means sleeping in close quarters in that tiny little bed in her parents’ inn. Even if it means spinning tales of a romance that starts to feel all too true.

What neither one of them counts on is that amid the egg toss, the arm wrestling, and a fierce game of Lawn Twister that has them tangled up together, they might be feeling the real deal. She only wanted to show her family once and for all that she had no need to settle down. He didn’t expect to have the time of his life at her parents' home. They didn’t plan on loving every single second of the game. But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?

©2018 Lauren Blakely (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"I loved everything about these characters, from their sparkling banter to their electric attraction. Witty, clever, and swoony." (Amy E. Reichert, New York Times best-selling author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake)

"A hilarious, hot slow burn. The Real Deal is full of witty banter and characters you'll fall head over heels in love with." (Helena Hunting, New York Times best-selling author of Shacking Up)

🌟🌟 5 Stars 🌟🌟

Another great book by Lauren Blakely! She is always my go to author for a fun, feel good, and sexy Rom-Com. This was a really entertaining boyfriend for hire story line.

April is a real witty, fun loving character, she had me giggling many times during this audiobook! She is over the whole dating thing and needs to bring a date to her family reunion otherwise she'll have to deal with her whole family trying to set her up. He family might be a little overly invasive, they are a very stable and caring family. Theo is also a very quick witted and fun character but he has a little bit of a past and is trying to get out from under it. What better way to make money than be a boyfriend for hire! He was a little cocky & still a little vulnerable which made his character completely swoon worthy! These two together were seriously cute! I loved how they got each others clever comebacks and every quip without skipping a beat. They has chemistry before they even met in person. I loved this couple, they truly were perfect for each other. I don't know if I have ever listened to a book with two characters had my from chapter 1! I love Lauren's writing style and how she always adds some fun facts and/or hidden secrets to her stories (maybe not secrets but something you will only know if you read her other books). At the end of this book I was laughing out loud!

Perfect story, perfect characters, perfect writing style and PERFECT NARRATION!! Erin Mallon and Zachary Webber are both amazing narrators! They were cast perfectly for these characters and did an awesome job bringing them to life! No one would have been better in my opinion!

Love love love ❤️ this

Knocked it out of the park! Zachary Webber just needs to narrate everything including the phone book. Although I’m not a huge fan of Erin’s extremely drawn out words when she does her female voice, her male voice will bring any woman to her knees! This story was so freaking adorable with and even better swoon worthy ending. Definitely worth the credit or purchase.

So good!

I loved this story and this author really knows how to write such interesting characters that you can't help but love. She also can write the hell out of a non-sex sex scene. Holy steamy! What makes this story even better are the talented narrators. I wish they could read every book I buy on audio.

Let’s be real

This book is everything I love about the genre, with a dream team of narrators as the cherry on top. Fantastic story and fantastic job to Erin and Zachary as April and Theo.

I loved the Journey, Narration, & Characters

I’ve purchased & enjoyed several Blakely novels. I loved this set up and the characters. Theo was complex & the secondary characters added to the story. I thought the teasing, flirting & growth between April & Theo was believable. I prefer low angst/minimal misunderstandings- and yay! Check. I was very satisfied w this audio & will probably listen again. A good job by Erin Mallon & Zachary Webber.

will leave you grinning like a fool

Told in dual POVs and narrated by the sexy and talented Zachary Webber and equally talented Erin Mallon. Blakley's witty humor and charm popped as we got to know April and Theos. 
The banter..oh how I loved the back and forth exchanges between April and Theo. The two have this genuine rightness about them when they are together and I liked watching the buzzing chemistry between them sizzle. 
The family reunion was a hoot, and made me want to plan one, from the games, to April's old prom date. 
While the romance developed quickly, it never felt like insta-love and I easily rooted for them. Drama was kept low, but gave enough of an edge to keep me listening. 

Another hit from Lauren Blakely

Wow, I loved this book. Great Romcom. Erin and Zachary are fantastic as always. They need to more books together.

Loved this fun romantic comedy

Anytime I pick up one of Lauren Blakely's books I am never disappointed!!! This book was so much fun & the chemistry between April & Theo was hot!
April is headed home for her family reunion & her family is determined to fix her up with a home town guy. So she asks her best friend to pose as her boyfriend but he has to go out of town on work so he suggests his friend Theo who just happens to be on a date for hire website.
I love April's character, she's smart, fun and has a sassy mouth. Theo is handsome, sexy and sweet. He's got a past and he has his reasons for doing what he does.
I absolutely LOVED this book it was a super sexy fast fun ready & add the audible version with it and you can't go wrong!!! Erin Mallon & Zachary Webber do an amazing job and really make the audible book well worth the purchase.

Love!!!!!

Theo wins!! He wins!! That ending!!! He wins!! 🥰😍😍❤️❤️

He’s one of my favorite book boyfriends! I genuinely enjoyed this. So glad they didn’t go the extra dramatic route that they could have gone. It was so sweet!

The narration made it even better!

5 Crazy Ass Must Read Stars!!!!!

Lauren Blakely is on fire! She really knows how to write a great rom-com and this one was no different. This was funny, sweet, full of sexual tension, and sexy.
The basic trope of escort to family function is a common theme out there but Lauren Blakely totally made this her own. I could not put this down. I'm all about procrastination when it comes to a gorgeous summer day that leads to lounging by the pool kindle. That procrastination was pushed even further when I started reading this. Goodbye laundry and household chores and hello Theo.
Lauren Blakely does not disappoint and I look forward to her next release eagerly.

Audible Review: 5 I-Wish-I-Could-Give-More Stars!
I'm a sucker for Zachary Webber and even though I had just finished reading this book, I snatched up the audiobook with this months credit just because of him. Imagine my surprise once I started listening and my favorite female narrator, Erin Mallon was narrating as well. I was one happy book whore.
As evident from my review above, I loved the book without narration but these two made the story even better. They added a whole other dimension to it and really brought it all to life for me.
I wish I could give it more stars that what I have already because the narration was the bomb.