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Melissa Foster

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The Real Thing (Sugar Lake, 1) Paperback – September 5, 2017

by Melissa Foster (Author)

4.4 7,161 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Sugar Lake

Editors' pick Best Romance

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Bakery owner Willow Dalton’s friendship with Zane Walker has always been a bit complicated. Now a scrumptiously hot A-list actor, Zane’s always had a reputation as a player. He’s arrogant, and he’s definitely not boyfriend material. Sure, he did Willow a favor by agreeing to take her virginity before college, but is that reason enough for her to go along with a fake engagement a decade later―even if it comes with a real diamond ring?

Zane should have known better. Nothing involving Willow has ever been easy. Still, he knows her better than anyone, and becoming America’s hottest new leading man means cleaning up his reputation. An “engagement” to curvy, sass-mouthed Willow is the perfect PR move―provided no one gets hurt.

Now Zane and Willow’s little white lie has turned into an irresistible recipe for sweet temptation. And soon no one will be able to tell the difference between their fake engagement and the real thing―including them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Engaging, humorous banter between characters and lively, engaging storytelling are the highlights of Foster’s latest romance. Fans of Foster will not be disappointed.” ―RT Book Reviews

“The Real Thing is like the perfect dessert―sweet and satisfying with a touch of spice!” ―New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst

“Sizzling hot and so much fun! The Real Thing is a must read for romance lovers!” ―New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis

“If you love the small town romances written by Donna Alward, Kristan Higgins, and Laura Trentham―you will adore Melissa Foster’s The Real Thing!” ―Lady Celeste Reads Romance

About the Author

Melissa Foster is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than sixty-five books. Her novels have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown magazine, the Patriot, and more. She has also painted and donated several murals to the Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.

She enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and she welcomes an invitation to your event. Visit Melissa on her website, www.MelissaFoster.com, or chat with her on Twitter @melissa_foster and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Montlake Romance (September 5, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1542045819
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542045810
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,518,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #34,758 in Romantic Comedy (Books)
- #73,692 in American Literature (Books)
- #137,748 in Contemporary Romance (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 7,161 ratings

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Melissa Foster

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NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Download FREE first in series! www.MelissaFoster.com/LIBFree

Never miss a release and get a FREE Braden/Remington short story! Sign up for Melissa's newsletter: www.MelissaFoster.com/Newsletter

Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa's fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summers, Bayside Summers, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, Tru Blue and the Whiskeys, the Wickeds, and the Montgomerys. Melissa's emotional journeys are always family oriented. Perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy and blue-collar heroes and smart, sassy, and empowered heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance with no harsh language or explicit scenes under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa's interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and enjoying beach life on Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.

"Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" -NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely

"With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!" -NYT Bestseller Julie Kenner

"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." NYT bestseller, M.J. Rose

"You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that's fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

"Melissa Foster is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Fated For Love was amazing. It kind of reminds me of Jill Shalvis' books and they are my benchmark for contemporary romance awesomeness." --Books Like Breathing

Comments from Melissa:

I grew up in Maryland with my mother, a slew of wonderful brothers, and never a shortage of friends or pets. I am passionate about writing, reading, living healthy, and helping others do the same, and I enjoy just about anything outdoors (and anything chocolate!). I love to chat with readers and book clubs, and welcome your comments and suggestions. Feel free to email me. You can also catch me on Facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor.

Thanks for reading!

Customer reviews

7,161 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's story quality and readability. They found the romance cute and sweet, with just enough lovelorn spice to keep it interesting. Readers enjoyed the characters and their journey as they maneuver through the second book. The chemistry between the characters was hot and hilarious. The fun and lighthearted nature of the story made them laugh and root for the characters. Customers loved Willow and Zane's relationship and found them admirable.

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Story quality Readability Romance Character development Fun Love for willow Steamy content Plot

101 customers mention "Story quality"92 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the story's sweet, romantic elements. They find the moments funny and appreciate the emotional content. The writing style is described as descriptive and well-written. Overall, readers consider it a worthwhile read that keeps things moving without repetition of other stories.

"This is my first book by this author. I couldn't resist a good faking story, though this one wasn't exactly what I was expecting, still enjoyed..." Read more

"...Melissa Foster is an excellent writer." Read more

"...The supporting cast, as I said, is large, but still distinct. I never felt like I was mixing up characters or forgetting who was who...." Read more

"...Everything she writes is more than worth the read. Melissa you are fantastic! This is going to be another great series!" Read more

96 customers mention "Readability"96 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an enjoyable read about a couple who got lost in their youth. The story has just the right amount of lighthearted humor. It's a great start to a new series.

"...It's such a sweet love story, with just the right 🌶, and light hearted humor. Just as good as her other books!..." Read more

"...Can't wait to find out who's story is next! Melissa Foster is an excellent writer." Read more

"Another great Melissa Foster book! Everything she writes is more than worth the read. Melissa you are fantastic!..." Read more

"4.75 stars I loved this so much. This was so good...." Read more

90 customers mention "Romance"90 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's contemporary romance. They find it sweet and enjoyable, with just the right amount of spice and emotion. The book portrays the relationship between two good friends as a feel-good read that depicts the friendship between two very good friends.

"Once I started, I couldn't put it down! It's such a sweet love story, with just the right 🌶, and light hearted humor. Just as good as her other books!..." Read more

"...Looks so good too. Sounds totally different but equally good. Can't wait to hang out in this small town again." Read more

"...The characters are well defined & the reader is given a good look at the characters for the rest of the series...." Read more

"...The connection they had was incredible. It had the perfect amount of spice and emotion. The love between them was fantastic and so very real...." Read more

69 customers mention "Character development"65 positive4 negative

Customers enjoyed the characters and their journey. They loved the hero and heroine and how they loved each other for years. The chemistry between the characters was hot, with down-to-earth and sweet Zane being swoonworthy. The book had humorous characters, a nosy family, and a small town full of them.

"...Zane is adorable. His reputation needed fixing but he's just not that guy...." Read more

"...The characters are well defined & the reader is given a good look at the characters for the rest of the series...." Read more

"...These characters were developed enough that I am interested in reading their stories down the line, but not so much that they eclipse Willow and..." Read more

"...The way they showed their love for each other was amazing especially Zane’s gestures...." Read more

58 customers mention "Fun"58 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's fun and lighthearted tone. They find the story filled with humor and excitement, making them laugh and root for the characters. The book is described as sweet, sexy, and full of changes that keep readers guessing. Overall, customers describe it as a refreshing read and enjoy the Dalton family.

"...It's such a sweet love story, with just the right 🌶, and light hearted humor. Just as good as her other books!..." Read more

"...both likable characters and their witty repartee was entertaining and engaging. The supporting cast, as I said, is large, but still distinct...." Read more

"...This is a second chance romance between two friends which is filled with heat and humor...." Read more

"...Fake Engagements is always a fun trope for me to read but throw in Friends to Lovers, and Second Chance at Love, and you have a really great read...." Read more

15 customers mention "Love for willow"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's characters. They praise Willow and her sisters, as well as the Dalton family. The relationship between Willow and Zane is praised as adorable and quirky.

"...Right off the bat, I was delighted by Zane and Willow’s relationship...." Read more

"...Willows whole family is wonderful. I'm so looking forward to being able to get to know the characters more in future books to come...." Read more

"...was a little slow to start,but quickly picked up and I really loved Zane and Willow!..." Read more

"...I just enjoyed the heck out of it. Zane is awesome, Willow admirable. I loved side characters and pacing...." Read more

14 customers mention "Steamy content"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's steamy content. They find it cozy and enjoyable, with lots of foreplay and chemistry. The story is described as tender yet fun, and the characters are depicted as relatable. Overall, readers describe the book as a feel-good read that portrays a relationship well.

"...They are very steamy, quick reads. It's almost like reading the same book with some changes. I hope the rest of the series doesn't feel this way...." Read more

"...Could he convince her to be his forever next? This story is so sweet, hot and romantic as they make their way back to each other and fall in love..." Read more

"...Fun, heart tugging, emotional, titillating and off the chart Hot. You definitely will want to get your copy and fall in love with Willow and Zane...." Read more

"...It’s cozy. I read it on a rainy day and it was a perfect read. Right off the bat, I was delighted by Zane and Willow’s relationship...." Read more

32 customers mention "Plot"19 positive13 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot. Some find it heartwarming and sweet, with a little sadness. Others feel there's too little plot and character development, with a small climax and conflict that doesn't seem as big as expected.

"...I loved this story so hard. It's fun, flirty, emotional, and so full of sweetness. You want this one, you know you do...." Read more

"...conflict between the two characters and the 11th hour conflict that does occur is small stakes..." Read more

"...Fun, heart tugging, emotional, titillating and off the chart Hot. You definitely will want to get your copy and fall in love with Willow and Zane...." Read more

"...I also found parts of the plot ridiculous and not in a fun way...." Read more

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eawallace1015
Great read
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2024
Verified Purchase

Once I started, I couldn't put it down! It's such a sweet love story, with just the right 🌶, and light hearted humor. Just as good as her other books!

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Valerie StuckInBooks
Lots of heat!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is my first book by this author. I couldn't resist a good faking story, though this one wasn't exactly what I was expecting, still enjoyed it!

I always think of a good faking it story as the ones where a couple that's not likely to get together are forced to fake their relationship. Then the kisses they inevitably share start something either of them ever expected. It's my very favorite trope. So many possibilities. And this book gave it a different look.

Zane and Willow (love the names, btw) grew up together. He's her brothers best friend and he was her secret first (v-card type first). She set up rules and then left for college. And lots of other things happened that, well, I just can't tell you. Need to read it yourself for that. But later when they end up in this fake relationship, it's bringing where they always should have been. Finding out all that other stuff (which I still won't tell you) and figuring out their purpose. I just can't see a world where these two don't find it back to each other. They are just too perfect for each other. I guess that's the "difference" I felt in this book. Their fake relationship did bring them into each other's arms but if it hadn't been that it would have been something else. They are pretty clearly meant for each other. Sweet and sexy these two are!

Zane is adorable. His reputation needed fixing but he's just not that guy. It becomes clear pretty quickly that he loves Willow and isn't gonna cheat on her.

Willow did take a bit longer for me to love. She's been protecting her heart for a long time and she pushes too hard sometimes. Does make her real.

I'm not sure if it's characteristic of this author since this is the first book I've read of hers, but the romance is smoother. By that I mean, the angst that these two deal with is not so much a mess one of them makes as it is dealing with other issues (also not telling on what those issues are - you peeps need to read this book yourself). I found that I rather enjoyed that aspect of things. It felt more real to me. It also left more room for some seriously hot action between these two.

Oh yes, this author believes in couple time with lots and lots of heat! And these two were creative in their heat...um and dirty. Willow likes him talking dirty. Gotta be able to deal with that if you're gonna read this book.

Oh, and there's this book two coming out in December that I already want to read. Looks so good too. Sounds totally different but equally good. Can't wait to hang out in this small town again.

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Amazon Customer
Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
I Love the first book in the Sugar Lake series! Can't wait to find out who's story is next! Melissa Foster is an excellent writer.

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PamD
A perfect situation to reconnect with her dropped in his lap
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
Remember that first time? The hopes, the dreams, the feelings! Remember how long that mood stayed with you? Willow Dalton tried to control it. She asked her friend Zane Walker to be her "first" & then forget about it. No special feelings involved, just one night. She screwed up though. She fell for him. He stopped texting and her heart was crushed. In every encounter after then, she's guarded her heart by being sassy & snarky towards him. Now he wants her to be his pretend fiancée to clean up his image. Can she keep herself safe through that? Can she keep up a lie to her family for that long?

Zane Walker is now a Hollywood leading man but he never forgot Willow. A perfect situation to reconnect with her dropped in his lap. A focus group said he needed to clean up his image & date someone nice. Zane took it a step further thinking that if he could get Willow to open up, he could express his feelings. He's been in love with her since that night years ago. His life feels empty. He has everything he's dreamed of except her. Can he get Willow to ignore his image as a playboy? Will she fall in love with him?

OMG, I love Zane! So many times, the girl falls in love & the guy wants a one nighter. Not in a book by Melissa Foster! She's flipped it around to Willow wanting the one night stand, Zane in love with her for years & both of them suffering for years. The characters are well defined & the reader is given a good look at the characters for the rest of the series. The Dalton's love to give each other crap but support each other through thick & thin. I loved the interaction between Willow & Remi when they first meet. I am not going to leave spoilers but I had to laugh! I can't wait for the next book! I would recommend this book to all contemporary romance lovers that like their stories with spice & heat. There is some dirty language & sex but that isn't the focus of the story.

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Top reviews from other countries

Vimla
Fell in Love with Love
Reviewed in India on October 6, 2022
Verified Purchase

A beautiful love story. Well written, characters woven into the scheme of the narrative seamlessly. Only one thing I do not agree with and hope Melissa reads my review. I do not understand why lack of ambition or poverty should be a flaw of the magnitude it is mentioned in the book with respect to Zane’s parents that he cuts off ties with them. It is admirable that he appreciates the love given to him by the Dalton’s, but to be judgemental about his parents poverty is giving out a very wrong message. One would understand if due to circumstances, Zane had been abused or starved or neglected which wasn’t the case. Also, when he did well in life, Zane didn’t appear to try to help his parents live a better life or even interact with them. His determination to succeed stems from his childhood so in a way he has to thank the same.

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Kindle Customer
So much fun to read!
Reviewed in Canada on September 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
Willow and Zane are perfect together. I love a good second chance romance. These characters are fleshed out and complex and the town of Sweetwater is a great setting for their love story. Can't wait to read more about the Dalton family.

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Fee
The Real Thing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
One thing I love most about Melissa is her ability to write the most sweet & sexy romance novels, and even better second chance romances, and if The Real Thing is anything to go by Sugar Lake is going to be a great series for Melissa to add to her already amazing collection of books.

Willow Dalton & Zane Walker have been friends since childhood, and secretly loved each other from afar all these years. Before Willow headed to collage she enlisted Zane to take her virginity so she could away to collage a “woman” – she said there would be no strings attached and he was more than happy to oblige. Over the years they have kept in touch, with some flirting along the way, but it was always Willow who held back.

Now Zane is back in town with a proposition for Wills – as he nicknamed her – a proposition of a fake engagement to him for a few weeks as a publicity stunt thought up by his PR to gain him more exposure as a romantic actor, then once it over they go back to their respective lives. Willow naturally is against it at first as she is very close to her family and they will raise all sort of questions about the sudden engagement, but Zane seems to have it all planned out.

The lines begin to get blurred between fake and real and you are left wondering just how this is going to play out. It is clear that Zane & Willow want to be together and they he has thought of her for year, but as I said before it was Willow who held back – can this be the prefect ruse to bring them together again for real?

The banter between them both is brilliant and real, there are time when they are annoying and their are time when the lines blur and no one know what is real or fake, over all this is a great story from Melissa and I can not wait to read more from the Sugar Lake series!

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Belinda Fisher
Every single time I read a Melissa Foster book I fall in love all over again.
Reviewed in Australia on September 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
Another beautiful story by the absolute best in the business. Seamlessly following characters from one book to another is a skill not many authors have but Melissa has it in spades. And Zane is just amazing, perfect for Willow and what a sweet guy !! Thank you AGAIN Melissa.

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Ulla Herlev
Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2017
Verified Purchase
Great read just like all Melissa Foster's book are

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great read

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of heat!

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect situation to reconnect with her dropped in his lap

Top reviews from other countries

4.0 out of 5 stars Fell in Love with Love

5.0 out of 5 stars So much fun to read!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Thing

5.0 out of 5 stars Every single time I read a Melissa Foster book I fall in love all over again.

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars

Great read

Lots of heat!

Awesome

A perfect situation to reconnect with her dropped in his lap

Fell in Love with Love

So much fun to read!

The Real Thing

Every single time I read a Melissa Foster book I fall in love all over again.

Four Stars