The Real

Ask a hundred people what love means to them and you’ll get a hundred different answers.Aaaahhhhh!! What a sexy and slow-burn love story. I went into this book blind so please trust me when I say that every page is worth it! I was completely blindsided by the twist in this book and it made every single moment worth it. Set in Chicago, Abbie and Cameron's story is mature, romantic, slow-building and yes, very, very real.They meet over coffee and their relationship builds over a series of coffee-only dates. Abbie has been badly hurt before and is wary of trusting of most men. So you know that when she gives her heart to Cameron, she is all in.“Just be careful. You never really know someone unless they want you to,” she said absently. “See you tomorrow.” She’d unknowingly struck a nerve. My hidden fear. That no man could be trusted. That every man might hurt me.Abbie has a wonderful and fulfilling career and certainly doesn't need a man to complete her but Cameron is a born romantic and takes their relationship at Abbie's pace. He is funny, sexy, smart and completely charming. And treats her like gold.“Don’t be nervous,” he whispered. “You give me a new reason to want you every single day.”I certainly wasn't expecting the bombshell that Ms. Stewart dropped in the middle of this book!! It made me re-think every thing I had just read. The love and chemistry between Abbie and Cameron was simply undeniable and they both were good people who deserved a chance at love and happiness."All I did was fight for the happiness I wanted to deserve. When . . . was it going to be my time? And hadn’t I given enough flesh?"I loved this book and I absolutely adored how quirky Abbie was. This book also made me aware of a very serious issue that is not discussed as much as it should be. And for that, I applaud the author. I highly recommend this book and Kate Stewart remains one of my very favorite contemporary romance authors.“But just so you know, you and me, we are absolute.”

Abbie the witchy woman and Cameron the king of woo. These two had me spellbound immediately after reading the first chapter. I was intrigued as they were when they caught each other’s gaze in that Sunny Side Cafe drinking coffee. Their looks said it all as did their hilarious coffee mugs but it was Abbie’s quirky, cautious and sarcastic personality that screwed it all up. Luckily fate strikes again and that second interaction in The Violet Hour is filled with chemistry and of course Abbie’s BFF , the hilarious and fabulous Bree who makes sure that Abbie has a second chance with Cameron at the Sunny Side Cafe.From that moment on Abbie and Cameron story is a delicious slow burn to get to know one another through words. Yes, they communicate through Airdrop while they sit in the cafe. It’s different and gives their interaction and relationship a more intimate feel. There’s a reason why they choose this way of getting to know one another and I won’t spoil it here. I enjoyed every aspect of this story and when they took it one step forward to actually dating and being intimate I was already head over heels in love with both Cameron and Abbie. He wooed me and Abbie made me laugh. Their chemistry was undeniable and sizzling hot. This was romance and I devoured it.Then the other shoe dropped. Yup, I didn’t see that coming and believe me I was thinking about some sort of twist or conflict along their blossoming romance but Kate Stewart had me totally mesmerized by her words that it hit me when I least expected it. My heart was shattered but Kate Stewart puts it back together effortlessly and with so much love and attention to her characters and their story. The topics are serious, taboo and very important. Kate Stewart puts her touch on the story, on a topic that needs more awareness and discussion. The reader becomes emotionally invested in Abbie and Cameron. The pace is spot on from the beginning and kept me glued to the pages. The epilogue left me on a high and with a smirk on my face. The title says it all. This story and its topics feels real and so does Abbie and Cameron’s love. Another smash from Kate Stewart.5 BadAssDirtyWichyAndWooStars

Wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this book but it turned out to be much more of a story then I anticipated. They meet in a coffee shop. They decide to make rules and leave all their past baggage at the door. They know nothing about each other but are attracted as they communicate and build the trust they need. Cameron and Abbie... 2 great characters that have a lot to offer but how much is it going to hurt if they know what each others baggage entails? How hard is it to really know more than superficial things about each other if real sharing of yourself doesn't happen? Can a relationship be built under these pretenses? I loved this story and the issues that the author explores. The importance of opening up to others for the sake of getting to really know each other. I learned a lot in this book in that it made me stop and think about family, friends, co-workers, anyone that I might have a relationship with, even casual, and what might be going on in their life. One never knows. Great book and I highly recommend it. Look forward to reading more books by this author.

This is the second book I have read by Kate Stewart after reading Drive and really loving it so I had super high expectations for The Real and don't get me wrong I did enjoy it but it kind of left me wanting more. The book follows the story of Cameron and Abbie, Abbie meets Cameron when they connect across the room in a coffee shop. She comes from a troubled background, having been in an abusive relationship and doesn't really have romance on her radar until she locks eyes with Mr Woo! The characters in this book are strong, I definitely connected with Cameron and his swoon worthy ways and I loved Abbie too.The problem with this book for me is that there are no shock moments. I knew from pretty early on what the shock was going to be, no spoilers though! I also found the ending pretty poor and typical of a romance. I actually read the last page and expected to see another page when I turned, found it odd that it ended on the sentence it ends on.4 stars from me, I did enjoy it but it wouldn't be a book that I'd say you absolutely have to read!!!

Lord my heart. What an absolute breathtaking read.I didn’t really know what to expect from The Real if I’m honest. I tried my hardest not to read reviews, deciding I wanted to go in all but blind. BEST DECISION EVER!!! I’m so pleased I did, because I got to see these beautiful characters & their heart tugging journey for all it was worth & what a journey it was.When I first started the book, I thought the loudest voice would be Abbie’s, but I was so wrong, because it was Cameron who I heard the most, even when he was silent. I can’t express how deeply I fell for this man & his strength, his love & his heart wrenching vulnerability. I can whole heartedly say he is in my Top 3 all time favourite hero’s.Kate managed to shatter me, then fix me. (almost) as I witnessed this amazingly tender, yet painful story of love. Real love. The emotions poured from each & every page, they were intense, raw, passionate & desperate. They hurt my heart so damn much, yet they also forced me to be hopeful, to believe.Not enough stars for this amazing book. My top read of 2018 to date.

Taking the 6 hours sleep I grabbed between reading out of the equation, I polished The Real off in one sitting. And I ran the whole gamut of emotions along the way.“A set coffee date every Saturday with no expectations, what could be better?”When you first begin reading, the little seed Kate Stewart plants in the opening chapter could be classed as fairly commonplace—it’s not the first story to begin with a guy meeting a girl in a coffee shop—but it’s what unfolds that transforms this story from a tiny little acorn into a mighty oak.“A kiss can be an introduction, statement, and a promise. I plan to make all three when you let me.”Cameron and Abbie stole my heart. They plucked it out of the cavernous hole it resides in and took it on one hell of a ride. A beautifully poignant, unforgettable and indeed real ride with two people who together brought everything from romance to heartache and everything that falls in between.“I’m not even close to finished wooing you.”The pacing of this story is perfection, gathering momentum as Cameron and Abbie’s feelings deepen. And whilst I had a gut feeling fairly early on with regards to one aspect of the story, and wasn’t too far off the mark, I still barely scratched the surface of what was to come and what did, touched me deeply.“...real love is a f****** miracle.”When an author can shred your heart and piece it back together then that’s a job well done in my world, and for that reason this is up there as one of Kate Stewart’s finest and a book I could read all over again.

Whist I appreciated the writing, which I’ll admit was brilliant, the story was not my favourite.I grew agitated after chapter 4 but ploughed through only to become more disappointed.Talking via macs does not do it for me. I know we’re in a digital age, but come on.Great writer. Shame about the story.Okay, so I feel the need to change my rating as I'll admit, I was way too harsh. I went back and completed the novel. I hate not finishing s book I've paid for. Although it was still a drawn out story, when the subject matter was revealed, I was surprised. And in a good way. Domestic abuse is a subject that needs to tackled sensitively and the author did this, as well as throwing in a happy ending. So I apologise for such a sharp rating and now bump it up to four star. I hope this change appears in the reviews.

a captivating, believable written piece. the characters stole my heart. the book flowed beautifully. never did i want to rush to the next part, nor did i feel bored by scene i was reading. thank you Kate for sharing Cameron and Abbies story.