[Review] When It's Real by Erin Watt

Title: When It's Real

Author: Erin Watt

Release Date: May 30, 2017

Format: eBook

Wealth, fame and a real-life romance she never expected—seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett lands it all when she agrees to become a pop star's fake girlfriend in this smart, utterly addictive novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Erin Watt 
Under ordinary circumstances, Oakley Ford and Vaughn Bennett would never even cross paths.
There's nothing ordinary about Oakley. This bad-boy pop star's got Grammy Awards, millions of fangirls and a reputation as a restless, too-charming troublemaker. But with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley needs to show the world he's settling down—and who better to help him than Vaughn, a part-time waitress trying to help her family get by? The very definition of ordinary.
Posing as his girlfriend, Vaughn will overhaul Oakley's image from troublemaker to serious artist. In return for enough money to put her brothers through college, she can endure outlandish Hollywood parties and carefully orchestrated Twitter exchanges. She'll fool the paparazzi and the groupies. She might even start fooling herself a little.
Because when ordinary rules no longer apply, there's no telling what your heart will do…

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Reviews

**4.5 Stars **

Oh how I love everything Erin Watt gives to us readers, the dynamic duo that makes up Erin Watt has a gift and oh did they deliver. When It's Real is no different. Oakley and Vaughan are two of my favorite characters of 2017. Don't expect this story to be anything like The Royals because it's so different, which I think is why I loved it even more. There is just something about Vaughan and Oakley that you love from the first page. I seriously couldn't get over how awesome this book was and how much I loved it. The slow burn romance between these two is something I so needed when I read this and it was perfect.

At first you can't get over how spoiled Oakley is and how much of a jerk he is. But when you start seeing the many layers being pulled back, you start to see why he is the way he is and you hurt for him. He might be a rock star but his life seems empty. So when his PR team throws someone normal like Vaughan at him to be his fake girlfriend for year, you kind of hurt for them both. Vaughan hasn't had an easy life recently either, but when this opportunity comes up, she does it for the money. But, does she keep doing it for the money or does she end up really having feelings for him?

I LOVED Oakley and Vaughan. I seriously can't say that enough. Their story was unique to them. It shows them each grow up in different ways. Vaughan has to learn to trust the playboy and Oakley has to learn to think more of himself. Erin Watt gave us this story of a normal girl falling in love with a rockstar guy. But in the end, Vaughan gave Oakley the chance to do "normal" things as well. Which made their story even better.

When It's Real is such a good book. I couldn't get over how much I was enjoying it. Erin Watt are the perfect writing duo. They write words that turn into amazing books. I hope they continue writing together because they just make my heart happy with their words. When It's Real was such a fun read. I couldn't stop reading it. 

When I first started reading it, I fell in love with Vaughan. She is such a down to earth girl and she was just pure honesty. I loved that she had her own voice and even though she was in a tough situation for her self she didn't let it stop her from being herself. Oakley was such a jerk! When we first met him he was nothing but mean and disrespectful. I didn't know how I could even like him. As I read I slowly started to fall for Oakley. He was just wanted to himself but he couldn't. He was too famous for that. He took in in stride though and it was all because of Vaughn. 

This hate to lovers book is a favorite of mine! Erin Watt deliver such an amazing book that gave me tingles and made me read this book just so I could fall in love again. It was light and fun at times and then it got serious and sad at times. When It's Real is the perfect mix of love, fame, and music.

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[Dual Review] Twisted Palace by Erin Watt

These Royals will ruin you…

From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.

Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She’s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.

Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he’ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.

No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.

They may be right.

With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and Reed must find a way to beat the law, save their families, and unravel all the secrets in their Twisted Palace.

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Tanya and Lexy's Thoughts

**3.5 Stars**

Twisted Palace was my most anticipated read yet.  I was waiting for this book as soon as I finished the last words of Broken Prince. The first two books had me hooked. I lived, breathed, and dreamt about the Royals. I spoke about these books to my friends and anyone who would listen. So you can imagine my disappointment when I got to this book. It was good but it wasn’t as good as I hoped. I wanted more drama, more suspense, and more shock but Twisted Palace lacked these things.

I won’t talk about the plot or anything that goes on because I would ruin the book for you. I will just say that a lot of crazy happened. We see read in a though situation, the toughest yet. I saw little way out. Although I saw Reed, I was missing the other Royal boys. They didn’t make an appearance as much in the other two books and I missed that. I wanted more closeness but it didn’t happen.

Ella was my favorite character since the beginning. She had strength and power. In this book I was missing a lot of the characteristics that made me fall in love with her. She didn’t have passion. I wanted her to be her own character and stand up for herself. There was once part that just had me boiling over because that did not seem like an Ella thing.

The plot wasn’t strong enough. I thought it could be improved on to make it flow more easily. Another thing that I didn’t like was that the ending was so rushed! It happened to quickly and it didn’t give me enough time to process the whole thing. If it would have continued a little more and had more explanation it would have been great! The end could have included more Reed and Ella too. So overall the book could have done better but even with all these negative things I enjoyed the story. Now I am really excited for Easton. He will be the next book and I couldn’t be more excited because this book set it up good! There were little snippets and clues but not enough so it kept me guessing! I can’t wait to read more from these authors!

**3.5 stars**

I waited for this book for months. I needed it. I re-read books 1&2 to prepare, I was dying to know what happened, but once I read it? I felt let down. All of the anticipation and suspense I was looking for just wasn't there compared to the others in the series. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite. I was just a let down. I can't describe it.  

I won't go into detail about the plot or anything that gives away the story, but I felt compared to Paper Princess and Broken Prince, the plot wasn't as strong. It felt rushed. With Paper Princess and Broken Prince there was so much drama and suspense, which made me love it, but when it comes to Twisted Palace, it just wasn't there. I didn't get the secondary characters which were just as much of the story as Reed and Ella. 

Reed seemed to "mellow" which was different from him in the other ones and give him. Ella was portrayed as strong and passionate in books 1 & 2, but it just wasn't there this time around. Had the book been a little longer and not have felt as rushed, I think it would have been better. The end could have been more in depth with Reed, Ella and the other Royal boys (I seriously missed them in this book). I'm excited for Easton's book though, because it's Easton. we see Easton all throughout the books and I can't wait to get to know him more than just the snippets we get of him.

I can't wait to see what else these two authors can come up with though, because overall, their gift is amazing! Bring on the next Erin Watt book!

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[Review] Broken Prince by Erin Watt

These Royals will ruin you...

From wharf fights and school brawls to crumbling lives inside glittery mansions, one guy tries to save himself.

Reed Royal has it all--looks, status, money. The girls at his elite prep school line up to date him, the guys want to be him, but Reed never gave a damn about anyone but his family until Ella Harper walked into his life.

What started off as burning resentment and the need to make his father's new ward suffer turned into something else entirely--keep Ella close. Keep Ella safe. But when one foolish mistake drives her out of Reed's arms and brings chaos to the Royal household, Reed's entire world begins to fall apart around him.

Ella doesn't want him anymore. She says they'll only destroy each other.

She might be right.

Secrets. Betrayal. Enemies. It's like nothing Reed has ever dealt with before, and if he's going to win back his princess, he'll need to prove himself Royally worthy.  

Warning: This book ends in a cliffhanger. 

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Review

Initial Reaction

Tanya: Broken Prince was one of my most anticipated books this year. After reading Paper Princess I was totally in love with the characters, the story, and the authors. Broken Prince was full of intensity, drama, love, and secrets. I loved every moment of the story and I couldn’t put it down. The Royals sucked me in. I was living and breathing the Royals. The beginning had me feeling all kinds of excited because it answered a lot of my questions that I had from Paper Princess, book one. One revelation let me speechless, shocked, mad, and disappointed.

Lexy: I had been waiting for this book since I finished Paper Princess in April, I won't lie when I say the wait made me antsy for answers.... I read Paper Princess twice to hold me over and "attempt" to figure out where Broken Prince was going to go. Broken Prince did not disappoint. It sucked me in from page one and answered questions I had from Paper Princess. The cliffy at the end though, let me utterly speechless. I re-read the last 3 chapters multiple times to make sure that's what I had just read!

Characters

Tanya: I absolutely love all the Royals. Of course I love Reed, but I think Easton is pretty high up there. I love his humor and his bad boy attitude. But I think Reed won me over in this book. The way that he felt and spoke about Ella just warmed up my heart. Reed is a character that takes charge but the way he would be around Ella?! Swoon. And Ella, she totally won me over since Paper Princess. I love her simplicity and her strength. The twins I find quite fascinating. I have no clue what is going on but I am definitely intrigued. As for Gideon, I have no thoughts on him yet but I really would like to know a lot more. And as for the final Royal, Callum, I think he is totally amazing and in control but he needs to have better choice in women. LOL

Lexy: I love the Royals, everything about them drew me in. Reed, my favorite Royal man, stole my heart in this book. Paper Princess left me questioning him and if I wanted to continue loving him, but he redeemed himself in Broken Prince and his pining after Ella? Swoon. He knew he messed up with Ella and that she needed to trust him again. He knew he wanted her, so he went after it. Ella, the poor girl. I feel for her, her story breaks my heart and the struggles she's had since we first met her kills me! I just want her to get her happy ending! The twins, I laugh at their relationship with Lauren because it's so out there and adds entertainment to the story. Easton, that boy makes the story and I love every piece of him. Now as for the oldest Royal brother, Gideon? I don't really have a feel for him yet, I can tell you I'm intrigued to see what happens though in Twisted Palace with him.

Story

Tanya: I loved the whole story. It wasn’t predictable and I love that in a story. I love when books can have me guessing the whole time. It makes it a lot more interesting and captivation. The plot, climax, and the huge twist were perfectly executed. Erin Watt, although two different authors, make this story come together seamlessly and they know how to get all the feels out of readers. I am so impressed by them. I can’t wait for more.

Lexy: I usually can feel if a cliffy is approaching, with Broken Prince I had NO idea what was coming or how the story would go. Erin Watt sucked me in from page one and had the perfect plot twists that made the story the reason why I love it. Erin Watt, consisting of two of my all time favorite authors, nails it with this story yet again. They make you feel and want to know more. The ending leaves you hanging and dying for more.

Final Thoughts

Tanya: Broken Prince is a story that every reader should know about. Everyone should read this book and be royally ruined. It is really impressive just how much I have come to wanting to stalk these authors and demand more of their words. They just found their mojo and the Royals are it. Erin Watt is ruining all the readers out there with the Royals. Now it is your turn to be ruined!

Lexy: I recommend this series to anyone and everyone I meet. It's not like any other series I've read before. I love that I've been royally ruined. The Royals stole my heart and I want others to know just how amazing these two authors are with the story they've created. 

Paper Princess (Book One)

From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.

These Royals will ruin you…

Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone. 

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees. 

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