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Rules of Love #1
For Real
Two people. One fake relationship. What could go wrong?
When virgin Shannon Travers gets fed up with her friends demanding that she find a boyfriend, she enlists the help of tattooed, mohawk-rocking graphic design student Jett. He’s more than happy to play along with their Fake Relationship, including the Ten Rules of Fake Dating that control-freak Shannon comes up with. Even if he likes to violate them. Repeatedly.
But what happens when Fake Dating starts to feel… not fake anymore? Will Shannon be willing to let go and embrace the first thing in her life that’s ever felt REAL?
New Adult Contemporary Romance *17 & up
When virgin Shannon Travers gets fed up with her friends demanding that she find a boyfriend, she enlists the help of tattooed, mohawk-rocking graphic design student Jett. He’s more than happy to play along with their Fake Relationship, including the Ten Rules of Fake Dating that control-freak Shannon comes up with. Even if he likes to violate them. Repeatedly.
But what happens when Fake Dating starts to feel… not fake anymore? Will Shannon be willing to let go and embrace the first thing in her life that’s ever felt REAL?
New Adult Contemporary Romance *17 & up
210 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2013
45 people are currently reading
2645 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea M. Cameron
114 books4,881 followersChelsea M. Cameron is a New York Times/USA Today/Internationally Best Selling author from Maine who now lives and works in Boston. She's a red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, former cheerleader, and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, eating brunch in bed, tweeting, and playing fetch with her cat, Sassenach. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
November 25, 2013
3.5 (closer to 4) SWEET STARS!!
I’m a fan of this author’s previous work like My Favorite Mistake and Deeper We Fall so it was a no-brainer that I’d have to check out her most recent release For Real. While this book wasn’t as emotionally in-depth as the others, Shannon and Jett’s story was a sweet, FUN read that grabbed my attention from the very beginning to the very end.
The premise of this book is a bit cliché since so many YA/NA authors write different variations of the “virgin heroine” theme, but this book took that idea and provided a fresh, unique voice that kept me entertained and made the story believable. There’s also this little twist at the end of the book that added to the story, which I think is cool. You may or may not figure it out ahead of time, but it’s a nice touch.
I think this is a book where if I give away plot details it will take away from what you can get out of reading this story. The humor, the (little) angst, and of course the sweet romance should be experienced first-hand. Though this book is classified as NA, when I read it, it really felt like a YA story, so if you’re in the mood for a short, entertaining, YA feels/NA setting read, then this may be the one for you!
P.S. Shannon’s best friend drove me bonkers. Hazel was the one factor that made me drop my rating between a 3.5 and 4.
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review
I’m a fan of this author’s previous work like My Favorite Mistake and Deeper We Fall so it was a no-brainer that I’d have to check out her most recent release For Real. While this book wasn’t as emotionally in-depth as the others, Shannon and Jett’s story was a sweet, FUN read that grabbed my attention from the very beginning to the very end.
The premise of this book is a bit cliché since so many YA/NA authors write different variations of the “virgin heroine” theme, but this book took that idea and provided a fresh, unique voice that kept me entertained and made the story believable. There’s also this little twist at the end of the book that added to the story, which I think is cool. You may or may not figure it out ahead of time, but it’s a nice touch.
I think this is a book where if I give away plot details it will take away from what you can get out of reading this story. The humor, the (little) angst, and of course the sweet romance should be experienced first-hand. Though this book is classified as NA, when I read it, it really felt like a YA story, so if you’re in the mood for a short, entertaining, YA feels/NA setting read, then this may be the one for you!
P.S. Shannon’s best friend drove me bonkers. Hazel was the one factor that made me drop my rating between a 3.5 and 4.
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review
December 4, 2013
2-1/2 Stars
Sigh. I wanted to like this one. I really did. It had several elements that I thought could really work: quirky girl, quirky boy, origami cranes, dragon tattoos, virgin twist. The storyline had potential. But there were things that just didn't work for me. So overall it was a short, sweet story, that just fell flat for me. So to be fair, I'll give 5 pros and 5 cons of the book. Warning: the following contains a few spoilers.
What did I like?
1. Jett. I liked Jett. A lot. He is a great character and the saving grace of this book. I wish he could have a new book with new characters and I could read a new story about him. Because he was just sweet and cool and sweet and a gentleman. He was a nice break from the bad boys. Plus, he sported some awesome tattoos and hair and was Asian.
2. I liked that Shannon finally stood up for herself, though even when she did it was quickly glossed over and resolved. But at least she finally spoke up. Yeah for some character growth.
3. Javier's friendship with Jett. Javier may not be perfect (far from), but I loved his loyalty to Jett, and vice versa. The glimpse we get into their past together and their loyal friendship was special.
4. Shannon and Jett were really cute together, as both a fake couple and as a real couple. Their quirks and uniquenesses and insecurities and cutesiness were... quite cute.
5. The twist with Jett, although I spotted it a mile away, but I was still glad it was in there. It was a goods twist and part of the reason I kept reading.
What didn't work for me?
1. Honestly, I'm tired of "friends" trying to force other friends to lose their virginity to strangers or "just get it over with." Since when did virginity become leprosy or tuberculosis or some other contagious disease that you need to immediately rid yourself of before you can become accepted into normal adult society? Shannon's "friends" were awful. I was horrified by the lengths they went to in the beginning to practically force Shannon out of her virginity. I'm sure that they had other decent qualities, but the author did not expand and develop their characters beyond the superficial, thus we're only left with their negative qualities, and some vague sense that Hazel had been good to Shannon at other time in the past.
2. Shannon herself seemed like a contradiction. For someone who looks down on her family and her upbringing, and has left for college to live a much more prosperous life once she gets her degree, for all the strength she used to get out of the mediocrity of her family, she has minimal backbone when it comes to her "friends." So Shannon has supposed great insight into her own family and her personal goals, some insight into her "friends" and their motives even though she won't confront them about anything, but zero insight into the obviousness about how Jett felt about her. I found this all very distracting for me to fully bond with Shannon and her story.
3. The one-dimensional secondary characters. All the girls blended together into one friend-blob. And most of the characters lacked depth and description. We don't get a great picture of anyone, outside of Jett's awesome tattoos.
4. There was also some extreme stereotyping that didn't work for me. The evil Christian homeschoolers for one, was just a little much for me. Maybe the author knows people like this, but in my homeschool experience, I think she could have chosen a family a little less obvious and made the story a bit more credible. I'm sure there is an extremely small percentage of people like this, but because of this extreme this just made the book a little silly for me. I know its fiction, but still.
5. Also, Shannon's frequent use and discussion of her B.O.B. was also a bit much. This seemed particularly out of place when she finally does lose her virginity and complains of and describes such extreme pain with it. But here's the thing, she was pretty well prepped beforehand by the guy, plus her body is very familiar with B.O.B., so I don't get, once again, why she has such an extreme reaction. I realize there is discomfort, and each person has their own experience, but from personal experience I just wasn't buying such extremity.
Bottomline: This is a quick read, with a cute couple and a sweet romance, in the New Adult genre. Overall, it didn't completely work for me, but it may work great for you.
Sigh. I wanted to like this one. I really did. It had several elements that I thought could really work: quirky girl, quirky boy, origami cranes, dragon tattoos, virgin twist. The storyline had potential. But there were things that just didn't work for me. So overall it was a short, sweet story, that just fell flat for me. So to be fair, I'll give 5 pros and 5 cons of the book. Warning: the following contains a few spoilers.
What did I like?
1. Jett. I liked Jett. A lot. He is a great character and the saving grace of this book. I wish he could have a new book with new characters and I could read a new story about him. Because he was just sweet and cool and sweet and a gentleman. He was a nice break from the bad boys. Plus, he sported some awesome tattoos and hair and was Asian.
2. I liked that Shannon finally stood up for herself, though even when she did it was quickly glossed over and resolved. But at least she finally spoke up. Yeah for some character growth.
3. Javier's friendship with Jett. Javier may not be perfect (far from), but I loved his loyalty to Jett, and vice versa. The glimpse we get into their past together and their loyal friendship was special.
4. Shannon and Jett were really cute together, as both a fake couple and as a real couple. Their quirks and uniquenesses and insecurities and cutesiness were... quite cute.
5. The twist with Jett, although I spotted it a mile away, but I was still glad it was in there. It was a goods twist and part of the reason I kept reading.
What didn't work for me?
1. Honestly, I'm tired of "friends" trying to force other friends to lose their virginity to strangers or "just get it over with." Since when did virginity become leprosy or tuberculosis or some other contagious disease that you need to immediately rid yourself of before you can become accepted into normal adult society? Shannon's "friends" were awful. I was horrified by the lengths they went to in the beginning to practically force Shannon out of her virginity. I'm sure that they had other decent qualities, but the author did not expand and develop their characters beyond the superficial, thus we're only left with their negative qualities, and some vague sense that Hazel had been good to Shannon at other time in the past.
2. Shannon herself seemed like a contradiction. For someone who looks down on her family and her upbringing, and has left for college to live a much more prosperous life once she gets her degree, for all the strength she used to get out of the mediocrity of her family, she has minimal backbone when it comes to her "friends." So Shannon has supposed great insight into her own family and her personal goals, some insight into her "friends" and their motives even though she won't confront them about anything, but zero insight into the obviousness about how Jett felt about her. I found this all very distracting for me to fully bond with Shannon and her story.
3. The one-dimensional secondary characters. All the girls blended together into one friend-blob. And most of the characters lacked depth and description. We don't get a great picture of anyone, outside of Jett's awesome tattoos.
4. There was also some extreme stereotyping that didn't work for me. The evil Christian homeschoolers for one, was just a little much for me. Maybe the author knows people like this, but in my homeschool experience, I think she could have chosen a family a little less obvious and made the story a bit more credible. I'm sure there is an extremely small percentage of people like this, but because of this extreme this just made the book a little silly for me. I know its fiction, but still.
5. Also, Shannon's frequent use and discussion of her B.O.B. was also a bit much. This seemed particularly out of place when she finally does lose her virginity and complains of and describes such extreme pain with it. But here's the thing, she was pretty well prepped beforehand by the guy, plus her body is very familiar with B.O.B., so I don't get, once again, why she has such an extreme reaction. I realize there is discomfort, and each person has their own experience, but from personal experience I just wasn't buying such extremity.
Bottomline: This is a quick read, with a cute couple and a sweet romance, in the New Adult genre. Overall, it didn't completely work for me, but it may work great for you.
December 11, 2013
SWEET!
What an amazing, lovely, sweet, funny, cute, charming and enticing read! For Real is just awesome. I was on the cloud nine, filled with this warm, fuzzy emotions and with butterflies in my tummy, all the time while I was reading it. This is a great read in one sitting book, that will take you onto a crazy, hilarious, romantic journey. My heart beat so fast and I just couldn’t make the silly grin disappear from my face. It was so, so good! Perfect new adult read for fans of pleasurable, amusing and lovely books.
What an amazing, lovely, sweet, funny, cute, charming and enticing read! For Real is just awesome. I was on the cloud nine, filled with this warm, fuzzy emotions and with butterflies in my tummy, all the time while I was reading it. This is a great read in one sitting book, that will take you onto a crazy, hilarious, romantic journey. My heart beat so fast and I just couldn’t make the silly grin disappear from my face. It was so, so good! Perfect new adult read for fans of pleasurable, amusing and lovely books.
November 11, 2013
For Real is a sweet New Adult romance told from the perspective of the heroine, set in college and full of shiny 'new relationship' and university-type activities (studying, coffee shops, bowling and parties with friends, etc). If your general reaction to 'new adult' is "eww, sugar shock and no sex!" then know that this story does indeed have sex and the narrative doesn't skimp on the details, although it takes a while to build up to and it isn't gratuitous.
All the characters in For Real are interesting and fun to read about, but I particularly liked Jett (Shannon's "fake boyfriend", whose name is AWESOME!) and his roommate Javier. Jett is a total sweetheart, the kind of guy who is intuitive, well-mannered, just a little geeky, and your parents would adore. Javier is his total opposite but has a good heart, is a loyal friend, and adds a punch of comedic relief.
Overall this is a fun, sweet read, ambling casually through the various stages of Jett and Shannon's relationship to end in a predictable-yet-enjoyable happily ever after. A recommended read for fans of the New Adult genre who don't mind a little more behind-the-scenes details.
3.5/5 Stars
All the characters in For Real are interesting and fun to read about, but I particularly liked Jett (Shannon's "fake boyfriend", whose name is AWESOME!) and his roommate Javier. Jett is a total sweetheart, the kind of guy who is intuitive, well-mannered, just a little geeky, and your parents would adore. Javier is his total opposite but has a good heart, is a loyal friend, and adds a punch of comedic relief.
Overall this is a fun, sweet read, ambling casually through the various stages of Jett and Shannon's relationship to end in a predictable-yet-enjoyable happily ever after. A recommended read for fans of the New Adult genre who don't mind a little more behind-the-scenes details.
3.5/5 Stars
February 3, 2015
"-¿Nachos? -dice.
-Nachos."
Es de esos libros que cuando necesitas que mejoren para evitar abandonarlos, lo hacen :D
Tiene un comienzo horrible, lleno de típicos que me dieron la sensación de estar leyendo un libro repetido, pero sucede algo genial, cuando Shannon empieza a pasar más tiempo con Jett y menos con esas amigas que tiene, todo se vuelve un poco adorable.
¡Que pareja más linda hacen estos dos! ♥
Shannon es siniestra, sus pensamientos son terribles, vive babeando por dentro por Jett y diciendo tonterías incómodas. La aplaudo, por lo suertuda que fue encontrar alguien con quién ser más de ella misma. Jett, es tan tierno. Me rompió el corazón, hace rato que no me pasa XD
Estos chicos a medida que avanzan como pareja se vuelven más cómodos con el otro, más familiares, la relación mejora y la química también, entiendo por qué se van queriendo poco a poco.
Destaco el chico con tatuajes que no es malo y no arrastra malos traumas, y la chica que tiene un buen cuerpo, lo sabe y lo disfruta.
ODIO A LAS AMIGAS DE SHANNON, especialmente a la estúpida de HAZEL. No debe haber persona más detestable que ella, con su "pasado díficil, su llanto fácil, y toda su conversación acerca de la importancia de tener un pene en tu vida", cada vez que aparecía en escena sabía que iban a hablar de sexo. Porque al parecer es inconcebible que alguien en su sano juicio se conserve virgen solo porque no se ha dado el momento adecuado. LA ODIO, LA ODIO, LA ODIO. Si el siguiente libro es de ella, por mí puede arder en el infierno, porque no hay forma en este mundo que yo lea su historia. Aun si se trata de Javier, personaje extraño como pocos pero del que no me encariñado lo suficiente como para querer leerlo con ella. NINGUNA de las amigas de Shannon son rescatables, cuál más estúpida que la otra. Safaría la compañera de trabajo pero eso hay que verlo.
November 15, 2013
For Real completely blew my expectations out of the water. I knew that I had absolutely LOVED My Favorite Mistake but I just didn’t expect to get that level of quality out of another romance. Yes, I’m a snob.
And, yes I was wrong.
Shannon is a virgin. And she’s tired of her friends giving her crap about it. One night they push her too far and she snaps. (Seriously, they go way too far – how she managed to stay friends with those guys is beyond me). She meets Jett (well, re-meets – they’d briefly met once before) and goes home with him. Not to actually have sex with him – just so it looks like she did. But then Shannon and Jett take it one step further – they plan an entire fake relationship to get her friends off her back.
Fake Girlfriend? Meet Fake Boyfriend.
It’s adorable.
They make up rules and everything (Rule #3 is no incidental contact unless they’re in public where they’re expected to be all over each other).
But it turns out… a fake relationship feels an awful lot like a real one. Especially when two people get along as well as Jett and Shannon do.
As the date of doom (the date they planned to “break up”) approaches… things get intense.
And it’s just fabulous.
And honestly – it’s not just Jett and Shannon that made me love this book! Javi and Hazel (the roommates, respectively) were interesting characters in their own right. Enough so that something tells me the next book might just be about those two.
For Real was honestly the best kind of book. It wasn’t insta-love – we got to experience them fall in love as they did. It was sweet. It was beautiful. And it made me remember why I love to read about love.
And, yes I was wrong.
Shannon is a virgin. And she’s tired of her friends giving her crap about it. One night they push her too far and she snaps. (Seriously, they go way too far – how she managed to stay friends with those guys is beyond me). She meets Jett (well, re-meets – they’d briefly met once before) and goes home with him. Not to actually have sex with him – just so it looks like she did. But then Shannon and Jett take it one step further – they plan an entire fake relationship to get her friends off her back.
Fake Girlfriend? Meet Fake Boyfriend.
It’s adorable.
They make up rules and everything (Rule #3 is no incidental contact unless they’re in public where they’re expected to be all over each other).
But it turns out… a fake relationship feels an awful lot like a real one. Especially when two people get along as well as Jett and Shannon do.
As the date of doom (the date they planned to “break up”) approaches… things get intense.
And it’s just fabulous.
And honestly – it’s not just Jett and Shannon that made me love this book! Javi and Hazel (the roommates, respectively) were interesting characters in their own right. Enough so that something tells me the next book might just be about those two.
For Real was honestly the best kind of book. It wasn’t insta-love – we got to experience them fall in love as they did. It was sweet. It was beautiful. And it made me remember why I love to read about love.
August 11, 2016
Лаадно, это было милашно. Очень милашно. И я проглотила эту книгу буквально за несколько часов, чего мне давно не удавалось сделать с чем-либо другим. Нужно вновь втягиваться в чтение, а то я обленилась до безобразия.
Кстати, мне эта книга понравилась на порядок больше чем "My Favorite Mistake", хотя и в ней достаточно косяков. Впрочем, мне нравится что все нормально закончили и не было раздутий проблем и личных секретов. Ну и я не могла пройти мимо парня-азиата. Вот вообще. За него отдельная десяточка.
Итоговая оценка: 7 из 10
Кстати, мне эта книга понравилась на порядок больше чем "My Favorite Mistake", хотя и в ней достаточно косяков. Впрочем, мне нравится что все нормально закончили и не было раздутий проблем и личных секретов. Ну и я не могла пройти мимо парня-азиата. Вот вообще. За него отдельная десяточка.
Итоговая оценка: 7 из 10
June 26, 2016
Wow I didn't thought i'd like this book but surprisingly I did. I mean, fake boyfriend is such a cliche but this story is kind of cute and funny, soooo
March 11, 2019
This was all over the place. Could be so much better.
Overall sweet and short but with a lot of hit and miss things.
Overall sweet and short but with a lot of hit and miss things.
December 2, 2013
I've read other books by Chelsea and loved them, but this... It just wasn't for me, at all. I found it to... childish? To say it mildly. That kind of fooling around would have worked for a high school sophomore couple, but not for a University junior... that's my opinion.
And I really can't stand the virgin girl with a crazy friend who searches everywhere for a stranger to pop her cherry kind of plot.
And I really can't stand the virgin girl with a crazy friend who searches everywhere for a stranger to pop her cherry kind of plot.
Read
June 18, 2016DNF @18%
I read only one book of this author (My Favorite Mistake) and didn't like it. And this one isn't my cup of tea as well. Sorry but I don't like the characters and the story-telling at all.
I read only one book of this author (My Favorite Mistake) and didn't like it. And this one isn't my cup of tea as well. Sorry but I don't like the characters and the story-telling at all.
November 8, 2013
4.5 Stars
Within the first few pages of For Real by Chelsea M. Cameron I fell in love with the humor and wit in the storytelling. Not only is the dialogue between characters often sarcastic and spirited but the protagonist, Shannon Traver’s, inner monologue is clever and often times downright hilarious.
Ambitious and determined, shy and reserved, Shannon is a 21 year old virgin crumpling under the pressure of her friends’ urges to “take the plunge.” The only logical solution, fake a relationship and convince her friends she has done the deed. The lucky fake boyfriend is Jett Nguyen a tattooed hottie graphic arts major with a Mohawk and a love for…origami?
The relationship, or fake relationship as it were, that ensues is refreshing. Both characters are sweet and on the shy side, they value love and a steady relationship and are so dedicated to their futures they have to be convinced that love is even worth the time and effort. This is not your typical story about a player, the tatted bad boy, or the damaged girl that only love can heal. Instead this is a heartwarming story of finding that someone with whom you can truly be yourself, who is your best friend, and with whom you feel whole. Not only do these characters connect through their faked relationship but I really loved how each also empowered the other to learn and grow. Shannon gains the confidence to stand up to her friends and Jett gains the courage to face his family for the sake of his sister.
For Real is really a 5 star read right up until the end which I thought seemed rushed and sort of out of the blue. It seems like a lot was still left open and with it being a relatively short book I thought there was still ample opportunity for more resolution. Hopefully this means we will see more of Shannon and Jett or even their best friends, Hazel and Javier, in the future.
Overall this is a light, funny, and enjoyable read with plenty of comic relief. It is cute and sweet with endearing characters, and an original storyline. It just goes to show that love can be complicated and has the potential to break your heart, but it can be wonderful, supportive, and joyous if given a chance.
Within the first few pages of For Real by Chelsea M. Cameron I fell in love with the humor and wit in the storytelling. Not only is the dialogue between characters often sarcastic and spirited but the protagonist, Shannon Traver’s, inner monologue is clever and often times downright hilarious.
Ambitious and determined, shy and reserved, Shannon is a 21 year old virgin crumpling under the pressure of her friends’ urges to “take the plunge.” The only logical solution, fake a relationship and convince her friends she has done the deed. The lucky fake boyfriend is Jett Nguyen a tattooed hottie graphic arts major with a Mohawk and a love for…origami?
The relationship, or fake relationship as it were, that ensues is refreshing. Both characters are sweet and on the shy side, they value love and a steady relationship and are so dedicated to their futures they have to be convinced that love is even worth the time and effort. This is not your typical story about a player, the tatted bad boy, or the damaged girl that only love can heal. Instead this is a heartwarming story of finding that someone with whom you can truly be yourself, who is your best friend, and with whom you feel whole. Not only do these characters connect through their faked relationship but I really loved how each also empowered the other to learn and grow. Shannon gains the confidence to stand up to her friends and Jett gains the courage to face his family for the sake of his sister.
For Real is really a 5 star read right up until the end which I thought seemed rushed and sort of out of the blue. It seems like a lot was still left open and with it being a relatively short book I thought there was still ample opportunity for more resolution. Hopefully this means we will see more of Shannon and Jett or even their best friends, Hazel and Javier, in the future.
Overall this is a light, funny, and enjoyable read with plenty of comic relief. It is cute and sweet with endearing characters, and an original storyline. It just goes to show that love can be complicated and has the potential to break your heart, but it can be wonderful, supportive, and joyous if given a chance.
December 4, 2013
Shannon Travers is tired of her friends pushing her to go out and lose her virginity. So one night out she picks up the first tattooed bad boy she finds and goes home with him and comes up with a plan. Jett makes a perfect fake boyfriend to convince both of their friends that they are dating and wildly in love. The joke is on them when their fake relationship rules aren't enough to keep them from having real feelings for each other.
This was a delightful romance by Chelsea M Cameron (author of My Favorite Mistake). It was comical to see the lengths that Shannon and Jett go through to make their fake relationship appear real and I really loved how sweet this book was... how innocent the characters were, how perfectly they fit together. At first I was very confused about Jett... he was such a nice sweet boy who totally didn't fit his image. By the end of the book his persona made complete sense and I was thoroughly in love with him! Both characters had transformed.. they each had opposite upbringings but somehow folded together to make a beautiful couple.
'Three long weeks of sleeping with Jett, talking to Jett and just being with Jett. Three more weeks of Fake Dating that could be taken away from me in this moment. Can your heart stop beating? I think mine does for just a moment."
Their love was a slow building of sweet torture and I loved every minute. So much so that when I got to the end of the book I didn't want it to end... I was frantically clicking my kindle trying to turn the page and get more of these lovely characters! This was a quick, short read when you need a feel-good romance. For Real earned 4.5 stars from me and I can't wait read more!
This was a delightful romance by Chelsea M Cameron (author of My Favorite Mistake). It was comical to see the lengths that Shannon and Jett go through to make their fake relationship appear real and I really loved how sweet this book was... how innocent the characters were, how perfectly they fit together. At first I was very confused about Jett... he was such a nice sweet boy who totally didn't fit his image. By the end of the book his persona made complete sense and I was thoroughly in love with him! Both characters had transformed.. they each had opposite upbringings but somehow folded together to make a beautiful couple.
'Three long weeks of sleeping with Jett, talking to Jett and just being with Jett. Three more weeks of Fake Dating that could be taken away from me in this moment. Can your heart stop beating? I think mine does for just a moment."
Their love was a slow building of sweet torture and I loved every minute. So much so that when I got to the end of the book I didn't want it to end... I was frantically clicking my kindle trying to turn the page and get more of these lovely characters! This was a quick, short read when you need a feel-good romance. For Real earned 4.5 stars from me and I can't wait read more!
September 8, 2014
Torture. That's what this was.
The story/plot.
Ridiculous. Plain stupid and boring.
Nothing happens. NOTHING.
Shannon fights with her friends.
Runs to Jett.
Avoids Jett because she might have feeeelings for him, goes back to her friends who she ends up fighting again.
And the circle goes on and on.
Jett and Shannon decide to have a fake relationship you see, shittiest idea ever so that their friends would stop bugging them. How can this be done properly? You write a pair of stupid rules, that you don't even follow, ever.
In the mean time, and as usual, nothing fucking happens .
Jett for some reason tells his life story. About how his parents cut him off, because he wanted to live a true American life (he's Asian), with this I just kept expecting his parents to show up or his sister, who he missed and wanted to see, or something. But noooooo. It's just for the reader to feel sorry for him. But seeing he's got the personality of a cardboard box, that didn't work for me. Which reminds me.
The Characters.
Every single of one of them made me want to shot myself in the face.
Shannon was the most shallow, stupid, moronic person in the universe. And her friends, being her friends, were the same.
They were all completely underdevelopment.
The writing.
1 star!
The story/plot.
Ridiculous. Plain stupid and boring.
Nothing happens. NOTHING.
Shannon fights with her friends.
Runs to Jett.
Avoids Jett because she might have feeeelings for him, goes back to her friends who she ends up fighting again.
And the circle goes on and on.
Jett and Shannon decide to have a fake relationship you see,
In the mean time, and as usual, nothing fucking happens .
Jett for some reason tells his life story. About how his parents cut him off, because he wanted to live a true American life (he's Asian), with this I just kept expecting his parents to show up or his sister, who he missed and wanted to see, or something. But noooooo. It's just for the reader to feel sorry for him. But seeing he's got the personality of a cardboard box, that didn't work for me. Which reminds me.
The Characters.
Every single of one of them made me want to shot myself in the face.
Shannon was the most shallow, stupid, moronic person in the universe. And her friends, being her friends, were the same.
They were all completely underdevelopment.
The writing.
1 star!
November 27, 2013
This was a sweet, fun read. It was a cute, quick read for me. It did not have a whole lot of emotions, or a grab you and pull you right in storyline. Yet it was still a great read for me.
Shannon and Jett were fun. They had small flaws, but when all was said and done their relationship made this story really sweet. They started out as friends having a fake relationship and once the feelings started to build for each other things changed for both of them.
Chelsea did a great job with this story. I only wish it had been longer and maybe a little more details about Jett and his past, but other than that I really enjoyed the story and the way things ended with them both.
Shannon and Jett were fun. They had small flaws, but when all was said and done their relationship made this story really sweet. They started out as friends having a fake relationship and once the feelings started to build for each other things changed for both of them.
Chelsea did a great job with this story. I only wish it had been longer and maybe a little more details about Jett and his past, but other than that I really enjoyed the story and the way things ended with them both.
Read
May 4, 2014I'm not even rating this....
She is a junior in college who is the only virgin left out of her group of friends....She's just toooo much of a control freak to do the big nasty.....
Ohhhh but wait....it gets better.
Just because she's a virgin doesn't mean she can't get off....several times a night.
She is a junior in college who is the only virgin left out of her group of friends....She's just toooo much of a control freak to do the big nasty.....
Ohhhh but wait....it gets better.
Just because she's a virgin doesn't mean she can't get off....several times a night.
January 11, 2015
Rating: 3.75/5
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
March 6, 2014
Yo también quiero que Jett me regale una remera de Batman. En serio, amo Batman (?)
Muy buen libro para pasar el rato ^^
Muy buen libro para pasar el rato ^^
January 11, 2017
This was a really cute read and I enjoyed both the H and the h, which isn't very typical for me.
December 1, 2013
It was a sweet short read. I enjoyed this tremendously!
November 11, 2013
Find this review and more on: http://nobentspines.blogspot.com/
What I Expected: a short, sweet story about a virgin who's friends are meanie heads and a boy with an outer-shell that only she can break go on an adventure with their hearts and end up with a typical HEA
What I Got: that and more
For Real is adorable. In the beginning though.....I was a bit worried. At the start of this novel the writing style just wasn't for me. The characters felt like paper and their voices just weren't strong enough to hear. Shannon is completely and utterly naive to a point where it was actually annoying. For the first time they met (Shannon and Jett), Jett asks Shannon to watch over his computer and leaves her a crane. This crane sets off the events that are both insanely sweet and really, really idiotic.
When Shannon's friends who are just....ugh....Anyway's, when they threaten to leave her in a bar until she get's a guy to take her home in an effort to take away her V card, she breaks. She then proceeds to run out and runs into Jett. *sigh* Jett. I am rather fond of him. Jett is the tattooed boy with the amazing mohawk, love for origami and a talent for drawing who steals Shannon's heart. Oh, and he's also her fake boyfriend.
This isn't you typical story where the bad boy player steals the shy girls heart and breaks it. No, it's actually quite the opposite. I believe the correct word for it is refreshing.
Although I found myself fed up with Shannon in the beginning (but eventually grew to love her) I adored Jett right from the start. There was something mysterious about the way he grew on Shannon. He had a past that left him scarred but in a way, made him so much stronger.
Shannon's friends: Friends. *scoffs* I think you get what I'm trying to say.
The writing, although I wasn't as in to it as I was with Deeper We Fall, was still good, just not up to my expectations.
Can I just say how much I love Jett? And old chairs? And bear mugs that creep around in the middle of the night? And penguin waffle makers?
Shannon's and Jett's chemistry in For Real was undeniable and just so cute. You could tell that Jett wanted to be a real boyfriend and not just a fake one. I felt kind of bad for him sometimes...And then his roommate. Yes, I like him. He will surprise you.
Overall this was a cute, short sweet book that, although doesn't showcase Chelsea's writing abilities, was still good and worth reading.
What I Expected: a short, sweet story about a virgin who's friends are meanie heads and a boy with an outer-shell that only she can break go on an adventure with their hearts and end up with a typical HEA
What I Got: that and more
For Real is adorable. In the beginning though.....I was a bit worried. At the start of this novel the writing style just wasn't for me. The characters felt like paper and their voices just weren't strong enough to hear. Shannon is completely and utterly naive to a point where it was actually annoying. For the first time they met (Shannon and Jett), Jett asks Shannon to watch over his computer and leaves her a crane. This crane sets off the events that are both insanely sweet and really, really idiotic.
When Shannon's friends who are just....ugh....Anyway's, when they threaten to leave her in a bar until she get's a guy to take her home in an effort to take away her V card, she breaks. She then proceeds to run out and runs into Jett. *sigh* Jett. I am rather fond of him. Jett is the tattooed boy with the amazing mohawk, love for origami and a talent for drawing who steals Shannon's heart. Oh, and he's also her fake boyfriend.
This isn't you typical story where the bad boy player steals the shy girls heart and breaks it. No, it's actually quite the opposite. I believe the correct word for it is refreshing.
Although I found myself fed up with Shannon in the beginning (but eventually grew to love her) I adored Jett right from the start. There was something mysterious about the way he grew on Shannon. He had a past that left him scarred but in a way, made him so much stronger.
Shannon's friends: Friends. *scoffs* I think you get what I'm trying to say.
The writing, although I wasn't as in to it as I was with Deeper We Fall, was still good, just not up to my expectations.
Can I just say how much I love Jett? And old chairs? And bear mugs that creep around in the middle of the night? And penguin waffle makers?
Shannon's and Jett's chemistry in For Real was undeniable and just so cute. You could tell that Jett wanted to be a real boyfriend and not just a fake one. I felt kind of bad for him sometimes...And then his roommate. Yes, I like him. He will surprise you.
Overall this was a cute, short sweet book that, although doesn't showcase Chelsea's writing abilities, was still good and worth reading.
November 14, 2013
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the Third book of Chelsea's i have read, i am waiting for the bubble to burst, it hasn't!
I am soo in love with this one, it had the beautiful build up of friendship, although with a whole heap of Sexual chemistry, it isn't filled with sex, but Lots of reference to it. If you are expecting a Sweet Surrendering sort of book, you are not getting that HOT bonk buster. But I didn't miss out, I enjoyed this just as much, i oohed ahhed, jumped up and down, and nearly screamed when i had to stop at the most important moment in the book!!!!!!!
Jett & Shannon are just wonderful, they start off a Fake relationship to get their friends off their backs, spending a lot of time together they become great friends, but it is clear they develop feelings, it warmed my heart to read......gave me flutters, them too!
But with both unsure of the others growing feelings, they only have a month at this Fake relationship and so.....they have to end it soon right....oh my god.
Javi, Jett's roomie, is the hunk with an attitude, but is he a good guy deep down? I kinda had the hots for him by the end. Shannon's Bitchie friends were so not nice....but there we are, necesary to the plot and did provide some moments to laugh and bitch at.
I always get involved with the characters, connect with them, maybe one more than another, this time it was Trey. He was just beautiful through and through.....even at the begininng...Laptop minding Guy!
This was the perfect sweet, romantic, beautiful novel, written in Chelsea's un-mistakeable style, i love her Wit, her Sass, her tender moments that shine through and melt by heart.
This is the Third book of Chelsea's i have read, i am waiting for the bubble to burst, it hasn't!
I am soo in love with this one, it had the beautiful build up of friendship, although with a whole heap of Sexual chemistry, it isn't filled with sex, but Lots of reference to it. If you are expecting a Sweet Surrendering sort of book, you are not getting that HOT bonk buster. But I didn't miss out, I enjoyed this just as much, i oohed ahhed, jumped up and down, and nearly screamed when i had to stop at the most important moment in the book!!!!!!!
Jett & Shannon are just wonderful, they start off a Fake relationship to get their friends off their backs, spending a lot of time together they become great friends, but it is clear they develop feelings, it warmed my heart to read......gave me flutters, them too!
But with both unsure of the others growing feelings, they only have a month at this Fake relationship and so.....they have to end it soon right....oh my god.
Javi, Jett's roomie, is the hunk with an attitude, but is he a good guy deep down? I kinda had the hots for him by the end. Shannon's Bitchie friends were so not nice....but there we are, necesary to the plot and did provide some moments to laugh and bitch at.
I always get involved with the characters, connect with them, maybe one more than another, this time it was Trey. He was just beautiful through and through.....even at the begininng...Laptop minding Guy!
This was the perfect sweet, romantic, beautiful novel, written in Chelsea's un-mistakeable style, i love her Wit, her Sass, her tender moments that shine through and melt by heart.
September 27, 2019
For Real was a quick, sweet read - nothing mind-blowing, but very nice entertainment for a Sunday afternoon nonetheless. Shannon is a college student who is taking her studies very seriously. She has nothing against boys and dating, she just hasn’t met the right guy to fit in her schedule yet. Her friends don’t seem to get it though and are constantly trying to hook her up with someone. One evening the girls are spending the night out and the talk for Shannon’s virginity and non-dating is once again the topic of the evening. The girls are trying to make her talk to a boy in the bar - any boy that she fancies. Shannon has just about had it with her pushy friends when Jett, a guy she briefly met in a café couple day ago, walks in. She goes to Jett and asks for him to take her home, leaving her friends to think that she left to go make out with a guy she just met… Shannon pours out some of her bad feelings to Jett and together they come up with a plan to fake a relationship.
Shannon and Jett are both very sweet characters and from early on you can tell that the feelings they have for each other are genuine. I enjoyed their playful relationship very much, but I was also very frustrated – I didn’t quite get it why they had to fake it when it was so painfully obvious that they both wanted to be together-together more than anything. Why not just be, why fight against it? Why fight against love and happiness?
Shannon and Jett are both very sweet characters and from early on you can tell that the feelings they have for each other are genuine. I enjoyed their playful relationship very much, but I was also very frustrated – I didn’t quite get it why they had to fake it when it was so painfully obvious that they both wanted to be together-together more than anything. Why not just be, why fight against it? Why fight against love and happiness?
November 15, 2013
3.5 stars... Really wanted to LOVE this book since I absolutely LOVED My Favorite Mistake.
This book was fun and sweet. I loved Shannon..She was so freaking funny. I couldn't stop laughing at her thoughts. Jett was so sweet and and I could tell right from the beginning that he had feelings for Shannon...REAL feelings...Not Fake.
I would rate this book 3.5 stars just because I hated not having Jetts POV. I think that would have added so much to the story. Jett was bit different than most guys in stories so having his pov would have been awesome. Also I wish there was more to the story. I just felt left wanting more... not necessarily for the story to continue longer into the future burner as in more drama or love or emotion. Idk the story just felt like it was missing something. It was still good and I did love the storyline. It was not your average story. Oh and I freaking love Javi. He was one wacked out hilarious guy. Can't wait for more about him.
This book was fun and sweet. I loved Shannon..She was so freaking funny. I couldn't stop laughing at her thoughts. Jett was so sweet and and I could tell right from the beginning that he had feelings for Shannon...REAL feelings...Not Fake.
I would rate this book 3.5 stars just because I hated not having Jetts POV. I think that would have added so much to the story. Jett was bit different than most guys in stories so having his pov would have been awesome. Also I wish there was more to the story. I just felt left wanting more... not necessarily for the story to continue longer into the future burner as in more drama or love or emotion. Idk the story just felt like it was missing something. It was still good and I did love the storyline. It was not your average story. Oh and I freaking love Javi. He was one wacked out hilarious guy. Can't wait for more about him.
November 2, 2015
I'm going to give it a 4 starts, because I think there was something missing! At first it was a bit boring, and I just kept reading it bc I had faith that it will be a good story.
Is sweet, and romantic, but is a bit too childish is guess...
First of all she was mad at her friends but I never understood why.... Like I got it at the end, but if she hadn't said it I would have never picked up from what her friends did... Maybe is the way I am but for me it wasn't that big of a deal. Again people is different and different things set us off... But okay I got and she forgave her friends.
Second: he was so sweet and caring. But it was so hard to read his reactions based on what Shan said. And it was hard to imagine him, there wasn't much description of him. He never got to explain his tattoos, for me that's really important when the guy has tattoos and the look like they have a meaning.
Is sweet, and romantic, but is a bit too childish is guess...
First of all she was mad at her friends but I never understood why.... Like I got it at the end, but if she hadn't said it I would have never picked up from what her friends did... Maybe is the way I am but for me it wasn't that big of a deal. Again people is different and different things set us off... But okay I got and she forgave her friends.
Second: he was so sweet and caring. But it was so hard to read his reactions based on what Shan said. And it was hard to imagine him, there wasn't much description of him. He never got to explain his tattoos, for me that's really important when the guy has tattoos and the look like they have a meaning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2013
Chelsea Cameron rocked this book like she always does when she writes. I immensely enjoyed reading it. It took me one sitting to read.
Poor Shannon. Her friends are so darn pushy. I really felt for the girl. Then there is sexy Jett. I liked his character. He was a little unusual and that really went with the flow of the book.
The romance in this book is sweet, but not too over the top. It also wasn't too steamy as to ruin the love story or cheapen it. I really respected that.
I don't want to spoil the book, so check it out and give it a read. It gets five glittery stars from me for being truly romantic.
Poor Shannon. Her friends are so darn pushy. I really felt for the girl. Then there is sexy Jett. I liked his character. He was a little unusual and that really went with the flow of the book.
The romance in this book is sweet, but not too over the top. It also wasn't too steamy as to ruin the love story or cheapen it. I really respected that.
I don't want to spoil the book, so check it out and give it a read. It gets five glittery stars from me for being truly romantic.
April 1, 2014
Tiene sus altibajos.
Pero en el panorama general se me hizo entretenido a pesar de que no aporta absolutamente nada nuevo; al contrario, el tema de los novios falsos es de lo más trillado que existe.
Tal vez solo me gustó el hecho de que me proyectaba en algunos pensamientos de la chica protagonista.
Pero en el panorama general se me hizo entretenido a pesar de que no aporta absolutamente nada nuevo; al contrario, el tema de los novios falsos es de lo más trillado que existe.
Tal vez solo me gustó el hecho de que me proyectaba en algunos pensamientos de la chica protagonista.
February 21, 2021
Ha sido una bonita historia, cortita y sin demasiadas pretensiones que ha cumplido con mis expectativas de pasar un buen rato leyendo. Está bien escrita pero quizás me ha faltado más química entre los dos protagonistas. Mientras que Jett me ha gustado, Shannon no sabía lo que quería. Me hubiera encantado conocer el punto de vista de Jett, porque en muchas escenas con su actitud y miradas descritas he echado en falta conocer sus pensamientos.
May 16, 2021
Leído en Agosto 2015
No estuvo mal, fue bastante entretenido y para pasar el rato fue un buen libro con una historia dulce y un poco cliché con eso de la relación falsa que se convierte en verdadera... pero estuvo chévere aunque no será una lectura inolvidable como otras de esta misma autora
No estuvo mal, fue bastante entretenido y para pasar el rato fue un buen libro con una historia dulce y un poco cliché con eso de la relación falsa que se convierte en verdadera... pero estuvo chévere aunque no será una lectura inolvidable como otras de esta misma autora
December 4, 2013
3.5 stars
You can read this and other reviews at Madison Says
For Real was… really cute.
Shannon (great name, btw) Travers is a 21 year old virgin. *gasp* Does that even happen now-a-days?! Yes, yes it does. It always makes me giggle when characters are shocked by someone waiting for the “right one” to come along. Not everyone is down for doing the hump and dump. I personally think it’s rather romantic.
Anyway, back to the story…
There it is again. The reminder that I’m a card-carrying member of the Virginity Club. I wish I has some good reason, that I was saving myself for Jesus, or my parents had put the fear in me, or told me that if I had sex with a boy that my ears would fall off and I’d gain forty pounds, but I have no such excuse.
Shannon’s roommate, Hazel and a few other so called friends decide that Shannon has waited long enough. It’s time to lose that V-card, even if it’s to some no name club rat. When she’s thoroughly rejected oodles of men one night, they take it upon themselves to strip her of her purse and cell phone; informing poor little Shannon that she must find her way home – by way of a man’s pants. Listen, if my friends did that to me, they would no longer have the privilege of being called my friends. That’s UNREAL. In this day and age she could be raped, killed, or worse – raped and killed. Come on! Who does that sort of thing? Lucky for Shannon, while stumbling and sobbing in the parking lot, she comes across a familiar face. A guy who asked her to watch his laptop not long ago. Phew. Serial killers don’t ask you to guard their electronic devices, do they?
Jett to the rescue!
He agrees to drive Shannon home. After refusing to just abandon the girl somewhere so she can pass some time, Jett agrees to bring her home with him. They can hang out, maybe become friends. All goes well and the two really hit it off. The long and short of it is that her friends believe that she’s finally V-free, and his roommate Javier believes Jett got some action. Win/win. The pair choose to fake date to make it more believable. Their “friends” might finally get off their backs. Armed with a slew of rules, they head into uncharted territory.
But…
What happens when you fall in love with your fake boyfriend/girlfriend?
I’m playing a part and he’s playing a part and that’s it. One month. We’re a week down and everything is going good. I can’t ruin it by wanting something that I can’t have.
Let me just state this again: Shannon has some shitty friends! We’re talking S-H-I-T-T-Y. Having some man touch your no-no region is NOT more important than your safety. Then, it took more than ¾ of the book for some of them to apologize. I wanted to get up on my couch and jump around like Tom Cruise when Shannon FINALLY stood up for herself. It’s a valuable lesson friends… Don’t let people walk all over you! Thank the stars above that she had Jett. He’s a large reason she came to realize that she deserved more.
Aaah, Jett. It’s almost like saying his name should cause little angels to appear and sing his praises. What a sweet, sweet man. Sweet, sexy, nerdy and covered in tattoos – all with their own specific meaning. Sounds just about perfect to me. What I liked best about him was his loyalty to Javier. No matter what Javier did, Jett stood by to swoop in. He’s definitely a lot stronger than his character realizes. Even though he’s been through a rather large mountain of…crap, he has the ability to love unconditionally. He understands the value of friendship. It’s a pretty beautiful thing.
It took me a while to figure out Jett’s secret(s). Once the story of his past was out in the open, it was only logical to assume the rest. Again, it was nothing that he should be ashamed of, but I guess it worried him none-the-less. I would have liked to find out more about his relationship with his sister and where things would lead in the future. Here’s me, crossing my fingers, hoping for more on that front. I’m sure the series will eventually touch on the subject in more depth.
I look up at the boy with the dragon tattoos and the Mohawk and the paper cranes. I care about him so much that I don’t know how I can stand it. He fills my head and my heart and I know that this, right here, is real.
For Real was short. Much shorter than I imagined it would be. As a matter of fact, when I flipped the last page, I expected at least another 100 pages or so. Strangely enough, I felt like I was left hanging. Even though I wasn’t – at all. It feels like their story is only beginning.
This is one of those reads that will have you falling in love along with the main character. You just can’t help it. There are highs, and there are lows. This story is definitely worth the read, and I am looking forward to where life (of Chelsea) takes these individuals next.
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