The Real Thing

by Cassie Mae

In this electrifying novel from Cassie Mae, two close friends surprise themselves by shifting from platonic love to sexual attraction.

Eric Matua has one friend - his best friend and childhood sweetheart, who needs a place to stay for the summer.

Mia Johnson has thousands of friends - who live in her computer. When she starts receiving supersweet messages from a stranger who thinks she’s someone else, Mia begins to believe that real love is possible outside her virtual world.

When the two friends become roommates, Mia finds herself falling harder than she ever thought she could. As her advances are continually spurned, Mia splits her time between Eric and her computer. But she soon realizes she’s about to lose the only real thing she’s ever had...

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Young Adult, College Romance

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2014

About the author

CASSIE MAE is the author of a few hundred—okay, maybe not that many—books, some of which became popular for their quirky titles, characters, and stories. She likes writing about nerds, geeks, the awkward, the fluffy, the short, the shy, the loud, the fun.

Since publishing her bestselling debut, Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend, she’s signed several Romance titles with Random House Loveswept, and founded CookieLynn Publishing Services. She is represented by Sharon Pelletier at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

Along with writing, Cassie likes to binge-watch Once Upon a Time and The Flash. She can quote Harry Potter lines quick as a whip. And she likes kissing her hubby, but only if his facial hair is trimmed. She also likes cheesecake to a very obsessive degree.

You can stalk, talk, or send pictures of Luke Bryan to her on her Facebook page.

cassiemaeauthor.com
Facebook.com/cassiemaeauthor

Reviews

[• Lisa • · Rating 4 out of 5]

FOUR 'FRIENDS LOVE THE BEST' STARS.

"Touch me, kiss me, take me."



Cassie Mae is an author who always delivers the goods. I love nothing more than to escape into one of her sweet tales and predictably I loved everything about this insanely cute story. As soon as I saw the blurb for 'The real thing' I knew that this would be a 'friends to lovers' story that I would fall in love with and happily I was not wrong. Nothing makes me smile more than this authors writing and if I had it my way I'd have a once weekly fix of Cassie Mae's writing. Everyone needs to fall in love with at least one Cassie Mae book and with a hero like Eric Mutua 'The real thing' is the sweetest place to start.

What's it all about?
Mia Johnson has a love for all things social networking. Tweeting, updating, reading and emailing, her online life is her obsession and she loves nothing more than her virtual lifestyle. For two years Mia has held onto the dream of her childhood crush and best friend, Eric Matua so when Mia needs to a place to stay for the summer she finds herself with a new roommate and starts to live with the man she's always wanted. When two best friends are reunited and start to live together Mia and Eric never expected that they would fall hard for each other but with insecurities and a computer in the way of an epic love they have to find a way to hold on and fight for the only real thing that they've ever had.



What did I love?
Cassie Mae never fails make my reading time extraordinarily special, I can always expect to be smiling throughout her stories and falling in love with quirky, adorable characters. Cassie has a way of bringing real life humour and topics that are relevant to everyday life into her stories making her books come to life and laugh out loud adorable. This author's books always have a story to tell that have a little depth and emotion and I appreciated how 'The real thing' dealt with some moving issues that were told without feeling heavy or misplaced. Cassie Mae always tugs on the heart strings and grabs you into a world of young love that I'm always happy to fall into. 'The real thing' was a dreamy friends to lovers story that made my heart pound and I did not want it to ever end. Eric Matua was a hero that I couldn't help but fall in love with and although the lovely Mia Johnson had her not so likeable moments overall I could not have asked for more from this cute as can be couple. All in all this is a story that has emotion, comedy and the sweetest friends to lovers story possible. There won't be a time in my life that I won't love his authors writing talent and I'm already waiting for my next fix.



Why not five?
Without a doubt this book held my attention, delivered entertainment and filled my reading time with a sweet tale of friends falling helplessly in love. But as much as I adore this author and her insane writing skills I struggled a little with the heroines actions and choices and sadly that took just a little of the shine away from what I knew was a book that I wanted to rate with a full out five stars. However that being said a four star rating is definitely not an effort to be ignored and I'd recommend this author all over the reading community to those readers that love a silly, sweet and undeniably adorable new adult novel.



Final thoughts ...
I have a predictably, wonderful Cassie Mae addiction, I am unable to resist her book releases and I will always be on the look out for this authors sweet, silly romance inspired novels. I can't recommend this author enough to readers especially if you love that feeling of young love and all it's awkward, hilarious and adorable ways. A Cassie Mae book never fails to make me swoon and smile and with the added steamy sexy feel that this new adult book brings it was a combination that I loved. For all those readers who can't help but love the young or new genre then you need to be looking to making a date with a Cassie Mae book and joining me in my love for all things sweet and sexy. Go grab it on release day readers, enjoy ... Kisses.



*ARC generously provided by random house publishing via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Provided by Random House Publishing Group via Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest Review}






This is the second book I've read by Cassie Mae. She definitely knows how to write very sweet, funny, and romantic YA stories. I really enjoyed this one.



Eric and Emmy have been BFFs since their High School days. They went their separate ways after graduation, when Emmy went off to college and Eric went back to Samoa. They remained in close contact via text, chats, and emails. This plus her Dad always being away at sea, started an addiction to Social Media for Emmy. She can't seem to go a minute without updating her statuses on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter. She is definitely a social media junkie.



Eric and Emmy will be spending the summer together at his family's beachfront condo in Florida. Emmy is about to get the shock of a lifetime when she sees the transformation Eric has undergone. He was very overweight in High School, but even back then, Emmy had harbored a major crush for him. She saw past the weight issue, and recognized the beauty within. BUT, Eric was dating a snobby cheerleader, who turned out to only be dating him because he was on the football team. We learn later on that she was quite mentally abusive towards him.



Eric struggles with panic attacks and being around Emmy seems to heighten the frequency of attacks, because he also has been crushing on her since High School. Even though he's lost ALL the weight from his HS days, he still sees himself as the fat kid. He also was deeply affected by all the mental abuse he suffered from his ex. He thinks he's unworthy of Emmy and that she will be turned off by his advances.



They'll eventually admit they have feelings for each other and will struggle with Eric's inability to be intimate. As soon as things get a little too HOT, he shuts down and goes into full panic mode. The poor kid is 21 and still a virgin. Not that I'm saying there is anything wrong with that, but in Eric's case, it's obvious he wants to be with Emmy but his anxiety keeps getting in the way. They do have some sexy make-out and touching sessions. They are pretty tame to what I normally read, but I found it to be really sweet.



Even though Eric never makes the first move, or when he does, he's hesitant and cautious, I feel every single touch he gives me, I don't only feel it, I taste it. I smell it. I crave it. Desire it.



Eric's issues aren't the only thing that threatens their budding relationship. Emmy's constant need to be connected to all her social media accounts and her new online friendship with a guy who she is constantly chatting online with, will end up causing trust issues between Eric and Emmy. I was so annoyed with her because she finally had the boy she's been in love with for so long and she'd waste precious time with him by checking on all her FB updates and Tweets.


Then he was here. Tangible. Huggable. Here. And I never took advantage of that. I treated it as if it wasn't special or important to me. Yet it was. It is. And I can't lose the only real thing I've ever had.



Overall this was such a sweet read for me.
I loved all the funny moments and ADORED all the nights Eric read Dr Seuss books to Emmy. Also loved that Emmy was an avid Romance novel reader and that Eric never gave her crap for being so into her books. It was one of the things he actually loved about her.


If you are looking for a cute and sweet YA story, I would highly recommend this one.


There is very LITTLE sex, but when the story is good, it's okay if the sex is hardly present.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Live today! http://www.amazon.com/The-Real-Thing-...

4 Stars


Eric and Emmy have been best friends since high school, and while both always felt an attraction and love for one another they have always been just friends.

Eric has a lot of self-esteem issues and struggles with anxiety, while Emmy is a social media junkie, confident and outgoing.

Eric has been overseas in Samoa since high school and Emmy has been away in college. Everything changes for these two when Eric comes back to stay in his grandmother’s condo for the summer and Emmy comes to join him. They easily fall back into their friendship together, but can they fight an attraction when for the first time both are in the same place and both single?


My thoughts…

I wanted to like this more it was very cute with the references to social media, especially with my favorite social media - Goodreads being mentioned. However, I got pretty frustrated with certain aspects of the social media being so dominate in her life…maybe it was making me reflect and feel guilty…hmm…

I did love their connection and I loved how Emmy always saw Eric for who he is not what he looked like and I loved Eric’s undying devotion to his best friend.



Overall this is a great story of friends to lovers.

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!!



Adorably sweet and flirty, The Real Thing is a light and fun friends-to-lovers story! Though the book is not without its flaws, Cassie Mae delivers another cute read that I enjoyed.

Mia Johnson needs a place to stay for the summer and she becomes roommates with her best friend and crush Eric Matua. They haven’t seen each other for a few years and with this reunion, both don't expect to fall hard for one another. Eric, who has panic attacks, anxiety issues, and weight insecurities, still struggles to accept that someone as gorgeous and beloved like Mia could have feelings for him and Mia, social networking queen and voracious romance reader, struggles to get her addiction to electronics under control. It was really obvious that these two quirky and cute characters belonged together but both have so much baggage to handle they find themselves really fighting for the one real thing they’ve ever had.



Whenever I need a light and funny read I always go with Cassie Mae’s books – they never fail to put a smile on my face. Sadly, I couldn’t fully appreciate the humor, wit, and sweetness I usually enjoy from Cassie’s books and the reason is Mia. At first I could really relate to her – computer and kindle addict, checking emails and notifications all the time, why she sounds just like me! I love that Cassie Mae incorporated real-life situations to make the story all the more realistic to read; however, I would’ve enjoyed it more if Mia didn’t constantly brush off Eric for cyber world. There were two scenes in particular where Mia chose her electronics over Eric (and one scene was where Eric got enough courage to tell her about his anxiety and panic attacks) and to see him get hurt like that really angered me. Plus, she constantly jeopardized her relationship with Eric by emailing another guy all the time and then she lied to Eric about it.

Though this isn’t my favorite Cassie Mae book, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Several parts had me laughing out loud (especially the skunk scene) and I never felt bored. Friends-to-lovers stories are my favorite to read and excluding Mia’s at times-annoying behavior, I think Cassie did a great job with this book. If you haven’t had the chance to experience a Cassie Mae book yet, The Real Thing is a great place to start!

ARC provided by Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel L · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars



Em was way too insensitive and Eric was too insecure. Add this plus unnecessary drama and it wasn't the book for me.

[Ilze · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok.



I was really excited to start this book because the blurb sounded fun. Best friends who have secret feelings for each other move in together for the summer. I was already imagining all the fun situations they could have and with Mia's addiction to the internet I was expecting some hilarious situations. However the book was different from my expectations. It's not necessarily a bad thing, when the author takes a different route from what I expected because I like when author surprises me, but in this case I was quite disappointed.

The story is about two best friends from high school, who haven't seen each other for a while, but have been communicating in internet. They become roommates for the summer and even though they have always been friends only, they both have feeling for each other. Mia finds herself falling for Eric again, but Eric is unsure if he is a good enough boyfriend for Mia.

I liked that author portrayed Eric insecure and unsure, because I rarely read about heroes with low self-esteem. It was really interesting to see how guys are dealing with the lack of confidence. However, because of that I felt like Eric was the doormat in this relationship. He just rarely said anything to Mia about her obsession to her computer. If I was him I would have dumped her ass after she said one thing and did another or when instead of listening to him she was checking her phone.

Mia's internet addiction was serious and not funny at all, most of her POV we had to read about what she is doing on the internet and it wasn't watching funny cat videos. I really didn't like her and she reminded me of all those people who rather look at their phones than to look around and appreciate what they have. She just really needed a few slaps in her face and her electronics thrown out. She was a very unlikable heroine and if in the beginning I thought I could relate to her with her addiction to reading then later I realized that I really cannot.

Her realization was too late and I just didn't believe it. She said 'because I spend a lot of time talking to people through a screen, I lost the person who was actually around me.' It is not really true, because she lost Eric because of her lies and because she choose to pay attention to her computer more than her boyfriend. Honestly I just feel like if you love somebody you want to spend time with them not with the people on Facebook or Twitter.

Anyway, it was okay, the first part of the book I actually liked, but then it went downhill for me.


*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Grecia Robles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Necesitaba un libro ligero que me despejara un poco aunque no he dejado de leer a veces no disfruto tanto las lecturas aunque no voy a negar que he tenido muy buenas pero me siento sobresaturada y creo que este libro me ayudó un poco.

Es un Friends to lovers ainss saben cómo me gustan este tipo de libros, fue una historia muy linda y dulce, donde dos amigos de la adolescencia se vuelven a ver después de tres años de estar separados aunque siempre han estado en contacto por las redes sociales, bendito internet. Y ahora tienen que vivir juntos todo el verano.
Eric fue bastante tierno con todo e inseguridades creo que te dan ganas de abrazarlo y golpear a la maldita de su ex por haberlo traumado tanto y darle en su autoestima.
Mia también me gustó aunque si me desesperó bastante, pero lo más frustrante de todo es que no pude enojarme con ella a gusto porque soy igual metida en el celular todo el día o leyendo un libro y lo más chistoso e irónico es que este lo leí mientras estaba en el juzgado esperando por 4 hrs a que me dieran unos papeles y yo metida en mi mundo ooops.

Esto me lo mando mi mamá y me dio muchísima risa

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was such a cute story. The Arthur did a get job creating characters that are relatable and loveable. I really had no dislikes with this book. I love how the author took all the modern social networking - FB, Twitter, GR, etc- and molded them into the story line. It was very relatable - seeing how most of us readers are addicted to GR and all other social networking sites!!

Best friends since they were 15, Em and Eric has kept in touch after high school and after 3 years are finally going to see each other again face to face. They are going to spend the summer together in Eric's mothers condo. Both have been harboring secret crushes on each other, never acting on these feelings for fear of ruining their friendship. Now spending the summer together, the time seems right and they finally admit their feelings. Em (like a LOT of us nowadays) is highly addicted to technology and spends countless hours online, therefore ignoring Eric and their budding relationship. This annoys Eric, making him feel unimportant - Oh boy do I understand his issue, I get in trouble everyday for spending too much time reading and on GR! LOL.



What makes this book so wonderful and different from most books is that Eric suffers from self esteem issues and panic attaches. Usually it's the girls in the stories with this issue. He was overweight in high school, but has since then lost the weight. He had a girlfriend in high school that only dated him for status and was very verbal abusive to him. He is now afraid to get intimate with anyone and suffers panic attacks every time he tries. He tries to go slow with Em, but is afraid he will do it all wrong and she will yell at him like his last girlfriend did. Em admits to being in love with him before he lost the weight, and he has a hard time believing her.

"I know that you feel like you weren't attractive back then. But you were to me. And you still are because you're still...well, you're still my Eric."

Their relationship develops slowly and sweetly - lots of yummy bath/slower scenes. :) One part that I totally feel in love with is that Eric loved to read Dr. Seuss to Em every night. That is so sweet.



I would highly recommend this book to everyone! Seeing Eric go through all the insecurities in a relationship that girls usually do, was refreshing and eye opening at the same time. I loved the whole story line and hope everyone else will to!

"I don't want any technology tonight. I want just you, just you and me."

*ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, slightly spicy New Adult novel from a new-to-me author. It stood out for a few reasons, mostly centering around Eric, the male half of this friends to lovers story:

1) A fantastic beta hero
2) Instead of an insecure heroine, the tables are turned, and we get a hero that used to be plump but has worked on himself. Eric still has some self esteem issues, so that was really the focal point of the story for me.
3) The hero is half Samoan...I love couples that aren't cookie cutter!

Em and Eric were best friends and have known each other for years. I loved that Emilia still had a tiny crush on Eric even when he wasn't male perfection personified. She truly loved who he was on the inside, and still doesn't focus on his physical qualities to the extent that a lot of New Adult heroines do. This couple loved each other before they fell in love with each other, and that's awesome.

Dislikes
Some things kept me from really falling in love with the story completely, however. The internet-centered theme that Mia seems to have was awfully predictable in that it was such an obvious plot device. I'm a bit torn on my feelings for this whole line of thought, because it sure does mirror a lot of people nowadays. So many noses glued to a screen, and we miss out on interactions with each other. On the other hand, some of the particulars of what she does while she's online rubbed me the wrong way and made me like her quite a bit less.

The whole plot itself was predictable, and that's not necessarily an uncommon thing in this genre. In fact, it seems as if a lot of readers enjoy the predictability, so that may not be a negative thing. I don't read a ton of the genre, but it always strikes me that out of all the romance I read, NA books stand out as books that I can pretty much call from the get-go.

But the message was a good one, the romance was lighthearted for the most part, and I sure do love it when friends become lovers...that's a very believable love story when it's all said and done. And I thought Eric was a memorable character, even if I had a harder time loving Em.

Advance copy provided for review.

[Fanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

" No puedo decir si oigo los latidos de tu corazon, o si es el mio. "
" ¿ No son la misma cosa? "


The Real Thing es el cuarto libro de Cassie Mae ( o su seudonimo, Becca Ann ) que leo.

Desde que vi este libro por primera vez supe que me encantaria y como no hacerlo cuando todo lo que escribe Cassie Mae es maravilloso, sus historias tienen ese " algo " que hace que sus libros sean especiales y muy dificiles de olvidar.

Aunque reconozco que de las lecturas de la autora The Real Thing es la que mas me ha llegado al corazon. No se si por la historia en si o si porque los protagonistas, Eric y Emmy me parecieron mucho mas humanos, con sus cualidades y sus defectos.

Es una lectura tierna, dulce, muy bien escrita y con tanto sentimiento que tendras la sensacion de ser parte de la historia y aunque en algunas ocasiones Emmy me saco de quicio, al final no pude evitar cogerle mucho cariño como personaje.

Que decir de Eric?? aun sigo esperando que mi Eric personal aparezca en mi vida, es simplemente perfecto!!

Si estas un poco harta de leer la tipica historia con el protagonista como chico malo te recomiendo esta historia, leer a un protagonista " bueno " fue un cambio muy agradable.

4 Estrellas!!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - "Only bookworms understand the kind of power stories can have on a person." Stars.

I didn’t really love, and I didn’t really hate The Real Thing. It was enjoyable, but there were a lot of things about it that I felt needed more depth and expansion, I felt at times like the author had added a fact but forgot that we as the reader didn’t know the basis for it being there.

It starts with Mia’s college roommate Eve’s situation with her boyfriend Paul, which although is not uncommon in this day and age, is still not something that responsible people actively plan to do at their age, and with their circumstances. I also felt the Eric and his issues needed more explanation, yes we were given a few reasons with regards to his ex-girlfriends treatment of him, but it just didn’t feel like enough to me, I also failed to understand why his brother suffered from the self same thing.

”I thought I was broken before, but now I feel shattered.”



The other main issue I had was the fact that for about 75% of the book I really disliked Mia, I know this story is meant to show that some people get wrapped up in Social Media and the internet in general, to the detriment to their normal everyday lives, and that was very apparent with Mia, but I actually found her actions, for the most part rude and selfish. Eric put up with it far longer than I would expect any normally reasonable guy to, and even when he made the point of saying he was getting fed up with it, Mia just carried on doing it. Her blasé attitude about his issues and lack of experience in the beginning got on my nerves as well.

”I just want to be more important to you than that.”

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I really wanted to love this book, as it is really does highlight how badly the over reliance and use of technology can affect our lives nowadays. I suppose in that context it is a really good book...
I just wish I could have had the necessary development in some of the plot points to help me understand more some of the parts of the story and the characters, and their actions / reactions more.

I would still read more from this author; unfortunately this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me on this occasion.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go. ~ Dr. Seuss

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

[Cassie Mae]

Available now!

US: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Thing-Flir...


UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Thing-Ro...

[Tessa Teevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adorable read with a fantastic message! Loved it!!

[Mariℓina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the plot, best-friends-to-roommates-and-then-lovers, but truthfully, something didn't work for me..


The beggining was really nice, but then the plot turned into a tedious, repeatitive blur. I couldn't stand either of the main characters for different reasons each.


Eric Matua -don't ask me to remember his Samoan name, it's practically impossible- is a good guy, but his insecurities weren't much endearing, actually they felt kind of childish to me and although i 'm a big fan of the concept of men who have a self-conscious side, he seemed more like a brat.


Emilia, was another story. She was glued to any social media there is out there and she wanted to make us believe, she was also a big bookworm. I didn't buy it, but i wasn't so appalled by her. Yes, there were moments of course, i wanted to smash her head in a screen.


I know most people didn't perceive the story that way, but the truth is the character lacked real depth. Maybe i 'm used to dark heroes with huge baggages and tarnished, hard lives and that's why i couldn't connect, but let's be honest, the plot was feeble too.


I was expecting funny incidents, awkward but filled with tension and chemistry scenes and some more ellaborate drama, but that didn't happen much.




THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK

- I liked that he was Samoan, and if the author decided to explore his heritage more, maybe the book would have an interesting turn.
- I loved how he read to her Dr. Seuss.
- The bathroom scenes were great.
- But i don't get the unnecessary drama towards the end, she should have stated clearly the facts and be done with it.
- Also i don't understand why Mia, didn't fight for him more. Supposedly she was in love with Eric since highschool.
- Double POV.
- The writing was ok.

ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!

[Linda ❤️ Sassy, Classy && a Little Bit of Nasty · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Expected date of publication: August 19, 2014

Not bad... It’s a charming little story. The Real Thing is a standalone without OTT drama. There’s just a tad bit, but that’s at the hands of one character.



This is my first novel by Cassie Mae . Safe to say, it kept me interested. There are some quirky and fun elements sprinkled in here and there, but it also addressed something I felt is a serious issue. Mia has a borderline addiction to the internet. She constantly has her nose in her phone, Kindle or computer. Even when she has a hot Hawaiian in her presence.

Eric is her hot best friend; formerly known as the overweight football jock. Because of some insecurities, Eric decides it’s time for him to buckle down and get healthy. So he loses a lot of weight and replaces it with some impressive muscles. Oh, and he works at a nursing home. However, Eric still has his insecurities.



Mia started to irk me the further I got into the story. She spent way too much time with social media. However, I did like how she saw Eric for Eric always, not just by how he looks.

I felt that towards the end Mia only ended up with Eric because she realized she didn't have a real life established outside of her internet life, not because she truly cared to have him around.

Overall sweet story about friends-to-lovers.

[Lexi Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Yellow is a Flavor Stars

I've typed up about twenty different openers for this review, trying to gather up all my thoughts on this book and just how much it made me feel. But no matter how many times I type "THIS WAS AMAZING!" it just doesn't do it justice. Not even close.



In a nutshell:

Three years after he moved away, Eric Matua returns to his hometown for the summer and his best friend growing up needs a place to stay. So they bunk together. Both are extremely attracted to the other, but Eric has a hard time expressing how he feels, and Emilia seems to be always preoccupied with her computer, ereader, phone... etc. ;) And they both have to figure out how to get past their own issues to be with the other person.



I spent all day with these characters, and even longer than that because they would not leave my head. Every time Mia pulled out her phone or laptop I would look over at my husband and think, oh my, I do this too! Countless hours in front of a screen. It's a problem, and one I haven't read about before like this. I felt so connected to Mia because I am her. And from the blurb, I knew I wanted to read about this girl for that very reason.

What came to a surprise, and a good one, was Eric. He is on the top of my BBF list. I'm putting him there now. And since I'm one of the first to read this, he's mine. I claim him! What a beautifully broken guy. I can't say too much without giving it away, but it was refreshing to read about a male character with body issues. He felt so uncomfortable in his own skin, and I loved watching Mia help him through it, overcome his insecurities.

Also his love for Dr. Seuss??? ADORABLE! He is the best male character I've read in a long time, if not the best male character I've ever read. And Ms. Mae... THANK YOU for writing a Samoan character! (yum)




The love story was perfectly flawed. Mia has an addiction. Eric is insecure. Their problems were so REAL. These are things couples deal with every day, and it's something you have to work on together.



This book had not only what Cassie Mae is famous for (humor is nearly on every page! OMG that skunk scene! And the wax scene! Oh and Eric's mom walking in on Mia scene. There are just so many hilarious moments in this one. True Cassie Mae style) but so much heart, depth, and a message that isn't obvious, but you receive it anyway. And I've honestly never highlighted a dedication before, but I did this time, because it was beautiful.



Happy reading, loves!

[❃**✿【Yasmine】✿**❃ · Rating 3 out of 5]

**ARC from Netgalley**
2.5 STARS

Scary things can be beautiful.

Genre: Young Adult/New Adult Contemporary Romance
Cover: 7/10
Writing: 7/10
Heroine: 2/10
Hero: 9/10
Humour: 3/10
Hotness: 1/10
Romance: 6/10
Extra book Details: Dual POV. Stand alone.

Em has kept in touch with Eric for 3 years, separated when Eric goes to Samoa. Now, Eric is inviting her to stay at his Mom's beach condo in Florida for the entire summer.

Eric suffers from anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia... and he's been working out. But because of Ali, his high school girlfriend, he has an aversion to touch and has self-image issues.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I loved Eric, he was a great YA/NA beta hero. Sweet, shy and hunky.

Things started to go wrong with the heroine for me. It starts to become clear that she's completely and utterly obsessed with all things social media related and she's a romance junkie. I'm okay-ing the latter ;) But her obsession with it – it was unreal, annoying and irritating, for Eric as well as me. Her list of misdemeanour’s became ridiculous. Mainly, she was ignorant; of Eric, of driving, of jeopardizing her relationship by talking to another boy online, constantly.

The story was nice, sweet, fluffy, with friendship and love combined and a mix of angst. But the heroine ruined it.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! Mia and Eric have been best friends since high school and are spending the summer together at a beach condo. After years of being attracted to each other, they start to act on their feelings. I love Eric. He is unlike any male book character I have ever read. He use to be overweight and has some emotional baggage and self-esteem issues. He doesn't see himself the way Mia does. His struggles are heart-breaking and it is impossible to read this book and not fall in love with him. Mia is not perfect herself and has a hard time saying no to social media. I was able to relate to her because I sometimes feel like I am the same way. There were quite a few laugh-out-loud moments in this book. The overall steam factor was mild but the build up and sexual tension was amazing. If I had to pick 3 words to describe this book, they would be beautiful, amazing and unique. This is a top 2014 book for me. Cassie Mae is one of my very favorite authors and I can't wait to see what she writes next! I highly recommend this book!

**ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review**

[trestitia ⵊⵊⵊ deamorski · Rating 1 out of 5]

cahildim kapağın güzelliğine kandım. (Neşet Ertaş)

girls, i dont wanna talk too much cuz' there is nothing to talk.
first of all, the beginning was good. best friends in love each other. all years they keeping in touch. then that "one summer" comes...

this is ok, but progressively story made me *meh*.

1. i didnt like Mia: if you love this much your man, you dont even think to look at your phone screen. i'm a social slut since i was 13, i have all social media account, include flickr, deviantart, imdb, tumblr, and besides lots of forums and chat sites. but Mia was like... annoying, redundant or something like dat. and the 'Scott' things. if you chatting that much online, you know wat the fuck is gonna happen. cmon you bitch.

2. on the other hand Eric was... low?: I may cant find the right words but he was not enough. i couldnt even cheer for his virginity. ME. aşüfteler aşüftesi, virgin man slut iko couldt do it. but he was better then Mia.

3. AUTHORS. IT'S ENOUGH. IF YOU DONT FUCKING HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT ANXIETY DO NOT WRITE IT. Cassie Mae not just couldt choose to correct disorder, therewithal she couldnt explain to us wat the fuck is wrong with Eric. i have disorders, (i meant it, it's plural) so dont try to oppose me.

4. progression of story and transitions between sections: it was sucks. i cant think them apart, cuz this is dialectical. namely, section or chapter ending so silly and at nonsense part. and the next part sometimes starting resume at where it end but with different pov, its like "enough of mia lets listen some from eric". and sometimes it starting at a completely different spot and by different pov again. this is causing a disconnection and makes feel like somethings unfinished, and so these making progression boring and unpleasant.

5. Cassie's pen: omg i guess she think that way; "umm, i wanna write shower scene, so here is chapter" and "i wanna write break up scene, so here is chapter" or "i wanna write about friendship so here i am this part" then put them together, here is our book, if you call it. if I write 'a chapter' for 'every scene' this means i did, got things done.

i didnt like her style. never works for me. cuz book was so boring. i mean really fuckng boring. if you are talking about sexual attraction dont write it YA, maybe NA. AND THIS BOOK IS NOT EVEN A NA.

not just sex whole book is a mess, so clichés and predictable; all these Scott and being online and bad pasts or fears... omg yani ben napiimi'm not being cruel. boring is boring, if i see any bright point i would tell you when my caps lock is on.

i was ignorant and deceived by beauty of cover. (Neşet Ertaş)
xoxo
iko

[Nancy❤The❤Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~3.75 HEARTS~~

The Real Thing hit to close to home for me but I did enjoy reading it. This is my first Cassie Mae book and it didn't disappoint. I think I've found a new author to stalk. This was a really cute story. Best friends from high school that becomes lovers. I love the shy attraction that Mia & Eric had for each other. They both liked each other but didn't have the courage to let the other one know their true feelings. This book made me smile a lot. It was well written and so realistic.

Eric

Eric and Mia has been best friends since high school. After graduation Eric decides to move Samoa. He said he needed a change of scenery. Eric has always been a little insecure with himself. He was a little overweight and he had an ex-girlfriend that use to constantly let him know how disappointed she was of him and how he always did everything wrong. When Eric decides to come back to the states and stays in his grandmother's condo for the summer Mia decides to join him and everything changes for these two. A relationship blossoms from their easy going friendship.

Mia

Mia was attracted to Eric way back in high school. She liked him when he was insecure about his weight. She fell for him way before he lost all his weight. When Mia finds out that she has an opportunity to spend a whole summer with Eric she jumps on the chance she's been waiting for. Since she was away in college she's been keeping in touch with Eric via IM's and emails. You soon find out that Mia has an addiction with the social media, Facebook, Twitter, Email, Pinterest, & Goodreads. If it's on the internet she was addicted to it. She could not let a notification from one of the social media network go unread. Her intentions of just checking a few updates and replying to a few friends turns minutes into hours. This causes problems after Mia & Eric decides to pursue a more-than friends relationship. What seems innocent with a online friend turns into the main thing that puts a wedge between the two.
Trust is a very important factor in making a relationship work and without trust you have nothing.

[Serena (The Book Comedian) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an arc for this but it was unfortunate that I didn't actually like it :(

This was set at both Mia and Eric's POV and I found being in their mind's were like being in a 15 year old's mind, not adults in their 20's.
I really hope older generations don't assume the majority of young adults who are raised with technology, actually think and act like that.

And the way the two described how sexy each other were in their heads, omg, I could not stop cringing. -shivers-

[Deniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dedicated to anyone who has weaknesses, and finds the strength to overcome them" Cassie Mae


As I marked this as read, I realised that I have read quite a few of Mae novels now. I like her lighthearted and fun approach in all of the ones I read. I love that she writes characters that feel real, I can easily connect with and whose lives feel very realistic. I also really like her humor, her geeky quirky heroines and down to earth hotties.
But in my opinion: in no other novel did Mae get it as right as in The Real Thing

The story line is sweet and fun. It's your usual romance patterns, with lots of fun elements added in. As i said Mae humor is fab and it kept me grinning like a goof through nearly the entire book. This is a best friends become more story. But Mae added a few great details to it. The social media status at the beginning of each chapter is total genius.  My favorite part is the slow progress in the relationship. It made me savor this way more and all those little details, all the fun scenes made this just the right cute and fluffy- and also kinda more real. Cause in my opinion reading Dr. Seuss is more romantic that grand dinners or flowers. And I shall never ever look at loofas with a quantum of distain again. As Eric's opinion of it changes through the book- mine did as well.


The best part about this, the part that actually got to me: The character building.
I could not only connect with Mia - I totally identified with her. Might have to do with the fact that I am a book geek, that I do live far away from my family, have quite a few internet buddies and well I boast a twitter account, a Goodreads account, a younameit account. But while I think that all of those things, definitely made me connect with Mia and get her. It's the way Mae written Em: her feelings, her fears, her reactions that got under my skin. Em is strong yet has the same insecurities most of us have. She is a great friend and deals with life and it's difficulties beautifully.  Oh and her sense of humor? *le SIGH!* Honestly I kinda have a total girl-crush on her!
Finally a strong, real, good hearted, brave, fun female character, that I would want as a girlfriend- hell scratch that, I wanna be her!
Eric is just awesomesauce. Sorry just had to say it. He is right up there with my fictional crushes like Barrons and Lucas. Uh-huh. You read right, I am totally fangirling over here.
Ok. *deep breath*
I shall not go into the hotness of Eric or the fact that he is an amazing friend... or fangirl senselessly at you. I shall try and keep the fangirling at an absolute minimum.
Ok. *another deep breath*
So obviously Eric does hit all the right notes for being a perfect bookboyfriend. I am sure you guess that much by now. But he has insecurities and problems as well, which is what made him even more perfect. Just like with Em, I total got him. When he got upset, I agreed with him. I routed for him through his struggles, while his looks are a nice bonus, somehow it didn't matter. He humor, his kindness and well just all of him is what really won my heart. Oh darn. I will stop here before I am going to be back on the full on fangirling bit.
The support cast, while they didn't feature that much on one hand, still were done well. They felt real, sorta like they part of my extended circle. While we don't get to know loads about them, their character building is still solid. Each one of them had their own voice, which is amazing since we only get to know them through the POV of Em and Eric.

After reading 5 novels by Mae, it's kind of a given I like her prose. Well, I do, I enjoy the fresh, quirky and fun way she writes. And in this one she tugged on my heart strings by making simple yet deep statements. The entire story got more to me than many others simply because it felt so real, and while it was cute and fluffy, it had a surprising depth to it. A lot of this will stay with me for a long time to come.

So:  4.5 Stars. I might still round it up, gonna have to see how I feel in a few days.

Frankly right now if I had to point out the most romantic novel I ever read or if I had to name the novel who's characters I most identified with, I would shove this one into your face.
Sadly I have read this and now I guess all I have left is reading Dr. Seuss again...or I could always get a yellow froggy loofa?

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is now my second favourite Cassie Mae book after Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend.I think there were two major things that made me love this book so much. 1) Eric. 2) Mia. Haha, but I will get into more detail than that.

Eric is just so amazing! He is so sweet and vulnerable but he didn't put up with shit. Although what he went through in high school, specifically with Ali, breaks my heart, it makes me love him more because he is surviving, even if it is hard sometimes. And the fact that he thinks his panic attacks make him weak just breaks my heart all over again. Gosh, I want an Eric Teddy that I can hug all day!



“I want you to love me with all of you.”

Mia was so relatable. Not only because she reads a lot, but because she lives on the internet and goes to all the same websites I do. Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, Amazon, etc. I can understand her passion for it. I always have my phone with me. Even if I am home and I go from one room to another, I take my phone with me. I know it can be bad, but I don't think I am quite as bad as Mia, because I would never text and drive. And the first day that she saw Eric again after 3 years, she got lost in a book and ignored him for hours. I felt really bad for him. But it doesn't make her a bad person. She was actually a lot of fun, and she was really nice. She was a super affectionate person and the best friend Eric could ask for. I felt so happy that Eric had her in high school. Despite whatever else he may have been dealing with, I hope that he knew that Mia always loved him, even if he thought it was just as a friend in the beginning.

I never used to read a lot of contemporary romance. Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend was the first one I read and really loved. I have always had a soft spot for the 'friends to lovers' stories since that was my story, but I think this one reminded me the most of myself and my husband.



“I can't tell if I hear your heart beating, or if it's mine."
"Aren't they the same thing?”

ARC provided by NetGalley on behalf of Random House Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelley Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Cassie Mae. What I loved most about this story is that while Eric is a swoon worthy, yummy, male lead, he's got some insecurities. He doesn't lost his 'man card' because he's slightly insecure, in fact, it makes me love him that much more. This guy is REAL (the real thing ;) ;))and I root for Mia to see that the whole time.

Mia has a problem, unfortunately, a number of us technology users have. IE: Nose in a phone, tablet, computer, etc. And not living in the real world because its easier and safer to live it through a screen.

When these two combine it makes for such a sweet (and quite sexy) story. You won't be disappointed.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 12%

Yes. 12%. I quit when the white female protagonist laughed about how she didn't like the Samoan male protagonist's Samoan name (Ezekielu - "Ezekiel or something" as she says) and tells him how much better "Eric" is. Because it's so funny when a POC has to shorten or adopt another name that's easier to pronounce!

Also I don't know how old this author is but "IM" is something that mostly died out before the protagonists in this book got computers. I cringed at the effort to sound ~in the know~ about social media.

[Lenore Kosinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars -- I received an advanced copy of this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!! (it was the whole reason I signed up for netgalley)

Oh sweet baby jesus....since I read my first Cassie Mae book, I have been an avid fan. Her writing is just so refreshing and unique and honest. So I will say that I have spent the past few months enjoying teasers for this book, and impatiently waiting for Eric and Mia's story. And I totally thought I had it down what it would be about, and where it would go. And it's not that I was off, more that I underestimated how much *more* there would be. Basically, I was surprised again. Nicely done Ms. Mae.

Eric Eric Eric....I've wanted to read more of this sweet, adorable, Samoan beta boy since I found out he "existed". But wow....his story was so much larger than I had been anticipating, and quite frankly he both opened my eyes and broke my heart. As someone who suffers from mild anxiety from time to time, I thought Ms. Mae did a fabulous job of portraying what Eric would be going through suffering from social anxiety disorder. And I really appreciated the inclusion of Dr. Shuman. He was helpful and sensitive and effective...but it wasn't like it cured Eric, just gave him tools to deal.

Then there was Mia. She was hilarious, and loud, and sassy, and fabulous. But she was also human. Watching her get sucked into the social media madness....well, I wasn't sure how I was going to like that aspect of the story. I've only just recently gotten a cellphone (Yes, I'm serious), so I haven't become attached to that....but I totally understand wanting to check Facebook, and then getting sucked into that vortex b/c you don't want to miss anything. And obviously I could vibe about books....*sheepish grin* So even though it's never gone as far for me, I could relate to how Mia could let herself get sucked in. It was just dealt with so beautifully, and my heart just broke for Mia watching her make those mistakes.

And in the end, that's what I loved most about this book -- the relationship between Eric and Mia.... The believable ups and downs that we all struggle through, whether the relationship is new, or changing, or old. It was a story that reminds us that while we may all know what the right and best thing is to do, we're all human and make mistakes and have to deal with that. I cried many tears for their struggles....luckily I spent much more time laughing and smiling at their antics.

There were a few minor things that left me unsatisfied, hence the half star loss.... 1) I kind of got mad at Eric for continuing to not tell Emmy about his anxiety....not that I didn't get *why* he didn't want to, more that I think b/c his affliction sucks so hard, he kind of got let off the hook for how his actions (or rather his not talking) affected Mia. I know he recognized that he hurt her, but it just felt so unfair in the end. I don't know, maybe it all worked out how it should. Maybe my brain just wants them to have even "bad decisions". 2) GAH!! WHY DOES MIA HATE THE OCEAN???? My curiosity is killing me. I couldn't help but wonder if her Mother died in a water related accident. Or something. I just felt like I was left hanging on any backstory with Mia. Personal taste thing, I know, but still. NEED MORE!!

So yeah. If you're a fan of Cassie Mae, be prepared for more awesomeness. It's a beautiful story of two very unique and adorable and loveable and real characters that will have you rooting for them.... If you've never read Ms. Mae, then expect *The Real Thing*....this is not fantasy love story. This is a real love story. <3

[Tiffany Willams · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Scary things can be beautiful."

Mia Johnson and Eric Matua have been best friends for years. Nothing could keep them apart. Not even being in different countries. After high school, Eric went to live with his uncle in Somoa. They stayed in touch with their phones and computers. Three years go by and now they will finally be reunited for the summer.

These two characters are so cute with each other. Even though they haven't physically been around each other in years, their friendship is still there. Something else is also still there...the attraction.
You can't have feelings for your best friend! There are laws against that right?! Well as long as it isn't said, nothing will happen. Uh huh, sure;)

"Her laugh makes my chest tighten and loosen all at once."
"I've been attracted to him for five years...Maybe I'll stick to my book boys until I can figure all this crap out."

There's more to this book than just two friends falling for each other.
It deals with insecurities that refuse to go away. I love how Cassie turns the tables a bit. Eric had some weight to him as a teen and has since changed his lifestyle and is now fit. On the outside, he's a finely sculpted man. But on the inside he still feels like the lump of clay waiting to be molded. You don't see many books about male weight issues and I praise Cassie for this!!

Also, this story contains an issue that lies in so many homes nowadays. Social media. Mia has an obsession and it gets in the way. It puts into prospective of what, or shall I say who, means more in your life. The hundreds of "friends" you may never meet or the one friend that has always been by your side?

In true Cassie form, there are tons of humorous parts as well!
The part with the skunk had me literally snorting!! Loudly! (Believe me, it's hilarious!)
And don't get me started on the bikini wax

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC received through netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Its not often i go for a less than alfa male in the books i read, but if the were all like Eric then i would definitely plump for them more often! Cassie takes real subjects and injects humour and romance to make fantastic Stories.

The Real thing is a story about two best friends reconnecting in person. Eric has always been self concious and has always loved his best friend Mia. Living with her for a whole summer could be just the thing to take them to the next level as long as he can get over his anxieties long enough to show her how he feels.

Mia is a social media addict. What started off as a good way to keep in contact with people, has developed and she now spends half her life in front of a screen. Can she tear herself away from the screens long enough to have a shot at real love?

As per usual Cassie's book left me with a permanent smile etched on her face. She writes realistic stories that are still infused with the hint of romance and feel good. My go to author if I want a pick me up.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received via NetGalley

This book was so easy to read and I quickly fell in love with it. Enjoyed the duel POV's and the fact that each chapter begins with a status update or something similar belonging to whoever's chapter it is. Eric's character was very loveable. Emilia though, I found annoying at times due to her obsession to technology. The romance was sweet.

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time]

*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*