The Real Deal

by Alexandra Warren

Reagan is living the dream. She has a wonderful, fulfilling job working at the local community center. She has her own place and a comfortable lifestyle. The only thing she’s missing is someone to share it all with. Unfortunately, the second she thought she may have found the one was only a few short months before she found his fiancé. And now, the only way she can prove that she has really moved on from him is by showing off her new man. But there’s only one problem. The new man doesn’t actually exist. Insert Gavin. An innocent bystander and up-and-coming rapper caught in the chess match of Reagan’s game on his first day of community service. When she desperately needs him to fulfill the role as her boyfriend to save face, Gavin quickly finds ways to also benefit from their arrangement. But what happens when the line between fulfilling a role and real companionship begins to blend? Can something that starts off as a deal between two strangers actually turn into something real?

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Fiction, Black Author, Contemporary Romance

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2016

About the author

Alexandra Warren is a contemporary romance author with over thirty works to date, all of which intentionally center Black love. She is also the co-founder of Girl, Have You Read…, a digital platform dedicated to Black romance written by Black authors.

When she’s not in front of her computer, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, watching sports, and clearing her DVR. Alexandra is a proud native of Omaha, Nebraska, but she currently calls Houston, Texas home.

Learn more about Alexandra by visiting her website www.actuallyitsalexandra.com.

Reviews

[Kameel]

Gavin & Reagan

This was a cute story of a fake relationship that ultimately turns into a real relationship. Gavin is an up and coming rapper and Reagan is a Community Center Director. When Gavin gets into a small amount of trouble and have to do community service, he meet Reagan and that same day he is coaxed into pretending to be her boyfriend and the rest is history.

[*Ebony I*]

Faux to Real Love

This was a cute read. A fake/pretend turned real love trope. 

Reagan and Gavin couldn't have been more opposite, but at the same time they had crazy chemistry. Reagan runs a community center while Gavin is an aspiring rapper. When they both agree to help each other out of little binds, who knew it would turn into so much more. Once they get to know each other they are fast friends. I enjoyed feeling their relationship grow and especially Gavin falling first. 

Gavin's star was rising, but he didn't fold. He was steadfast in his love with Reagan and tried his best to remain respectful as opportunities came. Reagan did her best to go with the flow, supporting him but also not losing herself. 

I would have liked for them to communicate better in some situations. There was some internal dialogue that they should have been actual conversations. The ending was cute, but it also felt abrupt. Reagan's family wasn't mentioned at all, while Gavin's mom was highlighted and I would've love for her to be involved at the end.

Overall, a short cute read. 

[Whit]

Loved the chemistry between Gavin and Teagan.

Also loved that sleazy Michael got to see how Gavin loved and respected Teagan. Michael also realized he blew a good thing with Teagan.

Gavin's mother was hilarious and on a journey to make sure her son was loved and happy with a good woman like Teagan!

[WellReadRuby]

So good! Real good!

I love a fake-dating trope because they always end up falling for each other sooner or later! Reagan and Gavin fell right into that trap. Both situations with the fake dating were innocent, but they were easy for them. Having them question is this the real deal? And it was! Reagan got into her head a lot, but to be fair, she dealt with a lot before Gavin. Gavin honestly fought for her the whole book until she had to show up for him, and even then, he didn't play about her. Ugh, this was just really good and just a nice read! I know this isn't new, but I'm enjoying reading Alexandra’s back catalog!

[Erika Coleman]

When 2 worlds fall in love

I love the unexpected when it comes to love. When two different worlds come together and fall deep and quick there is nothing better.

A great read

[sinag]

DNF @ 18%

I'm so tired of reading books that has cheating involved (even kind of indirectly, since our FMC is/was a mistress). The author's writing style was good, but this one's just not for me.

[Samantha]

I liked this story overall, but there were too many things throughout that didn't work for me. Reagan was way too wishy-washy and Gavin was way too perfect. Actually, he wasn't too perfect but I think that's how he was supposed to be portrayed.
Also, body parts don't (and shouldn't - unless your lube or enhancement creams are flavored) taste like Pink Starburst, no matter how much you enjoy it.

[Deloris]

3.5 stars I have a problem with one word used in this story the N word. The story is cute .

[Lennie]

cute story!!

Reagan is a witty independent woman who takes nobody’s crap. she got it going on and she knows what she wants and she goes and gets it.

Gavin is an up and coming rapper with magical words that will have any woman swooning for him. but he o my wants her….

Reagan and Gavin’s love story started as a fake relationship because Reagan wanted to make an ex jealous (an engaged ex at that…) but then they progressed to real relationship bc they both realized the wanted each other. but ofc they’ll face some obstacles along the way. but they both came out victorious on the other side with a beautiful love story to go with it!

[Critiques Corner]

It was a love story that was perfect you could say. Reagan had been duped into loving the wrong man because he was taken and she found out too late. Fast forward to a night out and she's smitten with an up & coming rapper. She runs into him again as she's forced to supervise him at a job site and the rest is history. It's never a dull moment with Reagan and Gavin but she's sorta laid back and he's in the spotlight. Can it work the way they think it can?

[Toya Davis-Stokley]

#BaeGriffey

What a great story! I was so sad for Reagan, after Michael did her dirty. However, when Gavin made an unexpected appearance in her life; I knew things were looking up. The instant attraction they both felt, and the way they played off of each other was so fun. The love was so real you could feel it. So appreciate a man in his position being true to his girl. Another winner! 👍

[BetweentheCoversLiterary]

Super freaking awesome

I loved this book it was such an magical read. Even though was though the plan was a simple favor you can feel the chemistry between Reagan and Gavin form their initial interaction. Gavin was everything Reagan wanted and needed before she could even realize. Gavin was #bookbae not just your typical up and coming rapper but loves his girl and proves it to everyone every step of the way. Definitely can’t wait to read more!

[Jacquie]

#BaeGriffey was a good time.. Two people from opposite worlds that fit perfectly together. It was fast paced but felt natural and had some angst without being overly dramatic. It was also surprisingly funny. Raegan and Gavin had great banter and I found myself legit giggling! Some of the side characters even snuck in some good quips so you get rom-com vibes. This was a chill Sunday read! A good pick I’d recommend from the backlog!

[Aline Monteiro-Bovell]

(3.5) It took me longer than I planned to get through this book. I had to take a little break from it because I realized I wasn’t enjoying it, but the problem was my brain and not the book. I think the break worked because when I got back to reading it I didn’t want to stop, I wanted more at the end. I liked it, it was cute. Way better than I expected.

[Breeana]

This book was too much!

It had me on a rollercoaster, Gavin really had not given Regan any reason to be suspicious and yet my sis was over media mishaps. Regan has me stressed but Gavin should have listened to the label they shouldn't be able to have that type of control over an artist but I guess that's the industry. As always I'm looking forward to more from Ms. Warren!

[NubianJoí]

Fifty Hours & a Crew…

The fifty hours introduced them, the crew attempted to destroy them but the real united them😍‼️”The Real Deal” was an excellent story of perseverance through the journey of love, loss, life and all its disappointments, mitigating circumstances, challenges and joy. …Reagan & Gavin were a delight to experience their journey to HEA!

[Rovonne Staten]

Another great novel

I'm working my way through Alexandra's novels, because she's great at establishing characters I want to get to know. My only gripe as a southerner is the usage of "ya'll" instead of "y'all."

[Vernell Renee Howard Griffin]

Great Read!

As usual A.W. this story was phenomenal. It hit on love, insecurities and how to handle the dos and donts of a relationship with remembering it takes work to make it happen. Awesome!

[Tangee]

Good Love

Reagan and Gavin got together under false pretenses. Dibbling and dabbling turns to feelings getting involved physically and emotionally caught up in a real deal kind of love.

Great story, wish it was a little bit longer! Loved it all the same

[Page Turner]

I enjoyed this story much like a lot of others from this author and I appreciated that neither of these characters was total jerks. I also liked that Reagan realized that she had to bend to fit with G Griffy's world if she wanted to be a part of it

[Daphne]

So sweet

Reagan and Gavin were the cutest couple, their attraction undeniable, their chemistry off the charts. I loved how he loved her. I love a good old fashioned love story with minimal drama from outside forces. Sometimes we get in our own way when it comes to love.

[J.]

Loved it

I was glad Raven fought for her man after being her crazy self. Gavin wasn't the typical rapper out doing it up , he remained humble throughout the book.Although they started how they did they found the real rather quickly.

[Kendra Thompson]

This was definitely one worth reading

I had passed this book over to read through some other series by Ms. Warren. But I finally got to it and loved every minute. Reagan and Gavin give us great couple goals.

[Inga Hunter]

Luanda

I love her writing style. I can finish a book within a day. Her books just flow. Just a side note when using have + a verb use the past participle for example not have saw but have seen. Also y’all not ya’ll.
With that said on to my next Warren book.

[V. Rena]

Good energy

Gavin and Reagan had good energy between them from the start. I love the banter between them and how they kept it real with each other. You could feel the changing of the guard from false pretense to real.

[La'Dora McClendon]

Great Story

This was a great book with relatable characters and a great storyline. The words flowed effortlessly and I never had to go back to reread something just to be able to keep up with the story.

[Mrs Tee Booktique]

The Real Deal...

Fun read. Reagan and Gavin were cute. Their meeting and partnership was cute. The development of their relationship was fun. The progression of their romance was entertaining.

[Latoya Wynn]

Cute story!

It was well written enlighten you on the music industry life. Then two couples in the music industry trying to find love and heal themselves. It was a fun loveable story.

[Frances Batchelor]

I really liked this story. Gavin was a great guy that had morals and values from his single parent mother. I feel like I could identify with Reagan as a woman with insecurities at times. I do wish the author would have given us more about Reagans background and why she came from.

[Bridgette]

Cute

All I can say is this was really a cute story. Even though I don't think I would care for a rapper either, Gavin was wonderful. I'm glad Reagan and G got the ending they deserved 🤗