Reader’s Reviews > The Real Deal > Status Update

Huh. Not sure how con artists get trusted so quickly, even with a sad backstory. He really ended up with a sweet deal even without officially a long con—the girl, an apartment, a job via her connection, her family, now marriage. And she just trusted him? Huh. Didn’t hate but not good 3 stars seems good enough, but part of that was the audio narration.

Oh my goodness. His lies are not the same as her not asking him if it was ok for her to invite her brother up. And this best friend is an idiot — no way a real girlfriend wouldn’t warn her friend to be careful after hearing this story. I was hoping this would be more believable to resolve. Sounds like Rich white people guilt.

April (not Amber lol) paid his half his acting fee halfway through the job since she wants to not fake it for the rest of the family reunion. Still weird — why not pay it all? And how is he ok thinking he’s not a gigilo? Plus he still wants the rest of the money even though he likes her? This is awkward. Plus he’s still lying by omission to her, not on equal footing in this arrangement.

Zachary Webber’s voice makes mediocre books sound so good. I will finish this book just for him. As for the character he’s portraying, I don’t like him. He’s blurring the lines, intentionally confusing Amber with his act. It’s cruel and selfish. He has no intent to follow through with a real relationship (I get the point of the book is he will change his mind, but it makes him incredibly selfish now).

I like their banter but not that he’s faking it the whole time. She’s getting confused about what’s real to her, and that’s just not fair. I get he’s not technically a bad guy since she’s paying him to act, but he shouldn’t do it when they are alone. Makes him unlikable as a character.

What’s the deal with Theo’s “debt” to the angry southern lady? And the 13 yo boy he plays frisbee with? I’m assuming the backstory of why he needs money is coming, to be sprinkled into his getting to know Amber while working as her fake boyfriend.

Audiobook only with good narration (Zachary Webber).