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When It's Real

by Erin Watt

Spice 2 out of 5, Simmer2/5 · Simmer: Closed door

Meet Oakley Ford -- teen celebrity, renowned pop star, child of famous movie stars, hottie with millions of fangirls ... and restless troublemaker. On the surface he has it all, but with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry, and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley's team decides it's time for an intervention. The result: an image overhaul, complete with a fake girlfriend meant to show the world he's settled down. Enter seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett -- devoted sister, part-time waitress, the definition of "normal." Under ordinary circumstances she'd never have taken this gig, but with her family strapped for cash, she doesn't have much of a choice. And for the money Oakley's team is paying her, she figures she can put up with outlandish Hollywood parties and a team of publicists watching her every move. So what if she thinks Oakley's a shallow, self-centered jerk? It's not like they're going to fall for each other in real life ... right?

Spice
2/5
Burn
Medium
Pages
~368
Ending
HEA

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How spicy is When It's Real?

When It's Real is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.

  • Steam: Behind closed doors
  • Burn: Medium burn
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: First person, dual POV (both leads)
  • Ending: Happily ever after

Content warnings

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Show 1 content warning
  • Death of a loved one

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    When It's Real: quick answers

    How spicy is When It's Real?

    When It's Real is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.

    Is When It's Real a standalone?

    Yes, When It's Real is a standalone. You can read it on its own.

    What tropes are in When It's Real?

    When It's Real features fake dating, rockstar / celebrity. It is a medium burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.

    Does When It's Real have content warnings?

    Our notes for When It's Real include: death of a loved one. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after When It's Real?

    If you loved When It's Real, try While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory, The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West, To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han. They share its fake dating and rockstar / celebrity energy at a similar spice level.