***BOOK REVIEW*** Something Real (Forever Book 1) by Ariadne Wayne

Something Real (Forever Book 1) 

by Ariadne Wayne

4 Stars - I very much enjoyed this story and would read it again.

So very much more than just a simple tale of love and romance

Something Real, by Ariadne Wayne, is a finely crafted and beautifully written contemporary romance. Written in first person from Olivia, the heroine's, POV it held my attention and took me on a wonderful journey. Whilst it is Book #3 of the Friends series, and Logan briefly features in Book #2, it can easily be read as a stand alone. I came across the first book in the series as a 'freebie' on Amazon, and have been a fan of the author ever since. 

The author writes so much more than just 'boy meets girl, they fall in love, they break up and they reunite'. Her books are almost akin to a family saga, though they tend to focus only on the one couple, and extend well beyond the establishment of their relationship. I knew I would get so much more than just the story of Logan and Olivia falling in love. I also knew that the plot and characters would be imbued with a sense of "realness". The problems and curve balls life throws at them are the issues that we all face in our lives and relationships.

Olivia was disowned by her own mother when she fell pregnant as a teenager. She is now is a hard working mother of 2 and hopeful that things are on the up in her marriage. Imagine her shock to get home from work and find her husband has just gone, not only abandoning her but also their two sons. Eventually Olivia is forced to take her boys and leave the home they love, moving into a small apartment. If it wasn't for her incredibly kind, and somewhat sexy, neighbour, life would be much harder. However years of being lied to and mistreated by her absent husband have left Olivia unwilling to trust in any man, or in the promise of love. 

Olivia and Logan are not only likeable but also very believable characters. As the book is written only from Olivia's POV, it was harder to get a true picture of Logan. As a result he sometimes felt a little too perfect, and I would have preferred at least a few chapters from his perspective. The pace of the story is good, with plenty of stumbles and missteps along the way. One thing I really like is the realistic time frame this story, like so many by the author, covers several years. This helps make the events that take place within it seem even more believable. 

There are several fairly steamy scenes, though not too graphic nor crude. For me they felt a natural part of the story and the romance. The use of bad language was very minimal, and the story doesn't involve any violence.

Purchase

Amazon http://amzn.to/1vYiP4g

iBooks http://bit.ly/14sOpjU

Scribd http://bit.ly/1zZFgXw

Kobo http://bit.ly/1JBkp7M

B&N http://bit.ly/17s7eoa

Olivia Grant’s husband left her and their two children without even a backward glance. In an attempt to find herself, she turns to an old love. Writing.

Publishing erotic novels in secret, she finds a muse in her neighbour and friend, Logan. She’s not his type, but Logan makes her burn with the desire she conveys in her novels. When her secret is exposed, Logan feels betrayed and used. More than anything, Olivia needs to regain his trust and prove to him that what they have is something real.  

Features characters from the first two books in the series, but is a complete standalone.