Real
(Real, Raw & Ripped #1)
by
Katy Evans
Published by Gallery Books
ARC for review
A fallen boxer.
A woman with a broken dream.
A competition…
He even makes me forget my name. One night was all it took, and I forgot everything and anything except the sexy fighter in the ring who sets my mind ablaze and my body on fire with wanting…
Remington Tate is the strongest, most confusing man I’ve ever met in my life.
He’s the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit, and I’m drawn to him as I’ve never been drawn to anything in my life. I forget who I am, what I want, with just one look from him. When he’s near, I need to remind myself that I am strong–but he is stronger. And now it’s my job to keep his body working like a perfect machine, his taut muscles primed and ready to break the bones of his next opponents . . .
But the one he’s most threatening to, now, is me.
I want him. I want him without fear. Without reservations.
If only I knew for sure what it is that he wants from me?
Lindy's Thoughts
Real is a raw, intense, and powerful story that really tugged on my emotions, and made me think. Remy is a strong, gorgeous, sexy, and alluring alpha male, that had woman throwing themselves, and panting after him. There is something bewitching about this bad boy. Besides the fact that he is an Underground fighter, wealthy, drop dead gorgeous, sexy, and charming when he wants to be, there is also a vulnerability about him. He's the type of character that sticks out in one's mind, and you won't stop thinking about him, even when you have finished the story. His character felt authentic, and I easily visualized him in my head. In a lot of ways he reminded me of Travis from Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. I think that fans of Travis will love Remy too. When Remy wants something he goes after it with a passion and nothing can hold him back. So, when he see's Brooke, who is dressed elegantly, and modestly, she stands out from the crowd of groupies that want a piece of him. When their eyes meet after his fighting match, there is a strong sexual draw, and these two are drawn together like two magnets that can't help but attract the other.
Brooke is a very interesting main character. She had a dream to be an olympian, and through injuries, that dream fell apart. So, she decided to be a trainer, and help others rehabilitate, and strengthen through training. Unfortunatley, after just graduating from college she had trouble getting hired. Then, Remy gave her an extraordinary opportunity. If she agreed to work for him on a trial basis, he would give her great wages, work experience, and referrals in the Under Ground Fighting Circuit. Brooke agrees to Remy's proposal, and ends up finding herself falling in to passion, and love. The problem is Remy has secrets, and mood swings where he becomes out of control, and Brooke is determined to learn everything about Remy, help him, and make their love last.
I loved Remy and Brooke's characters. Remy had been hurt and betrayed by the people he loved and trusted most. On top of that, most people just wanted him, so they could use him for money, fame, and didn't take the time to get to know the real him. Remy was very scarred, vulnerable, and didn't let very many people get close to him, but with Brooke, he saw someone that he could love and trust. Brooke cared about the real him, and was such a sensitive, caring, nurturing, patient, and compassionate woman. This storyline had a ton of plot twists, and you will hate the antagonist in the story, as he comes off as the devil incarnate! I loved how Remy and Brooke's story was true to life. They had real challenges, and things that they needed to work through, but they also had a beautiful, passionate, and awe inspiring type of love. The romance, the swoon-worthy love scenes, strong characters, and engaging plot came together to create a phenomenal story that has secured a treasured place on my favorite's book shelf.
My Rating
Real was sexy, intense, passionate, and all consuming! I devoured this book whole! Real took on a life of its own, and when it ended, I wanted more. I suffered from "Remy Withdrawls," and had to enlist the help of my co-blogger Mikki, as we squealed and gushed over Remy. Yes, I hate to admit it, but we are total Remy groupies. Nothing makes me swoon more than an alpha male who takes charge, goes after what he wants, and brings on the romance, passion, heat, and his confident sexual prowess. Mine, the sequel to Real cannot come fast enough! I want to get more of Remy, and can't wait to read this story from his point of view. This whole series is on my TBR, auto-buy list, and I haven't even seen all of the book covers yet! That's how bad I want to read this whole series. I give Real, 4.5 Sexually Charged, Beautifully Palpable, Provocative and All-Consuming, Love Filled Stars!
The Way Ria See’s It
Oh
My
Little
Remy
Babies
In.The.World!
R-iptide, A fighter. A wave. An enigma. Strong powerful protective. Broken, hurting, alone. Honey eyes will change his life forever doing the only thing he knows how to do he will fight. Beginning his fight for her, his golden-eyed real.
E-scape, her life is so different from her goals and her aspirations. Meeting Remy was the last thing she expected, but there is no sense in avoiding fate. Its all about embracing your today for the future. Brooke’s life is about to change in so many ways she won’t recognize her yesterday.
A-nguish, so many unspoken words. Brooke defends Remy like a fierce firecracker and Remy loves her sooo unconditionally...
L-ove, he has never felt it like this. She has never felt towards someone like she does for him. Will it be enough to get passed the issues?
Okay.... warning. I’m not like, yea... lets go break bottles over peoples heads, but as far as a fun FICTIONAL read goes... This book shoots to the top of my favs list!
Go GET YOUR COPY…
Dot Dot Dot…
STAT!
My Fav’s
Remington Tate (Remy)
Re-Mother-AWESOME-Man-FantasticTon Flippin Tate! If you were to look up the definition for the word intense there would be a pic of this hotshot...Wait. There isn’t? Well, there should be.Fact. He has MAJOR issues, but you know what? He does all the right things to handle them in the right way, and he was straight with Brooke. I want to cry. He loves her SOOOO deeply it's like this powerful force that NO ONE can shake. He is animalistic with the way he shows her his love, but has any one ever kissed/licked your wrist?.. That ish feels AMAZING, I say GO REMY!!! Pet that little nugget! Hay?..Snap! Remy is a hopeless romantic with serious issues, but I’m with him. I’d rather laugh hard and cry hard than to NOT feel anything ever. Life is PASSION, it's PAIN... Live it, embrace it, FEEL it. LOVE EVERY MOMENT!! The fun the not so fun...open up your hearts. Nothing is perfect. EVER... but it's there.... its precious.... love IT!!!
Brooke Dumas (FireCracker)
Step aside, step aside.. My fav little PASSIONATE broken girl coming through! Remy was a tornado alright, but Brooke was the shift in the weather that stopped him in his tracks. I love her SOOO much for understanding him, for loving him, for everything she does. From the little things like enjoying his cocky attitude, to the big things like looking past his issues into his heart and seeing what an amazing man he is.
Honorable Mention
Pete (Pedro)
If I could distribute angel wings to normal(fictional not real) people I would TOTALLY give Pete a pair. Just sayin. ;)
My Rating
4.5 Underground Fighting, New Job, iPod Playlist, Tender Touches, Blue Eyes, Speedy Black Eyes, Broken Bottles, Fire Cracker, Chicken Nugget, Pablo, Missing Sister, Championship Title, Broken Heart, Restored Love, Unrelenting Passionate Stars! READ. This. Book. NOW!
Mikki's Review
To say REAL by Katy Evans is one of my favorite books ever would be an understatement. After reading so many books, and changing book boyfriend a couple of times a week (Don’t judge, eh! LOL!!), I officially declare that I have found my book husband! Yes! Remington Riptide Tate is the total package. OMG!!! My heart was beating for him when I read this book. Every single emotion that Brooke was going through, I felt it! Never, everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr did a main character steal my heart the way Remy did! While reading this book I feel in love not once, but twice! Brooke stole my heart too! She is one of the most well developed characters that I have ever read and I loved her through the whole book. Sometimes the heroines get on my nerves, but Brooke kept me cheering for her until the very last page. She is strong, beautiful inside and out and she fights for what she wants. This book should seriously come with a warning. It’s should say something like this … ‘’This story may cause your clothes to melt and your ovaries to do the conga over and over again’’ LOL! ;)
Remy and Brooke meet at one of Remy’s underground fights. The moment he lays his eyes on her she is LOST! An avalanche of emotions attack her and she is trying to deny this instant attraction she feels towards Remy, but she honestly can't. She wants ALL of him! Holy SEXUAL TENSION!!!! These two have a panty melting chemistry. Sweet Jesus! *Fan Self* When Remy runs after Brooke after his fight, he makes her forget about everything and marks her heart and soul. Brooke ends up leaving on tour with Remy and his team. She accepts his job offer right away since she’s been looking around for a way to launch her new career as a sport rehab specialist. From the moment they go on tour, Remy tries to push Brooke away because of his dark secret, but Brooke stands by her man once she finds out what his dark secret is.
The music is very present in this story and I loved that! When one of the songs mentioned in the book plays on the radio, I just get transported back to this book. Remy is a man of few words, but when he speaks his words are real and powerful! If the word SEXY BEAST would be in the dictionary, you would find a picture of REMINGTON TATE. Not only is he a sexy beast, but he’s a caring human being who got hurt in the most horrible way. His love for Brooke is just AMAZING!!!
The other characters of the books all hold a special place in my heart and some of them hold a place in the DESPICABLE pile. I’m sure once you read the book you can figure out who goes in that pile. My favorite would be Brooke’s best friend, Melanie. She is extremely funny and I love her to pieces! Would love to have her as one of my best friends :)
Katy Evans did a PHENOMENAL job on her debut novel. Her writing style was perfect to me. She is on my auto-buy list and I can’t wait to read MINE, REMY, RAW and RIPPED. If you did not read REAL, go one-click … You won’t be disappointed! A sexy underground circuit fighter, a Kick A** heroine, a sexual tension that will have your panties melting and a beautiful love story.
My Rating
I give REAL by Kate Evan 5 intense, consuming, sexy and thrilling stars ! I can’t get enough of the world Katy Evans created. I want to get lost in it over an over again! I always tell people that you have to feel a book, not just read it. I felt everything with REAL. It was a sublime read and I can’t wait for more of it!
Quotes I loved
“Why’d you want to have sex with me? To have a f*cking adventure? What was I supposed to be? Your one-night-f*cking stand? I’m every woman’s adventure, damn you, and I don’t want to be yours. I want to be your f*cking REAL. You get that? If I f*ck you, I want you to belong to me. To be mine. I want you to give yourself to me—not Riptide!” -Remy
“I love him, Melanie. I love him He's not just a star, he's the whole f*cking sky to me. He's the sun and every planet in this galaxy.” -Brooke
“That's why I didn't want to touch you I knew I'd go crazy if I touched you, and now, it tears me open to ask you to be with me when I know I'm just going to do something to hurt you again!
"Yes! Yes you probably are, you idiot! And it's going to be a damn skydive for me, and I'm going to hang on tight and just jump with you because that's what you do to me.” –Remy & Brooke
Casting
Brooke
Remy
About The Author
Katy Evans
My Life in 8 Words: “Hectic, wonderful, complete; everything I ever wanted.” Katy Evans grew up with books and book-boyfriends until she found a real sexy boyfriend to love. They married and are now hard at work on their own happily ever after. Katy loves her family and friends, and she also loves reading, walking, baking, and being consumed by her characters until she reaches “The End.” Which is, hopefully, only the beginning…
Stalky Things
Ahh, this books sounds so good! This is what i need to read to get out of my NA funk!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review(s) Ladies!
Thanks Tonya :) This book will get you out of your NA funk for sure!!!
DeleteMy Book Hubby will get you out of that funk Tonya! I promise ;)
DeleteHappy you liked our reviews <3
Great reviews, ladies! Your enthusiasm has me excited to read Real.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for you to read this one Andrea! It is H-O-T!!!
DeleteThanks Andrea!
DeleteEeeeep! You need to meet my Book Hubby! He's such a Sexy Beast <3 <3