They say it happens when you least expect it.

It did for me.

It started the moment I saw the simple message pop up on my computer screen:

Cameron’s Mac: Hi.

And when I met the eyes of the gorgeous man messaging me from across the coffee shop, I never thought my reply would lead to the most intense, sexual, and passionate relationship of my life.

We both agreed to check our bags at the door and put our future hopes and aspirations on the table.

It worked.

I fell in love with his no holds barred attitude, sexy smirk, and undeniably good heart . . . and for a while we forgot about our baggage. We happily tripped over it to get to the other, neither of us willing to show the contents of our pasts in the off chance it could ruin us.

We built our love on a foundation of gray.

It was life in black and white that threatened to tear us apart.

I am on a blissful book high right now. Why you might ask? Well, I have just read three back-to-back 5 STAR top favorite books of 2018 and The Real is most definitely one of them. Enjoy an excerpt below and find out why I LOVE Cameron and Abbie sooooo much!

Drive was my first book by Kate Stewart and after my experience reading that one, I swore I would read anything and everything she wrote. The Real was a totally new and different experience… a contemporary romance with real adults in their 30’s. And oh what an amazing story!!

Abbie and Cameron meet in a coffee shop and from the get-go I am absolutely IN LOVE with the way they have met, their interactions, their witty banter… the adorable sayings on the coffee mugs. I found myself laughing out loud because this couple just clicked.

But as part of the rules… they can not talk about their pasts because of course, both of them have them… they can only focus on the here and now.

And what starts off as a “no-talking, let’s communicate via instant messenger at the coffee shop on Saturdays” becomes so much more than either have expected.

The Real is so wonderfully heartwarming, romantic, and emotional. Both characters with pasts that they need to work through, getting over their pain to move forward and grow together. And grow and change they do… a love develops that is so epically wonderful. I can’t even compare Cameron with any hero I have ever read before because he is pretty darn close to being the most perfect hero EVER.

I was so addicted to watch Abbie and Cameron navigate learning how to handle each other and grow with each other.. I could not put this book down. And of course there are issues… tough ones, BIG ones… ones that you have to learn for yourself (because I won’t tell you though I definitely suspected) but Stewart handled them with such ease and care for the characters she created. My heart broke and I was devastated because I was vested… I loved them SO much and prayed and hoped that they would be able to overcome.

Is this love story messy? Yes. But was it worth the angsty, emotionally turbulent roller coaster that I felt like I was on? HELL YES… It was worth every DAMN SECOND. The Real is complete PERFECTION.

Kate Stewart’s words are a freakin masterpiece… I said it with Drive and I will say it again with The Real… I will read everything she writes because I can’t get enough. She has found a true forever fan and I am devoted (aka obsessed). Just wait til you meet Cameron and Abbie and you will fall as hard as I did <3 <3 <3

Cameron’s Mac: Hi.

I looked above my laptop and took a deep breath before I accepted his invitation.

Abbie’s Mac: Hi.

Abbie, he’s going to wear your skin! I tried to ignore my inner voice.

Cameron’s Mac: I saw you with the homeless guy.

Abbie’s Mac: Ok?

He took a sip out of his Real Men Love Pomeranians mug and shrugged before he typed.

Cameron’s Mac: So, that was nice of you. Most people in the city just walk on by.

Abbie’s Mac: Oh. Most people do walk past Bennie. But he’s different and I’m not most people.

He lifted a brow and bit his lip.

Cameron’s Mac: I see that.

Cameron’s Mac: Want to have your next cup with me?

Say yes, say yes! It’s only coffee!

Abbie’s Mac: No, thank you.

You idiot.

His brows drew tight with his frown.

Cameron’s Mac: Sure? How about some breakfast?

My pulse raced with the memory of my last reaction to that type of attention and the consequences, and I answered without another thought.

Abbie’s Mac: No, thanks.

His chuckle was deep and covered me, even across the space between us. He bit his full bottom lip as he typed, his smirk still intact.

Fuck. Me. Damn it, Abbie!

Cameron’s Mac: Well, I guess today is not my day.

Abbie’s Mac: That’s all you’ve got?

I had no clue why I sent that message . . . why I was bothered that he didn’t try harder. Just that fucking smirk. It was sexy as hell.

He read my message and shrugged as he typed.

Cameron’s Mac: You seem to enjoy coffee. I don’t have an agenda. You’re beautiful, I noticed. I wanted to drink coffee with you. You said no. I’m going to scrape up the rest of my pride now and head out.

He closed his laptop and stood while I deflated. Damn it. He was being nice. Since when are guys just . . . nice?

Am I a man hater? Have I become that woman?

I spoke up as he slipped his computer into a worn leather bag.

“I’m sorry,” I offered in quick apology. “I was expecting some horrible line or screwed up proposition. The web, messaging, anything that has to do with technology has been hazardous for me. I’ve seen enough unsolicited dick pics for a lifetime. I was just being cautious.” And that was the truth. But I’d said it aloud in verbal vomit. Did I really say “dick pics” out loud?

He chuckled again as he looked down at me from where he stood, then grinned.

“Today isn’t the right day.” The husky baritone of his voice matched the silky hue of his eyes, which seemed to darken as he looked me over.

“No?” I asked in a whisper as I sized up his six-foot-plus frame and imagined the possibilities.

“No,” he said. “Maybe we can not have coffee again sometime?”

He’d tapped out with a simple ‘no’ from me. He couldn’t have been that interested in the first place.

I couldn’t deny the disappointment welling up in my ovaries.

“Okay.” I lifted the last syllable when he didn’t press further.

Cameron pulled out his wallet and set some money on his table then walked over to mine and did the same.

“At least let me buy your next cup.”

After setting the bills down, he stood over me briefly and I caught his scent—purely masculine. I inhaled as much as I could without being obvious. He didn’t smell like a psycho.

Cameron picked up his man–bag while I pictured running my fingers through his messy, inches thick, dark-brown hair.

Don’t let him leave. Tell him you aren’t that big of a bitch. But that would seem desperate. You aren’t desperate. But you are horny. Omg, are you horny??

As if reading my thoughts, I caught another flash of his teeth and had to bite my cheek to keep my reaction in check.

“I’ll see you.”

“Yeah, see you. And thanks,” I said to his retreating back, an octave louder than necessary. “For the coffee,” I added. Outside the window, Cameron bent and exchanged words with Bennie before sticking some cash in his hand.

Well, Abbie. Guess you’ll just have to wait until the next time you roll out of bed and a beautiful man hits on you. Should happen again, you IDIOT!

Once again, my hesitance had cost me. And I couldn’t help but feel like this time it cost me big.

Sagging into my seat, I continued to stare in his direction, watching those broad shoulders walk out of my life.

Start reading THE REAL today!

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