Contemporary Romance
Stand Alone
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2DPWCjm
Blurb:
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.
5 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes
The Real tells the story of two people who are both broken from their pasts. Cam and Abbie meet in such a different way, only communicating with each other via computer, even though they can see each other. But in order for Abbie to get to know Cam this is the way she needs for it to be. Cam just wants to know the beautiful girl that he meets in the café, so he has no issues doing it her way. They agree to leave their pasts behind and only talk about the future. At some point, they stop hiding behind the computer screen and start to go out with each other and eventually they find themselves in a relationship and both falling very hard. But as I mentioned above, they both have a past. And at some point their truths will come out. And when they finally do will it completely break them or bring them closer together?
I am not going to go into any more detail regarding this story because you just need to dive in blind and experience it for yourself. For me I loved these two characters so much. Cam is certainly swoon worthy, all though at one point I wasn’t sure if I wanted to punch him or hug him. Does he make mistakes? Yes, of course he does. But when you dig deeper and really see his reasons, and why he held onto his secret and what he has been through, you really begin to understand him and feel for him. The fact that he has his flaws and it not perfect is what makes you love him even more.
Abbie is this girl who has her own past and fears. And while getting to know Cam was originally very scary for her, she pushed aside those fears and insecurities, with the help of her amazing best friend, and did it. I loved how she connected with Cam. I loved how they met and from that moment that they began their fun and witty banter, you just felt their connection immediately. The pace in which they took their relationship was perfect and really helped the reader get to know the two of them as they did. From the moment they met I knew they were meant to be together, they just had to get through some hurdles to get there.
I have been reading Kate Stewart’s books from the very beginning. Honestly when I read the first book that she released, it wasn’t really for me. I had a hard time connecting to the book and characters. But Ms. Stewart understood and when her next book came out she asked me to read it. So I did. I loved it and gave it 4 stars. But she wasn’t done with me yet. lol She told me that one day she would write a book that I would give five stars and she was not giving up on me. All I can say is that this is not the first 5 star book that I have given her. My point of this story is that I have loved watching Kate grow as an author, and completely shine. I have read just about all of her books and with each one they just keep getting better and better. She has managed to blow me away on more than one occasion. And the biggest point is that this woman can write!!! She can write humor and witt that will make you swoon and smile. She can write dark and erotic stories, with twists that will shock you. And she knows how to do drama and angst and make you feel it all!! And she proved once again why I lover her writing and why she is an amazing writer.
EXCERPT:
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.
About the Author:
Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.
Contact Kate- Email-authorkatestewart@gmail.com
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