Once Upon A Real Good Time by Lauren Blakely Series: Heartbreakers #1
Published by Little Dog Press on September 10th 2018
Pages: 218
Format: ARC
Genres: Romance, Romantic Comedy
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That smoking hot one-night stand with a former rock star?
Turns out he's my son's new music teacher. Oops.
But I didn't know that the night I met Campbell. All I knew was he played my body the same way he played a guitar — like he owned it.
My libido is still high-fiving me after being self-served for too many years, and we’re both ready for another night or two of fun, especially since we don’t just have chemistry in bed — we connect over everything.
That is, until I learn he’s the man who’ll be coming to my house twice a week to teach my son — the best music lessons money can buy.
Time to turn down the volume on our shenanigans. Only that’s easier said than done.
***
I can rock a guitar solo in front of thousands, I can write chart-topping tunes, and I can absolutely stop thinking about my student’s mother naked.
After all, I’m a single parent too, and I know what it’s like to put your kid first. That’s what I do every damn day.
Trouble is, now that I’ve had Mackenzie, it’s hard — and I do mean hard — to stop wanting her. Harder too when I get to know her, and learn she’s an awesome mom, a great friend, and, oh yeah, she happens to get along perfectly with my daughter.
All we have to do is set some rules. No dating, no nookie when the kids are around, and no one gets hurt.
It’s all working out beautifully. Until we start breaking the rules, one by one.
Making music with her in the bedroom is easy. But will we be more than just a real good time when the music stops?
Lauren Blakely has a knack for blending naughty and nice. She serves up a healthy dose of both in Once Upon a Real Good Time, and I must say the combination goes down nice and smooth.
It’s a simple story of two single parents who have devoted their lives to their kids, putting aside the possibility of romantic relationships in the process. Campbell is a former boy band star turned private music teacher. Mackenzie is an entrepreneur with a wealth of Jeopardy-level knowledge.
These are two amazing characters who are perfect for each other. I love their playfulness and sexy banter. Campbell’s dirty talking bedroom skills are on point! It’s no surprise that I wanted their happily ever after like I wanted my next breath. What’s really refreshing is how lovable their teenagers are. Let’s face it. Anyone with a teen knows how difficult they can be. Mackenzie’s son is a well-rounded violin prodigy. Campbell’s daughter is a sweetheart who loves to bake and has her own YouTube channel. They each love their parent and aren’t afraid to show it.
When Campbell winds up teaching Mackenzie’s son, it throws a wrench in their plans for a possible romance. I really didn’t feel like it was that much of an issue, but thankfully instead of lots of drama, good humor and warmth prevail throughout. I’m counting this as a solid win.
Campbell has two brothers with their own books coming out. I hope I enjoy the rest of the series just as much as this story.
Recommended for fans of:
Cooking
Musicians
Broadway
Single parent romance
** I received an early version of this book to voluntarily read. **
Excerpt from Once Upon a Real Good Time
I’m not checking him out.
I am solely focused on answering the next trivia question. The game emcee spouts it out for the four teams vying for the prize at The Grouchy Owl bar. The prize being bragging rights.
The hostess clears her throat, brings the mic to her mouth, and asks the question: “Which Las Vegas hotel did the bachelor party stay at—”
I’m perched forward in the chair whispering the answer to my teammate—Caesars, Caesars, Caesars—so we can write it on the answer slip before the hostess even finishes.
“—in the 2009 moving The Hangover?”
“So easy,” I say to Roxy as she smacks my palm and mouths ringer while filling in the answer.
I’m not a ringer.
I was simply fed a steady diet of Trivial Pursuit, trivia books, and endless facts about the world as a kid.
That’s all.
Also, I love trivia. Trivia helped me through some tough times as an adult, and by tough, I mean anxiety-ridden, sleepless, and stressful. That kind of tough.
As the hostess flips her cards to the next question, the guy on stage—the one I’m not at all checking out—adjusts the amp for his guitar. The Grouchy Owl has a little bit of everything—from darts, to pub quizzes, to pool, to live music from local bands. It’s like a Vegas hotel right here in the West Village. Big Ike doesn’t want patrons to leave, so she makes sure the entertainment options are plentiful.
And if that handsome hottie stays on the stage, I won’t want to head home for a long, long time. Except that I’ll have to. I’m Cinderella, and I turn into a pumpkin in minutes.
But for now…Hello, nice view.
As the guy turns the knob on the amp, his brown hair flops over his eyes. He flicks it off his forehead with a quick snap then runs his fingers down the strings on his guitar.
Those fingers fly.
I bet they’d fly other places too.
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About Lauren Blakely
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, sweet, and witty. She also writes USA Today bestselling LGBTQ romance.
With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with more than 55 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 4.5 million books. A Brown University graduate, Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
So you liked this one? I’ve heard mixed things about it. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it or not. Usually I like her stuff.
I did enjoy it. It’s a really light read and only about 200 pages.