Tell Me It's Real

Let's get some things straight. First, I'm not a 'paid' reviewer. Second. I actually read the entire book. Honestly, I think amazon should start filtering out reviews when negative reviewers complain about positive reviews. There are several authors that I follow and read everything they do. The moment they post a book for sale, I get it, I read it, and I review it if I remember to. Usually within the same day, sometimes the next. Depending on my reading load. That gripe out of the way, let's get to the review!The first Klune book I read was a sophomoric, juvenile, sterotyped mess that made me laugh so hard I had trouble breathing multiple times. It was absolutely unapologetic in it's comedy. (Book is the Lightning Struck Heart btw) so I decided to get another from Klune to try. I went with Tell me it's Real considering Who/what the main character is. Shy, bashful, overweight, and panting for the hot tonedness.I do not regret my choice in the slightest. I could see a lot of myself in Paul. I could see a lot of my friends in Helena/Sandy. While I certainly didn't have a grandmother with a homophobic parrot that liked to call me Rump Ranger, I could still see my grandmother in Paul's Nona. Don't get me started on his parents. We should all be so lucky.The story is something you could see actually happening. There's no billionaire playboy tycoon out to turn the destitute struggling, barely surviving street hood/thug/waif into a prince among men. There is no 'instant one day meeting declarations of eternal love. There's growing desire and passion. There's self denial, self recrimination. There's shyness, brashness, and awkwardness.Without giving any spoilers, there's no denying that the book reads like a comedy, but to get the full impact of the book, and not just the 'comedy', you need to actually READ the book. Which is what, as you'll see, most of the negative reviewers failed to do.

I read a lot of M/M. A LOT. They're all varied, fantasy; urban fantasy, mystery/crime, historical fiction, but this is probably the first time I've read a book that was just...normal. The set-up is almost painfully boring on the surface and yet this is probably the best book I've read all year.I don't cry in a lot of books, and I definitely NEVER laugh and I did both in this book (series). The dialogue is actually hilarious and story painfully sweet without being saccharin. Paul is adorable and deeply lovable; he's insecure without it being trite or defining character flaw (too often characters scream "SAVE ME" so loudly it flattens the character). Vince embodies the confident meatheaded hottie while still managing to be sweet, a little insecure, but still proud of himself. These aren't broken characters that find wholeness in each other. They are normal, flawed characters that genuinely like each other and, while they struggle to overcome their own BS and some actual real-life pain and drama, the drama and angst is actually at a believable level.(The ONLY complaint I have about this book/series is the way they describe women/lesbians. It's not exactly mean, but it's stereotypical and a little "ew, v**, gross!" For recognizing that not all gay guys are bears/twinks/jocks/etc it's a little irritating to see the tiny group of lezzies portrayed as ball-crushing, combat boot-wearing bull-dykes, which is hot, but minimizing, share the love, TJ. Same team!)

This gets 5 stars because it make me LAUGH. Like so hard!!! In places you shouldn't laugh out loud, like public!!!! That and it's one of the best books I've read in a long time.TJ Klune is an author I have come to love and reading more of his work just showed me what a talented author he is. He can write funny, he can write serious, he can write steamy. He just never fails to disappoint! Next time I am in a massive book slump again, I am turning to his books for help.Tell Me It's Real has possibly one of the worst book covers ever, which is why I've waited so long to read it. But this is one of those books where you have to look past the awful cover to get to the amazing inside of the book. Paul is a husky guy, insecure and settled in his life. Until he meets the stunningly beautiful Vince who is interested in Paul right away. Except Paul thinks Vince is playing a joke on him, never thinking Vince could be actually interested.Loved this book, obviously from my 5 star rating. Again, it had me laughing out loud in public, a rare feat for me as I try to remain stoic when reading. I highly recommend this book!

Ok...where to start! Firstly I don't give many 5stars unless I absolutely love what I have read and any flaws are minor enough that they were swallowed up by the huge amount of talent that's within the pages...and that was the case here. Any negatives are not really worth commenting on because this was such an enjoyable read I was lost in it.I read a lot...and over time I have come across much in the genre of M/M romance such as BDSM, paranormal and harrowing conflicts..I have read some which are done well, and others done very badly, while there are also many which are just plain average. I chose this after reading a sample and being totally caught by Paul the narrator who just had me from the first few pages. This wasn't about conflict, there was no bdsm (which I wasn't looking for anyway) or paranormal element..but it did have two guys who were more than they thought they were, and surrounded by extraordinary people.This book stood out for me in a sea of many that I have read, due to its vivid and colourful characters, brilliantly funny wit and heartwarming story..I absolutely loved it. I have never laughed as much or as often which surprised me because it normally takes a lot for this to happen.I was worried that with so much humour, Paul going off on so many loooong tangents, that any serious elements would not come across in the right way...but this wasn't an issue and there were many touching scenes too.I know there are many 5star reviews but I am happy to add to them and recommend this to you if you haven't read it yet. This is my first book by this author and I would really love to have her write more on these characters...Sandy/Helena totally needs his/her own story...I really want to see Sandy and Darren get their own tale and happy ever after.Ultimately...you should read it!...it is on the more expensive side of the pricing...but totally worth it!

I read constantly & I've read pretty much everything in my time. I am drawn to certain stories : doesn't really matter if the storyline is about aliens, dragons, vampires or romance. A good book is one well wriiten where you have a relationship with the characters. Most books are either pretty good, average, bad or just plain rubbish ...occassionally you find a real gem: one that you will read again & again. This is one.Imagine if you can sitting on a hospital ward at 03.00am (working nights AGAIN) desperately trying not to laugh. It is so bad that you sit there sounding like you are choking whilst tears run down your face. Really it's that good & I'm hard to amuse.This is probably the funniest book I have ever read & I have laughed so hard my ribs actually hurt. Not one of those 'amusing' books ...NO this is hilarious. More to the point it is beautifully wriiten. This is not a hot hack book where the author barely passes as a E in GSCE English. This is rich & in-depth. I really did LOL but I also cried. This flows with a beautiful descriptions of people that leaves you feeling that you have actually meet them. A lovely story line which is not so fast paced that you lose the plot but not slow enough that you get bored or page skim. Enough sexy bits to spice it up but not enough to detract from the story. In fact if this book was a bowl of porridge it would be JUST RIGHT!I won't give away the story line. This book is about love in all the various forms it comes in whether it is as a lover, bestfriend, parent or grandparent.I would highly recommend this book to anyone how loves a good story (I am a straight female) & has a big heart & an open mind.Probably the funniest book I have ever read.

Ok I've bin tempted by this book for a while now! I've put if off because the sample version did not do it justice; and it was over £3. Which is usually my limit to a e-book. Anyhow I got it and I'm so glad I did!!!!It was AMAZING!!I LAUGHED OUT LOUD IN SOME PLACESSpoil alert.Best scene'Paul'I turnedDarren was jogging towards me. For a second I thought he was going to have his revenge for the way I sucker-punched him in the mouth and I frantically looked around for anything I could use as a weapon to defend myself. But I was standing on the only patch of grass that must have existed in the state of Arizona and I didn't think grass stains were an effective defence so I prepared myself to get my ass beat."You may take my life" I sputtered at him as he approached "but you will never take my freedom"He arched a eyebrow at me as he stopped a couple of feet away "Did you just quote brave heart at me"Had me in stitches. If there are people such as 'Paul' out there where have you been all my life!!! Life would b a constant laugh!But back to the story. It was sweet, right out funny and sad. A previous reviewer said that the characters were developed, weren't perfect or broken just 'normal'. And as another said ignore the art cover & price & buy. I'm telling you.... You WILL laugh your butt off!

TJ Klune's conversational narrative style is almost humourous stream of consciousness. I've only read one less than glowing review of this novel, which said the character of Paul wasn't real. Well having heard TJ speak and write on FB for a couple of years, I'd say Paul is close to being TJ Klune! The writing is so funny, I laughed out loud many times. This story is so well written that you don't notice page turning or time passing, the narrative voice just carries you away into a world of sarcasm, exasperation, reactions and the verbal equivalent of slapstick. Homophobic parrots, Nana, kink curious parents and Helena Handbasket are just some of the wonderful, exaggerated characters to entertain you here. However, never make the mistake of thinking that Mr Klune is anything other than a very talented serious author.

This is the funniest book I have ever read! Seriously! I laughed out loud from the first chapter and as I tend to read during the night when unable to sleep, I seriously pissed off my partner by trying to stifle my laughter and snorting instead, waking him in the process. The downside, I had to go downstairs to read.This is a novel of dialogue and characters. I must admit I was not terribly keen on Paul, even by the end but the writing is so good it was hard not to feel empathy towards him. Not much of a plot, but as I said, a novel of dialogue and character.The language can be choice at times, but this it what makes the story so very funny. The banter between Paul and Sandy/Helena had me in stitches. It is necessary to appreciate the snarky humour of a certain type of gay man to appreciate the humour in this novel. A "feel-Good" story and IMHO, well worth the purchase.