Customer Reviews

The Real Thing

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I absolutely loved this book. This was my first time reading one of Mr. Murray's books and I was completely enthralled in it. Vivid, sexy, intelligent....I didn't want to put it down, and I'm not even a boxing fan. Christiana was hilarious and almost fearless, while Dante was tense and cautious, although he too had a great sense of humor. They made a very believable couple. I also loved that although Dante's Italian heritage was explored, Mr. Murray kept the interracial mention to a dull roar. It only mattered that they were man and woman, not white and black. It was a wonderful story that I could read again and again. This has inspired me to read more of Mr. Murray's books.

I just love the story of Dante, and Tiana. It is a real love story for real people. The plot is warm, funny, and carries you along page after page. Dante is sexy, and stubborn. Tiana, is strong, lovely, and to the point. Kudos for a fighter with a big heart. Loved it......

The Real Thing so lived up to it's title. Mr Murray has done it again with such amazing characters. This is such a page turner I read it in one day...This is a must read and you will not regret it. I promise you will fall in love with Dante and Christina

"The Real Thing is a charming love story that will truly warm your heart. It is an engaging story that will remind readers how love can find you at the most improbable time, during the most interesting set of circumstances."

"Christiana Artis ,a reporter for Personality Magazine is sent on an assignment to interview former boxing champion, Dante "Blood and Guts" Lattanza, for the upcoming feature as one of the "Sexiest Men Alive." Dante is making a comeback to the boxing ring in hopes of winning back the love of his ex-wife and to prove that he can still win a championship after losing a fight ten years ago."

"Christiana must travel to Dante's home in Canada and persuade him to agree to the interview, which is difficult since he has become a recluse. Dante's handsome Italian looks and physique immediately grabs Christiana attention. But his icy personality is less then desirable. He eventually agrees to answer five questions if she performs five tasks. Of course she agrees, and it is during this time that an unexpected chemistry begins to build between them."

"A surprise visit from his ex-wife interrupts what they are exploring, and leaves Christiana unsure about his feelings for her. She wants to fight for the love of a man she just met, but realizes he may be fighting for the love of someone else."

"The author, J. J. Murray once again takes his readers on an amazing journey demonstrating the true essence of love in all its complexities."

Okay...I just finished The Real Thing...this is the first book I've read by J.J. Murray...it's LOADED with plenty scenery description...I feel like I'm SMACK DAB in sections of NY and Canada...the storyline is ENGAGING...and the full cast of characters are very ENTERTAINING...I find myself LOL at their funny antics and witty dialogue throughout...the description and portrayal of Dante's character is INTENSE...and Christiana and her antics throughout are OFF-THE-CHAIN...once Dante and Christiana meet and "hook-up"...during their INSTANT and brief encounter, they make a GREAT couple...they just seem to bring out the BEST in each other...and I ENJOY being witness to each "challenge" Dante makes Christiana perform in order to get her 5 interview questions...talk about a MAJOR work-out...LOL...and the ending is simply BEAUTIFUL and "priceless"...it brought tears to my eyes...I'll certainly have to check out more of Mr. Murray's work.

I've read orignial Love and the story was wonderful well put togther so was this one

In The Real Thing by J.J. Murray, Brooklyn born and raised, and still residing in Red Hook, journalist and photographer Christiana Artis heads to Aylen, Canada to interview Dante Lattanza. Personality magazine, where Christiana works, has named Dante one of the sexiest men alive. Aside from being a sexy Italian, he is the former boxing middleweight champion, also from Red Hook, training in attempt to win back his title and belt. When Christiana meets Dante she gets more than she expected. Dante challenges Christiana the entire time she is in Canada. He is not going to give her the answers to her interview without her doing something for him in return. Dante knew she would fail. Did Christiana fail the test of wills? What did they learn from and about each other?

I got very wrapped up in the imagery of Canada and the parts of Brooklyn I never experienced while living in New York. The characters were multi-layered and rich in dialogue. My heart broke when the characters' heart was broken; and felt a rush when it did. I found myself at times covering the next page with my hand, so I would not accidentally glance ahead. And the talk of food made me hungry. Mr. Murray created a story that began slowly for me, but packed a heavy punch once it got moving. I recommend The Real Thing to readers who enjoy interracial romance, as well as to anyone who have a passion for boxing and a healthy workout.

I received this book from the publisher for review purposes.

Jennifer Coissiere

APOOO BookClub

I read this book I think about a month ago and I still go back and read the funny parts again.Christiana was hilarious:D .she had me laughing out loud at the most inconvenient of times but i didn't care. She would have you smiling and giggling at her most hilarious thoughts.I found Dante to be a cool and sexy character.The ending almost made me cry:). this book is just that awesome. the plot was cute,fluffy, and nice. main characters were cool as well.I would most definitely recommend this book!!!!.

This is my second J. J. Murray novel read. (Years ago my sister recommended " Something Real" and I enjoyed that a lot.) the Real Thing has good bones with its somewhat time-tested plot line - sassy sophisticated city girl meets and falls for edgy rough-around the edges hunk. The book has likable enough characters throughout - main and ancillary - that, by in large, go beyond the stereotypical.

The most interesting component of the story arc centers on writer Christiana Artis' attempt to make amends for the mean-spirited break of a promise to the man she loves, boxer Dante Lattanza. Christiana attempts to solve the mystery surrounding Dante's parentage becomes part of her personal/professional makeover and penance. Alas, this thread doesn't really begin to unfold until near the story's end.

A little more romance - and I'm not really talking sex here- would have done the storyline some good. Christiana and Dante begin to bond over an intensive workout that is supposed to win her a prized interview with the boxer as he preps for a comeback. Dante's own confusion and stubbornness about why he must return to the ring sometimes threatens the strength with which the character is initially sketched by Murray and, for me, made him more weak and quite naive looking rather than sensitive or romantically vulnerable.

There is humor in the book - sometimes even sophisticated humor - but there are also some persistent tracks of near raunchiness, penned as mental asides from Christiana, that instead of making me laugh, made me question whether or not she really loved, rather than merely lusted after, Dante. After all, even a girl who's hung around boxing gyms at her Grand Pappy's knee could let her feminine side show a bit more and help us get a better picture of why this man fell for her. (BTW...one continuity concern..why didn't Christiana get herself some clothes when she went to town with Dante?)

Another bit of distraction comes in the form of rants over celebrities and details about interviews with them. I would have liked to have seen some of that space put to use getting a better sense of what Dante was thinking and feeling about this woman.

This is not a bad read by any means but it didn't pack quite the punch I'd hoped for.

I thought this was a very good book. Although, I didn't understand some parts of it, for instance, when Dante and Christiana went to town, why didn't she buy herself some underwear or clothing? I couldn't imagine myself being a size 10 and wearing the ex-wife size 6 clothing. Oh no, my girlfriend below would NOT be happy.LOL. But then again, I see why the author didn't go there because he wanted the ex-wife to see Christiana in her clothing.

Also, I wanted more of the hero in the book. He kind of drifted away once Christiana left Canada. But none-the-less the author didn't leave any open-ended questions and the storyline was well developed as well as the characters.

By the way, love the scenes where Christiana had to do the 5 task in order to get an interview with Dante; especially, the work-out boxing scene. I laughed out loud. That woman wanted to impress that man even if it meant killing herself trying. LOL. I Also, loved the sleeping bag incident. It was Very sexy.

This is a book that I would re-read and recommend.

*Edit to Add...Love book cover*

Overall rating: 5.0