Disclaimer: Thank you Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book for free does not sway my opinion.
Goodreads Summary:
No parents. No limits. No clue what they’re in for.
Shy, cautious Claire has always been in her confident older sister’s shadow. While Miranda’s life is jam-packed with exciting people and whirlwind adventures, Claire gets her thrills vicariously by watching people live large on reality TV.
When Miranda discovers her boyfriend, Samir, cheating on her just before her college graduation, it’s Claire who comes up with the perfect plan. They’ll outshine Miranda’s fame-obsessed ex while having an amazing summer by competing on Around the World, a race around the globe for a million bucks. Revenge + sisterly bonding = awesome.
But the show has a twist, and Claire is stunned to find herself in the middle of a reality-show romance that may or may not be just for the cameras. This summer could end up being the highlight of her life… or an epic fail forever captured on film. In a world where drama is currency and manipulation is standard, how can you tell what’s for real?
Review:
Cutie-Patootie! That’s how I’m describing this book. It was fun, adorable, and downright what I needed on a bad day. I was talking to Kayla (The Thousand Lives) and she kept telling me to read it. She said it would get me out of the reading slump I’ve been in and I wasn’t listening to her until a few days ago, and boy was she right.
For Real is a story that will slowly start winning you over until you are completely enamored with it and are so invested you literally have to shush yourself in the middle of the night because your roommates are sleeping and it wouldn’t be cool if you woke them up with your fangirling. (Although for a second there I was like FORGET NICE! But then… I decided to stay quiet. My roommates should thank me.) I absolutely loved that Claire would do something like that for her sister. That level of loyalty isn’t seen in fiction that much anymore. Although I don’t approve of revenge, what Claire was trying to do for her sister, putting herself in an uncomfortable situation for all to see, was beautiful. I may not have a sister, but I do have a cousin that I see as a sister and for some time, I was Claire and she was Miranda. Experiencing that type of relationship in some way made the story very believable and I think that’s what I loved the most about it. That I was able to make this personal connection to it. I was rooting for Claire every step of the way!
I don’t want to spoil anyone with any crucial details of the story (which is what I totally want to discuss, but alas I will not) so all I will say is. Buy it, Read it, and don’t forget I was the one who told you to read it. You’re welcome.
The book came out today in bookstores everywhere so go snatch yourself a copy. I shall be doing the same as soon as I can!
The Talking Bookworm 
As a huge Amazing Race fan, I have to say that this sounds delightful!