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Abbie Zanders
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The Realist: A Contemporary Love Story Kindle Edition

by Abbie Zanders (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 636 ratings

Better alone than in bad company.

That’s Clarissa Sullivan’s new philosophy. No more toxic relationships. No more dead-end jobs. No more depending on anyone for anything. The rustic mountain cabin in the middle of nowhere is the perfect place to start over and simplify.

Getting friendly with her capable and attractive survivalist neighbor is not part of the plan.

Marine Travis Maxwell is totally on board with that. He sought out the seclusion of the mountains to get away from betraying fiancées and back-stabbing best friends. The last thing he needs – or wants – is to get close to anyone ever again.

Yet there's something fascinating about his fiercely independent and decidedly unfriendly new neighbor, and keeping his distance isn't going to be easy.

A relationship is definitely out of the question. But in the unforgiving wilderness, it just makes sense to have each other’s back, right?

The Realist is a charming, romantic dramedy that'll have you leave you smiling.

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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    December 3, 2014
  5. File size
    1.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

The Realist is a stand-alone contemporary romance. Due to strong language and sexual content, it is intended for mature readers only.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00QL9NKOC
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 3, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 636 ratings

About the author

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Abbie Zanders

Abbie Zanders

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Abbie Zanders is a USA Today Bestselling Author with more than 65 published romance novels to date. Her stories range from contemporary to paranormal and everything in between. She promises her readers two things: happily ever afters, always, and no cliffhangers, ever.

Born and raised in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she sets most of her stories, she’s known for small town romance featuring golden-hearted alpha heroes and strong, relatable heroines. Besides being an avid reader and writer, she loves animals (especially big dogs), American muscle cars, and 80's hair bands.

Stay on top of new releases, sales, giveaways and get VIP access to exclusive bonus content by signing up for Abbie’s newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/azrnewsletterac.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
636 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a wonderful heartwarming story with relatable characters whose quirks and personalities make them laugh. Moreover, the book is written with humor, making it a good quick read, and one customer describes it as a warm book of change and hope.

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Story qualityCharacter developmentHumorReadabilityWriting qualityGraphic contentHeartwarmingEase of use
45 customers mention "Story quality"45 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this love story, describing it as wonderful and heartwarming, with one customer noting it's relatable.

"A great story! Very much enjoyed it as an easy read. Nothing too angsty, just easy, engaging and satisfying." Read more

"Very well written and edited stand-alone story with no cliffhanger...." Read more

"...just these two and how they come together. Great read. Very entertaining and I definitely recommend it. Feel good when you are finished reading!!..." Read more

"...When we wince because one says or does something wrong, it’s relatable...." Read more

19 customers mention "Character development"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the relatable characters in the book, noting their quirks and personalities that make them laugh.

"...Wow. I loved this book. Loved the characters and the way the story was told. There was no bad guy, etc...." Read more

"...Eventually, some decent chemistry between the characters which produced some smoking hot sexy times...." Read more

"...Abbie has given us a heartfelt beautiful story with relatable characters. An easy entertaining read." Read more

"...I loved the characters and story." Read more

10 customers mention "Humor"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with one review noting its dry wit, while another mentions there is no drama involved.

"A great story! Very much enjoyed it as an easy read. Nothing too angsty, just easy, engaging and satisfying." Read more

"...This is a light, humorous story about two stubborn, independent, damaged people who are trying their hardest to tell themselves they want to lead..." Read more

"...The story is told through her POV and his POV. Both are really funny as they are telling things the way they see them or feel about something...." Read more

"...Travis and Clarissa's story is packed with humor, drama and sizzle. Kudos to Ms. Zanders on the humor in this book, I confess to laughing out loud...." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good quick read, with one mentioning it's perfect for those with limited reading time.

"A great story! Very much enjoyed it as an easy read. Nothing too angsty, just easy, engaging and satisfying." Read more

"...This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time...." Read more

"...Abbie Zanders work I have been going through her catalog and binge reading her work. This author never disappoints...." Read more

"A good quick read." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...I wish the story had been longer, but what's here is very well done." Read more

"...This author never disappoints...." Read more

"...A warm book of change and hope. Well done!" Read more

"...It made me laugh and a little teary. Was well written with a believable story. No kings or Prince or billionaires...." Read more

4 customers mention "Graphic content"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the graphic content of the book too cute, with one customer noting that it is not all graphic.

"...It’s lovely. The Realist, by Abby Zanders Get it. Read it. Love it!!" Read more

"...This is steamy but not "in your face". It's sexy but not all graphic...." Read more

"it was cute...." Read more

"Too cute!!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Heartwarming"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with one describing it as a warm book of change and hope.

"...When they mess up (and they do) it’s refreshing. When we wince because one says or does something wrong, it’s relatable...." Read more

"...I love that this was, in a sense, inspiring that you can get knocked down, give up and still have the fairytale when you least expect it...." Read more

"...Friendship and romance caught them by surprise. A warm book of change and hope. Well done!" Read more

"...Watching their love grow was very sensual as well as heartwarming." Read more

3 customers mention "Ease of use"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read.

"...Very much enjoyed it as an easy read. Nothing too angsty, just easy, engaging and satisfying." Read more

"Great quick, fun read. The dual POV worked especially well in this novel...." Read more

"...two real characters, and a whole lot of "heat." It was an easy, enjoyable read. Zanders writes a darn good love story!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • julie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A great story! Very much enjoyed it as an easy read. Nothing too angsty, just easy, engaging and satisfying.
    Helpful
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  • LA Kristy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for fans of hunky alpha males, dog rescue, and HEA.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written and edited stand-alone story with no cliffhanger.

    This is a light, humorous story about two stubborn, independent, damaged people who are trying their hardest to tell themselves they want to lead solitary lives, while quietly weaving each other into the fabric of their lives. The female lead is smart and fiercely self-sufficient, her neighbor a protective alpha male.

    I wish the story had been longer, but what's here is very well done.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Gatorfan
    5.0 out of 5 stars fun read, lobved it...
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this story. Living next door to an ex-Marine in the middle of nowhere got my attention. What I didn't bargain for was the humor of both characters. The story is told through her POV and his POV. Both are really funny as they are telling things the way they see them or feel about something. I really enjoyed that.

    The hero is one OMG guy. WOW...living in the woods is ideal but then to live next door to this guy would be perfect. He had a bad experience with an ex so he is off the grid trying to get over it and get his life back in order. She moves in next door to a house left to her by an uncle. There are a lot of bad memories there but she too is hiding and has secrets. They totally avoid each other until an event brings them together and from then on it is fireworks and hot sex. Wow.

    I loved this book. Loved the characters and the way the story was told. There was no bad guy, etc. just these two and how they come together. Great read. Very entertaining and I definitely recommend it. Feel good when you are finished reading!! Loved it.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • LA Cox
    5.0 out of 5 stars What happens when you share the thing that makes you different?
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The best thing about Abby Zander’s book, “The Realist”, is reflected by the name. It is realistic. No ‘perfect’ man making all the right decisions. No ‘perfect’ woman believing in true love instead of what life has shown her. Instead, two flawed people who don’t always say and do the right things as they slide down the slippery slope of love.

    Travis Maxwell just wants to be alone in his cabin. Clarissa Sullivan just wants to work her farm next door. Both of them have chosen the peace of solitude over the pain of companionship. They understand the choices that the other has made. However, the very thing that sets them apart is the very thing that brings them together.

    Zander’s choice to tell the story in the first person allows us to really understand the thought process and the struggle of these characters. When they mess up (and they do) it’s refreshing. When we wince because one says or does something wrong, it’s relatable. When we watch them open themselves up, just the smallest bit and take a chance?

    It’s lovely.

    The Realist, by Abby Zanders
    Get it. Read it. Love it!!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Stacey
    3.0 out of 5 stars Men and their emotionally unavailable hook-ups...
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    ***3.5 stars***

    This was a very cute love story.

    We have two very emotionally scarred characters who were closing themselves off from relationships and commitments. They were originally happy living next door to each other and keeping their interactions limited.

    They start feeling an attraction to each other but were not willing to take it further.

    Here's where I dropped the stars...Travis doesn't want relationships or connections, but surprise surprise he needs to have sex...can't use your hand buddy? Bring in the hook up who thinks she's more than a hook up and of course Clarissa finds out and thinks he's taken.

    Eventually, some decent chemistry between the characters which produced some smoking hot sexy times.

    A strong, independent heroine with an ex-army alpha hero. They eventually work out their issues when an accident wakes Travis up to his feelings.

    I liked this story but the above mentioned angst took away some of my enjoyment.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Deb D
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Contemporary Romance, LOVE the humor!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I've been binge-reading Abbie Zanders books, yes, she's that good. The Realist is a contemporary romance about two people that want to live away from everyone else. How funny that they end up living close enough to share a driveway. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. After an accident put Clarissa in the hospital and having a boyfriend that never had anything positive to say about her, she decided to claim her inheritance and move into her late uncle's house. Travis didn't want to be friends with his new neighbor, but he couldn't stop doing things for her, especially when the payback we homemade goodies left on his porch. Travis and Clarissa's story is packed with humor, drama and sizzle. Kudos to Ms. Zanders on the humor in this book, I confess to laughing out loud. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet love story unconventional
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Very different kind of H/ h. Both have emotional scars from past people in their lives. Both have physical scars from post events in their live. They decide on solitary lives with little to no interaction with others. They are perfect for each other and it was fun to watch them discover this. Will definitely read more from this author. Thanks for the recommendation Goodreads
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Belinda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt beautiful story
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    After discovering Abbie Zanders work I have been going through her catalog and binge reading her work. This author never disappoints. The Realist is a touching story of two people seeking to get away from the chaos of life for their own reasons and living in solitude. Yes, he quietly helps her by chopping wood and fixing things and she thanks him with food, but they stay out of each others way and business, until a tragic accident brings them together. Abbie has given us a heartfelt beautiful story with relatable characters. An easy entertaining read.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Louise Fowler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on April 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    fantastic read
    Report
  • lizace
    5.0 out of 5 stars loved it!
    Reviewed in Germany on January 2, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Really funny and really hot! Very well written story that I could totally relate to. Five stars across the board.
    Report
  • sparky
    5.0 out of 5 stars Honest to goodness love story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    If you are a fan of erotic novels it's okay but it is just a beautiful beautiful love story about two lost and deeply hurt souls that find true love.
    Abbie has written this differently to normal stories, I wasn't sure about it at first but I really enjoyed it.
    Report
  • Amanda
    5.0 out of 5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed this story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it left a feel good sensation after reading it. Well done Abbie, will be reading more of your books now.
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  • Sue Barter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    excellent
    Report

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