"Christiana, a reporter for Personality magazine, is tired of doing fluff pieces and eager to write an article that will prove her skills as a fine journalist. She’s afraid that her newest assignment, an interview with former middleweight boxing champion Dante Lattanza, the seventh sexiest man alive, will just be more of the same drivel she’s always forced to write. But much to her surprise, Dante (aka “Blood and Guts”) turns out to be sensitive, intelligent, and determined to reconcile with his ex-wife. Christiana is instantly attracted to this Italian hunk, and he is fascinated with her. Murray tells a sexy story of interracial love that’s long on charm, romance, and humor."
--Booklist

"By the end of this book, readers won't feel as if they've just read a 300-plus-page story; they will feel as if they've just gotten off the phone with a close friend who's experienced the romance of a lifetime. You'll be drawn in by the steamy love scenes, the imagery and symbolism, and the desire and need to fight for what you deserve. Simply put, this book is funny, engaging, and an excellent read."
--Romantic Times

"Using his trademark wit and humor, J. J. Murray once again brings together two characters that are believable and easy to relate to in his latest summer read, The Real Thing. Dante’s not only super sexy, he’s all that a real man should be--responsible, respectful, and a great dad to his son D. J.--while Christiana is a heroine that female readers will see a bit of themselves in. Their lives aren’t all that they want them to be, but they’re working to get them there. And when tough times come, they don’t throw in the towel--they reinforce their battlements and charge on toward their end goal. For Christiana, that’s remembering not only her roots, but how those roots shaped her into the reporter she is today. For Dante, that’s winning back the love of his life . . . now if only he could get his heart and his sense of honor to agree on who that is. Long on laughs, yet emotionally deep, The Real Thing is a refreshing story of two regular people . . . even if one of them is famous . . . who simply want an everlasting love to last the ages."
--Interracial Multicultural Readers of Romance 

"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 ... Murray creates 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 has a passion for boxing and a healthy workout."
--Jennifer Coissiere, APOOO BookClub