Jamie should have known something was off about the church of the Right and the Real from the start, especially when the Teacher claimed he wasn’t just an ordinary spiritual leader, but Jesus Christ, himself. But she was too taken by Josh, the eldest son of one of the church’s disciples, and his all-American good looks. Josh is the most popular boy at school too, and the first boy outside the drama geeks to give Jamie a second look. But getting her Dad involved in a cult was not part of the plan when she started dating Josh. Neither was her dad’s marriage to the fanatic Mira, or getting kicked out, or seeing Josh in secret because the church has deemed her persona non grata.

Jamie’s life has completely fallen apart. Finding her way back won’t be easy, but when her Dad gets himself into serious trouble, will Jamie be ready to rescue him, and maybe even forgive him? (from Goodreads)





The Right and The Real is such a fabulous book, I loved it. It’s fast paced, action filled, funny, and has wonderful characters.

I want to say that the premise belongs firmly in the realm of fantasy, but unfortunately the church of The Right & The Real feels all too possible. Things never become too dark because Jamie remains on the outside of the church and  is never part of it’s indoctrination, but there is a definite sense of threat that I found quite chilling.

Things get pretty grim for Jamie and while she is strong and tough and determined, I  was on edge for the majority of the book worrying about her and hoping she would be okay.

Luckily for Jamie, despite her life falling apart she does have some fabulous people to support her. I absolutely adored LeVon, the ex-con who has the room next door to Jamie’s at the motel she ends up having the stay in. I also really enjoyed Jamie’s two best friends, Krista and Liz, who brought a lightness to the story with their witty, fast paced, dramatic dialogue. Joelle Anthony really excels at writing characters you fall in love with.

Then there are the boys, although there are two of them (both gorgeous!)  there is no love triangle here, and I really loved Jamie’s interactions with both of them. Although I, of course, had a firm favourite.

The Right and The Real is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.