Review of 'Better than the Real Thing' by Brooke Crawford

Review of 'Better than the Real Thing' by Brooke Crawford

Release date: November 25, 2025

Publisher: HQ Fiction

What the story is about:

Notting Hill meets Bridget Jones Baby in this whip-smart, funny, emotionally charged contemporary fiction about messy pasts, second chances and future families from a sparkling new voice.

Melbourne teacher Netta Phillips is staring down the barrel of her fortieth birthday with months' worth of negative pregnancy tests behind her, her relationship in the bin and a mortgage she can't afford. Things really aren't going to plan.

When she unexpectedly finds the childhood diary of notoriously private celebrity musician Morrison 'Mo' Maplestone, things get even messier. Mo's desperate to keep the diary's dark contents hidden from the tabloids and well away from his beloved younger brother, and he's willing to pay Netta handsomely to personally return it to him in London. The financial reward he offers would would mean Netta could keep her apartment and try assisted conception treatments; after all, the clock's ticking. Loudly. But she can't go. After what happened there twenty years ago, she vowed never to return to the UK.

Not for anything.

When necessity bites, Netta reluctantly accepts Mo's offer and life quickly becomes even more complicated. There's paparazzi to contend with, a fake date that feels all too real and a Christmas Day confession that changes everything.

Amongst the chaos, Netta and Mo forge a rare connection, and discover that facing up to the past might be the only way to find the real thing. Or maybe something even better.

REVIEW

I had no idea what this novel would be like before I stepped into the world that surrounds Better Than The Real Thing by Brooke Crawford. But I am truly glad I read it for it has turned out to be a delightful surprise. Once I got into its groove, I could not stop reading and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing their developments. I was very sympathetic to Melbourne teacher, Netta Phillips and rock star Morrison 'Mo' Maplestone. They each have some heavy issues to sort through but with wonderful support from each other and family, they rise to the top.

There are some serious topics addressed in this novel such as miscarriage, infertility, childhood trauma, sexual harassment, paparazzi hassling, negative limelight attention and the various pitfalls of fame. It covers many relationship break downs and stresses. But despite these mammoth challenges, the tone of the prose is not grim as there is a good mix of light and shade. And plenty of comic relief. Ultimately it is a beautiful love story. And Better Than The Real Thing shines with hope, second chances, fulfilled dreams and healing from sad memories. Psychological scars are addressed and realistic solutions offered. It is an extremely well delivered story with lots of humour and loving banter that buoy it amid the messy, stormy sessions. Being real is at the heart of this gem. Honesty can hurt but truth must be faced for fears to be conquered. Something both Netta and Mo realise.

Netta comes across as being strong and resilient. She has a maturity even at the start that later Mo must grow into. But one bad employer relationship experience when she was twenty, marked her heart and jarred her confidence. It affected her in ways that caused her to avoid certain locations and situations. But when she has a chance to meet her ‘fear’ head on, she does it with gusto and is able to overcome the hold it has had on her life for twenty years. I cheered to see this victory! Even though later she has another loss that is harder to come back from, with time and attention from others, she begins to heal.

Mo is a charismatic rock star in London (from Australia). He harbours a buried secret that comes to the surface when Netta discovers a journal that belonged to him as a child. It contains information he has kept hidden. He offers to send Netta first class from Australia to England to deliver his journal. Unexpected sparks erupt between them. He is drawn to her realness. Something he has not seen in the music realm. As Netta and Mo get closer, he is confronted by the painful memories in his journal. The guilt from the past throw him into a tailspin. Will he be able to sort through his emotions that are tied up in his mother’s death? Will encouragement and guidance from friends, and his feelings for Netta, help him pull through and receive the healing he needs? He must to stand a chance with her and to have their ‘cakes’ fully baked!

I could relate to a number of topics in this novel such as the expectations in the music industry and the trauma of miscarriage. The novel is so emotionally charged and real that it pulled me in completely. Beyond the messy painful encounters, there are some cloud nine extraordinary moments for the characters. The dialogue reflects perfectly the changes and contains some brilliant witty banters and honest heartfelt truths. There are words that hurt and some that heal. But there are also exciting adventures of flying first class, being dressed and made up by fashion greats for the red carpet, dining on fine foods, relaxing in posh accommodation, being whisked away in fancy limos— where Netta gets to have a taste of the rich and famous lifestyle. But most of all it is her chance at ‘real’ love with someone she connects with on a super deep level. All this happened because he wanted her to fly to England with his childhood journal that she miraculously found under the floorboards of her home. Who would ever think her life could take such a drastic turn: to come out of a poor relationship with her previous partner into one that defies all reason.

I loved every page and moment of this brilliant debut and highly recommend it. It is a wonderful story of hope, healing and second chances. This contemporary romance fiction glistens with originality and is the ‘Real Thing’ ! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for a review copy.