Real Live Boyfriends is the story of seventeen-year-old Ruby Oliver's struggle to discover which boyfriend Noel or Gideon, is her real live boyfriend, following a strict set of rules.

As the final book in the Ruby Oliver series, Real Live Boyfriends picks up where the previous books left off. Ruby Oliver is still neurotic and somewhat self-absorbed, but her time with psychiatrist Doctor Z has helped her mature. When the novel opens, Ruby is in a blissful relationship with her boyfriend, Noel. Ruby never has to think about whether Noel wants to be around her, wants to kiss her, or thinks she's funny, because he's her real boyfriend. Of course those things are true. He always calls when he says he will, he always picks her up on time, and they always sit together at lunch because their relationship is real and everyone around them knows it. For the first time in a long time, Ruby feels confident and comfortable in her relationship.

But when Noel leaves for a summer in New York City, things begin to change for Ruby. At first, Noel is very engaged, calling Ruby all the time and sending her love poems. When Gideon Van Deusen stops by to ask for a band-aid, Ruby isn't bothered. She's still very attracted to Gideon and when he asks her if she has a boyfriend, she doesn't hesitate to tell him. However, there's something strange about the way Noel's been acting, but in Ruby's mind, that isn't enough to cheat on him with the boy of her dreams. She confidently pushes aside Gideon's advances, but when Noel's behavior suddenly changes, she begins to second-guess their relationship. Out of nowhere, Noel's calls stop. He doesn't send any emails or pick up the phone when Ruby calls. He clearly doesn't want to spend time with Ruby and she's outraged. At least he could explain to Ruby what's gone wrong. Instead, Noel chooses the silent treatment, mooding and brooding al day long, refusing to talk to Ruby.

The two get into a massive fight and break up. Ruby begins dating Gideon Van Deusen, although in real life, he isn't as dreamy as she'd always imagined. Even his kissing is a bit sloppy. But he's a genuinely good guy who cares about Ruby. He calls, he writes, and he picks her up on time. But in the back of her mind, Ruby is still always thinking about Noel. When she sees Noel's brother at the zoo one afternoon, he tells her that while he was in New York, Noel saw his friend killed in a biking accident. His friend had died right in front of his eyes and there was nothing Noel could do to save him. Ruby is horrified! How could she have been so selfish and so self-centered to think that Noel's attitude change had something to do with her? She hadn't even asked if everything was all right in his life! She races over to his house in the middle of the night and pulls him out of bed. Before they even speak, the two start kissing and soon, Noel is crying. He tells Ruby everything about the accident and about his emotions. The two are able to connect on a new level that is more mature and respectful than the giddy teenage love they'd previously experienced. Ruby Oliver is becoming a young woman and she's found true love in the process.