Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Like Real People Do by E.L. Massey

15 reviews

smasson13's review

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

While there are clear signs the author is a fanfiction writer, the writing is solid and the story really well paced. The moment I thought I would start getting bored, the author hooked me back easily, which does not always happen for me. 

The characters are wildly adorable and while there is practically a thousand progressive conversations and therapy talks, there is enough problematic from Alex to make up for the lack of problematic in Eli. 

Overall, super cute and fun!
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frantic_vampire's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I think I might have found another contender for my top favorite book of the year! This was amazing and I just didn’t want to put it down. I had a stupidly happy smile on my face the whole time I was reading. And I might have been giggling to myself as well, because the characters in this are just so sweet and anxious and relatable. I’m also pretty sure that this is the fastest I’ve devoured a 400+ page physical book in a while. I genuinely don’t know what I’m going to do with myself while I wait for my copies of book two and three to get here.

I loved that this book has its roots in fanfic! And yes, in some of the broader strokes of the story telling you can tell which fandom gave this story its basic structure. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing. In fact, I really loved that about this book, it felt like home even though these are completely new characters and a whole new story. Eli and Alex are both so sweet and anxious and I could read about them endlessly. I also absolutely adored the cast of side characters! I honestly can’t wait to dive into the next book. Like Real People Do is getting a solid five stars!
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logsbooklog's review against another edition

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hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

a cute story with good representation but also deeply wish fulfillment that doesn’t even pretend to try to be realistic. it feels borderline detached from reality how simple everything goes for these characters which can be nice but just isn’t very interesting. also the writing is not the strongest; the book is third person but seemingly not comfortable with this fact as some chapters seem like they were made for a first person book with perspective changes and then molded into this clunky third person. the writing is also very tell-dont-show with so many sentences being word for word “*character* was *emotion*.” instead of just describing how they seem. i did overall think it was cute in a very uncomplicated way but the writing and rushed, unexplored premise really took me out of it.

the side characters are also super one dimensional and borderline stereotypical, particularly kuzy the stereotypical friendly russian with a thick accent who gets joked about having mafia ties multiple times. it’s not really bad enough to be insensitive it’s just lazy more than anything. the social media and reference humor is also as out of touch as ever, and the general fanfic-y tumblrness of it all is regularly groan inducing.

it’s possible, likely even, that my standards are too high for a silly romance that’s clearly former fanfic, but i really think there’s some good ideas here that could be vastly improved upon but go squandered by writing that’s weak and pandery
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peacelilies1's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An excellent book for anyone into sports books and romance. A sweet, easy to read love story.
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traceyanderson's review against another edition

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funny informative relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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cricket_witch's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is some good, queer, disability, ice-based fun. I was enamored with the characters from the beginning. It reads like a well-betaed fanfic and I enjoyed every moment of reading it.
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spuki's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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horns_and_ember's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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fanboyriot's review

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Yep, absolutely loved this book—just everything about it was lovely.  The characters were detailed and very lovable–Jeff and the best soft bro, Kuzy need to be protected at all costs.  Hawk and Bells were the best too.  I loved how Abuela was so wholesome.  

Eli and Alex were so cute and had such a lovable dynamic.  The banter, the softness, the honesty, just everything.  It was such a healthy relationship and I adore them so much.  Eli excitedly telling people how they met while Alex is in the background like: "do we really need to tell people that" will never get old.

Not to mention the acknowledgements page, I think that was the best one I've read.  I love fanfiction so much and it's nice to see others with the same appreciation.  Such a great book and I'm so happy I read it.

Idiots in Love
Mental Health Rep
Healthy Relationship
Gay Hockey Romance
Wholesome Friendships

(Third Person POV)
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tragicgloom's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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