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tnemelce's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Car accident, Abandonment, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Medical content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
smasson13's review
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Outing, Toxic friendship, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
frantic_vampire's review against another edition
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol and Car accident
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I was trying to decide what to rate this book, but let's be real. This was such a great read! I loved the characters, the humour, the rep - it's diverse with disability and mental health rep - and just the all around fluff and sweetness that we get!! I admit that I wish there had been more on -page time for some female characters. I understand it's lacking because, well, hockey. But we only had "the Morgans" who weren't even really there, Cody and Eli's moms, Eli's sister, and Abuela. And none were developed. But when that's my only criticism, that's great! I definitely laughed numerous times, felt a sense of kinship with Alex's anxiety and panic attacks, and even teared up once. Oh and Kuzy is the best!! New favourite character 😂😂
Anyways, if you're looking for queer, slow burn with pining, and allll the fluff - definitely pick this one up!
Anyways, if you're looking for queer, slow burn with pining, and allll the fluff - definitely pick this one up!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Car accident, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Homophobia
Seizures (epilepsy), car accident and medical content off page and only recounted12dejamoo's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
Biggest plot twist of the year so far is me enjoying hockey romances.
Anyway. I enjoyed this a lot. I won't pretend it was perfect but I just had the best time with these two and their cute little love story.
Also please can I just read a 600 page book about Kuzy being Kuzy because I love him.
Anyway. I enjoyed this a lot. I won't pretend it was perfect but I just had the best time with these two and their cute little love story.
Also please can I just read a 600 page book about Kuzy being Kuzy because I love him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Ableism
obscurepages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
It is 2:30 AM and I'm giggling, on my bed, kicking my feet 😭😂 This was so wholesome and pure and every thing I like about a fanfic (and I'm talking about all the pining, angst, fluff, and low stakes vibes) 🥹
I loved Eli and Alex and all their journey throughout this story. I loved how communication was so important as a foundation of their relationship. Also the mental health rep and the discussions about gender and sexuality? Precious.
And listen I know next to nothing about figure skating and hockey, but yeah I was rooting for Eli and Alex's games and competitions 😂 You know what, there's just something about queer sports romance, I guess.
This truly does read and feel like a fanfic. And that for me, is a compliment.
Exact rating: 4.5/5
I loved Eli and Alex and all their journey throughout this story. I loved how communication was so important as a foundation of their relationship. Also the mental health rep and the discussions about gender and sexuality? Precious.
And listen I know next to nothing about figure skating and hockey, but yeah I was rooting for Eli and Alex's games and competitions 😂 You know what, there's just something about queer sports romance, I guess.
This truly does read and feel like a fanfic. And that for me, is a compliment.
Exact rating: 4.5/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Car accident, and Mental illness
Minor: Ableism
peacelilies1's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Chronic illness
Minor: Homophobia
cricket_witch's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Car accident, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
hannahs_library_'s review
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Mental illness
elwirax's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Was this the most believable or well written novel I've ever read? Absolutely not. Was it fun, easy and a good escape? Indeed it was.
It touched well on topics like homophobia (internal and external) in sports and toxic masculinity. There was strong communication in this book which is sometimes rare in romance books and the fact that hateful speech was always pointed out and held accountable was great. The side characters (while not as developed as they could've been) were wonderful. I also liked how the conversations/ information surrounding seizures, service dogs and anxiety disorders was introduced.
However, I thought that Eli deserved better characterisation. It's mentioned that he's a figure skater but never speaks about his ambitions or shows any of his practices which makes him seem rather flat . I feel like a lot of his character was set up as a support for Alex's character and he was more of a secondary character rather than the main narrator. There's nothing wrong with pure fluff (in fact it's sometimes well needed) but I would've wanted just a bit more tension, angst and conflict so that the world/ character building weren't so flat/ insubstantial. While the romance was sweet and respectful, it happened rather fast ( in the first few pages type of fast) and reinforced the shallow worldbuilding due to it being the sole focus. The structure and pacing of this book was also a wee bit off as at times as it jumped from POV to POV without warning, yet this wasn't too jarring as a whole.
Overall, I thought this was lovely, not perfect but sweet nonetheless.
It touched well on topics like homophobia (internal and external) in sports and toxic masculinity. There was strong communication in this book which is sometimes rare in romance books and the fact that hateful speech was always pointed out and held accountable was great. The side characters (while not as developed as they could've been) were wonderful. I also liked how the conversations/ information surrounding seizures, service dogs and anxiety disorders was introduced.
However, I thought that Eli deserved better characterisation. It's mentioned that he's a figure skater but never speaks about his ambitions or shows any of his practices which makes him seem rather flat . I feel like a lot of his character was set up as a support for Alex's character and he was more of a secondary character rather than the main narrator. There's nothing wrong with pure fluff (in fact it's sometimes well needed) but I would've wanted just a bit more tension, angst and conflict so that the world/ character building weren't so flat/ insubstantial. While the romance was sweet and respectful, it happened rather fast ( in the first few pages type of fast) and reinforced the shallow worldbuilding due to it being the sole focus. The structure and pacing of this book was also a wee bit off as at times as it jumped from POV to POV without warning, yet this wasn't too jarring as a whole.
Overall, I thought this was lovely, not perfect but sweet nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Abandonment and Mental illness
Minor: Car accident
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