A review by xxivo
For Real by Alexis Hall

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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? Yes

5.0

This book was an automatic press on the request button on Netgalley and it totally delivered.

While indeed I did immediatilly request it when I saw it on Netgalley, I had forgotten quite about it when it rolled into my inbox. This made it so that when I started reading this book, I went in quite blind. And honestly in a way I do like that. It gives me a book without spoilers that still can go in any direction.

This book was a very emotional book. Both men had deep struggles within their relationship from the start. Laurie has a long history that brings him a lot of pain that keeps coming back during the book. Slowly the book uncovers what happened in his past when he shares it with Toby and I felt so strongly for him. But at the same time the way he was closed off towards Toby wasn't fair and caused both Toby and me a lot of pain. 
This means they fight from time to time and these were emotional and big. When reading I felt like I was right there, crying with them. It was expertly written and it hit me right in the feels. But then at the same time the moments of joy were so intense too that I greatly enjoyed. These moments of joy were a great contrast to all their pain which made the book even more intense.

Then of course we need to talk about the kinky aspect in this book. As a simple guy who is also into that kind of stuff I loved this book. The submission of Laurie was absolutely beautiful and sweet. It absolutely made me swoon for him. At the same time the way Toby doms is just absolutely amazing. He's a natural, without it being unrealistic and thus still has struggles too. But the way his rush of domming is written felt just so good to read as someone who also sometimes doms and it made me instantly connect with him. Next to the fact it was also absolutely hot.

Concluding this book is a must read for kinky mlm lovers that love deep relationships with equally deep struggles.


I received an eARC and this was my honest review.