A review by dilaida
For Real by Alexis Hall

emotional reflective 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

Swoony sigh. 
This book is a love letter; it holds so much emotion, beauty, artlessness and purity as a confession of love. One of its greatest virtues is realness. Genuineness. 
First of all, it destroys stereotypes, and does that in a very clever yet casual way. Not getting any boring or usual things while reading made me so glad. The characters, for one, are as alive as they come. I simply adore how neither of them is a typical romance novel protagonist. Not handsome, not beautiful, not completely ripped. And lo, they notice each other, they have a meaningful but not exaggerated moment, where the notion of „there’s something in him” is undeniable. They are not attracted to each other because their looks are so striking, but because they feel that „I need him”, even if only for one time, that occasion which is so incredible well captured. And that is really refreshing. Apart from that, the book deals with a subject that’s tabooed, and it’s in the center of the story. It shows what the world of BDSM could look like in real life, what it means for those living in it, what it’s like when it’s natural, when there are a million things behind it, when it works instinctively. I read other people saying that For Real is a perfect example of a realistic depiction of BDSM and I’m sure they are right. 
The way the Alexis Hall takes two characters that are so different from each other, and what he creates from them, is worth all my respect. Both are so well written and built-up, they are so real, and also very loveable on their own, not to mention together. It occured to me more than once how ingenious the author is for writing the POV of both a 19 and a 37 year old man so vividly. It took me zero effort to imagine myself as either of them, even though my way of life and my thoughts are so different. The way they talk, act, feel and think… it’s coming-off-the-page level good. I haven’t read another book switching POV’s which made me jump from one character’s head to another so easily. Their different personalities may have been one reason for that but they sure as hell written brilliantly, with all their sentences being spot-on and genuine. 
While we’re here, this book is dominantly character-driven, and also very emotional, but since the writer brings out the best in these characteristics, it’s not a bad thing. (Esp. not for me because I’m a sucker for good characters and emotions.) Even if something goes strongly in one direction or another, I don’t mind as long as that direction is working out well for it. In the meantime we get great side characters, and glimpses into interesting little corners of life like a sex club of party, or the community of Oxford students. The plot, however, is not very long or complicated, and it lies in the shadow of feelings and thoughts (and, uhm, kinky sex). Personally I adore it a lot, it was wonderful to see into their minds, to accompany them on their journeys (and, uhm, kinky sex). They have their own doubts and fears, of course, but they also have things in common. It’s incredible how the author makes you see those two people connecting, how they needed and wanted each other and how well they suit. I felt fatefulness yet it manages to keep both feet on the ground. As Laurie and Toby went with that wonderful tide that brought them together, I went with them, and it sure was really tough to get out of that drifting every time I put down the book. Because the feels! So. Much. Feels. I’ve read quality romantic stories, I’ve seen love written beautifully, but while I was reading this, god, I had that warm, fuzzy fluttery feeling as many times as there are pages in this book. 
There are several other literary solutions that left me in awe. Like how the tiny things, the details as well as the big meaningful stuff are all put together so that the development of their love is well felt by the reader. Without the need of narration it was simply there all the way, this amazing, filling feeling when two lives are binded together as they fall in love, so effortlessly and naturally. (I suppose that would be the „show instead of telling” thing I heard about from writers but don’t often see.) There’s also the beginning of the book, as if it’s only one very abundant and long scene while it’s actually several. That starting part was an experience all on its own, and if that was the whole of the book, I still would have called it my new favourite. It was my first read from Alexis Hall, but however I might like his other books in the future, I already believe him a genius. (Also, he seems really fun and nice, because why wouldn’t he?) 
What he himself wrote here on Goodreads about For Real included HFN, which is where I first encountered this term and quickly realised how that really fits this book. This lifelike, genuine ending is just what this story needed. The last scene and dialogue suits the whole thing perfectly. 
This is probably the longest review I’ve ever written about anything. I marked what feels like thousands of possible quotes along the way, while being fully aware that this is the kind of book you just have to read. 
Finishing this book was actually painful. It’s been about two weeks and I’m still not over it, not over those two, not one bit. I sampled the audiobook, loved it, like, instantly, so I downloaded it and god, the narrators actually do justice to Laurie and Toby. Such intense and gloriously written characters come to life in a wonderful audio representation of a wonderful book I will never forget and will definitely re-read (and re-listen). 
I take so much with me from this book, a lot more than I thought possible. It showed and taught me amazing and exciting things about amazing and exciting people. It was such a meaningful experience, it was thrill, excitement, tears, wonder, love. It was as real as can be. 
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