A review by wardenred
Like Real People Do by E.L. Massey

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

“You do realize,” Eli says, a few moments later, eyes still closed, “how ridiculous it is that we’ve been on three dates, and the fact that you’re gay is a revelation.”

Such an awesome, cozy, life-affirming read! It’s a romance with pretty much no external conflict. I mean, there are *some* external troubles the characters have to deal with, including rather serious shit from homophobia to chronic illness, but the narrative always shows that there are solutions, there are good, kind people standing by to help, there’s always a way out. All the actual conflicts and challenges that form the plot are fully internal, focusing on the two leads’ traumas, fears, convictions, hopes, and longings. And there’s also lots of friendship, pining, winter sports, cooking, pets, banter, healing, and accidentally becoming roommates.

I’m pretty sure this book originated as a Check, Please! fanfic, but I feel like the characters have very much taken on a life of their own. They’re all complex and interesting people, flawed, and yet ultimately kind and good, and that’s frankly what I loved about it the most: how almost everyone here is very much a good person. And some of them are in a bad place, but they keep getting better in all the best ways.

Alex and Eli’s slowly unfolding relationship was definitely the highlight for me. But I’ve also loved the found family vibes in the hockey team (in both hockey teams, really, because there’s more than one), and all the supporting characters, especially Kuzy who just absolutely won my heart. (By the way, big kudos to the author for his speech pattern—he does sound exactly like a native Russian speaker with a decent English vocabulary picked up by osmosis but little to no formal grammar training). I also loved Hawk, the best girl, and how realistic some of the scenes focused on being out and about with a service dog are. And Eli’s friendship with Cody, and Alex’s bond with Cooper, and the James storyline, and the Christmas chapters at the end—everything. Such an utterly heartwarming book! <3 I’m definitely continuing with the series.
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