Name: Katy Watkins's review of Like Real People Do by E. L. Massey
Item: Like Real People Do
Rating: 5
Author: Katy Watkins

E. L. Massey

Nineteen-year-old hockey phenom Alexander Price is the youngest-ever captain in the NHL. With a polarizing social media presence and a predilection for dirty play, he typifies the stereotype of young, out-of-control athlete. But away from the cameras, Alex is a kid with an anxiety disorder and the expectations of an expansion franchise on his shoulders. And maybe he tries too hard to fit the part of asshole playboy, but it's better than the alternative; in his line of work, gay is the punchline of an insult, not something he can be. Eighteen-year-old vlogger Elijah Rodriguez is a freshman in college recovering from an injury that derailed his Olympic figure-skating dreams. Mixed-race, disabled, and out of the closet since he was fourteen, Eli is unapologetically himself. He has no qualms about voicing his disapproval of celebrity jocks who make homophobic jokes on Twitter and park their flashy cars in the handicapped spaces outside of ice rinks. After an antagonistic introduction, Alex and Eli's inexplicable friendship both baffles and charms the internet. But navigating relationships is hard enough for normal teenagers. It's a lot harder when the world--much of it disapproving--is watching you fall in love with your best friend.

Like Real People Do

Mary Carmona

“They’re Eli’s shoes,” Alex says with studied blankness. “I bought them for Eli. And he’s a man. So, I think they’re men’s shoes, in this case.”

“I hate you,” Eli calls, moving to center ice.

“Don’t play. You memorized my routine. You love me.”

“Loved. Past tense. Crush is officially terminated.”

“I thought flirting wasn’t allowed,” Alex interrupts.”

“I won’t. Hey, come here. Can I hug you?”

Alex looked at him like he was certifiably insane. “I guess?”

“It’ll help. Probably. The books say it helps.”

“Swear to god. And I’ll make a donation to—I dunno—something for disabled kids. As an apology. And buy you dessert after lunch.”

“Jesus, Price,” Eli says. “You weren’t going to include dessert with lunch before? You have a 1.5 million-dollar annual salary. What kind of cheap date bullshit is that?”

“COOPS,” Price yells. “TELL HIM I’M NOT A HOMOPHOBE!”

Cooper appears in the doorway of the locker room again, looking fond, but exasperated. “Pricey isn’t a homophobe.” He raises his voice so everyone who is now watching can hear. “Just an idiot. I promise. Can I go home now?”

“You,” Eli says. “Alexander Price. Want to take me on a pity date.”

Cooper makes a long-suffering noise. “All right, I’m going to let you kids figure this out. I’ll see you later, Pricey.”

wylan

Katy Watkins

Delightful. Everyone’s just good, and I’m here for it.

this book was soooo cute, also special thanks to their communication skills lilke hello??

matti horckmans

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

this book was soooo cute, also special thanks to their communication skills lilke hello??

Shaq H

Just a very enjoyable and light read. I personally enjoyed so much reading Alex's chapters, I felt like the book from his perspective was just much more compelling as his side kinda drives a lot of the story.

Poncho Bosque

This review was first published on The Queer Bookish where you find even more information about it.

How long do I have to wait until I can read the next book? I need it now!

So you might’ve already gathered that I absolutely loved E.L. Massey’s queer novel, where Ice Hockey meets vlogging with some Figure Skating on top.

don’t make me choose which part of Like Real People do I loved the most

, because it’s damn near impossible to choose if I can’t choose everything.

 – doesn’t matter if we’re talking about our main pairing Alex and Eli or supporting characters like Jeff or the whole of the Ice Hockey Teams (well, apart from one person). But they are not only loveable, but they also 

 are. Friends and partners call each other out on their BS and grow that way, okay?

I can’t analyze how well Eli’s epilepsy and his service dog’s reaction to it are written – let me know if you’ve read an own voices review for that part so that I can link to it here – but I definitely liked how it wasn’t skipped over but 

portrayed in a way I found to fit in well with the overall story

 fun and well-flowing feel good queer book featuring a diverse cast

This review was first published on The Queer Bookish where you find even more information about it.

How long do I have to wait until I can read the next book? I need it now!

So you might’ve already gathered that I absolutely loved E.L. Massey’s queer novel, where Ice Hockey meets vlogging with some Figure Skating on top.

But please don’t make me choose which part of Like Real People do I loved the most, because it’s damn near impossible to choose if I can’t choose everything.

We are being treated to absolutely loveable and funny characters – doesn’t matter if we’re talking about our main pairing Alex and Eli or supporting characters like Jeff or the whole of the Ice Hockey Teams (well, apart from one person). But they are not only loveable, but they also read so fucking real and I love how healthy their relationships are. Friends and partners call each other out on their BS and grow that way, okay?

I can’t analyze how well Eli’s epilepsy and his service dog’s reaction to it are written – let me know if you’ve read an own voices review for that part so that I can link to it here – but I definitely liked how it wasn’t skipped over but portrayed in a way I found to fit in well with the overall story.

Seriously, if you need a fun and well-flowing feel good queer book featuring a diverse cast, this one has to be bought by you ASAP!

wylan &
Like Real People Do by E. L. Massey

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Like Real People Do by E. L. Massey