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Real When I'm With You
A summer of fake dating just got real... Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Elle McNicoll.
Effie is fed up of playing third-wheel to her best friend Chelsea. She dreams of being the main character in her own life. Just when she thinks romance isn't for her, Effie meets irresistibly cute barista Aiden at her local cafe.
When she's with him, she doesn't have to hide she's autistic and can be her true self. But when Chelsea makes a snide remark about how she's never had a boyfriend, Effie and Aiden strike up a deal: they'll pretend to date.
But as their fake feelings start to feel ... real, can Effie cast aside what everyone else thinks and follow her heart?
Effie is fed up of playing third-wheel to her best friend Chelsea. She dreams of being the main character in her own life. Just when she thinks romance isn't for her, Effie meets irresistibly cute barista Aiden at her local cafe.
When she's with him, she doesn't have to hide she's autistic and can be her true self. But when Chelsea makes a snide remark about how she's never had a boyfriend, Effie and Aiden strike up a deal: they'll pretend to date.
But as their fake feelings start to feel ... real, can Effie cast aside what everyone else thinks and follow her heart?
288 pages, Paperback
Published July 3, 2025
9 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Powrie
4 books5,483 followersLucy Powrie is the author of The Paper & Hearts Society series, published by Hodder Children’s Books. Her latest release, Bookishly Ever After, is out now.
Lucy is also known for her YouTube channel, lucythereader, where she discusses her favourite books. To date, she has over 40,000 subscribers, and in 2020 founded the #ClassicsCommunity.
She lives in the South West of England, with her three dogs and small herd of guinea pigs, and is currently studying towards a degree in History with the Open University.
Lucy is also known for her YouTube channel, lucythereader, where she discusses her favourite books. To date, she has over 40,000 subscribers, and in 2020 founded the #ClassicsCommunity.
She lives in the South West of England, with her three dogs and small herd of guinea pigs, and is currently studying towards a degree in History with the Open University.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 31, 2025
ARC
eARC recieved from NetGalley.
SO. CUTE. I had to stop every five pages and highlight something with a little "so cute" note in my kindle. That's the kind of book this is 🥹💕
Real When I'm With You is a fake-dating romance between an Phoebe (who is autistic) and an Aiden (who has ADHD) and YES they are adorable, YES the neurodivergent rep is fantastic—because it's not only these two—and YES I want to wrap this whole story up in a blanket and keep it forever.
The premise is simple: Phoebe's "best friend" (Chelsea 🙄) tells her she could never get a "real" boyfriend, so she fake-asks Aiden, the barista, to a date, and it spirals from there. Fake dating turns to real dating, and they slowly and beautifully open up and fall in love. and more importantly, Phoebe finally finds people she doesn't have to hide from.
This is something the book nails so well: if you have to shrink yourself to be someone's friend, they're not your friend. Watching Phoebe realise that, cut off Chelsea, and find joy in being herself around Aiden, Tess, and Gigi (aka the #neurodivergent squad) was so satisfying. I cheered.
Aiden's overthinking spirals, the constant apologising, and his energy - I felt seen. (slight adhd over here 👋) And Phoebe's internal monologue about pretending things are fine because making new friends is hard... I've been there.
I’m super picky with romance books because so many of them go full cringetown, but this one hit all the right notes. No unnecessary drama, no "that would never happen" moments. Even the third-act conflict wasn't a breakup between the couple—it was a friendship breakup. The ending where Phoebe and Chelsea acknowledge they’ll probably never be friends again unless real change happens? good. I was so satisfied.
pre-read: let's get into itttt 🤭 looks cute as hell
eARC recieved from NetGalley.
SO. CUTE. I had to stop every five pages and highlight something with a little "so cute" note in my kindle. That's the kind of book this is 🥹💕
Real When I'm With You is a fake-dating romance between an Phoebe (who is autistic) and an Aiden (who has ADHD) and YES they are adorable, YES the neurodivergent rep is fantastic—because it's not only these two—and YES I want to wrap this whole story up in a blanket and keep it forever.
The premise is simple: Phoebe's "best friend" (Chelsea 🙄) tells her she could never get a "real" boyfriend, so she fake-asks Aiden, the barista, to a date, and it spirals from there. Fake dating turns to real dating, and they slowly and beautifully open up and fall in love. and more importantly, Phoebe finally finds people she doesn't have to hide from.
This is something the book nails so well: if you have to shrink yourself to be someone's friend, they're not your friend. Watching Phoebe realise that, cut off Chelsea, and find joy in being herself around Aiden, Tess, and Gigi (aka the #neurodivergent squad) was so satisfying. I cheered.
Aiden's overthinking spirals, the constant apologising, and his energy - I felt seen. (slight adhd over here 👋) And Phoebe's internal monologue about pretending things are fine because making new friends is hard... I've been there.
I’m super picky with romance books because so many of them go full cringetown, but this one hit all the right notes. No unnecessary drama, no "that would never happen" moments. Even the third-act conflict wasn't a breakup between the couple—it was a friendship breakup. The ending where Phoebe and Chelsea acknowledge they’ll probably never be friends again unless real change happens? good. I was so satisfied.
pre-read: let's get into itttt 🤭 looks cute as hell
April 5, 2025
This book deserves so so many stars. I truly believe it will help so many young people. Alas I do not think I have words to aptly describe the effect this book had on me. Watching Effie struggle within a toxic friendship, wishing and willing her to manage to breakaway but knowing how hard it is to leave those friendships that are so well established that you're too scared to leave, not knowing whether there's anyone else out there for you. It was truly TRULY amazing and enlightening to see Effie find her people. And people she does find. A special shout out to Lucy Powrie's excellent character writing skills. In every book of hers she manages to create a friendship group that one would kill to be in. And boy how I want to be in the friendship group that develops within this book.
I am not one for romance much, but boy howdy is Aiden absolute book boyfriend goals. He is too adorable. Such golden retriever energy and such an excellent representation of ADHD, done in an authentic way that doesn't shy away from all the struggles nor does it try and make neurodiversity some kind of superpower. And I think that's the thing that struck me most about this book - the raw realness of its representation of Autism and ADHD. Powrie does not shy from showing the truths about meltdowns and the effects of missed ADHD medication. It was wonderful seeing Effie find people who would not just 'put up' with her autism, but who embrace it, people who understand it.
Real When I'm With You is not just a romance novel with a hilariously lovable plot about fake dating, but an excellent journey of a girl finding her place in the world, finding the confidence and the space to be the main character.
Please please buy this book for the people in your life. Read it for yourself. Buy it for a stranger. Heck, buy me another copy.
I am not one for romance much, but boy howdy is Aiden absolute book boyfriend goals. He is too adorable. Such golden retriever energy and such an excellent representation of ADHD, done in an authentic way that doesn't shy away from all the struggles nor does it try and make neurodiversity some kind of superpower. And I think that's the thing that struck me most about this book - the raw realness of its representation of Autism and ADHD. Powrie does not shy from showing the truths about meltdowns and the effects of missed ADHD medication. It was wonderful seeing Effie find people who would not just 'put up' with her autism, but who embrace it, people who understand it.
Real When I'm With You is not just a romance novel with a hilariously lovable plot about fake dating, but an excellent journey of a girl finding her place in the world, finding the confidence and the space to be the main character.
Please please buy this book for the people in your life. Read it for yourself. Buy it for a stranger. Heck, buy me another copy.
July 6, 2025
Lucy Powrie's books are always so sweet, and this was no different. Her writing has gotten better with each book, and that was especially clear with this one. I thought Effie and Aiden were adorable, and I loved their ND romance. I just thought the story could have been stronger if it had a little more subtlety. Everything was spelled out exactly, and I would have loved to see things shown more rather than told. Regardless, this is a super cute summer romance.
July 8, 2025
This is a straight romance, yes, but you can just tell this was written by a lesbian.
May 19, 2025
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
REAL WHEN I'M WITH YOU is a fun-filled autistic romance.
It's been a few years since the end of Lucy Powrie's THE PAPER & HEARTS SOCIETY series ended, and I'm so glad we get another novel from her. This is an older YA novel (her debut trilogy was firmly teen), but it's just as full of romance and fun and openly autistic representation.
I liked how the fake dating trope here escalated. It's initially only one date, but then spirals. This feels so much more realistic to me for virtual strangers - they aren't jumping into the deep end initially, just putting a toe in. And then it balloons quickly. I also liked that it is acknowledged that Effie's reasons for doing so are not great. Understandable but not great. The lying nature of this trope is also interrogated too, which was nice.
Effie is autistic and Aiden, the love interest, is ADHD - but they're not the only neurodiverse people in the book! I love books with authentic ND representation, particularly when there's a lot of it and a diverse array. This book really explored the sensory side of autism as well as shutdowns, which I've seen far less of than meltdowns.
While it is a romance, it's also about a platonic break up and all the pain that involves. Effie is coming to realise that her best friend Chelsea isn't good for her, and that friendship ending is the messiest, most painful part of the book. I really liked that the end of a friendship was given so much page time and sensitivity. As a society, we expect romantic relationships to sometimes go awry, but rarely platonic ones - and that makes their end arguably much worse, because we're not expecting or bracing for it.
REAL WHEN I'M WITH YOU has really positive female friendships in it too. Effie makes new friends across the book, from finding neurodiverse friends to a really easy friendship with Aiden's ex. I really appreciated that the two girls weren't pitted against each other - it's a horrible societal expectation.
In all, this was a really fun, fake dating romance - and I hope we get more novels from Lucy Powrie.
REAL WHEN I'M WITH YOU is a fun-filled autistic romance.
It's been a few years since the end of Lucy Powrie's THE PAPER & HEARTS SOCIETY series ended, and I'm so glad we get another novel from her. This is an older YA novel (her debut trilogy was firmly teen), but it's just as full of romance and fun and openly autistic representation.
I liked how the fake dating trope here escalated. It's initially only one date, but then spirals. This feels so much more realistic to me for virtual strangers - they aren't jumping into the deep end initially, just putting a toe in. And then it balloons quickly. I also liked that it is acknowledged that Effie's reasons for doing so are not great. Understandable but not great. The lying nature of this trope is also interrogated too, which was nice.
Effie is autistic and Aiden, the love interest, is ADHD - but they're not the only neurodiverse people in the book! I love books with authentic ND representation, particularly when there's a lot of it and a diverse array. This book really explored the sensory side of autism as well as shutdowns, which I've seen far less of than meltdowns.
While it is a romance, it's also about a platonic break up and all the pain that involves. Effie is coming to realise that her best friend Chelsea isn't good for her, and that friendship ending is the messiest, most painful part of the book. I really liked that the end of a friendship was given so much page time and sensitivity. As a society, we expect romantic relationships to sometimes go awry, but rarely platonic ones - and that makes their end arguably much worse, because we're not expecting or bracing for it.
REAL WHEN I'M WITH YOU has really positive female friendships in it too. Effie makes new friends across the book, from finding neurodiverse friends to a really easy friendship with Aiden's ex. I really appreciated that the two girls weren't pitted against each other - it's a horrible societal expectation.
In all, this was a really fun, fake dating romance - and I hope we get more novels from Lucy Powrie.
August 10, 2025
adorable autistic cat girlie falls for adhd cutie pie with a dog, we love to see it 😇
July 14, 2025
I really loved and enjoyed Lucy Powrie’s teen series so when I heard that she was going to Pen a YA romance I was really excited for it as I loved her writing style and the character representation that Is always refreshing to read. This one was no different and I got swept up in the beautiful writing and setting which was the perfect book to read in the UK Heatwave at the weekend.
Real When I’m With You follows Effie who is stuck as the third wheel to her best friend Chelsea and her boyfriend until she meets the cute barista, Aiden, who allows her to be her true self around him. But when Chelsea makes a comment about how Effie has never had a boyfriend the pair agree to fake date.
Being an autistic adult, I loved the representation here and it is always special to me to read, when I went so long not seeing it, and I don’t know if I have ever connected this much to an autistic character. So many of the things Effie struggled with were things that I have struggled with and that was so special to read. I also loved Aiden’s representation of ADHD it just a special read to me.
Effie and Aiden must be one of my favourite young Adult Romance couples that I have read in Fiction. Slowly over the course of the book it was special to see Effie and Aiden open to each other and as that happened support each other in the ways that they needed, like making sure there was a safe food available and checking in with each other. It was also special to watch as their feelings and relationship went from fake to real and see that realisation in the characters.
One big topic throughout the course of this book was friendship. Effie’s negative friendship with Chelsea was well explored throughout the story with enough time to explore it and not just have it as a side part of the story and I found the friendship ending was painfull and real to read and brought back memories of my own friendships that ended like this and is something that is not often explored in fiction.
This book really cemented Lucy Powrie as a favourite author of mine and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with in the future.
Real When I’m With You follows Effie who is stuck as the third wheel to her best friend Chelsea and her boyfriend until she meets the cute barista, Aiden, who allows her to be her true self around him. But when Chelsea makes a comment about how Effie has never had a boyfriend the pair agree to fake date.
Being an autistic adult, I loved the representation here and it is always special to me to read, when I went so long not seeing it, and I don’t know if I have ever connected this much to an autistic character. So many of the things Effie struggled with were things that I have struggled with and that was so special to read. I also loved Aiden’s representation of ADHD it just a special read to me.
Effie and Aiden must be one of my favourite young Adult Romance couples that I have read in Fiction. Slowly over the course of the book it was special to see Effie and Aiden open to each other and as that happened support each other in the ways that they needed, like making sure there was a safe food available and checking in with each other. It was also special to watch as their feelings and relationship went from fake to real and see that realisation in the characters.
One big topic throughout the course of this book was friendship. Effie’s negative friendship with Chelsea was well explored throughout the story with enough time to explore it and not just have it as a side part of the story and I found the friendship ending was painfull and real to read and brought back memories of my own friendships that ended like this and is something that is not often explored in fiction.
This book really cemented Lucy Powrie as a favourite author of mine and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with in the future.
July 30, 2025
This book inspired me to be myself, that I don’t have to change who I am to try and fit in. Thank you Lucy Powrie.
July 4, 2025
I absolutely love Lucy Powrie’s teen contemporary series so when her YA romance debut was announced I could not wait for it, especially with how much I have been wishing for another book to read from her since I finished the series the first time, and in no way was I disappointed by this book.
Real When I’m With You follows Effie who is stuck as the third wheel to her best friend Chelsea and her boyfriend until she meets the cute barista, Aiden, who allows her to be her true self around him. But when Chelsea makes a comment about how Effie has never had a boyfriend the pair agree to fake date.
There were so many parts of this book that made it so easy to give five stars and I knew that from the first 50 pages.
The autism representation was so special to me to see and while I have read and loved quite a few books with autism rep now it is always special to me to read, when I went so long not seeing it, and I don’t know if I have ever connected this much to an autistic character. So many of the things Effie struggled with were things that I have struggled with and that was so special to read. Aiden also has ADHD and I really liked that this book has multiple different forms of representation, along with the supporting cast being a diverse group of people.
I found the romance to be so sweet and one of my favourite young adult romance couples that I have read about in a long time. Slowly over the course of the book it was special to see Effie and Aiden open up to each other and as that happened support each other in the ways that they needed, like making sure there was a safe food available. It was also really special to watch as their feelings and relationship went from fake to real and see that realisation in the characters.
One big thing that was explored in this book was friendship which just added so much to the story. Effie’s negative friendship with Chelsea was really well explored throughout the story with enough time to actually explore it and not just have it as a side part of the story and I found that the part where that friendship actually ended really painful to read but also completely real in a way that often isn’t explored in fiction, where it is believed romantic breakups are the most painful. I also found the struggles that autistic people often can face within friendships and groups of people where they feel they don’t fit really well represented.
I also loved Effie’s new friends Caro, Tess and Gigi, they had this amazing queer neurodivergent friendship group that was so fun to read about. One element that was particularly great was how Caro and Effie, as Aiden’s ex and new girlfriend, weren’t pitted against each other and instead were really supported each other.
This book really cemented Lucy Powrie as a favourite author of mine and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with in the future. I am also really looking forward to rereading this one and talking to others about it because I definitely want to get as many people as possible to read it.
Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Real When I’m With You follows Effie who is stuck as the third wheel to her best friend Chelsea and her boyfriend until she meets the cute barista, Aiden, who allows her to be her true self around him. But when Chelsea makes a comment about how Effie has never had a boyfriend the pair agree to fake date.
There were so many parts of this book that made it so easy to give five stars and I knew that from the first 50 pages.
The autism representation was so special to me to see and while I have read and loved quite a few books with autism rep now it is always special to me to read, when I went so long not seeing it, and I don’t know if I have ever connected this much to an autistic character. So many of the things Effie struggled with were things that I have struggled with and that was so special to read. Aiden also has ADHD and I really liked that this book has multiple different forms of representation, along with the supporting cast being a diverse group of people.
I found the romance to be so sweet and one of my favourite young adult romance couples that I have read about in a long time. Slowly over the course of the book it was special to see Effie and Aiden open up to each other and as that happened support each other in the ways that they needed, like making sure there was a safe food available. It was also really special to watch as their feelings and relationship went from fake to real and see that realisation in the characters.
One big thing that was explored in this book was friendship which just added so much to the story. Effie’s negative friendship with Chelsea was really well explored throughout the story with enough time to actually explore it and not just have it as a side part of the story and I found that the part where that friendship actually ended really painful to read but also completely real in a way that often isn’t explored in fiction, where it is believed romantic breakups are the most painful. I also found the struggles that autistic people often can face within friendships and groups of people where they feel they don’t fit really well represented.
I also loved Effie’s new friends Caro, Tess and Gigi, they had this amazing queer neurodivergent friendship group that was so fun to read about. One element that was particularly great was how Caro and Effie, as Aiden’s ex and new girlfriend, weren’t pitted against each other and instead were really supported each other.
This book really cemented Lucy Powrie as a favourite author of mine and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with in the future. I am also really looking forward to rereading this one and talking to others about it because I definitely want to get as many people as possible to read it.
Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2025
Hi, I wrote this! Real When I'm With You is the book of my dreams, the story I've threaded all of my love into. It's a proudly-neurodivergent romance, the product of my own late autism diagnosis, and I am so proud I get to share it with readers.
Meet Effie, a cat-loving autistic people pleaser who’s forever stuck in the shadows of her best friend, Chelsea. Destined to be the third wheel in Chelsea’s latest relationship, Effie resigns herself to a boring summer.
But when she meets Aiden, Love You a Latte’s cute barista who she can really be herself around, she wonders if there’s an alternative. So when Chelsea makes fun of her for being too scared to ask anyone out, Effie knows what she has to do: she asks Aiden out on a – fake – date. He, of course, obliges with a grin.
As a whirlwind of dates ensues, Effie and Aiden grow ever closer. Together, they’re able to prove to themselves and to the people around them that they’re more than deserving of love. But when their fake dating is exposed, just as they begin dating for real, how are they supposed to navigate real-dating … when everyone still thinks their relationship is fake?
In Real When I'm With You, you'll find:
* an autistic heroine and a love interest with ADHD!
* fake dating
* sunshine x golden retriever boyfriend
* a cast of proudly neurodivergent characters
* a fluffy ginger tabby cat called Lady Mouseington, who indeed acts like a member of the nobility
* a summer of love in the seaside town of my fictional dreams, Sandbourne
REAL WHEN I’M WITH YOU – get ready to fall in love on 3rd July 2025!
Meet Effie, a cat-loving autistic people pleaser who’s forever stuck in the shadows of her best friend, Chelsea. Destined to be the third wheel in Chelsea’s latest relationship, Effie resigns herself to a boring summer.
But when she meets Aiden, Love You a Latte’s cute barista who she can really be herself around, she wonders if there’s an alternative. So when Chelsea makes fun of her for being too scared to ask anyone out, Effie knows what she has to do: she asks Aiden out on a – fake – date. He, of course, obliges with a grin.
As a whirlwind of dates ensues, Effie and Aiden grow ever closer. Together, they’re able to prove to themselves and to the people around them that they’re more than deserving of love. But when their fake dating is exposed, just as they begin dating for real, how are they supposed to navigate real-dating … when everyone still thinks their relationship is fake?
In Real When I'm With You, you'll find:
* an autistic heroine and a love interest with ADHD!
* fake dating
* sunshine x golden retriever boyfriend
* a cast of proudly neurodivergent characters
* a fluffy ginger tabby cat called Lady Mouseington, who indeed acts like a member of the nobility
* a summer of love in the seaside town of my fictional dreams, Sandbourne
REAL WHEN I’M WITH YOU – get ready to fall in love on 3rd July 2025!
May 29, 2025
2.5⭐️ rounded up despite DNF
This was my second Lucy Powrie book and it made me realize I just don’t enjoy her writing style. I love YA novels, they’re probably 80% of the books I read, but there’s a particular style of over-explaining/focus on internal monologue that isn’t my cup of tea. Including this one.
I had such high hopes because it’s a romance with an autistic protagonist!!! I want them all! But despite the lack of representation in mainstream publishing—and I can’t believe I’m saying this—this felt trite. The characters felt uninspired ans superficial: the boy-obsessed mean girls, the funny ADHD boy, the “I’m destined to be alone” MC. I totally get the latter. It can feel like that. It *does* feel like that. But the narration, the way it’s conveyed on the page, it didn’t feel fresh and negatively impacted the pacing. The whole first quarter of the book reiterates the same issues in the same two settings (Phoebe’s home where she talks to her cat and the coffee shop/pier/beach where she endured Chelsea + Paul), which was boring, bordering on annoying. It’s truly devastating because I wanted to love this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic UK for the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my second Lucy Powrie book and it made me realize I just don’t enjoy her writing style. I love YA novels, they’re probably 80% of the books I read, but there’s a particular style of over-explaining/focus on internal monologue that isn’t my cup of tea. Including this one.
I had such high hopes because it’s a romance with an autistic protagonist!!! I want them all! But despite the lack of representation in mainstream publishing—and I can’t believe I’m saying this—this felt trite. The characters felt uninspired ans superficial: the boy-obsessed mean girls, the funny ADHD boy, the “I’m destined to be alone” MC. I totally get the latter. It can feel like that. It *does* feel like that. But the narration, the way it’s conveyed on the page, it didn’t feel fresh and negatively impacted the pacing. The whole first quarter of the book reiterates the same issues in the same two settings (Phoebe’s home where she talks to her cat and the coffee shop/pier/beach where she endured Chelsea + Paul), which was boring, bordering on annoying. It’s truly devastating because I wanted to love this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic UK for the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Scholastic UK for an e-arc of this book. All opinions will be my own.
How do I put into words just how perfect this book is? I'm not sure, but I will certainly try.
Following autistic 17 year old, Effie, Real When I'm With You is a story of first love, freeing yourself from toxic friendships, fake dating and learning to love who you are.
The representation in this book was fantastic, with Effie being autistic and Aiden, the love interest and overall amazing guy, being ADHD. The descriptions of neurodiversity were so wonderfully done and I adore the amount of rep there is. I loved seeing autistic joy and special interests, as they are so important to neurodivergent people.
Not only is there romantic love, but also platonic love, with a neurodivergent friendship group that are understanding of each others needs and so accepting, it made me want to cry with happiness.
Another thing that was great was the exploration of toxic friendships and how heartbreaking it can be to leave them, but also so needed.
Real When I'm With You had me laughing, crying and all the emotions in-between. The self acceptance in this book was beautiful and Effie was sheer brilliance.
How do I put into words just how perfect this book is? I'm not sure, but I will certainly try.
Following autistic 17 year old, Effie, Real When I'm With You is a story of first love, freeing yourself from toxic friendships, fake dating and learning to love who you are.
The representation in this book was fantastic, with Effie being autistic and Aiden, the love interest and overall amazing guy, being ADHD. The descriptions of neurodiversity were so wonderfully done and I adore the amount of rep there is. I loved seeing autistic joy and special interests, as they are so important to neurodivergent people.
Not only is there romantic love, but also platonic love, with a neurodivergent friendship group that are understanding of each others needs and so accepting, it made me want to cry with happiness.
Another thing that was great was the exploration of toxic friendships and how heartbreaking it can be to leave them, but also so needed.
Real When I'm With You had me laughing, crying and all the emotions in-between. The self acceptance in this book was beautiful and Effie was sheer brilliance.
July 6, 2025
OK, I guess I have a new favourite romance read for this year!
This is honestly the most wholesome and empowering read! I knew from the very first page that I would absolutely adore this story!
Effie and Aiden are the most sweetest couple and my jaw still aches from all the smiling and laughing I've been doing while reading this!
Tbh all the emotions I felt while reading this were very strong, the happiness, the warmth, even the toxic people in this made me super mad but that just shows how well this is written.
If you're in the mood for a cute and cosy read that's uplifting and empowering then you definitely need this book in your life!
☕️ Fake Dating
☕️ Cosy Small Town Romance
☕️ Found Family
☕️ Neurodivergent friends
A massive thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is honestly the most wholesome and empowering read! I knew from the very first page that I would absolutely adore this story!
Effie and Aiden are the most sweetest couple and my jaw still aches from all the smiling and laughing I've been doing while reading this!
Tbh all the emotions I felt while reading this were very strong, the happiness, the warmth, even the toxic people in this made me super mad but that just shows how well this is written.
If you're in the mood for a cute and cosy read that's uplifting and empowering then you definitely need this book in your life!
☕️ Fake Dating
☕️ Cosy Small Town Romance
☕️ Found Family
☕️ Neurodivergent friends
A massive thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 5
“𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦, 𝑆𝑢𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢.”
𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I cannot tell you how much I ADORED this book!!! Thank you so much @takealookinsideabook for sending me this 🥹 this has easily slid its way into my top 5 reads of 2025, I know I say that like once a month but SERIOUSLY 🤣 this book had me crying so many happy tears 🥹
From the first introduction, I knew I was going to love and relate to Effie. The way she caters to others feelings and needs before her own, the way she is chronically trying to fit in and please the people around her by being someone she isn’t, the way she feels utterly misunderstood with her feelings and the way her brain works- it is all things I have felt exactly the same with growing up, and it honestly really made me emotional to read both her struggles and celebrations 💛 but she is also kind and loving and understanding l, and once she frees herself from what’s restricting her, she is unapologetically herself, wearing cat-themed clothes, talking about her cat bestie and just being herself, with no need to filter or mask 🥹❤️🩹
And then there is Aiden- a golden retriever in human form, and I ALSO felt all the things Aiden felt too- feeling like he was too much, feeling like his emotions needed controlling or that he felt too much too quickly. And not to mention the space he had in his heart to love and befriend anyone- again, it was like I was seeing these two versions of myself falling in love and I just could not stop crying through most of this book 😭🤣 but Aiden comes a long way too, and I absolutely LOVED seeing the way they both fell for each other 🥹
I am SO glad they found each other, and that Effie found her people- lots of neurodivergent representation and I was LIVING for it 💛
Such a wonderfully beautiful read- I could not recommend this enough 🥹💗
“𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦, 𝑆𝑢𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢.”
𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I cannot tell you how much I ADORED this book!!! Thank you so much @takealookinsideabook for sending me this 🥹 this has easily slid its way into my top 5 reads of 2025, I know I say that like once a month but SERIOUSLY 🤣 this book had me crying so many happy tears 🥹
From the first introduction, I knew I was going to love and relate to Effie. The way she caters to others feelings and needs before her own, the way she is chronically trying to fit in and please the people around her by being someone she isn’t, the way she feels utterly misunderstood with her feelings and the way her brain works- it is all things I have felt exactly the same with growing up, and it honestly really made me emotional to read both her struggles and celebrations 💛 but she is also kind and loving and understanding l, and once she frees herself from what’s restricting her, she is unapologetically herself, wearing cat-themed clothes, talking about her cat bestie and just being herself, with no need to filter or mask 🥹❤️🩹
And then there is Aiden- a golden retriever in human form, and I ALSO felt all the things Aiden felt too- feeling like he was too much, feeling like his emotions needed controlling or that he felt too much too quickly. And not to mention the space he had in his heart to love and befriend anyone- again, it was like I was seeing these two versions of myself falling in love and I just could not stop crying through most of this book 😭🤣 but Aiden comes a long way too, and I absolutely LOVED seeing the way they both fell for each other 🥹
I am SO glad they found each other, and that Effie found her people- lots of neurodivergent representation and I was LIVING for it 💛
Such a wonderfully beautiful read- I could not recommend this enough 🥹💗
June 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an early access to Real When I’m With You!
I quite enjoyed the different relationships in the novel as they all brought something to the story. It was great to meet the new characters that would become Effie’s friends and would show her what friendship is truly like compared to what she’s experienced.
I always love a fake-dating trope and here it was quite obvious from the start and they both liked each other but were scared to ask each other out.
The author also did a great job with the autistic and neurodivergent representation in the novel. It was nice to read about how Effie and her friends experienced it.
The writing was good. I just wished that the novel was shorter. It didn’t need to be that long.
I quite enjoyed the different relationships in the novel as they all brought something to the story. It was great to meet the new characters that would become Effie’s friends and would show her what friendship is truly like compared to what she’s experienced.
I always love a fake-dating trope and here it was quite obvious from the start and they both liked each other but were scared to ask each other out.
The author also did a great job with the autistic and neurodivergent representation in the novel. It was nice to read about how Effie and her friends experienced it.
The writing was good. I just wished that the novel was shorter. It didn’t need to be that long.
June 28, 2025
5 ⭐
Real When I'm With You is one of my favourite books of the year so far! As an Autistic and ADHD person I love finding books with good autistic and ADHD representation and this had amazing representation. I loved how Effie describes masking, shutdowns and the autistic joy of your special interests as well as Aiden being comfortable to be his ADHD self around Effie and his friendship group, who were all neurodivergent. Effie also becomes more confident in herself throughout the book being around supportive people and away from a toxic friendship. If you're looking for a cute and quick read with amazing neurodivergent representation I can't recommend Real When I'm With You enough and I can't wait to read the authors next book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Real When I'm With You is one of my favourite books of the year so far! As an Autistic and ADHD person I love finding books with good autistic and ADHD representation and this had amazing representation. I loved how Effie describes masking, shutdowns and the autistic joy of your special interests as well as Aiden being comfortable to be his ADHD self around Effie and his friendship group, who were all neurodivergent. Effie also becomes more confident in herself throughout the book being around supportive people and away from a toxic friendship. If you're looking for a cute and quick read with amazing neurodivergent representation I can't recommend Real When I'm With You enough and I can't wait to read the authors next book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
September 4, 2025
What do I read after an excellent YA ND romance? Why, another YA ND romance of course! I've watched Lucy Powrie's YouTube videos for years now, and recently I spotted her in the Waterstone's Piccadilly cafe. But this is the first of her novels that I've read, and I really enjoyed it. Effie and Aiden are the absolute sweetest, and there is a really nice, realistically written bunch of performing characters. Several parts made me feel rather emotional. I sped through the last 200 pages whilst on a non-speeding train, paying essentially no attention to the world around me. Just the way I like it!
September 1, 2025
3.5
I think maybe romance isn’t the genre for me, I always lose interest towards the end of the book and end up skimming the last few pages, and this book is no exception.
Having said that, I really enjoyed the beginning portion of this book, reading about a fellow autistic character was so healing, I really wish this book was around when I was in my teens.
I would highly recommend this to any young person struggling with identity and interpersonal relationships. A very comforting and lovely story!
I think maybe romance isn’t the genre for me, I always lose interest towards the end of the book and end up skimming the last few pages, and this book is no exception.
Having said that, I really enjoyed the beginning portion of this book, reading about a fellow autistic character was so healing, I really wish this book was around when I was in my teens.
I would highly recommend this to any young person struggling with identity and interpersonal relationships. A very comforting and lovely story!
July 8, 2025
I sadly had to DNF this one and I was gutted. I am an AuDHD cat lover so was so excited to read it, but sadly it just felt too basic and the constant autism traits being described was almost every sentence. Everything was over explained unnecessarily. I would have preferred a more natural book rather than what felt like I’d picked up a non-fiction educational book. I love YA reads but this just wasn’t it sadly.
August 12, 2025
I love that the main characters are neurodivergent. I learned a lot about how autism can affect people. It did start to get to a point where it felt like this was their personality, though, and I think the constant referring to it kind of did it a disservice. I also think the book went on a bit too long. But it was an enjoyable read.
August 14, 2025
This is such an incredibly special book. Lucy Powrie, you never fail me. Neurodivergent people deserve to be main characters, love interests and most importantly THREE DIMENSIONAL. And this book does just that. Sequal, please. Effie and Aiden are a couple I need to see more of. First 5 stars of the year, wooooo!
July 10, 2025
(arc 3.5 stars) hmmmmm. beautifully written as always and I 1000% appreciate the need for neurodivergent representation in YA fiction but this felt really really obtuse and forced, as opposed to a more natural weaving in of how different characters experience the world.
July 22, 2025
Just the book I needed at the right time. I felt seen in this and there were so many important topics that were touched upon. Effie gained her voice by the end and Aiden was the golden retriever we all need in ours lives, one who sees people for who they are and doesn’t try to fix or change them.
August 5, 2025
This is such an eye opening book, as someone who is the target audience for YA novels this was an amazing read. The characters understand each other so well showing that your people are always out there and you can move on from toxic friendships. I would highly recommend this book to anyone
August 7, 2025
I loved this book! The fake-datin trope is my absolute favourite in contemporary romance books! I loved the autistic representations, and of course the cat lover representation aswell, a fellow crazy cat lady myself! This book was written beautifully and the plot was engaging throughout!
August 2, 2025
really cute story, loved the neurodivergant representation, could see my daughter in characters.
September 5, 2025
CW: ableism, misogyny
Real When I’m With You was such a heartfelt and tender book with a strong message of learning to love yourself.
Reading this was such a comfort, like snuggling up with a hot beverage and escaping from the world for a little while. It was cosy and adorable with such a gorgeous romance. Powrie has fantastic skills in characterisation and drawing you into the bubble of the world she’s created. I instantly connected with Effie and rooted for her throughout. Aiden has such strong Golden Retriever energy and is incredibly lovable from the start too. The fake dating trope works very well for their relationship and the way it evolves and changes. It is very much in conversation with stereotypes around neurodiverse people and the way they may interact with the world, but also within romantic settings.
I also loved how Powrie explored the representation within this book. There was such neurodivergent joy and that sense of community fostered by being around people that truly understand you and want to support you. It is a love letter to genuine friendship that uplifts you and is by your side when you need it most, which is so joyous to see. I am a sucker for found family and tightknit friendship groups and this has such a beautiful example of this.
On the flipside, it is so important that Effie’s storyline is about learning to take up space and advocate for herself, particularly with toxic friendships that have been slowly wearing her down for years. There is an exploration of casual ableism and how those who want to be allies need to educate themselves in order to support those they love, rather than just dismissing concerns.
Real When I’m With You was a brilliant YA contemporary romance, achingly sweet and full of wonderful characterisation.
Real When I’m With You was such a heartfelt and tender book with a strong message of learning to love yourself.
Reading this was such a comfort, like snuggling up with a hot beverage and escaping from the world for a little while. It was cosy and adorable with such a gorgeous romance. Powrie has fantastic skills in characterisation and drawing you into the bubble of the world she’s created. I instantly connected with Effie and rooted for her throughout. Aiden has such strong Golden Retriever energy and is incredibly lovable from the start too. The fake dating trope works very well for their relationship and the way it evolves and changes. It is very much in conversation with stereotypes around neurodiverse people and the way they may interact with the world, but also within romantic settings.
I also loved how Powrie explored the representation within this book. There was such neurodivergent joy and that sense of community fostered by being around people that truly understand you and want to support you. It is a love letter to genuine friendship that uplifts you and is by your side when you need it most, which is so joyous to see. I am a sucker for found family and tightknit friendship groups and this has such a beautiful example of this.
On the flipside, it is so important that Effie’s storyline is about learning to take up space and advocate for herself, particularly with toxic friendships that have been slowly wearing her down for years. There is an exploration of casual ableism and how those who want to be allies need to educate themselves in order to support those they love, rather than just dismissing concerns.
Real When I’m With You was a brilliant YA contemporary romance, achingly sweet and full of wonderful characterisation.
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