Soft Hands, Fast Feet, Can't Lose

by dolce_piccante

American Uni AU. Harry Styles is a frat boy football star from the wealthy Styles Family athletic dynasty. A celebrity among football fans, he knows how to play, he knows how to party, and he knows how to fuck (all of which is well known among his legion of admirers).

Louis Tomlinson is a student and an athlete, but his similarities to Harry end there. Intelligent, focused, independent, and completely uninterested in Harry’s charms, Louis is an anomaly in a world ruled by football.

A bet about the pair, who might be more similar than they originally thought, brings them together. Shakespeare, ballet, Disney, football, library chats, running, accidental spooning, Daredevil and Domino’s Pizza all blend into one big friendship Frappucino, but who will win in the end?

Genres: Fan Fiction, LGBT, Romance, Gay, Erotica, Queer, Fiction

487 pages, ebook

Published January 24, 2016

About the author

Hay! Welcome to the Goodreads page for fan fiction writer dolce_piccante. Thanks for visiting and happy reading!

Reviews

[Yna from Books and Boybands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: This is Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson fan fiction. If you dislike them, you can stop reading at this point. BUT-- BUT, let me tell you this. Most Harry/Louis fan fiction in Archive of Our Own are better written than lots of published books I have read.

This story was written from this prompt: harry is the resident bad boy on campus and is constantly partying. louis is the exact opposite but happens to get dragged to one of the parties harry's frat is throwing. he ends up getting drunk and wakes up to find himself being cuddled by harry and that nothing actually happened between them the night before. the rest of the boys give harry shit after louis leaves for not sealing the deal with him and harry vows that he'd be able to bed louis any time he wants, so him and the boys make a bet.

I loved this one a looooot. I think I have read this more than 10 times. Southern gentleman Harry is so cute. He is extremely charming. Sassy Louis gives me life too. The fact that he is a dancer slash athlete slash artist slash academic scholar slash barista blows my mind.

The way this book is written played in my mind like a movie. The descriptions, the.way the narrative is laid down, is very romcom material. Very cute, not much angst, very fluffy and very hot, too, at times.

Great read. I loved all the cliches. Will definitely still reread this.

☁ THE CRITERIA ☁

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🌻 Romance:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Pacing:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Ending:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Page Turner:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐





☁FINAL VERDICT: 4.9/5 ☁

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

They literally just used the names of Lou and Haz. There was next to no correlation between the actual people.
I loved it until about 45% then it kinda lost me. Idk.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

here I go again with the larry fanfiction !

[Veronika Szakács · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and loved the storyline. Far from reality, just what I needed this time.
And the prologue was so sweet, it melted my heart.
Dancer!Louis and Football!Harry were nice together. Really.
"And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand..."
Or puking 'cos of Jager. And being extremely drunk. And cuddling in a bed as strangers. And just falling, falling for each other.
The happy end with the whole family was strange, and too much for me (got diabetes while reading) but tbh I liked it. The whole fic. It's a masterpiece, again.

[enya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[claudia𖤐 · Rating 5 out of 5]

más cliché imposible pero sigue siendo de los mejores fics larry

[Ode Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a deal with this book. I mean, I like it (like a lot) I love how Harry and Louis fall in love with each other but I really hate all about the bet, although even tho I love how it was solve.

[Rebeca Vasconcelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was like watching a romantic comedy movie! this could easily be a film. I loved it!!! so entertaining. it had it all: cute, hot, interesting and surprisingly educative! such a light read as well.
the attention the author gave all the songs for each moment and all was great. the swan lake part was excepcional. the Big Bang scene was build like a ballet/opera grand finale and it fit so well! it was a whole experience to read this along with the songs, it was like the sound track of a movie (maybe that's why it felt so much like one).
as a ballet dancer I loved the dance bits and the way Louis relationship with it was portrayed. he was so in love with it but at the same time knew it wasn't realistic to pursue it as a career, so he found ways to keep it in his life still. I could relate to that so much.
the way he is so down to earth with everything is admirable even if he could be a little condescending at times. and that just made his character realer. how his trauma was dealt with was very sensible also and I was so worried when he had to relive it somehow. he is incredibly driven and smart and strong and you can only admire him just like harry does, really.
Harry's character is so lovable and so eager to learn and please. (no wonder he has a praise kink, in fact this book had a lot of kinks and I'm here for it). he felt so vulnerable to read that I often found myself going all softy for him. which surprised me since he is so confident and popular. he made mistakes but they were genuine ones, all he wanted was to be better and you can see how grateful he is for Louis seeing that in him and taking him in. he is one of a kind. with a pure heart.
the ziam bit was a HUGE plus. I even highlighted some of their parts and found myself wanting to read more about them. I wish they had a spin-off that I could read, I just loved their dynamic and how they fit together! I even looked for some ziam fic recs but haven't found any :( (if you know any with this vibe pls rec me!!). Liam was like a lost puppy (I had good laughs with him) and so in love and captivated by Zayn who was honestly very well constructed personality wise as a difficult and closed off person and yet so magnetic and attractive, I reaaally wish I could see more of them. I'm glad we had actual scenes of them and not just glances from other characters povs.
I loved the plot and how it wasn't as predictable as you would expect it to be since its such a cliché one. and I found it realistic how not everything was suddenly okay by the end and there was still much to be solved between the characters off page. I just wish I could peek on it lol.
I did found a little annoying how there will always be that event looming over their relationship and kind of unbalancing it. poor harry apologized so many times in so many ways but it doesn't really goes away does it? I just hope Louis doesn't bring it up to throw it at him at moments of anger, because it would be very easy to.
all in all it was a great read, it made me laugh and get emotional all the while with some great sound track and company (the characters I mean). fluffy, steamy (I have to remark it was a very good smut, well constructed, super hot and realistically funny which is hard to achieve) and it was so very easy to read. if I ever get a book hang over I know what to reread now.

[ailin · Rating 4 out of 5]

mi tercera relectura y la sigo amando tanto como antes

[Liz Garay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creo que después de todo este tiempo, al fin puedo escribir una reseña coherente.

Amo demasiado no leer fics tan seguido, y que si las leo sean tan buenas y esten tan bien escritas como esta.

Soft Hands es un fic increible, que resalta lo que es tener un nivel educativo elevado, y se enfoca en los programas escolares, siendo los deportistas (football) los que salen mayormente beneficiados. Pero ademas de eso, toca temas como los legados familiares, y como te puedes ver infuido por llevar uno sobre los hombros.

Con esa descripcion es que se nos presenta a Harry 'Hugo' Styles, amado por todas y todos, solo se preocupa por los partidos de football, aliviar su calentura y dar las mejores fiestas de todos los tiempos.

Lo unico que él y Louis Tomlinson tienen en común, es que ambos son atletas, pero Louis esta muy lejos, de tener la vida de Harry.

Pocas veces he encontrado tanto en libros como en fanfics personajes que se sientan tan reales. Y Louis lo es, es estudiante, trabaja para pagar su educación y tener un techo donde dormir, y siempre esta corriendo.

En una noche, las sabanas y el alcohol hacen que la vida de Harry y Louis se enreden. Una apuesta hace que Harry persiga a Louis hasta el cansancio, pero es solo Louis quien podria hacer de Harry una persona real, sin armaduras, ni sobrenombres, ni pesados legados familiares.

Esta maravillosamente bien escrito, el cliché esta bien desarrollado y al ser personajes tan humanos las consecuencias con las que tendran que cargar despues son desgarradoras. Hay partes para morirte de risa, y otras que son devastadoras. Hay referencias increibles, personajes secundarios entrañables y antagonistas a los que quieres arrancarle cada extremidad de sus cuerpos.

Honestamente quiero darle mas que cinco estrellas.

"Tú tienes manos suaves, y yo tengo pies rápidos."

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soft Hands, Fast Feet, Can’t Lose is the second story I have ready Dolce and while it was much shorter than Relief Next To Me chapter wise the chapters themselves were still very wordy and so I read this at a slow pace and I’m glad I did.

It helped me savor what I was reading and god I loved this story about as much as Relief Next To Me.

I loved this Harry a lot because I guess I have a thing for jerks with a heart of gold in fics and this Harry was that. His snark and banter with Louis was great as was their semi slow build chemistry and Harry’s Disney talk was probably an added bonus.

I also loved this Louis too and I did have to sympathize with him when the bet was revealed, especially given the awful scene that happened before hand. Though I did hate how he lashed out at poor Harry and I think Dolce did an amazing job at showing Louis’ emotions during that.

Just like she did an amazing job at fixing them at the end and sort of leaving it open as to where their future was headed.

I think I was also a big fan of the epilogue being a prequel of sorts to the scene before the opening chapter. I haven’t seen it done much but Dolce did it really well.

In all I’d recommend this story to people to read though I’d caution them that there is one scene towards the end with Louis they may not like well but all in all it is a nice little read.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Although, I was considering putting 4 stars for the end. I really liked the way the whole story was written, I found the writing style very amusing, light and funny, I felt like I understood everything they were doing from their face expressions to whatever activities…haha. I’m not really a demanding reader but I do think that the first 4 chapters were absolutely great (there are 5 +epilogue). I’m not very happy with the way the “problem” was handled tho. I noticed one comment here that said, that the book was very repetitive and Harry just kept apologizing, and I was confused (I hadn’t finished it at the time), but now I finished it and I get what they meant, it’s not a problem of the whole book, but after the main plot was done, it was kinda boring. I read most of the book in a week (which is huge for me xd) but the end took me another one even tho it wasn’t THAT long. What I’m trying to say is that it just didn’t feel right, it felt weird and was kinda boring. BUT I’m so glad I finished it, because loved the Epilogue, such a great idea. Nevertheless, I do recommend, I enjoyed it really much, spent hours reading and stayed up late. Thank you for this!!! (just info - I’m not a native speaker :D)

[Tab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so i never really give 5 stars because i saved them for Flightless bird and flightless bird only, but this shit was elite.

First off, i really recommend you listening to the Playlist while reading. i don’t usually do that because i get too distracted, BUT IT WAS PERFECT. Every song in here was fitting so perfectly well to the situation wow.

I loved that it was enemies to lovers, but not enemies for too long. it just made sense for them both as characters. I really didn’t miss anything here. I adored them as opposites but in their friends-being.
Harry being the braddy frat boy snooty and Louis the ballet, always-needed kind of nerd.
The storyline was in itself fantastic and the „plot“ that louis kind of new all along was fantastic. Maybe Harry apologiesed a bit too much in the end, but louis forgave him regardlessly and that was what mattered.
I loved it, i loved it so so so much

I read this in 3 days which really is a record for me, but i have holidays so it’s valid.

love dolce always, they slay. so amazing, could talk about it for hours

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I could get used to you.”




ARMADILLOS Y QUE DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA



Esto es largo, son las 3 am.


Leí este fanfic en una publicación en español hace como mil años (no realmente, solo sé que más de de dos, muchos más) y no estaba terminado (de traducir) y lo busqué en todas partes hasta que lo encontré y cambió la química de mi cerebro.

Creo que la belleza de este fanfic reside en que tiene la base más sólida de cómo es un fanfic; las mismas personas enamoradas en distintos universos. El plot es muy bueno y la autora lo explotó a mil veces mejor.
Es como mi sexta vez leyéndole y esta vez le quise leer porque me acordé de la escena de la carrera (es mi favorita, siempre lo será) y quería leerla otra vez y pues me di una vuelta más. Hugo, oh pro Dios.


La cosa con este fanfic es que no es la épica obra de arte. Pero lo es. Es perfecta. Es ver una comedia romántica de los 2000 en letras y líneas cursis y un significado precioso. Y creo que jamás podré hablar de esto con nadie que no ame; creo que solo a una persona que ame con todo el corazón podré contarle lo que un armadillo, el encanto texano, los pies rápidos, las manos suaves y el nombre Hugo significan.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay if you ever want to read a frat boy makes a bet to sleep with someone book without feeling sick because its just so horrible i’d say this is a good one because i never felt awful reading it but that might just be me. it was really funny and i loved the whole thing, there weren’t any bits i was trying to get through quickly to get to another bit that was better, all of it was good. im gonna say it was funny again because it was and i really recommend. oh plus idk if this is spoilers because its literally the plot of every book like this but when he has to make it up to him it’s actually a decent apology, unlike in after or whatever when he just breaks plates and screams and stuff. that’s a big no no. anyway really recommend. Xx

[hope boynton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Distinguished individuals, Hope has read yet another Larry fanfic. At this point, it is all I read. Anyways, this fic was GLORIOUS. I loved every freaking word of it. It made me laugh and also want to throw my laptop across the room at times.

It's probably on my top 5 list of Larry fics. It was a wonderful way to spend 2 days over Christmas break. It is fics like these that reignite my love of reading, so all in all, "Soft Hands, Fast Feet, Can't Lose" is one of the best books I have ever read.

On a side not, I think I am in love with dolce_piccante.

Go read the fic. You will not regret it.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5

This is my second time readind this fic. The first time I read it. It was so mf long ago🥺 I was probably a teenager😂 and I still got that sick feeling. Like most of the time I was reading it all those nice things Harry said and did were tinted with the BET🥺 anyways I love this plot like I need a book that IS MM AND ITS ABOUT A BET AND THEN THEY ENDUP FALLING IN LOVE. Yes it is a little sick😂😂 its crazy because I can’t do cheating in books but I can do this? Like how weird is that🥲…. I hated Harry most of the book but then things got better and then Ziam on the side !!! Anyways Zayn a real one for doing that for his best friend.

[sophie brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was so eager to finish this one so fast! i loved it so much, i really loved harry’s character development. i truly believe that louis did change him. i loved everything about this fic, it’s just the typical 2016esk fic. i don’t know why but i just always love fics with this type of content, makes me feel nostalgic almost. i loved the buildup in the fic, the tutoring parts were my favourite, it was the excitement of what would happen next.

[achliw · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.0⭐️] La trama es re cliché pero como es ✨Larry✨ se perdona jajaja.(8
Las escenas de smut casi casi me las salté porqué literalmente fue un capítulo entero (sino es que más) y eso me aburrió mucho. 💀
Pero bueno, personajes 9/10 malditos babosos con acciones tan pero tan meKs, en está fic amé a Lou y en cierto punto odié a todos los demás pero los perdoné porqué todo sale bien. 👍🏽

[mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think it was like..cute but also so cliché like *so* cliché... and i love cliché books but this was just too predictable. tbh i still enjoyed it but it's not a lecture i would recommend to a lot of people. i still have the conviction that fan fictions are real literature and it was very well narrated!

[Cara Bücherwahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story but I think that something is missing idk what. And I don’t liked that it reminded me of the After series...
But was still simple and sweet to read. Liked Louis a lot more in this book than Harry! And I think it’s pretty cool, that the author changed every name apart from the 1D boys. It had nothing to do with anything from the real world which was good for the story.

[Sofi Martínez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diferente a lo que esperaba pero igualmente maravilloso, me hizo sufrir un poco, hasta enojarme. Premio por ello
Una belleza, excelente smut versátil, buena enseñanza, esperaba una simple trama con cliché de apuesta y futbolista con bailarín, sorprendente no fue así, me encantó.
Se nota el crecimiento de los personajes, de pronto toca alguna temática fuerte, pero es llevadero.

[Maritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una fic ligera, muy entretenida y digerible. Terminé enamorada de los personajes y su relación. Aunque no considero que sea el propósito de la fic, deja buenos valores y te pone a reflexionar sobre lo que hacemos.

[vero · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Me lo comí en un día, a pesar de que me esperaba mucho más, fue lindo para pasar el rato. No hay una razón especifica por la cual no me termino de gustar, quizás es más que nada las muchas expectativas que tenía y que no llegó a cumplir.

[Béatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this maybe was my favourite archive of our own fanfiction! it was just amazing. there was so many soft scenes, sad scenes, angst scenes and hot scenes. i really couldn’t put the book down, there was always so much action. loved it so much!!

[justme:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

amo la forma en que los personajes son tan “reales” ósea si yo fuera cualquiera de ellos siento que sería igual (excepto por la apuesta jaja) y me siento tan identificada
solo AMO, ya la he leído dos veces y aún tengo ganas de volver a leerla

[retnolaras · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this

[Abbey Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story, I find myself rereading it continuously over the years.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf. Too much stalking for me

[bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this my favorite Larry fanfic? HELL YEAH!!