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Like Real
In Shelly Lyons’s debut novel, LIKE REAL, Vic Moss—kenjutsu hobbyist and clueless Lothario—lets vanity dictate his decision to acquire an experimental new-tech prosthesis that promises to evolve into a seamless, realistic looking hand. Instead, it tears from his body, transforms into his clone, and pursues a relationship with the same woman Vic has in his crosshairs—forcing Vic to kill or be replaced.
This mind-bending body horror rom-com is a rollicking Cronenbergian gene splice of Idle Hands and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. It’s freaky. It’s fun. It’s LIKE REAL.
This mind-bending body horror rom-com is a rollicking Cronenbergian gene splice of Idle Hands and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. It’s freaky. It’s fun. It’s LIKE REAL.
- GenresHorror
225 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2023
2 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 1, 2023
What struck me with this novel (and it struck me, I've read it feverishly over a forty-eight hours period) is how clever and playful it is.
Like Real is, at its heart, a love story. But it is also a story about imperfection, the anxieties that lead to it and the vulnerability required in order to overcome the paralyzing self-awareness that comes with them. Sure, it's the story of a dude with a sentient hand, but it's also the story of who-you-are vs. the-person-you-feel-you-should-be. It's frantic, sometimes mindless in the best possible way and it uses cyberpunk tropes to expertly uncoil themes of body positivity, acceptance and real love.
Perhaps not the greatest emotional experience I've ever had, but damn if it wasn't fun.
Like Real is, at its heart, a love story. But it is also a story about imperfection, the anxieties that lead to it and the vulnerability required in order to overcome the paralyzing self-awareness that comes with them. Sure, it's the story of a dude with a sentient hand, but it's also the story of who-you-are vs. the-person-you-feel-you-should-be. It's frantic, sometimes mindless in the best possible way and it uses cyberpunk tropes to expertly uncoil themes of body positivity, acceptance and real love.
Perhaps not the greatest emotional experience I've ever had, but damn if it wasn't fun.
October 12, 2023
I read this book while I was on vacation and could not put it down! Loved it! Hope there is a sequel!!!
May 11, 2023
This was SUCH a great book! I couldn't put it down for two and a half days!
It's a bat-shit bonkers story that goes from 0-100 with each passing page.
I loved the characters, the Sci-fi references, and just how the story progressed. A real page turner.
This book contains some great gore, exciting action, humor, and Androids. Robots. Like, real robots.
So entertaining! A thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved every minute of this book. Highly recommend 👍
Bravo Shelly 👏
It's a bat-shit bonkers story that goes from 0-100 with each passing page.
I loved the characters, the Sci-fi references, and just how the story progressed. A real page turner.
This book contains some great gore, exciting action, humor, and Androids. Robots. Like, real robots.
So entertaining! A thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved every minute of this book. Highly recommend 👍
Bravo Shelly 👏
March 11, 2023
Review coming soon.
May 27, 2023
Captivating Blend of Sci-Fi, Horror, and Romance
"Like Real" by Shelly Lyons is a captivating novel that defies genre boundaries, seamlessly blending elements of science fiction, horror, and romance into a truly unique and bizarre story. From the very beginning, the book takes readers on a wild ride, combining humor, horror, and unexpected plot twists that keep you engaged from start to finish.
The protagonist, Vic Moss, is a kenjutsu enthusiast and self-proclaimed ladies' man who embarks on a journey to acquire an experimental new-tech prosthesis that promises a realistic appearance. However, what follows is a series of bizarre events that turn Vic's life upside down. His prosthetic hand detaches itself, transforming into an identical clone of Vic and pursuing a romantic relationship with the woman he desires.
Lyons' writing style is fast-paced, with snappy dialogue that adds to the overall energy of the story. The plot unfolds in an unpredictable manner, keeping readers on their toes and eager to uncover what happens next. The author has skillfully created a world where cyborgs and self-improvement intersect with the horrors of the LA dating scene, resulting in a perfect blend of humor and terror.
What sets "Like Real" apart is its ability to balance different genres. It seamlessly weaves together humor, horror, and romance, creating a narrative that is both freaky and fun. Lyons has crafted a world that is simultaneously absurd and poignant, making readers emotionally invested in the characters and their journeys.
Overall, "Like Real" is an exceptionally entertaining and original novel that leaves a lasting impression. Lyons' sharp and witty writing style ensures that the story is a true page-turner, leaving readers craving more. Whether you're a fan of science fiction, horror, or romance, this book offers a refreshing and exhilarating reading experience. Highly recommended.
"Like Real" by Shelly Lyons is a captivating novel that defies genre boundaries, seamlessly blending elements of science fiction, horror, and romance into a truly unique and bizarre story. From the very beginning, the book takes readers on a wild ride, combining humor, horror, and unexpected plot twists that keep you engaged from start to finish.
The protagonist, Vic Moss, is a kenjutsu enthusiast and self-proclaimed ladies' man who embarks on a journey to acquire an experimental new-tech prosthesis that promises a realistic appearance. However, what follows is a series of bizarre events that turn Vic's life upside down. His prosthetic hand detaches itself, transforming into an identical clone of Vic and pursuing a romantic relationship with the woman he desires.
Lyons' writing style is fast-paced, with snappy dialogue that adds to the overall energy of the story. The plot unfolds in an unpredictable manner, keeping readers on their toes and eager to uncover what happens next. The author has skillfully created a world where cyborgs and self-improvement intersect with the horrors of the LA dating scene, resulting in a perfect blend of humor and terror.
What sets "Like Real" apart is its ability to balance different genres. It seamlessly weaves together humor, horror, and romance, creating a narrative that is both freaky and fun. Lyons has crafted a world that is simultaneously absurd and poignant, making readers emotionally invested in the characters and their journeys.
Overall, "Like Real" is an exceptionally entertaining and original novel that leaves a lasting impression. Lyons' sharp and witty writing style ensures that the story is a true page-turner, leaving readers craving more. Whether you're a fan of science fiction, horror, or romance, this book offers a refreshing and exhilarating reading experience. Highly recommended.
October 13, 2025
Vic is self conscious about missing a hand, so he turns to a sketchy doctor to get a sentient hand, which ends up separating from his body to become a New Vic (that's how it's referred to in the book). This is so weird, silly, funny, and gross. The characters are all terrible people but they were fun to read about. Some scenes really made me squeamish, which is exactly what I look for when I read anything involving body horror.
September 15, 2023
Funny, weird, exciting, gross, and scary!
March 6, 2023
Like Real is the story of Vic Moss and his missing hand, well not missing, but surgically removed, and not exactly the whole hand but all but his thumb and part of his palm. Before this, he lived a pretty normal life, enjoying Star Trek, Japanese katanas, watching game shows, and using dating apps to meet girls. When his hand needs to be removed, it pretty much ruins his life, so he has to get it fixed. In comes Like Real and Doctor Cord, who makes prosthetics that look real. When Vic receives his new hand, his life turns into a jumble of bizarre and horrific events. I science and body horror, so this novel is right in my sweet spot. This is why I received Like Real from the author at my request, in exchange for an honest review.
There are many things to like about this novel. Even though the main character Vic is a little bit of a bro who thinks he is overachieving my doing more than the goals that he sets low for himself, he surrounds himself with good, decent people. His friends and neighbors are willing to help him at any turn. His friend Norman helps him with whatever he asks, has a brain filled with self help quotes that he rattles off at any given moment, and lets Vic borrow his car whenever he asks. His next door neighbors, Cozy and Mamie, are two middle aged women who spend most of their lives out by the pool. They also clean Vic’s apartment while he is away, invites him to every gathering that they have by the pool (even after he has been a nuisance to them), watches his dog, and lets Vic borrow their car whenever he asks. Even the love interest, Tanya, is a benefit for Vic. She does have an agenda, trying to get the scoop on his story while bribing hospital people for information with petty cash and homemade cookies, but she is still a good person. Deep down, she is concerned about him, regardless of the terrible mistakes that he makes. There seems to be a wholesomeness in the cast of characters that end up helping Vic along with his journey.
The writing is clever and very funny. The scenes and chapters are well constructed, and the writing decisions that Shelly Lyons makes mostly work out. We are given a coherent story, even when there are some high concept things happening. This story has many moving parts, and it could have very easily turned into a train wreck. We could have gone on long journeys with Tanya to find information for her articles, or we could have been navigated through the long corridors of the Like Real building. We could have fallen into some technical scenes about the procedures and the life and work of Doctor Cord. These things did not happen. The novel is written in third person omniscient, but it does not get far enough away from Vic that we forget what is going on with him.
I loved the last third of this novel. This is when the story starts to really turn, and we learn the fate of Vic and other the Like Real patients. The first two-thirds are good, but I would have been interested in seeing the book if started at the last third. The first part is very much developing the story and the characters, helping us understand the nature of the situation and almost lulls us into a feeling that we might know what is going to happen next, but the final third is really where the action picks up and the pages start to fly by. This is where all of Vic’s neighbors, coworkers, and friends really gather to get their friend through his tough situation with his hand that is just like real. As it is, by the time the last third arrives, we do feel like we have a good understand of Vic and his friends and why they fight so hard to help him.
There are many things to like about this novel. Even though the main character Vic is a little bit of a bro who thinks he is overachieving my doing more than the goals that he sets low for himself, he surrounds himself with good, decent people. His friends and neighbors are willing to help him at any turn. His friend Norman helps him with whatever he asks, has a brain filled with self help quotes that he rattles off at any given moment, and lets Vic borrow his car whenever he asks. His next door neighbors, Cozy and Mamie, are two middle aged women who spend most of their lives out by the pool. They also clean Vic’s apartment while he is away, invites him to every gathering that they have by the pool (even after he has been a nuisance to them), watches his dog, and lets Vic borrow their car whenever he asks. Even the love interest, Tanya, is a benefit for Vic. She does have an agenda, trying to get the scoop on his story while bribing hospital people for information with petty cash and homemade cookies, but she is still a good person. Deep down, she is concerned about him, regardless of the terrible mistakes that he makes. There seems to be a wholesomeness in the cast of characters that end up helping Vic along with his journey.
The writing is clever and very funny. The scenes and chapters are well constructed, and the writing decisions that Shelly Lyons makes mostly work out. We are given a coherent story, even when there are some high concept things happening. This story has many moving parts, and it could have very easily turned into a train wreck. We could have gone on long journeys with Tanya to find information for her articles, or we could have been navigated through the long corridors of the Like Real building. We could have fallen into some technical scenes about the procedures and the life and work of Doctor Cord. These things did not happen. The novel is written in third person omniscient, but it does not get far enough away from Vic that we forget what is going on with him.
I loved the last third of this novel. This is when the story starts to really turn, and we learn the fate of Vic and other the Like Real patients. The first two-thirds are good, but I would have been interested in seeing the book if started at the last third. The first part is very much developing the story and the characters, helping us understand the nature of the situation and almost lulls us into a feeling that we might know what is going to happen next, but the final third is really where the action picks up and the pages start to fly by. This is where all of Vic’s neighbors, coworkers, and friends really gather to get their friend through his tough situation with his hand that is just like real. As it is, by the time the last third arrives, we do feel like we have a good understand of Vic and his friends and why they fight so hard to help him.
June 1, 2023
I just finished the book and I thought it was crazy, very very entertaining as well as hilarious.
I really enjoyed it, the story had many twists that I did not expect.
The combination of comedy and science fiction has been 100% to my liking and at the plot level it has been brutal.
I don't want to anticipate anything, my recommendation is that if you are a lover of science fiction and humor, give it a chance because it is a unique book.
Valoración personal:
Obra en general: 8/10
Personajes: 8/10
Narración: 8/10.
Ambientación: 8/10.
Lo que me transmite a nivel personal: 8/10.
Valoración personal final: 8/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
I really enjoyed it, the story had many twists that I did not expect.
The combination of comedy and science fiction has been 100% to my liking and at the plot level it has been brutal.
I don't want to anticipate anything, my recommendation is that if you are a lover of science fiction and humor, give it a chance because it is a unique book.
Valoración personal:
Obra en general: 8/10
Personajes: 8/10
Narración: 8/10.
Ambientación: 8/10.
Lo que me transmite a nivel personal: 8/10.
Valoración personal final: 8/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
July 31, 2023
"Like Real" by Shelly Lyons is a genre-defying novel that seamlessly blends science fiction, horror, and romance. The story follows Vic Moss, a kenjutsu enthusiast, on a quest to obtain a new-tech prosthesis that takes a strange turn when his prosthetic hand detaches and transforms into a clone of himself. Lyons' sharp writing style and unpredictable plot make "Like Real" an entertaining and original read, highly recommended for fans of multiple genres.
June 27, 2023
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This book just wasn't for me. It had some funny parts that made me laugh out loud, but it just had a hard time keeping me focused on the story. It's got some action, comedy and even some gore. I would definitely give it a shot if you like any of those things.
Also, thank you to the author for reaffirming my fear of spiders.
This book just wasn't for me. It had some funny parts that made me laugh out loud, but it just had a hard time keeping me focused on the story. It's got some action, comedy and even some gore. I would definitely give it a shot if you like any of those things.
Also, thank you to the author for reaffirming my fear of spiders.
June 30, 2023
What a great book! I’m fairly unfamiliar with this genre so I didn’t know what to expect but I was really impressed. This book had twisty sci fi / horror plotting but was also filled with really funny and poignant observations about interpersonal relations and the minutiae of daily life. It crossed so many genres. A fun read, for sure!
August 28, 2024
I went back and forth with this tale. It was interestingly-written, and felt a little frenzied at times. It bills itself as a "horror rom-com," which is true to a degree, but it's way more sci-fi than anything. It was different than my normal reads, and I enjoyed that difference.
Thanks to Ghoulish Books for the opportunity to read this.
Thanks to Ghoulish Books for the opportunity to read this.
May 1, 2023
I finished 'Like Real' by Shelly Lyons today, really fun book that I thoroughly enjoyed!! The story definitely had some twists I wasn't expecting and leaving me thinking there could possibly be a part 2 sometime. You will love this one!!
February 23, 2024
I enjoyed every minute of "Like Real." It's a very funny page-turner that straddles genres — an absurdist, funny SF/horror novel with lots of twists and turns. Fans of Terminator, Videodrome, and the Big Lebowski will dig this. Highly recommended!
April 5, 2023
Fun. Absurd. Action packed Rom-Com.
I really liked this novel and feel its description does it justice. There is a lot going on here, but it all works well and I especially enjoyed the handful of Star Trek references throughout. It’s fast paced, ridiculous, and highly entertaining. It’s not like anything I have quite read before, which is always a pleasure. I also appreciated the disability narrative which is rare. I’m able-bodied and I’d be curious about the thoughts of other readers with lived experience of disability on this specific aspect of the story.
I really liked this novel and feel its description does it justice. There is a lot going on here, but it all works well and I especially enjoyed the handful of Star Trek references throughout. It’s fast paced, ridiculous, and highly entertaining. It’s not like anything I have quite read before, which is always a pleasure. I also appreciated the disability narrative which is rare. I’m able-bodied and I’d be curious about the thoughts of other readers with lived experience of disability on this specific aspect of the story.
April 10, 2023
This was a very fun read, and I think the author executed the ideas presented almost flawlessly.
January 25, 2024
Book review: Like New
I have never read a book this crazy... But it was also hilarious!
Vic loses his arm because of so many brown recluse spider bites. Instead of getting a new arm from a professional doctor he goes to a mad scientist.
Who gives him a whole new arm but it also has a mind of its own. Before things get good it takes a turn for the worst. His arm decides to detach itself and grow a whole new body making a second fake Vic. The mad scientist can make duplicates of people which he had no idea about. Vic is crazy and hilarious and hunts down his other self, his friends think he's crazy but help him out in any way they can. He is smarter than is other self , being a few steps ahead of him but will his duplicate ever be shut down.....
I have never read a book this crazy... But it was also hilarious!
Vic loses his arm because of so many brown recluse spider bites. Instead of getting a new arm from a professional doctor he goes to a mad scientist.
Who gives him a whole new arm but it also has a mind of its own. Before things get good it takes a turn for the worst. His arm decides to detach itself and grow a whole new body making a second fake Vic. The mad scientist can make duplicates of people which he had no idea about. Vic is crazy and hilarious and hunts down his other self, his friends think he's crazy but help him out in any way they can. He is smarter than is other self , being a few steps ahead of him but will his duplicate ever be shut down.....
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews