What makes Paws and Recs most interesting to me is also what made it hard to like. The reveal at the end that a lot of this was based off real experiences did not come as a surprise to me at all. Characters and situations sounded extremely authentic from the jump, so it became quite easy to buy into the relationships on-screen. Furthermore, it uses that inspiration with temperance, never bringing too much that distracts from the main plot but adding just enough to give characters a good amount of depth. In all of this, however, the game is often borderline impenetrable. Characters speak with lingo and inside jokes that don't receive timely explanation (or, sometimes, any at all) which caused some confusion in me as I read. Basic info, such as what work they actually do in this golf course, end up mostly existing as inferences from the readers. Other minor problems aside, I was genuinely impressed with how well paced this was given how it started. There is some faffing about in here, but reaching the final scene, I could look back at the game and see how everything kinda builds up to this satisfying moment. I think Paws and Recs is ultimately fine for what it is. The chemistry between everyone is the star of the show and elevates what could have been a mediocre tale into a FVN worth a look.