History FanficRecs / HowIMetYourMother

* Recommended by fiftysix

These are recommendations made by {{Troper}}s for ''HowIMetYourMother'', all of which have been signed. After a few samples, you will be able to judge whether you might be interested in the 'fic, based on who recommended it. ''No-name recommendations will be '''{{zapped}}'''.'' Nobody would back up the rec. Discussion of the recommendation is welcome on the discussion page. As such discussion is important, do remember to add the discussion page to the watchlist, if need be.

* Summary: When Barney is diagnosed with cancer his barriers begin to crumble and the truth about his past slowly becomes revealed. Mild Doogie Howser crossover and co-written with Idioticonion and Jerseystrife. Winner of best crossover at the HIMYM 2008 awards.

[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4276526/1/play_it_sam_but_i_forget_how_it_goes Play it, Sam, but I forget how it goes]] by hyacinthian

[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5756795/1/White# White]] by idioticonion

* ''Comments'': You'd think it would be impossible to take the terms "in-character", "sweet", "believable", "hot", "well-written", and "five way" together in a fic review, but you'd be wrong. Perhaps it's due to the canon relationships between the five main characters, with their extreme closeness and long history and lack of boundaries and the way they orbit around Marshall and Lily. Perhaps it's due to the (snarkily lampshaded by the narration) perfect storm of build-up and circumstances - loneliness, "Three Day's Rule"-esque homoerotic discussions, drunken ideas, a surprising turn of events that opens up new trains of thought and possibilities, and a convenient power outage. Either way, yes, this story contains a shockingly poignant but still funny and slightly cracky fivesome that manages to actually take into account the characters' personalities.

<<|FanficRecommendations|>>

* From the original story, it divergaes from near the end of Chapter 3. As for what it's about... well... [[spoiler: Think "TheSixthSense" [[XMeetsY but with Barney]]]] and you've nailed it. If you've read the above, this is a MUST read if only for the out-there twist.

* Recommended by {{Otempora}}

* ''Comments:'' This fic addresses an uncomfortable truth that many HIMYM fans like to gloss over: Barney's treatment of and attitude towards women is absolutely horrible, and very few people -- not even Ted, Marshall, and Lily -- would want one of their best friends to date a man like him. The fic follows Barney's attempts to deal with his feelings for Robin while making an effort to change himself and get out from under his reputation, as well as come to terms with the fact that his misogyny and {{Jerkass}}ery isn't as harmless as he thinks he is. The brutally honest {{Deconstruction}} (termed "objection!fic") of Barney's behavior is unique, thought-provoking, and a good kick in the rear for [[DracoInLeatherPants leather-pantsing]] Barney-fans while making sure to keep him sympathetic, complex, and in-character.

* ''Comments:'' This piece is particularly unique as it addresses an uncomfortable truth that many HIMYM fans like to gloss over: Barney's treatment of and attitude towards women is absolutely horrible, and very few people -- not even Ted, Marshall, and Lily -- would want one of their best friends to date a man like him. The fic follows Barney's attempts to deal with his feelings for Robin while making an effort to change himself and get out from under his reputation, as well as come to terms with the fact that his misogyny and {{Jerkass}}ery isn't as harmless as he thinks he is. The brutally honest {{Deconstruction}} (termed "objection!fic") of Barney's behavior is unique, thought-provoking, and a good kick in the rear for [[DracoInLeatherPants leather-pantsing]] Barney-fans while making sure to keep him sympathetic, complex, and in-character.

* Comments: It truly is an amazing story, please do not let the crossover thing scare you away, I never watched it and yet I followed the story 100% so its not like you need any background knowledge of it. In face it actually made me want to check this other show out. Alix Zin managed to weave in Doogie's story with Barney's so well that it did not seem forced and yet Barney is still Barney in it with his pervy jokes and cheerful personality but he isn't a Mary sue. The readers see how badly the disease wears him down and how much he has to rely on his friends for help. His past secrets are revealed painfully and so is his past relationships and you can't help but be sympathetic to everyone there. Though at the beginning there seems to be Robing bashing (according to my friend) there really isn't any and everyone is as IC as possible considering the circumstances. Its such a wonderfully written stories and though I was thrown for a loop with all its plot twists I was never lost or bored. As for warnings there is angst for one and mental disturbances for Barney and James. There is some slash with what I'm almost sure is an OC character (I've never watched the other show this crossovers with which just goes to show how amazing the story is) and some Barney/Robin (which shows how great it is since I don't even like that pairing) despite the Barney and Ted tag. It mostly focuses on Barney, his friendships, and the emotional turmoil caused by the cancer. I hope someone else gives this the review it definitely deserves.

* Comments: It truly is an amazing story, please do not let the crossover thing scare you away, I never watched it and yet I followed the story 100% so its not like you need any background knowledge of it. In face it actually made me want to check this other show out. Alix Zin managed to weave in Doogie's story with Barney's so well that it did not seem forced and yet Barney is still Barney in it with his pervy jokes and cheerful personality but he isn't a Mary sue. The readers see how badly the disease wears him down and how much he has to rely on his friends for help. His past secrets are reviled painfully and so is his past relationships and you can't help but be sympathetic to everyone there. Though at the beginning there seems to be Robing bashing (according to my friend) there really isn't any and everyone is as IC as possible considering the circumstances. Its such a wonderfully written stories and though I was thrown for a loop with all its plot twists I was never lost or bored. As for warnings there is angst for one and mental disturbances for Barney and James. There is some slash with what I'm almost sure is an OC character (I've never watched the other show this crossovers with which just goes to show how amazing the story is) and some Barney/Robin (which shows how great it is since I don't even like that pairing) despite the Barney and Ted tag. It mostly focuses on Barney, his friendships, and the emotional turmoil caused by the cancer. I hope someone else gives this the review it definitely deserves.

* Summary: I'm just to be unoriginal and copy/past the summary...
When Barney is diagnosed with cancer his barriers begin to crumble and the truth about his past slowly becomes revealed. Mild Doogie Howser crossover and co-written with Idioticonion and Jerseystrife. Winner of best crossover at the HIMYM 2008 awards.

* Comments: It truly is an amazing story. Alix Zin managed to weave in Doogie's story with Barney's so well that it did not seem forced and yet Barney is still Barney in it with his pervy jokes and cheerful personality but he isn't a Mary sue. The readers see how badly the disease wears him down and how much he has to rely on his friends for help. His past secrets are reviled painfully and so is his past relationships and you can't help but be sympathetic to everyone there. Though at the beginning there seems to be Robing bashing (according to my friend) there really isn't any and everyone is as IC as possible considering the circumstances. Its such a wonderfully written stories and though I was thrown for a loop with all its plot twists I was never lost or bored. I hope someone else gives this the review it definitely deserves.

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5602755/1/Learning_How_To_Live]]'' Learning How to Live by Alix Zin

* Comments: It truly is an amazing story so please don't let my crappy editing stop you from reading it, the link still works. Alix Zin managed to weave in Doogie's story with Barney's so well that it did not seem forced and yet Barney is still Barney in it with his pervy jokes and cheerful personality but he isn't a Mary sue. The readers see how badly the disease wears him down and how much he has to rely on his friends for help. His past secrets are reviled painfully and so is his past relationships and you can't help but be sympathetic to everyone there. Though at the beginning there seems to be Robing bashing (according to my friend) there really isn't any and everyone is as IC as possible considering the circumstances. Its such a wonderfully written stories and though I was thrown for a loop with all its plot twists I was never lost or bored. I hope someone else gives this the review it definitely deserves.

* Comments: It truly is an amazing story. Alix Zin managed to weave in Doogie's story with Barney's so well that it did not seem forced in any way. Barney is still Barney in it with his pervy jokes and cheerful personality but he isn't a Mary sue; readers see how badly the disease wears him down and how much he has to rely on his friends for help. His past secrets are reviled painfully and so is his past relationships and you can't help but be sympathetic to everyone there. Though at the beginning there seems to be Robing bashing (according to my friend) there really isn't any and everyone is as IC as possible considering the circumstances. Its such a wonderfully written stories and though I was thrown for a loop with all its plot twists I was never lost or bored. I hope someone else gives this the review it definitely deserves.

* ''Comments:'' A vividly poignant vignette utterly different from anything else this troper has ever read. Written in the second person from the point of view of the unnamed mother as the events of her twenties unfold and her perspective on her life and what she wants out of it develops from carefree independent youthfulness to a fierce determination to return to college and take a leap into the unknown, not knowing that it will lead her to her future soulmate. Breathtakingly perfect, it flips the viewers' perspective on it's head in a way that brilliantly reflects the show's recurring themes and modus operandi, casting Ted as the mysterious, undefined beacon of happiness and the mother as the struggling, self-reflective POV character. the mother is running on a track that is parallel to but significantly different from Ted's, and her persona is perfectly crafted -- not bland, not too specific, not identical to Ted, not a sad lonely woman waiting for her prince to come, but a woman with her own personal desires who becomes sick of being single and grows up, right into Ted's path. Written shortly after "The Leap" aired, and shows it. Will take your breath away at certain points, and echoes of "Right Place, Right Time" abound.

Recommended by dhoffryn
''Synopsis:'' ''“I know that you’re tired of waiting, and you may have to wait a little more, but she’s on her way, Ted.”'' The story of the mother's path through her mid to late twenties, as she and Ted rush towards each other as fast as they can.
''Comments:'' A vividly poignant vignette utterly different from anything else this troper has ever read. Written in the second person from the point of view of the unnamed mother as the events of her twenties unfold and her perspective on her life and what she wants out of it develops from carefree independent youthfulness to a fierce determination to return to college and take a leap into the unknown, not knowing that it will lead her to her future soulmate. Breathtakingly perfect, it flips the viewers' perspective on it's head in a way that brilliantly reflects the show's recurring themes and modus operandi, casting Ted as the mysterious, undefined beacon of happiness and the mother as the struggling, self-reflective POV character. the mother is running on a track that is parallel to but significantly different from Ted's, and her persona is perfectly crafted -- not bland, not too specific, not identical to Ted, not a sad lonely woman waiting for her prince to come, but a woman with her own personal desires who becomes sick of being single and grows up, right into Ted's path. Written shortly after "The Leap" aired, and shows it. Will take your breath away at certain points, and echoes of "Right Place, Right Time" abound.

''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/113927http://archiveofourown.org/works/113927 Every Line Speaks the Language of Love]]'' by mardia

''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/113927http://archiveofourown.org/works/113927 Every Line Speaks the Language of Love]]'' by donutsandcoffee

None Yet.

[[WMG: [[AlternateUniverse Alternate Universe Fics]] ]]
''Stories where one fundamental aspect of the series is completely overhauled from its point of origin.''

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7144661/1/The_Break_Up_Service The Break Up Service]]'' by donutsandcoffee

** {{Wookiee}} I'd like to second this comment, and add that the story is just as memorable for what it doesn't do as what it does. There's absolutely no Ted-bashing -- all the reasons for why the Barney/Robin ship is so great are demonstrated through the characters' own merits, which are written brilliantly enough to not be weakened by Ted's endearing interactions or extremely close friendship with the two of them in this fic -- and no denigration of the Marshall/Lily relationship, or any attempts to argue that Barney/Robin is somehow a better or deeper couple than them. In fact, the story seems to run behind the scenes of an imaginary (set in the future at the time of writing, but now AU) season 4 and 5, with all the snippets of the characters' arcs outside of the development of the Barney/Robin romance reading like references to ongoing canon story arcs, and ending with the appearance of the Mother.

* ''Comments'': The dialog is perfect, the characterization is top-notch, the prose is achingly beautiful, and the slow progression of the relationship is completely believable. Barney and Robin settle into a loving relationship without ever losing their independence or cynicism. There is (quite a lot of) sexual content, but it fits the characters (and is REALLY hot).

Do warn when a fanfic may head into [[EveryoneIsGay homosexual]] or [[BetterThanCanon non-canon]] territory. Some people just don't like it, and as we all know, {{Shipping}} is SeriousBusiness.