In the book "How to Be Good" by Nick Hornby, the author explores the complexities of love and human relationships. He highlights how loving someone you barely know can seem effortless, whether it's a celebrity or even a fictional figure. This superficial affection contrasts sharply with the challenges of maintaining civility with people you've shared deep, personal experiences, like a Christmas dinner, which can reveal the true emotional hurdles one must navigate in real relationships.

Hornby's insights suggest that love is not always straightforward and that the bonds we form with those we know intimately can often be fraught with difficulty. While it's easy to form a loving idealization of individuals at a distance, the reality of interacting daily with someone from our past can call for a much deeper level of understanding and patience. In essence, the author brings to light the often hidden complexities of love in close relationships.