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bookspastbedtime's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/5
THIS WAS SO GOOD ðŸ˜
I've owned this book since I came out and I'm kicking myself over how long it's taken me to read it because I FUCKING LOVED IT. Ugh.
It's been a long time since I've read a book that genuinely made me laugh out loud. This book was delightfully hilarious and witty and banter-y. It was glorious.
That's not to say the romance wasn't top-notch because IT WAS. Oliver and Luc are an unlikely pair but they are just so perfect together. I loved how they balanced each other out and cared for one another and reassured each other (even during the parts where the relationship was "fake"). This book made me so soft and I loved the slow build because it just made everything else feel so worth it.
Now, excuse me, while I go cry in a corner about how every book I read isn't like this one. *Sigh*
THIS WAS SO GOOD ðŸ˜
I've owned this book since I came out and I'm kicking myself over how long it's taken me to read it because I FUCKING LOVED IT. Ugh.
It's been a long time since I've read a book that genuinely made me laugh out loud. This book was delightfully hilarious and witty and banter-y. It was glorious.
That's not to say the romance wasn't top-notch because IT WAS. Oliver and Luc are an unlikely pair but they are just so perfect together. I loved how they balanced each other out and cared for one another and reassured each other (even during the parts where the relationship was "fake"). This book made me so soft and I loved the slow build because it just made everything else feel so worth it.
Now, excuse me, while I go cry in a corner about how every book I read isn't like this one. *Sigh*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
valeria_gzz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3,75/ maybe 3,5 but it WOULD have been a 4 but then that stupid third act breakup had to come in and take too long. Anyway I really enjoyed the first three quarters of the book and it was so cute and sweet and just adorable AAAAKDJFHSKDNSHSB.
I loved Oliver and even though I’m not that much like him his problems were relatable. Luc was also relatable just more-so in the beginning and the opposite with Oliver.
I dog-eared way too many pages.
I thought the having two friends with the same name and who are married was kinda annoying. Also the Bridget and Tom thing was weird. Priya was annoying too as were Alex and Miffy. I think the parts I didn’t like about this were the very ‘millennial’ parts. So I guess apart from that, Luc’s dad, and the third act breakup I already mentioned I really enjoyed this book.
I for sure swooned at some of the things they said to each other (mostly Oliver though). AND (I was excited to say something but I completely forgot what it was)OMFG OKAY SO IT WASNT THIS BUT HOT DAMN OLIVER CARRIED LUC and then be dropped him but it’s okay it’s the thought that counts. AND OMFFG I ALSO JUST REMEMBERED WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY: I loved how Oliver said Luc’s full name, I don’t know why but I don’t like nicknames (for me) or the people I like so that was a small detail that made me love Oliver. Maybe I liked this book more than I’m letting on.
I loved Oliver and even though I’m not that much like him his problems were relatable. Luc was also relatable just more-so in the beginning and the opposite with Oliver.
I dog-eared way too many pages.
I for sure swooned at some of the things they said to each other (mostly Oliver though). AND (I was excited to say something but I completely forgot what it was)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Cancer, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia
Minor: Eating disorder and Rape
carodonahue's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
phantompansy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol and Homophobia
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
frantic_vampire's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Why the hell did I wait so long to read this book?? It was so fantastic that I’m having a hard time putting my love for this book into words, but I’ll try. Just know that I’m fangirling really hard over this book right now.
Boyfriend Material had me laughing, it had me crying, it had my heart melting, and it had my heart breaking. But most of all, this book was fucking relatable. Luc and Oliver are probably some of the most relatable characters out there. They’re both anxious and stressed out, but in completely different ways. There were more than a few scenes that I felt all the way to my core. And I think this book will be sticking with me for a long time.
All in all I loved this book to pieces. I wish the next one was coming out sooner, because I just need more of Luc and Oliver and their quirky friends. Boyfriend Material is probably one of my favorite books of the year and is getting a solid five stars!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Grief, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
ufollowbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia and Toxic relationship
snowydaze's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The ending was rushed but I enjoyed the rest. I liked that most characters were fleshed out and used for more than one chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
lmagie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Not-exactly enemies to lovers.
Luc's cynism and self-deprecating doesn't let him see beyond himself most the time and also leads him to look and talk down to his family and friends. Which, as most romantic dramas, leads to miscommunication, which is really the plot.
Turns funny and cute towards the middle. Happy I heard the audiobook, but not sure I'd re-read it anytime soon.
Luc's cynism and self-deprecating doesn't let him see beyond himself most the time and also leads him to look and talk down to his family and friends. Which, as most romantic dramas, leads to miscommunication, which is really the plot.
Turns funny and cute towards the middle. Happy I heard the audiobook, but not sure I'd re-read it anytime soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Cancer, Abandonment, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders
Body shaming because characters are self-conscious of their own body defects in a couple chapters.lessthelonely's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
-- 2nd Review --
While this book is on the longer side, and I'd definitely cut one or two storylines from it (mainly, the whole daddy issues thing), it's an enjoyable book. It made me more than chuckle, even if the brand of humor often relies on cringe, which I admit is a brand of humor I specifically don't enjoy much. However, it's not all it is.
The romance is very sweet, and I do think it's one of the few books that makes a 3rd act breakup work, mainly because "breakups" are part of the plot. I enjoy it. I have the 3rd book in the universe ready to read in my nightstand but I might take a while. I also am thinking of buying the 2nd book to see what it's all about, I guess.
All and all, it's a good romantic comedy, emphasis on comedy, and it's pretty fun! While the book speaks to me in a very personal manner, I also think a bit of what I would consider very important for a romance is kept out. I also think the consumation of the romance, while very wholesome, left me wanting a bit more, even if I could appreciate it.
Because of that, I guess I'mma give it 4.5/5, but rounded down, for once.
-- 1st Review --
I never expected to like this book so much.
I don't want to take anything out of anyone's plate, but as a gay man, I usually find MLM Romance to be extremely lacking - my theory is that, because it's a genre DOMINATED by women, it always feels awfully fetishizing to read sex-related motions described to great and usually also graphic detail. Here's the thing: obviously not all MLM books are written by women, and not all MLM books written by women even get to lean on the fetishistic side...
But I guess I grew disillusioned with the MLM Contemporary Romance genre because the books in it tend to feel highly fetishizing or severely lacking in depth and flavor: either the relationship is set up way too quickly so the book can enter its sex descriptions, which I notice a lot of women enjoy and good for them, I guess; or... it does the exact same thing to make a plot out of breaking and resetting the relationship.
Now, I had on my mind this book was written by a woman. Why did I assume that? Well, because it's usually what happens. The name Alexis Hall did seem female, but then I reached the final page of this book and realized it was actually written by a queer man, and boy does it make sense!
This book will probably be seen as formulaic by many and, sorry to say, I'm pretty sure it is. I haven't read that many MLM Adult Romances because, as stated, I'm usually underwhelmed by them and I find a lot of interesting ones in the Young Adult genre... but this one knocked it out of the park. And I regret I didn't read it sooner, though I also don't regret it, because now it's time to wait for the sequel.
So, as I usually do, I'm going to go into technicals: this is a fake dating romance. People loved those and I decided to try one of them. It's now one of my favorite tropes, not only because of the execution of it in this book but also because I see its IMMENSE potential. In just this book, I understood why fake dating is a great trope, at least for me: it makes for the perfect internal conflict of I shouldn't, but I want to, and as Miss Natalie Wynn once said, That's how you build a plotline, kids. And that is captivating and enticing, since it is one of my favorite types of pining. Not being able to have someone just builds into the tension of wanting them, making it grow and grow. Truly great stuff.
Granted, there are some choices I don't get in this book: this could've gone for an awkward-but-hilarious-first-kiss but it didn't, though it didn't do so as a showcase of Luc's character. Oh, and on the topic of plotline... this book has none, but it truly goes to show that what I've recently seen Shonda Rhimes say about writing stories: If you base it on character, you can get away with anything. This book has no plot, but it's never boring. Is that allowed? Yeah, apparently. It's got great banter, though there were some British mannerisms I truly had to reread to understand from time to time, all was still very fun! Another choice I would like to complain about but kind of won't since I ate it the fuck up - that's how invested I was - were the little temporary roadblocks. They felt realistic and unnecessary, and I had a heart attack with each one, because if the book ended on a bad note I was going to riot as it'd all been fine a few pages ag- OK, I'll just stop there and leave it at that.
This book is hilarious and it has a couple of things I'd call gimmicks, like puns and infuriating characters who never get them - seriously, Alex, what the fuck is wrong with you? - though I guess that was the point. I felt for Luc at every single point of his struggles and Oliver... You're an S Tier love interest, character, person, man. And the fact that their banter was DELICIOUS to read and the best part of the book - and be sure to know that it all pays off in some of the best romance writing I've ever read so far... - made me want them to like each other from their very first non-date.
Side characters are also very much interesting, specially each of the lovebird's friend squad and Luc's mother.
While this book is on the longer side, and I'd definitely cut one or two storylines from it (mainly, the whole daddy issues thing), it's an enjoyable book. It made me more than chuckle, even if the brand of humor often relies on cringe, which I admit is a brand of humor I specifically don't enjoy much. However, it's not all it is.
The romance is very sweet, and I do think it's one of the few books that makes a 3rd act breakup work, mainly because "breakups" are part of the plot. I enjoy it. I have the 3rd book in the universe ready to read in my nightstand but I might take a while. I also am thinking of buying the 2nd book to see what it's all about, I guess.
All and all, it's a good romantic comedy, emphasis on comedy, and it's pretty fun! While the book speaks to me in a very personal manner, I also think a bit of what I would consider very important for a romance is kept out. I also think the consumation of the romance, while very wholesome, left me wanting a bit more, even if I could appreciate it.
Because of that, I guess I'mma give it 4.5/5, but rounded down, for once.
-- 1st Review --
I never expected to like this book so much.
I don't want to take anything out of anyone's plate, but as a gay man, I usually find MLM Romance to be extremely lacking - my theory is that, because it's a genre DOMINATED by women, it always feels awfully fetishizing to read sex-related motions described to great and usually also graphic detail. Here's the thing: obviously not all MLM books are written by women, and not all MLM books written by women even get to lean on the fetishistic side...
But I guess I grew disillusioned with the MLM Contemporary Romance genre because the books in it tend to feel highly fetishizing or severely lacking in depth and flavor: either the relationship is set up way too quickly so the book can enter its sex descriptions, which I notice a lot of women enjoy and good for them, I guess; or... it does the exact same thing to make a plot out of breaking and resetting the relationship.
Now, I had on my mind this book was written by a woman. Why did I assume that? Well, because it's usually what happens. The name Alexis Hall did seem female, but then I reached the final page of this book and realized it was actually written by a queer man, and boy does it make sense!
This book will probably be seen as formulaic by many and, sorry to say, I'm pretty sure it is. I haven't read that many MLM Adult Romances because, as stated, I'm usually underwhelmed by them and I find a lot of interesting ones in the Young Adult genre... but this one knocked it out of the park. And I regret I didn't read it sooner, though I also don't regret it, because now it's time to wait for the sequel.
So, as I usually do, I'm going to go into technicals: this is a fake dating romance. People loved those and I decided to try one of them. It's now one of my favorite tropes, not only because of the execution of it in this book but also because I see its IMMENSE potential. In just this book, I understood why fake dating is a great trope, at least for me: it makes for the perfect internal conflict of I shouldn't, but I want to, and as Miss Natalie Wynn once said, That's how you build a plotline, kids. And that is captivating and enticing, since it is one of my favorite types of pining. Not being able to have someone just builds into the tension of wanting them, making it grow and grow. Truly great stuff.
Granted, there are some choices I don't get in this book: this could've gone for an awkward-but-hilarious-first-kiss but it didn't, though it didn't do so as a showcase of Luc's character. Oh, and on the topic of plotline... this book has none, but it truly goes to show that what I've recently seen Shonda Rhimes say about writing stories: If you base it on character, you can get away with anything. This book has no plot, but it's never boring. Is that allowed? Yeah, apparently. It's got great banter, though there were some British mannerisms I truly had to reread to understand from time to time, all was still very fun! Another choice I would like to complain about but kind of won't since I ate it the fuck up - that's how invested I was - were the little temporary roadblocks. They felt realistic and unnecessary, and I had a heart attack with each one, because if the book ended on a bad note I was going to riot as it'd all been fine a few pages ag- OK, I'll just stop there and leave it at that.
This book is hilarious and it has a couple of things I'd call gimmicks, like puns and infuriating characters who never get them - seriously, Alex, what the fuck is wrong with you? - though I guess that was the point. I felt for Luc at every single point of his struggles and Oliver... You're an S Tier love interest, character, person, man. And the fact that their banter was DELICIOUS to read and the best part of the book - and be sure to know that it all pays off in some of the best romance writing I've ever read so far... - made me want them to like each other from their very first non-date.
Side characters are also very much interesting, specially each of the lovebird's friend squad and Luc's mother.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Eating disorder
Lighthearted, hilarious and with the best payoff I've ever read.historic_wince's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Panic attacks/disorders