Scan barcode
danaherrmann's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
hannahhbic's review against another edition
3.0
Our favorite disaster gays are back! It was wonderful to see the crew again.
That being said. Generally speaking I did enjoy this book, but I liked it less as it went along. Luc's sense of tension, anxiety, and being unsure was a bit too palpable. The first book succeeded because Luc's feelings were portrayed as realistic without being over the top, and I think this one went too far in that regard. There was significantly less humor and significantly more bickering. Like. I get wanting to portray characters as genuine people, but it didn't feel like a book in the same series. This one felt a lot more General Fiction than Romance, if that makes sense. If there are more books in this series, I hope that the natural humor finds its way back. I missed it a lot.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you additionally to libro.fm and their Audiobook Listening Program for a free copy of the eaudiobook.
That being said. Generally speaking I did enjoy this book, but I liked it less as it went along. Luc's sense of tension, anxiety, and being unsure was a bit too palpable. The first book succeeded because Luc's feelings were portrayed as realistic without being over the top, and I think this one went too far in that regard. There was significantly less humor and significantly more bickering. Like. I get wanting to portray characters as genuine people, but it didn't feel like a book in the same series. This one felt a lot more General Fiction than Romance, if that makes sense. If there are more books in this series, I hope that the natural humor finds its way back. I missed it a lot.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you additionally to libro.fm and their Audiobook Listening Program for a free copy of the eaudiobook.
mmmicah's review against another edition
5.0
I got a 5 chapter preview from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Boyfriend Material is one of my all-time favorite books ever, and I was so excited when I heard that we're getting a sequel! This preview only makes me more excited for this book!
These books are a cheesy fun rom-com in the best way possible! The humor gives the book lightness meanwhile dealing with mental health and the two never feel unbalanced. Luc's narration and the books humor are as great as ever. I love these characters so much. Luc's and Bridget's friendship is SO much fun. (token gay/straight besties!) I can't wait to see what shenanigans Luc and Oliver get up to!
I can't wait to get my hands on a full copy!
Boyfriend Material is one of my all-time favorite books ever, and I was so excited when I heard that we're getting a sequel! This preview only makes me more excited for this book!
These books are a cheesy fun rom-com in the best way possible! The humor gives the book lightness meanwhile dealing with mental health and the two never feel unbalanced. Luc's narration and the books humor are as great as ever. I love these characters so much. Luc's and Bridget's friendship is SO much fun. (token gay/straight besties!) I can't wait to see what shenanigans Luc and Oliver get up to!
I can't wait to get my hands on a full copy!
lalesbianlune's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ridiculous and hilarious, nothing quite like the montage of attending weddings to analyze a relationship.
holliem's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
octobussy's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
ghosthermione's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adored the first book, and this one was no different. I was waiting the whole time for Luc to point out how heteronormative marriage is even if you're queer and having a same-sex one, so I was pleasantly surprised by the fact Oliver is the one who eventually brings it up.
levilore_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! It had a lot of great moments, but be aware that it is very different in vibes from the first book. Rather than Boyfriend Material which was much more "fanfic trope" this book deals with what it is actually like being in an adult relationship, what queer love means, marriage as an institution, and grief. It had a lot of amazing moments, but didn't have the iron grip on my heart like the first book, which honestly worked well for the plot/themes. Had some moments that genuinely made me yell out loud from excitement and other times I fully started crying. I only knocked it down a few points because the beginning was a bit slow for my taste.
Now the ending.I saw other reviews saying they hated this book because the ending was so disappointing and frustrating. I see where people are coming from, the whole build up to the wedding and then for them to not even get married was somewhat disappointing plus the last chapter felt a bit rushed. However, I do not think the ending didn't make sense and I believe many people missed the point of this story.
Throughout the different weddings, Luc and Oliver obviously have different opinions about what marriage means and in Oliver's case, he is still figuring out what being queer means for him. The other weddings celebrate the joy of marriage and how individualized the experience is for each couple. My main takeaway from the book was that for Luc and Oliver, the act of marriage isn't, well, that important. For them, not being married is more important because it's an act of protest. Neither of them really talk about why they want to be married, rather they are both focused on the expectations that they should want to get married. They already do all the things that a life partner does for each other. Luc shows this when he supports Oliver through his dad's death. Oliver supports Luc when they go to Miles' wedding. The only time their communication fully breaks down is when they are trying to plan an event neither of them want. For the characters, the ending makes sense. Is it extremely dramatic and surprising? Absolutely. But through that act, through their complete honesty with each other, they are able to have their version of what love means, which is them bailing on their own wedding, running into the rain, and making out. (I really enjoyed the sweet touch of the rainbow umbrellas)
In a larger context, I enjoyed this book because it explores the complexity of queerness and marriage. They talk about how marriage is an important right for queer people, but there is no right way to be queer. Having that conventional expression of love, for a relationship that started and continues to be unconventional, just doesn't work for them. And that's the point of the ending. Did it annoy me that they wasted all that time and money just to not get married? Yes, it did. Do I think they could have just had a big party and skipped the ceremony? Absolutely. But I think that's the whole point. From the outside, them running off looks absolutely ridiculous and stupid, but character wise it makes sense because honestly they are both kind of ridiculous and stupid. People want everything to be wrapped up in this beautiful bow of marriage = happiness but I think Alexis Hall uses this book to show how true queerness is about accepting that not being married, not having the flashy rainbow ceremony, should be just as beautiful as all those things. The idea of "love is love" should not just be "love is love if you follow the traditional normative conventions of how love should be expressed", but rather "love is complex and weird and that is beautiful too". And I personally think that is more impactful than them getting married in the first place.
Now the ending.
Throughout the different weddings, Luc and Oliver obviously have different opinions about what marriage means and in Oliver's case, he is still figuring out what being queer means for him. The other weddings celebrate the joy of marriage and how individualized the experience is for each couple. My main takeaway from the book was that for Luc and Oliver, the act of marriage isn't, well, that important. For them, not being married is more important because it's an act of protest. Neither of them really talk about why they want to be married, rather they are both focused on the expectations that they should want to get married. They already do all the things that a life partner does for each other. Luc shows this when he supports Oliver through his dad's death. Oliver supports Luc when they go to Miles' wedding. The only time their communication fully breaks down is when they are trying to plan an event neither of them want. For the characters, the ending makes sense. Is it extremely dramatic and surprising? Absolutely. But through that act, through their complete honesty with each other, they are able to have their version of what love means, which is them bailing on their own wedding, running into the rain, and making out. (I really enjoyed the sweet touch of the rainbow umbrellas)
In a larger context, I enjoyed this book because it explores the complexity of queerness and marriage. They talk about how marriage is an important right for queer people, but there is no right way to be queer. Having that conventional expression of love, for a relationship that started and continues to be unconventional, just doesn't work for them. And that's the point of the ending. Did it annoy me that they wasted all that time and money just to not get married? Yes, it did. Do I think they could have just had a big party and skipped the ceremony? Absolutely. But I think that's the whole point. From the outside, them running off looks absolutely ridiculous and stupid, but character wise it makes sense because honestly they are both kind of ridiculous and stupid. People want everything to be wrapped up in this beautiful bow of marriage = happiness but I think Alexis Hall uses this book to show how true queerness is about accepting that not being married, not having the flashy rainbow ceremony, should be just as beautiful as all those things. The idea of "love is love" should not just be "love is love if you follow the traditional normative conventions of how love should be expressed", but rather "love is complex and weird and that is beautiful too". And I personally think that is more impactful than them getting married in the first place.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Cursing, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Sexism, Grief, Homophobia, Classism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Transphobia, Vomit, Cancer, Infidelity, and Excrement