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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
dododenise's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Update: Review of the whole book
Frankly, this book left me conflicted. Coming fresh out of the ending I completely understand why it is the way that it is. And yet I wish it was different. And I wish it wasn’t as rushed and I could be in the moment of the meaning of that ending more.
But I need to talk about the rest of the book as well. And I really enjoyed that. Alexis’ writing is so much fun. It’s amusing and weird and it makes me smile. I don’t really care about any of these characters to be honest, but the way this is written is enough for me to enjoy myself.
Luc is a mess. Oliver is a mess. They are a wonderful mess together that somehow (sometimes) works. And I’m glad I read this second book and look into their characters more. Because even though I might not like them all that much, Alexis makes me want to read about them anyway.
————
I only read the first five chapters as a preview!
Husband Material is a wonderful continuation of the story of Boyfriend Material. If you liked Boyfriend Material, you will like this one as well. It feels very much the same. Luc is very much the same disaster he has ever been, but happier and with slightly better coping mechanisms. And Oliver is still the same dream boyfriend who is quietly trying to deal with his problems. Of course, in these first five chapters, many more problems arise which feel very much like a continuation of Boyfriend Material. Especially the character arcs had room to be expanded after the first book and so far it very much looks like that is what is happening for this one.
When I first heard about a second part coming out I wasn't sure whether I needed a sequel. I was happy with the ending of Boyfriend Material. This preview, however, is making me question that. Some interesting arcs are being opened and I am curious to see how they will develop.
Frankly, this book left me conflicted. Coming fresh out of the ending I completely understand why it is the way that it is. And yet I wish it was different. And I wish it wasn’t as rushed and I could be in the moment of the meaning of that ending more.
But I need to talk about the rest of the book as well. And I really enjoyed that. Alexis’ writing is so much fun. It’s amusing and weird and it makes me smile. I don’t really care about any of these characters to be honest, but the way this is written is enough for me to enjoy myself.
Luc is a mess. Oliver is a mess. They are a wonderful mess together that somehow (sometimes) works. And I’m glad I read this second book and look into their characters more. Because even though I might not like them all that much, Alexis makes me want to read about them anyway.
————
I only read the first five chapters as a preview!
Husband Material is a wonderful continuation of the story of Boyfriend Material. If you liked Boyfriend Material, you will like this one as well. It feels very much the same. Luc is very much the same disaster he has ever been, but happier and with slightly better coping mechanisms. And Oliver is still the same dream boyfriend who is quietly trying to deal with his problems. Of course, in these first five chapters, many more problems arise which feel very much like a continuation of Boyfriend Material. Especially the character arcs had room to be expanded after the first book and so far it very much looks like that is what is happening for this one.
When I first heard about a second part coming out I wasn't sure whether I needed a sequel. I was happy with the ending of Boyfriend Material. This preview, however, is making me question that. Some interesting arcs are being opened and I am curious to see how they will develop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Racism, Eating disorder, and Vomit
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