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luxxltyd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual content
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
HUSBAND MATERIAL, the sequel to BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, shows Oliver and Luc two years onwards, surrounded by friends who are tying the knot. They start to feel like they should get married too, but it's hard to figure out a ceremony which will represent both of them. Oliver doesn't feel connected to what Luc thinks of as "queer culture" and Oliver perceives as encroaching Americanisms. Luc's dad is as disappointing as always, his mom is very strange but supportive, and Oliver's parents are frustrating and controlling. Things are getting tense and they don't know how they'll hold it together under all this pressure. Bridget and Tom are getting married, and Luc's shitbag ex-boyfriend has invited him to his wedding, for some reason. Those are just the first of several weddings around them, all between very different people with vastly different goals for their lives. It makes it hard for Luc and Oliver to figure out what they want for themselves, especially for an event which at times feels like it's for everyone else.
I especially like how this deals with grief, and the complex emotions of losing someone who has been a major force in one's life, especially when they've mostly been a negative influence. Someone can be terrible and important, and that's often hard to deal with. The shape of their absence can leave an enormous wound, even if their presence was slow suffering.
HUSBAND MATERIAL could kind of make sense for someone who hadn't read BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, but the emotional roller coaster of the first book means that a lot of processing and establishing of various relationship dynamics took place in BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, with the characters moving forward here after a time jump and a new status quo to be disrupted by all these weddings.
I like the ending, it fits Oliver and Luc as individuals and as a couple. They are figuring out their relationship, not anyone else's, but it takes a while for them to understand what they actually want from the socially proscribed steps and ceremonies on the relationship escalator.
I especially like how this deals with grief, and the complex emotions of losing someone who has been a major force in one's life, especially when they've mostly been a negative influence. Someone can be terrible and important, and that's often hard to deal with. The shape of their absence can leave an enormous wound, even if their presence was slow suffering.
HUSBAND MATERIAL could kind of make sense for someone who hadn't read BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, but the emotional roller coaster of the first book means that a lot of processing and establishing of various relationship dynamics took place in BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, with the characters moving forward here after a time jump and a new status quo to be disrupted by all these weddings.
I like the ending, it fits Oliver and Luc as individuals and as a couple. They are figuring out their relationship, not anyone else's, but it takes a while for them to understand what they actually want from the socially proscribed steps and ceremonies on the relationship escalator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Infidelity, Homophobia, Grief, Abandonment, Death of parent, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Transphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Body horror, and Excrement
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
its_vendetta's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
liked the first one better but this was still cute! LOVED the ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Eating disorder
bimblebop's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I have even less to say about this book than the first.
The main character stayed equally insufferable (which retroactively made him more bearable with the time to adjust), but the male lead went from polite to a little stuffy. Which is all intentional, so there's that.
It was okay. It felt like one big LGBTQ+ party (I'm saying this as a lesbian) and in those ways it's always nice. But I don't feel like this book had anything special for me. It was more like catching up on my friends' and their friends' lives but I don't actually know them so I don't really care.
The main character stayed equally insufferable (which retroactively made him more bearable with the time to adjust), but the male lead went from polite to a little stuffy. Which is all intentional, so there's that.
It was okay. It felt like one big LGBTQ+ party (I'm saying this as a lesbian) and in those ways it's always nice. But I don't feel like this book had anything special for me. It was more like catching up on my friends' and their friends' lives but I don't actually know them so I don't really care.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Eating disorder
ruththereader96's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
A great sequel to boyfriend material
. Lighthearted and funny, great to see the main characters and explore their friends a bit more as well
. Lighthearted and funny, great to see the main characters and explore their friends a bit more as well
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Eating disorder
babyleo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
kathis_wonderland's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
Husband Material by Alexis Hall is the second book in the London Calling series. Luc and Oliver are in a relationship of over two years now and everything seems quite perfect. But people all around them are getting married and Luc feels he should propose too. But things happen and the perfect happy ending seems far away.
After absolutely loving the first book in this series, I was equally excited to read this one. Right at the beginning I have to say that the first book was so much better than the second book, but I am a sucker for the fake-dating trope. Still, I really enjoyed this book. It was good the read about their relationship going quite well (most of the times). Luc is still quite immature, which already annoyed me in the first book.
Throughout the book I was quite scared of the ending.I honestly did not want them to get married. If I were in Oliver's position and someone proposed to me the way Luc proposed, I would have been quite heartbroken. It does not have to be super romantic, but it should be something one thought about and did not do as a knee-jerk reaction. Both of them weren't ready to get married. I hoped that they would properly talk about marriage at some point in the book and call of the wedding. I was ready to not really like this book if they actually got married. But the ending was perfect (for me)! Couldn't have wished for anything else.
Now I am quite excited to read the third and last book in this series. I don't have the highest of hopes for the next book, but I enjoy these books. The writing style is different to those that I am used to and I like that. I still am a massive fan of the first book and will recommend that one whenever someone asks of my opinion.
After absolutely loving the first book in this series, I was equally excited to read this one. Right at the beginning I have to say that the first book was so much better than the second book, but I am a sucker for the fake-dating trope. Still, I really enjoyed this book. It was good the read about their relationship going quite well (most of the times). Luc is still quite immature, which already annoyed me in the first book.
Throughout the book I was quite scared of the ending.
Now I am quite excited to read the third and last book in this series. I don't have the highest of hopes for the next book, but I enjoy these books. The writing style is different to those that I am used to and I like that. I still am a massive fan of the first book and will recommend that one whenever someone asks of my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Gaslighting, Vomit, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
amyteurhour's review against another edition
4.75
Content warning: homophobia, death of a parent, disordered eating, cheating characters think it's possible cheating
I enjoyed that Luc continued to grow and develop as a character in this book. I also think his friend group is fleshed out and less frustrating to read about. The ending, similar to Book 1, seemed a bit rushed and uneven.I found Luc to be incredibly hypocritical, and it was frustrating that he acknowledged that and continued to give Oliver crap about doing exactly what he was planning on doing. It just felt very petty, as though he was upset Oliver stole his call-off-the-wedding thunder, and for me it didn't feel fair to Oliver that the book ended on such a note. Although, I guess I had similar feelings but flipped about the ending of Book 1 so perhaps it evens out??? lol
I enjoyed that Luc continued to grow and develop as a character in this book. I also think his friend group is fleshed out and less frustrating to read about. The ending, similar to Book 1, seemed a bit rushed and uneven.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Eating disorder
sam_gartley91's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Cute, the ending stressed me out but the last page or so resolution did turn out well. They just really need to learn to communicate!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content and Eating disorder