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sarahna's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Body shaming, Classism, Eating disorder, Cancer, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-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
3.25
I was so excited for this sequel after loving Boyfriend Material, but this one fell flat. It was too long-winded for what was happening and very Four Weddings and a Funeral-ish with the constant weddings. There was very little chemistry between Luc and Oliver this go-around and I feel STRONGLY that Luc really needs to go to therapy because a lot of the issues in their relationship stem from Luc's anxiety and spontaneity and insecurities. And rather than seek help for that, he basically tells Oliver that's who he is and he has to just accept that, which isn't fair to the relationship.
I'm hoping the third book brings back the charm of the first because this one was really lacking it.
I'm hoping the third book brings back the charm of the first because this one was really lacking it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder
snowydaze'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an ebook copy of Husband Material by Alexis Hall from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. As someone who has read multiple books by Alexis Hall over the years, this one was an amazing read that had an unbelievable amount of character growth. I enjoyed getting a second look at Luc and Oliver’s relationship and can’t wait for more books set around their friend group. The plot flowed nicely and allowed for more exploration of Luc’s friend group. Furthermore, there were many memorable quotations throughout the book that helped lighten up some of the more emotional sections of the book. Overall, I highly recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, Sexual content, and Eating disorder
wisewayfarer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death of parent, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Eating disorder and Panic attacks/disorders
junovverse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Not as good as the first one in my opinion. I did enjoy the ending, though from the blurb, I can see why so many people were disappointed with it. I also feel like, just with book 1, the ending felt quite rushed? Both in book 1 and in 2, I feel like I'd benefit from some kind of epilogue, instead of the story just. Stopping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism
nickoliver's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I went into "Husband Material" with a very cautious mind. I'd been excited for it from the moment I'd heard that "Boyfriend Material" was getting a sequel, so when I suddenly got some Tik Toks talking about how much they hated the ending, I started getting scared. And I also remembered that I usually hated romance sequels that followed the same couple, because a lot of the ones that I've read before ended in break-ups. Which made me even more worried.
Thankfully, I actually kind of liked the ending! Yes, the direction Hall took was a bit unexpected and abrupt, but since I expected this precise thing would happen (I refused to believe Hall would break them up, so I chose to hope for this exact outcome instead), I wasn't thrown off. It also helped that I'm not big into wedding and marriages, anyway (child of divorce + living in a country that only legalized same-sex marriage less than two months ago will do that to you), so I wasn't looking forward for anything spectacular in the first place.
I do have to say I do overall prefer "Boyfriend Material," mainly because this sequel felt like it didn't have a clear plot line that it followed. Especially the beginning was more Luc's friends (and exes) getting married and him going to those weddings and the hijinks that sometimes ensued. Which was fun to read about, but I often didn't know what the point of writing a sequel was if it was just this? It could've just as easily been like a novella that followed Luc and Oliver a bit after the events of "Boyfriend Material". Only after Luc and Oliver decided to also get married did it start to have a red thread in the story.
Luc was also really frustrating sometimes, especially that he had a problem with Oliver not liking your typical "gay" stuff (for example, rainbow-coloured things) and had to have that fight several times in the book. He did end up understanding him, but it took him quite a lot of time to get there. And as a queer person who, like Oliver, doesn't feel so comfortable with overtly queer things on himself, it got a bit too personal for me. Though Hall did also show the progress they went through as individuals and as a couple as well, so that was nice.
The book had a lot of funny moments, hence how I managed to read it in two days. And it genuinely felt quick, too. I remember when I first read "Boyfriend Material," I was annoyed towards the end because it felt so drawn out, but that wasn't the case here. So overall, I definitely enjoyed this!
Thankfully, I actually kind of liked the ending! Yes, the direction Hall took was a bit unexpected and abrupt, but since I expected this precise thing would happen (I refused to believe Hall would break them up, so I chose to hope for this exact outcome instead), I wasn't thrown off. It also helped that I'm not big into wedding and marriages, anyway (child of divorce + living in a country that only legalized same-sex marriage less than two months ago will do that to you), so I wasn't looking forward for anything spectacular in the first place.
I do have to say I do overall prefer "Boyfriend Material," mainly because this sequel felt like it didn't have a clear plot line that it followed. Especially the beginning was more Luc's friends (and exes) getting married and him going to those weddings and the hijinks that sometimes ensued. Which was fun to read about, but I often didn't know what the point of writing a sequel was if it was just this? It could've just as easily been like a novella that followed Luc and Oliver a bit after the events of "Boyfriend Material". Only after Luc and Oliver decided to also get married did it start to have a red thread in the story.
Luc was also really frustrating sometimes, especially that he had a problem with Oliver not liking your typical "gay" stuff (for example, rainbow-coloured things) and had to have that fight several times in the book. He did end up understanding him, but it took him quite a lot of time to get there. And as a queer person who, like Oliver, doesn't feel so comfortable with overtly queer things on himself, it got a bit too personal for me. Though Hall did also show the progress they went through as individuals and as a couple as well, so that was nice.
The book had a lot of funny moments, hence how I managed to read it in two days. And it genuinely felt quick, too. I remember when I first read "Boyfriend Material," I was annoyed towards the end because it felt so drawn out, but that wasn't the case here. So overall, I definitely enjoyed this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Body shaming, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Cancer, Sexual content, and Vomit
piperclover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5
I'm giving this 3.5 stars bc I do think I really liked it but I struggled to get though it. I read the first book in physical form and I think I should've done that with this too. There always about 50 pages that could've been cut for me and I would've enjoyed it more but there were sections I enjoyed enough to balance out my rating. Bridge is not my favorite character whatsoever and I hate having 2 characters named the same thing-it was funny at first but then it was confusing.
Edit: OK I've read 3 or 4 books since this one and the ending of them made me realize how much I appreciated the ending of this book because it's not as normative and perfectly wrapped up as the next book that I've read. I didn't realize how refreshing it was to have this ending until I read 3 books in a row that all ended almost exactly the same. This book gives you an alternative that is very real life and I feel like a lot of people can engage with personally.
Edit: OK I've read 3 or 4 books since this one and the ending of them made me realize how much I appreciated the ending of this book because it's not as normative and perfectly wrapped up as the next book that I've read. I didn't realize how refreshing it was to have this ending until I read 3 books in a row that all ended almost exactly the same. This book gives you an alternative that is very real life and I feel like a lot of people can engage with personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, and Death of parent
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit and Eating disorder
lethaltea's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia and Grief
Minor: Eating disorder, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So here’s the thing: I basically knew I was going to give this book 5⭐️ even before I started reading(listening). I adore these characters, in spite of how frustrating I would find them if they were actually in my real life, and I have been anxiously awaiting the sequel. It was only let down by one thing imo, and that’s the repetition and rehashing of particular petty conflicts throughout the story, which just got old after a while. Joe Jameson’s narration was marvelous as usual, so I almost didn’t mind!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief