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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Great characters, really funny, great relationship - excellent chemistry, and way too long. All the ideas are connected like train cars, and they’re mostly interesting, but I promise we can care about multiple plot lines and character arcs at once
Full disclosure I expected to hate this because honestly I did not like red white and royal blue lmao but this proved me so so wrong.
It’s hard to write something gay while not triggering any internalised homophobia okay like the gays are a very sensitive people and often feel offended by the littlest things, a lot of self-cringe and femmephobia in our community. And oddly enough I feel like Hall really treated it with the utmost delicacy here. Joking about a character being “camp”, for instance. The drag race watching that was somehow funny and did not make me feel secondhand shame for being a social outcast. The horniness overall was a bonus too.
There’s a bit of an Austen vibe to this - not in cool caricatures and character portraits tbh they aren’t that precise - but the dynamic of the main couple and the final confession is pretty spot on. There’s a delightful sense of comedic camp that permeates the novel which I really like as well, like, you can tell that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It didn’t really, like, break any new boundaries in the world of romance but everything was expertly handled. I was rly out there being like “ooh literally no dialogue tags used and also rule of three here uh huh I see I see”.
I think I was most thoroughly impressed by the main characters who I felt had insanely relatable problems to some extent. Funny guy with trust issues and self-esteem issues with a vegetarian who constructs an identity that he thinks is perfect and hence more palatable? And combining that with daddy issues? Basically my entire psyche, honestly. Luc’s father was an especially nice touch — an incredible way of showing how a character who seems like a nice person can actually be a huge douche, the way irresponsibility can hide behind eloquence. The banality of the ending of that particular plot line was especially well done because it really hits you that [SPOILERS] to Luc’s Dad, it was fucking meaningless man.
I do wish that Luc’s trust issues would have like. Been triggered a bit more with [SPOILERS AGAIN] Oliver breaking up with him? Like that’s literally The Central part of his entire character as set up clearly in the first scene, with his father, with his friends even, with Oliver (yeah like you can sense the tight plotting, Mx Hall probably wrote out this entire character progression on scrivener) but I feel like it could have been emphasised a little more? I suppose it may have seemed repetitive for some but eh would have been nice to see it.
But also two books in one day??? Go me.
It’s hard to write something gay while not triggering any internalised homophobia okay like the gays are a very sensitive people and often feel offended by the littlest things, a lot of self-cringe and femmephobia in our community. And oddly enough I feel like Hall really treated it with the utmost delicacy here. Joking about a character being “camp”, for instance. The drag race watching that was somehow funny and did not make me feel secondhand shame for being a social outcast. The horniness overall was a bonus too.
There’s a bit of an Austen vibe to this - not in cool caricatures and character portraits tbh they aren’t that precise - but the dynamic of the main couple and the final confession is pretty spot on. There’s a delightful sense of comedic camp that permeates the novel which I really like as well, like, you can tell that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It didn’t really, like, break any new boundaries in the world of romance but everything was expertly handled. I was rly out there being like “ooh literally no dialogue tags used and also rule of three here uh huh I see I see”.
I think I was most thoroughly impressed by the main characters who I felt had insanely relatable problems to some extent. Funny guy with trust issues and self-esteem issues with a vegetarian who constructs an identity that he thinks is perfect and hence more palatable? And combining that with daddy issues? Basically my entire psyche, honestly. Luc’s father was an especially nice touch — an incredible way of showing how a character who seems like a nice person can actually be a huge douche, the way irresponsibility can hide behind eloquence. The banality of the ending of that particular plot line was especially well done because it really hits you that [SPOILERS] to Luc’s Dad, it was fucking meaningless man.
I do wish that Luc’s trust issues would have like. Been triggered a bit more with [SPOILERS AGAIN] Oliver breaking up with him? Like that’s literally The Central part of his entire character as set up clearly in the first scene, with his father, with his friends even, with Oliver (yeah like you can sense the tight plotting, Mx Hall probably wrote out this entire character progression on scrivener) but I feel like it could have been emphasised a little more? I suppose it may have seemed repetitive for some but eh would have been nice to see it.
But also two books in one day??? Go me.
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
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
I love a good British based book and Book Boyfriends did not disappoint. This LGBTQ+ book has snarky and humorous comments alongside a vulnerable and raw experience. Although nothing seems to go right for Luc and Oliver, it still somehow works out. The plot line is truly in the back seat and just gets you a story, but the romance between these two is what keeps you coming back to enjoy yourself. There is a softness to their “fake” relationship but also finally being seen by another who can understand/comprehend your situation and feelings and sticking up for you. This is a fade to black, so no spice, but that doesn’t take away from the angst and chemistry. This book had me excited to get in my car just to have a moment to listen to it. I had laughed a lot and been put in the feels a few times. Definitely a feel good book at the end of the day.
i did not think i'd go into this book and find, well, the most feels i've ever felt ever.
The whole first chapter was at a club and involved drinking and making out. I just wasn't into the vibe and didn't understand the stakes or why I should care about the characters.
emotional
funny
sad
tense
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
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
This book felt like a Wattpad read in all the best ways. The romance gave ME butterflies. It was so sweet. There were many important ideas mentioned too. I like the way such a diverse set of queer people was shown.
⭐️ 4.5 stars! ⭐️
There are certain stories that have you smiling without the realization of doing so. Stories that have a gift for lifting spirits and putting readers in an undoubtedly happy mood. Boyfriend Material easily fits under this description, with it’s consistently humorous narrative and lovely romance.
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Luc O'Donell is the son of two rock stars ...and its brought him nothing but trouble. He hasn't heard from his father since he walked out on their family when he was three, and now—after two decades of radio silence—his father's decided to make a comeback to the music scene. Which is very bad for Luc and his tendency to attract bad paparazzi.
When a less-than-ideal photo of Luc begins to circulate the internet, Luc decides that a fake-but-respectable boyfriend is what he needs to clean up his public image. His only willing candidate, the very posh Oliver Blackwood, is in need of a fake boyfriend for similar reasons, leading the pair to attempt navigating a relationship that is definitely not real.
~★~
I can’t stop pondering how Alexis Hall maintained a narrative that was as so unfalteringly funny throughout this book. From the opening page, Luc’s internal monologue is effortlessly amusing, and it continues to be so until the very end. Even better still was the fact that Hall knew when to tone things down for more emotional scenes. Luc's mental health is certainly not shied away from, and I loved witnessing his gradual recognition and growth away from his unhealthy coping mechanisms.
I loved the way the romance unfolded. Luc and Oliver both had their trust issues, but were able to work through and road-bumps slowly and reassuringly. There was no rushing, and yet things didn’t drag in the slightest. Every interaction between these two had me glued to the pages, their dynamic was so great! I enjoyed them even more during this re-read.
Alexis Hall’s writing was perfect for this type of romance. I was able to get a sense of Luc’s personality in almost no time, and his character development was wonderfully satisfying. There isn’t much else I could say about this book except it’s bound to be a good time!
There are certain stories that have you smiling without the realization of doing so. Stories that have a gift for lifting spirits and putting readers in an undoubtedly happy mood. Boyfriend Material easily fits under this description, with it’s consistently humorous narrative and lovely romance.
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Luc O'Donell is the son of two rock stars ...and its brought him nothing but trouble. He hasn't heard from his father since he walked out on their family when he was three, and now—after two decades of radio silence—his father's decided to make a comeback to the music scene. Which is very bad for Luc and his tendency to attract bad paparazzi.
When a less-than-ideal photo of Luc begins to circulate the internet, Luc decides that a fake-but-respectable boyfriend is what he needs to clean up his public image. His only willing candidate, the very posh Oliver Blackwood, is in need of a fake boyfriend for similar reasons, leading the pair to attempt navigating a relationship that is definitely not real.
~★~
I can’t stop pondering how Alexis Hall maintained a narrative that was as so unfalteringly funny throughout this book. From the opening page, Luc’s internal monologue is effortlessly amusing, and it continues to be so until the very end. Even better still was the fact that Hall knew when to tone things down for more emotional scenes. Luc's mental health is certainly not shied away from, and I loved witnessing his gradual recognition and growth away from his unhealthy coping mechanisms.
I loved the way the romance unfolded. Luc and Oliver both had their trust issues, but were able to work through and road-bumps slowly and reassuringly. There was no rushing, and yet things didn’t drag in the slightest. Every interaction between these two had me glued to the pages, their dynamic was so great! I enjoyed them even more during this re-read.
Alexis Hall’s writing was perfect for this type of romance. I was able to get a sense of Luc’s personality in almost no time, and his character development was wonderfully satisfying. There isn’t much else I could say about this book except it’s bound to be a good time!