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inkdrinkers's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Well... this was disappointing.
Off the heels of Boyfriend Material, Husband Material picks up with Luc and Oliver's relationship years later, decidedly both in their phase of adulthood where everyone around them is getting married, having babies, and moving on with their lives. But for both Luc and Oliver, they're not quite sure where they stand in the timeline of expectations versus what they actually want for their futures.
I won't lie, I've been in a slump this entire month of February, but I was really, really hopeful that this audiobook would get me out of it. Instead, I quickly realized it was only making it worse. I loved the beginning of this, setting up multiple weddings and multiple moments of proving Luc and Oliver's relationship had grown were great - until it very much wasn't for me. When they began to seem to have the same arguments over and over again that were cornerstones of the first book, I began to get really irritated because even though this was set years later, I felt like neither of them had grown at all.
This is also on me, but I had no idea this was a Four Weddings and a Funeral type of story, so the funeral aspect really threw me and upset me. For a multitude of personal reasons it hit way too close to home and at a moment I didn't really want to be reading about funerals and the messy aspects of grief and the ways people who are dead are loved, but not absolved of their bad behaviour. It was just a bit much for me and heavily, heavily impacted my reading experience and rating.
I wished I had liked this more. I wish that the ending had the "it's us against the world" feeling that it seemed to be going for. But it just didn't for me. This wasn't the happily ever after I wanted to read about, and being bogged down with too many other, hard topics made this a really unpleasant listening experience towards the end.
Content warnings: death of a parent (major plot point, with funeral), grief, homophobia, vomit, mentions to eating disorders
Off the heels of Boyfriend Material, Husband Material picks up with Luc and Oliver's relationship years later, decidedly both in their phase of adulthood where everyone around them is getting married, having babies, and moving on with their lives. But for both Luc and Oliver, they're not quite sure where they stand in the timeline of expectations versus what they actually want for their futures.
I won't lie, I've been in a slump this entire month of February, but I was really, really hopeful that this audiobook would get me out of it. Instead, I quickly realized it was only making it worse. I loved the beginning of this, setting up multiple weddings and multiple moments of proving Luc and Oliver's relationship had grown were great - until it very much wasn't for me. When they began to seem to have the same arguments over and over again that were cornerstones of the first book, I began to get really irritated because even though this was set years later, I felt like neither of them had grown at all.
This is also on me, but I had no idea this was a Four Weddings and a Funeral type of story, so the funeral aspect really threw me and upset me. For a multitude of personal reasons it hit way too close to home and at a moment I didn't really want to be reading about funerals and the messy aspects of grief and the ways people who are dead are loved, but not absolved of their bad behaviour. It was just a bit much for me and heavily, heavily impacted my reading experience and rating.
I wished I had liked this more. I wish that the ending had the "it's us against the world" feeling that it seemed to be going for. But it just didn't for me. This wasn't the happily ever after I wanted to read about, and being bogged down with too many other, hard topics made this a really unpleasant listening experience towards the end.
Content warnings: death of a parent (major plot point, with funeral), grief, homophobia, vomit, mentions to eating disorders
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Eating disorder
annahamburger's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Minor: Infidelity
bookerbride's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I really wanted to like this book but I struggled to finish it. The overall structure is interesting (just nothing new), I just didn't connect with the main characters, however.
I do get insecurity and trauma, but the couple seemed unable to evolve. Personally, I don't vibe with the "character who can't get anything right, never expresses themselves clearly". A couple that can't seem to be able to communicate is not endearing to me. Something I did like was the discussion about lgbtqia culture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Death of parent
barefootsong's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
A perfect sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
stacy837's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Eating disorder and Classism
angelfireeast24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Eating disorder
theklutzybibliophile's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Loved the ending.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
brittaneenash's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I much preferred the first book in this series to the second. There's no real rhyme or reason to why, I just did.
- It felt a little bit repetitive at times. Luc and Olive were almost constantly at odds about something, and, while I think this was the point (due to the nature in which the book ends) I found it a little bit overwhelming and stressful at times.
- Unfortunately, I knew how this book was going to end due to spoilers. I think the ending would have been that much more shocking for me if I hadn't known.
- I loved, loved, loved Luc's relationship with Bridget throughout this book. While the last book made the side characters feel a bit like caricatures, I think that she really came to life throughout this novel!
- The conversation surrounding grief in this novel is beautifully complex. As devastating as it was to listen to, I loved every second of that aspect of the book.
- Still adore the narration style of this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
literarypenguin'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
2.0
Husband Material follows Luc & Oliver two years after the first book and into their very real not fake relationship. After witnessing friends and acquaintances getting married, Luc and Oliver wonder if they should get married as well. Will their relationship last until the altar or will they discover marriage might not be for them? I am saddened to say that my expectations for this book did not happen. This book was a let down and after enjoying the first book a lot this one didn’t hold up. I felt very confused when I finished because I had so many more questions and no answers to go with them.
The writing in this book at points was okay but toward the end it felt super rushed. Towards the end it introduces a conflict that was non existent until near the end. To me it felt like we didn’t get enough of Oliver & Luc’s relationship when the main focus was suppose to be them. I just wished that we got more of their relationship rather than other people’s weddings. I don’t know why we had to focus on these character’s weddings in the first place. There were some bits of writing that did work, it just makes me wish that we had that consistently across the whole novel.
The story follows Luc and Oliver two years into their romance as they navigate dating and watching people around them getting married and starting their lives. Their views on marriage and weddings is also brought to light as they attend other’s and eventually plan their own wedding. The story had so much potential but it failed when it got to the end. The main conflict between Oliver and Luc was the rainbow arch debate. This debate wasn’t just brought up once or twice, it became a constant throughout the book. My problem I had with this was that the argument was already brought up in the first book and I thought it was settled. I got tired of hearing it, with Luc thinking Oliver was some kind of homophobe because he felt uncomfortable with expressing his identity that way. The other problem I had was I felt that the weddings in the book shouldn’t have been there. Why did we need to feature Mile’s wedding? The horrible ex boyfriend who treated Luc like crap!? If this book cut out two of the three weddings it would have worked so much better in my opinion. The only part of the book I thought worked was the funeral, I felt that finally got Oliver to face his family and express how he truly felt about how they treated him. I wish we got more of that instead of what we got. The ending didn’t work for me as well, it felt so rushed and could have been avoided if better communication occurred.
The characters were what really took me out of the book, the growth felt like it wasn’t there. Luc still felt like he was the self conscious and selfish guy he was in the first one. He was constantly cancelling on plans he had with Oliver, making mistakes and instead of apologizing he would say he was a bad person and Oliver would forgive him, and he had the nerve to get mad at Oliver for telling him he didn’t want to get married when he had the same thoughts the night before. We did get some parts of this book that began to show that he was capable of changing and becoming better but then it went back to showing him with low self esteem. Oliver, for about fifty percent of the book wasn’t even there. In a book about Luc and Oliver. When he was there I felt like they didn’t use him to his full potential and he felt sidelined along with Luc. There were also too many side characters and too much focus on them as opposed to Luc and Oliver.
The world felt like a pleasant view into London and England in general. This part of the story I did enjoy because we got to see different parts of England, from the lovely countryside to the bustling city. I wished we did get more places though instead of just a couple places in the country and most of the story taking place in the city.
Themes of weddings and the importance of marriage in our society were a main focus in Husband Material. I did like that they talked about societies expectations of marriage and how people feel forced to get married when that is something they don’t want right now or ever. It also explored how gay marriage is impacted by straight marriage with people expecting certain things for one or the other. The pressure of being a certain way and doing certain things was also present. It also explored how certain LGBT people like to express their identity while others like it another way which can go against others beliefs. Family trauma and letting go when the person that caused you pain is also brought up through Oliver losing his father and facing his family.
I was honestly disappointed by this book as I was expecting a great sequel from a great first novel. I feel like if certain things were changed that this book could have worked better. I hope that the third book in the London Calling series will be much better and bring back the loving relationship of Oliver and Luc that we all know and love.
The writing in this book at points was okay but toward the end it felt super rushed. Towards the end it introduces a conflict that was non existent until near the end. To me it felt like we didn’t get enough of Oliver & Luc’s relationship when the main focus was suppose to be them. I just wished that we got more of their relationship rather than other people’s weddings. I don’t know why we had to focus on these character’s weddings in the first place. There were some bits of writing that did work, it just makes me wish that we had that consistently across the whole novel.
The story follows Luc and Oliver two years into their romance as they navigate dating and watching people around them getting married and starting their lives. Their views on marriage and weddings is also brought to light as they attend other’s and eventually plan their own wedding. The story had so much potential but it failed when it got to the end. The main conflict between Oliver and Luc was the rainbow arch debate. This debate wasn’t just brought up once or twice, it became a constant throughout the book. My problem I had with this was that the argument was already brought up in the first book and I thought it was settled. I got tired of hearing it, with Luc thinking Oliver was some kind of homophobe because he felt uncomfortable with expressing his identity that way. The other problem I had was I felt that the weddings in the book shouldn’t have been there. Why did we need to feature Mile’s wedding? The horrible ex boyfriend who treated Luc like crap!? If this book cut out two of the three weddings it would have worked so much better in my opinion. The only part of the book I thought worked was the funeral, I felt that finally got Oliver to face his family and express how he truly felt about how they treated him. I wish we got more of that instead of what we got. The ending didn’t work for me as well, it felt so rushed and could have been avoided if better communication occurred.
The characters were what really took me out of the book, the growth felt like it wasn’t there. Luc still felt like he was the self conscious and selfish guy he was in the first one. He was constantly cancelling on plans he had with Oliver, making mistakes and instead of apologizing he would say he was a bad person and Oliver would forgive him, and he had the nerve to get mad at Oliver for telling him he didn’t want to get married when he had the same thoughts the night before. We did get some parts of this book that began to show that he was capable of changing and becoming better but then it went back to showing him with low self esteem. Oliver, for about fifty percent of the book wasn’t even there. In a book about Luc and Oliver. When he was there I felt like they didn’t use him to his full potential and he felt sidelined along with Luc. There were also too many side characters and too much focus on them as opposed to Luc and Oliver.
The world felt like a pleasant view into London and England in general. This part of the story I did enjoy because we got to see different parts of England, from the lovely countryside to the bustling city. I wished we did get more places though instead of just a couple places in the country and most of the story taking place in the city.
Themes of weddings and the importance of marriage in our society were a main focus in Husband Material. I did like that they talked about societies expectations of marriage and how people feel forced to get married when that is something they don’t want right now or ever. It also explored how gay marriage is impacted by straight marriage with people expecting certain things for one or the other. The pressure of being a certain way and doing certain things was also present. It also explored how certain LGBT people like to express their identity while others like it another way which can go against others beliefs. Family trauma and letting go when the person that caused you pain is also brought up through Oliver losing his father and facing his family.
I was honestly disappointed by this book as I was expecting a great sequel from a great first novel. I feel like if certain things were changed that this book could have worked better. I hope that the third book in the London Calling series will be much better and bring back the loving relationship of Oliver and Luc that we all know and love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Sexual content
mjwhitlock18's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit