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adrienanthony's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Fatphobia, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cancer and Eating disorder
One character seems to briefly not understand consent, implications that the character may have been taken advantage offolkofthebook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
“You”—I gave a thwarted sigh—“are a terrible fake boyfriend.”
“I’m building fake anticipation.”
“You’d better be fake worth it.”
“I am.”
this had no right being as adorable & sweet & funny & clever as it was!
i loved watching their relationship develop. i thought both characters were really lovable. luc constantly sticking his foot in his mouth is literally me 😭 and oliver was so adorable as the stern on the outside, sweet on the inside LI (and vegetarian king 👑). watching them learn to open up to each other and be each other's support was a delight.
“I don’t want fine. Fine isn’t enough. It’s not about the open fire or whatever other clichés you can conjure up, but yes, I want a connection. I want you to care as much as I care. I want you to need it and want it and mean it. I want it to matter.”
alexis has very clever writing and makes scenes with all the eclectic side characters really fun, it adds a lot of charm to an already quite enjoyable story. also shout out to the 10 things i hate about you reference 💖
the narrator was excellent. i already have a harder time w processing audio vs reading, and accents typically make it all the more difficult, but i didn't really have an issue with this one and i thought he captured all the characters' essences very well!
i will definitely be reading the next book and checking out more of alexis hall's books!
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol, and Cancer
sirenricobooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Chronic illness
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Alcohol, Homophobia, Bullying, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
amyteurhour's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
Content warning: homophobia, toxic relationship (exploitation), parent abandoning child, disordered eating, cancer
I thought this was really cute! I know some people have found Luc to be annoying, but I actually found him endearing and I was rooting for him almost right away. The banter flowed well between the characters. (view spoiler) Basically all of the side characters are a bit one dimensional, but to be honest I didn't mind that.
The end felt a bit rushed, but I see that there's a sequel. I'm looking forward to find out what happens next. I got a bit annoyed Luc's friends for pushing him to do a grand gesture at the end, so I'm glad that Oliver ended up doing a grandish gesture the next day for Luc for the resolution. I think that having more time with Luc's friends would have made me like them a bit more, but what we got just made me feel like they were kind of mean to each other. I did enjoy the scenes with Luc's coworkers and Oliver's friends although I do feel like the conflict that was hinted at between Oliver and Brendan(? tbh I don't remember his name) during the birthday party never got any follow through or a clear resolution.
I really enjoyed the audiobook by Joe Jameson.
4.5 stars rounded up.
I thought this was really cute! I know some people have found Luc to be annoying, but I actually found him endearing and I was rooting for him almost right away. The banter flowed well between the characters. (view spoiler) Basically all of the side characters are a bit one dimensional, but to be honest I didn't mind that.
The end felt a bit rushed, but I see that there's a sequel. I'm looking forward to find out what happens next. I got a bit annoyed Luc's friends for pushing him to do a grand gesture at the end, so I'm glad that Oliver ended up doing a grandish gesture the next day for Luc for the resolution. I think that having more time with Luc's friends would have made me like them a bit more, but what we got just made me feel like they were kind of mean to each other. I did enjoy the scenes with Luc's coworkers and Oliver's friends although I do feel like the conflict that was hinted at between Oliver and Brendan(? tbh I don't remember his name) during the birthday party never got any follow through or a clear resolution.
I really enjoyed the audiobook by Joe Jameson.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer, Abandonment, and Eating disorder
kathis_wonderland's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
I am still not over how much that book excited me. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall is the first book in the London Calling series. Luc is looking for a fake boyfriend to make him look like one of the good gays. Oliver is the perfect match, but they actually don't like each other. Or so they think.
This book was a roller-coaster of feelings. The first five chapters were really not my cup of tea. I was thinking what the hell I've gotten myself into. Luc really annoyed me (and did throughout the whole book). He is 28 years old, but behaves like an unreasonable teenager. No communication, being annoying, only seeing the worst in everything and being quite mean to his friends and other people. He behaved more like a 17-year-old. BUT THEN Oliver came along. And I feel in love with this book.
I can't even describe all the emotions I felt while reading. I was jumping up and down with this book in my hands, had the biggest smile on my face and couldn't regulate my feelings at all. Still not sure what happened there. I just know that I want an Oliver in my life. He is pretentious and just so intelligent, but he is so wonderful. Both Luc and Oliver really do have their personal problems and they are the opposite of each other. But they fit so well together. They brought out the best in the other and had each other’s backs. I ROOTED FOR THEM! As soon as their fake relationship started, I started to love this book. It's by far one of my favourites now. It made me feel so happy!
This book blew me away. I did not expect to love it that much, but I can't help myself. It's one of my favourite books now. I can't wait to read the next book!
This book was a roller-coaster of feelings. The first five chapters were really not my cup of tea. I was thinking what the hell I've gotten myself into. Luc really annoyed me (and did throughout the whole book). He is 28 years old, but behaves like an unreasonable teenager. No communication, being annoying, only seeing the worst in everything and being quite mean to his friends and other people. He behaved more like a 17-year-old. BUT THEN Oliver came along. And I feel in love with this book.
I can't even describe all the emotions I felt while reading. I was jumping up and down with this book in my hands, had the biggest smile on my face and couldn't regulate my feelings at all. Still not sure what happened there. I just know that I want an Oliver in my life. He is pretentious and just so intelligent, but he is so wonderful. Both Luc and Oliver really do have their personal problems and they are the opposite of each other. But they fit so well together. They brought out the best in the other and had each other’s backs. I ROOTED FOR THEM! As soon as their fake relationship started, I started to love this book. It's by far one of my favourites now. It made me feel so happy!
This book blew me away. I did not expect to love it that much, but I can't help myself. It's one of my favourite books now. I can't wait to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content and Cancer
Minor: Eating disorder
hiddenstaircase's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a fake relationship to actual lovers done right. Plus it’s gay. Both of our male leads are struggling with different types of pressure, Oliver trying to capture perfection and Luc who always has his every failure plastered on the tabloids. They compliment each other and have been burned in different ways by past relationships. They have separate family dramas going on with their lives. There’s a third act breakup, which is annoying but kinda expected in these kind of books.
Only major gripe is with the excess of side characters and some of the dialogue feeling off. I cannot keep track of all the friends and coworkers and their relationships and then the other’s friend group. The dialogue between Luc and Oliver is teasing and cute.
Only major gripe is with the excess of side characters and some of the dialogue feeling off. I cannot keep track of all the friends and coworkers and their relationships and then the other’s friend group. The dialogue between Luc and Oliver is teasing and cute.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic relationship and Cancer
lalu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was perfect! Exactly what I needed right now!
I wanted something lighthearted and all the side characters are so over-the-top in the best way possible so that was perfect. But also everything between Luc and Oliver was so so good and pure and ugh I love it! (probably helped that I'm newly in love myself)
And I'm honestly in awe of Hall's ability to make this not extremely cringy. So good!
I wanted something lighthearted and all the side characters are so over-the-top in the best way possible so that was perfect. But also everything between Luc and Oliver was so so good and pure and ugh I love it! (probably helped that I'm newly in love myself)
And I'm honestly in awe of Hall's ability to make this not extremely cringy. So good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Terminal illness
Minor: Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Cancer, and Toxic relationship
danisanerd's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really liked about 75% of this book. Fake relationship but real feelings is one of my favorite tropes, so i hoped i would like this book more than i did. there were some really funny quotes, and good moments, but the book definitely felt like it was either dragging along or going very fast.
My favorite part of the book was the main couple, luc and Oliver. once they actually became friends and luc decided that maybe he should try to be a better person. Both of their friend groups were also pretty good, i wish we got more development from them.
the main problem i had with the book though, was pretty much everything not relating to them. I guess its the point, but i really didnt like any of Luc's coworkers. I feel like they we're either stereotypes or just plan annoying to read. (alex) The beetle drive felt convoluted, just kinda thrown in there to give them a reason to be boyfriends.
ending spoilers:
i also honestly have no idea why luc's dad having cancer was made into such a big deal concerning it was dropped near the end of the book like the author needed a reason to get his dad out of the picture. (guy who won't even apologize for leaving his son when he was 3 is a dick? never would have guessed)
the ending is what ended up dropping my score down the most i think. It very much felt like it came out of nowhere. Oliver breaks up with Luc, ignores him, and then is rude when Luc tells him he loves Oliver? and then later that night, oliver shows up, apologies and the book ends. i feel like i am missing a chapter or something. wheres the rest?
My favorite part of the book was the main couple, luc and Oliver. once they actually became friends and luc decided that maybe he should try to be a better person. Both of their friend groups were also pretty good, i wish we got more development from them.
the main problem i had with the book though, was pretty much everything not relating to them. I guess its the point, but i really didnt like any of Luc's coworkers. I feel like they we're either stereotypes or just plan annoying to read. (alex) The beetle drive felt convoluted, just kinda thrown in there to give them a reason to be boyfriends.
ending spoilers:
the ending is what ended up dropping my score down the most i think. It very much felt like it came out of nowhere. Oliver breaks up with Luc, ignores him, and then is rude when Luc tells him he loves Oliver? and then later that night, oliver shows up, apologies and the book ends. i feel like i am missing a chapter or something. wheres the rest?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Eating disorder
vicixyz's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Drug use, and Death of parent
willoughby's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Homophobia
Minor: Eating disorder and Toxic relationship