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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book because sometimes you need some enjoyable fluff. This book partly delivered, and I will say my 2 star rating is in large part because of my own inhibitions and inability to suspend disbelief. This might be a reasonably good book if you just want to have a good time.
The biggest issue that snuffed out most of my enjoyment is that the main character, Luc, is genuinely insufferable and pathetic. The author had an image of a quirky, loveable-but-grumpy (?) guy that does not come off when he is actually put to page; Luc is ,instead, self-loathing, barely pitiful, and not at all charming despite his flaws. The characterization the author wanted to convey totally failed. The book had the opportunity to push him to evolve, but instead Luc did not grow from the continuous support from his loved ones and did not change in the face of clear evidence that he needed to. This book would have been immensely more compelling and hopeful if this would have happened. Instead, I finished the book feeling sorry for Luc's love interest. I think it's a poor decision for authors to write a character flaw that they are not equipped to resolve.
If you can get past the oversatured, BBC-approved humor at the beginning I found myself genuinely laughing in the middle.
Overall, I was grateful the book was from Luc's perspective so that he spent time describing his love interest, much more likeable, instead of the other way around.
The biggest issue that snuffed out most of my enjoyment is that the main character, Luc, is genuinely insufferable and pathetic. The author had an image of a quirky, loveable-but-grumpy (?) guy that does not come off when he is actually put to page; Luc is ,instead, self-loathing, barely pitiful, and not at all charming despite his flaws. The characterization the author wanted to convey totally failed. The book had the opportunity to push him to evolve, but instead Luc did not grow from the continuous support from his loved ones and did not change in the face of clear evidence that he needed to. This book would have been immensely more compelling and hopeful if this would have happened. Instead, I finished the book feeling sorry for Luc's love interest. I think it's a poor decision for authors to write a character flaw that they are not equipped to resolve.
If you can get past the oversatured, BBC-approved humor at the beginning I found myself genuinely laughing in the middle.
Overall, I was grateful the book was from Luc's perspective so that he spent time describing his love interest, much more likeable, instead of the other way around.
This made me laugh a lot, made me burst into tears, and made me slack off at work because I didn’t want to stop reading it. The holy trinity. Truly delightful and emotional and cute and silly and fun.
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
I first read this book a couple of years ago and remember legitimately laughing out loud throughout. Luc and Oliver’s love story is messy, hilarious, and endlessly adorable. The fake boyfriends trope was executed to perfection, so I figured, why not give it a re-read in audiobook form?
Oh. My. God.
I already loved the book, but listening to it took the experience to a whole new level. I went out of my way to find excuses to listen, and once again found myself laughing out loud and grinning like an idiot through most of it.
I’ll definitely be diving into the second audiobook, Husband Material, and I am anxiously awaiting the release of Father Material, which is taking FAR TOO LONG to come out!
funny
reflective
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
I wish the conclusion of the book had been a bit more satisfying, but overall this was a very fun & silly read.
I found Oliver quite relatable & I loved Luc.
I found Oliver quite relatable & I loved Luc.
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
I almost didn’t read this book because of its cover. So the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” applies very literally here...because I absolutely devoured it. Yes, the art screams lighthearted romcom full of clichéd romantic tropes... but what it doesn’t convey is how emotionally impactful and completely absorbing this story turned out to be.
A huge part of why I loved it was the dialogue...and Luc’s ridiculous, razorsharp inner monologue. It’s dripping in wit, sarcasm, and the kind of banter I wish I could pull off. I think I’m that clever, but I’m really just a rambly mess who laughs at things five seconds late.
The characters were divine. Instantly lovable. Flaws and all. Especially the flaws. Because who isn’t either a self-conscious “bellend” with low self-esteem or a controlling people-pleaser with a complicated parent dynamic? If you can’t relate, are you even human? Or one of those perfect demigods who vomit glitter?
Also: Alex. The colleague. I don’t think I’ve “met” a fictional character who’s so unintentionally hilarious. I fully agree with Luc’s theory...Alex must be a secret genius messing with him. Otherwise, he’s just too much of a caricature of an overly English man. Either way, I loved him. Even knowing a person like that could never exist in real life.
Anyway. Loved the book. Loved the romance. Already craving more.
A huge part of why I loved it was the dialogue...and Luc’s ridiculous, razorsharp inner monologue. It’s dripping in wit, sarcasm, and the kind of banter I wish I could pull off. I think I’m that clever, but I’m really just a rambly mess who laughs at things five seconds late.
The characters were divine. Instantly lovable. Flaws and all. Especially the flaws. Because who isn’t either a self-conscious “bellend” with low self-esteem or a controlling people-pleaser with a complicated parent dynamic? If you can’t relate, are you even human? Or one of those perfect demigods who vomit glitter?
Also: Alex. The colleague. I don’t think I’ve “met” a fictional character who’s so unintentionally hilarious. I fully agree with Luc’s theory...Alex must be a secret genius messing with him. Otherwise, he’s just too much of a caricature of an overly English man. Either way, I loved him. Even knowing a person like that could never exist in real life.
Anyway. Loved the book. Loved the romance. Already craving more.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
I genuinely really enjoyed this. It was a perfect cheesy romance, an easy enough read that it was the first book I’ve actually fully read since lockdown started in March. I really liked Luc and Oliver as characters but there were also times when they drove me wild, which of course makes you want to keep reading so you can see when they stop being annoying and work their shit out.
Also, I don’t know if this is going to be a popular opinion, but I kinda like that Luc’s dad was actually a dick all along and they didn’t make up and become close. Maybe it’s my own daddy issues, but I like that it subverted the expectations of what you think the happy ending will be. Also, would die for Luc’s mom and fuck Oliver’s emotionally abusive parents.
I’m adopting him into my “queer characters i adore with parental trauma” club.
Also, I don’t know if this is going to be a popular opinion, but I kinda like that Luc’s dad was actually a dick all along and they didn’t make up and become close. Maybe it’s my own daddy issues, but I like that it subverted the expectations of what you think the happy ending will be. Also, would die for Luc’s mom and fuck Oliver’s emotionally abusive parents.
I’m adopting him into my “queer characters i adore with parental trauma” club.
I kind of didn't understand why they were in a fake relationship instead of a real relationship, but by the end I got it. Really genuinely nice emotional growth from both characters and even though the third act breakup was still kind of silly, I actually believed it.