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yelloweyedbeta's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
honestly? halfway through the book i didn’t know where i was at or how it was going to end. some things felt pointless. i didn’t mind the ending cause i can relate but it truly wasn’t my favorite story to read. i also didn’t warm up to the characters. “you’re either in or you were out” and i guess i am out for this one.
spoiler + tw: the funeral part completely took me out. it was the most relatable and painful chapter and because it hurt me while i am already fragile, i hated reading through it
spoiler + tw: the funeral part completely took me out. it was the most relatable and painful chapter and because it hurt me while i am already fragile, i hated reading through it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia
rosalie_pearl's review against another edition
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent
ashwaar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Vomit
bzliz's review against another edition
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
2.5
It’s not as fun as its predecessor and it kind of feels like Luc and Oliver haven’t grown at all since they got together. They still have frustrating fights because they don’t see eye to eye on some topics and readers get told how much they’ve grown without seeing the evidence. We find out that Oliver has been to therapy to deal with his eating disorder but honestly both of them should be in therapy so they can work through their insecurities and feelings of inadequacy.
My favorite section was Oliver working through some of issues with his family. Maybe its the American in me but sometimes you just gotta fight it out with your sibling so you can understand the other’s point of view on your awful parents. If you’ve seen The Good Place, it reminds me of Tahani and Kamilah.
Overall I’m not mad that I read it but it doesn’t live up to the first one so I’m a little disappointed.
My favorite section was Oliver working through some of issues with his family. Maybe its the American in me but sometimes you just gotta fight it out with your sibling so you can understand the other’s point of view on your awful parents. If you’ve seen The Good Place, it reminds me of Tahani and Kamilah.
Overall I’m not mad that I read it but it doesn’t live up to the first one so I’m a little disappointed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder
cheye13's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
5.0
I put off reading this for quite a long time, believing Boyfriend Material didn't need a sequel (or a series). And it really doesn't. It's a book that stands alone just fine.
But that doesn't also mean that this book didn't have anything to do or anywhere to go. It is also a wonderful story that stands alone just as well. Yet it has the added bonus of being a wholly faithful continuation of the characters and their trajectories from the previous story.
So often I finish a book and had such a good time that I wished it simply kept going and this sequel is the closest I will ever see to providing that for its predecessor. My new fear is that this book spoke to me so well because I'm in a very similar life stage; I hope my affection for this series doesn't fade in time.
But that doesn't also mean that this book didn't have anything to do or anywhere to go. It is also a wonderful story that stands alone just as well. Yet it has the added bonus of being a wholly faithful continuation of the characters and their trajectories from the previous story.
So often I finish a book and had such a good time that I wished it simply kept going and this sequel is the closest I will ever see to providing that for its predecessor. My new fear is that this book spoke to me so well because I'm in a very similar life stage; I hope my affection for this series doesn't fade in time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Classism
Minor: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
lisa_m's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
I really wanted to love this. And I do still very much love the writing style of Alexis Hall. I don't think Boyfriend Material needed a sequels though.
I loved Boyfriend Material. It's so funny and charming and real. That is still true for Husband Material but the story is just.. not that great. It's basically just a series of weddings and a funeral .
I was really excited for this book and now I'm unsure what to think of it. Was is funny? Yes, absolutely! Alexis Hall is one of the few authors that can actually make me laugh out loud. I really enjoy this books humour. Still the plot just kind of fell flat to me. After all the turmoil of the first book it felt like a bit of a betrayal to have the characters struggle again.
I do appreciate the realness of the book. Especially the ending was amazing and I really loved to read about this conclusion. BUT even though I loved the plot of the ending it felt really abrupt and sudden.
Also Luc is such a hypocrite. I get that you need it for the drama of the big conclusion but it still annoyed me. Honestly the whole book was just soo full of misunderstandings and fights I started to doubt whether Luc and Oliver are actually good together. I like that it shows how in real relationships you do fight and have disagreements but sometimes it just felt too personal.
All in all I loved some parts of this book, enjoyed others. Sometimes I was really bored and thought about dnfing the book. Sometimes I was just ambivalent and sometimes I gut really angry at the book. It was okay and did the best it could I guess but also I don't think anything could really live up to the expectations I had just because of how much I loved Boyfriend Material.
I loved Boyfriend Material. It's so funny and charming and real. That is still true for Husband Material but the story is just.. not that great. It's basically just a series of weddings
I was really excited for this book and now I'm unsure what to think of it. Was is funny? Yes, absolutely! Alexis Hall is one of the few authors that can actually make me laugh out loud. I really enjoy this books humour. Still the plot just kind of fell flat to me. After all the turmoil of the first book it felt like a bit of a betrayal to have the characters struggle again.
I do appreciate the realness of the book. Especially the ending was amazing and I really loved to read about this conclusion. BUT even though I loved the plot of the ending it felt really abrupt and sudden.
All in all I loved some parts of this book, enjoyed others. Sometimes I was really bored and thought about dnfing the book. Sometimes I was just ambivalent and sometimes I gut really angry at the book. It was okay and did the best it could I guess but also I don't think anything could really live up to the expectations I had just because of how much I loved Boyfriend Material.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
includes complicated, toxic relationship with parents / familyreadwithria's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
Husband Material is the first direct-line sequel to a romcom I've read, and it didn't disappoint! I was so happy to have more of Oliver and Luc, and the shenanigans of their friends.
Healthy communication, check
Sexy banter, check
Romantic as fuck, check
Explorations of community and self-expression, check
I relate to Oliver so much in his identity crisis. I'm demisexual, but I'm also straight and cis, and my demisexuality has never impacted my relationships or how I'm perceived by the world. It makes me feel like I'm not queer enough to be queer, and honestly, after this book, I'm saying f**k it I will express myself however feels authentic to me. So thanks, Oliver (and Alexis Hall), for giving me the courage to do that.
Back to the book, I really loved it. It didn't quite give me the five-star ~vibes~ but I honestly couldn't tell you why. I loved this book, I love this series, and I can't wait to read more from Alexis Hall. I'd highly recommend the London Calling series to anyone who enjoyed Red, White & Royal Blue, or who likes their romcoms to have a side of intense character growth through big struggles. 4.5 stars.
Healthy communication, check
Sexy banter, check
Romantic as fuck, check
Explorations of community and self-expression, check
I relate to Oliver so much in his identity crisis. I'm demisexual, but I'm also straight and cis, and my demisexuality has never impacted my relationships or how I'm perceived by the world. It makes me feel like I'm not queer enough to be queer, and honestly, after this book, I'm saying f**k it I will express myself however feels authentic to me. So thanks, Oliver (and Alexis Hall), for giving me the courage to do that.
Back to the book, I really loved it. It didn't quite give me the five-star ~vibes~ but I honestly couldn't tell you why. I loved this book, I love this series, and I can't wait to read more from Alexis Hall. I'd highly recommend the London Calling series to anyone who enjoyed Red, White & Royal Blue, or who likes their romcoms to have a side of intense character growth through big struggles. 4.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Grief, and Classism
kshertz's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book is just as cute as boyfriend material. The jokes that the office person doesn’t understand are still really funny. I love the different weddings and all that they bring to the table. I definitely love this couple. It’s a delightful lighthearted book if you just want something to read that’s easy and fun!
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
owliglot'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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Eating disorder
aperl1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia