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separaterooms's review against another edition
1.0
Extremely disappointed and saddened by this book. I love Alexis Hall, he’s always been my favorite romance author, and boyfriend material was probably my favorite book of his. I loved Oliver and Luc’s relationship, even though it was complicated and both of them had a lot of growth to do and it was clear from the beginning that it was the type of relationship where their problems wouldn’t be magically fixed by them getting together, but they both had to go through a lot of growth
I was so excited for this sequel, even though I felt like boyfriend material was already perfect and didn’t necessarily need a sequel
And when I finished … I regret reading it. A lot.
Don’t get me wrong, the writing is still great, Luc is still funny, I still love both him and Oliver, but I feel like they broke my heart. I just… couldn’t understand them. I didn’t know why they were fighting about the things they were fighting about. I didn’t know why Luc was feeling guilty about coming home late for a week (?????) after a 2 years relationship, I didn’t understand why he seemed to feel so saddened and anxious about so many things that in my opinion could be so easily solved and talked through when actually when I see Luc as a character and I try to figure out the problems in his life, they’re all but the actual things he worried about. I mean, for once: his job and his actual calling in life. Both in the first book and in the second one, I feel like it’s the one thing that is never addressed: Luc seems to be floating through life, and just because his childhood has been ruined by his life, he seems to have accepted settling doing a job that he’s absolutely not passionate about , working along with people he can barely stand . And I mean… what I felt while reading the book, was like he focused on a million tiny things he got wrong in his relationship with Oliver whereas I actually felt that the one thing he got right in his life was actually Oliver , and Luc should actually focus on fixing everything else
And I feel like the ending specifically is that Luc and Oliver, and the readers along with them, come to the realization that they’re not ready for marriage, or that marriage as a concept is not the right choice for them and I mean…. Yeah ? We could tell straight away? From the proposal ? From the first page? From boyfriend material ?
Idk. I don’t get this book. I don’t know if it was supposed to be a romantic comedy or a deep dive on the damage a deadbeat dad can have on the psyche of a 30 years old man and his relationship. But I felt anxious and sad during the entire book , while when I read boyfriend material I couldn’t stop giggling and smiling
I’ll never forget Oliver and Luc, they’re probably my favorite book couple of all time. They have an amazing chemistry, their love is so pure and sweet and I feel like they’re the most beautiful thing in each other life. But for now I choose to remember them as I left them in boyfriend material.
I was so excited for this sequel, even though I felt like boyfriend material was already perfect and didn’t necessarily need a sequel
And when I finished … I regret reading it. A lot.
Don’t get me wrong, the writing is still great, Luc is still funny, I still love both him and Oliver, but I feel like they broke my heart. I just… couldn’t understand them. I didn’t know why they were fighting about the things they were fighting about. I didn’t know why Luc was feeling guilty about coming home late for a week (?????) after a 2 years relationship, I didn’t understand why he seemed to feel so saddened and anxious about so many things that in my opinion could be so easily solved and talked through when actually when I see Luc as a character and I try to figure out the problems in his life, they’re all but the actual things he worried about. I mean, for once: his job and his actual calling in life. Both in the first book and in the second one, I feel like it’s the one thing that is never addressed: Luc seems to be floating through life, and just because his childhood has been ruined by his life, he seems to have accepted settling doing a job that he’s absolutely not passionate about , working along with people he can barely stand . And I mean… what I felt while reading the book, was like he focused on a million tiny things he got wrong in his relationship with Oliver whereas I actually felt that the one thing he got right in his life was actually Oliver , and Luc should actually focus on fixing everything else
And I feel like the ending specifically is that Luc and Oliver, and the readers along with them, come to the realization that they’re not ready for marriage, or that marriage as a concept is not the right choice for them and I mean…. Yeah ? We could tell straight away? From the proposal ? From the first page? From boyfriend material ?
Idk. I don’t get this book. I don’t know if it was supposed to be a romantic comedy or a deep dive on the damage a deadbeat dad can have on the psyche of a 30 years old man and his relationship. But I felt anxious and sad during the entire book , while when I read boyfriend material I couldn’t stop giggling and smiling
I’ll never forget Oliver and Luc, they’re probably my favorite book couple of all time. They have an amazing chemistry, their love is so pure and sweet and I feel like they’re the most beautiful thing in each other life. But for now I choose to remember them as I left them in boyfriend material.
blurrypetals's review against another edition
4.0
This was an absolute delight of a sequel to Boyfriend Material. It was so much fun to hear Luc's silly jokes again, and in the case of the bad jokes he told his coworkers, I found myself legitimately nostalgic for them as I read, having missed the dumb jokes and humor.
I also think this book has a really sweet message. It's a wonderful, endearing sentiment that, even though you love your partner more than anything, it's okay to not want to be married to them so long as it's what you both want at the end of the day.
I'm not sure how excited I would be to have Luc and Oliver have another book centered around them, but I would be ever glad to read more in this style from Alexis Hall. Their work is so fun and refreshing and their sense of humor is always a delight. I'm really hoping to finally read the second Winner Bakes All book in 2023!
I also think this book has a really sweet message. It's a wonderful, endearing sentiment that, even though you love your partner more than anything, it's okay to not want to be married to them so long as it's what you both want at the end of the day.
I'm not sure how excited I would be to have Luc and Oliver have another book centered around them, but I would be ever glad to read more in this style from Alexis Hall. Their work is so fun and refreshing and their sense of humor is always a delight. I'm really hoping to finally read the second Winner Bakes All book in 2023!
kait_kosub's review against another edition
2.0
2.5⭐
I was just either bored or frustrated while reading this. The characters I just didn't care for and lacked depth and relatable emotions. There was a new random conflict every couple of chapters that would just pop up and then go away 3 pages later... like nothing really relevant happened at all. And to top it off they decided not to get married at the end.
I was just either bored or frustrated while reading this. The characters I just didn't care for and lacked depth and relatable emotions. There was a new random conflict every couple of chapters that would just pop up and then go away 3 pages later... like nothing really relevant happened at all. And to top it off they decided not to get married at the end.
m4ferglez's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
2.75
Well, this one was… a surprise.
Following up on a couple that got together in the first book, and having a big time jump meant from the beginning there was no expectation of a “will-they-won’t-they” or anything similar, so you already kind of know going in that this is no traditional romance novel.
I think Husband Material has a lot to offer in way of commentary, especially of and about the LGBTQ+ community and the different ways to live and show pride. It also remains as realistic and reflective as the previous book, allowing its characters to grow and face their flaws over and over again.
However, about halfway through a growing sense of dread began building for me, and it was resolved in the least satisfying way I could imagine. spoilers ahead:
From the moment Luc “proposes” to Oliver, you can tell they’re both uncomfortable with the wedding thing, yet they both refuse to come out straight and talk about it without having a big, blow up, barely related fight in the process. I found this extremely annoying, frustrating, and, what’s worse, I was barely rooting for them by the end. I almost hoped Luc would run off with the guy he meets for one scene at his bachelor party. Honestly the end was probably for the best in-universe but it was unsatisfactory for a romance novel.
I really like the author’s voice, but I will say that a good portion of the book feels like barely related vignettes with little connection with each other, rather than chapters of one story. And the final nail in the coffin for me was making characters I previously liked (namely the James Royce-Royces) annoying and inconsiderate to the point I dreaded reading about them. Luc being annoyed by his friends’ baby and feeling ignored wasn’t funny, it was annoying and made me feel kinda bad for him.
Anyway I didn’t hate this book, I just had really high expectations and it thoroughly failed to meet them. I still found it funny, quirky and insightful, but I wouldn’t say it comes even close to the previous in quality.
Following up on a couple that got together in the first book, and having a big time jump meant from the beginning there was no expectation of a “will-they-won’t-they” or anything similar, so you already kind of know going in that this is no traditional romance novel.
I think Husband Material has a lot to offer in way of commentary, especially of and about the LGBTQ+ community and the different ways to live and show pride. It also remains as realistic and reflective as the previous book, allowing its characters to grow and face their flaws over and over again.
However, about halfway through a growing sense of dread began building for me, and it was resolved in the least satisfying way I could imagine. spoilers ahead:
I really like the author’s voice, but I will say that a good portion of the book feels like barely related vignettes with little connection with each other, rather than chapters of one story. And the final nail in the coffin for me was making characters I previously liked (namely the James Royce-Royces) annoying and inconsiderate to the point I dreaded reading about them. Luc being annoyed by his friends’ baby and feeling ignored wasn’t funny, it was annoying and made me feel kinda bad for him.
Anyway I didn’t hate this book, I just had really high expectations and it thoroughly failed to meet them. I still found it funny, quirky and insightful, but I wouldn’t say it comes even close to the previous in quality.
dinareadsit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-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
4.25
aurorawishesfordarkness's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
vanessarteaga's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Luc still annoys me, but somehow I remain invested. Book 3 soon please <3
mrkthrnmln's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Oof, this was a ride. Halfway through I already drafted a review in my head about how I weirdly enjoyed this more than the first part, and how some of the corners that bothered me were rounded out here and the sweet and thoughtful writing. BUT the ending is really annoying, there's just no other word for it. There is so much drama resulting from people communicating badly, or not at all, and that was pretty draining.
jarichan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0