when a night out ends with a disastrously compromising photo of him in the public eye, sort-of-famous-thanks-to-his-absentee-father luc o'donnell becomes perilously close to losing his job. in order to clean up his image, luc enlists uptight barrister oliver blackwood to play the role of perfect boyfriend. they have absolutely nothing in common—and there's no reason why they wouldn't go their separate ways once their agreement's over. right?

◦ so my first brush with alexis hall's work did not... go all that well. still, i was sort of tangentially aware that i'd probably enjoy his other work under the right circumstances, and it seems i was right, because i really, really, really enjoyed boyfriend material. like, a lot. actually i loved it.

◦ this is a sort of goofy romcom, brimming with dry hilarity and a deluge of characters that are as eccentric as they are lovable. there is, of course, angst underlying everything—specifically there are a lot of questions about family, and forgiveness, and, like, what it means to be a good person—but in all it's a lighthearted, fluffy story; exactly what i wanted.

◦ our protagonist, luc, is the worst. for the majority of the book he is an insufferable pile of horse shit. he really is a garbage person: deeply selfish and so far up his own ass he can't see straight, deeply judgmental, generally an asshole to everyone in his near vicinity. i should've hated him. i actually spent most of my time being just on the verge of hating him, waiting precariously to tip over the edge and into the abyss of you suck so bad and your narration makes me want to scrape my eyes out of my skull. and i wouldn't be surprised if some readers do tip over that edge. luc is terrible. but he's also hurting, and it's not until he really lets oliver under his skin that things slowly begin to change.

◦ oliver is a gorgeous character, the perfect love interest, and i adored him. that's really all i have to say. because luc's so blinded by his own bullshit that he doesn't really see him, oliver's kind of unknowable for a while, until he isn't. and then once you're actually allowed to know him he's even better. the way his relationship with luc develops is just so... it's so good... they're so cute. they're just so good.

◦ and all the friends... luc's coworkers... bridge... james royce-royce (x2)... PRIYA!!! luc's mom and judy!!! they're all! so! good!!! the characters are the best part of this!!!

◦ the dialogue made me laugh out loud at least seven times. like, easily. it's just. so funny. there are a few pop culture references, which can often feel overdone or like a book is trying too hard, but that wasn't an issue at all.

◦ my only gripe would probably be that the major conflict between luc and oliver felt incredibly out of the blue; and i understand, to a point, that that's how it's supposed to be, but i think that it'd have struck me more if there was more padding leading up to it rather than occurring with that kind of hot-to-cold suddenness. it honestly confused me at first—and then gave me whiplash. but then everything else that happened made up for it so it's ok.

◦ 5 stars!!

*arc received from netgalley & publisher in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC.
I loved this book! In such uncertain times, it was nice to pick up a romantic comedy. It had the predictable and yet comforting trope of fake dating, but the queer spin made it refreshing. It was also hilarious! I laughed out loud several times. It was just what we need during a pandemic!

This book was Alexis Hall at his usual best!

It had the quintessential British humour, bone-dry wit, laugh-out-loud banter, characters you couldn’t believe were actual human beings(side-eyes Alex and Milly 🤣) and a solid relationship developed between two people who should not have worked in any way, shape or form BUT DID.

Sometimes, relationships in romance novels feel contrived but in this, the relationship between Luc and Oliver was made to grow organically. Both characters were inherently flawed in their own unique ways, so much so that nothing was predictable in how they finally ended up together. I completely adored it especially with the fade-to-black sexy times. It worked perfectly for this story and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

My only wish was for the book to have had an epilogue. I felt it would have given the reader(me) a sense of exactly how well Luc and Oliver were doing as a “real” couple and also round the story up beautifully. I’m not saying it took away anything from this superb book, I’m just saying it would’ve been great to have.(This might possibly be because I wasn’t quite ready to let go of the story yet, but that’s neither here nor there)😂

I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy their romance done properly with just the right amount of humour to make it even better.

PS: I will be impatiently waiting for the audio of this book because I’m sure it will be even better as an audiobook!

So, this is my first book that I've read by this author, and the fake-relationship trope just drew me in and I had to read it.

Have to say, it was definitely worth it. Overall, I absolutely loved this.

I will say right away there was basically no steam in this. No sex scenes, for sure, so if you're expecting them, don't. It alludes to two of them and has wonderfully romantic descriptions of them being together, but they are in no way detailed about anything sex related, so. And usually this would bother me, but the book was so good and the romance, the love between these two was so amazing that I didn't need the sex. I could have done with a little more detail on the attraction between the two - it was there, but not enough, in my opinion - and I would have loved Oliver's POV, but these two were adorable together and they loved so deeply that the attraction part didn't get to me too much.

Right away, I loved Luc. He said some mean things at times, sure, but I understood why he was saying it and getting his perspective made me understand him well. He really was just a scared guy who felt the need to push people away before they left him. Sort of a, well, he's making the choice to push them away before they themselves choose to, so not only does he not get close, but it's his choice and no theirs.

But Luc understandably has his reasons for being that way. But when he needs a fake boyfriend because he might get fired at the only job that will have him (after his past in the media, what with being the son of an old rock star and so being in the press somewhat over the years, and he went through stuff that made him act out) because the donors are rich, conservative homophobes, Luc meets Oliver.

Well, he's met him twice before then, but he truly meets Oliver then. Things don't seem to go so well, even though there are moments where things are good. When Oliver agrees to be Luc's fake boyfriend, in large part because it can benefit Oliver as well, they start their fake relationship. Only, it doesn't take long for it to feel less fake and more real.

Oliver, I warmed up to fast as well. He's a little stuck up, very clean cut, organized, and totally anal about things - says big words all the time - but he's also sweet and kind and supportive of Luc and there for him in a way no one has been ever really been to him, in a romantic sense. Luc has his wonderful mother, and great friends, but Luc's been pretty unlucky in love.

Both Luc and Oliver, we come to realize as the book goes on, are messes. Oliver thinks that he's never good enough for anyone, that he doesn't try enough, and then that he tries too hard, and his parents who have impossible standards and expectations of him don't help with his insecurities.

But through it all, these two genuinely love each other, and it's pretty clear from early on in their "fake" relationship. They both see past the other's walls, their fake personas they usually put on for the rest of the world. In many ways, these two are vastly different, but in some ways, they're much the same, which makes them perfect for each other. It just takes Luc awhile to see it, and then Oliver awhile to see it as well. Because they're both scared and are both idiots who thankfully come to their sense eventually.

This was also, wonderfully funny. I laughed so much throughout this, with characters like Luc's work colleague Alex who was...not all there upstairs, and when Luc would try to tell him a joke and it was fly right over Alex's head every time was hilarious, and Luc's friends were wonderful and hilarious, as were Oliver's we are introduced to later on as well. This was so well written, with well written secondary characters as well as our two MC's.

I mainly gave .5 over this for, in my opinion, not as strong an ending as it could have been. An epilogue, at least, would have made this feel complete. Like just seeing these two settling into their happiness with a more solid HFN. We get it by the end of this, but the ending felt tad abrupt for me and I would have liked to have seen these two even more settled. Because it takes until the last 2 percent <spoiler>for them to get back together after they break up around 90-ish percent</spoiler>, so getting a little bit more of the settled happiness to solidify the HFN would have been good, in my opinion, to really round out this wonderful book and cap it off well. It just felt incomplete by that last sentence and I was left feeling a tad bereft.

Give me my happy Luc and Oliver, settled into their life as boyfriends, please.

But seriously, the ending, for what it was, was still good, although <spoiler>I'd love to see them talk more, for Oliver to say all he wanted to say - because he says he has so much to say, but then doesn't say a ton, which means he had more to say we didn't get to hear, that I would have loved to hear</spoiler>, and overall this was such a good book, and I loved it.

So I would definitely recommend, two massive thumbs up from me. This is definitely worth a read, even if the ending could have been more solid (in my opinion. Others might feel it's perfectly solid.) So definitely give this a read. It's worth it for the humor, the friendships, and the wonderful central romance that is perfect for us hopeless romantics who swoon at adorable romantic idiots.

Disclaimer: This review is not sponsored. I was given an e-ARC of the book via NetGalley by the publisher and author in exchange for an honest review.

To those of you who know me best, you know that I love me some fake dating trope! It's one of the few things that I enjoy the most in a book, so I set high expectations so high with this one, especially after reading a lot of LGBTQIA+ books this month. There were some parts that I loved, but there were also parts that didn't wow me as much as I expected to. And that's not necessarily mean that I don't love it, but I think it was more of an it's-not-the-book-it's-me scenario. I hope you give this a shot. I'm sure other will love it more than I did!

3.5 stars, rounded off to 4.

Alexis Hall made two theoretically annoying, spoiled, insufferable characters enduring and had me rooting for them.

Our main character Luc has famous washed-up rock stars as parents. His deadbeat dad is going on reality TV shows, like all musicians passed their prime, to generate buzz. Luc has a lot of unwanted attention because of his famous parents, and that means all of his mistakes are public. Who hasn't done a line of cocaine at a rich kid party? But when Luc does it, it's in the Daily Mail. To save his job he needs a fake-boyfriend so he can look like a "good gay."

Enter best friend Bridget. She's a whirlwind: reliably late, types in all-caps, constant misspells because she's in a rush, dates her friend's hookup, and has been trying to push the two gays in her life together. She finally gets Luc to date her other gay friend, Oliver.

Enter Oliver. He's been in the background in Luc's life at Bridget's events. He's a fancy lawyer and a control freak. It's suspicious how calm this guy is all the time. He's a nervous wreck and isn't interested in dating, but he needs to bring someone to a family dinner party.

Hall does a good job of showing the different ways insecurity manifests in different people. There is so much character growth, I was genuinely surprised. I went in for a

I had high expectations for this one, and although it didn't quite hit all the sweet spots for me, it was still an enjoyable read.

Luc is one messy character, and we see him fuck up in more ways than necessary, but he's been traumatized in the past and we see him coping and trying to overcome it. Oliver, on the other hand, is a sweetheart, and I would have loved if there were more character development on his part. As for the romance, Oliver and Luc are sweet together, but I feel like their relationship are underdeveloped. I would have liked to see their relationship grow more throughout the book.

The writing was fine, it was humorous and heartfelt. However, I did find myself zoning out a few times. I'm not sure if it's because of Luc as a narrator and he tends to ramble on or because of the pacing of events.

Family was also a big part in the story and I liked that it showed that sometimes our own families are the ones who hurt us and damages us the most. Luc and Oliver's circle of friends, on the other hand, are great.

Overall, this feels like 3.5 star-read for me. I'm kind of sad I didn't end up loving this as much as I imagined.

Witty, optimistic, and sweetly romantic!

Boyfriend Material is a sassy, vivacious, delightful tale featuring the affable, fun-loving Luc and the intense, thoughtful Oliver as they discover that there may be more to their relationship than just convenience, pretend feelings, and fake dating.

The writing is humorous and sharp. The characters are charismatic, dependable, and engaging. And the plot is an irresistible blend of tension, humour, sexual innuendoes, sizzling chemistry, flirty banter, familial drama, friendship, awkward mishaps, tender moments, introspection, and tricky situations.

Overall, Boyfriend Material is an amusing, cheeky, brilliant tale by Hall that had everything I look for in a lighthearted rom-com and more. I loved the characters, I loved the storyline, and I loved the happy-ever-after ending. It is without a doubt one of my favourite reads of the year and is definitely the must-read novel for summer 2020. Red, White, and Royal Blue was the must-read novel of 2019 and dare I say it, I think I liked this one even more!

This was heartfelt and warming and trope-y in the best possible ways while also being filled with grown up emotions and conversations. All the side characters were truly a delight. Alex Twaddle- is wholeheartedly- a gift to this world. I never want to meet him in real life or I may be forced to punch him but his every moment in this book was incredible.

Luc and Oliver while making me suffer all kinds of secondhand embarrassment at first were truly precious. I liked watching them learn how to exist around each other and as much as I appreciate some endless angst, I really did love them being (mostly) grown up and talking when they needed to.

This was my first Alexis Hall book and I don't think it'll be my last!

4.5 Stars

Highly enjoyed this, and it was sooo close to a 5 Star read.

What I liked:
- Banter for days
- Slow burn
- Chemistry was palpable
- Quite funny
- Fake boyfriend trope is always fun
- Oliver’s subtle toppy/D vibes.

“Anyway,” Oliver went on, “you didn’t let me finish.” “And I’m usually so considerate in that regard.” Up went that brow of his. “Good to know.” And, for some reason, I blushed.

What I didn’t:
- We don’t get to see Oliver’s perspective. I really wanted inside his head.
- Little/no steam. Both times were fade to black. (This one isn’t a huge deal)
- The last and most egregious error imo was the lack of epilogue. Totally abrupt ending with too little resolution.

I loved Oliver and Lucien so much and honestly just wanted to see more. Overall this was a fun and engaging read though, and I’m so glad I requested it.

“Lucien,” said Oliver, in the soft, low voice that made me want to curl up inside him. Like, not in a serial-killer way. Like, in a blankety way. “

Posted to Goodreads: Luc O'Donnell is famous because of his musician parents. Luc's mother was a singer who had a few successful albums and his father was a superstar who is now the star of a reality television show. Luc goes from slightly famous to tabloid fodder when he is photographed in an unflattering situation and his job is suddenly at stake. Luc wants to makeover his public image and he decides the best way to do that is to show the world he is in a great relationship with the perfect boyfriend. The only problem is that Luc is tragically single. He finds the solution to all his problems in stuffy barrister Oliver. Oliver needs a boyfriend to accompany him to his parents' anniversary party and he agrees to be Luc's perfect fake boyfriend. The only problem is that as the two spend time together their fake relationship begins to feel very real.

This book was just really fun. Luc and his bumbling through life supplied many laugh out loud moments. Plus, Luc and Oliver's relationship's evolution from strangers to friends to something more was the stuff of great romcoms. This book was a quick and fun escape that was just what I needed in the middle of the craziness that is the year 2020.

I am such a sucker for "fake" to love relationships, and Boyfriend Material doesn't disappoint! The book is nicely set up and gives you just enough info on the characters to be interested but not too much where you are bored.
Luc has never met his dad, has been rock star now making a come back, but it doesn't stop people from using him to sell newspapers and tabloids. It ends up causing him to mentally shut down and even loses his lucrative career. The only place that will hire him is a charity for dung beetles.

A photo taken at the wrong time, makes his life seem out of control; to the point that it is damaging the charity. So either clean up his act for find another job. A fake boyfriend seems perfect on the surface but when it turns out to be Oliver the plan seems impossible. They both take the other at surface value, which leads to their distain. Oliver is a lawyer, who is clean cut and seems to have the perfect life, minus a partner of course.

I loved that both guys had problems to sort through and even the most "perfect" guy was putting on an act to some degrees. This book dives deep but still retains that dry British humor we all know and love.

Excellent book! Give it a try!!

I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to the publisher for sending it over.
Only a few issues i found which were
-grammar. Some misspellings / weird words which I’m assuming will be fixed in the final proof
-the whole “dad” plot was just unneeded and seemed shoved in? Especially with how it ended. His dad is famous, he has nothing to do with his dad, but everything else was just unneeded
-i didn’t understand how Luc was “that” famous outside of his dad, considering he lived a normal lifestyle. Why did the paps care about him?
-that being said, why did they care enough that he needed a fake bf?

Other then that, i really enjoyed it. It was funny and cute and the relationship was really nice between the characters

A wonderful set of zany, inclusive, heart warming characters populate this British sitcom. I'm calling it a sitcom because it's a closer description than romcom for this hilarious take on the fake boyfriend trope.

You'll laugh, cry and laugh-cry as you follow Luc and his friends and family navigate Luc's love life. My very favorite however, is Oliver, the fake boyfriend. I fell for him from the start. His level headed advice and support of Luc was perfection. I can't imagine anyone else able to bring Luc out of the self inflicted downward spiral of his life.

But Luc isn't just a mess. He's a self-depracating, gooey center marshmallow with a serious case of foot-in-mouth syndrome. Luc and Oliver aren't just a case of opposites attract, they're a case of opposites are the perfect half of a whole.

If you're in the mood for a romance with lots of laughs and lots of feels this one will hit the spot.

Full review to come in BookPage.
My very quick first take: Brilliant. Hilarious. A worthy literary millennial update to the screwball comedies of the 1930s even though most of the pandemonium is confined to Luc's head. I loved both the main characters and their friends and family. Even though this was a great comedic romance, the social observation and critique around socially acceptance and respectability politics in terms of sexuality was totally on point.

This book, overall was delicious.
The main character has a distinctive voice which takes self deprecation to a new level. He's neurotic as all get out, and while his unabashed ownership of personal issues can sometimes be frustrating, it gives him a great beginning place for his arc. He grows and matures and finds his way out of toxic patterns without resorting to being preachy or sounding like a self-help manual.
The match with Oliver is a classic case of the Odd Couple, but they're so stinking adorable.
Both leads bring a funny, quirky cast of side characters with them.
This isn't a dual POV novel, which sometimes left me longing to be in Oliver's head. However, the single POV is immersive and charming.
I'd definitely read this author again.

I loved this book! The exclamation point was because I'm surprised by that. Although I am gay, they deactivated my card years ago because of non-use. I normally read spy thrillers and mysteries, and classics when I'm feeling guilty about my preference for airport fiction. I stayed up until 1:30am in order to read this in a single sitting.

I was more than pleasantly surprised by how well-written this book is. The character development is superb, and most of them manage to be amusing as well as slightly poignant. The plot (and yes, there is quite a good one) is witty, fast-paced and romantic without being the least bit cheesy. I am not an immediate convert to the genre, but I am going to read more of Mr Hall's books to be certain this one isn't a fluke. I doubt that somehow.

I lived in London for many years and appreciate this sense of humor. It is much more subtle than, say, Joe Keenan is. While I was reading, I kept mentally seeing the film that needs to be made of this book. It's more Notting Hill than Love Actually. Elton John needs to play Jon Fleming.

From the moment I saw this cover I new that I HAD to read this book. A gay romance set in London? That’s a big yes please!!!!! Added bonus was that I got to read it during Pride. I don’t read a whole lot of fake dating trope books, I have nothing against them, they’re just not what I normally pick up, but this one blew me away.

Both Oliver and Luc were well developed and rounded. Both had unique personalities, insecurities, and well rounded arcs that made them feel like real people and not just perfect beings found in a book. In addition to Luc and Oliver I loved the side characters. I found Alex and his stupidity absolutely hilarious and ridiculous in the best possible way. I also love that two of Luc’s best friends were a gay couple with the same name. It’s the little things that make book thoroughly enjoyable.

My only struggle with this book was the first person POV. Having the perspective be Luc telling the story took a little getting used to, but once I adjusted to it it wasn’t distracting. I’ve seen a few reviews referring to this book as the new Red White & Royal Blue. I’m not sure that I would go that far, but it was really really good.

Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I requested Boyfriend Material for review on Net Galley, I did so because it sounded like it could be an interesting and fun read plus I’d heard good feedback on other Alex Hall books though I hadn’t read any myself yet. I admit however, upon opening the book and seeing 1) it was written in 1st person & 2) it was over 400 pages long to letting out a grimaced “eek”. After all I’m not a big fan of 1st person storytelling and that’s a lot of story. But I went ahead and dived in. The first couple chapters were a little slow but after that the story pulled me in and I’m so happy I got the chance to enjoy this book. This may well be one of the best written 1st person POV books I’ve read. It doesn’t take long till it’s not so much a book as feeling as if you’re hanging with Luc as he tells you about how he and Oliver got together with & despite the help of his quirky friends & clueless coworkers, unusual family dynamics and their own fumbling around learning about each other and how to mesh.

This is a very British feeling book (which since takes place in London makes sense) by which I mean the much of the slang and terms are British (or so I am assuming since, again takes place in England) rather the more familiar (at least to me) American English terminology. I.e.: took a moment to realize that when Oliver was wearing a jumper it was a sweater. For me, the language just helps further add to the setting and atmosphere of the book and Luc’s story storytelling. While the sex is pretty much fade to black after some kisses, there is plenty of intimacy between the two as they communicate and open up to each other and learn to “fake” boyfriend together (and to be honest, do you really want to hear your friends tell you how they and their other half “got it on”, in detail? Yea, me neither so it wasn’t missed). There is plenty of humor and witty banter that had me laughing out loud as I read. While the story is being told via Luc, you still get a good sense of Oliver including his smarts, fears, sweet goodness and (of course) quirks. Together they make a great couple, bring out the best of each other. You can’t help but fall for them and root them on to their HEA.

Oh, and about that big page count – well, after the slowish start, it is a lot of story but is well paced, interesting and well told (did I mention, lots of laugh out loud moments?), you won’t notice or mind the pages turning as the clock fades away while you get happily entertained by Luc telling how his needing a “fake” boyfriend progressed into he and Oliver maybe just pretending to continue being “fake” boyfriends into the long term. It’s a story I am happy to recommend you take the time to check out.

Trigger warning: homophobia, anxiety, eating disorder, cancer

This is a story about Luc, whose father is a has-been rock and roll legend. When paparazzi keeps on targeting Luc and his embarrassing mishaps and turn them into crazy stories, he gets in trouble at his workplace. So to get out of it, he decides to get a fake boyfriend to let the paps no he's not all that bad.

Things I liked
- Luc and Oliver's first date was kinda awkward and it felt veresimilitude (they use that word a lot) because you can't hit it off with a person immediately.
- the fake dating trope
- the "there's only one bed" trope
- it made me laugh out loud quite a few times so the author nailed it with the comedy
- Oliver basically reminded me of a mix of Captain Holt and Amy Santiago from Brooklyn Nine Nine (a great TV show) and it was really cute. The most sophisticated cutie I've ever read.
- Luc's group of friends were really entertaining especially Bridgett
- Oliver making Luc feel better was the sweetest
- Luc and Oliver having inside jokes was adorable

Things I didn't like
- Luc being miserable about himself and his life was a bit too much
- Alex, who is Luc's colleague, is a character who is extremely dumb but I guess the author made him like that for comedy purposes but it ended up being kind of annoying. I constantly rolled my eyes during any conversation with this character. Thank God he was just a side character.
- excessive use of the f* word. I get it, it's adult fiction, but do you have to curse so often?
- the story got a little slow around the middle where I thought this book could've been shorter

Overall it was an entertaining read. It was one of those books where I liked the love interest more than the main character. If you want a great romantic comedy with more comedy than romance then this is the book for you.

Rating : 3.5/5 stars