I loved Boyfriend Material - I loved the growth both Luc and Oliver had over the course of the book, I loved how Oliver's steady practicality complimented Luc's flakiness, I also enjoyed all the side characters like the affable bumbling co-workers of CRAPP. So while I was not sure a sequel was necessary, I was excited for more Luc and Oliver in Husband Material.

Husband Material has a Four Weddings and a Funeral theme, which is fun, and the co-workers are back to be silly and fun, but this book just didn't hit the same as its predecessor. I felt all the hard won character growth was thrown out the window. Luc was self-centered and down right mean in a way that was not redeemable and hard to root for. I often felt Oliver deserved better. I especially felt Oliver deserved better when Luc continually questioned the way Oliver expressed himself and his sexuality. Not all gay men need to fit a certain box of expression, but Luc didn't see it that way and made Oliver feel lesser for it. And that was never resolved in a way that I found satisfactory. I felt awful for Oliver a whole lot. I also felt badly for the merry band of side characters - who Luc continued to be awful to - he tells one co-worker he hates her, unprovoked and just awfully done. The James Royce-Royces had a baby and everyone was happy for them except Luc, who was pretty awful about their having a baby throughout the entire book, at one point telling a James he couldn't join their friends in doing an activity because now he has a baby. I wondered if Alexis Hall hated children due to the ways he's written them in other books, but it was confirmed in this book. It was not a good look for Luc - a character I had been proud of for growing in the last book and who seemingly tossed it all in the trash in this book. And I don't want to spoil the book but I didn't care for the ending at all, so once you've read it, come back, so we can discuss my thoughts there.

What did I like? I really liked the exploration of Oliver's family dynamics. It was hard and it was real. Families are complicated. Wanting your parents who hate your life and your chosen partner at your wedding is real and full of complicated emotions. I've been there and I thought those pieces were beautifully done and honest, they made me cry. The sibling dynamics for Oliver as well were really great to flesh out. I guess I liked all the Oliver bits. I also really liked getting more depth to Priya, who seems like a great friend deep down. And all the CRAPP bits were fun, minus telling co-workers you hate them.

I wondered if this sequel was necessary, and it could have been had it done a little more justice to the characters we've grown to love.

Luc + Oliver - Book #2

I was so looking forward to more from those two!
I LOVED their first book so much!
And now they're finally back!

It's wedding season in London. Luc's bestie is getting married and he's Maid of Honour - so he's very busy with that.
Someone from his past is getting married too and he's invited to the wedding.
And of course we have the usual relationship and family and work and life problems with our two darlings to deal with too!

What will happen with Luc & Oliver?
Will there be a wedding for them too?
Read the book to find out!

══════════════════

FINALLY!
More of Luc and Oliver! How I missed them!
I did a re-read of Boyfriend Material before starting this and it was just as perfect as I remembered. I just love these boys!

The second book was just as adorable and hilarious and just as beautiful as the first one.

Luc's co-workers are still pure comedy gold!

I so need to see these books and these people on Netflix asap!

Two years have gone by where Luc and Oliver have been pretty much living together happily ever after - only without the happily ever after. Everybody seems to be getting married - but they never even talked abou it.

Ugh - this is just such a great book. I don't want to tell you more about what's happening. You just need to know that it's full of amazing moments! READ IT! And please start with the first book if you haven't read that yet!

► HUSBAND MATERIAL was the most perfect Luc + Oliver sequel! So adorable + hilarious + just everything! Such a beautiful love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Luc & Oliver - they'll be sold out in no time! ☺

I must confess I was equal parts excited and terrified to read this one. With amazing books, we always get the "will this be as good as the first one?" feeling, but this is Alexis Hall and he's never disappointed me. 

In this Four Wedding and A Funeral "inspired" (or should I say "themed"?) sequel, Luc and Oliver have been together for two years. Luc is still a hot mess, though more of a "warm mess" now and Oliver is pretty much Oliver, though he's loosened up quite a bit.

With all their friends getting married and moving on in the expected timeline of life events, Luc, who's deeply in love with Oliver proposes (kind of on a whim, we should add) and Oliver says yes. In true Oliver/Luc fashion, all sorts shenanigans ensue. As they navigate through weddings, a funeral and wedding planning, they grow. They deal with their identities as individuals and as a couple. In true Alexis Hall fashion, serious topics are discussed in a delicate and light manner. 

Unbeknownst to them, they have already reached their HEA - they just had to learn that an HEA doesn't need a perpetual state of "happy" - they'll be sad, they'll be angry, they'll f*ck up (royally sometimes), they'll make up, but they will do it together. They'll grow, staying true to themselves and that's lovely.

I absolutely adore the way Alexis Hall writes. Luc's infinite vortexes of "Lucness"  are hilarious and Oliver's characteristic very Oliver-y words are a joy to read. 

It's fun, it's sweet, it's hilarious (I chuckled quite a few times) and endearing. I kinda wish I could be friends with Luc, Oliver, their friends and the C.R.A.P.P. crew. 

Entirely told in first person through Luc's POV, this is a closed door romance. You can read this as a standalone as the story is contained and has no cliffhangers, but I strongly suggest reading Boyfriend Material first. 

Possible triggers: toxic relationship with parents, queer phobia

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.   Thank you Alexis Hall, @NetGalley and @sourcebookscasa for the copy.

I love Luc and Oliver. I am so thankful for Boyfriend Material. Husband Material is the exact opposite of that joy. While I love the characters, the whole book was a rollercoaster and mostly a train wreck but I still loved it? Help.

The first few chapters of Husband Material felt like coming home to your best friends. It made me giddy to be with these characters again! But as the book progresses, so did my love for the story. While we love a fictional world, some parts of this one were just utterly depressing.

Luc and Oliver are a complicated mess but Husband Material made their relationship tumultuous and tedious and it really didn’t need to be.

If you read and adored Boyfriend Material, I’d honestly say skip this one as it’s unnecessary and you don’t want these lovely, albeit complicated, characters to be tainted in your head.

This book is just Luc and Oliver going to random people's wedding and fighting 70% of the time. Luc is annoying and I don't know why they're still together

Luc and Oliver have been together for two years and are happily living together, yet not quite living together. I mean Luc still has his flat because we all know what a commitment phobe he is, but he rarely spends any time there. Everything important to him is at Oliver's place up to and including Oliver himself. I enjoyed getting to catch up with these two. Opposites attract is certainly a saying meant for them. I mean Luc is a sleep in until noon on a Saturday, while by the time he's awake Oliver has worked out at the gym, had breakfast, and already gotten on with half his day. Luc is my kind of people.

Ironically, there were a fair bit of weddings in Husband Material to attend. All of which lead to Luc and Oliver thinking about their own ideas of future nuptials. Lets just say they are pretty opposite in this regard as well. Of course we still get the regular cast of side characters. There is another fun adventure spent in Priyas van. Oliver is still the most polite and thoughtful boyfriend in the world. Luc is still an anxiety ridden mess, though somewhat less than before. I hate to admit I was a tad disappointed in the ending. I felt it was sort of abrupt and warranted an epilogue if this was the last we see of Luc and Oliver. Otherwise if you enjoyed Boyfriend Material I am positive Husband Material will be a winner for you as well.

oved this book, i always love alexis hall’s writing and i always relate in some ways to her characters which i find great.
i think this was a great way to end this duology and it was great to see bridge, tom, priya… again but i do think the ending was a bit rushed. [spoiler] i think the fact that they wouldn’t get married was clear right at the beginning of the book but the reason why was less clear. even as i was reading, it found it a bit cliche and kinda oversimplified. the explaining at the end made their reason more clear tho. (even if it was extremely rushed)
otherwise i really enjoyed this duology overall and i loved all of the characters because they felt real.

Quick recap, Luc's ex sold him out to the tabloids for £50,000, his father is a narcissistic ageing rock star who faked a cancer scare for the publicity, and he works for a dung beetle charity. Oliver is a vegan barrister with food issues, a heightened sense of social responsibility, and parents who constantly belittle him. It's now two years since Luc O'Donnell and Oliver Blackwood fake-dated their way into romance. They are still together but all around them friends and family (and exes) are getting married. Yes, it's Four Weddings and a Funeral for the 2020s.

Was any book so hotly anticipated (by me) as this one? I LOVED Boyfriend Material and I slavered over the teaser chapters that were made available on NetGalley for Husband Material so I really, really, really wanted to read this book. I was even contemplating stalking Alexis Hall to beg for an ARC, then the publisher granted me an ARC! So normally when that happens all the anticipation is too much pressure and the book disappoints - not this one.

Loved it, there's the usual laughter, tears, ridiculous jokes, and relationship angst. TBH 85% of the way through the book I had NO idea where it was going to end up, but as usual Alexis Hall did a brilliant job, confounded my expectations and had me reaching for a tissue (I'm not crying, you're crying). Please give us more Luc and Oliver!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This was one of my most anticipated books this year so I was thrilled to get an eARC copy. Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley!

This is a sequel to Boyfriend Material, and it picks up about 2 years after the end of the first book. We revisit Luc and Oliver as they figure out the next steps of their relationship and maneuver through other hurdles that life throws at them.

I loved the writing of this one just as much as the first. The witty banter and the absurd conversations with the lovable side characters are my favorite things. I was reading this novel while on vacation, and it was very easy to get through. I never got bored.

On the other hand, after finishing the novel and reflecting on it, I felt a little unsatisfied. Basically because the “conflict” relied almost entirely on lack of communication. If Luc and Oliver had just sat down once and had a proper conversation about their feelings—in private and not at, say, a coworker’s wedding—then most of the conflict of this book never would have existed.

So overall, I would recommend this book if you just really like the characters and the banter and want more of it. But as far as continuing the plot of the first book, I don’t really think this sequel was necessary.

I will still happily read any and all additions to this series though because I love these characters a lot!

Since college and graduate school, I find it difficult to only read one thing at a time. While I was recently reading some non-fiction that was on the darker and denser side, I was eager to balance it out with something lighter and happier, so when I managed to get my hands on a preview copy of Alexis Hall’s upcoming, Husband Material – the sequel to Boyfriend Material – I dove right in. The novel’s Four Weddings and a Funeral vibe sets the stage for a fun and, at times, over-the-top exploration of community, convention, and what how we use both to measure and judge ourselves.

It’s been two years since Luc and Oliver decided their fake relationship wasn’t as fake after all and things have been smooth sailing. Even running into his recently-engaged, back-stabbing ex while performing his Maid of Honor duties for his best friend Bridget isn’t enough to shake Luc’s faith in his relationship with Oliver… though the encounter leaves Luc rattled in other ways. Being thrust into a world where so many of his friends, acquaintances and exes seem to be getting married (with a few having children too), Luc begins to imagine what his future with Oliver might look like. But while they each find most of their differences charming and endearing, attending so many weddings also brings some of their more fundamental differences into sharp relief. Can they successfully navigate the social events surrounding these major milestones or will they get tripped up along the way?

Boyfriend Material was very much a novel centered around self-worth and there are still definitely elements of that at play in Husband Material but it was refreshing to see that the progress both Luc and Oliver made in the first novel (and over the two-year gap between the stories) is in a realistic place – Hall doesn’t undo their growth but neither is their growth entirely complete. There are slips but not much in the way of dangerous backsliding and it was wonderful to see and feel like their relationship has matured (and isn’t just picking up from where the first book left off despite the time jump). Instead of so much of the self-worth thread focusing on them each as individuals, Husband Material shifts it slightly to look at how each of them relates to their communities – more specifically, how each of them feels included in or excluded from their respective social circles and the LGBTQ+ community at large. Using weddings as a means to explore the topic works brilliantly as it balances the tropes and trappings of the rom-com genre with the subtler social commentary.

Weddings are so often dripping with convention and tradition and couples can say so much about who they are by how they include, subvert or spit in the eye of those elements. Weddings and marriage are also a major milestone that society at large (and social media in particular) tends to use as a measuring stick. Husband Material thoroughly explores both weddings as a tradition and marriage as an institution and what they mean to people from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. I found the tension between Luc and Oliver over how the trappings of the modern LGBTQ+ community makes them feel (and their self-reflection of what’s behind those feelings) to be incredibly compelling and raw, and the discomfort over disagreeing so completely on something fundamental to each of their senses of identity was deeply relatable.

Though I appreciated the ultimate resolution in some ways, the over-the-top, melodramatic execution dampened the emotional impact for me. That said, I’m sure I would enjoy another book in this series and it looks like Hall plans for more in this universe (another title appears planned, though it seems it'll focus in a different character/couple).

Husband Material will be available August 2, 2022.

I adored Boyfriend Material, so this was one of my most highly anticipated reads this year. Luc and Oliver are two of my favorite protagonists ever.

I loved that this was a continuation of the same characters’ stories, rather than a book about another couple in the same universe. Getting to see after the happily ever after was a refreshing change of pace, too! That said, you definitely want to read Boyfriend Material before you read this one.

In this sequel, the theme is Four Weddings and a Funeral. Hall uses this medium to explore different types of relationships and the complications that can still arise regarding marriage as a queer couple.

Once again, Luc’s wit and sarcasm were unparalleled. Oliver was sweet and pensive. This book proves that even when you love someone, happily ever after doesn’t mean happy all the time, and that’s okay.

I do wish that we got to see Oliver’s POV, either as a dual POV or as a total switch after getting Luc’s POV in the first book. That would have really brought this book to the next level for me. My only other complaint was that the ending felt a bit rushed, but maybe that will be resolved in book three! I can’t wait to see what Hall has next for us in Luc and Oliver’s world.

Luc's friends and coworkers were just as delightfully and hilariously eccentric as in book one, but this one was less sexy and more angsty - and not the fun kind of pining angst from Boyfriend Material. It seemed like all Luc and Oliver did was fight. They kept talking about how they made each other better people and worked as a couple even though they didn't make sense on paper, but that wasn't really supported by the story. They're both still wildly insecure. Oliver at least is in therapy and is making some progress, but Luc desperately needs to be in therapy because he's still full of self-hatred, and who can blame him when everyone is always calling him an asshole. This just wasn't really what I expected or wanted from the sequel for their relationship, but I do love the secondary cast and enjoy the fluid way Hall uses language - like "despanielled" and "unhugged". I'm sad I didn't enjoy it more, because I loved Boyfriend Material. I'll still read book three (I love amnesia plots) because I enjoy Hall's writing, and hopefully it will be a more enjoyable read.

I hate doing it, but I have talked to people that have read it and have skimmed it myself and this book is not for me. From what I was spoiled on and what I read (I read the last chapter) I know that I will not get enjoyment out of this book personally so I am going to call it now and leave the wonderful Boyfriend Material where it is as a one and done. That book brought me joy and that's all I need.

Mismatched couple is back for a second round. This time all their friends, including an ex is getting married. As with all relationships, there are insecurities. Overall a great easy read. I did like the first one a bit better than the second one.

3.5⭐️ maybe? | BOYFRIEND MATERIAL is of my favorite rom-coms of all time, so I was really hoping to love HUSBAND MATERIAL. I am not sure how to rate this, as this book fluctuated between scenes I adored and elements I didn’t love.

Ultimately, I was happy to see these characters again. Luc and Oliver remain complex, three-dimensional characters who you can’t help but root for. Particularly following book one’s abrupt ending, I was looking forward to seeing these characters work together. And we got that! It was not always smooth sailing, but I think readers could feel realistic growth in Luc and Oliver’s relationship and communication skills. There were several sweet, funny, and romantic scenes throughout the novel. I loved that this was an homage to Four Weddings and a Funeral.

That said, the pacing of this felt off and we were left with another abrupt ending. I want to keep this review spoiler-free, but I don’t think I am happy with the ending. It maybe fits with the last third of the book, but I don’t know if I fundamentally agree with what Hall was trying to say about queer marriage and partnerships. After everything they go through, Luc and Oliver deserved a stronger ending than HUSBAND MATERIAL’s final chapter.

Husband Material

Quotes: “But I smiled anyway because he didn’t deserve my emotional authenticity.”

This was a full rollercoaster of a ride. Split into different sections, we see the friend group go through different events and stages of their lives. Luc and Oliver both struggle to figure out what they want – frustratingly so.

This wasn’t a particularly romantic book to me, it seemed to tackle mainstream topics and break them down. More like a book that shows you how to make tough decisions and stand up for yourself in a way.

Luc and Oliver didn’t seem to like each other much throughout the book. This book seemed to unrattle everything they went through in the first.

I also wasn’t a huge fan of the ending; however, I could see how it would be appealing to others. If I was the slightest bit romantic, I would’ve been more on board.

I can see how this would be a favorite for others, it personally didn’t hit the target for me. I do love Alexis Hall’s writing.

My overall rating is a 2/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Hall, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes you get lucky, and a sequel is just as enjoyable as its predecessor. HUSBAND MATERIAL is one of those lucky sequels. Full of the opposites-attract personalities of our main characters Luc and Oliver, full of British wit, and full of pre-wedding tension.

I FINISHED MY MOST ANTICIPATED READ OF 2022. The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for making this happen 2 weeks prior to release date through their audiobook ARC. <3

Okay soooo where do I even start? In this sequel to Boyfriend Material we follow Luc and Oliver through 5 major events in their lives - 4 weddings and one funeral. This very much reads like a collection of novellas, though there is consistency throughout (so you KNOW you are reading a full-fledged book, it just feels a bit novella-y because of the 5 big parts of it). We really dive deep into Luc and Oliver's relationship in this one - and like in Boyfriend Material, it is not perfect. There are fights and insecurities, BUT my favourite part of this series is that Luc and Oliver are strong not despite or because of these - they just ARE, because they love each other above all else.
And I love them.

As it says in the title itself, marriages and weddings play a BIG part of this book. There are three of them (all completely different from one another) in the first three parts of the book and they are just as full of ridiculousness and heart as we've come to expect from Luc and Oliver (and Alexis, of course)..
Now for some SPOILERS:
Luc and Oliver always seemed to me like the kind of couple that didn't really do marriages and kids. I loved that about them (cause same AND because we so rarely see that in romcoms). So, I was a bit surprised when they were suddenly engaged (ngl, Luc being peak Luc) - and I anticipated this book might NOT end in a wedding and a marriage. I was very happy to see that I was right, cause that just felt like Luc and Oliver. The ending of this book FELT like them. Messy and imperfect and always, always full of dedication to one another and just endless love. Even if they don't always see eye to eye. Even if they have *different gay "aesthetics"*.
END OF SPOILER

This book raised some GREAT questions about the LGBTQAI+ culture in general and it was interesting to see how both Luc AND Oliver thought about it all. Also can we talk about the fact that Oliver is THE GENTLEST SOUL EVER???? How he makes sure his language is always inclusive, regardless of who he is talking to, that he will be careful not to use any ableist language and words that people usually throw around all the time? I also loved seeing that Oliver now has a therapist and is dealing with his ED, even if it's gonna be a long road. This feels very true to the mental health struggles in general and I am very grateful we got rep like that. Oliver is still struggling, but he is trying, every day. Mam, I love him. I love BOTH of them so much - Oliver and his gentle but strict ways, Luc and his insecurities and quiet but fierce love. I could read endless books about these two and knowing that I am saying goodbye to them with this one actually hurts. *wipes away tears* *FOR REAL*

My only wish was that we got a biiiit more in the end - this ending felt much like the one in Boyfriend Material did. Full of anxiety (for me and them, god) and what ifs - all being wrapped up in the end but I just wanted 5 more pages to calm my fraying nerves. I am getting old, Alexis, I can't deal with stress like that. Luc would understand.

So, yeah. Husband Material gave me LIFE: I'll be rereading it forever, even if I'll need to put my head between my legs in that last chapter and breathe deeply, telling myself ALL IS WELL, ALL IS WELL.
I could probably say more about what I loved about this sequel but honestly, I binged read it and it lowkey feels like my head is about to fall off. Just know I have a lot of feels and endless love for Luc and Oliver. <3

Now we wait for book three to see what that twat is up to.. And to see if we'll glimpse Oliver and Luc again.(*prays to Alexis Hall*)

2.5/5 - Husband Material is the second book in the London Calling series by Alexis Hall. I really enjoyed the previous book in this series, and this book follows the same characters so I expected to love it just as much. Unfortunately I didn't. This book is set in five parts and it felt incredibly disjointed to me. It is also marketed as a romance, but I don't think it really is. It is a contemporary about life, with some romance in it.

This book had a lot of positive queer relationships and discussions, which I appreciated. It also had queer identities that are not often portrayed in books. The representation and discussions about queerness in this book were on point, and important discussions. I sometimes found myself wishing this book would not try to go back to the romantic portion of the book and focus more on its contemporary nature, because those were the parts that Alexis Hall seemed to be passionate writing about.

I think the POV of this book would have been interested if it was from Oliver's perspective. We could have seen more of his exploration of marriage, and his feelings of belonging withing the queer community. Oliver had so much growth in this book, and it would have been good to see it from his own perspective as a read. Luc has definitely grown, but I don't know that he did in this book. I think a lot of his growth happened in the previous book, and in the two years since we last saw them, so his perspective wasn't as valuable as Oliver's could have been.

I found a lot of the parts of this book unnecessary, and just found it didn't add to the story. Both Oliver and Luc were back and forth on what they wanted and it was just to much. They learned how to talk to each other, and be open with what they were wanting in a relationship, which was good. I found there relationship much more mature and developed than previously, but I found it hard to believe that they would not talk about their doubts in marriage if they would talk about and worth through everything else.

There were some seriously funny parts in this book and Alexis Hall does a great job writing humor into their writing. That being said, this book was just to slow, and didn't feel necessary to me. I will continue to check out Alexis Hall's writing as I have liked many of their books. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

4.5 Stars!

I absolutely love Luc, and his all over the place thought processes. The group of friends really is like F.R.I.E.N.D.S the TV show and I was laughing up a storm throughout most of this book.

But not only was it such an enjoyable and hilarious read, it was also highly relatable and delved into some really serious topics in such a wonderful way.

The amount of character growth is exceptional.

Half star off for the length, as I felt some of the parts were repetitive, and could have been cut with the same effect, but nonetheless good!