About the Book
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Author:
- Alexis Hall
First Impressions: It’s The Same But Different!
What’s Your Type?: No Tropes, Only Drama
Meet Cute So We Meet Again: Is It Love Or Infatuation?
The Lean: Lean Back
Dirty Sweet Talk: A Dash Of Sugar
We Need to Talk: The Struggle Is Real
Was it Good For You?: It’s Been A Slice
Content Warning: There is a lot of discussion about what a “proper” gay person should like and be like.
First Impressions: It’s The Same But Different!
I appreciate that there is a continued theme with the same colors and general aesthetic. Unlike the first book, this cover’s little objects actually represent what’s in the story. I also enjoy the character wardrobe: of course Luc is disheveled and Oliver is buttoned up.
What’s Your Type?
- No real tropes in this sequel. Only drama!
Dating Profile
Luc O’Donnel and Oliver Blackwood have been together for two years and the pressure to take their relationship to the next level is real. After Luc runs into his ex and gets invited to their wedding (which sends Luc spiraling because he has UNRESOLVED ISSUES), Luc starts feeling like in order to be happier he needs to put a ring on it. It doesn’t help that everyone around him is getting married and “moving forward” in their relationships.
Meet Cute So We Meet Again: Is It Love Or Infatuation?
I can’t believe Oliver and Luc have been together for 2 years! No, seriously—how are they still together? Oliver is in therapy (thank the Gods) but our French-toast-loving Luc is not and he definitely should be. Throughout the novel, Luc kept declaring how much he loved Oliver and while I somewhat believe that… the amount of arguing, nit-picking, and second guessing made it apparent that their relationship is more toxic than it used to be.
The Lean: Lean Back
There was so much arguing between Luc and Oliver that I was rooting for a healthy, mature breakup and not a spontaneous marriage proposal. There were cute moments between the pair—which usually happened after an argument where one or both would apologize—but nothing that made you think, “Gosh, these two are so good together and in love. They should get married!” I think there was one blip on the sex radar, but it was over as quickly as it started.
Dirty Sweet Talk: A Dash Of Sugar
No dirty talk in this book! Just some sweet words and the allusion of sexy times.
I pushed him down on the bed and straddled him. For a moment, I could only look at this ridiculous, kind, and beautiful man who made ridiculous, kind, and beautiful gestures and was ridiculously, beautifully mine…We were definitely, definitely going to watch Pretty Woman. But maybe not for awhile.
Ms. Perky’s Prize for Purplest Prose
The writing includes the same great banter and wit as the first book in the series. It’s an easy read and Hall really knows how to keep you guessing until the end. There did seem to be some repetition when characters conversed; I know the style was used to convey a sort-of flustered state of mind, but it was hard to overlook. Unlike in Boyfriend Material, this ending did feel rushed. I wanted to know more…but I also don’t think I could have handled any more? Look at me having complicated back-and-forth feelings—just like the characters in the book!
We Need To Talk: The Struggle Is Real
I can’t say that I found Luc as charming and endearing as I did in the first book, and I’m not sure why Oliver has or wants to stick around. Their relationship is so obviously toxic that it’s hard to justify. At least the supporting characters I loved are back and make up for Luc’s lack of character development.
(Side rant with slight spoilers: I’m sorry, but your partner’s father dies and you revert back into your old ways of binge drinking and junk-food eating and think he’s mad at you?? I could not eye-roll hard enough.)
Was It Good For You?: It’s Been A Slice
It was ultimately exhausting reading page after page of this couple arguing over and over on variations of the same thing. (DO NOT get me started on Oliver’s eulogy for his father.) There are two more books in the works, but I’ll be breaking up with The London Calling series before those see the light of day.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca and have not received payment for this review, but I will forever be haunted by balloon arches. Husband Material is available now.
Could you please consider removing “triggered” in the disclosure statement? It’s a serious psychology term whose meaning gets reduced with misuse. Thanks!
Hi Aubrey!
I will definitely get that amended. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!
Oh i thought the eulogy part was really good! and very Oliver.
Overall I still enjoyed this. Their banter is 10/10 and I personally believed they really loved each other. I don’t think it’s fair to call them toxic though!
I agree that Luc was frustrating- I found his insistence that Oliver wasn’t a ‘good gay’ because he doesn’t like pride flags really shitty, and especially frustrating that he never really acknowledged that this was more about him than it was Oliver.
I’m surprised you said there were no tropes when the entire book is based on four weddings and a funeral though.
Hey Kays! Thanks for the comment!
Perhaps because I read both books in quick succession (I really loved Boyfriend Material) I was a little skeptical of their relationship on a whole especially because it felt like Luc didn’t really mature at all! I agree, the banter is also so excellent in these books. I’m glad you enjoyed the eulogy part I just could not get through it!
Luc and Oliver’s relationship is just not for me! They have chemistry and I wish them well on their future fatherhood adventures!
I don’t really consider Four weddings and funeral to be a trope haha It has a lot of tropes in it but I just see it as a movie (and tv show) that was referenced.
I appreciate you reading my review!
Did you only read Boyfriend Material and Husband Material? Because the audiobooks are fantastic. I think I was able to still have a good time with Husband Material because the narrator is amazing. His vocal work really gave another layer to what could be a toxic relationship but could also be an extremely messy relationship of wildly damaged people who are healing and maturing at different speeds but who love each other very much. Honestly I think relationship wise both of them are like messy 19 years old but they’re actually in their 30s so everything ends up looking screwed up. I actually loved the funeral scene again the audiobook performance probably gave it that extra push. And y’know I wouldn’t have been mad at a good breakup somewhere in the middle and to have Luc do some proper therapy since Oliver already does and I think that would be the only thing to actually get him in the door. I completely agree that the ending felt super rushed. I remember pausing and looking at the time left and yelling 13 mins?? How will they finish this up in 13 mins? Although I’m actually okay with them running away together away from the messy wedding they made I just would have liked a little more? Like maybe have soaked running through the park pausing somewhere nice to kiss and then saying something about how the hotel they booked had a giant bathtub. They could take a bath, have sexy times, shower and then have a call from Lucs and Oliver’s friends/family. The ones who are still enjoying the reception and had enough time to sort of figure out what probably happened because they know them best and calling for them to join them. Then Luc and Oliver can party with the people who won’t judge them for running out on their wedding and Oliver can see Luc even happier than the animal party pics. Luc can see how Oliver can dance slightly better because he took some lessons for the wedding. They could have had their kiss in the middle of the room with their friends around them cheering. MMmm could even push it and have an actually rainbow through the window for them to laugh about. Idk I just wanted a slight extension because the end was cute but abrupt.