(This is quite long. Oops.)
This was an amazing sequel to Boyfriend Material. I didn't read anything going into it - didn't read the blurb or any reviews, so I was surprised by all the weddings lol. Anyway, I was also really surprised by the relatively low ratings and poor reviews. After reading several of them, it seems like some people are disappointed by the "plot twist" at the end of the book. I wanted to argue against some of the things that were mentioned.
First, not in regards to the plot twist, I wanted to talk about how some people felt like Luc and Oliver were arguing too much/not having enough lovey fuzzy moments for a two-year-old relationship. I totally see it. I love sweet and caring moments in romances and usually wish for there to be much more. I didn't have that thought this time though. I will say that the first argument (non-argument) in the book where Luc has to cancel (for very understandable reasons) was rather upsetting for me, but I found the rest of the book to be much better. I think maybe 90% of the arguments and non-arguments in this book are about the wedding or funeral, which means we're seeing a temporary rough time in their relationship, not how their relationship is on a regular basis. It doesn't mean they haven't grown since the first book, like one reviewer said. In fact, I noticed many moments throughout the book that show how much growth they've both had, how they acted differently than they would have in the first book, and it made me happy to see. I also did see many lovely couple moments between Oliver and Luc, some big and many small, that for me were enough to show me they were quite happy together and in a great relationship.
Another thing before talking about the big plot twist (which I'm saving for the end because it'll have spoilers) is people saying the ending feels abrupt. Again I agree. But I'm on a Alexis Hall reading spree and have just finished Paris Daillencourt and Boyfriend Material, and they both have similarly abrupt endings. To me, they're great, and I couldn't think of a better ending. I do end up feeling rather bereft after I finish the book though. They're great books, which already makes it hard to move on from, and the sudden ending makes it worse. But it's such a movie-like, artistic ending. Hall doesn't do the gentle wind-down that many romance authors do, where after the climax, you're slowly glided down and are gently set on the ground by means of an epilogue and/or seeing how the characters live after the big moment and how the dust settles. Alexis Hall's style seems to be that you're sent soaring into sky as everything becomes bright and whites out in one glorious moment. You don't see the aftermath for a gentle landing (or see any of those nice cozy fuzzy couple moments) but to me this matches with the author's style. He's a great author in that you don't see anything superfluous. Every scene and moment has its purpose, whether it's major plot and character stuff or a funny or sweet moment. I wouldn't have been mad at a nice extra scene at the end (quite the contrary), but this was a beautiful, perfect ending to me.
Finally, the "plot twist." Stop reading now if you don't want spoilers. Or keep reading if you like spoilers so you can enjoy the book more and read without fear.
I understand why a lot of people had a hard time with this. What I'm surprised at is that some people were surprised. They decide not to get married. Looking back, it's clear it was always leading up to this. From the first unplanned proposal to the real proposal, and Oliver's reaction to the proposals, it's clear in hindsight that neither of them were super into the idea. Those first few proposal/wedding-related scenes, I thought it was just the author showing maybe a more realistic, chill proposal between people who already felt settled and that they were never going to leave each other, so they didn't have huge emotional reactions. Then when Luc's mother suggested marriage might not be for them, I immediately saw that was the direction the book was probably heading, and honestly, by the time they had their bachelor parties, I was surprised they hadn't had that conversation and called it off by then. At every point in the book when they talk about the wedding or do something for the wedding, they don't have any of the joy or excitement they should have. None of those moments are shown as particularly magical either. They're just kind of clomping along and doing what is expected. So for me, I don't think it was a big plot twist.
As for people being upset that they don't get married, I get it. And Hall could've written a totally(ish) different book, where they go to different weddings (and a funeral) and in between they happily and excitedly get engaged and plan a wedding and get married, maybe with a few fights and twists along the way. And he's a great author, so it would've been great, I'm sure. But the whole point of this story, I think, is that although they're an amazing couple who love each other and fully feel they want to be together forever, they figure out that for some reason, marriage-marriage just doesn't feel right to their relationship. To be honest, it's a bit hard for me to empathize with them. BUT!
This is a Thing. I've encountered in other places (books? online?) some LGBTQ+ people who, whether or not are in a serious, monogamous relationship, just don't feel like marriage is for them. It feels too much like a... straight institution. An institution that wasn't made for them, and to this day doesn't fully accept them. Queer people have their own history and culture, in which traditionally "marriage" was simply a lifelong, private commitment. For some people, marriage-marriage just feels too straight. It has too many straight cooties attached to it and it gives them the ick. I'll say now that I'm queer, but I only have medium license to talk about this because I'm not super well-informed about people who feel this way. I just mean to say that some reviewers seemed to feel that this is a big radical statement about heteronormativity, which I suppose it is, but it wasn't as radical an idea as they seemed to think. The author is a gay man (or queer? unsure exactly how he identifies), and if you've read his other books, it's clear he's very knowledgeable about the queer community and various subsets of the community, including the people who feel icky about marriage. This is an author writing authentically about his community.
So I understand the shock and disappointment of the ending, especially if this was your first time hearing about queer people who feel uncomfy about Marriage. But what makes this story beautiful is that they love each other so much. The author shows the reader that several times throughout the book. And the book ends very happily for Oliver and Luc. The last scene is such a beautiful, joyous moment! It's just not how the average reader would expect it. I think the author does a great job carrying various themes throughout the book, and I loved the conversations about Oliver's relationship with his community and what it means to be a "good gay." And while there were a number of arguments and non-arguments between Oliver and Luc, I didn't feel like it was too much. Or at least, there were so many sweet and funny moments, and all of those arguments ended in a lovely way.
It's not the most cozy, comforting book, but it's a very entertaining read, and the conflicts and unhappy parts are meaningful and well balanced with the funny and lovely parts.
Maybe on the second read, when one knows what to expect (or if you've somehow managed to actually read this whole review), people will absorb more of the good bits and not be as weighed down by the bad.
Lovely book, very entertaining and funny, great read, very meaningful and interesting. Great sequel. 5/5
And 5 gold stars to you for reading this whole review. My god.
Husband Material: London Calling, Book 2
4.1 | 3,794 ratings
Price: 23.88
Last update: 07-12-2024
Top reviews from the United States
Amazon Customer
Loved It!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2023Daniel l Woods
Looks interesting
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Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2023
J. L. Gribble
unexpectedly expected and absolutely perfect
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2022