Husband Material

Written by Alexis Hall

Narrated by Joe Jameson

Everyone around Luc and Oliver is getting married. Now the pressure is on. But it'll take more than four weddings and a funeral to get them to the altar.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media
• Release date: Aug 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781666609981

Alexis Hall

Alexis Hall is a pile of threadbare hats and used teacups given a semblance of life by forbidden sorcery. He sometimes writes books. For more information, visit www.quicunquevult.com.

Reviews for Husband Material

[ofentsebogatsu635 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it ,but it's killing me with the endings. They always sound as if they writer was like, "Thanks God, I finally got to the end" because they are just cheesy, giving that they all lived happily ever after feel and it would be nice to read further into Luke and Oliver's relationship many as parents next time ????

[Leo Stivaktis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Loved Boyfriend Material, but this one was relying on awful communication way too much for my tastes. The narrator is wonderfully entertaining, though.

[Karen He · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book: ★★★★☆
Audio: ★★★★★

"Husband Material" is very different from "Boyfriend Material," even though it continues the story of the beloved couple, Luc and Oliver, and it's still packed with that British sarcastic humor. It's not a typical gay romance. It falls more into the realm of realistic gay fiction, and dare I say, it's even a little anti-romantic. So, if you're expecting the same romantic comedy vibes as the first book, you might end up disappointed.

The story focuses on Luc and Oliver's journey of taking their relationship from boyfriend-level to marriage-level. But it turns out to be another voyage of self-discovery for both of them. After going through four weddings and one funeral, they finally grasp the concept that our own happiness should be defined by ourselves. If anyone dares to question our decision about our happiness, well, tell them "Go fuck yourself." So, it's not just about loving each other; it's about loving yourself, too.

I have to admit that it took me quite a while to finish this book, but that doesn't mean it's not interesting. It's still an enjoyable read, just not in the traditional romantic sense. And there are some chapters that really make you ponder. The only part I didn't enjoy as much was the beginning—the wedding of Bridge and Tom. I found it a bit tedious and noisy, and sometimes I felt like the focus wasn't even on Luc and Oliver. But once you push past that part, the story gets back on track. And now, after finishing the book, I'm even thinking that probably the author made it annoying in purpose. Because how Luc and Oliver thought about getting married back then is exactly what they feel when they are handling their own wedding. And after all drifting thoughts, they somehow come back to the original idea: they are unconventional, they're perfect as who they are now, and they don't need the marriage as conventional couples do.

The audiobook is perfect! Joe Jameson has my dream voice of Luc and Oliver.

[RosarioCastro · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Super fun! And unless you have a huge problem with light soapbox preaching I highly recommend the book, it's a great book, and I'm serious when I say it. Yes the author does preach a very specifically set of valious, but it is short when it comes on... and unless that is a real pet peeve for you I beg you to give this book a chance regardless. It is highly entertaining, well written, and more importantly in regards to the romance genre, a thoughtful dive into the protagonists characters, feelings and psychology.

[Dan Murphy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I adored this book from start to finish. The ending took me by surprise and I both loved and sobbed as I heard it. Perfect 100% perfect.

[Sam Araya · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The ending is awful! There was no character growth through the book and it had a dissatisfying conclusion. It felt hastily written and failed at its attempts to be subversive. So much worse than the first book!

[dasiey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Was great but the ending caught me off guard but In the long run it did truly make sense for the characters

[Amanda Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant, funny and emotional. An excellent follow on from Boyfriend Material.

[Mahasin Habeel · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was a tortuous and unsatisfying waste of time.

[Sara · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The first chapter had me about ready to drop the book, seeing as Luc had lost any semblance of a backbone. Then, the first half of the story felt pointless, as it lacked motivation/direction, and also turned previously endearing traits in the characters obnoxious. Finally, in the last half/third, the qualities that made Boyfriend Material great was slowly brought back, leaving things on a significantly better note... but even this part had some issues.
Major disappointment. The book gets three stars from me because despite it all, the author is incredibly good with words.

[Karrie Prescott · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heart warming and funny with realistic view of what planning a life together is like.

[S Edwards · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Please take down the reviews that contain spoilers! Spoiler content in the reviews below! Alexis Hall gives great queer representation—and is just a really great writer who is great at bringing up all the hard topics in love, friendship and families. And Oliver is still really, really great.

[Amy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is not as good as the first. The laughter doesn't come quite so easily and the characters don't develop all that much. I was incredibly frustrated by the ending although I do understand it fitter the characters development and relationship I just wanted more.

[Ekene Ogbue · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Was honestly worried since the first book, I had mixed feelings about.

This one was infinitely better. I saw a lot of improvement in the relationship, the characters. I actually do love the couple. They're so sweet

[Melony Stokes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I will never understand how Alexis Hall writes the best books. He's one of my favorite authors!

[יהודית עמית · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was so good to meet with Luc and Oliver again! And of course all the characters surrounding them. They are them and they won't change for anyone. Liked it a lot

[Emily Preun · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The narrator did an amazing job but the ending was so incredibly disappointing. Not because it wasn't the ending I would have liked, but because it was so rushed right at the end with no epilogue or anything to bring me closure. I love Luc and Oliver and Boyfriend Material was so fantastic. Right up until the last 2 chapters, this one was too. I wasn't even sure how to rate this book because of how conflicted that ending made me feel.

[Shalane Du Preez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my word I loved this book ?

This book was equally as entertaining and funny as the first. I absolutely adore and relate to Lucien in many ways, I relate to Oliver just as much in different ways lol

This was an absolute blast for me. Hilariously we follow Lucien and Oliver as they attend a wedding or two, this starts to stir some feelings and an on-the-spot proposal takes place. Feelings are mixed, ghosts reenter from the past and friendships are tested.

Urg Lucien and Oliver have my heart ?

[Lynn Anne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.25 stars
Four weddings and a funeral vibes.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but this book was far better and much more entertaining and hilarious than Boyfriend material and I freaking loved it!

[rusheil francis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very much same energy of the last book, but with a few of the looser ends tied off. Very funny. I liked the ending.

[William Stephens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My only hope is that there's another in the works. Loved the first and love this one. The combination of writer and narrative is spot on. This book and the previous come to life so much more with the narrative but without the written word the stories would be lost. Human nature, lost, trying to find a way, puting douchebaggery aside, loving, mean, accepting

[NeosoulNoona · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars
The back and forth within the story was tiresome and I kept trying to remember if I found Bridget & Luc as annoying in the first book. I don't remember, but wanted to see it through...and finish.
The writing and narration were great.

[Gia L · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I kept dithering on this book because of all the negative reviews. I’m so glad I followed my instincts in the end because this was PERFECT, or perhaps I should say, PERFECT FOR LUCIEN AND OLIVER. I can’t believe how much I loved it and how much it makes sense that these two neurotic and flawed and approval-seeing and wonderful people make the decision to stick to their guns and just keep on loving each other on their particular, surprising, tradition-buckling terms. Truly the happily ever after they deserve.

[Connor · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Great book that was funny with wonderful characters up until the end with a horrible twist that wasn't expected, and as someone who grew up in a homophobic family the first book provided me such hope for what my life could seem like in the future. But the twist in the ending in this book was very disappointing to me and what these books mean to me personally.

[Kantonio · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I hated it. The twist at the end was not needed at all! I really did not like it. It okay throughout the book but the end made me not like the book in its entirety. I wish it would have ended as expected.

[nita.schmid · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'm just... going to pretend this book doesn't exist ? I was so excited to see Luc and Oliver again, and to see how they'd grown together, only to see that, well, there really wasn't much growth after all. The relationship dynamic hadn't gotten very healthy or thoughtful, the communication was piss-poor, and the ending was both terrible and extremely rushed. Idk if I'll read the next one, but I'll definitely check out reviews before I decide, because this was such a huge disappointment. There were parts of it I liked, sure, and there was some level of character growth, but overall this was an underwhelming follow-up to a brilliant book. I guess romances really shouldn't have sequels. The only good thing to be said is that the audiobook narration was excellent.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

I MEAN REALLY WHO DECIDES TO GET MARRIED WITHOUT EVER HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THEIR PARTNER ABOUT MARRIAGE??? Who makes such a big decision without discussing it beforehand, and making sure you're both on the same page?? I've long thought impromptu proposals in books are shit and this just cements it. I mean, nowhere in between a very un-thought-out proposal and months of planning the wedding up until the actual day did they discuss whether they actually wanted to get married??

And also, why is Luc still such a child? He's still a mess, figuratively and literally, and it is NOT cute to have your partner do the majority of domestic labour and have to coax you into necessary but unpleasant things that need to get done. It was red flags from the time he ditched the big theatre date night with Oliver to go help Bridget panic. There were some bits where he was supportive, but overall he seemed to not be a very good partner.

It was nice to see Oliver grow a backbone. I wish we'd seen more of him and his interactions with Luc. That would've made for a better book, rather than all the contrived drama around other people's weddings.

This just felt like a very unnecessary, poorly planned and not thought out sequel. It didn't do the characters justice. It left me going what the fuck just happened?? The ending wasn't terrible in and of itself, but largely because of the execution and what that says about the characters. It's perfectly fine and valid to not want to get married, but to not talk at all about getting married, get engaged, and after months of planning decide at the literal last minute that hey actually this isn't what we want to do, says such poor things about their communication and self-awareness and relationship dynamic that it just ruined the book entirely for me.

Maybe it's because I got married a few months ago and I know how much my partner and I discussed marriage beforehand, before we even decided to get engaged, and then the whole process of getting it done, but it just seems so completely absurd to have marriage be used as some kind of wacky plot device. Just. No.

[keighley · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked it a lot. I loved the end it and i love it was true to the characters. Have Joe come back and narrate again was wonderful and it helps.

[Nicola · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everything made this book a great book...from the humour to the raw emotions. I could not get enough of this book. Im not thrilled about the ending...but, I'm hopeful that Alexis will have a follow-up book.