I have complicated feeling having just finished this book. One one hand- I really enjoyed the first book, and it was exciting to see where Luc and Oliver “end up”. On the other, I felt like the first half of this book relied on you really loving the character of luc (who, all in all, being unlikeable is kinda his thing). The second half of the book was much better- but I just hadn’t connected enough to feel for the heavier emotions. The last line (and really paragraph) of the book was pretty great tho- all things considering.

I sometimes worry when books I love have sequels because they may not live up to the first one. That isn't the case here. This book was just as wonderful, funny, charming, and touching as the first. I loved everything about it. I'd read about Luc, Oliver, and his friends watching paint dry I love them so much.

This is a really great follow up for fans of the first book! Not only do we get some amazing Lucien/Oliver content (as well as their extremely entertaining friends), but this book examines the institution of marriage itself in a way that was refreshing for a romance novel.

I laughed, I cried, I fell even more in love with the world of Luc and Oliver, and the story was a fun play on four weddings and a funeral. As a heteronormative individual, the ending threw me, but I get it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

Just as full of irrepressible delight as it’s predecessor, Boyfriend Material. It is truly wonderful to be back in the world of Luc and Oliver—2 years in to their relationship now—as all their friends are getting married. An absolute homage to Four Weddings and a Funeral, this book asks serious questions amid the froth. What’s important about marriage? What should a wedding be like? Where do the expectations of others fit in to all this? Just because you can get married, does that mean you should? There’s a lot to chew on here, seamlessly woven into the story, among many, many moments of laugh out loud comedy. Swoons and laughs and something to think about - what more could you want? Alexis Hall at the top of his game.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

First, read Boyfriend Material. There are sequels that you can enjoy without having read the first book. I don't think this is one of those. To see how Luc and Oliver started and understand how they've grown and what their current relationship issues are, I think reading Boyfriend Material is essential.

Husband Material picks up two years later, and Luc is the maid of honor for his best friend Bridge's wedding. Suddenly, his whole friend circle are becoming adults with marriages, mortgages, and babies. And he and Oliver are figuring out what's next for them.

This book may be even more laugh out loud funny. The wit and sarcasm are simply amazing. And yet, somehow, that's woven in with such true and deep feelings. The book made me question so much and even reflect on my own perspectives. I appreciated the opportunity to see after the happily ever after.

I was at first afraid that the sequel wouldn't measure up but Alexis doesn't let us down. Just as engaging and it shows that even though one situation works out doesn't mean you'll never have other quarrels with your partner. You are always able to keep growing.

This book was wonderful, even though it left me nearly in tears. Despite a whirlwind of an emotional roller coaster, this book still had all of the charm and wit typical of Alexis Hall. An absolute must read for anyone grappling with the balance of self identity and the expectations and pressures of social conventions. Wonderfully gay and representative.

I think it comes as no surprise that I'm rating this book as highly as I am. Boyfriend Material is one of my absolute favorite books that I've read in the past few years.
Husband Material is truly wonderful but not at all what I expected. Boyfriend Material is a fun cute rom-com. Husband Material is truly what happens AFTER the rom-com ends. Luc and Oliver are still my ride-or-die. I'll always want to find an Oliver (I'm a bit of a Luc ¯\_(ツ)_/¯): Luc is funny, Oliver is sweet. Luc is a disaster but he is trying. Oliver is a disaster and he's trying. I love them.
There is emotional growth, conflict, cute squirmies, more emotional growth, more conflict.
This was not what I anticipated and feels very different from the prior book but I really really loved it. I will always love these two books. I cannot wait to read it again when it is officially published.

Thank you to Katie at SourceBooks and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

While this book was a little predictable, it was still a 5 star read in my book! I love Luc and his messy brain and I absolutely LOVE Oliver! They are couple goals. Would recommend to all my friends that love a good and sweet emotional romance.

I am so sorry I didn’t actually get around to reading this book! Honesty, it was a hard sell for me as Boyfriend Material was perfectly fine as a stand-alone and marriage just makes me sigh and shake my head most of the time.

I had such a fun time returning to the world of this book - Luc and Oliver have an amazing banter/brokenness/understanding in Boyfriend Material, and even with them together as a couple, Husband Material continues with those same connected features.
I loved reconnecting with some secondary characters as well - was great to see more of Alex’s denseness, Bridget’s loyalty, and antics from Judy.
Highly recommend reading Boyfriend Material before reading this

Read this ARC via NetGalley, release date is Aug 2

Alexis Hall (again) delivered a humorous, heartwarming and wonderfully queer love story! I loved reading about all the characters again and have to give extra love for the ending, unexpected (but also not) and real, showing diverse love.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this eARC.

I'm never mad at a romcom retelling, and this one, a Four Weddings and a Funeral for 2022, is pretty great. Luc and Oliver are still the couple you're rooting for, but in this book, you really get to see the issues they're grappling with inside of their now 2 year old relationship.

Also the whole gang is here - the James Royce-Royces (and a baby), Alex, Miffy, Judy, Odille, etc. Still very snappy and funny, but especially at the end of the book enters big feelings territory. Overall, a satisfying sequel to <i>Boyfriend Material</i>.

I read this entirely in one sitting, and loved it. The humor and emotional depth from Boyfriend Material were still there, and thought both Oliver and Luc have very clearly grown in the two years since the first novel, they also still have things to work on that very realistically impact them and the plot. The core of the novel is then figuring out how they fit as a couple in a heteronormative world, and both of them grappling with it in different ways. I thought the conclusion of this conflict was perfect.

Was a nice conclusion to the original. The idea that not everyone fits a stereotype or that some do is an important message, especially now where there are a lot of controversial opinions being shared. The pacing felt a bit rushed in some parts and was hard to keep track of the story chronologically, but other than that, it provided a pretty satisfying conclusion to their relationship.

I was initially skeptical about a romance novel sequel featuring the same couple, but I am overjoyed t0 say my fears were unfounded! I loved spending more time with Oliver and Luc and loved the play on the traditional rom com four weddings and a funeral format. Alexis Hall is the only romance writer than can somehow write absurd, almost parodic characters in a deeply sensitive and well rounded way (while repeatedly making you laugh out loud on a plane). Perhaps not strictly necessary to read Boyfriend Material first, but I definitely recommend that you do. Husband Material truly builds on the characters and their stories and doesn't just go for a cheap "break up and get back together" plot line. I loved both Luc and Oliver's journeys as individuals and partners in this story. Boyfriend Material is a must read for all romcom lovers and Husband Material is a much read for all Boyfriend Material lovers!

DRC provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I Loved Boyfriend Material with a capital L and I was fearful its sequel would not have held in comparison, but boy was I wrong. Alexis outdid himself with this one.

Set two years after the end of Boyfriend Material, Luc and Oliver are in a happy relationship. That is put into question when Luc's best friend Bridge, his ex Miles, and his co-worker Alex are all getting married and Luc is invited to each of their weddings. Luc feels the pressure that maybe he and Oliver should also get married which leads to a bubbling proposal from Luc and begins the chaos of planning a wedding. Alexis Hall does a wonderful job of portray the emotions that come with feeling pressure to get married and all that come afterwards. The way Luc and Oliver's relationship progresses and how they deal each others' problems was something I really enjoyed. Sometimes Luc's rambling thoughts were a little too rambling which at times detracting the plot a little bit but at the same time it is part of Luc's quirks that make him an enjoyable character. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
First off, thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for this Advanced Reader.

When I finished Boyfriend Material (both times) all I could think about was how badly I wanted more of these characters. However, I just don’t feel like HM hit as hard as BM. I felt like problems between Oliver and Luc just kept happening until I was getting frustrated with both of them.

I love the witty banter, absolutely crack up at the Alex Twaddle interactions, and found the story overall charming and very sweet! I just don’t think it’s exactly what I expected.