Sequels to romance novels are particularly tricky. If it’s truly a romance novel, then the couple ended up together in the first book, presumably living happily ever after. And then a sequel has to have enough material and plot to not just be “the characters were happy and had a lot of high satisfying sex and intimacy” (which, while ideal for them, would not be for the reader) or break the couple up. Obstacles must be placed in the couple’s way but they must make it through in such a way that they reach an even deeper, more lasting level of commitment. It’s a fine line.

When I read Boyfriend Material, I’m addition to loving it, I was immediately frustrated that it ended when it did because dammit, I wanted more Luc and Oliver. I wanted to see their day-to-day life. I wanted to see their banter and their text messages. I’ve reread Boyfriend Material a couple of times since then, and my desire for more hasn’t gone away. To say that I have eagerly anticipated Husband Material would be a big understatement. But I was also worried that it would affect my love of the first book (see Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason).

I’ve only read the first five chapters of Husband Material but I’m pretty sure that my worries are unfounded. Luc is Luc and Oliver is Oliver and they’re together and it’s not perfect because that’s not how real life is, but they’re a delight. Lucy’s progress toward self-acceptance in Boyfriend Material hasn’t gone away, but he’s still a bundle of neuroses prone to self-sabotage. He’s still working through dad issues. It looks like Bridget and their friends will feature heavily in Husband Material, and they’re a welcome sight. August cannot come soon enough so I can read the whole book.

*Received an ARC preview of the first five chapters from NetGalley. All opinions are mine*

I absolutely cannot wait for the whole book! I had forgotten how much I ADORE the chaos best friends surrounding both Luc and Oliver. While I love watching the "falling in love" part of romance, I LIVE for the "what happens after riding off into the sunset" and the "making it work" parts of a love story, that that is what we are getting here!

Is it August yet?

Reading this preview sampler, I was reminded of how much I loved Boyfriend Material. It is of course ridiculously funny, but also it's so nice to see the contrast of acknowledged disaster Luc in a stable long-term relationship. And Also Oliver, who is a bit of a disaster on the inside. In Boyfriend Material they're in the messy beginning stages of a relationship, but a two-year relationship is a different beast and it's so interesting to see the same dynamic (because they're obviously still very them) in a different setting. There are definitely some cracks developing as we get to the end of the sampler and I can't wait to see how it all plays out. The humor, though, is perfection and I can't get enough.

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for providing a preview arc to review.

I really hope Joe Jameson will be doing the audiobook because that is who I hear when I'm reading.

My expectations are high and these first 5 chapters simply make me wish I could read the rest immediately. Its great to see Luc and Oliver doing well - and them maybe not quite so well as it first seemed. These introductory chapters just show the beginning of issues that have been papered-over (Luc's lack of confidence and Oliver's family) allowing for some cracks to appear. I'm sure it will be quite aride.

Reading the first five chapters of HUSBAND MATERIAL was glorious and also makes it so much harder to wait for the full book. The sequel starts two years after the end of BOYFRIEND MATERIAL but otherwise picks up right where the last book left off: Luc and Oliver are both working on themselves and their relationship, becoming better partners to each other every day; the old wounds persist but the emotional growth is TANGIBLE baby; the goofy and hilarious friend gang and coworkers are all still around (god I didn’t realize how much I missed them); and the premise of the boys being confronted with multiple weddings to attend while also figuring out how to take the next step in their own relationship is setting up beautifully. Hall is, of course, a fantastic romance writer and the pages are bursting with humor and heart. Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the preview!

I was already excited for Husband Material, and this snippet only added to that. It was so refreshing to dip back into the world of Luc and Oliver, which almost makes it worse that this was only a preview because of how much more I wanted the full book after. Already, it feels like Alexis Hall is doing a good job of continuing the character arc’s begun in Boyfriend Material, while also making sure that this book doesn’t feel too repetitive. I’m not sure what’s next for Luc and Oliver, but I am incredibly excited to read it.

Received the first five chapters as a free preview from NetGalley. Based on those five chapters, I fully expect to give this book 5 stars, 10 if Goodreads makes that available! Luc and Oliver are such a wonderful characters, and I am so excited at the prospect of spending more time with them. Will update this review once the full book becomes available.

While this is just the first 5 chapters, it's pure Alexis Hall wonderfulness. It is the continuing story of the Boyfriend Material. Laughter, romance, and snarkiness ensues. Now to wait for the full release.

Well, that was a treat! This little snippet reminded just how much I enjoy Hall's writing, and has me actively looking forward to the book's release in August. It's so rare that you get to properly see rom-com characters after their grand finale, and being back with Luc and Oliver as they continue to evolve is a great feeling.

(3.5/5)

Boyfriend Material was my absolute favorite book of 2021 and to say that I am excited about this book would be an understatement.

Things that I liked
1. Luc's serious emotional growth
2. Rhys's onlyfans
3. Oliver has a little bit more of a personality

As much as I loved the above parts there were things that felt off about this book, but the main thing was Oliver and his almost unwarranted annoyance/ opinions about the relationship Lucian has with Bridget. I get that people grow and change over the years but it almost seems like while Luc did all the growth as a person, Oliver seemed to have back peddled and has this entire Jealous and overbearing boyfriend character arc that's slightly concerning.

All that being said I would love to see how all of this plays out in the end and I hope that I end up loving it as much I liked book 1.

I got this from Netgalley, this opinions are my own! I just got a preview so it was only the first five chapters but I was so hooked! I can't believe we have to wait till August to read the rest! Boyfriend Material is one of my favorite books, I love Luv and Oliver so much! I was so excited when it was announced that Husband Material was coming! I can't wait to check back in with Luck and Oliver and see what they are up to! From the preview you can tell there will be lost of sweetness and cute moments... but I'm sensing it will be tense as well! Their a few years into their relationship in this one so that would be right around the time you might expect some relationship woes! I'm excited to see what Alexis Hall has in store for us!

I didn't realize how much I missed Luc and Oliver until I started reading Husband Material. The first five chapters are every bit as delightful as Boyfriend Material. Luc is still hopelessly insecure and I just want to tuck him into my pocket. Oliver is still buttoned up and stoic and I adore him. I laughed from page one on and the only negative I found is that I was only sent five chapters! Husband Material is witty, sharp, poignant, and altogether delightful; and I can't wait to read the rest.

5 FULL STARS for this 5 CHAPTER PREVIEW.

***Thanks to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca***

I dropped everything I had to do today and sat and read it immediately and I am dying. It's so so good, I just loved it. So much heart, so many call backs to Boyfriend Material, all the characters you have grown to love, Luc & Oliver just at their sweet bantery finest, and so many LOL moments I cackled about 30x reading just this. The continuity of voice and how the story picks right back up is the most impressive. How does Hall write so wonderfully? His voice continues to tickle my mind and fill me with sparkles. It's going to be a fantastic sequel. I can't wait to read the whole thing.

Also, major Four Weddings and a Funeral rom com vibes in this one.

We are all in for a major treat come August 2, 2022

I was so excited to see a 5 chapter preview of Husband Material! I found Boyfriend Material in the midst of the pandemic and it swiftly became a beloved book. I was so happy to see Luc and Oliver were getting a sequel and that we readers would get to share in more of their time together.

This 5 chapter preview was such fun!! It was such an absolute joy to return to their world, to Luc's internal monologues, the effortlessly funny interactions, the heartfelt tenderness of these characters, the pull of the story itself.

The voice and characterizations pulled me right back into this world and I was so happy to see these characters again--not just Luc and Oliver but also the brilliant array of side characters who have also made a place for themselves in my heart.

It is fascinating to see them two years on, to see how far they've come but also to see the issues that they are still working on.

With only 5 chapters I still know this will be a glorious and engaging return to Luc and Oliver's world. August can't come quickly enough!


Thanks to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for this eARC!

Well it might have been a mistake reading this excerpt because now how am I supposed to wait 6 months for the rest?! It’s impossible!!!

What FUN it is returning to the world of Luc and Oliver! I love these two so much! And Alexis Hall’s writing is so, so good! The banter is just so entertaining and relatable. I’m even in love with the side characters! Alex Twaddle still doesn’t get the jokes (bad conductor!!) and Rhys has stumbled unknowingly into the world of soft-core porn and has fans who call themselves Rhystocrats (can this please be made into a movie? Just, all of this?).

sigh. But for now I wait. I can’t wait to see where this story goes. Is it August yet?

I absolutely loved Boyfriend Material, the first book in the Boyfriend Material universe by Alexis Hall. So I am eagerly awaiting the release of Husband Material in August 2022. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing the first 5 chapters of the book! This preview reminded me of everything that I loved about Boyfriend Material: the wonderful characters, pop culture references, and delicious dialogue. From the very first page it was like reuniting with old friends as we catch up with Luc and Oliver 2 years on from Boyfriend Material. And it's just enough of a peek to see where the challenges, silliness, and romance will develop in the rest of the book. I cannot wait for the release of Husband Material <3

This preview of Husband Material was everything I hoped it could be and more. I loved getting to see Luc and Oliver after they have been together for a while and the way their relationship has progressed. I also loved how while it is a couple years after Boyfriend Material the characters still feel like themselves and are still working on their issues, some getting better and some getting worse. The cliff hanger this preview ends on sets up what I expect to be an amazing plot for the book and I cannot wait until August when I can read the rest of the story on August 2rd 2022!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this preview of the first 5 chapters!

Reading the first five chapters of this books has made me so excited to continue the story. These few chapters made me laugh out loud, say “aaaw”, and I’m already stressing about what will happen next!

Husband Material has me instantly hooked! Lucien is a relatable character. He is trying to be the best friend he can be and trying to be the best boyfriend. But this may end up being a problem. It may not help that his ex has come into the picture and ended up inviting Lucien to his wedding! Luc thought he had moved on, but would going really out everything that happened behind them?

I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the book!

What a wonderful start to “Husband Material”! It keeps the fun voice, I loved in the first book, and I immediately felt welcomed back into Luc’s life and friend group, easily catching up on what has happened since we last saw them. These five chapters already open up several interesting plotlines and I cannot wait to get my hands on the book once it’s published to find out where the story is going. (Fingers crossed the funeral will be Jon Flemming’s future and that the wedding mood convinces either Luc or Oliver to propose - I’d also take a hilarious double proposal, I’m not really picky like that!)