I really struggled with Good Material, having read and loved Dolly Aldertons previous works I was really looking forward to this. However the story and characters failed to grip me, I ended up skim reading large parts of text because I found the protagonist so boring and the only thing that kept me reading was wanting to see the POV of his ex girlfriend. When we finally get a small snippet from her POV at the end, it was great! I wish the whole book was from her perspective as she was SO much more interesting. Ah well, can't love them all!

Dolly Aldertom has done it again. I absolutely adored this break-up novel reminiscent of (500) days of summer. I wish there more break up novels that look back at why a relationship broke down and the love slowly simmered into ambers. Just a beautifully heartbreaking story about two flawed individuals. Our story follows Andy, a 35-year old struggling comedian whose girlfriend has broken up with him. He’s not sure why and is bitter as well as heartbroken. We follow him trying to get his life together. The last 10% (90%-100%) follows the girlfriend’s pov and everything slots into place. It was just so relatable and the perfect ending.
I know some readers found Andy whiny and self-indulgent, and I do agree he does tend to shrug off taking responsibility and I wish he took more accountability for his actions and was self-reflective enough to realise how selfish he could be at times, but I still found his POV intriguing (as a woman) and while he was unlikeable at times, there were moments when I did feel for him and realised how little emotional men get from their friends and isolated/lonely they can be. I felt like his flaws were intentional as they seemed reflective of men around me and unfortunately men have a lot blind spots in terms of not seeing the sacrifices women make. Just a gem of novel. Can’t recommend this enough.

I really enjoyed Dolly Alderton’s first novel Ghosts and her second is even better. 35-year-old stand-up comedian Andy struggles to move on when his girlfriend Jen breaks up with him out of the blue. Alderton explores the familiar facets of heartbreak but without resorting to cliches, and her love of Nora Ephron romantic comedies is a clear influence. Leaving Jen’s perspective to the very end was definitely a smart move and shines a new light on their relationship.

The best Dolly yet!

I loved this story so much, Andy was a loveable character despite his flaws and it was just so god damned funny. I laughed, I cried, and it made me reflect on my own life.

What more could you want?

This book was an absolute treat to read. A fresh perspective on break ups - funny and heartbreaking in equal measure. Dolly Alderton never disappoints!

Is there anything Dolly Alderton can't do? I just love how she writes. I was a bit nervous going into this one as it is a male protagonist. But I really had nothing to worry about because it was so perfect! I loved how we got to see both sides of the break-up. And it's no surprise as to how the relationship really ended. But it really is a gorgeous look into the human condition.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!!!!!!!! Dolly is a goddess, she can do no wrong. I would read her shopping list if I could. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

I love anything that Dolly produces but this is the next level. As a male lover of the sally rooney-esque/young female author genre I was interested to see how a book written entirely from the male perspective would pan out, but this did not disappoint. A page turner, in tune with the male psyche and male behaviour, this book left me unsure of where it was heading, or what was round the next corner - just like a great night out with the lads.

Dolly Alderton is a godsend. I cannot recommend her enough, her non-fiction and now after discovering her fiction, this beautiful novel! This is the perfect read for those trying to find themselves, somewhere in the middle!

I loved and adored Good Material so much that after reading just the first chapter, I told my mum (who has similar reading taste to my own) that she had to pick up a copy right away! Dolly Alderton manages to explore heartbreak with insight, empathy and humour and I couldn't fail to be moved by our protagonist, Andy, and his struggle to cope with a particularly tough break-up.

I particularly admired Alderton's ability to write convincingly from a male point of view (reminding me at times of my favourite Nick Hornby and David Nicholls books), but it was also a stroke of genius to switch perspectives towards the end of the novel. All the characters were so well drawn and I became particularly fond of Andy's interactions with Morris. As with her previous novel, Ghosts, I found it easy to relate to the characters and some of the themes explored in the book. It was so readable and I inhaled the novel within 24 hours (even switching to the EXCELLENT audio narrated by Arthur Darvill and Vanessa Kirby so I could continue on my dog walks).

What I appreciated most of all, though, was that Good Material made me laugh out loud more than once on a grey January day – no mean feat! Even though I read this at the start of the year, I expect this will be included in my end-of-year favourites.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy of Good Material in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher

I really wanted to like this one as I’ve heard soo many rave reviews about Dolly Alderton but unfortunately this was a hard miss. The protagonist is going through a break up but I couldn’t care for any of it.

I do look forward to reading her backlist instead.

When stand-up comic Andy’s girlfriend Jen leaves him, he’s devastated. He can’t understand what happened and struggles to move on with his life. His career is going nowhere and life is at the bottom. Can he find a way to recover his form and maybe win Jen back?

Good Material is a great romantic read, with the unusual twist of the main protagonist being a man. Andy’s struggles to understand how his life is going so badly, and how he’s going to change things, is sympathetically written, and his character ensures you’re on his side, I also enjoyed the ending fromJen’s perspective, which tied up the loose ends nicely,

Enjoyable story a,d thoroughly recommend.

Alex is a compelling character - there is a bit of him in all of us. This was hilarious! Dolly is a genius! Such a simple idea of a story turned into a beautiful journey of finding who you are without that special someone. This is perfect lazy day reading and should be read by everyone. Loved it.

Fabulously readable, heart-breaking and hilarious in the same sentence. Andy has been unexpectedly dumped by Jen. his girlfriend of 4 years. The book opens with a list of reasons why Andy shouldnt want to go out with Jen any more, with a realm of small and larger reasons, ending in 'she ruined my life'.

And Andy has loved their lives together, particularly as he looks back on it through rose-tinted break-up glasses. It turns out that being single in your mid 30s isnt like being single in your 20s; your friends are all married with children, the nights have to be scheduled months in advance. Andy falls apart- day time drinking, internet stalking of Jen and anyone related to her, looking for clues as to why she ruined everything.

Its such a page turner, instantly relatable though the revelations about how 20 somethings approach dating made me feel more middle-aged than ever!

A solid 4 stars from me.

A well plotted, emotionally charged story that made me smile and move. Great storytelling and characters
Loved it and love the stories by this author
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Good Material left me feeling exposed. It is the story about a break-up of a relationship. Jen and Andy have broken up. Andy is not happy and he is not handling it well. We follow him through his journey of trying to get over the relationship and I won't lie to you, it is brutal.

If you have ever been through a break-up it will all feel painfully familiar. If you haven't been through a break-up then it should give you the fear.

Dolly Alderton has written a triumphant novel that hits a different way to any other break-up novel I have ever read.

Good Material by Dolly Alderton is available now.

For more information regarding Penguin (@PenguinUKBooks) please visit www.penguin.co.uk.

Sadly didn't quite live up to the expectations for me, but a quick and engaging read regardless, and I can see it appealing to many other readers.

Good Material by Dolly Alderton.
Publisher:: Penguin Uk
Published on 9/11/23

NO SPOILERS

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I first heard of Dolly Alderton when “Everything I Know About Love” was on tv. I watched it, loved it, read the book then listened to the audiobook I loved it that much.
I equally love this book. Written from the perspective of a man post break up, it was just as relatable and engaging as the previous one. I particularly liked the ending which shone a whole new light on to the story.
A perfect read for that post Christmas/New Year slump, it made me laugh (and shout in exasperation) out loud in places.

Thanks to the author, publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Dolly is a great author & I really enjoyed this book.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Dolly Alderton's writing is something I keep coming back to. Even when reading about a devastating break up she still manages to make you feel understood and warm through her way with words.
Writing a mans POV as a woman isn't always successful and i was apprehensive at first but again, Dolly is so talented to do this flawlessly.
I will continue to read whatever she puts out.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!