Sequel to Boyfriend Material
e-ARC, NetGalley
Author: Alexis Hall
I must confess I was equal parts excited and terrified to read this one. With amazing books, we always get the “will this be as good as the first one?” feeling, but this is Alexis Hall and he’s never disappointed me.
In this Four Weddings and A Funeral “inspired” (or should I say “themed”?) sequel, Luc and Oliver have been together for two years. Luc is still a hot mess, though more of a “warm mess” now and Oliver is pretty much Oliver, though he’s loosened up quite a bit.
With all their friends getting married and moving on in the expected timeline of life events, Luc, who’s deeply in love with Oliver proposes (kind of on a whim, we should add) and Oliver says yes. In true Oliver/Luc fashion, all sorts shenanigans ensue. As they navigate through weddings, a funeral and wedding planning, they grow. They deal with their identities as individuals and as a couple. In true Alexis Hall fashion, serious topics are discussed in a delicate and light manner.
Unbeknownst to them, they have already reached their HEA – they just had to learn that an HEA doesn’t need a perpetual state of “happy” – they’ll be sad, they’ll be angry, they’ll f*ck up (royally sometimes), they’ll make up, but they will do it together. They’ll grow, staying true to themselves and that’s lovely.
I absolutely adore the way Alexis Hall writes. Luc’s infinite vortexes of “Lucness” are hilarious and Oliver’s characteristic very Oliver-y words are a joy to read.
It’s fun, it’s sweet, it’s hilarious (I chuckled quite a few times) and endearing. I kinda wish I could be friends with Luc, Oliver, their friends and the C.R.A.P.P. crew.
Entirely told in first person through Luc’s POV, this is a closed door romance. You can read this as a standalone as the story is contained and has no cliffhangers, but I strongly suggest reading Boyfriend Material first.
Possible triggers: toxic relationship with parents, queer phobia
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Alexis Hall, @NetGalley and @sourcebookscasa for the copy.
