Husband Material

I love the London Calling series. Just as the first book this one was funny and charming and lovely and I just couldn´t put it down. Subtle warning though: there are a few chapters that deal with the loss of a close family member of one of the main characters. So read with care if you´re sensitive about this. Besides that I can just say we got another amazing portion of typical Luc and Oliver! (Also, the James Royce Royces got a baby and called it James. Need I say more?)

After falling in love with "Boyfriend Material" when it was published, I was looking forward to reading the second book in the series, "Husband Material", which was my most anticipated read this year. I am not exaggerating, I had it marked down in my calendar and a countdown set for its release date. I was THAT excited. "Boyfriend Material" has been my comfort read for quite some time now. There are only a few books which hold that special place and status in my heart. This book has been my go-to read when I need to find a place of comfort. It is filled with so much humor that I find myself laughing during so many scenes. I always cherish the little moments filled with social awkwardness which are totally a mirror for my own self. I see myself represented in it and I honestly can say that I have found comfort in Alexis Hall‘s books and voice. I have been counting the days for the release of "Husband Material" and I never once worried about what it would be, or how it would be. I truly trust Alexis Hall in this. A voice of comfort which will never disappoint me. It felt like I am reconnecting with old friends, with my comfort zone. Therefore, I had extremely high expectations - and after reading it now I can honestly say that I loved every single moment of this book. In "Husband Material", the book focuses on true love. In the first book, the two main characters pretend to fall in love and then suddenly realize that they are actually in love. So this book now therefore starts with the real love perspective. They have fallen in love, so what is next? Oliver and Luc have been dating each other for quite some time now, have experienced the ups and downs together and now are planning their own wedding which leads to even more chaos than you can already expect from both of them. This book has been a true masterpiece for me, like the first book in the series, but I expected nothing less than a true masterpiece. It focuses on different really important topics - expressing yourself as a queer person when you cannot identify yourself with everything rainbow-colored. When you feel like you are part of something that does not feel like coming home. Social norms and the pressure that comes with it. But also just being loved while being flawed and messy. The first book felt flirty and sexy. "Husband Material" feels more personal, mature and domestic. I absolutely loved every single sentence I have read, all the characters involved into the story, the humor, the laughter, and for me, the coming home. The writing style was as phenomenal as expected and the end had me screaming since I did not expect something like this to happen AT ALL! Also, how can it end here and now I have to wait and suffer while waiting for the next book? Hands down, "Husband Material" has been my most anticipated read this year and I was not disappointed at all. Instead, it became one of my favorite reads this year and deserves more than 5 stars (but unfortunately this is the limit on here). It was truly amazing and I will keep recommending it to everyone!

Ich LIEBE den trockenen Humor, in Alexis Halls Büchern, selbst wenn ernste Themen behandelt werden. Und diesmal wird es richtig ernst, denn Luc und Oliver wollen heiraten! Wollen oder müssen? Diese Frage beschäftigt vermutlich alle Paare früher oder später. Ist eine Hochzeit nicht der "nächst logische Schritt" in einer glücklichen Beziehung zwischen Erwachsenen? Und wenn ja - wie soll diese ausfallen? Klassisch romantisch oder doch außergewöhnlich bunt? Gerade das Thema 'queere Community' fand ich sehr spannend - für Luc ein Safe Space, in dem er sich zuhause fühlt, für Oliver nichts, mit dem er sich selbst identifiziert. Wie viele unterschiedliche Meinungen verträgt eine Beziehung? Das Buch behandelt viele grundlegende Thematiken und bleibt trotzdem die meiste Zeit locker, humorvoll und liebenswert. Luc und Oliver sind einfach ein "perfect imperfect couple" - ob verheiratet oder nicht. Wenn ihr "Boyfriend Material" mochtet, müsst ihr unbedingt auch diesen Folgeband lesen ❤️

Nennt mich einen hoffnungslosen Romantiker der total auf Klischees steht, aber mir hat das Ende nicht gefallen obwohl es mal was Anderes war. Die gesamte Story war meh. Trotzdem habe ich beide Bände in wenigen Tagen gelesen weil es mich dann doch genug gefesselt hat. Also sind 3 Sterne warscheinlich unfair.