Title: Boyfriend Material
Author: Alexis Hall
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Published: 7 July 2020
To be upfront and honest, I don’t read a lot of romance novels. At least never completely focused romance novels, unless it’s young adult. Unless the romance book in question has LGBTQ+ characters, then I’m all over it like queso on chips.
I had heard about this book in late spring, early summer and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Fast forward to October when I finally bought a copy. I read this in 2 days, and the only reason I didn’t finish it in one is because I literally was falling asleep at one am trying to finish it.
Boyfriend Material centers on Luc O’Donnell, a tangentially famous person due to his rockstar parents. They split when Luc was young and his dad had been in and out of rehab ever since. Now, Luc’s dad his making a comeback, which means Luc is again in the spotlight. Being in the spotlight is something that Luc does not want. Yet, due to one compromising photo he has to clean up his image or lose his job. In walks Oliver Blackwood.
Oliver is the complete opposite of Luc. Oliver is a lawyer, an ethical vegetarian, and has never has a moment of scandal. He’s perfect boyfriend material for the donors in Luc’s life, yet there’s one problem: Luc and Oliver hate each other. But Luc reveals to Oliver why he needs a boyfriend and surprisingly Oliver agrees, as long as Luc will pretend to be his boyfriend to go to Oliver’s parents anniversary party.
As I began reading the book, I was expecting a fun and lighthearted tale, which this was, but it was also so much more. I fell completely in love with this book and with Luc and Oliver. Their relationship helps balance the other one out, yet they both come with baggage. And you want to know the most exciting part of the baggage was: it was not about being gay!
Not saying those books are not important, they are extremely, but it does get tiring only reading books with LGBTQ+ people who’s only baggage is that their parents/friends/loved ones don’t accept them.
The baggage is not only on Luc’s side either. Oliver also has baggage and eating disorder issues and a feelings of unworthiness. This is such a beautiful story of love, growth, friendship, and how parents are humans.
Luc is the character I totally related to the most. The abandonment issues, the unwillingness to be close to anyone, trying to wreck your own life before someone else does, all these issues I identified with as I read the book. Of course, neither of my parents were rockstars, but they were humans just like Luc’s parents were and sometimes learning that and moving through it is hard, but oh so worth it. I definitely cried when I finished this book and would recommend it to anyone I encounter!
Happy Reading Darlings!
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