Hello everyone, thank you for clicking on my book blog. For today’s menu what we have is Alexis Hall’s best-selling novel Boyfriend Material. Your usual fake relationship turns real. But, in this case also enemies to lovers. Now that I’ve told you a little something about the book, let’s move forward with information about the book and my review.

What is it about?

Luc O’ Donnell, born to legendary rockstar parents of the 80’s, making him somewhat famous due to parental ties. Thus, attracting attention from the media that result in multiple scandals. One day, he is caught once again by the tabloids after being seen puking in a random alley, after attending a friend’s party while wearing fetish wear. Since, Luc works in a Dung Beatle Charity, this compromising photo puts his job in jeopardy as numerous donors threatened to pull out due to his misconduct.

In an effort to fix his reputation, he seeks out a reputable boyfriend that would hopefully keep him out of the papers or give him favorable press. This plan comes in the form of Oliver Blackwood, a barrister that is as normal and as heteronormative as could any gays get. To set the plan into motion, the two make a deal to be each other’s fake boyfriend until the waves have settled. Once it’s done, the deal is finished and they can go to their own separate ways.

Review

For starters, this book is my very first book blog post. I will not say this book is the one that inspired me to blog. I just happen to read this book with the idea of starting my own personal book blog. Luc is the main narrator of the book Boyfriend Material. It is an M/M, LGBTQIA+, Romantic Comedy book. This certain POV sets the book up for really hilarious moments and heartfelt storytelling plot points. A great moment to encapsulate this is Luc and Oliver’s first date:

Oliver was much as I remembered him: a cool, clean, modern art-piece of a man entitled Disapproval in pinstripe. And handsome enough to annoy me. My own face looked as if Picasso had created it on a bad day — bits of my mum and my dad thrown together without rhyme or reason. But Oliver had the sort of perfect symmetry that eighteenth-century philosophers would have taken as evidence for the existent of God.

Do Opposite attract?

Opposite attracts is the name of the game for Luc O’ Donnell and Oliver Blackwood. One being the pinnacle of self-restraint and mundanity. Comparatively, the other subverts that with his audacious attitude and a life of being a subject to scrutiny by tabloids. Despite their differences, both of them have chemistry that can make a conservative man in Texas scream. And that’s if they make the slightest act of affection, which does include insults towards one another. This is all to say that their interaction throughout this book made me scream and giggle in an uncouth manner. 

What’s the theme of Boyfriend Material?

Moving towards the general themes of the book. it of course centers around romance but it also centers a lot around the concept of reputation. The book tackles how queer people’s character is viewed under public eyes. In the book, Luc is depicted in the eyes of the public as a sexually perverted, hedonistic and audacious type of gay guy. As compared to Oliver, a well-established heteronormative gay guy who’s never been in a scandal nor seems to be the type to challenge societal norms.  To add, I hate how society views people who step outside the boundaries of a traditional conservative society as signs of deviant behavior. Which is shown true in the book through this email sent by one of the charity’s donors to Luc after his most recent scandal:

Dear Mr. O’ Donnell.

            I have been a supporter of CRAPP for many years and have always believe that my not-insignificant contributions were being well directed towards a worthwhile cause. Having seen your recent personal conduct and made my own independent researchers into your, frankly, sordid history I am forced to conclude that this belief was misguided. I do not give money to charities in order that they can pay people to gallivant off on homosexual drug binges. I am withholding all donations to your organization for as long as it remains associated with you or your lifestyle. Sincerely, J Clayborne, MBE

This clear distinction in public reputation is what sets off the conflict of the story. And it is Luc trying to mend his public image from bad gay to a good type of gay. Which he does by dating the good gay. Oliver Blackwood is this named “good gay”. It is a contentious topic, but it was only a sub-theme in my opinion. Still, lighthearted is the only word that describes how the book handled it.

“Explain to me again,” said Oliver finally, “why you need a boyfriend?”

It was the least I owed him. “Mainly for this big fundraiser we’ve got coming up at the end of April. Our donors all think I’m a bad gay.”

He frowned. “What’s a good gay?”

“Someone like you.”

“I see.”

Final Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and have grown to love Luc and Oliver’s love story. I also appreciate how Luc and Oliver building a relationship was not the center of the story. Rather, it’s them building themselves up while progressing with the relationship. Both of them mending their short coming as people. While, also trying to make their relationship work is extremely adorable and endearing. For things I didn’t like. I felt like the story was cut too short. It felt like it ended abruptly and that there could be more to the ending. Also, I wish there was more time for them to be lovey-dovey and develop their relationship. Not saying that it lacked development, but it could use more. Is this read perfect, specifically for me? No. But it’s definitely a good one.

Favorite Quotes from Boyfriend Material

“Are we really bad at this?” I asked. “We’ve been fake dating for three days and we’ve already fake broken up once.”

“Yes, but we fake resolved our difficulties and fake got back together, and I’m hoping it’s made us fake stronger.”

“Good to know. Now will you stop being reassuring and fuck me?”

“I will fuck you, Lucien”- he’d gone all stern and, for once, it didn’t bother me at all – “ in the matter of my choosing.”

I stared at him wide-eyed and blatantly into… whatever this was. “Steady on, I didn’t sign up for Fifty Shades of Gay.”

Verdict

Boyfriend Material Overview

Title:

Boyfriend Material

Author:

Alexis Hall

Genre:

Romantic Comedy, LGBT

Published by:

Source Books Casablanca (July 7, 2020)

Content Warnings:

Homophobia, Eating Disorder, Mental Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, Mention of Cancer

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