Books are like people. Sometimes there are some you just don’t like. There are some you love and keep around you at all times, and then there are a few that you love enough, but then they come back around, it’s like they never left.
Alexis Hall’s sequel in his London Calling series came out and I was more than I even hoped for. Many of you have read it but if you haven’t, you can find my review of the first book, Boyfriend Material here. Husband Material brings us back to the further adventures of Luc and Oliver as they navigate weddings. It’s legitimate the cornerstones of the 1994 Hugh Grant movie, Four Wedding and a Funeral.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen that movie, and honestly, the part I remember the most is Hugh Grant running around trying to put on a pair of trousers while yelling the most creative uses of the word Fuck that I, as an American, have ever heard. Still, that didn’t stop me for giggling like a fool when I finally realized that this book was inspired by.
We start off with Luc being the best person to Bridget and Tom’s wedding. Because gender norms are a social construct and we’re taking back bitch. From there it’s just warm feelings of friends you didn’t know you missed that much until they start showing up. And around that is Luc and Oliver navigating life; their friend’s lives, their family’s lives, people they can’t stand. (fuck you Miles, you utter asshat!) Their own lives. Getting your happily ever after and living that ever after part, realizing that it takes way more work and one never really knows what’s right for them until they just know.
It’s no secret that I adore Oliver in this series. In the first book, he was the gay Mark Darcy to Luc’s gay Bridget Jones. In this book he’s a little more only it’s the best of Hugh Grant and Colin Firth mixed together. A bit uptight, a bit quirky, utterly adorable and just…yeah.
Plus, PLUS! He listens to The Magnus Archives! (If you don’t know what this is, dear God, go listen to it!) First it was Welcome to NightVale, now it’s the Magnus Archives. I’m tired of these men only ever being in books. Where are they in real life??
I don’t want to spoil any of this for you, dear readers, but the ending was not only a twist but utterly perfect at how not perfect it was. No correction, it was perfect for them. As it is with all old friends, I’m sad to see them go but I’m so happy they got their story.
I am so sorry for missing last wee dear readers but never fear, I have more than enough interesting things happening to make up for the impromptu break.
Spooky season is well underway so with cooler weather coming in, find your favorite hot drinks and curl up with a good book.
Mouse's Reading Nook 