Review

Review Revisited: Holly’s Take on Husband Material by Alexis Hall (2022)

We’re trying something a little different this week, where we read different books that all have the same title. Our first contender in Who Wore It Best: Smut Edition? Husband Material.

To properly kick off Husband Material week, I figured I should read the book that inspired us to do this in the first place: the version written by Alexis Hall that Erin squeed over. 

Her review is below, but here are three additional things that you should know about this book:

  1. It does not stand alone

You *definitely* have to read Boyfriend Material first. There are approximately a million characters who are vaguely introduced, but the expectation is that the reader already knows what Luc’s job is and who his coworkers are, who his besties are, and the general outline of his history. Luc’s friends Bridge and Priya get the most page time of the secondary characters and feel the most fully fleshed out, but if I hadn’t read Boyfriend Material, I would have been very confused with every interaction Luc has with his fellow CRAPPers.

  1. I would maybe call this book smut-adjacent

Not because of the non-heteronormative HEA, but because I thought it read kind of day-in-the-life women’s fic-y. The focus of most of the book is not Luc and Oliver’s relationship, because their relationship is great, but on the stuff going on around them that’s making them process their various messes.

On the other hand, the conflict and resolution at the very end of the book may have changed my mind about this statement.

  1. The last paragraph is perfect

Just trust me on this one.

Read on for Erin’s review.

Continue reading “Review Revisited: Holly’s Take on Husband Material by Alexis Hall (2022)”
Recommended Read, Review Revisited

Review Revisited: Holly’s Take on Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (2020)

So, Erin has been yelling at us about Boyfriend Material and how it’s her favoritest most funniest book ever for a while now, so I figured I should read it. 

Erin and I do not have exactly the same sense of humor, because I was not laughing so hard that my husband had to check on me to make sure I was ok. (Maybe also she laughs harder at things than I do.) And there were some scenes where I could tell that we were going for humor, but it was too over-the-top for me to get a giggle out of it. (Erin and I had similarly divergent reactions to Something Fabulous.) 

BUT. The bit where Luc is telling his coworkers the “interrupting cow” knock-knock joke is fucking hilarious. Alex Twaddle 4-EVA!

I will also say that I read this as part of a larger Alexis Hall binge, which really highlighted to me that his books are not for everyone. They are thoughtful and absolutely brilliantly written, but I find them incredibly stressful to read. The protagonists tend to be messy and unlikable; therefore, being in their heads is not always a pleasant experience.

Read on for all the deets (and lots of squeeing) from Erin.

Continue reading “Review Revisited: Holly’s Take on Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (2020)”
Review

Review: Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall (2022)

Winner Bakes All, Book #2

Review of Winner Bakes All, Book #1

Heat Factor: Tariq is waiting for marriage, and we’re going to respect that decision

Character Chemistry: They’ve got a cute grumpy-sunshine thing going on—when Paris can get out of his head

Plot: Paris and Tariq are both competing on Bake Expectations, and the internet casts Paris as the season’s villain.

Overall: Was this a difficult book for me to read? Yup, it sure was. Did I bad decision book club it anyway? Yup, I sure did.

Continue reading “Review: Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall (2022)”
Review

Review: When a Rogue Meets His Match by Elizabeth Hoyt (2020)

Greycourt, Book #2

Review of Greycourt, Book #1

Heat Factor: Above average historical romance sexyness

Character Chemistry: He’s smitten, she loathes him

Plot: Messalina is forced into marriage with her evil uncle’s fixer

Overall: I gobbled this up, but must admit that the resolution was rushed

Continue reading “Review: When a Rogue Meets His Match by Elizabeth Hoyt (2020)”
Recommended Read, Review

Review: Ravished by Amanda Quick (2005)

Heat Factor: It’s definitely not unusual for an old school trad published historical romance, but also they have sex in a cave before the 50% mark…so maybe it also is?

Character Chemistry: If you like that “I’ve been wronged and misunderstood, so I’m going to live down to everyone’s expectations” plus “I see through your mask and am the only one to call you on your b.s.” dynamic, this is that

Plot: Bluestocking spinster with no time for social niceties calls beastly and scandalous landowner to town because criminals are getting in the way of her archaeology; compromise and marriage ensues

Overall: Um, this book is awesomesauce.

Continue reading “Review: Ravished by Amanda Quick (2005)”