Pub Day: Husband Material by Alexis Hall

 

So it's Pub Day for Alexis Hall's newest, Husband Material. (To read my early review of it, click here.) 

I gave this book 2.5 stars out of 5. And I know I'm not alone in my feelings about this book, though the majority of reviewers seem to have no problems with it. I had thought about laying out more specifically and with evidence all the ways and reasons this book bothered me but at this point I’m pretty done with it. It broke my heart and I’m tired of thinking about it. I will just say that I heartily disagree with any and all 5 star reviews and any declarations of “it’s perfect!!”  I genuinely think that many of these readers have gone in already knowing they were going to give the book a stellar rating regardless of what they read. 

That said, I stand by my previous rating and review. I’m not disappointed that they didn’t end up married, even though it felt a little bait-and-switch-y. I’m disappointed that Alexis Hall wrote what he did and thought it depicted a non-toxic, grown-up relationship. I’m disappointed that Luc didn’t seem to care about Oliver’s feelings at any point in the book. I’m disappointed that Luc felt the need to dump a wastebasket over an already weeping Oliver’s head for having the courage to say something he himself also felt but could not say. I’m disappointed that Hall wrote away Oliver’s demisexuality with one line. I’m disappointed that he wrote these characters so out of character that they no longer felt like them. And I’m extremely disappointed that so many readers think these things are okay.

Here’s hoping the recently announced “Father Material” rights the wrongs committed by this installment and gives them - and us - the HEA we all deserve. 

💒 🤵🏼 🤵🏻 💒

Thanks to Sourcebooks Early Reads for providing the digital arc.