Boyfriend Material

Luc O'Donnell, the son of two 1980s rock stars, works at an insect conservation charity in London. After tabloids publish unflattering photos of him, he needs to repair his public image and maintain his job security. Oliver Blackwood is a barrister with an impeccable reputation and stable career. The two men agree to fake-date each other - Luc needs respectability, while Oliver requires a date for important social events. Their arrangement involves attending functions together and convincing others their relationship is genuine. Despite their different backgrounds and personalities, they must maintain the charade while navigating their personal and professional lives. This romantic comedy explores themes of authenticity, public perception, and the challenge of being true to oneself while meeting others' expectations. The story combines elements of British humor with an examination of family dynamics and personal growth.

Romance readers rate this book 4.15/5 on Goodreads (133,000+ ratings) and 4.5/5 on Amazon (9,800+ ratings). Readers praise: - The witty dialogue and British humor - Chemistry between the main characters - LGBTQ+ representation without trauma focus - Balance of comedy and emotional depth - Supporting characters, especially Bridget Common criticisms: - Too many pop culture references - Some find the humor forced - Slow pacing in middle sections - Characters can be frustrating in their choices - Communication issues between leads feel repetitive From reader reviews: "The banter made me laugh out loud multiple times" - Goodreads "Sometimes tries too hard to be quirky" - Amazon "Like a gay British rom-com in book form" - StoryGraph BookTok and BookTube communities frequently recommend it for fans of Red, White & Royal Blue and The House in the Cerulean Sea. The sequel, Husband Material, has received similar ratings.

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Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur An actuary and an astrologer agree to fake-date through the holiday season to appease family expectations.

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🌟 The character Oliver Blackwood was partially inspired by author Alexis Hall's own experience as a vegetarian barrister in London. 💫 The book spawned a sequel titled "Husband Material," released in 2022, which continues Luc and Oliver's story with a wedding-focused plot. 🎸 The portrayal of Luc's rockstar father draws from real-life stories of British rock stars from the 1970s and their complex relationships with their children. 📚 The novel has been translated into over 10 languages and received a Lambda Literary Award nomination for Best Gay Romance. 🎭 The conservation charity where Luc works, the British Charitable Trust, is a fictional organization but was modeled after several real London-based environmental nonprofits.