Boyfriend Material

Brief premise
Oliver agrees to Luc's proposal for a fake relationship, and the witty banter begins. These two are opposites in every sense of the word, which results in fabulous push and pull and gut-hurting banter that is some of the best I've read. Both Luc and Oliver have a set of found family friends that make the story thoroughly entertaining. For me, Luc's friend circle was particularly hilarious, supportive, and ball-busting at the same time.

Going in
Luc is the estranged son of a rock star. His dad's new TV gig puts Luc in the hot seat with greater scrutiny by the media. Oliver is the golden boy who does nothing wrong in anyone's eyes. When Luc finds that his life is blowing up, a mutual friend suggests that hiding behind the pretense of a committed relationship would help, and she suggests a fake relationship with Oliver. It sounds cliche, but it's the beginning of a heartwarming love story.

My take
Boyfriend Material was a satisfying read that left me with a desire to call my best friend just to hear the sound of her voice.

Chemistry and romance
In the beginning, both Luc and Oliver stick to their roles as fake boyfriends. They go through the motions, and keep their lives separate, but as the book progresses, these lines blur. It is not a matter of who fell first but rather of who was willing to speak their truths first. Their jabs at each other make the book a lighter read while building chemistry and making you want to see them together.

What worked
Under the banter and the lies, there are two people who are both lonely and hopeless. Through their journey, you see healing, self-acceptance, and a light that builds over time. This slow progression makes their story feel real, and both Luc and Oliver seem like lived characters you root for.

What didn't work
At times, Oliver is not an easy character to love, and from time to time you just want to shake these two to rattle some sense into them. But these things do not distract from the story.

Read it if
If you like a book that has truly funny banter while delivering a real story of personal growth and a deeply satisfying love story, then this may be the book for you. If you love a found family that delivers a laugh while showing up for their boy, this is definitely the book for you.

Written in the reader's own words and published by the reader.