Glitterland by Alexis Hall

I adore Hall but this was a challenging book for me. We are so much in the head of Ash Winters who is so in the midst of upheaval that it was hard to read. 

Ash is in the midst of a self-destructive spiral when he meets Darian Taylor. It begins as a one night stand. Ash doesn't even remember Darian's name. But the two meet again, accidentally, and start to realize that they just might be perfect for each other. 

Three stars
This book came out May 15, 2013

Followed by Aftermath

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall

Wow. If you have any problems with self doubt, this book may not be the best as we get the first person view of Paris as he wobbles his way through a version of the Great British Bakeoff. He doubts every single thing he does and we get to read paragraphs of it. Lots and lots of paragraphs of it. And we don't get nearly enough of the romance in this book (same as in the first one in the series) but it is still an incredibly charming book. Hall is such an amazing writer that , in another's hands (words?) I wouldn't have kept going but I did. 

I wish we had gotten to see more of the behind-the-scenes as Paris finally figured out how to start the long road to being more confident. And how to be in a relationship with Tariq. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out November 1, 2022

Follows Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Husband Material by Alexis Hall

In romance, the book usually ends on the Happily Ever After or at least the Happily For Now. If there is a sequel, it usually focuses on a couple adjacent to the one in the first book. Hall continues to break into new (or at least seldom trod) paths by writing a follow up book, one wherein the two characters plan their wedding. I liked the idea of seeing what happens after the credits roll but, though Hall is an amazing writer, I had trouble reconciling everything in this book with what happened in the first, especially since most of this book felt like Luc and Oliver were on the sidelines (i.e. all of the conflicts seem external and, in a follow up book, it seems like there could be more things internal to the relationship), and I didn't especially love the way the book ended. I liked the ending, just not the actual execution.

Luc and Oliver fell in love and are now living in their HEA. But a brush with his ex-boyfriend causes Luc to question whether they are ready to take the next step in their relationship. It sure seems like everyone else is taking that step and maybe even expecting it from them as well. But are even of them really ready?

Three and a half stars.

This book came out August 2, 2020

Follows Boyfriend Material

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

Rosaline Palmer applies many labels to herself: mother, bisexual, disappointment to her parents, bakery worker. She's on her way to applying one more, contestant on Bake Expectations. She considers herself very lucky and even more so when she meets a fellow contestant on her way up to the first weekend. Yes, their train is cancelled causing both to be late and, yes, Rosaline tells Alain an outrageous lie because she is flustered and attracted to him. But that is quickly cleared up and Rosaline is on her way to making friends and winning hearts. Well, sort of. She still has to juggle her precocious eight-year-old, her day-to-day job, and her parents who are not only disappointed in her life choices, they let her know with every conversation.

Like most of Hall's books, the characters come alive, even the side characters who are not even on that many pages. I got a little bogged down in the middle but only a little. Hall is an amazing writer and I have so far enjoyed everything I've read. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

Four stars

This book came out May 18, 2021

Followed by Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall

I had heard rave reviews of this book on several podcasts that finally changed my mind about reading this book. Even though Alexis Hall is an amazing writer, I wasn't sure I would love the book. I was wrong. Hall creates vivid characters and engaging situations that make for a scintillating read that is, admittedly, a little hard to believe in a few places but overall delightful.

The Duke of Malvern has finally proposed to Miss Arabella Tarleton. She... doesn't seem impressed. In fact, the next morning, EARLY the next morning, her brother Bonaventure ("Bonny") invades the duke's bedroom to let him know that Arabella has exited, stage left. 

The two are soon on a road trip adventure that has the duke discovering that there are pleasures in life that he had never conceived of. True, the situations are outlandish but the prize, his true love, is worth it in the end.

Four stars
This book came out January 25, 2022

Followed by Something Spectacular

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall

I liked this book based on the cover and even more based on the author. The chapter titles? Adorable. The blend of "Clue" and "Murder By Death"? Laugh out loud funny. The relationship between our two heroines? Rocky but we really get to see how they are working on repairing it and why their relationship of ten years will last at least that much longer. 

Hanna and Liza are floundering. Neither feels like their relationship is sustaining them any longer. Hannah has peremptorily gotten them a weekend in Scotland. It's a castle, but a castle in the middle of a snowstorm. And a castle with murders. Six of them to be exact. 

With characters like Emmeline Wright, Ruby, a man dressed in green, etc., this is a contemporary take on a locked room mystery with the characters of Clue. Only better. The deft flourishes of language add little tidbits of delight and it takes a writer of great skill to show us two characters finding their love in the middle of a murder-filled vacation.

Four and a half stars

This book comes out November 9th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Kobo Original and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Libby September 2023

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

OMG. This book was... everything. In general, I don't like first person narration. It's usually better if it is alternating but Hall stuck with Lucien "Luc" O'Donnell and he was just so perfectly imperfect. Growing up the child of two people who were music stars in the '80s, he's famous for being the child of famous people. His one and only long-term relationship ended when his boyfriend sold their story fifty grand sending Luc's life into a spiral And since then, the paparazzi loves to follow him around like in the opening scene. He meets a cute guy while dressed as a rabbit but accidentally chases the guy off. While Luc is leaving the club, he trips on the sidewalk and is in the papers once again for allegedly being drunk/high/whatever. That's bad enough but, as a manager of donors for a nonprofit helping the dung beetles, Luc's job is now in jeopardy because donors don't believe that someone as out of control as Luc could reasonably be trusted with their funds. And with their biggest fundraising opportunity happening soon, Luc needs to fix his reputation fast. Is it the best plot point? Maybe. I worked for a nonprofit and there are definitely donors who will pull their money based on the stupidest of reasons. But it makes a good impetus for Luc to start dating someone who is looks like a grown-up steady person. And his best friend Bridget just happens to have the guy.
Oliver Blackwood is also perfectly imperfect. Even as Luc's white knight, the vegetarian barrister needs saving as well.
There could have been more resolution with Oliver's parents but the parts with Luc's dad and mom were perfect. Yes they were big stars but his mother loves Luc for who he is and Luc is able to make peace with who his father is and their relationship.

Four and a half stars.
This book comes out July 7, 2020

Followed by Husband Material

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

The Affair of the Mysterious Letter by Alexis Hall

Captain John Wyndham is a stranger in a strange land. After leaving home because he didn't fit in, he has landed in a new dimension and is in need of housing. Sorceress Shaharazad Hass is in need of a roommate.
Totally amoral, Hass thinks nothing of breaking the law of any land, of summoning gods too powerful to name, and of sleeping with... well it seems like everyone. She also has a quick wit and zero sense of her own mortality.
I requested this ARC when I heard that it was a fantasy retelling of Sherlock Holmes and it was fairly good. It's more touches of Holmes than an absolute homage and they were masterfully done. Not so masterful? The repetitions. Most blatant were the number of times Wyndham mentioned that he was amending the colorful language of his characters. We get it. They're cursing, you don't like it. Wyndham, Hass and the world-building were all excellent. The mystery... I'm still not sure what a third of the book had to do with solving the mystery so it was sort of a drag but overall entertaining read.

Four stars
This book came out  June 18
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own