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

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

A Husband for Santa by Doreen Heron

Researching the mythology of Christmas for his Ph.D., Symeon Golightly never expects to meet the son of Santa. Nor does he expect to fall in love. But when Turk, expecting his father to turn over the role this year and being disappointed, takes off to nurse his wounds and ends up in the hotel where Symeon is working.
I liked that the novella took place over the course of almost a year giving Symeon and Turk time to get to know each other. I didn't love that the story seemed half-told and that parts were very jerky to read.

Three stars
This book came out December 23rd
ARC kindly provided by NineStar Press and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Changing Colors by Elyse Springer

Tony Quinn likes the world to be well-defined. People go in boxes and that's where they stay. Even in the world of the theater, he manages to keep his life very tidy that way. At least, that's until he meets Gee in a club one night. It's lust at first sight. But then Tony muffs it up. See, Gee is a man who  likes to wear women's clothes. He is not transitioning in any way; he just likes to wear women's clothes. Half the time, he doesn't even shave. And Tony can't handle that. They are together for a short time, then apart for a long time, then together again.
I seem to have picked up several romances lately where one character is rigid and the other one has to make all the changes. That's how I felt about Gee. Here's Tony stepping out of his comfort zone and Gee is shitting all over his efforts. Gee is otherwise so comfortable in his own skin, something you don't get to see often, I wish he hadn't been such a jerk. Then there's the fact that Tony was more or less stalking Gee (or at least his sister had a Google alert out.)

Two stars
This book came out October 23
ARC provided by NetGalley