Boyfriend Material

The novel Boyfriend Material (2020) is a romantic comedy by Alexis Hall. It follows Luc O’Donnell, the son of a rock star. Luc’s father, the rock star, is making a comeback.

Luc tries to find a suitable partner to help him clean up his party-boy image. He reunites with Oliver Blackwood, a man who seems like his opposite in every possible way. The novel grapples with the difficulties of identity and sexuality, questioning traditional notions of success while exploring adaptability and love.

Hall maintains a strict level of anonymity. He writes romance, science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction. The name Alexis Hall is a pseudonym, which he uses out of respect for his own privacy and a belief that his day job does not coincide with romance writing. He lives in southeast England. (Hall, Alexis. “FAQ: About Me.” Alexis Hall.)

This guide uses the Sourcebooks Casablanca illustrated paperback edition of the novel (ISBN-13 978-1728206141).

Content Warning: Boyfriend Material contains instances of explicit and implicit anti-gay bias. It also contains profanity and references child abandonment and emotional abuse.

Plot Summary

Luc O’Donnell arrives late at a bar and searches for his friends. He meets a man named Cam, and the two briefly flirt before making out. When Luc learns that Cam is a journalist, he reacts poorly because his father, Jon Fleming, is a rock star currently making a comeback. Luc trips on his way out of the bar, and paparazzi photograph him in a compromising position. The next morning, the incriminating photo circulates through the tabloids. Luc calls his mother, Odile O’Donnell, for comfort.

On Monday, Luc goes to work, where he is the head fundraiser for a dung beetle charity. He is called into a meeting with his supervisor, Dr. Fairclough. She tells him that news of his weekend exploits has caused donors to withdraw their support because he looks like the “wrong sort of homosexual” (26). She tells him that he must fix his public image in time for the annual Beetle Drive or he will be fired.

Luc’s coworker Alex suggests that Luc find a boyfriend who will help him look good. Luc reaches out to his friend group for help. They meet at a restaurant to discuss the situation; Bridget suggests Oliver Blackwood. Luc initially rejects the idea, having had bad interactions with Oliver in the past. However, he agrees to a date when everyone agrees that Oliver is perfect for the role because of his well-kept appearance, legal background, and stability.

Luc and Oliver get dinner but spend most of the meal butting heads over ethical debates. Luc’s feelings of inferiority contribute to his attitude. When they leave, Luc tries to save the date by kissing Oliver but is rejected. When Oliver insinuates that Bridget has told Luc something, Luc reveals that he is searching for a partner to improve his public image. Luc and Oliver agree to fake a relationship in exchange for Luc attending Oliver’s parents’ wedding anniversary party so that Oliver has a plus one and companionship. Oliver also initiates a “no kissing or intercourse” rule. They make plans to get brunch and spend the next several days texting.

The morning of their brunch, Odile calls Luc with an emergency, and he cancels the date with Oliver to travel to her home. There, he finds Jon waiting for him. Jon tells Luc that he has cancer. Luc’s feelings are complicated due to Jon abandoning him at a young age. Luc leaves and listens to a voicemail from Oliver, breaking up with him. Luc goes to Oliver’s house to apologize and explain the situation. They decide to resume their fake relationship. Luc spends the day and night with Oliver.

Luc bemoans that he has not pulled donors for Alex when at work. Alex suggests that Oliver and Luc get drinks with him and his girlfriend, Miffy. Miffy is the daughter of an earl and was kidnapped the year before; she attracts a lot of paparazzi. Luc and Oliver agree. Over dinner and drinks, Luc feels left out due to clear differences in socioeconomic status between himself and the other three. He lashes out, although Miffy and Alex are quick to forgive him. They exit their meal and run into paparazzi, who ask increasingly offensive questions until Oliver intervenes and helps Luc into a taxi. As they drive to Luc’s apartment, Luc apologizes for his behavior, and they discuss how to act in public. At Luc’s apartment, Oliver is horrified at the messiness he finds but stays the night despite his obvious misgivings.

The following week, Luc tries to be nicer to his coworkers and agrees to meet with his father, asking Oliver to join him. Oliver is a criminal defense barrister and busy with a big case, so Luc uses the opportunity to have his friends help clean his apartment. Luc invites Oliver on an impromptu visit to meet his mother, where the three eat curry and watch Drag Race with Odile’s best friend Judy. The next week, Luc visits a vegan restaurant with two donors to woo them back to the Beetle Drive. His efforts are successful, but he has a momentary crisis as he grapples with his line of work. He invites Oliver to the restaurant, and the two dine out and behave flirtatiously.

The next morning, Oliver and Luc visit Luc’s father. They drive for hours and reach the farmhouse where Jon is filming for the reality television show he hosts. Filming takes five hours, agitating Luc because he has once again not been his father’s priority. After filming, Luc, Jon, and Oliver talk. When Jon refuses to repent for having abandoned Luc, Oliver intercedes. Jon makes another request to reconcile as Luc and Oliver leave.

Back in London, Oliver and Luc kiss. Their evening is interrupted when Luc receives a notification that Cam has posted a news article, where Luc is depicted as wounded and pathetic. Luc breaks up with Oliver while locked in the bathroom and then calls Bridget for support. Bridget encourages him to reconcile with Oliver. Luc travels to Oliver’s home, where he shares the article and tells Oliver about his ex-boyfriend, Miles, who sold the story of their romance for $50,000. This damaged Luc’s ability to trust others, especially romantically. He and Oliver resolve to work through their issues and resume their “fake” relationship, even after both agreeing that they feel genuine affection for each other.

Luc and Oliver attend the 30th birthday party of Oliver’s friend Jennifer. The party guests clearly love Olive, but also harass him and frequently bring up his lack of success in relationships. Luc comes to his defense and impresses the attendees by convincing one of them to donate to the Beetle Drive. Oliver takes Luc home, where they are physically intimate.

Luc meets for a beer with his father. Jon is self-absorbed. The Beetle Drive is a success as Oliver helps Luc network. Subsequently, Dr. Fairclough praises Luc and compliments Oliver. Oliver and Luc travel to the Blackwood family home for Oliver’s parents’ wedding anniversary. The Blackwoods display a clear preference for Oliver’s brother, Christopher, and frequently subject Oliver to cruel critiques about his job and appearance, as well as off-color remarks about his sexuality. Luc stands up for Oliver but insults the Blackwoods in the process. He is kicked out of the party, quickly followed by Oliver.

During the drive home, Oliver pulls over and breaks down crying. Luc offers him comfort. The two return to Luc’s apartment to eat bacon sandwiches after Luc makes a compelling argument for Oliver to make an exception to his vegetarianism. The two make love. The next morning, Oliver breaks up with Luc despite Luc’s protests.

Several days later, Luc goes to meet Jon at a restaurant but is stood up. He visits his mother, and she shares that Jon doesn’t actually have cancer. After discussing their frustrations and hurt, Luc tells her about the breakup, and she encourages him to focus on his growth. While at work, Luc receives a call from a panicked Bridget, who shares that Oliver is looking for a new job in Durham. She convinces their entire friend group to drive Luc to Durham so he can ask Oliver to stay in London. However, they arrive only to find that Oliver canceled his interview. Luc and his friend group make the long trek back to London, where Luc’s friends kick him out of the car in front of Oliver’s house. Oliver comes outside, and Luc tries to convince him to rekindle their relationship. He tells Oliver that he loves him and emphasizes how he wants to help Oliver heal. Oliver rejects him.

Luc and one of his friends spend the night drinking. Early the next morning, Oliver arrives at Luc’s apartment and apologizes, saying that he loves Luc. The two reconcile and decide to resume their relationship despite their fears.