Father Material

London Calling #3

by Alexis Hall

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...what was that, exactly?

Luc and Oliver have been through it all: fake dating to save Luc's career, I-guess-this-is-actually-for-real dating when all of that blew up spectacularly, (briefly) breaking up over irreconcilable differences, (definitively) getting back together over perfectly reconcilable everything else, (almost) getting married, (finally) moving in together, and ultimately celebrating years of perfect domestic bliss.

But as all their very grown-up-now friends begin reaching new life milestones, advancing careers and having babies, Luc and Oliver decide it's time to open their hearts and lives to something new: a tiny, squirming, adorable bundle of furry joy named Spud.

And maybe now that hearts-and-lives are already open, there's room for someone else. Something more. Something that may require them to find in themselves a little father material.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Queer, Contemporary, Fiction, M M Romance, Adult

500 pages, ebook

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

One of those intricate British queers.

Please note: I don’t read / reply to DMs. If you would like to get in touch, the best way is via email which you can find in the contact section on my website <3

Reviews

[Missa]

Unsure if I'll read this one. Husband Material left me so disappointed I actually started crying and I've never had that happen with a book before in my life.

Judging by how Husband Material ended I assume they'll decide to not have a baby while standing in the adoption centre or while the surrogate mother is giving birth or whatever and go home at the last minute.

I'll check spoilers when this book comes out but after HM I strongly suspect I won't be reading this one, which is a shame since BM was one of my most loved books ever.

[Maisha Farzana]

Please tell me it's a direct sequel of "Husband Material". Luc and Oliver needs a better hea...Even better if they're thinking about 'expanding' the family...😏

[Denise Smith]

After the terrible ending of Husband Material I am going to assume that these two MCs don't actually become fathers. I'll read the reviews before I decide to read this book. I don't want to be set up for disappointment again.

[Uly]

I just finished Husband Material (after reading Boyfriend Material over the weekend), and I am excited about Father Material...although trying to cage the excitement a wee bit given it's 2 years away!! Can't wait to catch up with Lucien and Oliver again. They are by far my favourite romance novel couple..and that's saying a lot seen as I've been on somewhat of a binge lately!

[WlauBlauization]

I dunno. I'm more excited about the unannounced fourth book in the series: Grandfather Material.

[Caleigh Evans]

father material???? shut up, take my money rn

THIS COVER? gorgeous

⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅

boyfriend material: ★★★★
husband material: ★★★★
ten things that never happened: -

[Donte]

im rather torn on this. for one thing, i want more luc and oliver. but for another, the reason i want more of them is because they were barely in HM in the first place. the book focused so heavily on everyone else, and weddings 2 and 3 really didnt have to happen. i wish they hadn’t happened. i wish we had spent any time at all with the actual supposed main characters together and talking and not just fighting. why was there so much fighting?

book one felt low stakes and like gradual growth. book two nearly gave me my own very real panic attack by the time luc and oliver were conversing in their first date restaurant and possibly breaking up. again? because they never have conversations in that book.

the thing with this third book. is that i dont want them to be fathers. i think akin to the major plotline in the second book, queer couples do not have to do everything “normal” couples do, and it would kind of be nice for them to simply exist as themselves instead of trying to fit into the same structures as everyone around them, because what works for one couple does not work for every couple, queer or not. but if that is the moral and point they end up at in this third book, which i guess is what id hope for but at the same time would find that to be exceptionally repetitive, then i want it discussed in more than 11 pages—which is the amount of screentime oliver and luc actually spent communicating their feelings about marriage, in one final chapter and half a page from “we’re not getting married” to the end of the book.

i don’t usually read reviews for books, but i’m just going to have to for this one. i hope with all my heart that this book can sort of right the bad taste HM left in my mouth considering how much i adore BM, but i currently only see the options being they adopt kids when neither of them really should be a parent, or they dont and its treated rather the same as the entire second book. fingers crossed that something here surprises me, because i quoted BM as one of my favorite books of all time for quite a while, and it pains me to say it but the sequel kind of ruined that for me. i hate jumping to spoiling the end, but it’s the only way i may be able to read this third installment, and i’m frankly more than a little sad about it

[Veronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have a lot to say but generally if people complain abt this book i might cut their head off

[Elys]

FATHER MATERIAL? FATHER? MATERIAL?

AS IN LUCIEN , OLIVER, BABY? FATHER MATERIAL? MaTerIal?

[~treat-yo-shelves~]

FATHER MATERIAL??? AS IN FATHER??? AS IN DAD???
...wake me up when its 2024

[Eli Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am what you would call an Alexis Hall ‘stan.’ I will read anything they write, and I was so excited to get an ARC of the third London Calling book! Luc and Oliver are one of my favorite couples in romance books (and I read a lot of them), so I was excited to see what they got up to after their wedding-that-didn’t-happen.

Part of the appeal of Luc and Oliver is that they are so vastly different from one another. Luc is scattered, impulsive, has a hard time expressing his feelings (but tries to show them in other ways besides verbally) and doesn’t have a good sense of what he wants in life (although that has changed throughout the books, and he’s very happy with Oliver and their life). Oliver is steady and solid but has a lot of trauma from his oppressive father (and is also dealing with unresolved grief from his death). Somehow, despite all of this, they work well together as a couple - even when they decide to adopt a dog!

I loved Spud, and I totally loved watching Luc & Oliver develop a relationship with a new creature in their household! It was cute and fulfilling and yes, frustrating, because they definitely have different parenting/caregiving styles.

So why, why, WHYYYY did they decide to foster a teen?! After so much tension in the book over taking care of a dog, I was floored when they decided to get into fostering. A solid third of the book was just so frustrating and a slog to get through - I’m all for tension and upheaval in romance books, and I’m sure this is very realistic for couples who decide to do this, but the constant bickering/frustration/dismissal made the book SO hard to read. And yes, they eventually learned how to do things properly, and it was sweet, and we got the HFN, but I just didn’t feel like the fostering was 1) a good decision and 2) necessary to the plot. It’s so sad when a book you’re so excited to read just makes you feel … meh.

Regardless, I’m grateful that I got a copy of this book to review, and I still love Alexis Hall very much. I just feel disappointed by this book in particular.

Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Publishing June 2026.

[Joana]

please please please do not be one of those books that endorses surrogacy women's exploitation

new fear unlocked

Alexis Hall DON'T YOU DARE DISAPPOINT ME

[Sigrid A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been watching out for this book ever since Husband Material came out, and it did not disappoint. I was so glad to be back in the world of Luc, Oliver, Odile and Judy, and their excellent group of friends and obnoxious co-workers. In this installment, Luc and Oliver adopt a dog as a trial run at fatherhood before trying out fostering. Hall balances snark, self-deprecation, humor, and genuine emotion in a perfect way so that nothing ever feels too bleak, unserious, or sappy. I liked this installment a little more than Husband Material, and I'm very sad that this is likely to be the last in the series (or, at least, that's what I'm guessing). I highly recommend reading the whole series if you haven't already.

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seemingly, several years have passed between husband material and now, and yet Luc hasn’t grown at all????? Luc is having the same arguments with Oliver and his friends over and over again. Every single time he did something wrong, he got self-deprecating about it, so his loved ones had to comfort him yet again instead of having a real conversation about his actions. Another book confronting Luc’s issues, resulting in zero personal growth. I’m a big fan of Alexis Hall and i really loved the other books in this series, but what a disappointing finale.

[Book Riot Community]

Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:

Alexis Hall had been writing for years before Boyfriend Material came out in 2020, but Luc and Oliver’s fake dating story was his breakout. Like most romance authors, Hall usually takes on a new couple in every book, but he continued Luc and Oliver’s comedic, emotionally rich story in 2022’s Husband Material and is now completing the trilogy with the highly anticipated Father Material. Many, many romance readers have connected with the growth and bumps of this particular relationship, so I know I’m not alone in being ready—in a bittersweet way—to see how Hall brings us a final HEA for this opposites-decidedly-attract couple. —Trisha Brown

[Rashi]

This is what exams do. This is a direct consequence of going off gr for a year and not reading books I enjoy. Never again. Never ever. Studying can take a backseat. Forever.

I haven't even read husband material yet and I'm realizing this exists!

[Muddy]

god. im not really sure i wanna read this one. Can we all just pretend the second book didnt happen and theyre both actually married? And didnt leave all their guests alone in their wedding venue? How are they gonna be fathers (i assume? by the book name but who knows) if they dont even wanna get married i just dont get it but whatever

[Tippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much I can't even describe it. Luc and Oliver are the literal best couple and this was such a lovely addition to their story. I seriously could not stop laughing while reading. At this point you'd think I would know better than to read Alexis Hall books while at work because I always end up cackling like a loon. I know a lot of people hated the way Husband Material ended but I thought it was perfect for their characters and Father Material is a nearly flawless continuation of their relationship. They are not perfect people, they are both incredibly flawed, but they love each other so deeply and that is what makes them so amazing. Also, Tom is, and will probably always be, my favorite side character. He is still unapologetically bisexual and he's still not fucking here for your bi erasure. And I still need a prequel book of him dating Luc and then falling in love with Bridge, even just a short story would be fine, give me something. Anyway, this book, this series, is amazing and I'm looking forward to the spinoffs.

[Bel lvndrgms3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Luc and Oliver, how I love you so! After the not-wedding from 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹, we now find them contemplating the next big life change - adopting a dog. The fact that this sends Luc into a tizzy is wild and also, really dude? I think I started to get impatient with him here. But Luc is still working through issues.

Then the guys decide why not be foster parents? I was stunned! But then I was absolutely gobsmacked to see how well Luc actually does. Surprisingly he’s able to better connect with Jasmine, a surly teenager going through a lot. It’s not easy and there are several hiccups.

I love that Hall chose for Luc and Oliver to explore parenthood this way. It adds an interesting dimension to their dynamic, and also a chance to explore how their individual upbringings inform how they try to parent. If anything, Luc’s a surprising revelation, growing by leaps and bounds.

As always their friends are a big part of the story as well. The running gags and the humor are on point. When it comes down to it I enjoyed this more than 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹. Luc and Oliver reach a new level in their relationship and it’s absolutely satisfying.

Thanks to @sourcebookscasa for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[gabs]

STOP I CANT WIATE SKDHIENDIDN

[Dorian McIntush]

FUCKING EXCUSE ME DATHER MATERIAL>>???!!!?!?!!?! HHUUUUH

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luc + Oliver - Book #3

In this third book a few years have passed and Luc and Oliver are about to become parents. To a puppy.
Lucien is - as expected - super freaking out about it!
Everyone is having babies and toddlers and now it's time for our two darlings to jump on the daddy train too, right?
Plus, Luc also has his hands full saving his job - aka the dung beetle charity!

Let the fun times begin...

══════════════════




Our boys are back!



I did a re-read of the first two books and I still love them soo much! (The books and the boys!)
This was just as great as the first two - it might've started a tiny bit slow but the more I read the less I wanted it to end.
Ugh. And now I'm done reading and I miss them so much. I want more already. It's not a super endy end ending. We don't get a prologue 49 years in the future - so I still have a bit of hope for more.

I loved this book.
It was so funny and heartbreaking and adorable and ridiculous and lawyerly and british and rock-starish and suburbian ... and just amazing.
The puppy, the charity, the co-workers, the friends & family and the - nope. That's all I'm telling you!
READ IT!

FATHER MATERIAL was the perfect finale for Luc + Oliver! Adorable + hilarious + heartbreaking and all the things! Such a beautiful series! Run to your nearest bookdealer for your own Luc & Oliver - they'll be sold out in no time!

If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!


💜 💜

[_nuovocapitolo_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

La relazione tra Luc e Oliver ne ha passate tante. È iniziata con una finta frequentazione (che poi si è trasformata in veri sentimenti), si sono lasciati brevemente, si sono fidanzati (per poi non sposarsi davvero). Ora, finalmente, convivono e stanno pensando al passo successivo della loro relazione: adottare un cane di nome Spud.
La prova generale con Spud fa loro capire che forse sono pronti per qualcosa di più. Forse sono pronti a diventare padri.

Grazie a Sourcebooks Casablance e NetGalley per la copia anticipata di Father Material di Alexis Hall da recensire! Boyfriend Material è uno dei miei libri preferiti, quindi ero entusiasta di scoprire come si sarebbe evoluta la relazione tra Luc e Oliver in questo libro. Soprattutto dopo il finale di Husband Material . Apprezzo molto il fatto che ci venga mostrato come è andata la loro vita dopo!

Come i due libri precedenti, anche questo è decisamente incentrato sui personaggi, con Luc e Oliver che cercano di capire cosa significhi essere padri. Nessuno dei due ha avuto un padre esemplare, ed entrambi affrontano questa difficoltà in modi diversi, sia con il loro cane che con il figlio adottivo. Oliver desidera regole e limiti, mentre Luc preferisce lasciarsi trasportare dagli eventi. Hall è stata brava a mostrare come i due, come coppia, affrontino insieme queste sfide, uscendo rafforzati da questa esperienza.

Luc e Oliver faticano anche a mantenere le loro amicizie da adulti, dato che tutti si ritrovano con maggiori responsabilità (come se avessero dei figli). Questo aspetto mi è sembrato particolarmente realistico e ho apprezzato il fatto che si siano impegnati per cercare di tenere tutti uniti. In questo libro i loro amici non compaiono tanto spesso quanto nei precedenti, ma mi è piaciuto che fossero comunque presenti sullo sfondo.

Sebbene "Boyfriend Material" rimanga il miglior libro della trilogia, questo volume offre sicuramente una degna conclusione alla storia di Luc e Oliver. La loro relazione non segue un percorso tradizionale, e adoro questo aspetto nei romanzi rosa. Se vi sono piaciuti gli altri libri di Luc e Oliver, non perdetevi questo!

[laureneliza]

Sure this was a bit too long and some of the pacing was weird with some things dwelt on too long and others shortened, but ...

I just love these characters and their dynamic. I think Alexis Hall is incredibly in tune with humanity and messiness and applying that to parenting was interesting even for me who has zero interest in it-- the dinner party scene was uncomfortable but so important, and the subplot about the music festival made a lot more sense once it became about Odile.

Sad to say goodbye to Luc and Oliver but I'm happy with how it ended.

[Cam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this eARC. It was very nice to get the conclusion to Luc and Oliver’s story, and this was a really refreshing take on a couple finding their way into parenthood. It’s a bit long for a contemporary romance but it fits the vibe of Alexis Hall very well.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m such a mess right now lol

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm happy.
I LOVE Luc and Oliver, and this finale worked well for me.

[Yackie]

ARC: edelweiss
Ill have a review up when ive had time to process the big feelings ive bad about this book—i also need time to separate my BFM feelings from this, as i believe they might be clouding my opinion.


The problem is, BFM should have been a stand alone. Well, thats one of the issues. The next is each book after BFM feels like the characters factory reset to pregrowth stage of their relationship and Father Material is no exception. Oliver does not behave like an Oliver who has been in therapy or a stable relationship for five years. Oliver, quite frankly, hardly behaves in a post Lucian way. Luc bangs on about how sweet and kind Oliver is, and i understand this book goes into aspects of how our parent effect our behaviors, but Oliver has been in therapy for years to not act like an absolute asshole, and yet he still does, to a dog, a child, and his boyfriend.
It feels like Hall couldnt imagine an Oliver who has grown so they had to put him back to asshole Oliver and that makes him feel both flat and mean. Some of the things he says in this book… i just cannot.

To be fully candid, i have read BFM more times than healthy (maybe 40?) its one of my favorite books and i am a chronic rereader, but i did not like Husband Material—i thought it was unnecessary and shallow—and i think this book was such a betrayal to the characters i wont be able to reread BFM again… im probably being dramatic but i really dont think so.
Anyway, ill be rereading 10 Things That Never Happened again and basking in the knowledge Hall has gone on record saying that there will never be a sequel.

I do not like star ratings, 2.5/5 ⭐️

[Alicia]

I KNEW this would happen, I just knew there would be a third book and this would be the title. That was all I could think about while reading Husband Material, especially by the end. It just made so much sense that we would end up here, so I was SO sure, I JUST KNEW. Seeing the confirmation right here just makes me INSANELY happy! I can't have enough of Luc and Oliver.

[Chaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAAASDHDHHEHDBDBEHSJSJEJ NEED ITTTT