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.
This is the 3rd book in the London Calling series, and while it’s possible to read it as a standalone, you really need to read the books in order to appreciate Luc & Oliver’s relationship arc that began with a hilarious fake dating story in Boyfriend Material. This book is the longest in the trilogy and is being marketed as the final installment (I really hope not! 😭). The storyline shifts away from the relationship chaos of the first two books and instead focuses on what comes after their HEA—building a home and extending their family. I loved that this book still has all the signature Alexis Hall elements—British humor, endless banter-filled dialogue (and ridiculous office jokes with Alex—IYKYK), and a large ensemble cast, with so many characters returning for cameos or meaningful roles.
The book is told entirely from Luc’s 1st-person POV, and it’s interesting to see how much he’s grown a few years later. He’s more grounded than his past disastrous self and committed to a quiet life with Oliver and adult responsibilities, but his messy, chaotic nature still makes an appearance at times, and the contrast between him and Oliver is still evident. I loved how the story began with chaos on the Millennium Bridge (déjà vu from book 1!!) and brought Luc’s friend group—Bridget, Priya, Tom, and James Royce-Royce—briefly back together with lots of nostalgia and absurd humor. From there the book shifts into heavier territory with the fostering narrative and the introduction of Jasmine, the troubled teen who comes to live with them. Her storyline is definitely one of the most realistic threads in the entire series, especially in how slowly and awkwardly she integrates into their lives and how things go badly many times. Some scenes with Jasmine and her snarky remarks felt repetitive, but they were always entertaining.
The novel is divided into four parts spanning the seasons of a full calendar year, and it’s really interesting to watch the evolution of Luc’s and Oliver’s lives as they move from a couple with a new dog to people trying to hold together fostering a child and saving a failing charity. In the first books there was SO much relationship drama between Luc & Oliver, but their only major conflict in this book comes from their opposing parenting styles and how differently they communicate with Jasmine and respond to her needs. If you lived for all the ups and downs of their relationship in books 1–2, you may find the pacing and storylines here less engaging. Luc’s mission to save the charity and his beloved coworkers’ jobs is a fun side plot, especially with all the shenanigans he faces to host a fundraising event—and his eccentric and hilarious French mother gets involved with some big ideas, high energy, and trademark campy humor!
As much as I enjoyed the new direction of this book and Luc’s & Oliver’s growth, it didn’t feel like a series finale to me. Instead, it felt more like a transitional story—and Luc’s and Oliver’s character arcs needed more closure. Also, the story drags a bit in parts, particularly around the fundraising preparations, and I would have preferred more prominent roles from Luc’s friend group throughout—particularly Bridget and Priya—who brought so much fun to the first books. That said, Jasmine is a compelling new character, and there’s still a lot of quotable humor (especially from Luc’s inner monologues) that makes this book enjoyable.
As you’d expect from a series finale, there’s an epilogue with a more serious and emotional tone—but again, it’s short with a soft sense of resolution, and I’m not sure it’s enough of a sendoff for these beloved characters. I was left wishing I had more time with them and thinking about the possibility of future installments or even a series spin-off—we all know other authors have claimed the end of a series and then jumped back in, so you never know!🤞
Narrator Performance
Father Material is narrated by award-winning British audiobook narrator Joe Jameson, whose performances across the London Calling series are well loved by listeners!
Jameson’s voice for Luc is immediately recognizable if you’ve listened to the previous books, but there’s a noticeable shift in the character’s maturity. Luc’s inner monologues still come across as witty and chaotic, but the delivery sounds slightly steadier—perfectly depicting Luc now settled with Oliver in a suburban home and navigating adult responsibilities. Jameson still maintains a big contrast between Luc and Oliver. He gives Oliver the same composed, controlled voice as in the earlier books but allows more emotion to creep into his performance—perfectly timed in difficult scenes with Jasmine and overall showing Luc’s influence in softening Oliver after their years together. The few disagreements between them in this book around fostering and parenting Jasmine are convincingly narrated with tension and emotional authenticity, and I was so invested in their reactions that I wondered if this was a make-or-break conflict for them!
Where Jameson’s performance really shines is how brilliantly and effortlessly he handles the ensemble cast. Luc’s close friend group—Bridget, Priya, and James Royce-Royce—each have distinct, recognizable voices that listeners have grown to love from, and their banter is so easy and fun to follow. The wider cast at CRAPP (Luc’s workplace), from colleagues to supporting characters involved in the fundraiser, are all given animated voices, a variety of accents, and excellent comedic timing that makes the audiobook feel like a full-cast production—absolutely brilliant and award-worthy!
For the other main character, Jasmine, Jameson uses a youthful yet guarded and defiant voice that suits her personality and circumstances. As the story unfolds, Jameson subtly shifts his tone to show how she slowly begins to trust Luc and Oliver and develops an attachment to Spud. Luc’s eccentric French mother and her best friend Judy also make returns, and Jameson gives them fun, theatrical energy that adds humor and life to the listening experience.
In the final chapters and epilogue (as this is a series finale), the tone of the writing is reflective and emotional, and Jameson brilliantly adjusts his pacing and emotional intensity to really draw you in with a sense of honesty and warmth. After finishing, I was not only thinking about how much I’ll miss these characters but also how much I’ll miss listening to Jameson narrate further installments, as he’s a big part of the reason these books and characters are so beloved! Let’s pray for another book or a possible spin-off series down the road—and for Jameson to return! 🙏
Narrator Performance
Father Material is narrated by award-winning British audiobook narrator Joe Jameson, whose performances across the London Calling series are well loved by listeners!
Jameson’s voice for Luc is immediately recognizable if you’ve listened to the previous books, but there’s a noticeable shift in the character’s maturity. Luc’s inner monologues still come across as witty and chaotic, but the delivery sounds slightly steadier—perfectly depicting Luc now settled with Oliver in a suburban home and navigating adult responsibilities. Jameson still maintains a big contrast between Luc and Oliver. He gives Oliver the same composed, controlled voice as in the earlier books but allows more emotion to creep into his performance—perfectly timed in difficult scenes with Jasmine and overall showing Luc’s influence in softening Oliver after their years together. The few disagreements between them in this book around fostering and parenting Jasmine are convincingly narrated with tension and emotional authenticity, and I was so invested in their reactions that I wondered if this was a make-or-break conflict for them!
Where Jameson’s performance really shines is how brilliantly and effortlessly he handles the ensemble cast. Luc’s close friend group—Bridget, Priya, and James Royce-Royce—each have distinct, recognizable voices that listeners have grown to love from, and their banter is so easy and fun to follow. The wider cast at CRAPP (Luc’s workplace), from colleagues to supporting characters involved in the fundraiser, are all given animated voices, a variety of accents, and excellent comedic timing that makes the audiobook feel like a full-cast production—absolutely brilliant and award-worthy!
For the other main character, Jasmine, Jameson uses a youthful yet guarded and defiant voice that suits her personality and circumstances. As the story unfolds, Jameson subtly shifts his tone to show how she slowly begins to trust Luc and Oliver and develops an attachment to Spud. Luc’s eccentric French mother and her best friend Judy also make returns, and Jameson gives them fun, theatrical energy that adds humor and life to the listening experience.
In the final chapters and epilogue (as this is a series finale), the tone of the writing is reflective and emotional, and Jameson brilliantly adjusts his pacing and emotional intensity to really draw you in with a sense of honesty and warmth. After finishing, I was not only thinking about how much I’ll miss these characters but also how much I’ll miss listening to Jameson narrate further installments, as he’s a big part of the reason these books and characters are so beloved! Let’s pray for another book or a possible spin-off series down the road—and for Jameson to return! 🙏
Father Material is narrated by award-winning British audiobook narrator Joe Jameson, whose performances across the London Calling series are well loved by listeners!
Jameson’s voice for Luc is immediately recognizable if you’ve listened to the previous books, but there’s a noticeable shift in the character’s maturity. Luc’s inner monologues still come across as witty and chaotic, but the delivery sounds slightly steadier—perfectly depicting Luc now settled with Oliver in a suburban home and navigating adult responsibilities. Jameson still maintains a big contrast between Luc and Oliver. He gives Oliver the same composed, controlled voice as in the earlier books but allows more emotion to creep into his performance—perfectly timed in difficult scenes with Jasmine and overall showing Luc’s influence in softening Oliver after their years together. The few disagreements between them in this book around fostering and parenting Jasmine are convincingly narrated with tension and emotional authenticity, and I was so invested in their reactions that I wondered if this was a make-or-break conflict for them!
Where Jameson’s performance really shines is how brilliantly and effortlessly he handles the ensemble cast. Luc’s close friend group—Bridget, Priya, and James Royce-Royce—each have distinct, recognizable voices that listeners have grown to love from, and their banter is so easy and fun to follow. The wider cast at CRAPP (Luc’s workplace), from colleagues to supporting characters involved in the fundraiser, are all given animated voices, a variety of accents, and excellent comedic timing that makes the audiobook feel like a full-cast production—absolutely brilliant and award-worthy!
For the other main character, Jasmine, Jameson uses a youthful yet guarded and defiant voice that suits her personality and circumstances. As the story unfolds, Jameson subtly shifts his tone to show how she slowly begins to trust Luc and Oliver and develops an attachment to Spud. Luc’s eccentric French mother and her best friend Judy also make returns, and Jameson gives them fun, theatrical energy that adds humor and life to the listening experience.
In the final chapters and epilogue (as this is a series finale), the tone of the writing is reflective and emotional, and Jameson brilliantly adjusts his pacing and emotional intensity to really draw you in with a sense of honesty and warmth. After finishing, I was not only thinking about how much I’ll miss these characters but also how much I’ll miss listening to Jameson narrate further installments, as he’s a big part of the reason these books and characters are so beloved! Let’s pray for another book or a possible spin-off series down the road—and for Jameson to return! 🙏
