This was my first Dolly Alderton book, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to get myself into when I picked it up. Bookstagram was ecstatic that we got a new book by her this year, so I jumped on the train to see what all the fuss was about. I had faith that I was going to read something that was at least enjoyable based on other’s experiences with this author. Besides, who doesn’t like a good, romantic disaster?

The book is mostly focused on and told through the first-person perspective of Andy, an ordinary guy trying to make it in the world. He’s got a stand-up career in the works, a cozy home, and is dating Jen, the love of his life. But when Jen unexpectedly breaks up with him, Andy’s world falls apart. Suddenly, he’s left without a home, a broken heart, and a burning desire to understand what went wrong. And so begins his journey to understanding why Jen could have fallen out of love with him.

Alderton’s writing style is effortless and engaging. She has a knack for capturing the awkward and often hilarious moments that come with dating and navigating adulthood. As expected, Andy goes through all of the emotions and cringy moments that follow a break-up and a quest to win the person back. Her prose is filled with clever one-liners and witty observations. She’s also crafted some relatable and exasperating characters.

As Andy navigates the murky waters of heartbreak, I wanted to root for him but struggled because he was such a man-child that I, personally, felt that Jen was likely better off without him. Alderton has crafted a character that is equal parts endearing and hilarious but also extremely self-centered and annoying at times. Despite my frustrations with the character, his desire to fix things with Jen is both relatable and amusing. I really wanted Andy to get his shit together and find his happily ever after because he was a nice guy, but dang was he self-involved.

There were times while reading the book that I stopped and wondered what the point of it was. After a while, I started to get really frustrated with Andy because he seemed stuck in an endless cycle of self-absorption. What eventually saved this one for me was hearing Jen’s side of the story. In the last chapter, we finally get to hear things from her perspective. I adored Jen, and I felt validated that, yes – she made the right choice in breaking up with Andy, and her reasoning was sound. When all was said and done, I really liked how it all ended. At the same time, it left me wanting more from Jen, but then again, there was really nothing left to be said.

While “Good Material” is a fun and amusing read, it also delves into deeper themes. Alderton touches on the pressures of adulthood and the fear of missing out on life’s milestones. She explores the complexities of love and the importance of communication and compromise. It’s a refreshing take on the romance genre that goes beyond clichés and tackles the messiness of real-life relationships. Despite my frustrations with Andy, I could see a bit of myself in him, but I must say, I connected most with Jen, which is likely why I wished we’d heard more from her. At the same time, I think it was nice to finally see things from the guy’s perspective. The “cooky girl who can’t seem to keep a boyfriend or a job” trope has been done to death. I loved that Alderton flipped this familiar trope on the side and allowed us to see things from the perspective of a guy who didn’t have his shit together and a strong woman who was likely better off without him.

In the end, this is a delightful and charming read. Whether you’re a fan of rom-coms or simply looking for an enjoyable read, I highly recommend picking this one up. And who knows, you might just find yourself relating a little too closely to Andy’s quest for love – or Jen’s reasons for moving on.