Review: The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and SMP Romance for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
One of my favorite holiday books I’ve read in recent memory is You’re a Mean One Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky. It was so delightful and heartwarming so when I saw the author had a new holiday rom com coming out in 2024, I immediately added it to my TBR. And then when I read the synopsis, I was SOLD on it so hard. I was so excited!
And I liked it. But I didn’t love it. I think it was cute and festive, but the elements of the marriage in crisis trope didn’t feel like they had very high stakes. I still think Matthew Prince is his best holiday rom com, but this is definitely a cute, fun read if you’re looking to add it to your holiday reading.
Synopsis:
“Patrick Hargrave and Quinn Muller have been married for less than a year, but their passionate romance is cracking under the pressures of domestic life and a cumbersome mortgage. That’s until Christmas Eve when Patrick wakes Quinn up with: “I think I’ve killed a man.”
Quinn realizes the “burglar” Patrick knocked out is none other than Mr. Claus himself. Instructed by a harried elf to don the red suit and take the reins of the reindeer-guided sleigh up on the roof, Quinn and Patrick work together to save Christmas.
But as the sun rises on Christmas morning, the sleigh brings them back to the North Pole instead of New Jersey, and they’re in for a massive shock. The couple must assume the roles of Santa Claus and the first ever Merriest Mister or Christmas will be canceled… permanently.
With Christmas–and their marriage–on the line, Patrick and Quinn agree to stay together for one year. But can running a toy shop together save their relationship, or will Patrick and Quinn be stuffing coal in each other’s stockings come next Christmas?” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Concept—I read the concept and thought it sounded like a modern, queer, rom com version of The Santa Clause, which is one of my favorite movies. It seems so clever to me and the perfect time constraints for the marriage in crisis trope.
The Characters—Quinn and Patrick were a delight to spend time with. I also wish we got to spend more time with Veronica!
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The Execution—Since this takes place over an entire calendar year, I feel like we lost the urgency of the situation.
The Pacing—Which in turn effected the pacing and kept me from wanting to pick it up.
The Conflict—I just didn’t feel it! I was confused as to where it was all coming from, because I didn’t get the perception the characters were growing apart. But I think it’s a me problem.
Character Authenticity: 3/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 3.75/5
Content Warnings:
homophobia (in the workplace), abandonment