Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'
You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
40 reviews
cozycritiques's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Never in my life has someone come for me so directly like this. Everyone hides behind their computers, writing articles and mean tweets they think I’ll never see, but here’s this stranger unabashedly going toe-to-toe with me. Fuck. Do I find that…refreshing?“
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine
Representation: Mental Health (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), LGBTQ+ (Gay and bi), BIPOC (Puerto Rican-American)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶
CW: Mental Illness, Panic Attacks, Mentions of Outing, Toxic Friendship, Gaslighting
This was my first book by Timothy Janovsky, but I will definitely be going back to read his first book now. You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince was utterly delightful. It had all the warm, heartfelt vibes of a Hallmark Christmas movie but with depth and steamy chemistry. The small town setting was perfect, and I loved getting to know all the side characters.
I tend to prefer dual POV when it comes to romance novels. However, I think this book is one of the rare instances where a dual POV may have detracted from the story. Although clearly spoiled and snobbish, Matthew was a surprisingly likable character, something I think can be attributed to the first-person single POV. Because we only see the story through Matthew’s eyes, we can fully understand his struggle with anxiety and the character growth he goes through throughout the book.
My only complaint was Hector’s overuse of the word “dude.” However, I must admit that by the end of the book, I started to find it as endearing as I did annoying. So do with that information what you will.
Overall, if you’re looking for a sweet and funny read with witty banter and a Schitt’s Creek feel, look no further than You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine
Representation: Mental Health (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), LGBTQ+ (Gay and bi), BIPOC (Puerto Rican-American)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶
CW: Mental Illness, Panic Attacks, Mentions of Outing, Toxic Friendship, Gaslighting
This was my first book by Timothy Janovsky, but I will definitely be going back to read his first book now. You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince was utterly delightful. It had all the warm, heartfelt vibes of a Hallmark Christmas movie but with depth and steamy chemistry. The small town setting was perfect, and I loved getting to know all the side characters.
I tend to prefer dual POV when it comes to romance novels. However, I think this book is one of the rare instances where a dual POV may have detracted from the story. Although clearly spoiled and snobbish, Matthew was a surprisingly likable character, something I think can be attributed to the first-person single POV. Because we only see the story through Matthew’s eyes, we can fully understand his struggle with anxiety and the character growth he goes through throughout the book.
My only complaint was Hector’s overuse of the word “dude.” However, I must admit that by the end of the book, I started to find it as endearing as I did annoying. So do with that information what you will.
Overall, if you’re looking for a sweet and funny read with witty banter and a Schitt’s Creek feel, look no further than You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Gaslighting
fuzzywilson's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Alcohol
torikate7's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
20sidedbi's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
ladythana's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic friendship and Gaslighting
rrubin97's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A slow start but a cute story of two men - a poor little rich boy and a struggling college dude who Christmas carol their way to love
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Panic attacks/disorders
jgarrin93's review against another edition
3.5
coziness of a Hallmark Christmas movie, but gay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
astravars's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I'm normally not very fond of christmas. I am very fond of this book.
I'll start with my (only?) complaint and the reason this is 4,75 instead of 5 stars: the beginning
I don't think it was written badly and looking back on it now it makes a lot of sense why the book starts out this way. However, I almost dnfed it because I could not stand the main character. He comes off entitled, rich and a proper dickhead.
But that's where we get to what I loved so much about the book. Matthew's character development is so well done and it is exactly about the fact how he's not just this entitled rich kid but someone who cares deeply about the people around him, struggles with an anxiety disorder and feels the need to put up this act to protect himself. I don't want to say too much because that might take away from your reading experience but let me just say the GAD representation in this made me feel so seen! It might be my favourite thing about it.
Of course, this book is a queer romance. There's our main character Matthew who gets sent off to spent the holidays in a small town with his grandparents and Hector who lives with those grandparents of his in exchange for helping them with chores so he can go to college despite not being able to afford a flat in town. The two really don't get along in the beginning because Hector has the same impression of Matthew that I had and Matthew is already annoyed he has to stay with his grandparents in the first place and even more so when he realises he'll have to share a room (and a bunk bed) with Hector.
They get themselves in a decent amount of trouble for fighting the whole time and end up planning the town's charity gala together to make up for it, this year dedicated to helping small business and therefore possibly saving Matthew's grandma's bookshop.
Due to this forced proximity they start opening up to each other and I thought their love story turned out incredibly cute. I was fully invested pretty quickly and that inevitable spike of drama that always happens when everyone is happy but there are still 100 pages left made me very emotional. I was screaming at my phone. (I listened to the audiobook)
I even found out I apparently don't mind gay sex scenes in books (only the straight ones apparently... probably because i'm gay, huh?) or at least not in this one because there wasn't anything too explicit and it was mostly very sweet.
Something else I adored was the conversation about family and friendship and the love and care you give to the people around you. Very fitting for a christmas book. I enjoyed the overall winter theme as well because as little as I might like christmas I love winter.
There's a small found family in here as well, featuring a sapphic couple so that was definitely something I appreciated!
Overall I think this book talks about some very important topics and does so very well. I had such a fun time reading this because of course there are a lot of funny moments included and I'd definitely recommend this if you enjoy queer romcoms!
I'll start with my (only?) complaint and the reason this is 4,75 instead of 5 stars: the beginning
I don't think it was written badly and looking back on it now it makes a lot of sense why the book starts out this way. However, I almost dnfed it because I could not stand the main character. He comes off entitled, rich and a proper dickhead.
But that's where we get to what I loved so much about the book. Matthew's character development is so well done and it is exactly about the fact how he's not just this entitled rich kid but someone who cares deeply about the people around him, struggles with an anxiety disorder and feels the need to put up this act to protect himself. I don't want to say too much because that might take away from your reading experience but let me just say the GAD representation in this made me feel so seen! It might be my favourite thing about it.
Of course, this book is a queer romance. There's our main character Matthew who gets sent off to spent the holidays in a small town with his grandparents and Hector who lives with those grandparents of his in exchange for helping them with chores so he can go to college despite not being able to afford a flat in town. The two really don't get along in the beginning because Hector has the same impression of Matthew that I had and Matthew is already annoyed he has to stay with his grandparents in the first place and even more so when he realises he'll have to share a room (and a bunk bed) with Hector.
They get themselves in a decent amount of trouble for fighting the whole time and end up planning the town's charity gala together to make up for it, this year dedicated to helping small business and therefore possibly saving Matthew's grandma's bookshop.
Due to this forced proximity they start opening up to each other and I thought their love story turned out incredibly cute. I was fully invested pretty quickly and that inevitable spike of drama that always happens when everyone is happy but there are still 100 pages left made me very emotional. I was screaming at my phone. (I listened to the audiobook)
I even found out I apparently don't mind gay sex scenes in books (only the straight ones apparently... probably because i'm gay, huh?) or at least not in this one because there wasn't anything too explicit and it was mostly very sweet.
Something else I adored was the conversation about family and friendship and the love and care you give to the people around you. Very fitting for a christmas book. I enjoyed the overall winter theme as well because as little as I might like christmas I love winter.
There's a small found family in here as well, featuring a sapphic couple so that was definitely something I appreciated!
Overall I think this book talks about some very important topics and does so very well. I had such a fun time reading this because of course there are a lot of funny moments included and I'd definitely recommend this if you enjoy queer romcoms!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
rosiebreads123's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved to root against spoiled Matthew Prince right from the beginning. But as he opens up to the other characters, including his new handsome roommate Hector, I found myself cheering him on! A charming love story that had me laughing, worried, and even crying. Love the GAD rep, as well as the diverse queer characters!
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Cute and fun holiday romance! Loved the Schitt’s Creek vibes and really enjoyed getting to have a classic holiday rom-com with lots of queer folks in the lead. No other thoughts— nothing groundbreaking, just a good time and a perfect holiday read. Points removed for the overuse of the word dude, though.
Actually! One additional thought: This kind of felt like what Paris Daillencourt could have been like or wanted to be. They both feature rich gay leads with absent parents and anxiety disorders, but Matthew Prince dealt with it in a much better way and much stronger writing.
Actually! One additional thought: This kind of felt like what Paris Daillencourt could have been like or wanted to be. They both feature rich gay leads with absent parents and anxiety disorders, but Matthew Prince dealt with it in a much better way and much stronger writing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders