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
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
morganperks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Well, I'll be darned if the small-town romance didn't thaw my stone-cold heart and make it grow three sizes. 5 stars. Only cause I'm feeling sappy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Outing, Drug use, and Misogyny
slayergirl3281's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
f you loved Schitt's Creek, this one is for you! Especially if you loved David and Patrick's relationship.
Janovsky knocked this Holiday time romance out of the park. The chemistry between Matthew and his love interest Hector is palpable. I think my favorite part of this book was the way Janovsky wrote and showed how Matthew struggles with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. So many people struggle with GAD and it isn't talked about enough. Throughout the book Matthew is shown going through panic attacks and his own coping mechanisms.
On top of that Hector is so understanding and empathetic to Matthew's anxiety, which is a first for him. Since Matthew comes from parents who shoved him off on nannies and didn't spend too much time with him, his anxiety is a big theme throughout the novel.
Matthew's coping mechanism is to start planning a party in his head when he starts feeling things spinning out of control. Which is very relatable to so many people who deal with GAD. They try to hold on to the things they can control in a situation that is spiraling.
On top of the amazing Anxiety representation Hector is not only bisexual, but Puerto Rican. There are side characters that are sapphic, and trans. And it normalizes therapy.
The spicy parts were both tender and realistic, from what I know of queer men having sex. I really enjoyed the narrator as well.
cw
abandonment
gaslighting
toxic friendship
toxic relationship
sexual content
Janovsky knocked this Holiday time romance out of the park. The chemistry between Matthew and his love interest Hector is palpable. I think my favorite part of this book was the way Janovsky wrote and showed how Matthew struggles with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. So many people struggle with GAD and it isn't talked about enough. Throughout the book Matthew is shown going through panic attacks and his own coping mechanisms.
On top of that Hector is so understanding and empathetic to Matthew's anxiety, which is a first for him. Since Matthew comes from parents who shoved him off on nannies and didn't spend too much time with him, his anxiety is a big theme throughout the novel.
Matthew's coping mechanism is to start planning a party in his head when he starts feeling things spinning out of control. Which is very relatable to so many people who deal with GAD. They try to hold on to the things they can control in a situation that is spiraling.
On top of the amazing Anxiety representation Hector is not only bisexual, but Puerto Rican. There are side characters that are sapphic, and trans. And it normalizes therapy.
The spicy parts were both tender and realistic, from what I know of queer men having sex. I really enjoyed the narrator as well.
cw
abandonment
gaslighting
toxic friendship
toxic relationship
sexual content
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Classism, and Toxic relationship
tearexmama's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
This was a delightful holiday read which I thoroughly enjoyed outside of the holiday season 😅
It's fun to have the story told from the POV of the "Grinch" character for a change. I thought the romance was very cute and believable.
I did struggle with how terrible Matthew's parents were. They did not in any way behave as parents to their child, and I feel like their intense harm got swept under the rug way too easily.
Ultimately the HEA was satisfying and the story was cute so that's all that really matters.
3.5 🌟
It's fun to have the story told from the POV of the "Grinch" character for a change. I thought the romance was very cute and believable.
I did struggle with how terrible Matthew's parents were. They did not in any way behave as parents to their child, and I feel like their intense harm got swept under the rug way too easily.
Ultimately the HEA was satisfying and the story was cute so that's all that really matters.
3.5 🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Classism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Gaslighting, and Outing
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