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
kshertz's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is such a cute quick read. At first I didn’t want to read it because I haven’t read the first book in the series but it was recommended by two different people and both of them said you don’t need to read the first one. They were correct. This was so nice to see a rich boy understand truly who they are and find the love of your life. I thought it was very sweet and I loved the ending.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual content, Homophobia, Classism, and Abandonment
the_reading_kat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Abandonment
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
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Dream Scape Media and Netgalley for an ALC of this book.
When Matthew hides out from social media scandal with his grandparents for Christmas, he finds himself temporary roommates with Hector. Both from different worlds, the two butt heads immediately, until they team up to throw a Christmas charity event.
This was so cute! It was funny at times but also sweet and slow when it had to be and I absolutely loved it. I loved the relationship development. I loved the hallmark movie esque setting and plot and how deep Matthew's character went. The anxiety rep was really good and I loved how it all ended. Such an adorable holiday romcom!
Funny story- After reading this book from Netgalley, I went to buy it when it came out. I was at Barnes and Noble and couldn't find it because they had been remodelling and things were kind of all over the place. I asked for help and the employee couldn't find it either. I figured I would order it online and went to get a coffee at the starbucks. While I was ordering, another employee came up to me holding the book! They asked if I was the one looking and I said yes and was visibly excited to have gotten it. The Starbucks cashier asked what book and I told them, holding it up, I said, "It's a gay Christmas romcom!" The cashier gaped and then three other people in the cafe pivoted their heads to see what book I was holding! I think I found some fans that day.
Can't recommend this enough if you are in the mood for some adorable holiday romance!
When Matthew hides out from social media scandal with his grandparents for Christmas, he finds himself temporary roommates with Hector. Both from different worlds, the two butt heads immediately, until they team up to throw a Christmas charity event.
This was so cute! It was funny at times but also sweet and slow when it had to be and I absolutely loved it. I loved the relationship development. I loved the hallmark movie esque setting and plot and how deep Matthew's character went. The anxiety rep was really good and I loved how it all ended. Such an adorable holiday romcom!
Funny story- After reading this book from Netgalley, I went to buy it when it came out. I was at Barnes and Noble and couldn't find it because they had been remodelling and things were kind of all over the place. I asked for help and the employee couldn't find it either. I figured I would order it online and went to get a coffee at the starbucks. While I was ordering, another employee came up to me holding the book! They asked if I was the one looking and I said yes and was visibly excited to have gotten it. The Starbucks cashier asked what book and I told them, holding it up, I said, "It's a gay Christmas romcom!" The cashier gaped and then three other people in the cafe pivoted their heads to see what book I was holding! I think I found some fans that day.
Can't recommend this enough if you are in the mood for some adorable holiday romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Classism, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use and Infidelity
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
So I think what I was expecting was more Christmas / holiday spirit intertwined with Grinch persona and maybe a Cindy Lou Who genderbent ? type of pairing. I didn’t really experience that when reading this. I don’t want to write this off because the lgbtq rep in a conveniently small town was great. No shame, just acceptance. While Matthew is a spoiled rich 21 almost 22 year old, he feels and acts like a teenager instead of the adult he claims to be. His development didn’t feel fully fleshed out, just a caricature of an annoying wealthy person. I also don’t understand why Hector, the love interest, constantly says dude every other sentence. Thankfully, Hector is not a stereotype of Latin men but he also didn’t feel… fully developed either? Also, Spanish and Puerto Rican? I think the author maybe meant Spaniard or from Spain? That was awkward to read. For a book that was roughly 305 pages long, a lot of the middle part felt long winded and needed editing. This could have been…. 100/150 ish ? pages shorter but more impactful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment
duckyreads's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really lost myself in Hector and Matthew's love story! Timothy Janovsky
successfully created depth with our main character Matthew Prince, when it would've been easy to write him off as a typical spoiled rich kid. Matthew has a generalized anxiety disorder, and as the story continues we see how some of his mistakes could've been appeals for attention from his parents. The resulting conversations that he has with them are heartbreaking. The narrator did a very great job conveying the emotions and growth that Matthew experienced.
Hector is such a sweet love interest, and although they started off on the wrong foot, I really rooted for them. Hector's vulnaribility and his honest communication was so lovely.
There were definitely ideas surrounding class and race that could've been exponded on more as a critique of Matthew's family's lifestyle especially with the people that his family hired to work in their household. Overall I really enjoyed this story, and I recommend it for anyone looking for a queer holiday, coming-of-age romance featuring a beautiful found family.
Thank you to Dreamscape Audio and Netgalley for a copy of the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
successfully created depth with our main character Matthew Prince, when it would've been easy to write him off as a typical spoiled rich kid. Matthew has a generalized anxiety disorder, and as the story continues we see how some of his mistakes could've been appeals for attention from his parents. The resulting conversations that he has with them are heartbreaking. The narrator did a very great job conveying the emotions and growth that Matthew experienced.
Hector is such a sweet love interest, and although they started off on the wrong foot, I really rooted for them. Hector's vulnaribility and his honest communication was so lovely.
There were definitely ideas surrounding class and race that could've been exponded on more as a critique of Matthew's family's lifestyle especially with the people that his family hired to work in their household. Overall I really enjoyed this story, and I recommend it for anyone looking for a queer holiday, coming-of-age romance featuring a beautiful found family.
Thank you to Dreamscape Audio and Netgalley for a copy of the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment
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
More...