I received an unsolicited copy of A Merry Little Meet Cute, but it may have been better suited for a reader with a little more Christmas spirit. I tend to channel my inner Ebenezer Scrooge and find it difficult to muster up some yuletide joy. Christmas isn’t as fun when you have to buy your own gifts as a single adult. My favorite holiday is St. Patricks’s Day, where it gives me an excuse to pinch others and blast Celtic Thunder through my speakers. AMLMC didn’t work for me and it felt like a Christmas present wrapped by two separate people. The paper was too short and they used too much tape. This book was co-authored and it was very obvious. Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy were wrestling for the narrative like it was an oiled-up cage match.

A Merry Little Meet Cute felt disjointed to read because I could almost pinpoint when the authors switched places. Murphy’s sections were the Hallmark-esque scenes the book was actively trying to parody while Simone provided the huffing and puffing steam in the back of a Cadillac. Surprisingly, Simone’s spice was a welcome respite from the inundation of unfunny jokes and weird power dynamics throughout the novel. Our couple were obsessed with each other despite never physically meeting in person. Our hero was a former bad boy popstar and the heroine was an adult entertainment darling. I mean, Nolan was subscribed to her Only Fans offshoot page and didn’t tell her when he was receiving the spicy content she made while on the film set! It gave me the ick for these individuals to invest heightened fantasies of each other and try to transition into a normal relationship. It didn’t sit right with me and I couldn’t get that element out of my head while reading.

While this was the equivalent of receiving coal in my Christmas stocking, I will relent that it was a unique premise. A Merry Little Meet Cute brings two unexpected actors together to film a cupcake cute film perfect for the Hallmark channel. Every reference was easily identifiable and I didn’t have to think hard to understand what they couldn’t say under copyright laws: Only Fans, Hallmark, and Nolan’s mishmash of AJ McLean/ Donnie Wahlberg. I’m so honored to have received this advanced copy, but I’m unfortunately going to have to regift this Christmas present. I’m sure I would have enjoyed this book more without the winter wonderland motif and my Humbug attitude. We need a good Arbor Day romance or another underrepresented holiday that isn’t quite so merry to make me enjoy this meet cute.

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This was such a fun and sexy holiday rom com! I alternated between the audiobook and ebook, but loved both of the narrators. I love books that have alternating points of view and feel like we get more of the story that way.

This was of course, steamy, but I also enjoyed how Nolan and Bee were so easily drawn to each other and that they’d both previously had a thing for the other despite not meeting before. I enjoyed the story despite having a hard idea what would happen in the end. I still thoroughly enjoyed it and think it’s perfect to get you into the holiday spirit! It was funny, sexy and even a little sweet at times!

I thought this book was ok overall. I liked the twist on classic Hallmark Christmas Channel. But otherwise I found it to be a little slow. Thank you for the arc.

Well this was a fun Christmas read. I loved the chemistry between these two. I absolutely love my Christmas movies, so you take the making of one and add in a p*rn star and the bad boy of a boy band and you’ve got yourself one entertaining story.

It's Christmas in July! I loved this book. I chose this book as I was browsing NetGalley because the cover is super cute, I saw that the female main character is plus size (which I can relate to), and I have loved everything I have read by Sierra Simone. I knew the spice would be VERY good! Spoiler alert - the spice did not disappoint! I have never read any Julie Murphy books. I went in blind with this book, as I do with almost everything I read.

Bee, the female MC is a plus-size porn star with a secret desire to break into the mainstream, and Nolan is the bad boy pop star looking to change his image and make some money to support his family. Mishaps lead to them being leads in a Hallmark style "Hope Channel" Christmas movie. The setting is the typical made-for-TV Christmas movie scene - literally EVERYTHING is Christmas themed. There is even a Christmas themed strip club! The supporting characters are witty, sweet, and provide a ton of good banter in A Merry Little Meet Cute. Some themes include - Sex positivity, LGBTQIA+, mental illness, grief, fat phobia, sex work shaming. I loved the way this duo of authors dealt with all of these themes.

I enjoyed the duo of Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy's. There are so many great side characters that I hope this becomes a series. Give me more Sunny, Teddy, Steph, Luca, and Angel! I loved them all! If you're looking for a sexy, steamy, witty, insta-love romance A Merry Little Meet Cute is for you. Think - Hallmark with lots of sex!

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this ARC of A Merry Little Meet Cute.

Every acceptance/we need to be ok talking about this trope that there is; all action-packed into one book. The bisexual bad boy? Check. Larger than life porn star trying to hide her background to go wholesome? Check. Two moms? Check. Lesbian power couple? Check. Porn studio owner with a heart of gold? Check. Small town Oregon guy just trying to make it in LA and be his fabulous self? Check. The bi-polar mom and casual incredibly enlightened thinking about how meds and mental health work? Check.

Also, I had Bye Bye Bye stuck in my head the entire 3 days that it took me to read this book. So. There’s that.


#AMerryLittleMeetCute #NetGalley

This book definitely lived up to its title-- it was cute, it was sweet, it was funny, it was simply so delightful! It brought me Christmas in July and I thank it for that.

I enjoyed the inclusive narrative that was both body and sex positive. It was a very empowering story that allowed both our leads, Bee and Nolan to shine equally. But I must admit I do play favorites and so much of my love went to Bee-- I loved her spunk, confidence, vulnerability, and how she held on to her agency in every facet of her life. Her entire character is so inspired and so lovable. I already miss her!

I did have some qualms with the book. As wonderfully sex positive the narrative was, sometimes it seemed all there was between our leads was lust and sex. They were physically intimate, but I never fully bought into their emotional intimacy. This was disheartening at times because I adored their chemistry so much, but I wish we had more of a love story between the two. My other qualm was the dialogue, sometimes it went so hearty with current pop culture references which I've never been a fan of as I fear it can really age a book.

Nevertheless-- I was so endeared to our leads and their story. The ending was one of my favorite parts, as I left the story feeling happy and satisfied. I definitely recommend this one!

I am so looking forward to the next story by these co-authors; in fact, I believe one (or two!) of the supporting characters' within this story may be headlining their own next. Which I'm 100% here for!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this. Such a unique premise coupled with interesting characters, sexy scenes, and a Christmas movie - what more could you ask for? I would love to read anything and everything these two authors want to do together in the future.

A Merry Little Meet Cute is a sex and body positive romp of a rom com! How one book can so skillfully blend together equal parts steam, genuine laughs, and that much heart—I’ll never know. The world needs more main characters like Bee Hobbes!

Add this to your holiday TBR right now! It was such a fun read and I can’t wait to see it take #bookstagram by storm.

Bee Hobbes is a plus-size sex worker who is suddenly (and secretly) cast in a purer than pure TV Christmas movie. Her co-star is an ex-boyband bad boy trying to turn his reputation around. Can they fall in love without anyone finding out?

This book is ALL about positivity in places where we need more. It’s like The Roommate on steroids. I loved the bisexual rep, the body positivity, the portrayal of how the media treats even d-list celebs, and the extreme steam between Bee and Nolan.

This book is hilarious, sweet, STEAMY, and so refreshing. A fabulous holiday read any time of year!

It was okay not really my favorite I was definitely something new to read and story that hasn't really been told before

Love a cutesy illustrated cover that leads to an adorable romance? You'll find that in A MERRY LITTLE MEET CUTE with the best kind of holiday Hallmark vibes with ALL the steam starring a sexy plus-sized porn star and a former boy band member. Everything about this screamed Santa needed to plan ahead to gift this title to every romance reader I know, I absolutely LOVED it!

Did I pick up the book based on the cover and author and have NO idea about the rest? Of course, I did. Do I have ANY regrets? NONE, I loved this book SO much, and it was the perfect kick-off to Christmas in July reading!

Julie Murphy has a writing style that gets me every time, and I could not wait to read this one, based on her writing an adult rom-com with her bestie, and I know I'll be picking up more of Sierra Simone's books in the near future!

Give me all the tropes with a twist -- childhood crush, workplace romance, forbidden love, that all together could all have seemed cheesy and overdone, but instead, I thought it was a fresh take done perfectly, and I need more romances like this in my life ASAP! There was so much more to the story than just sex or the much-loved holiday romance, this one gave us insight into mental health, sex, body positivity, and sticking up for one's self that I found inspiring. I hope this duo writes more books for us in this same style!

I was really excited to read this book because it sounded so cute. But I hated this one. I DNFed at like 60% because I could not stand these characters. I felt like the characters had no chemistry. I thought the overall plot was a little dumb. I did like how body positive and sex positive this book was. But other than that I hated this book. It just did not give off the cute Christmas romance vibes I wanted.

4 stars. Really enjoyed it. Loved the premise, creative plot and well written. Didn't feel like 2 separate authors and was surprised to learn this was their first book together. Sweet story without being sappy and spicy scenes as well. Loved the way it was wrapped up at the end. Would definitely recommend to others. Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

ARC BOOK REVIEW

A Merry Little Meet Cute
by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Publishing Date: 9/20/2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Bee Hobes is offered her first traditional acting role, in a feel good Christmas movie, after the original star is injured. Bee is EXCITED, but VERY nervous. Even though she has plenty of experience in front of the camera, this type of acting is very new for her. She becomes even MORE nervous when she discovers her costar is Nolan Shaw, her childhood, boy band crush.  How is she going to keep everyone from discovering that  she is a plus size porn star?!

HOWEVER- when Nolan first meets his costar,  he is floored when he sees Bianca Von Honey, whose real name is BEE HOBES- his favorite porn stay and the woman he has regular fantasies about!

Will Bee's secret remain a secret? Will Nolan tell Bee he knows who she is?! Will either of them be able to control themselves?!

Review: I was not expecting to like this as much as I did! It was hilarious! and HOLY SPICY!!!!!! 

The relationship between Nolan and Bee was AMAZING. They had such great banter and chemistry. And again....SPICY!!!

The book also touched on some real life issues which are super relateable to many. Body image, sexuality,  acceptance....I love that these topics were woven into the story. I wasn't expecting these to be discussed in a holiday romance. But it was done very well!

I HIGHLY suggest adding this one to your holiday TBR.  This has been my favorite Holiday Arc i've read so far. If you like Christmas and SPICE, this is for you. 🙂
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Whew! I loved this erotic romance a lot more than I thought I would! Fat positivity, sex positivity, two chaotic bisexuals? What's not to love?! Oh, that's right - it's also set in a CHRISTMAS TOWN. Literal. Perfection.

Anything Sierra Simone is just *chefs kiss*. Cannot wait to see this all over social media in December because it deserves the attention!

I would give this 3.5 stars.

What I liked:
There's an inclusive cast with strong LGBTQ+ representation, a confident plus sized female lead who knows she's sexy, and a respectful representation of mental illness. The MCs are filming a cheesy Christmas movie, clearly mocking Hallmark movies, but half the production team and the female MC are all from the porn industry. That combination is as entertaining as you're picturing it to be! I chuckled throughout the book, and especially loved Luca with his "main character moments," as well as the pure awkwardness that is Teddy/Uncle Ray Ray.

What I didn't like:
I'm all for smut, but graphic descriptions of sticky fluids crossed the line to just being gross for me. I was loving the initial slow burn, but then it turned into an insta-love story, with thoughts of marriage after two weeks. Insta-love isn't my jam so it felt too rushed at the end.

Overall, if you're looking for a twist on holiday cheer with lots of juicy smut, I would totally recommend!

This first time collaboration is absolutely delightful! Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone write like they have been doing it forever. Their words glide seemlessly together, keeping this reader happily in the dark as to who wrote which chapter. To say that their combined prose was like a well-choreographed dance is an understatement. This book is rom-com perfection.

Now don't let the adorable title and cover fool you. While A Merry Little Meet Cute focuses on how Bee Hobbes and Nolan Shaw find themselves sudden co-stars of a Hallmark-type movie, and ultimately fall hard and fast for another, there is so much more to this book than I could have ever envisioned. THANK GOODNESS. For as much as I enjoy a good rom-com, I usually tire easily with all the sweet and cute involved. But with this book? There were boatloads of steam and naughty that kept this reader wildly satisfied.

And not only that, the sharp wit had me laughing out loud non-stop as I fell head over heels for these wonderful characters. Bee is a true modern woman who owns her decisions, both professionally and personally and has two crazy moms to back her up no matter what. As well as bestie Sunny, who is absolutely hysterical and needs her story told. The authors do a fab job in giving Bee a voice and who is not ashamed of her complicated yet very fulfilling life. It is so refreshing to read about a confident curvy woman who knows how to empower herself while still maintaining her generous nature.

Then with Nolan, you get a former bad boy who as much as he'd like to get his professional life back on track, is still very much the dirty boy Bee can't get enough of. But like his costar, he is caring, selfless and loyal. And has a playful side that is addictive and all kinds of sexy. Thoughts of his costumes alone made me swoon!

There are many secrets to be kept as two weeks of filming may lead to broken hearts and ruined careers but Bee, Nolan and the rest of this crazy-good crew are there for all of it. As was I and I'm here to say that I couldn't get enough of this well-written and charming story and I was smiling from ear to ear as those last lines were read.

I didn't get into all the ins and outs of Bee and Nolan's personas since this is a book you need to devour for yourself, discovering all of their truths one chapter at a time. Just know you'll be chuckling every step of the way.

I truly hope this is just the beginning to the partnership that is Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone. Their comic timing is impeccable and their gift for allowing love to blossom in the most unconventional of circumstances is pure gold.

5+++ stars!

Positive outlooks on sex, body image, orientation and Christmas romance movies. Overall an enjoyable read.
Both main characters are crazy about each other even before meeting which sets up a fun romp through the movie they are making. No true surprises here but entertaining and informative about mental health challenges.
A fun read.