A Merry Little Meet Cute is a very peculiar read - not in a bad way at all, but more in a "I've never read something like this before but also I've read quite a few books like this before" way. Familiar but also something new. In this book we follow Nolan, an ex-boyband member with bad boy past trying to fix his tarnished image and Bee, a plus-size adult film star trying to make it in mainstream Hollywood, as they take the star roles in a Christmas movie for Hope Channel, a squeaky clean production studio known for its very Disney-like values and ideas (PG13 stuff). They are both desperate for this venture to succeed - but things get tricky quickly, especially when Bee realizes that Nolan knows who she really is (and is a loyal subscriber of her ClosedDoors account) and when the spark between them explodes into a full-blown inferno. Can they still make this movie work or will their pasts (and secret lives) come to haunt them?

One of my favourite parts of this novel was Bee's work as an adult film star - how she is proud of her work and how she absolutely SLAYED at it. I think I've never read a mainstream romcom that had a sex worker as a MC and I loved that aspect! Bee is fat and sexy and a damn good adult film star and she knows it.

Nolan Shaw had surprising depth and even his "worst" hits later turned out to not be entirely his fault - or not at all. A very realistic portrayal of the often problematic and exploitative music industry and the consequences it can have on musicians was another plus of the story.

Don't even get me started on the cutesy, very Netflix-Christmas-romcom feel to the whole story. Two co-stars falling in love in secret, their pasts coming out to haunt them, some light miscommunication, very quirky and epic side characters.

Now my biggest downside to this story - I didn't *feel* the main couple, per se. They knew of each other before meeting for the first time which kind of sped up them getting it on and falling for each other (if it happens in less than 2 weeks I am still inclined to call it insta love and I then question how long they'd actually last since they know barely anything about each other).
And I get it, their sex was hot, yada, yada, but I would've appreciated more real conversations between the two, not just quick banter that felt more like foreplay than actual heart to heart. I just wanted more *SUBSTANCE* to their whole story that didn't come down to "we have great chemistry and love quickies".

But overall, this was a very steamy Christmas romcom, perfect for those looking to spice up their holidays. I enjoyed the audiobook a lot and the narrators added a lot to the story - there is nothing quite like a well-narrated dual PoV story.

THE CHRISTMAS NOVEL WE WANTED AND DESERVED! This book is probably my favorite book of 2022! The characters were loveable, it was hallmark and sexy, the atmosphere was amazing. The conflicts weren't so bad you ended up hating the characters which can happen with romance - I wish I had two moms - also those suitcases lol. Read this book!

I learned first about this book when Julie Murphy posted on Instagram that she was writing a Christmas book with her friend, Sierra Simone. First off, how cool is it that two awesome authors are good enough friends to collaborate on a project like this. So to say the least I was interested.

I was so excited when I was approved for the audio version. There are two narrators and they both told the story so well. Bea and Nolan are honestly a couple I want to be couple friends with. Bea a porn star gets cast last minute for a Hope Channel (aka hallmark channel) Christmas movie, but no one knows that she is a porn star. Well, no one except for her co-star Nolan who is a former boy band member looking to fix his bad boy image. As soon as he sees Bea he knows who it is and we find out he has had a crush on her for years. Also she has a crush on him.

This book was so good. There were real world scenarios that they felt with as well as Nolan’s mom having bipolar and them talking about the reality of that disorder.

Thank you to Netgalley and the authors for allowing me to review this book.

Christmas in July continues to take on new meaning after this book. A Merry Little Meet Cute is delightful. I’ve read Julie Murphy before but not Sierra Simone. Together they created a funny, very steamy, holiday romp that pokes fun the Hallmark channel and Christmas stereotypes. There is almost a checklist of representation, bi-sexual main characters, lesbian moms, other queer characters, plus size lead, sex workers and mental health worries over a bi-polar family member.

Bee Hobes is offered her acting dream job of being the lead in a Christmas movie for the Hope Channel. It is to be filmed during a few weeks in picturesque Christmas Notch, Vermont. The town is used movie for locations so much they never take down their holiday decorations. The male lead is Nolan Shaw. He was her teen boy-band crush and she still has posters of him in her childhood bedroom. Nolan needs to redeem his image so he can make money to support his mom and sister. Bee’s secret is she is also Bianca Von Honey a plus size porn star. Bee is hoping this will open the doors to more mainstream acting roles. The sizzle between Nolan and Bee is snow melting hot. But neither can afford for there to be problems on the set.

So many things were funny and tongue in cheek over the top. There is a real sweetness to Bee who loves her professional work. Her best friend and moms are wonderfully supportive and loving. The book takes on more serious topics too. Pointing out worse aspects of media and creations of false narratives. It also shows the unfairness in how women are treated differently by the press and social media for scandals. The celebration of the bad boy vs. the slut shaming of the woman. This is a insta-love story but who can blame Bee for getting to be with her fantasy guy and vice-versa. Maybe it takes a Christmas miracle to believe they can have lasting love after a few weeks. I really enjoyed the epilogue to give the senses of the potential HEA.

The audio book has duel narration from Joy Nash and Sebastian York. I know York’s voice from Christina Louren novels and others. Joy Nash brings a freshness to Bee and an easy likability. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

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 can't wait to add this book to the shelves! Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone are more than just authors in this novel, they're visionary storytellers.
Dual perspective lends a hand to each character and their individual story arcs and growth. But when these two characters come together, their story really starts to uh shall we say 'heat up'.
Bee is an amazing lead character, honest and sarcastic while full of confidence and grace, she's exactly what readers need in a powerful female lead.
Nolan is the definition of don't judge by the cover. Painted as a bad boy musician in the press, readers will be delighted to learn there's a whole other side to this tabloid king.
If you love holiday rom-com, Hallmark movies, funny and sarcastic main characters, family dynamics, and a good love story, this book will not disappoint!

A super cute, happy, out-of-the-box Christmas romance that will have you laughing (and crying a couple of times) with these lovable characters. This one is definitely one of my favorite Christmas romances that I will likely read again when the holiday comes around. The narrators were amazing - Sebastian York is one of my favorite male narrators - and they really added to the story. If you love funny, meet cute, rom-coms with some sexy times thrown in, this is the book you've been waiting for.

This book wasn't as Christmas-y as I would have hoped, but I did like the message behind the story. I think it's an important one about our society, especially the way we treat women and sex workers. Also the romance was cute.

One of my MOST anticipated holiday reads of 2022!! This dual perspective romance between two bi MCs was full of heart but also SUPER steamy!!

Definitely not your typical closed door, "clean" Hallmark movie-esque romcom, this book packed a punch featuring Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey), a plus size adult film star who is trying to break into the main stream film industry, and Nolan Shaw, a former Rockstar trying to reform his bad boy image by starring in a wholesome Holiday movie.

Together these two have such sizzling chemistry and can't resist a secret, off-screen romance. What they weren't expecting was to catch real feelings. I really loved the body and sex positivity in this book as well as the excellent mental health rep! Nolan's mother has bipolar disorder and his struggles trying to be a good caregiver really got me in the feels!

Great on audio, with dual narration, by Joy Nash and Sebastian York, this holiday romcom is sure to delight come the season. Highly recommended for fans of Rosie Danan, The summer of Christmas by Juliet Giglio or The close up by Sarah Smith. Much thanks to NetGalley and Avon Romance for my advance review copies!!