Thank to Netgalley, Afterglow Book by Harlequin, Timothy Janovsky for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.25 stars. Overall, I enjoyed this book but I didn’t love it. I found the pacing and timeline to be a bit all over the place and it wasn’t as engaging as I hoped. Also, I know nothing about wine so that element of the plot didn’t make a lot of sense to me but that’s definitely a me problem, not the book. I enjoyed the mental representation though and the romance between the main characters too.

3.5 stars
This was a fun and easy read. I appreciated the mental illnesses representation and the sobriety conversations.
This fell flat with the characters, who seemed kind of interchangeable in my mind. Also, the miscommunication was infuriating. I get that this is a common trope for a reason, but I did not enjoy this one.

3.5 Stars. Julien is a sommelier at his family’s restaurant who is not pleased when his uncle hires Greg, a flashy TikTok mixologist, to work the bar. Julien has OCD and is very exact while Greg is outgoing and charming. When forced to work together on a few special events the pair find common ground and begin a friends with benefits arrangement. Greg doesn’t mind Julien’s need for cleanliness and Julien is not bothered at all by Greg’s erectile disfunction caused by his anti-anxiety medication. The two have a great relationship until Greg is offered a job in New York and must decide if he wants to stay or go.

I always have mixed feelings on Timothy’s books and this one is no exception. Both Julien and Greg were complex characters going through their own issues. I especially appreciated the inclusion of erectile disfunction and how it was treated as not a big deal in their physical relationship. I have seen reviews from people with OCD saying the depiction of Julien’s OCD was not great, so take that for what you will. The book moved quickly and is relatively short so it only took a few hours to read. I hated the last third of the book. A third-act breakup is fine, but this one took things too far and then resolved so quickly that I don’t think there really was a satisfactory HEA. That being said, I did really enjoy the cast of side characters and would read something else in the same universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Timothy Janovsky tends to be hit or miss for me. He’s a wonderful author, and I’ve found some of his books to be a delight. This was one where the tone and feel of the book didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s because I have anxiety and reading about characters with anxiety makes me anxious. Julien was in his head so much, and it was too much for me. I’m sure others will enjoy the book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Another fantastic romance from Timothy Janovsky! The pacing flows well, the plot of light and airy but still has enough depth to make it super enjoyable. The characters are lovely, and I really loved and appreciated that this book specifically deals with sexual performance issues and anxieties and shows how those can be worked around. It was very refreshing to read and I think this book would be very helpful to folks who deal with these issues and feel unworthy or that sex is impossible.

I look forward to the next book!

Tim does it again with this opposites-atrract, beverage-based romcom. I love how the characters' mental health plays such an integral part of the romance. We love some understanding, boundary-respecting kings!! Very steamy with lots of sex toys. Hooray for inventive queer sexuality!

You Had Me At Happy Hour is my first read by Timothy Janovsky and I can say it's made me a fan! I enjoy Timothy's style of writing and how he combines the right amount of heartfelt moments, humor, and spice. I enjoyed the characters as well as their overall development. Julien and Greg are clearly opposites, and it was great watching them slowly build a relationship, especially since it was supposed to be strictly FWB at first. There is mental illness representation in this book and, of course, queer representation, and I appreciated it all! Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin-Romance, and Timothy Janovsky for this ARC!

The chemistry between Greg and Julien was chefs kiss. Had amazing character arc’s for both MCs, lots of heartfelt moments and sexy scenes to melt you.

YOU HAD ME AT HAPPY HOUR is a spicy, queer romance about a sommelier and a mixologist who decide to become friends with benefits since neither one of them is looking for a relationship. as their physical relationship progresses, they find themselves having more-than-platonic feelings for each other. this was such a good romance that touched on a lot of important themes like mental health, alcoholism, erectile dysfunction, among others, but still managed to be lighthearted and a fun read.

read if you like:
- meet-disaster
- opposites attract
- workplace romance

thanks to netgalley and harlequin for the advanced copy! YOU HAD ME AT HAPPY HOUR comes out july 23.

Finished this in like 3 hours. Could not put it down!!! While this is not the typical theme I read, the story line was intriguing.

4.5 - “The point is: People can change. Nobody is just one thing, one trait.”

I can’t tell you how much I anticipate and enjoy Timothy’s writing. I always manage to fall in love with these beautiful, vulnerable characters he creates, and Julien and Greg were no different.

The premise of this is so fun, leading to Julien and Greg’s not-so-meet-cute. Greg is hired to help Julien’s aunt and uncle’s restaurant gain more business by creating cocktails and boosting happy hour. All this is to Julien’s dismay, as he’s a sommelier and takes that so seriously. There is an immediate tension between them that develops into an attraction they can’t ignore.

I loved this book so much because of the honest and sensitive conversations Greg and Julien have. Julien’s OCD has affected his relationships in the past and it keeps him from fully opening up. Greg is on an antidepressant that has affected his performance in the bedroom and his own insecurity. They take such great care of each other and develop this incredible understanding of each other. Their conflict also feels natural because of both of their internal struggles. Julien is scared that everyone he loves will leave him and it hinders his ability to open up to people. Greg has such a clear idea of what his life should be like that it takes a return to New York for him to realize what he really wants.

“Patterns don’t break just because you want them to.”

Even when discussing these heavier topics, this book manages to be sweet and heartwarming. The relationship that Julien has with his Aunt Augustine is one of my favorite parts of the story. She cares so much for him and wants him to be happy. She's one of the side characters that really brings this story to life. It's overall so relatable and heartwarming, and also impossibly sexy. It's the perfect summer read.

I received an advanced copy of this book for review.

This is my second Janovsky book, the first being New Adult, which I really enjoyed. I think this is the first book I've read about a sommelier, but I've been on a bartender kick this summer. <i> You Had Me at Happy Hour </i> really nails why I enjoy dual POV romance so much; we get one scene in which Julien judges Greg for wearing an expensive, brand name belt in a place like Pennsylvania, but when we get Greg's POV, he thinks about how douchey the Gucci belt will make him seem to his coworkers but it's the only one he packed in his recent move, and his pants are too loose. Throughout, we get this sort of back and forth between Greg and Julien, seeing them go from reluctant coworkers to something like friends to FWB to more. The pacing of this one is pretty chill, but not in a way that detracts from the story. Given our characters' neurodivergence, I think it's very intentional and I appreciate that choice. I also really appreciate the portrayal of a) neurodivergence (Greg's anxiety and Julien's OCD) and b) the effects it can have on relationships (ie side effects of medication). It's also pretty spicy, giving our readers an interesting, informative take on what sex can look like aside from just penetration.

I enjoyed this one! I'd recommend for fans of Alexis Hall and Casey McQuiston.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin, and Timothy Janovsky for the ARC!

An aspiring sommelier working at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant bumps heads with the new hire mixologist/bartender. In dual POV, this was a very cute, sex positive, grumpy sunshine love story that also tackled heavier topics like alcoholism and mental health. I loved how mature both of these main characters were and how heavier topics on both sides were handled with respect and care. This was such healthy relationship goals! 4.25

This was an enjoyable, likable read. Both characters are quirky (especially Julien) and, while different from each other, quite well suited. Both have their individual hang-ups, including with sex, and both of them are complex characters. Neither is neuro-typical, and their individual struggles felt realistic.

I liked how the author approached their specific issues, and I liked that this book addressed mental health issues, without delivering a simple, easy fix for either Julien or Greg. Julien's OCD affects his ability to fully enjoy sex, but Greg makes specific accommodations for him to soothe the anxiety, and Greg's ED due to meds is also believably addressed during their bedroom adventures. Love happens unexpectedly, and neither seemed quite prepared when they realize their feelings.

And then I got to about 80%. I absolutely hated Greg hooking up with an ex during their short-lived break-up. I almost DNF'd the book when he ran off and then made some incredibly dumb choices. Thankfully, he comes to his senses quickly enough, and their happy ending was worth waiting for.

The author showcased excellent use of the enemies/rivals-to-lovers trope, with an engaging and thoughtful writing style.

This was my first book by this author, for which I received a free copy via Netgalley. A positive review was not promised in return.

🍹📚🍹BOOK REVIEW - YOU HAD ME AT HAPPY HOUR by Timothy Janovsky🍹📚🍹

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Since 'You're A Mean One, Matthew Prince', Timothy Janovsky has become one of my go-to authors. I had a pretty high standard for this book - that probably wasn't entirely met, but 'You Had Me at Happy Hour' serves up a delicious cocktail of romance, humour, and heart.

Meet Greg, the internet-famous mixologist burnt by that fancy Manhattan lifestyle. Then there's Julian, the neurospicy sommelier with a complicated past. When forced to work together to save Julian's aunt and uncle's restaurant, then stuff happens? Sex happens, but the romance part is a real slow burn.

It is a short, feel-good romance with light-hearted fun and meaningful themes. Appropriate for fans of slow-burn romances with a touch of humour and spicy moments. It isn't meant to be a masterpiece of literature, but this book will leave you content.

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Julien has been waiting to cash in his one-way ticket out of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for a long time. Becoming a master sommelier is his main priority, knowing that it will be his way to live somewhere different, and work somewhere other than his uncle’s restaurant. What he doesn’t have time for are a gorgeous, charismatic, TikTok mixologist/influencer crowding his space, and stealing his sommelier spotlight at Martin’s place.

Greg is running from fake friends, fake fame, and fake wealth. Moving in with his cousin, in middle of nowhere Bethlehem definitely wasn’t what he saw on his bingo card, but it’s something that has to happen due to creditors biting at the ankles.

Timothy Janvsky wove different aspects of the real world, with inclusive topics into this grumpy/sunshine romantic comedy.

Thank you Harlequin Romance, Netgalley, and Timothy Janvsky for this advanced reader copy.

Timothy Janovsky’s books are already very hit-or-miss, but this one was just…cringe. I’m not a fan of how he incorporates steam in this book, and the characters didn’t have a ton of chemistry to begin with.

I always love a good Timothy Janovsky novel. He is one of my comfort authors, I always enjoy reading his books. This one is not exception and I think Janovsky is getting better every book he wrote. Can’t wait to see what else he can do!
This novel is cute and funny, but also has important theme. It was really a good reading, I was laughing and smiling all along.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

A neurospicy teetotaller wine snob meets a tik tok cocktail content creator down on his luck and sparks don’t quite fly, but there are subtle notes of attraction and a hint of forced proximity. Thank you to @netgalley and @harlequinpublicityteam for this eARC copy. This is a slow burn romance story about second chances and learning that just because you’ve got emotional baggage doesn’t mean it can’t turn out to be a matched set with someone else’s.
Greg is down on his lucky after a too pricey Manhattan lifestyle burned out on him and Julian is the child of alcoholic parents struggling to manage his neurospicy brain while working to earn a master sommelier’s certification so he can escape the ruins of his past. When they’re forced to work together to save Julian’s aunt and uncle’s restaurant they initially can’t stand each other, but as time passes they find themselves being drawn together.

Favorite Parts - I love how Greg responds to Julian’s neurodiversity, he takes a beat, and then generally responds with compassion and it feels real to me. It’s not immediately perfect because he’s human, but it’s patient and reasonable. I also liked them slowly getting to know each other and learning to trust.

Read This If You - like a slow burn, opposites attract vibe, like a neurospicy MC, enjoy an adult beverage (or don’t because Julian doesn’t drink),

A sweet, low-stakes romance about two people finding their place and what they want out of life and a relationship. I really enjoyed the representation of both of their neurodivergencies and navigating them as it relates to communication in both a sexual and romantic relationship, like all the different ways that something that a former partner disparaged can be turned into something sexy and new with someone who is willing to hear them out and work with it instead of against it. Greg's ED and lowered arousal (different from wanting to have sex and being physical with Julian) due to his medication balanced with Julian's routines and boundaries around certain acts for his OCD were handled with love and care and it showed in the way each of the characters fell for each other.

This is much more a book about the two leads opening up and going for what they want, which I liked, but did make the third-act conflict really tedious. After so much focus on them opening up and falling in love, to fall back on such a minor miscommunication felt really hollow. It also struck something home for me, the focus on relying on labels to clear up expectations versus just talking through the expectations without the need for a label.

In the end though, it was sweet enough, though I do wish there was less of a focus in general in wine-based fiction around characters becoming master sommeliers when story-wise what they really want and are doing is advanced sommelier.