A fun, magically queer Santa story that I went in blind & was not disappointed!

Themes of marriage in crisis, finding yourself, career moves, reconnecting with spouse & of course the North Pole

this was truly a joy to read. It reminded me of The Santa Claus with Tim Allen but make it queer and i adored that.

There are deep themes of fixing a marriage on the brink of divorce, so protect your mental health if that is a hard subject for you.

I found myself just feeling joyous and like i was being given a warm hug while reading this.

I can really think of anything i didn’t really enjoy about this book - the characters are likable and you want to root for them, the story plot was cute and fun, and it was a quick easy read.

If you want something that’s more lighthearted and sweet, i would definitely recommend this! 🎅🏼

I have read all of Timothy Janovsky's books and I am a fan of him. But oh gosh this book was such a miss. This was basically a queer version of the movie The Santa Clause. I love that movie but that type of plot did not work for this book. I am so disappointed because I wanted to like this book but it just was not for me. I do suggest all of his other books though.

Thank you Timothy Janovsky, St, Matrins Press, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

This was everything my Christmas-loving heart needed. I enjoyed the twist on The Santa Clause and the fact that this book didn't hide the hard topics that the LBGTQA+ crowd finds themself in.

I found myself relating to Quinn more than Patrick. But honestly, I was rooting for them both. This was my first book by this author and I have to say I am looking forward to more. Timothy Janovsky writes relatable characters even if the storyline is very magical and fictional.

Perfect for fans of Schitt's Creek, Christmas movies, and holiday fun.

This is a feel good holiday rom-com with a gay twist! I enjoyed the pacing of past and present and thought those glimpse into the past helped with character development. My only hesitation was the idea that they twenty somethings newly weds would be that boring. Sorry! That was hard to believe. Had Quinn and Patrick been in their 40s, I could completely see how the North Pole would have revived their estranged marriage.

I loved the secondary characters. I loved the magic. The romance was sweet. This will appeal to many different kinds of readers. Overall, well worth a read next to the Christmas tree and fireplace.

DNF.

Great premise. Okay execution. I found the characters to be forgettable and the pacing to be sooo slow.
Appreciate the honesty in their issues but wanted more romance and to really believe they should be end game.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Patrick and Quinn are trying to keep their marriage together. When a visitor arrives, their holiday season is changed forever. A nice read.

I enjoyed the author’s previous work and I had to read this one.

I love Christmas romances. This one had an added Christmas magic. To save Christmas for everyone in the world Patrick and Quinn had to live in the North Pole for the entire year. What I loved was the relationship between the two men. And the new friends they made in the North Pole. I also enjoyed how they worked on their relationship with each other and others. I didn’t need the flashbacks as much though. The ending was a bit off for me, I guess I needed more. Overall, it was a sweet Christmas love story with added magic. I recommend for anyone that love’s Christmas and love.

A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my review.

Now, I’ve read all of Timothy Janovsky’s books and I’ve never been disappointed. But this book, has to be my all time favorite of his!

This book had a little bit of everything. Love, conflict, day-to-day issues and Christmas Magic! Both Quinn and Patrick were well developed characters and the reader really got to experience this through their own flashback stories about themselves and with each other. It was a great touch to get to know them better.

Quinn and Patrick have been together 6 years and are now newlyweds settling into their new norm. But that isn’t without bumps along the way and feelings getting thrown in. It isn’t until one night, Christmas Eve to be exact, that Christmas Magic swoops in and gives them a chance to do so much more - with Patrick as Santa and Quinn as the Merriest Mister.

All of the characters were well developed and fun to read about. Each person both men come into contact with in a way teaches them a little bit about themselves and they are able to see things from a different perspective.

This book was wonderfully written with a ton of great characters within it. With the majority of the book taking place in the North Pole, you will see magic truly come alive through the characters has they grow, love and learn to trust each other again.

LOVED this book. A must read!

This is not my favorite of Janovsky's work. But even when it's not knocking it out of the park, it's still very enjoyable. This is less of a romance and more of a fantastical couples therapy story. The one thing Patrick and Quinn are sure of from cover to cover is that they love each other. But this book always plays with wondering if that's enough. And it isn't. But through and incredibly fun Santa Claus system (The council of Priors is such an interesting concept I wouldn't have been mad if another book dedicated to them existed honestly) they learn about themselves and each other and when the relationships survives it feels incredibly thought out and realistic, though the arrangement might feel a little less than the traditional wrap everything with a bow happily ever after, I enjoyed it a lot. As for my Queermas reccomendation list. I'll still pass people Matthew Prince first, but I will absolutely ordering up some copies of the merriest misters.

4.25/5 Stars :)

The Merriest Mister was a delightful holiday romance novel! It was such a unique take that I could wait to keep turning the pages.

Patrick and Quinn are headed into the holiday and their marriage is in a bit of a slump. Patrick's work life is having more than a few hiccups, and Quinn is feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and under appreciated.

On Christmas eve, hijinks ensue leaving Patrick the new Santa Claus for the year with Quinn along for the ride in the role of Merriest Mister. I love that this story had magic, elves, and having to save christmas all wrapped into one. We get to see Patrick and Quinn come together in this new adventure while also figuring out how they were failing in their relationship before.

If you love a hopeful holiday romance, with multiple changes to improve your communication, this book is definitely one I would recommend you pick up. I am still smiling at the whimsy I felt while reading it!

Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Merriest Misters was a quick and breezy read. The characters were fun and charming, and I was invested in their relationship. What I wasn't invested in was the worldbuilding. The more Janovsky fleshed out the world, the more confused I was by it. Why was Santa a role that must be filled? Where did the previous guy come from, if he was such a bad fit? Why did the protagonists have to fill the role, why couldn't any of the previous santas on the council do it?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, their lives will be on hold. What on earth do they have to do on the north pole year round? Why couldn't they just stay at their own house and go up to the North Pole?

Furthermore, the story takes far too long to build up. At 50% of the way through, we're only JUST getting started at becoming the merriest misters. This didn't work for. me, and I won't be selling it at the store.

This book could easily be made into a Hallmark movie and it would be an instant hit.

It revolved around Quinn and Patrick, newlywed husbands, dealing through the hardship of life, when everything changes on Christmas Eve. Patrick sticks the intruder, only to discover that it is Santa Claus.

Unexpectedly, Patrick and Quinn are now at the North Pole, with Patrick being the new Santa Claus. Quinn? Well, he can't be Mrs. Claus. So, the Elves and the Counsel of Prior come up with the name of Merriest Mister.

The book follows their journey through the North Pole, but also their lives, relationship, career, and personal growth. Seeing Patrick and Quinn grow into the men they are meant to be and flourish was absolutely beautiful.

I would gladly had this book to my yearly Christmas tradition reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me with an ARC for my review.

I adore Timothy Janovsky's novels and The Merriest Misters is another winner for me. Five Huge Stars!

This story is so creative and fun. The whole Santa Claus and North Pole anges are enchanting and marvelously clever. Plus Janovsky weaves all kinds of poignant life lessons throughout the novel. Important developments in the relationship between the two main characters, within their friendships, and in both of their families, all serve to make The Merriest Misters a perfect holiday story.

What an absolute treat!

Not many books spotlight a marriage that's hit a rough patch, and out of the few I've read, this has to be my favorite. The dual POV was perfectly executed, and I really appreciated the different narratives of their relationship and experiences. The magical element wasn't overdone but an element in the background that really bought out the best in the visual experience. Coming from a culture where arranged marriages are the norm, I had a very romantic idea of what love marriage felt like, and this vision was only encouraged by rom coms with HEAs. (I'm still unmarried). This book really questioned that perception, showing how any relationship can have hard times, and that work needs to be put in to heal it. The resolution to this story was not what I expected, but I loved it all the same.

I found this novel to be quite original! The navigation of a complex relationship between the two MMCs and their own personal growth, while navigating a very extraordinary situation. I enjoyed the whimsical moments with the elves, reindeers and the North Pole. I found it quite refreshing to have a new take on Santa’s story, which embraces inclusivity. For me, this wasn’t super strong on the romance side, more of an interpersonal story, where some characters have more growth than others.

This fun story has hints of The Santa Clause. It focus on a newly married couple who is already struggling in their relationship. Like many romance novel characters they are not great at communication not because they are not talking but more so because they are afraid of hurting themselves and also are coming from families that did not model good communication. The parts of the story at the North Pole are cute and their interactions with the others at the north pole are sweet and I think would make a good short run TV series at Christmas. The ending felt a little rushed and I am not sure where they left things will be a long term solution but all in all I enjoyed the story and the setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me with an ARC of “The Merriest Misters” by Timothy Janovsky in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. 4.75 ⭐️ rounded up
Janovsky does it again! I just love his storytelling and the magical realism in this was just perfect. I’m not normally one to reread books but I could totally see myself reading this annually or every few years at Christmas for the vibes! The creativity in his setting was paramount and so much fun. I found myself highlighting a lot of not only sweet romantic moments but also some great quotes about identity and family dynamics. I love the balance of whimsy, romance, and emotional depth. Gonna be honest and say I missed his usual spice (🤪) but I get it for this type of novel. Highly recommend for a sweet holiday romcom!

When I received this e-ARC from the publisher, I got all the festive feels and decided to do a little Christmas in July reading 🎄

It takes a twist on my favorite Christmas movie of all-time, The Santa Clause, and while at times it was a little too similar, I loved that dash of merry magic ✨ It’s a story about falling back in love after the pressures and responsibilities of adulthood weigh on Patrick and Quinn leading them to question themselves, their love and their lives together.

A chance to take over Christmas as Santa and the first Merriest Mister is just the jolly jolt they need to take a breath and reevaluate what they want in life and reconnect. My favorite part of the whole book was seeing all the traditionally female-focused gender stereotypes for Mrs. Claus be overhauled for the Merriest Mister, Quinn! The LGBTQ+ representation outside of Patrick and Quinn’s relationship was also great to see 🏳️‍🌈

While there was much to enjoy, I did struggle with the pacing and flashback chapters. I think they could’ve been incorporated differently in a way that would’ve worked better. The book takes place over the course of a year, but it’s very short, and ultimately, I felt a lot of moments were skipped, glossed over or rushed by the end.

Overall, this is a cute, short holiday read; however, I personally preferred “You’re A Mean One, Matthew Prince” by the same author, which I gave 4 stars last year! It was less cheesy and more rooted in reality.

Thank you St Martins and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A fun Christmas story that will have you feeling the holiday magic! Quinn and Patrick have been married for a year but things are going so well. When Patrick thinks he has killed someone they realize it was Santa. Now one of them has to become Santa and the other Mr. Claus in order to save Christmas. However the elves want them to sign on for a year. Will being at the North Pole save their marriage? Or will it result in the end of it? A funny rom com with the magic of the holidays wrapped in! Everything you would expect from a Timothy Janovsky novel! Heartwarming, heart wrenching, sweet, and comical! Plus this adds in all the vibes of the holiday season!