This was soooo much fun! It was a unique twist on a Santa Claus storyline filled with modernity, magic, and real emotions. I loved the trials and tribulations that Quinn and Patrick went through because they were real life issues and struggles! The setting was so much fun and I could really picture it all.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

This is such a fun, interesting holiday novel. When Patrick accidentally kills Santa Claus, he is offered the opportunity to take his place with his husband Quinn acting as The Merriest Mister (an inclusive version of Mrs. Claus). What follows is an uplifting novel of hope and joy. It was hard not to fall in love with Quinn. I was #teamquinn the entire time. I didn't love Patrick or the way he treated Quinn for most of the novel, which is why I found it interesting that he was chosen to be Santa Claus. This is the perfect Christmas novel.

This was just the cutest Christmas story and such an unexpected premise. What I love about this author’s books is a lot of them have a bit of magical realism. And I am not usually a fan of that sub-genre, but I am here for it when Timothy Janovsky writes it! The couple in this book are struggling in their marriage (like most people) when suddenly one of them kills Santa Claus! They come to find out that person is now Santa. And they both travel to the North Pole to take on their new roles. Since this is a gay couple, for the first time there is no Mrs. Claus, but instead a Merriest Mister. They go back and forth between their conflicts in the real world and managing their new roles in the North Pole. Such a cute audiobook! Add it to your Christmas books to read!

Thank you to St Martin’s Griffin and Net Galley for an e-copy of the book!

What a wonderful Christmas romcom! This book is full of christmas magic! It's a little bit crazy but heartfelt, and that's an amazing
combination. It has magic, Santa, elves, and a really great couple in Quinn and Patrick.It's perfectly heartwarming and so very cute and funny!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I wanted to love this book so badly, but unfortunately it wasn't my favorite.

The premise was great - basically The Santa Clause, but gay. That part of it was okay. I just didn't love the characters (especially Patrick), and I didn't like how their issues were handled.

I ended up skimming most of this one because I wanted to finish. I might try it again next year.

2.5 stars

This book was the perfect read for the holidays with lots of silly holiday magic and cheer. I usually love a getting-together romance, but this established relationship holiday marriage fix-it was a refreshing read. I loved delving into Quinn and Patrick's domestic lives and appreciated how the work in their relationship didn't end just because they got married.

Quinn and Patrick's marriage problems reflected the same misogynistic homemaking problems that occur in heteronormative marriages. Quinn's silent frustration with bearing the brunt of the household tasks and the sexist way his in-laws treat him took on a new context in their relationship and it was fascinating to see how they worked to dismantle those expectations.

The magical aspect of this book is one I didn't expect, but I thought was so fun. I loved the idea of Quinn and Patrick taking on the mantle of Merriest Misters. I loved how Patrick's personality shined as Santa and how Quinn felt empowered by Mrs. Claus' closet and taking on a mentoring role in the North Pole

Pacing is the story's only pitfall. Being bookended by two different Christmas nights meant the book started and ended with a bang. I definitely thought the year in the middle dragged on and, at times, found myself just wishing the book would fast forward.

I'd still totally recommend this book if you're looking for a cosy holiday read. I loved getting immersed in the magical world of the North Pole through vivid imagery and fun, holiday-coded moments.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, St Martin's Press, and the author for providing me with an ARC for review. My opinion is totally my own.

Five out of five stars.

Loved the inclusivity and focus on finding your own happily ever after - however that might look for you - alongside the recognition that it might look different for you than for those around you. The characters could have more depth - and other titles i've read from this author often do - but overall, this was a wonderful book for that weird interim between Christmas and New Years, and I certainly enjoyed it.

I’ve gotten 25% into this ARC and I really love the premise and the writing has been great. Tim is truly the king of writing queer holiday romance. But I have to put this one aside for now solely because of what I’ve got going on in my personal life. I’ve loved all of Janovsky’s books and I look forward to reading this one when I’m in a better space.

This is the third or fourth Janovsky book that I’ve read and I’ve come to adore their writing style! Sweet, charming, and a little spicy. Just the right amount of everything!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

A queer retelling of The Santa Claus, this heartfelt holiday romance masterfully balances festive cheer with emotional depth. The story dives into the complexities of queer identity, self-discovery, and the pursuit of individuality within the confines of a marriage. There's Santa, the North Pole, lots of snow, holiday cheer, and elves! This book has it all. A great read for anyone seeking a holiday story with a meaningful emotional core.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Quinn and Patrick are newlyweds and they are having a rough first year of marriage. Patrick is a workaholic who gets fired at the beginning of the book. Their new home is also more of a project than they expected. And Quinn also feels stress trying to fit in when Patrick’s mom treats him more as a daughter-in-law than son-in-law. She’s accepting of Quinn but it seems like she’s not great at making him feel comfortable and accepted.

Quinn and Patrick really love each other and want to be happier in the life they share.
They might have gotten married too young or too quickly. They’re only 26 and don’t really understand themselves yet let alone how to make each other happy.

Then Patrick and Quinn accidentally injure Santa Clause and Patrick gets offered his job. It’s basically like, fill in for Santa or no one gets presents this year. They make a spur of the moment decision to help. Then they have to decide whether to stay for the next year. This isn’t a spoiler to say they commit to the year.

Patrick becomes Santa and Quinn is called The Merriest Mister, and they find a level of acceptance that they didn’t feel in their normal lives.

Things are really wonderful at first. To Quinn in feels like vacation and to Patrick it feels like a new life. It feels like his true calling.

Everything is like a dream at the beginning but then things get complicated again as they try to stay on the same page in order to share their life together if they don’t necessarily want the same things.

This book was serious, then light and fun and dreamy, and then it was serious again and I’m not going to spoil how it ended. It’s a Christmas romance so we can atleast agree that we all want them to wind up together, right?

It felt heavy at times but I know that’s because this is about a couple who could be on the verge of separation and us trying to find a way back to each other. The love is always there.

I loved seeing Quinn find himself and I loved a particularly touching scene between Patrick and his brother.

I enjoyed this story but felt it was a little slow at time. I’ll definitely read this author again. This was a unique spin on a Christmas story in that it featured a love story about a married couple. (Oh and the magical realism too!)

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley, thank you!

Santa like you have never seen him before.

Patrick and Quinn have been married less than a year and their foundations are cracking all around them. Discontent with their romantic and personal lives but hiding it from the other, it all comes to head when Patrick attacks a burglar dressed as Santa. But it turns out it was actually Santa. Now, Patrick has to step up to the mantle of Santa to deliver presents and run the North Pole for the next year. Quinn joins him and becomes the Merriest Mister. They decide to take this year to work on their relationship without the pressures of the real world, but will this be enough?

My favorite movie growing up was The Santa Clause and to this day, it is the only Christmas film that I like. While the beginning of the book has a lot of Santa Clause elements- the “burglar,” stepping in to be Santa, the North Pole, etc., this book mainly focuses on romantic relationship dynamics rather than familial and internal relationships of the first movie. One aspect I wish this book utilized from the Santa Clause movie was the connection to the regular world. It is easy for a relationship to feel mended when sequestered away in a semi-perfect world where you don’t have to worry about familial expectations or earning a living, but the minute real life intruded, all the progress Patrick and Quinn made on their relationship crumbled.

Honestly, I didn’t really care for their relationship from the get go. The reader gets to flip between important moments from their past and the present and all the past shows is that their relationship had flaws within the first year of dating. While Patrick was all in, Quinn had reservations at every step but just never voiced them. Some intense relationship therapy was seriously needed.

Maybe I’m just cynical as Christmas books (or songs and movies to be quite honest) are really not my thing, but despite the things I didn’t like, this book was very palatable. The personal and interpersonal growth of the main characters was engaging and the North Pole world and lore was fun and not grounded in reality (the best kind really). I think anyone will enjoy this book during the holiday season.

#netgalley #themerriestmisters #stmartinspress

“𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬.”

Make the Yuletide gay in this Santa Clause inspired romance?! Yes please!

I adore Timothy Janovsky’s writing - he has a knack for creating heartwarming romances that don’t shy away from character conflict but also that celebrate queer joy. This latest one is no exception, featuring Patrick and Quinn, a hardworking couple who are having a hard time connecting with each other after their first year of marriage. Their rush to please everyone but themselves is very relatable and Quinn’s uncertainty about teaching especially hit me - he loves working with kids but feels dragged down by the politics that come with it. Janovsky’s usual humour is also present in small doses - both Quinn and Patrick hitting Santa on the head with a frying pan made me chuckle! I loved the way Janovsky captured the magic of the North Pole, especially in the creativity of what living there would be like: a fancy chalet for Santa’s home that caters to domestic wishes (such as making coffee exactly as you like it automatically), the Elves talent show, and snowball fighting as a sporting event (I’d like to participate!). I also liked the flashbacks that occur in the form of memories - they helped in understanding Patrick and Quinn’s present difficulties but also reminded me of how we do a lot of reflecting on the past during the holiday season. Seeing Patrick and Quinn rediscover holiday magic, finding themselves and what they need in their relationship and their love for each other was also incredibly heartfelt.

The Merriest Misters is a story of rediscovering connection, new adventures, purpose, and love. With this, You’re a Mean One Matthew Prince, and A Mannequin For Christmas in 2025, it too early to call Janovsky the king of LGBTQ+ holiday romance?! Thank you to St. Martin’s & NetGalley for the ARC!

Married for under a year, Patrick and Quinn are already feeling the strain in their relationship between job woes and a sizeable mortgage on a house in desperate need of repairs. When Patrick accidentally knocks out Santa Claus with a frying pan, he has to take over as Santa that night. The following morning, Patrick and Quinn are shocked to learn that they need to take over as Santa and the first Merriest Mister for at least a year – or Christmas will be cancelled permanently. Will staying at the North Pole help them rediscover the spark in their marriage?

This was such a cute Christmas story and possibly my favorite Timothy Janovsky book yet! It really helped me get in the holiday spirit this year. I loved seeing both men grow individually and together during their time at the North Pole. The past Santas and Mrs. Clauses still residing at the North Pole was a nice touch.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This book was absolutely adorable. Patrick and Quinn are one of the most relatable couples I’ve ever read - and the whole Santa clause plot line was so fun and original compared to the other Christmas stories I have read this year.

I love that this story focused more on Pat, Quinn, and their love/marriage, and had the Christmas plot line/story take a main role that also let the growth of themselves and their marriage really shine through. I appreciated so much how the characters go through as individuals and as a couple. It really is a great example of how a story can portray real issues in relationships without sugar coating it, yet also giving readers hope and joy through the story.

I can’t wait to see what this author cooks up for us next.

Oh my God, this is the perfect queer Christmas reading! I’m so happy right now, I feel so warm and comfortable and I’m in love with this book so damn much!
I love all Timothy Janovsky’s books, I’m a huge fan of him and his work, but I think I love this the most!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

***Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***

The Merriest Misters was such a great choice to read during the Christmas season. I liked the way it took a premise so familiar and crafted such a new, heartwarming story with it. The book had a good mix of humor, festiveness, and heartfelt soul-searching. It managed to explore some pretty heavy, emotional themes without becoming too overwhelming by leaning into the absurdity of the premise. It really worked for me.

The Merriest Misters was big on the miscommunication trope. I usually HATE this trope, but this story handled it better than most. The integration of the memory chapters gave a lot of context to how the dynamic between the characters evolved. So, I felt like I understood their miscommunication and its history and wanted to see them overcome it to heal their relationship.

I genuinely enjoyed the plot of The Merriest Misters. From the characters' first interaction with Santa, which involved a frying pan, up until the end, it was such a fun ride. I loved getting to explore the North Pole and learn about how to be Santa alongside Patrick and Quinn. I do wish the world-building had been a bit deeper, though, with better explanations of some of the history and rules. A few parts felt a bit hand-wavey and forced to fit the plot. The pace also seemed too quick at times with the reader hopping in and out of the story with each chapter as it raced to cover a year of time in only 320 pages.

The main characters in The Merriest Misters, Quinn and Patrick, were well written. I liked getting both POVs and seeing how each of the men interpreted the same life events and relationship problems. Patrick was a workaholic who was constantly striving for parental approval. Quinn was a burnt-out teacher. He also struggled with figuring out what being a husband meant to him. Both men had to learn a lot about themselves in order to figure out what they needed to do to be able to fit together in the future. The story explored traditional gender roles and stereotypes, especially within a marriage, as well as the difficulties of getting married before really knowing oneself.

Overall, I had a great time reading The Merriest Misters. It was refreshing to read a story about a married couple working through their issues rather than the usual romance. The holiday trappings were entertaining and provided a fun backdrop for the exploration of some deep themes. Therefore, I rate The Merriest Misters 4 out of 5 stars.

Quinn and Patrick's marriage is already falling apart, and it's only been a year. But Patrick has become a workaholic, Quinn hates his own job and the Suzy Homemaker role he's been forced into, and there's no time for the two to connect--romantically or otherwise. So on a stressful Christmas Eve, when Patrick attacks a man who seemingly broke into their home with a frying pan, only for him to proclaim he quits, it might be just what the two need. Patrick decides to take on the role of Santa Clause in hopes he finds himself and time with Quinn, while Quinn reluctantly agrees to a new adventure.

The Santa Clause meets marriage counseling meets an LGBTQ romcom... what more could we want? Seriously, The Santa Clause (and its sequel) are some of my favorite holiday movies and this book brought all of that charm with perhaps more likable heroes and a queer spin. This book is fantastical and fun and a bit campy, but I love that in a Christmas read and this one ultimately brought me so much joy.

Thanks to St. Martin's for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 8/10

Merry and happy to all who celebrate! ❤️💚 I’m not typically a fan of the second-chance romance trope, but this book is a clever, compelling, a little sad, magical twist on the genre.

🛷 THE MERRIEST MISTERS by Timothy Janovsky, October 2024 (thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the eARC). Patrick (a struggling architect in a dead-end job) and Quinn (a committed but burnt-out school teacher) are married, but life is not going so well. They’re working too hard, they’re like ships passing in the night, and their fixer-upper dream home is a debbie-downer. Patrick’s parents are too involved in their lives, while Quinn’s mom is not involved enough. Then one foggy Christmas Eve, sparkly magic takes hold of their lives and they become Santa Patrick and his Merriest Mister for one year. They move you-know-where and try to save Christmas and their marriage. Will the power of their love be enough to get all the jobs done? Read this sweet holiday tale and find out! This is not your typical Christmas story! 🎅🏽🎄🍪🥛