My December holiday book challenge is finishing off today with The Merriest Misters. December brought me 5 cute Christmas reads.

I thought the premise of this book was super cute with a gay version of the Santa Clause but the story fell a bit short for me. Let’s start with things I loved : dual POVs, with flashbacks. Christmas magic. Fun side characters. LGBTQ theme. Message of pursuing dreams/passions and staying true to yourself.

But….I ended up skimming a lot of the book as I just couldn’t truly get into it - didn’t want it to be a DNF but definitely could have been :( I didn’t click with the writing style or the main characters, especially Patrick. It truly didn’t feel like a romance novel most of the time, did the characters actually even like each other? And the miscommunication and hiding things from each other …over and over, just wasn’t for me.

Have you read it? What did you think?

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for a chance to read an arc this book! 🖤

3⭐️ Santa's just up and quitting > |
tropes: marriage in crisis, holiday romance | low steam | digital

Overall Thoughts 💭:
I like marriage in crisis book and holiday romances (even after the holidays are over) so this book was a nice treat! Patrick and Quinn's love for each other was never in question but if it was enough to keep them together and happy was. I liked seeing the flashbacks of their relationship because you could see exactly where the cracks started forming and why. I will say the actual North Pole antics weren't as fun or interesting as I thought it was going to be. They story dragged on a bit but I concede that their problems had to drag out for a whole year because of the plot.

Thank you @smpromance for the gifted copy! I am a big@timothyjanovsky fan - his writing is full of heart and his characters are all so earnest and real. This book was so much fun! It felt like a classic Christmas movie (if you loved The Santa Clause as a kid and grew up to be a romance reader this is for you). Patrick and Quinn were both characters I could connect with and root for, their growth as individuals and as a couple was so satisfying. I absolutely loved this. A great addition to your holiday reading era!

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!