Partick and Quinn haven’t even been married for a year and their marriage is already starting to fall apart. Then on Christmas Eve Patrick accidentally knocks out Santa and is instructed by an elf to put on the red suit. He and Quinn come together to save Christmas and find themselves back at the North Pole where they learn they are the new Santa and Merriest Mister. If they don’t fulfill their new duties, Christmas will be canceled forever, so they agree to stay together until next Christmas.
This book was like a queer version of The Santa Clause, which is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. I loved the premise and I love how the spirit of Christmas was able to bring Patrick and Quinn back together. Reading this book felt like straight-up Christmas magic and I loved it!
Listening to the audiobook was such a joyful experience. Mark Sanderlin and Zach Barela did a phenomenal job bringing the characters and the story to life!
Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Macmillan Audio,, and NetGalley for the advance copies.

Huge thank you to @smpress and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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This gave all The Santa Clause vibes! Patrick and Quinn unexpectedly find themselves at the North Pole after taking on the role of Santa after some unexpected events and the very first Mr. Claus. Christmas needs saving and there are the guys to do it! In the process they need to save their relationship too, not with Hope and holiday spirit anything is possible.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️
311 pages

“𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐞. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐭, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞.”

what a fun and sweet little queer holiday romance! this is my first by this author and i had such a fun time reading about patrick & quinn. they were both so cute and how they really found themselves and fought for their marriage was so so relatable!

while i felt like this could’ve been four full stars i had to take away a half because it felt a tiny bit disconnected when we would go backwards in time and see how their relationship built up. at first i was so confused because it kind of threw off the rhythm of story, but i got used to it after a chapter or two 😊

read this one if you still believe in santa, the joy of a good outfit, and characters truly being themselves.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Merriest Misters is a Christmas romance/ exploration of self novel mixed with a healthy dose of magical realism. Quinn and Patrick have been married one year and things are already rocky. Money is tight, they bought a house they can barely afford, and now Patrick has been fired as well. After a fight on Christmas Eve a series of comical events leads the couple to accidentally becoming Santa and Mr. Claus.

There were a lot of things to like about this book. The setting in the North Pole was gorgeous and so cozy for a Christmas time novel. I thought the relationship dynamic between the main characters was interesting and very real, a realistic portrayal of a long term relationship that started very young. I really enjoyed a lot of the interactions with the side characters like Hobart and the Council of Priors. Where it lost a few points with me was the last act/the ending. I don't want to give away spoilers but the end felt a bit rushed and the solution didn't feel like a true fix to the problem at hand. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this and would recommend if you are looking for something to get in the holiday spirit without the book being too Hallmark-esque.

A super fun, festive MM romance that will get anyone in the holiday spirit! Janovsky creates well developed characters and a nicely paced plot. I will definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a light Christmasy read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book. It was very funny and I really enjoyed reading it!

Let me tell you what I liked best about this book. Blizzard finding a voice. Because the lesson I think I like best in this winter fairy tale is that even in a perfect little enclave of joy and happiness, we can still struggle to find out who we are, and then, to give voice to that identity. Yet weirdly, that isn't as inspiring as I'd hoped. If happy little elves struggle in utopia to be themselves, how much harder must it be for the rest of us, out here in the real world? Anyways....

I've really come to enjoy a Janovsky book. This is my fourth one, and I found myself surprised when looking back just now to see that I had given all of the other ones 3 stars as well. See, I like his writing. And I like his characters. And I definitely found the creative plot approach to Christmas that he's doing here very interesting overall. And like his others, I'll definitely be recommending this book to other people to read. I'm not sure what that x-factor is that I'm looking for, but I'm sure we'll get there sometime. And I'll keep reading Janovsky's books (after all, I still need to go read book three of his Boy Meets Boy series).

3 stars, but definitely recommend.

This book was so amazing. I loved that this was a Christmas romance, but also more. This story truly examined what it means to work on yourself so that you can be your best self for a relationship. This examines what it means for relationships to evolve because as life changes, so must a relationship. Also, this is just so fun with the visual aspects of the North Pole and the magic. I truly think that this was such a fun story that is so full of love, and also realistic challenges that might happen in a relationship. This is a new holiday favorite

If you’re gearing up for holiday reading, you simply MUST add The Merriest Misters to your TBR!

The story follows Patrick and Quinn, newlyweds who are trying to figure out life together, a quest that is complicated when they injure Santa on Christmas Eve. What follows is an adorable story about the magic of Christmas and the things we’ll do for the ones we love.

This book is pure magic and joy, coated in a delicious layer of candy and gingerbread. I read it in the days following the election and it was just so comforting. It’s not without a bit of conflict (every good story needs some in my opinion), but Patrick and Quinn are two wonderfully, sweet characters that I enjoyed getting to spend time with.

The story is told through a dual POV and getting both Patrick and Quinn’s perspectives really added to the story, in a way that made it very clear why they made certain choices. Typically in dual POVs, there’s always one POV that I prefer over the other but that wasn’t the case with this story, as both perspectives were well developed.

While I loved the premise of this book and the authenticity of Patrick and Quinn’s problems, my favorite part of the story was the general sense of magic and wonder that flowed through it. It reminded me a lot of Elf, not so much in subject matter, but more so the positivity that radiates from it.

If you’re looking for an uplifting holiday read that isn’t overly saccharine, this is a must read!

The Merriest Misters is out now. Thanks to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book will have a lot of appeal to many readers but it didn’t quite work for me. I LOVED the representation and inclusiveness. Just wonderful.
Ultimately, what I didn’t enjoy were the magical Santa / North Pole aspects. It felt too childish for me and read more YA to me. That’s not necessarily a bad thing it just wasn’t what I was expecting or looking for in a romance.
I also didn’t enjoy the end. Once again, this is totally a personal preference of mine. I generally like very clear, obvious, traditional HEA.
This was unique, though! I definitely hadn’t ever read anything like it before.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and St. Martin's Press for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Dual POV, marriage in trouble, The Santa Clause movies

This was so cute. I don't often read romance books about a couple that is already together. This was funny and heartwarming. The characters are well written, developed, and realistic. It tugged at my heart strings. It's a good holiday read!

Cute and sweet. I love that this one delt with very real relationships - the cracks in the first year of marriage. I liked that we had 2 POV - very distinct and each side of the couple. I also liked that we got a few chapters of the past to show their meeting and dating. It was a sweet way to introduce additional relationship details without getting too deep.

The saving Christmas side was cute but not my favorite part. I really liked getting to know the characters and their relationship. This one did fall into a few miscommunication tropes but I rolled with it. The ending was cute. I liked this one!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Christmastide is the one time of year when it is permissible for things to get a bit magical, so I love when I pick up a holiday novel and discover that it is NOT rooted in reality. Case in point, Timothy Janovsky's new novel The Merriest Misters, which is a queer play on The Santa Clause film series.

If Santa had a husband instead of a wife, what would you call him? Why the Merriest Mister, of course! Such is the stuff of this festive tale in which a burnt out, recently fired architect Patrick finds himself taking on a new role - that of Santa Claus himself - after Patrick knocks him out in his home one Christmas Eve. You know how this goes - "You put on the suit, you're the big guy." So pretty soon, Patrick finds himself and his husband Quinn being ushered into a reindeer-drawn sleigh and to the North Pole to fulfill their newly acquired roles of Santa and the Merriest Mister.

Patrick and Quinn, however, are surprised to learn that Christmas doesn't just run on magic, but also love - that is, the love between Santa and his partner. But what happens to Christmas when Santa's marriage isn't so merry and bright? With Patrick and Quinn's relationship balancing precariously on the rocks even before they were whisked to the North Pole, will their newfound responsibilities make or break their relationship ... and Christmas?

If you enjoy queer romances with a touch of holiday magic, then The Merriest Misters is Janovsky's Christmas gift to you! Intermixing the struggles of maintaining a relationship amidst societal pressures and judgement and what it means to be Santa Clause and spouse, The Merriest Misters is part domestic fiction, part holiday romance, 100% Christmas fun!

What a cute and unique take on the previously done trope of accidentally becoming Santa Clause.

Patrick & Quinn are much like other young married couples, they love each other deeply but the stresses of life weigh heavy and start to drive a wedge between the still newlyweds. When a surprising run-in with Santa leads to a change in command, Patrick and Quinn are thrust into the roles of the big man in the suit and his merriest mister. During their year in the North Pole, Patrick and Quinn must figure out if their love is built to last or if they have separate paths forward.

This is a sweet and uniquely queer take on a frequently remade holiday story. I enjoyed that it wasn’t the same telling of the story and focused on how individuality shouldn’t be quelled for a relationship. It was of course corny as with most holiday reads but it was such a quick read with the right amounts of magic that for me it was more enjoyable than most holiday reads.

I’m either a hit or miss with Timothy’s books, and it seems like his Christmas ones are the biggest green flags for me. I love them so so much! The Grinch one is still my favorite, but this one was still very good too.

I waited a long time to read this because I wasn’t in the mood for Christmas stuff just yet when it released, but when I finally was, I ATE this up! It was so good. And I have to say, I am so excited for people to read this one. If you’ve seen The Santa Clause trilogy with Tim Allen and loved it like I did, you will get that same magic from this story. It was so much fun.

I will say I was a bit weirded out about the romance because…. I mean, dude is who he becomes and stuff and I just felt weird about that. But then again, I have read a book with smut and a Santa soooooo (please no judgement) But idk. It was weird to think about. I appreciated that Janovsky really only made it them do things like touches and they kept getting interrupted. I imagine he thought some might feel the same way lol

I LOVED the characters tho. I was a little mad at the person who becomes that person at the beginning of the story. But he definitely took responsibility for the things that happened that were his fault. The other husband started out good for me, but made me mad the more it went. Why? Because he was so confused at the end? SPOILER: He didn’t want him to do something so he did what he did….. And then when the other person said I figured it out, he said ok END SPOILER I just didn’t think he was making any sense.

The holiday part of this was so cute! This is definitely one of the books that help me remember why I love holiday romances. There is so much Christmas cheer in this one and it felt so cozy and comfortable. And the way the elves were so inclusive and loving to the Other Mister completely warmed my heart. I LOVED the way they made them realize that the laws were outdated and they needed to be revamped. If everyone in the world made it that easy to be inclusive to everyone, the world would be a much better place. Fitting that this magic happened in the North Pole because these idiots down here would never.

This book was hella fun. I really hope this y’all read this. And then go and watch The Santa Clause. You will definitely be in the mood for it after you finish. So much fun and so much love. I hope y’all love it too!

Merriest Misters is a fun, heartwarming holiday read that brings all the Christmas magic. When Patrick and Quinn accidentally cause Santa to quit on Christmas Eve, they must step in to save Christmas—Patrick as Santa and Quinn as the Merriest Mister. I loved the MM relationship representation, and the story gave off major Santa Claus movie vibes, which was a nice touch. While it’s a bit cheesy at times, it’s the kind of cheesy that feels perfect for the holidays, leaving you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. A solid three stars for me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Timothy Janovsky, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the complimentary ARC of this book

MM
Marriage in crisis
Holiday romance
"The Santa Claus" vibes
Closed door
Dual POV

Rating: 4/5 - I can see myself rereading this one
🌶️: 0/5 - closed door
🎄: 5/5 - it doesn't get more Christmas-y than this

TLDR: It's really good and you should read it.

This book had me invested from the jump. I immediately was rooting for the MCs and their relationship. This book jumps back and forth between present events and the beginning of the relationship. I loved how this was done. The holiday magic element of the book was really enjoyable too. The only thing I didn't love was the happily ever after just because it wouldn't work for me personally. I do appreciate that not everyone's HEA looks the same and this book presents an option you don't often see in romance novels. Ultimately, I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those looking for a good Christmas romance.

The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky was the perfect seasonal read to get started.
With holiday cheer and a dash of nostalgia for The Santa Clause, I dove into The Merriest Misters looking for a festive escape, and it didn't disappoint.
My first Janovsky book, I was immediately charmed by Quinn's witty narration and the warmth he and Patrick still share, even as life has worn down their relationship.
Janovsky's take on the "marriage-on-the-rocks" trope brings humor and heart to their magical holiday journey, balancing holiday fun with real emotional depth. The flashbacks add just the right context to their story, and the third-act separation felt meaningful, giving Quinn and Patrick space for real self-reflection and growth.
For me, the most touching moments were the glimpses of family bonds-Patrick reading his brother's childhood letter to Santa even brought me to tears. Overall, The Merriest Misters is a delightful, heartfelt holiday read that reminds us that happiness is unique for everyone, and that's perfectly okay.

This is a delightful holiday story! A married couple, fighting through first year of marriage woes, meet Santa. Think The Santa Clause movie vibe. I really enjoyed it! The holiday magic part of the story added to a great story of marriage, family and love. Highly recommend!

The Merriest Misters is a romance where struggling husbands have to work together and save Christmas and their marriage. Filled with all the queer rep, marriage / relationship problems, light steam, working together , and a happy ending.