Thank you to Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the eARC.

Once Upon You and Me was a sweet (and sexy) queer romance.

I really loved how it doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. Ethan is so open about his plus size, and very clear about his needs and boundaries during sexy times. It’s so healthy and wholesome and a breath of fresh air. There’s also discussion about loneliness after divorce, the parentification (and abandonment) that Taylor went through. It almost felt like this story was more about their friendship than the romance.

But the romance was still there. It felt natural, despite their age gap and the forbidden aspect. I really grew to love these characters while watching them fall in love.

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read and I’ll keep Timothy Janovsky on my list!

I have admittedly been out of the romance reading game a bit recently but couldn’t resist Timothy’s newest book! And I’m so glad I read it. This was a mature yet fun story and the adhd rep was great (from my outsider perspective). The characters were realistic and the miscommunication, an awful but seemingly necessary bit in these novels, was relatively painless but also realistic. As an “older” reader I loved the more mature approach this story takes.

I adore Timothy Janovsky but this book needed some serious editing and style work before its release. I found it really hard to read and generally frusterating. Our characters weren't interesting and I just stopped caring about them. It was also so hateful on his ex wife, and kept calling her by her full name, and it felt strange.

Once Upon You and Me is a really cute and generally light hearted read. There are some heavier moments but generally a sweet romcom. (and by sweet I mean sweet not no spice, it’s definitely spicy). I really enjoy Timothy Janovsky‘s books and this one is up there for me if I were to rank his books in my head!

Who wouldn't want a storybook romance set in an actual storybook setting?

I knew I was going to like this book after reading the blurb, especially after reading that there was an age gap. I adored Ethan and Taylor's romance even though I think it happened a little too quickly, but I loved the happy ever after we get in the epilogue. I wasn't the biggest fan of Ethan's ex-wife Amy in the beginning, but I'm glad she came around in the end.

While I enjoyed the ADHD representation and how Ethan struggles with it, I understand how other readers are disappointed by the representation, especially since ADHD is different for everyone.

I really liked this story and will be keeping an eye out for future books as well as looking into Janovsky's backlog and looking for other books of his to read.

Also, I would die for Nana.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

“Hurt happens to all of us. It’s unavoidable. Sometimes we cause it and sometimes we receive it, but there’s not way to seal ourselves off from it unless we stop living.”

I will read anything Timothy Janovksy writes. This book feels like a warm hug with a side of spice, which was exactly what I needed. The setting felt magical and the entire dynamic between Ethan and Taylor was just fantastic.

Ethan and Taylor seem so different, but from the moment they meet you can feel their chemistry. There is a valiant effort to keep their relationship purely professional, but a storm and some bad luck forces them together. The forced proximity works so well to keep them in each other’s path and it opens up moment for them to be open and vulnerable. I love seeing these kinds of conversations in books because it feels realistic and genuine. There's such a great connection between them that really jumps off the pages.

The hesitation they have in continuing their relationship is understandable. Their lives are intertwined to begin with, and it seems like there are more obstacles to overcome. I love that it’s Samara, Ethan’s daughter, who puts everything into perspective. She wants both of her parents to be happy, and she also wants to see Taylor happy. All of the conflicts and incidents feel realistic and they flow into the story for a purpose and not just to have some kind of excitement. Every new moment shows Ethan and Taylor a little but more about the other and the attraction keeps growing for them both.

I particularly loved the resolution because we get to see these great conversations that propel Ethan and Taylor into going after what they want. When Ethan’s daughter tells him that he has the chance to be happier with Taylor, I was internally kicking my legs. She can see a happier future for her father, and that’s all she wants. It was also so satisfying for Taylor to get recognized for all of his hard work. It's so easy to fall back into old habits, like Taylor does with Amy since he cared for his siblings. But even she realizes in the end that he's destined to do more with his career instead of just being her assistant. I appreciated all of the honest, vulnerable conversations that happen at the end of the book. While we get the happy ending, we also see everything else resolved in real ways that make the whole story come together.

This is just such a sweet story and I can’t wait until it’s out in the world.

Falling for your ex wife's younger assistant is definitely not what this resort owner had on his agenda. Ethan Golding is dealing with a failing resort after his wife divorced him and took his resort and made it into her own enterprise and his daughter as well. Ethan's Storybook Endings Resort in Catskill isn't the happily ever after he had wanted it to be but then something magical happens when his ex wife's younger assistant, Taylor Frost appears to help plan Ethan's teen daughter's sweet sixteen...and Ethan is starting to fall for him despite how forbidden it might be. Taylor Frost dreams about getting a bigger job from his strict boss Amy, he dreams about making his place in hospitality... and when his boss asks him to plan her daughter's birthday at her ex's resort he can't say no, what he doesn't expect is to be working with the hot rugged older man... who is his boss's ex. Ethan and Taylor are perfect together... but if Amy finds out than not only will Taylor be fired but it could spell even bigger disaster for everyone. Yet Taylor and Ethan can't seem to stay away from each other... but can they make a relationship work when so much is at stake? This was an okay romance for me, I wasn't sucked into the romance despite being a huge fan of forbidden and age gap romances. I wish I did like it more but it just felt okay for me. I do think others will have a fun time with it but it just didn't hit the mark for me necessarily. It's not bad, it just didn't wow me.

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

New to Timothy Janovsky's work, I was excited to read another MM romance written by a queer man! While I absolutely love MM romances written by women, one of the common criticisms I’ve read from the queer community is that female authors sometimes have a tendency to romanticize these relationships rather than keeping them true to life. Of course, as contemporary romances are works of fiction, that is bound to happen regardless of the author's identity. Still, I was curious to make a comparison.

Once upon a time, there lived a man who had lost faith in happily-ever-afters five years ago. Divorced and separated from his daughter, Ethan spent his days managing Storybook Endings Resort and passing the time with his loyal dog, Nana. Then, one day, a handsome assistant to his ex-wife arrived at the resort to plan Ethan's daughter's sixteenth birthday party.

As far as Ethan was concerned, Taylor was the fairest in the land - but completely off-limits. Yet a smile, a glance, some wine, and a violent storm later, the magic of Storybook intertwined the hearts of the resort manager and the personal assistant.

But would their connection survive the disapproval of Taylor’s boss - Ethan’s ex-wife? Or would she forbid them from finding their own happily-ever-after?

I appreciated the realistic portrayal of the characters. Ethan wasn’t some heartthrob with a perfect figure, chiseled muscles, or the kind of looks you'd see in a magazine. He was simply a man trying to navigate life after his own happily-ever-after came to an unexpected end. I also really enjoyed how much depth we were given about each character in the story - learning what shaped them and made them who they were.

As much as I’m all for an MM romance, this one didn’t quite resonate with me. The story had a very passive tone, focusing on two people whose lives revolved around pleasing others. While the premise - two people who always put others' happiness first finally deciding to prioritize themselves - was sweet in theory, it didn’t fully capture my attention and, at times, felt a bit underwhelming.

Even the steamier moments carried the same reserved energy as the rest of the book. While they aligned with the characters' emotions, the passiveness of their personalities seeped into these moments as well - evoking more of a yawning effect than a yearning one.

That being said, I did admire how the story delved into the consequences of being a people-pleaser.

While I did enjoy Once Upon You and Me, the slower, more anti-climactic pace of the book felt underwhelming compared to other MM romances I've read, whether written by queer men or women. Still, while this will likely be the only book I read by Timothy, I genuinely appreciated the heart and soul of his characters. They felt like people I could walk past on the street - real people with real problems forming real connections. And that authenticity is what leaves a lasting impression.

A story of a storybook vacation resort manager and the personal assistant to his ex wife. This is described as age and gap and the second I see "age gap" as a descriptor I go oh no. But then as it's done here, it was not an issue at all. 27-40 didn't bother me. Especially when you have two men really bringing communication and maturity to the situation. What I love about a Janovsky book is of course the romance but also the vulnerability and kindness. You root for everyone. He could have easily made the ex wife a villain, but you like her and understand her by the end. And that's a gift. I loved having a 40 year old divorced father as an MC. I loved that he's this big guy that people expect such roughness from and he's so clear that he wants tenderness and the way that was handled. Taylor spent his whole life caring for others, raising his siblings, so having him cared for here was so touching. I really loved this book.

Once Upon a You and Me is out April 29 and you do not want to miss it!

I enjoy Janovsky generally, but wasn’t 100% certain in this one because sometimes I don’t love age differences? But it did work for me. I truly enjoyed both of the MCs, and the cast of supporting characters. It was the lighthearted romance I needed this month in a setting I genuinely enjoyed.

“Once Upon You and Me” by Timothy Janovsky is one of the cutest and most charming books I’ve read in a while. It’s a spicy age gap MM romance with a touch of fairy tale magic that made me smile. Taylor, a 27-year-old assistant, is sent to a dreamy resort to help plan a sweet sixteen party, but things get tricky when he starts falling for Ethan, the resort’s rugged manager. Ethan is also the birthday girl’s dad and Taylor’s boss’s ex, which makes things complicated and a little forbidden. Their connection is instant and adorable, and even with the obstacles in their way, I found myself completely rooting for them. The story is cozy, funny, and full of sweet moments that made my heart melt.

Taylor and Ethan are such a lovable couple, and their relationship grows in a really natural and believable way. The spice is there and it’s definitely hot, but still pretty light, which is common in traditionally published romances. I also really appreciated how the book shows Ethan’s ADHD in a respectful and thoughtful way. It felt real without being heavy. Taylor’s backstory about always putting others first added so much to his character and helped explain his actions. The age gap between them is handled well, with honest conversations and emotional maturity on both sides. The fairy tale theme running through the story is super cute and adds a magical touch. If you’re looking for a sweet, cozy, and slightly spicy romance that will leave you grinning, this one is perfect.

When Taylor Frost’s boss, Amy, flies him across the country to prep for her daughter’s sweet sixteen at the Storybook Endings Resort in the Catskills, the solo mission is well within his wheelhouse. Taylor is excellent at his job—except, he’s probably not supposed to flirt with the resort’s mountain man of a manager, Ethan Golding. Because the rugged older man is also the birthday girl’s father, aka Amy’s ex-husband. Oops.

For Ethan, his divorce seemed like the bad ending to his romantic story. And now, making his daughter’s sweet sixteen dreams come true is the closest he’ll get to the kind of magic happiness in fairy tales. Until adorable Taylor has him wondering if maybe this is just the beginning of a more erotic kind of bedtime story…

Janovsky does it again! I love the vibe, the characters, the setting, the representation. Not super thrilled with the ending, but hey - can't have everything! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Timothy Janovsky books are a joy to read. He's a gifted writer and I love the creative worlds he builds within his stories.

ONCE UPON YOU AND ME is the fairytale-infused tale set at the aptly-named Storybook Endings Resort in the Catskills; it's a forbidden romance between resort manager Ethan and his ex-wife's assistant Taylor, complete with bedtime stories, magic, and possibly...happily ever afters?

Fun, sexy, and smart, with a cohesive (if at times a little overdone) theme. An enjoyable read! I look forward to many more of Tim's stories.

Thank you to Afterglow Books by Harlequin and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. ONE UPON YOU AND ME is out 4/29/25.

I'm not a fan of the age-gap trope, so I went into this book a little hesitant. This sounded fun, though, and I was excited to read my first Timothy Janovsky book since I have a few of his novels on my TBR.

This story follows Ethan, a bisexual 40-year-old resort owner. His ex-wife's assistant, Taylor, who is 27, is sent to assist in planning a party, and romantic sparks start flying.

Taylor was immediately likable. He's an older sibling who helped raise his younger brothers and sisters. This helped him grow into a thoughtful and nurturing adult. One of my favorite things about Ethan is that he's been recently diagnosed with ADHD. One of Taylor's siblings also has ADHD, so he understands some of what Ethan struggles with.

There are lots of great supporting characters in this. Ethan's best friend, Gabriel, is a fun addition to the book. Samara, Ethan's and Amy's daughter, is also an enjoyable character. While the summary above may make it sound like Amy is a villain, she's actually a well-rounded but flawed character. There's a lot of wonderful character development in this, too!

The romance between Ethan and Taylor is steamy. They are each other's types, so the attraction is immediate. The "forced proximity" trope pushes the two closer, and their relationship takes off quickly. It's not just a physical relationship; these two build a solid relationship that I was really rooting for by the end.

This was such a fun, spicy, and romantic book. This was exactly what I needed to cheer me up from a stressful week. I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, feel-good queer romance. I'm really glad I finally read one of Timothy Janovsky's books, and I'm looking forward to reading more!

An absolutely adorable and engaging love story. That gives you all the Hallmark feels you are looking for. The storybook resort as a backdrop was just the right level of sugary sweet. While the complex nature of Taylor and Ethan’s initial connection adds in just enough conflict to keep their budding love story interesting. Delivers on the need for a short and sweet romance. With low stakes and low angst.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for gifting this to me early.

Ethan is the manager of a fairytale themed resort when his Prince Charming appears in the form of his ex-wife’s personal assistant, Taylor. There is quite the age difference but the two immediately form a connection. This is a sweet romance with great supporting characters and a lovely setting. I received a digital arc of this book from NetGalley.

Once Upon You and Me is a contemporary age gap romance about Taylor, a personal assistant who is tasked with arranging his boss’s teenage daughter’s birthday party. The party is going to be held at a fairytale themed resort managed by her ex-husband, Ethan. After a storm damages the cabin Taylor is staying in, Taylor moves into Ethan’s cabin and tension builds between them. Taylor is hoping to advance in the hospitality industry and getting caught with his boss’s ex isn’t the best idea for his career.

I liked the premise well enough, but I didn’t especially love the writing style or pacing of the story. There were times when the dialog felt unnatural and some of the phrases felt cliched. I think the phrase “and some change” was used to describe an approximate amount of something three times, which bothered me for some reason. Even though it wasn’t my favorite book, I thought the main characters had chemistry and I found the ending satisfying.

Super sugary sweet cinnamon roll story with an ooeey gooey center best describes the story of Ethan and Taylor. When do you stop doing everything for others while letting your wants and needs go in the wayside? That is the central theme of the story. Set in an amazing fictional theme resort, we learn to live and love our own fairy tales, no matter who we are or who we love. I enjoyed the spicy seasoning to what could have easily been just your average fairy tale but the seasoning ups the flavor.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the audio and eARC of this!

I've really enjoyed Janovsky's books in the past, but this one took the cake. I loved the characters, the setting, the pitch perfect angst, and the narrator did a great job.

Ethan was an excellent main character and I enjoyed seeing his second chance at love. He is older than the typical romance protagonist, fat, and bisexual, with ADHD. I found him especially relatable. Everytime his weight was discussed I was happy again to be seeing the representation. Also, I feel like typically when I see a bisexual character in a romance it's a woman protagonist, though perhaps I just haven't been seeking them out well enough. This discourse about his sexuality was well done. I also liked the age gap, it felt like it added well to the story, without being questionable. Taylor was so sweet and I loved the way the two of them interacted throughout the whole story, they were very easy to root for a happy ending for.

The setting was such a neat thing, I definitely haven't read something set in a fairytale themed resort. It added to the romance, giving the feel of fairytales without leaving the real world. I liked seeing the different activities that they got up to there.

I'm a sucker for angst that feels like it goes well, if I have to cry at a book it's almost always five stars. I thought the upset made tons of sense with how the story was set up, and getting a resolution after made it all the sweeter.

Respectfully, this was disappointing and I struggled heavily. I couldn't finish reading the whole story. The characters were bland with no complexities. Nothing stood out that would keep me engaged.
Thank you Harlequin Books for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.