Timothy Janovsky has made magic once again! He has the ability to bring such wonderful, complex characters to life. Just when you think you know who the character is and what direction the story will go in, Janovsky surprises the reader by giving additional layers to the character and the storyline. Not once did I get stalled in reading. The pages were turned so quickly and the ending came too fast.

This is the story of Henry Aster and his quest for finding love and happiness. With the holidays quickly approaching, Henry makes a wish. But not just any old wish. A wish for the perfect man. His perfect man ended up being "someone" he has known his whole life. The male mannequin he has made many window displays with over the years at his Great Aunt Isla's store. There were so many layers to peel back to watch Henry and Aidan blossom. It took the characters in getting to know themselves as well as each other to say the story was complete. I highly recommend this book!

I was interested in reading this as it screamed Hallmark movie, and who doesn't love to enjoy one of those every now and again. And this certainly fit the bill. It was fun getting to see Aiden learn how to be human, and the goofs that came along with it. Christmas was really the perfect setting for Henry and Aiden's relationship as it added a certain magic to it. The end of the book felt a little rushed to me. I would have liked to explore Henry and Aiden reuniting after their two year split a little more. I'm not normally a fan of third act break ups, but it worked here as Aiden only was human for a month and for sure needed to spend some time on his own. That's why I think it would have been interesting to see how the two of them would get to know each other again. Overall, I found this to be a quick read and fun holiday romance!

This was a cute, fun read that felt like a Hallmark movie. Would definitely recommend to those looking for a feel good book.

I’ve read all of Timothy Janovsky’s books since his debut and loved every single one, so I was super excited to get an ARC of this book! I’m always a fan of a sweet holiday novel and this one doesn’t disappoint. I love Aiden’s charm and open personality and how this was portrayed while still going deeper into Henry’s social anxiety and how that manifests in how he approaches the new relationship. And although I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, I loved the direction it went it and how it all came together in the end. Overall a very sweet and cute Christmas story. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

*"A Mannequin for Christmas" by Timothy Janovsky is a delightful and imaginative holiday romance that combines magic, humor, and heart. The story follows Henry Aster, a vintage shop manager at the Jersey Shore, who, after a recent breakup, wishes for "The Perfect Man" to accompany him to his family's Christmas gathering. The next morning, one of his male mannequins, Aidan Smith, springs to life with no memory of being a mannequin and a pressing deadline: he must experience true human love before midnight on New Year's Eve or remain human forever.​

Janovsky's writing is charming and witty, capturing the magic of the holiday season while exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and the importance of human connection. The dynamic between Henry and Aidan is both humorous and touching, as Henry teaches Aidan about human emotions and relationships, all while navigating the complexities of their growing feelings for each other.​ I fell in love with them almost immediately.

The novel's pacing is well-balanced, with a perfect blend of romantic tension and festive cheer. The setting of the Jersey Shore adds an unexpectedly cozy backdrop to the story, enhancing the holiday atmosphere. While the premise is fantastical, the emotional depth and character development ground the narrative, making it a heartwarming read for fans of romantic comedies and holiday tales.​

Overall, A Mannequin for Christmas is a delightful read that offers a fresh take on holiday romance. Janovsky's unique storytelling and endearing characters make this novel a perfect addition to any holiday reading list.

This was a fun read. It is very quick and basically a hallmark movie which I love. It hit all the Christmas accepts I believe it needed. I did love the characters and their relationship. I did not like the third act breakup-it’s so overdone. But I do see how it was relevant to the characters. I do wish the ending wasn’t so short and we got to see more of them together happy again.

As someone who loved the original Mannequin movie growing up, I couldn’t wait to dive into this book, and it absolutely delivered! Timothy Janovsky took a nostalgic, whimsical concept and gave it a heartwarming, queer holiday twist that felt both magical and meaningful.

This story is packed with everything I love in a holiday romance: charm, humor, family, and just the right amount of sparkle. Watching Henry, unlucky in love and a little jaded, get swept up in the whirlwind that is Aidan, the mannequin who springs to life, was so much fun. Their chemistry is electric and endearing, and Aidan’s wide eyed wonder at the world made me smile so much.

Beyond the romance, there’s a sweet exploration of identity, personal growth, and how love, whether romantic or otherwise, can transform us. The antique shop setting was cozy and full of charm, and the Christmas vibes? Immaculate. I could practically smell the gingerbread and hear the soft hum of carols in the background.

This is my second book by Timothy Janovsky, and I’m officially a fan. He writes with warmth, wit, and such clear love for his characters. Oh, and can we talk about that gorgeous cover? It’s giving holiday magic in the best way.

If you’re a fan of Hallmark movies with a dash of queer magic and heart, this book is perfect. I’ll be thinking about Henry and Aidan’s story all season long! 💕

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

I absolutely LOVED the mannequin movie growing up so I was super excited to check this book out and it was incredible! Such a fun concept and so well done. This is now my second book by the author and I’m becoming such a big fan. This has romance, family love, a sweet antique shop, and Christmas vibes. Also, the cover is stunning!

This is a cute, funny, and well-written holiday romance with a magical twist. Henry, unlucky in love, makes a wish and suddenly the mannequin he works with comes to life. Aidan is sweet and charming, and their story is full of heart and humor.

There’s a third-act break where Henry sends Aidan off to explore the world, and while their reunion is sweet, I wished we got more details on their reconnecting. It seemed cut short. It does end with a HEA and delivers some cozy holiday vibes.

This was a fun, very silly premise for a holiday novel that ended up being deeper and more melancholy than expected. Unlucky-in-love Henry, who runs a junk store for his beloved elderly aunt, makes a wish for "the perfect man" and it comes true via a gorgeous store mannequin. Hijinks ensue as the mannequin, who names himself Aidan, has until New Year's Eve to get Harry to fall in love with him or he'll become plastic again. Problem is he basically has to start from scratch in learning how to be a human. This results in some very funny situations and endearingly guileless observations as he grapples with his new abilities and feelings, but also makes him seem uncomfortably child-like and helpless. I did enjoy the building relationship between the men though, especially as they designed a new window display for the store together, but the ending unfortunately soured me on the book. *spoilers* They do fall in love just in time to keep Aidan human, but then Harry decides to send him off to explore the world on his own (even though at that point he is still very much a naive babe in the woods). It makes sense he should have his own experiences before making a lifelong commitment to one man, but it's also very sad since the MCs are kept apart for almost two years(!) and sadly drift apart. Aidan does not even show up when the aunt dies which hurts Harry deeply. It's really painful to read and makes their sudden reconciliation at the end seem unrealistic. They do get the requisite HEA but it feels sudden and unearned. This was a fun concept though and Janovsky's writing is sharp and clever, fans of Hallmark holiday movies will find a lot to enjoy here.

Henry Aster just wants to have a magical love story, only it's approaching the holidays and he's newly single after thinking this was the year he was going to get engaged. After a bit of wallowing, Henry makes a wish, for the perfect man. Hilarity and magic ensure when the mannequin in his shop window comes alive. It's the magical Christmas movie plot he thinks he's always wanted. The catch, if Aidan (the mannequin), can't get Henry to fall in love with him before New Years Eve he will turn back into plastic.

This started out like a perfect hallmark movie, and ended with an indepth look at what we bring into relationships and how we show up and treat those we are in relationships with. I loved the exploration of complex family dynamics and how those relationships can be multilayered, complicated, and beautiful all at the same time. I also really enjoyed seeing the world through Aiden's eyes, the questions he asks, and the exploration of how we communicate things to others.

This book offered dimension and depth and I would recommend it. There is always a good time for a Holiday Romance (even in April lol). Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved these books. I can't wait until I can read the next book by Timothy Janovsky. Five out of five stars from me and would be more if I could.