3.5 stars

This was a quick romance story. I enjoyed it but compared to Timothy Janovsky's other books, it didn't hold up. I liked the setting and the teen daughter was a fun character.

The audio was a bit confusing due to one narrator being both voices.

*thank you Afterglow Books by Harlequin for an ARC and Harlequin for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Review 🏹 🎯

Another adorable, spicy story from Timothy Janovsky! I loved all the tropes, age gap, forbidden (bosses ex), and opposites attract. The beefy, older hunk of a man becoming obsessed with the soft sexy young twink is one of my favorite pairings. Ethan and Taylor have instant chemistry and end up being so compatible. Of course, the ex-wife/ boss is awful. But I appreciated the men handling the situation with a somewhat less dramatic and more mature process than just running away from each other. Eventually. The ending was totally worth it.
I also love the found family and bi rep.

A huge thank you to @harlequinbooks
@harlequinpublicityteam for my ARC and audiobook.
The audiobook narrator, Anthony Myatt, did a great job, making this one a quick, enjoyable read. I recommend the audiobook for sure.❤️

Once Upon You And Me by Timothy Janovsky
Thank you to Harlequin Audio for my gifted ALC.
Released 29 April 2025

Synopsis: A charming fairy tale meets spicy bedtime story in this deliciously enchanting age-gap LGBTQIA+ romance

Read for:
- age gap
- selling happy ever after
- archery
- planning an over the top sweet sixteen
- bisexual/gay mm romance
- a little bit of insta lust/love

My thoughts: I have read several of Timothy’s books and honestly this was not my favorite by a long shot. I enjoyed it for what it was, but it didn’t hit my sweet spot that I was looking for after the lovely You Had Me At Happy Hour. There wasn’t a lot of build up to the relationship, but there was some lovely discussions about sex and consent, which is always a good thing to have. I did like how the story ended because Taylor needed that time to grow from out of Amy’s shadow, and Ethan needed to stand up to Amy.

The narrator had a very flat tonal delivery and nearly put me to sleep on several occasions. I had to quit listening to the audio and finish the book via the ebook.

Once Upon You and Me
By Timothy Janovsky
Narrated by Anthony Myatt

Published April 29,2025

This was my first book by Timothy Janovsky and it wont be my last. i loved the Disney style type resort that Ethan owns. This is how Ethan and Taylor meet, Taylor was Ethans ex wife’s assistant. Ethans daughter’s birthday party is happening and Taylor is sent out to help and to look at the property to gather ideas for a new property being built. I do feel that they didn’t really develop a whole lot as characters, but I still enjoyed the book. I was disappointed because there was no spicy bedtime story I felt.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.

DNF - 36%

I have loved all of Janovsky’s books that I’ve read before this one, so I was really surprised to find myself not connecting with it.

First, the audiobook. I read mostly by audio, and I had a hard time with this narrator. I felt like the character’s voices were clearly different when speaking, but there wasn’t much of a change between the 2 POVs, so it was harder to distinguish whose chapter we were in. The performance wasn’t quite dynamic enough and it didn’t feel like there was emotion behind the performance.

Then, I tried to read the book with my eyes. I found this to be much more enjoyable than the audiobook, and could clearly understand whose chapter we were in.

My main issue with Once Upon You & Me is that it is very low-stakes, which some readers might really enjoy. But without some more tension or conflict, I’m just not feeling compelled to read the story.

I would recommend this to readers who want a fluffy, lighthearted story with an age gap, one MMC who is plus sized, divorced, and has ADHD, and another who was parentified child of a large family. There is some great forced proximity while they feel like they can’t be together because Taylor works for Ethan’s ex-wife.

3.5⭐ Once Upon You & Me is an M/M, age-gap, forbidden romance from Timothy Janovsky. Ethan Golding is a bi single dad who falls for his ex wife’s assistant, Taylor Frost., when he comes to the resort Ethan runs to execute a 16th birthday party for Ethan and Amy’s daughter. The audiobook is narrated by Anthony Myatt, and it’s been a hot minute since I listened to a single narrator book. I think Myatt did a good job, but I wanted more differentiation between the character voices when the POV changed between chapters. It felt at times like more of a reading than a narrative performance, but I adjusted to it pretty easily, and still enjoyed the story.
This is my first read of a Janovsky book, and the depth of characterization is great. The body diversity for Ethan’s larger frame and his neurodivergent/ADHD journey as a later in life diagnosis really helped me understand and relate to him. I liked that he’s worked on understanding himself since his divorce. He is a sweet heart of a man who is almost too self-aware of his faults. Taylor’s growth over the story empowering himself to reach for what he wants from his career as well as finding love was also great.
Overall this is a sweet, cozy romance with a little spice along the way. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, & Timothy Janovsky for the ALC opportunity .

3.75 stars!!!!

(Short & Sweet Review)

tropes: age gap, forbidden(boss’ ex husband), workplace, forced proximity

- bi rep!!
- single narration!!

this was SOOOO cute!!! I loved Ethan & Taylor’s story so so so much. The fairytale camp was such an interesting premise & I was HOOKED from the start.

The narration was pretty good!! I think my only con was that the voices for both MCs were VERY similar so I was confused at times but otherwise i had so much fun & loved their story!!!

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the audio arc of Once Upon You & Me. This was a very cute (but perhaps a smidge cheesy - in a good way!) queer, age gap romance.

I found that I liked this even more than I anticipated I would. It was kind of instalove, but I didn’t mind that, because Taylor and Ethan were both so lovable. I was rooting for them from start to finish.

The way Taylor treated Ethan’s daughter was so dang wholesome, too. This was just a delightful book, and I enjoyed the way the narrator, Anthony Myatt, portrayed the story! 4⭐️

📚Once Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky
🩷mm contemporary romance
🩷age gap
🩷off limits (ex-wife’s assistant)
🩷single father
🩷forced proximity
🩷opposites attract
🩷dad bod mmc
🩷ADHD rep
🩷small town
🩷dual pov
🩷standalone

⚠️CWs for divorce, biphobia, a parent living with MS

Story: 3.5/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by Anthony Myatt)
Length: 6h48min

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). This was a short and sweet romance! It's not my favorite from Timothy Janovsky, but I still really enjoyed this book. I loved both of the main characters and felt like their sweet natures complimented each other well. They were just so sweet together! I liked how there wasn’t any unnecessary drama or angsty conflict (except for some tension due to Taylor being Ethan’s ex-wife’s assistant and they are hiding their relationship from her). If you’re not someone that likes gratuitous spice, I think this book could work for you. It’s definitely there, but not all of the scenes fully take place on page. I would have liked to see more relationship development, but can also acknowledge that there’s only so much you can do in under 300 pages.

I really enjoyed the audiobook, it made the story just fly by. The narrator did a good job of giving each character their own unique voice. I’d highly recommend giving it a listen if you plan on picking this book up.

I received an ALC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review❤️

Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance

This was cute! I thought the premise was unique and I enjoyed the characterization of both Taylor and Ethan. I can’t tell you the last time I read a book with a bi MMC, and I appreciated that representation so much. There was also ADHD rep, which I thought was handled well.

Some of the dialogue was a little stilted, which occasionally took me out of the story. But, overall, I liked the romance and the chemistry that Ethan and Taylor had. These are adult characters who actually act like adults. The conflict felt realistic and I was rooting for the main couple the whole time.

I had so much fun with Once Upon You and Me! The setting was pure magic- a wilderness Disney resort that honestly sounds like my dream vacation spot!! I loved getting swept up in the cozy, slightly chaotic charm of it all. Watching Ethan and Taylor dance around their growing feelings for each other was absolutely delightful, with just the right amount of longing and tension.
 
One of the standout elements for me was the ADHD representation, it was handled so thoughtfully and beautifully. I loved the idea of reframing your brain as a helpful friend rather than a villain, and it felt so validating and hopeful. The bi-awakening storyline was equally well done, and I really appreciated how naturally it unfolded alongside a consistent message of body positivity.

Overall, this was just such a feel-good story that had me smiling the whole way through. The audiobook narration was fantastic and added even more heart and warmth to an already charming story. If you’re looking for a sweet, affirming romance with all the cozy vibes, this one is an absolute treat!

Cute story. I really liked both of the MMCs. And I especially liked Taylor's relationship with Ethan's daughter!. BUT I hated the ex-wife. Like viscerally HATED this woman, and that might have coloured my opinion of the book.

This was a cute and cozy romance, full of expectance, hope and healing. It was a little cheesey at times, but it was a great easy read. I’ll definitely read this authors works in the future.

3.5 - Thank you so much to Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

As you may know I am a huge fan of Timothy and his writing and I was super excited to learn that he was writing a burly man character! I am an advocate of all size characters in books but I feel like bigger men are lacking in representation. I thought Timothy did a great job with describing Ethan's body size and also not making him ashamed of his body. He was authentically himself and aware that he is a bigger size. I also love that he made Ethan a divorcee bisexual with a teenager! I was happy to see that Janovsky explored that aspect to his writing as in his prior books they are usually young, childless and still figuring themselves out. Taylor is a little bit younger than Ethan and still trying to decide if he always wants to be an assistant or if he longs for more.

Normally I love the chemistry Janovsky creates between his characters but for this one something was off. I am not sure why I didn't feel the spark between them. I normally don't have an issue with insta lust/love but for this it might have felt too rushed? I can't pinpoint it. I rolled with it though and the two were cute together. I know they both felt like it was a forbidden attraction as Taylor is the assistant to Ethan's ex wife. I thought the way Janovsky wrote that revelation and resolution was really well done.

I thought the premise of the book and the setting of the story was very charming! I love the idea of having this story book setting where couples can live out this fantasy that you only see in movies. I like that we get to see Ethan attempt to have this new relationship as he really hadn't since his divorce. Starting over can be intimidating but he and Taylor (as mentioned above) were attracted together from the start.

I normally read with my eyes or with tandem with the book but this time I read this one with my ears. I was not familiar with the narrator Anthony Myatt but I thought he did a fine job. Wasn't my favorite narrator that has done his books but I thought he was still decent. Since we had dual perspectives I always like when we get two different narrators as its easier to tell them apart plus they each get their own personalities.

I really wanted to love this one more and it had such potential. Perhaps I needed more time with the characters to get to know them both separately and then together for me to love them more.

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

Loved listening to every moment of this cute, cozy and a bit spicy rom-com. I’ve read a couple of books by this author and loved them both, they are starting to become an instant read for me.

DNF @ 34%
Thank you so much to Afterglow, Harlequin Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copies of this book. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

I've had a hit or miss relationship with Timothy Janovsky's romances and sadly this one was a miss for me. I thought the premise and setup were really great, but I just didn't love the character dynamics or the pacing of the romance.

My biggest issue with this book was the (seemingly) villainization of the heroes ex-wife. Now I didn't finish the book, so I have no idea if this continues or gets resolved, but the first 1/3 of this made me really uncomfortable with how it depicted the ex.

The hero and his ex split when she wants to expand their business and focus on her career while he wants to stay small and local. It drives a wedge in their relationship and eventually the expansion takes her and their daughter to the other side of the country.

And all of it is painted to be her doing. That wanting this step was inherently terrible. Or that she "didn't understand the hero" when she literally never knew about his ADHD diagnosis. I don't know, the whole thing rubbed me the wrong way. Especially as the love interest, her personal assistant, started to be swayed against her.

I easily could have looked past it if the rest of the story had me committed. But I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters and dialogue/writing itself felt stilted and awkward.

While this book wasn't bad by any stretch, it was at most going to be a 3 star read. And with all the books on my tbr, it just wasn't worth pushing through for me.

I will also say that I didn't enjoy the audio narration for this one. As far as I can tell, the only books this narrator has done are Janovsky's HQ books. But I found he voices to be over acted and cringey.

I knew I could count on Timothy giving us another cute romance, and I was right! I adored Once Upon You and Me so much.

ALC Review
Once Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky
Narrated by Anthony Myatt

This was a super cute listen. I enjoyed the way the relationship developed between Taylor & Ethan. There was a lot of introspection regarding the feelings of loneliness and adult-diagnosed ADHD.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
MM Romance
Forbidden romance
Forced proximity
Age gap
Fairytale theme

I loved this story so much! Taylor and Ethan are so incredibly perfect for one another despite outward differences in age and experience. they fit together so well, as friends and as lovers. I love the way they both genuinely try to do the right thing, and eventually find it in each other. there’s so much love, acceptance, healing, protection, and growth in this story, it’s just so beautiful. and also spicy and hilarious, can’t leave that out bc it really is the romcom trifecta of beauty, spice, and hilarity!!!

I wish there had been different narrators, or some type of clear distinctions between who’s pov it was for the audio because I had a hard time figuring out who’s pov it was while listening. other than that, I loved this audiobook! thank you for the ALC :)

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!

I don’t know that I am familiar with the narrator necessarily but the audiobook was good! I do prefer dual narration in books with two povs, and tend to find same sex romances don’t get them nearly as often as opposite sex romances do so that’s a little disappointing to see, but not enough that I didn’t enjoy the book.