You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince starts with a spoiled 21-year-old blowing mommy and daddy's money on an island in a bid for paternal attention. And attention he gets, after a fashion. Matthew must suffer the gross indignity of a small-town punishment, staying with his grandparents and their boarder, Hector, leading up to the holidays. It's got big Schitt's Creek energy as Matthew navigates how to survive without all of life's best amenities and struts around in designer creations where they won't be appreciated. The author does a fantastic job setting up Matthew as a borderline unlikable protagonist to the point where I genuinely questioned if personal growth would be enough to turn things around. Great news-- it is!

On the rom-com front, we have a forced proximity romance via bunk beds that lead to whispered confidences in the dark. Hector and Matthew seem like a case of opposites attract, but it turns out they have a lot in common. They're queer (bi and gay, respectively), they love The Muppets Christmas Carol, and they both wish they could be home for the holidays. Matthew's cute grandparents engage in some not-so-subtle matchmaking when the two start at odds. Through a baking challenge worthy of TV, they test the mettle of their houseguests to see if Matthew and Hector are worthy of planning a local charity ball with a storied, holiday tradition. If Matthew can pull off the event, his parents might give him his credit cards back early enough for him to host his annual New Year's Eve bash. And if that happens, he promises to buy Hector a plane ticket home. The way the two grow to care for each other is so adorable. From late-night vulnerabilities that don't feel safe anywhere else to daylight cooperation to craft a beautiful event on a tight budget, Hector and Matthew start to see an opportunity to move forward in life in a new way. There's a medium amount of steam that complements their emotional bond.

The holiday spirit is alive and well in this book. Matthew has to navigate how his upbringing has left him desperate for Christmas cheer even as he publicly scorns it to try and mitigate his December despair. Beyond a family reckoning that helps him recenter his priorities, the scandal has the consequence of giving him clearer eyes to view all his relationships. From his best friend of convenience to his family's employees to his exes, this transformative Christmas season makes him look at how others have treated him and what he deserves. He has to take responsibility for his failings and find the light that's been snuffed out within him. There's also an exploration of how Matthew's anxiety has been this secret burden to him-- treated but unspoken. He's internalized that panic attacks are lonely experiences meant to be silently borne. We see him start to break out of this mold, accepting support and offering it in return.

This is a delightful spin on a Bah Humbug Christmas, adding a frothy, queer rom-com spin we all need. There's personal growth, there's family and belonging, and there's a grounding love. It's the perfect book to get you in the mood for Christmas carols and goodwill towards men, which can so often be in short supply. Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for my copy to read and review!

SYNOPSIS: Matthew Prince is a snobby, rich dude, who takes it just one step too far and gets shipped off to small town, population: no one he cares about. Not only is he miserable to be stuck here, it's some sort of festive wonderland, and the cutest guy in town can't stand his stinking guts. Choosing to help save the day (and hopefully impress aforementioned hottie) he steps in to run the local gala, when they lose their event planner.

CUE THE CUTENESS!

I really enjoyed this book, it has a lot of cute festive fun vibes and I couldn't put it down. It's the kind of wholesome lovestory I enjoy reading during the holidays, and couldn't resist that adorable cover and fun title.

3/5 Stars

[Gifted by Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley - thank you! All opinions are my own.]

DNF @ 21%, but that was mostly an issue of the tone being a mismatch for me personally.

I am not a fan of melodrama, and the MC's lack of perspective really made me feel my age. I was prepared for a grumpy, unhappy MC, not one who was behaving as though it was the literal end of the world that he was going to miss one party. It's five weeks, child. New Year's will be here before you know it. Just ride it out.

So that was definitely a me thing. I also wasn't prepared to dislike *both* MCs. That almost never works out for me. I found both of these guys to be obnoxious, and after one particular scene where they acted like insanely ill-behaved middle schoolers, I was so horrified that I had to bail.

I think people who like drama in their YA will have a much better experience with this. And also anyone who's young enough to be able to relate to five weeks feeling like eternity :)

(I don't give star ratings to books I DNF'd, but NetGalley won't let me submit this without out one so I'm going to rate it right down the middle! There was nothing wrong with the writing, and it is absolutely possible that the characters would have grown on me once they hit their redemption arc. The tone was just too silly and melodramatic for me to stick with it and find out.)

This was so millennial cringe :( I'm a millennial so like I get it but also I get why other generations make fun of us

I enjoyed this book! I really enjoyed Never Been Kissed, so I was looking forward to Janovsky's second book. It's just what I want in a holiday romcom - cute, fast paced, and characters that you root for. Yes it's predictable, but if you're looking for a fun holiday romcom, this is a good pick.

I was disappointed with this one, the premise was great but fell flat for me. I had trouble enjoying the characters or even the romantic elements.

This was my first book by Timothy Janovsky, but I will definitely be going back to read his first book now. You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince was utterly delightful. It had all the warm, heartfelt vibes of a Hallmark Christmas movie but with depth and steamy chemistry. The small town setting was perfect, and I loved getting to know all the side characters.

I tend to prefer dual POV when it comes to romance novels. However, I think this book is one of the rare instances where a dual POV may have detracted from the story. Although clearly spoiled and snobbish, Matthew was a surprisingly likable character, something I think can be attributed to the first-person single POV. Because we only see the story through Matthew’s eyes, we can fully understand his struggle with anxiety and the character growth he goes through throughout the book.

My only complaint was Hector’s overuse of the word “dude.” However, I must admit that by the end of the book, I started to find it as endearing as I did annoying. So do with that information what you will.

Overall, if you’re looking for a sweet and funny read with witty banter and a Schitt’s Creek feel, look no further than You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince.

This book was so much fun! I always enjoy a Christmas romcom and this did not disappoint! I recommend this story to anyone looking for a fun, fast paced, Christmas read!

⭐️/5

I honestly had to skip to the end after I was 60% through because of how awful the main character was. I’m not sure if it was the narrator or the character itself but it was very hard to like him or feel bad for him.

My review? I can’t remember a thing about this book besides a Christmas romance between a bratty rich man and a local. That’s it because I was so freaking bored!

Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read and review a copy of this story.

I saw this being pitched as a Grinch retelling, and I was THERE for someone learning to appreciate the joy that Christmas can bring into people's lives. Unfortunately, there was no joy for me when reading this novel.

Some people may enjoy reading about unlikeable characters, and you do you for them, but for me there needs to be at least something redeemable and/or likeable about the character I am spending multiple hours inside the head of, and there was none of that for Matthew Prince. He was just a selfish, spoiled brat that I could not have cared less about.

The romance was also ... not it. Especially towards the end where Matthew literally calls Hector a "bottom feeder" because he thinks Hector did something shitty and there was no apology, no regrets, nothing. Hector was just like "uwu I understand why you would have felt that way if it was me". I do not stan couples that start with this kind of thing.

All in all, this book was a hell of a disappointment. Traditionally published Christmas books are really not hitting the mark.

This is the story about a young, rich boy named Matthew Prince who is thoroughly spoiled. He is sent to live with his grandparents in a small town after he creates a mess. It's the holiday season and he befriends Hector, a local who is not that impressed with Matthew.

This book was so adorable. It felt like a hallmark movie! It was such a cute and enjoyable read. The story was cliched and predictable at times, but it was an entertaining and engaging. I had a good time reading this book. I'd highly recommend this book, especially if you like hallmark movies.

I find myself requesting books most of the time because of their beautiful covers, and I do check the synopsis but sometimes I don’t think of checking if the books are part of a series. And, it has been the case with this book, being part of the Boy Meets Boy series. Most of the time it’s okay to read a book without having checked the previous or next titles, and with this story I still enjoyed it.

If you like the enemies-to-lovers trope and Christmas-themed books, this is definitely for you! It was a nice holiday rom-com, with equal parts sweetness, lightness and funny moments.

*ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After buying an island worth a couple of million dollars, Matthew's parents send him off to live with his grand-parents, in the more remote and secluded area of Wind River, with strict rules of no money and no social media to limit the damage. Once he arrives he comes face to face with Hector, one of his grandpa's old students, staying with Matthew's grand-parents to help him save to afford college. Not only is their first interaction the definition of frosty, but they have to begrudgingly share bunk beds and a bathroom. Matthew is determined to get the hell out of Wind River as quickly as possible before his big New Year's Eve party with his best friend Bentley, and back to his revered popularity. However, with the town losing money and struggling to stay afloat, Matthew and Hector decide to team up, and work alongside each other to create a grand and important gala to support the small businesses. Matthew hopes this will secure his trip back home before New Years Eve and in return, Matthew promises to pay for Hector's round trip home for the holidays, but as the two's bond starts to grow, and the Christmas spirit tingles throughout the air, even Matthew's closed off heart, may begin to beat again.

- Forced proximity
-Sass and Banter
-LGBTQ+ representations
-Different social calsses
-Grumpy x Grumpy (Sunshine only for you)

Matthew is entitled and spoiled, used to getting his way, fashion and party orientated, he's close minded and snobbish and isn't used to being pulled up or dealing with the consequences of his own actions. In spite of all this, I really loved seeing his character development and growth flourishing, seeing the true depth to him slowly unravelling as the story continues, you can see how flawed but how refreshingly and beautifully human he is, going straight on the defensive to protect himself and the image he's cultivated for himself. I really thought the way Matthew learnt to cope with his GAD was interesting , it really highlights how unique everyone's experience of Anxiety really is. Anxiety doesn't discriminate and can impact anyone, and whatever helps you get through that overwhelming wave, and keeps you safe is amazing, no matter how different it appears to other people. Everyone is on their own journey and it's about finding what helps you cope when that anxiety feels suffocating. Timothy wrote this so incredibly well, highlighting it's difficulties but also how unique everyone's journey of Anxiety is.

Whereas Hector is the complete opposite, he wears flannel, takes up chores to help others out as much as he can, and has worked hard and burnt himself out to get to where he is. Hector honestly deserves the entire world, that man can do literally anything. Literature obsessed? check
Does chores without asking? check
Family orientated? check
Grumpy but sunshine only for you? check

This was so beautiful and adorable, the Christmassy feelings were so gorgeous. It's so immersive and vivid that I could almost smell the cinnamon through the pages, it felt like I'd stepped right into Matthew's grand-parents home. It had a really beautiful message about the importance of family traditions, and being present during them, and just how much it can put the world and life itself into perspective. It was just so incredibly wholesome and cute, delving into the heart of what family and love really means, it's not about the material things but supporting one another, undivided love, and making memories to last a life time. It honestly felt like a warm hug, and is definitely one to get you into the Christmas spirit.

This a cute holiday romance with a "fish out of water" element to it. The opposites attract trope is alive and well in this book and so are the wintery vibes. I liked the heartfelt slow burn of it all, I liked the imagery of holiday parties that are more than a bit extra, and I loved the concept of personal growth and honesty that this book showed!

This was a really enjoyable, heartfelt romance! I love, love, love seeing more queer holiday romcoms!

I'll definitely be recommending to friends!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC!

While being a fun holiday themed novel with easy to like characters, You’re A Mean One, Matthew Prince lacks the spark and depth to make it a good standout romance. It’s cute and sweet and I read it with pleasure but, ultimately, it was formulaic and just not as in-depth as I would’ve preferred.

You’re a Mean One, Mattew Prince by Timothy Janovsky, was a great LGBTQ hallmark story. Matthew Prince is your typical spoiled rich kid that never knew hard work. Hector Martinez is the local college student who helps everyone and happens to be staying with and working for Matthew’s grandparents. A great enemy to lovers to a story that brings awareness to mental health and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Overall this was a heartwarming Holiday story!

This book was so fun! It was a great cheery holiday romance, Matthew's anxiety was very relatable and depicted well, and I loved seeing his relationship grow with Hector.

this was fun, I loved the parents and the leads mostly I liked but of cousre one was a spoiled brat but of course that was the journey he had to go on! And a holiday romance is always fun

This book was cute, if a little corny at times. While very predictable at times, and even given the third act breakup top, this book still definitely had its moments, where it wrapped humor and banter all together in a nice, cozy and festive package. The sass of the main character and the banter between the two mc's really shined throughout the book. Although the sudden change of heart and having family festivities felt a bit rushed, and exaggerated at times - would have loved to see the main character struggle a bit more with his personality and his image, and how he portrays himself to those around him rather than suddenly agreeing to holiday festivities without barely any holdbacks. Overall, it was a cute, quick little read for the holidays and is perfect for those looking for a queer joy holiday book.