Adorable, and definitely another rom-com you will want to add to your shelves this holiday season! I am absolutely loving this influx of queer holiday romances--I don't think I came across a single queer holiday romance last year, but I've already read three that I loved this season and have more on my TBR.

Matthew Prince reminded me a lot of David Rose in the first few episodes of Schitt's Creek, where he's so spoiled that he can't figure out how to function without his reliance on drivers and credit cards. Don’t let that discourage you, though! Like David, Matthew quickly endears himself to the reader as he begins to be more aware of how his actions are affecting those around him.

I’m a sucker for ANY Christmas romance, so I especially loved the scenes of Mattew and Xavier enjoying Christmas-themed activities together.

My only gripe with the book was the bit of miscommunication trope–one shouted sentence could have resolved the whole conflict and avoided the third-act breakup. Why didn’t the accused call after the accuser to defend himself? Or text the accuser or a mutual friend? How did the actual culprit (I’m trying not to spoil too much here) watch the two break up and say nothing?? I’ll never understand this conflict, since one single sentence–or literally two words–could have resolved it.

Miscommunication trope aside, I loved everything eles about this book. Janovsky writes about mental health so well, and I appreciated the accurate portrayal of Matthew’s anxiety.

I really enjoyed Never Been Kissed by the same author last year, and was thrilled to see he had written a holiday romance. I’m definitely looking forward to more from him in the future!

Timothy Janovsky is such a master at character development that he had me falling in love with and completely empathizing with a wealthy, self-entitled, socially elite snob! You're a Mean One, Mathew Prince draws the reader into the disastrous life of twenty-one year old Mathew Prince as he is forced to atone for his latest PR sins. Mathew is the son of an investment banker of old money and National Best Selling author of a fantasy series turned tv series. He has spent most of his young years in the media spotlight and has created a carefree, over the top persona that he wears unknowingly as an armor.

After his latest grandiose spending spree Mathew's parents cut him off from his cash, social media and his New York lifestyle. He is then banished and forced to stay with his small town grandparents whom he hasn't seen in almost two years. To make matters worse, upon his arrival to the quaint little cottage Mathew is surprised to learn he will be sharing bunkbeds with a new roommate. Enter Hector a hardworking college student who is staying with his former professor to allow him to finish his degree. This gruff and judgmental boarder is quick to let Mathew know he is completely unimpressed with this spoiled grandson. All of this is enough to get Mathew's designer panties in a tight little twist. After an immediate failed attempt at escape, Mathew decides to work hard to prove to his parents that he has learned a lesson.

This story takes us through Mathew's path to redemption. He begrudgingly starts to make connections with the folks of this small town. Along his journey Mathew begins to view his life and the lives of others through a different lens. Lessons are learned and friendships are formed and there's a nice little romance that blooms.

Although this is a romance, I found so much more than a happily ever after in reading this book. Like in his previous book Never Been Kissed, Janovsky takes on even deeper level topics. In this story he addresses living with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). I love to see more authors bringing about real life character's dealing with real life issues So many people struggle in silence with personal issues from mental health, to physical health to sexuality and identity. It will be a great world when we can lift these perceived stigmas and realize that these differences are not flaws but are all apart of our collective humanity. I applaud Timothy Janovsky for doing his part and hope I can do mine by screaming my praises of this talented author.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I'm leaving my review voluntarily.

You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovky is such clever, clever writing! I was hooked from the first sentence. Such a well-written story. The reader is never bored and never without taken along on the journey to love and the magic of colorful characters. I smiled so much and enjoyed the character development.

I highly recommend this romp of a great story.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Sourcebook Casablanca for the opportunity to read and review You're a Mean One by Timothy Janovsky.

I loved seeing the representation in this book and I feel like that is so important for the correct audience. This felt a lot like Schitt’s Creek to me-Matthew felt a lot like David. And it was just too much in a book. I didn’t enjoy the way he acted towards the love interest especially in the beginning. It’s hard for me to get behind a contemporary book where the characters seem to legitimately hate each other at the beginning. But I can see some people really loving this book.

*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars rounded to 3

Spoiled rich boy Matthew Prince has gone too far. After "Island Gate", he's sent to live with his grandparents. Will a healthy does of Christmas cheer heal Matthew's spoiled, Grinch-like attitude? Or will sharing a bunk bed and sipping "half-decent" coffee turn him into a full-time Scrooge?

This was a wonderful steamy, swoony holiday romcom. It perfectly balanced feels with humour, and the self-growth arc was wonderful to see as it progressed with the story. There were so many sweet moments that were so heartfelt: Hector buying the nasal strips and earplugs?!? Excuse me, sir.

I liked the commentary on how we as a society have no boundaries when it comes to people in the public eye and the people who surround them. I'm sorry, but Matthew's parents are the WORST. I appreciated the way the author handled that situation and Matthew's journey to forgiveness.

I have one major gripe with this book, and it's how many times Hector says "dude". I know it was explained, but it was inserted in every sentence and at a certain point went from a character trait to a joke. If there had been 30% less "dude"s in the book, it would've been fine.

Overall, I'm giving this 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed it, I think it's a great holiday romcom, and I definitely recommend it!

I liked the concept but sadly I didn't really connect to the characters or the story. It was sometimes cute & easy to read but I don't have much to say about it. Other people will probably like it more. 3 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book is difficult to review. It was like it was allllmost where it needed to be, but it was a little boring overall, and some of the dialogue was so hard to read without feeling annoyed. How many times can a person say "Dude!"? Apparently many, many times!

I love rom-coms but I didn't feel much of a spark between Matthew and Hector, and Matthew was so irritating in the beginning that I don't think there was enough that led up to a believable redemption.

I think some people will like this but it was missing that snappy spark that I love most in rom-coms!

You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince is a scroogy, holiday rom-com that is absolutely wonderful! Matthew Prince is a 21 year old New Yorker, who's parents send him to spend the holidays with his grandparents after he caused another PR nightmare by buying an island without consulting them. Matthew has been cut off from social media and his spending ways and is in a small town that barely has internet! When the town gala may need to be cancel, Matthew and Hector (the boarder at his grandparents house) decide to plan it and help out the town. What you get is some holiday cheer, some romance and a whole lot of self discovery in this cute Christmas rom-com.

When we start the book, and for the first few chapters I found Matthew insufferable. He was so whiny, and intitled. Once we got to know him, see the masks he had up and him grow, he became someone that I could tolerate, and begin to root for. This is a humorous, and heart-felt book that focuses on figuring out how you fit in and where you belong.

The book has a great set of supporting characters from love interest Hector, new friends Noelle and Siena and Matthew's grandparents. They are all wonderful people with their own characteristics that make them unique and people you care about. Matthew's parents are also big characters in the book, even if they aren't around much, as they have impacted so much of Matthew's life and beliefs about himself and others.

The romance was cute, and Matthew's personal growth was pretty amazing. Adding to that the Christmas and winter backdrop, I found this a fun, quick read. One of my favourite parts in this book was the queer and mental health rep. They were both done so well and added to the story without feeling "forced". I loved the descriptions of anxiety by Matthew The author captured anxiety so well and in such a way that it was believable and you could almost feel it when Matthew was experiencing it.

Overall, this was a great winter read, that the author managed to write as a rom-com with heavier topics as well. This book has a surprising amount of depth and I look forward to picking up more of Timothy's books in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

This is like the queer, Christmas version of It Happened One Summer and these things did not save it.

I can handle shallow characterizations in a romance book because we all know that’s not why we’re picking them up, but the little good in this book did not save it from the bad.

This was a well written and pleasant Christmas rom com. I really enjoyed reading about Matthew and his anxiety, and I loved the angst from the romance. But oh my god Hector's dialogue. The first half I found him hard to read, like his voice wasn't consistent. Do 20 year-olds really say "dude" so much? By the end, I was just phoning it in when reading his dialogue and skipped the word dude so I didn't explode.

Thank you for this book in exchange for my honest review.

Is there anything Timothy Janovsky CAN NOT DO? His second book (“You’re a Mean One Matthew Prince”) is a magical rendition of a Scrooge-like main character, with an LGBTQ twist. This book screams “Hallmark” and I loved the slow fall between Matthew and Hector is delightful and perfect for the holiday season.

Loved the queer romance paired with Christmas. I also thought the title was one of the best I’ve seen! So much fun, loved every minute.

I had a hard time getting into this book at first because I found the main character so off-putting (which I know was the point!), but after a few chapters in, I really enjoyed his growth and how he embraced his community and himself. The romance was very sweet and the story was full of holiday magic!

This was such a cute story and I absolutely loved it. This would honestly be the perfect Hallmark movie! Usually I would find main characters like Matthew to be immature and kind of annoying, but I actually really liked him. Timothy Janovsky made him such a likable character, which made me want to keep reading. The writing was great and at times, I couldn't put the book down. The story was super cute and I loved the character development, especially from Matthew. His relationship with Hector was the cutest thing ever and made the book truly special. I can't wait to read more from Timothy Janovsky! I absolutely recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this free arc in exchange for my honest review.

Another wonderful, heartfelt Hallmark romcom- Christmas theme centered on sweet-swoon-lighthearted queer romance story with powerful mental health representation and inspirational self growth messages!

Normally I barely stand with spoiled, immature and unlikable heroes but there’s something unique about Matthew Prince: you find yourself empathize with him, patiently watch how his character evolves!

Matthew seems like having all: money, popularity, reputation till he gets involved into a PR disaster ( he thought buying an island was a great idea) his family sends him small town to live with his grandparents, disconnecting him with outside world as a punishment!

Matthew has to share his room with Hector: the student of his grandfather!

Enemies to lovers vibes slowly turns into friends to lovers when two of them team up for a fundraising event!

I learned so much about GAD ( generalized anxiety disorder). I loved the chemistry between characters. Pacing was captivating and fast! I didn’t want it end!

Overall: it’s such a lovely, heartwarming holiday queer romance! I recommend it to all romance lovers!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince is a fun holiday romcom - that will 100% make this holiday season that much warmer for many - but it also deals with a few more serious topics that elevated it to the next level. Our protagonist, Matthew Prince, is a spoiled rich kid, tumbling from one scandale to the next, unsure of what he wants to do with his life, until one mistake too many makes his parents "banish" him to his grandparents and a sleepy town of Wind River in order to protect their family reputation.
And to make things worse? Matthew now has to share his BEDROOM with a Wind River student who is living with his grandparents to save up on lodging, Hector. Matthew and Hector's relationship starts on the wrong foot and despite the attraction simmering between them, any sort of friendship is out of the question. That is, until Matthew decides to help organize a holiday fundraiser and gets Hector to help him. As their event planning goes further and further, the two start to grow close and Matthew realizes that his "live fast, don't think" kind of lifestyle might be the cause of all his woes, from fraught family relationships to mental health struggles. And that maybe, just maybe living on the downlow will help him find both his purpose - and his home.

You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince is the type of story that is perfect for the holidays - filled with love and hope, while also showing that life is not always perfect, but that doesn't mean you are broken or can't be helped. As Matthew deals with his mental health struggles (specifically anxiety) and trying to find some sort of purpose in life, we dive deeper into his psyche and his "former" life - from everything that shaped him to his "downfall". I loved getting to know Matthew and uncover layers hidden under the "selfish rich boy" persona. I believe we got to glimpse the real Matthew very early on, mostly because of his mental health struggles that helped us comprehend how he understood and processed the world and I really loved that! Mental health representation - GOOD mental health representation - is still sometimes lacking in mainstream book publishing, but I am glad to see that You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince, is another book that portrays these struggles with sensitivity, understanding, and love. I am ALWAYS here for books with great mental health rep!

I also loved seeing Matthew and Hector grow closer - from their initial almost enemies status to grudging understanding and later love, it simply all made SENSE. Their relationship is far from perfect, but it contains so much love and it shows how much communication and owning up for your mistakes can mean for a relationship. These two are just instant OTP material.

So, don't forget to pick up this beauty when it comes out for some holiday cheer mixed with an amazing love story, great friendships, and wonderful representation of GAD. I can assure you, it'll make this holiday season that much sweeter for you!

So delightful! This book has been described as a mix between Schitt’s Creek and a Hallmark Christmas movie, and I’d have to agree. It was funny and heartwarming, Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC.

This book was extremely cute and felt very Hallmark Holiday-esque. I really enjoyed the exploration of GAD and how that may present differently in different people. I also enjoyed Matthew’s interactions with the townspeople especially Noelle. The importance of meaningful relations (platonic, familial and romantic) were stressed throughout the entirety of the book and I very much enjoyed it. I also loved Matthew and Hector’s dynamic and I truly believed in their romance.

The book fell a little short with the whole “spoiled rich boy learns how the other half lives”. Although being set in 2021/2, the MC seemed extremely dated and this plot line felt a bit tired. He was rude, babyish and downright idiotic at times which was not cute at all. I also didn’t enjoy the mother’s redemption arc because was she did was quite cruel, especially towards her own son.

All in all, it was a cute, light read that I would recommend to others.

3.5 STARS OUT OF 5

Not long after requesting this I realized it was MM. It is something that is difficult for me to read about in novels and I apologize for that. Real world is different, but reading about it just doesn't bring joy to me. I tried to read this the best I could and keep an open mind but sadly it just wasn't for me. I liked the idea of where the story was going and what was happening but I just couldn't love it like I wanted to. Providing an honest review because it wasn't that it was bad, just wasn't a book for me.

This coming of age rom com has just the right mix of naughty and sweet to be a holiday treat perfect for everyone on your HEA reading gift list. The subtle and accurate inclusion of mental health awareness lends it depth and only adds to the fees. Grab this on for yourself and a couple to gift.