✨ ARC Review ✨
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Thank you to Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone and Netgalley for the ARC to review.
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A Merry Little Meet Cute was so good. The storyline took my by surprise (I never read the blurbs) but it was so good. This book was a little spicy, sweet, and a whole bunch of fun. I loved Nolan and Bee. Their chemistry was off the charts and their story was so cute. I loved their mutual obsession for each other. I loved the body positivity and acceptance in this book. All the characters were unique and I loved them all. The ending was so sweet and definitely left me with a smile.
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I think this book was going to be a little bit too spicy for me and I wasn't sure if I would be able to get into it. I also am a mood reader and will get back to this at Christmas time next year.

DNF - I tried a few times to read this and I just couldn't get into the story. I think that the cover sucked me in even when I had doubts because my reading preferences have changed so much. I just adore Sierra Simone and really wanted to read and love this, so I'm actually sad.

*2 Star because I have to give a rating and the cover itself is worthy of 2 stars

“I don’t need you to love me in private. I need you to love me in public for the whole world to see.”

Bee and Nolan. He’s a former boy-band bad boy that’s trying to fix his reputation after a scandal. She’s an adult film star that’s accidentally been cast to replace the lead role in a family holiday film and must hide who she really is. The only problem is that Nolan is familiar with Bee’s work and they’re both not allowed to get involved with anyone.

❄️READ IF YOU LIKE❄️:
- dual POV
- childhood crush to co-stars
- forbidden romance
- Christmas movie
- friends with benefits (secretly)
- adult film star x former boy-band bad boy
- LGBTQ+, body positivity & mental health rep
- Vermont setting
- gingerbread lotion

cw: death of loved one, fatphobia, slut shaming,

Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks for the advanced copy! A Merry Little Meet Cute is now available!

This book was an interesting combination of sweet and steamy. There was a lot of interesting commentary to me - with the narrative around overweight heroines, both a bisexual hero and heroine, celebrities and the scandals that surround them, and also on sex workers - and specifically sex workers as a hero or heroine in a romance. It was a cute holiday read too and was really centered around Christmas since it was about them making essentially a Hallmark Christmas movie right before the holidays. I liked it and it was definitely super steamy but I can't say anything about it really stood out to me as outstanding.

A Merry Little Meet Cute was a wonderful book. I loved the characters and the plot. Would highly recommend.

A Merry Little Meet Cute is this holiday season’s spiciest read! A perfect happenstance of hidden identities and celebrity crushing, I thought this was a fun escapist read that had me laughing and swooning! This is right up the alley for lovers of Hallmark holiday movies (most specifically the new Netflix ones!) and would be perfect for lovers of The Shameless Series by Rosie Danan!

This was a fun romp! I really enjoy dual POV stories written by author duos, and this is a duo I'd love to read from again. I adore romance where a fat heroine is allowed to know she's hot and be desired by a partner who feels 0 shame for thinking she's hot too.

This is the holiday romance I never knew I needed. Sexy, funny and inclusive, it hit all the right points and made for a delightful holiday read.

Wow! just wow. I did not finish keep pushing trough but could not due it. I am not a prude or but this is one that wins the smut award. I was looking for a Christmas romance which this did have all the makings with the perfect "halmark" story line but just went a bit. off for me.

I...pretty much hated this one. It was a mix of very surface level and flaky characters, their very shallow, decidedly <i>not</i> meet-cute, and the very cringey way that fat character activism was continually shoved down the reader's throat...Why can't a character just be fat and we don't have to rehash every interaction through a social justice and combative lens?

In any case, I am also personally not a fan of Hallmark-y, Christmas movies. And even though it's pretty light on that part of it, I just couldn't get my brain past the unlikability of the MCs. There are moments of humor, a sex scene or two (though, as a huge fan of Simone, it was pretty tame compared to other moments she can write), and sex positivity in spades, but the characters... *shudder*. Kind of disappointed, TBH.

Mostly, watching this made me want to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie. It sure did seem like a really poor subterfuge - if one is trying to hide their other life, perhaps bringing in all the people the know from that life to work on their new project isn't the best choice? Although the premise was unbelievable, the love story was 100% reminiscent of a Hallmark movie plot line.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I was really excited by the premise of this book as I've read many a fanfiction with this plot structure and I think that it panned out alright. I don't think that the story was properly cushioned by character development -- it really was just a lot of Bee and Nolan being unable to control their lust which I just don't think is a good romance plot.

However, the shenanigans on set were enjoyable and the side characters were great fun,

3 stars.

I am so guilty of requesting this book without paying enough attention to the storyline. I saw Julie Murphy’s name, I saw that she was writing a non YA book and it was set at Christmas time. Then of course I saw Julie Murphy actually posting and making sure people understood that this book was super steamy, open door romance about an adult film star. Oops! I completely own up to my mistake here. If I’d have read the actual description rather than clicking because I’ve enjoyed all of Julie Murphy’s books then I just wouldn’t have requested it since the storyline isn’t a fit for me. I hadn’t ever heard of Sierra Simone and it sounds like most people who know her writing had a more clear idea of what to expect (again, I could have read the cover for goodness sakes! I’m embarrassed, I never just click without thinking about it first.]

This book is about a plus sized adult film star who gets cast in a squeaky clean movie. Picture her in a Hallmark Christmas movie. And nobody knows the truth but her costar who actually recognizes her from her work.

There’s always body positivity in Julie Murphy’s books and I always appreciate that.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thank you!

One of the best books I've read this year!

Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone weave a wonderful story of two people who shouldn't fall in love, but do anyway. There is so much to like about this book. Plus size main character. Former pop star. Current porn star. Sex positive. LGBTQ+. Funny. Adorable. I could go on and on.

One of the best things about A Merry Little Meet Cute is that both characters are bisexual, and while it plays a part in the story (near the end), it really is just a fact about who they are. (Read: It's normalized in the book.)

Highly recommend.

I've been all about the holiday reads this year and this was the perfect choice to kick off the winter break. I loved the mix of typical rom-com vibes blended in with some less traditional characters - not just in background and appearance, but also in their self-confidence. The backstage peek into the surprising normality of the lives of pop stars and those in the sex industry was a fun addition, and I enjoyed the dynamics between the various side characters. I would have found a little bit of a chase fun, but the instant attraction and self-imposed swearing off of any type of physical interaction added a bit of tension.

I will say that the spice level was a bit above my typical comfort-level, but that's personal preference - it was very well done. I also had the chance to listen to some of the audio version and I would also highly recommend. Just make sure to listen without the kids in the car. :)

Although the premise took me somewhat by surprise, I really enjoyed this contemporary holiday romance. Both Nolan and Bee were very like-able characters. I also enjoyed the various side characters - especially Sunny and Luca. Overall, a very cute read that tackled themes surrounding mental health, sexuality, and celebrity culture very well. Thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Bee has just been cast in a g rated made for TV Christmas movie, except no one but the producer knows she's also adult film star, Bianca Von Honey. She's going to be starring along side her teenage crush former boy band bad boy Nolan Shaw. Sparks fly in the small Vermont town where they're shooting.

This is my favorite Christmas romance of the year. It's a super steamy, super fun rom com.

“I learned that love was sticking around and believing in someone even when it felt impossible. I learned from you that love meant feeling safe and secure even when everything else felt uncertain.”


Bee Hobbes, a plus-size adult film star, is picked to work with Nolan Shaw, an ex-boyband
member to do a Christmas movie for Hope Channel. Both are keeping secrets and they cannot risk being exposed because this film is Nolan’s chance to revive his career and Bee’s chance to be a mainstream actress. But things get complicated when their fantasy becomes reality. This book is one of those books where the cover did not match the content. I knew the moment I saw Sierra Simone as one of the authors that this book would be SPICY and she did not disappoint. I love reading about the sexual attraction between Bee and Nolan but I was looking for more foundation in their romance. Insta-love and work romance are hit-and-miss for me. Although this did not miss the mark to keep me entertained I was looking for more depth. One of the things I like about this book is the side characters. I had a few LOL moments as Uncle Ray Ray’s adult film crew navigated filming a wholesome movie. I also like the message the book intended, like showing the struggles of plus-size women, bisexuality, the positive intentions behind porn industries, and the emphasis on reinventing yourself without sacrificing what you believe in. If you are game to read a story with a Christmas vibe with sugar and spice then give this book a try.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the gifted ebook copy of this book.

Nothing like an open couple chapters of what you think will be a snuggly teen Christmas romance to blow your eyes back. Warning, this is not a teen book like previous books by Murphy. This is a hot steamy sex positive rom-com, however liking this means that you might need to set aside a few things that if in real life you would think is strange, like hooking up with your honey bucket level patreon. I appreciated the size positive and sex forward MC.