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.

When plus-sized Bee, a porn star with a lovely sex-positive view of the world is cast in a small town Hallmark-esque movie, she has to keep her other line of work a secret. But the leading man, Nolan, who has some secrets of his own, knows her because he's been a fan of her porn work for a long time. I was not a huge fan of Nolan, as it seems less like instalove and more like he lusted after her when he subscribed to her porn site and was just infatuated with her physically. He doesn't attempt to get to know her on an emotional level. I liked Bee well enough, but she did seem to be almost a caricature of a plus-sized porn star....with less realism than I would have liked. All in all, this book was fine but could have been shorter and been the same story. One thing is had going for it was the spice factor, as it didn't hold back in the sexy department. By the end, that was all the story seemed to be focused on, which could be a positive or a negative, depending on what you search for in a holiday romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this free ARC! So the cover of this book makes it look very innocent but it is not... and I loved it so much. It was spicy, it was sweet, the characters are amazing. I of course loved how sex-positive it is and I want everyone to read it. I hope the authors write more books together because they will I'm sure be just as amazing!

A Merry Little Meet Cute was a fun, hilarious and steamy read. I swooned over the boyband lead and cheered on Bee as she confidently owned the body she was in. This book is definitely open open door so proceed with caution if that is not your thing. Great cover by the way!

This was EXACTLY what I needed when I decided to listen to this audiobook. I was on the brink of saying “I think I’m done with Christmas stories” being Dec 21st… and then WHAM ~ this sexy, spicy, sensually romantic story hits the spot (many times I might add) in all the right feels! ♥️🔥🌶️📚🍷💃🏻

This tag-team author duo was fabulous at getting the perfect concoction at having a reader like me hooked from the beginning, smouldering throughout, cheering for and as a not-so-thin (ok I’m plus size) relatable woman and even having me turn down the volume at stoplights (with my windows closed 😂)!!

I enjoyed this book so much, I’ll be looking to get myself a paperback copy (and gifting copies to others while I’m at it!) ~ I really hope this duo has more books up their you know what (skirts!!) coming soon!

I also mention that the narrators were really great! They can truly make or break a story and the chosen narrators for this book knocked it out of the park!

So I don’t bookmark or tag lines often from books, yet this one line I definitely wrote down to keep because I loved it so much when I heard it, and still think of it now ~ especially as a newly engaged woman 💍💃🏻

Here’s the line I clipped to keep:
“𝑾𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆.” A metallic sound sliced through the air as the teeth of the zipper connected.
“𝑯𝒖𝒉. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒙𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕.”

Indeed it is! I love this sentiment and will keep this in mind as I shop for my wedding dress 💕

Thank you so much Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone. And to NetGalley as well for my eARC. In return, I have promised to provide an unbiased review.

I really liked this! It was super sweet and totally spicy. I do think it was a bit too long however. Could’ve been 100 pages shorter, but it was certainly a fun ride!

The best thing about A Merry Little Meet Cute is the title of their faux-Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, Duke the Halls. I'd totally watch that. That being said, the rest of the book falls a little flat for me. The plot -almost- holds up - that is, I buy why both characters feel the need to keep apart (for the five minutes they manage to), and why they feel the need to keep their relationship a secret once they get together. What I don't buy is that anyone thought for even a moment that these secrets could actually be kept. Also, the third act conflict relies far too heavily on too many uses of basically the same trope (how many excuses are there for having your phone off?). It's lightly hijinks-y for a romcom, with just a touch of the madcap (give me more shenanigans, honestly, if you're gonna go there at all!), and heavy on the steam (much more so than I expected from the cute illustrated cover and Christmas theme). But the two protagonists' voices don't seem distinct from one another, and I didn't really care much about either of the protagonists as an individual, nor could I bring myself to believe they'd work as a couple long term, either. Nolan's attitude to Bee from the beginning, and the way both of them have spent so many years with the other as a pure fantasy, are never overcome in a way that makes me think they actually got to know one another as real people, despite lip service being given to just that. Plus, for all the spice and steam, those scenes were...not the best written I've ever read. The defibrillator joke is...just...not for me, I guess.

Anyway, just kind of a forgettable read overall for me, but maybe readers with more appreciation for the Christmas vibe and the way the sex scenes are written will enjoy it.

Thanks to the publisher for an advance review copy.