Woo this was the kind of spicy audiobook that made me worried if the other drivers on the road could tell what I was listening to... lol. A Merry Little Meet Cute from Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone was a very fun audiobook and well narrated by Sebastian York and Joy Nash.

Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for this early holiday read, I can safely say it's not like any other holiday romance I have read/listened to before! I really appreciated the humorous details in a plot that was kind of a love note in a way to "hallmark holiday movies" but with spicy sassy spin. Does it read as soft core porn? A little but there is character development, interesting insights about body size/how we see people/worry how people see us, and a plot with depth and humor in just the right notes. The chemistry was strong and the characters likable, I found myself really enjoying the secondary characters for rounding out the story and adding in humor in particular.

I would watch this holiday movie and I will be recommending this book to steamy romance fans!

I have mixed feelings about this one. Big girl romance is EVERYTHING, but I never fully got lost in this one.

Of course I adored the fat representation, bisexual rep, and the positivity around sex work, which were great parts about this book. I was definitely invested in the first half of the book or so, but I felt like it might have lost steam in the second half. Maybe their problems didn't seem logical, which had me overthinking.

The spice was pretty warm, but never really felt super exciting.

I did think that the narrators did a fantastic job on the audiobook. Loved the dual point of views in the plot and the narrators made it even better.

I looked at the cover of this book expecting a cute little Hallmark Christmas rom-com. Boy was I wrong and I LOVED IT! It was super hot and I loved Bee and Nolan together! They had great chemistry and were totally believable together. I loved the representation of a plus sized porn star female lead. I was not expecting this story but it was sweet, heartwarming and super spicy. I can't wait to read more from these awesome writers!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced audiobook copy!

This may be one of the best holiday reads of 2022! Thankfully, I started the book at home and not at the office. Within the first few minutes of the audiobook, I spit out my coffee and laughed in glee!

With Bee (at the height of her career) and her manager trying to keep her identity a secret, acting with Nolan Shaw (who was her childhood crush), and trying to make sure not to break her “ethics” clause in her contract, Bee is wondering if she can really have it all in the end.

Nolan Shaw on the other side, is trying to rehab his bad boy reputation by staring in a Hope Channel Christmas move and get a fresh start. His past is still rearing its ugly head and he wants to put it away once and for all. Little did he know that when he showed up to start filming, the lead actress was replaced with his favorite porn star, would he be able to be the good boy he needs to be, or would he give in and try to get with his fantasy girl?

What I LOVED (and there was a lot!):
1. A Plus-sized main character as a porn star
2. A Defunct boy band member with a bad boy reputation
3. The North Pole…the Strip Club…the authors NAILED IT!
4. Such a good list of supporting cast
5. Dual point of view through the whole book.
6. When Bee’s moms would call and leave messages asking for proof of life

I wasn’t completely prepared for this one. Do not let the cover fool you, it is so spicy!! 🌶🌶🌶 Overall it was a pretty good read. If you’re looking for a cute Hallmark romance, this is NOT for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Audio for the advanced copy of A Merry Little Meet Cute. A fun and steamy holiday romance! I loved how body- and sex- positive the main characters were. I thought Noah's hero complex was a bit annoying at times, but many of his other qualities were redeeming. I'd love another book by this set of co-authors--the perfect amount of romance and steam!

I don't think I had any idea what to expect going into this book, but I know it wasn't this. ha ha. I freaking loved this book.

Plus sized porn icon, Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) loves what she does, but when she is asked by one of her friends and favorite producers to star in a Christmas movie for the Hope Channel (think Hallmark Christmas movies) she can't pass up the chance to get some more main stream work. Her co-star is former disgraced boyband member Nolan Shaw who is trying to re-start his career in order to make money to help out his family. He is a huge fan of Bianca's adult work and immediately recognizes her as soon as she steps on set, even though she is acting under the name Bee and is keeping her adult work under wraps. It soon becomes apparent that Bee and Nolan have some amazing chemistry both on and off the set. But they are both under strict orders to be on their best behavior as they proceed with this main stream Christmas movie. They are soon forced to confront their growing relationship, their pasts, and what they see for their future.

This book was so wonderful! As someone who doesn't particularly like the gooey Christmas books or movies this one was perfection. It was funny and steamy and just so much fun to read. I love Bee and her moms and friends. They all has such a fun, loving, and supportive energy and I wanted to hang out with all of them.

Nolan was more uptight but as the book goes on you learn more and more about his current situation and his past that really makes you feel for him. I loved his love for Bee and how he was with her.

And guys, this book is STEAMY! I mean, whoa.

I listened to the audio book of this one and the narration from both Joy Nash and Sebastian York was fantastic. The both read with such character that it made me feel like I was watching a movie.

I loved the writing pair of Julie and Sierra and hope we see more from them together soon. I will definitely read whatever they write!

I would definitely give this book a big 4.5 stars!

HUGE thank you to Avon books, Harper Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I did not find this audiobook to be engaging. The storyline was interrupted by too many spicy scenes to have a strong plot, in my opinion. Did not finish.

My cold Grinch heart has just grown three sizes from reading this! I can honestly say I loved every second of this book. I loved the characters, the setting, the plot literally everything! Bee was everything! I couldn't decided if I wanted to date her or be her. She is smart, sexy, funny, queer, sex positive, and she loves and know how to use her body. She is literally my dream girl! I have never wanted to jump into a book so much in my life. Seriously Bee has made it to the top of my literary girlfriend list.
Also Nolan was just an absolute sweet heart. I don't like men but I wanted to be his buddy. He was a little clueless in places but his heart was in the right place. Honestly of I can't have Bee I'm glad he can.
These two are just amazing separately but as a couple of my. Not only are they adorable but they are hot! I'm surprised they didn't melt all that Vermont snow with how hot some of their scenes were. I am not usually a fan of spice but these two...
Obviously I could rant for days about this but the tldr is do yourself a favor this holiday season and buy this book. You will not regret it. It will keep you warm in more ways than one 😉

Y’all don’t let this cutesie cover of A Merry Little Meet Cute fool you. This story is not the Hallmark movie your thinking!

Bee is a successful curvy porn star with a huge following. When she is cast in a squeaky clean Hallmark movie she is excited to transition into another type of acting. Enter her teen crush and former boy band member Nolan Shaw as her leading man. Well you see where this is going.

Y’all I loved this funny rom com with all the spice 🥵 There were moments that had me laughing out loud and moments where I had to make sure nobody else could hear/see what I was reading 😂 this is such an entertaining feel good spicy read that I highly recommend.

Ok so a work of literary fiction I was most definitely NOT expecting with a Merry Little Meet Cute, however, I have to say that this landed way below expectations for me.

I’ll start with what I LOVED: the premise. A porn start winds up landings the role in a hallmark (ok hope channel) Christmas romance movie unbeknownst to the network and other cast & crew. This was genius and I loved the open discussion of sex work, without judgement, that both highlighted the pros and cons of this industry for many of its workers. I also loved Bee as a full figured heroine who isn’t afraid of her sexuality and more often than not found, what I felt, was an authentic balance between being crass and funny and also very tender hearted and emotionally mature.

Sadly though, that’s about it. In terms of things that didn’t work for me:
1. The set up with Nolan as a super fan subscriber to Bee’s ClosedDoors account (think OnlyFans). I found this just generally very creepy that he was so addicted to her sexual content, that he looked at it EVERYDAY for 3 years. Upon meeting Bee, sure they get to know each other and all, but that undercurrent of previous sexual obsession is still there and it didn’t work for me. I don’t think their actually romance and Love grew and manifested enough on page to take the creep factor of this down.
2. The climactic event was over far too quickly and executed in a haphazard way. Not that a romance like this needs to spend a ton of time in that climax / break up phase, but here it was just too short and felt clunky.
3. The steam! It was…fine. Nothing quite as spicy as I would have imagined coming from Sierra Simone (I mean…priest isn’t 🥵). This felt remarkably tame and although both Nolan and Bee describe themselves as fairly experienced and naughty, and Bee even brings a whole suitcase of goodies inset with her, there’s none of that on page. I was all hyped up for a steamy hallmark twist and didn’t get it.

Ultimately this was fine, just not as hot as I expected given the authors and premise. Thanks to netgalley for my galley and audiobook!

I have to admit, when I saw the title and cover of A Merry Little Meet Cute, I expected something different than what I found within its pages.

Expectation: Christmas, kissing, adorableness, baking, etc.

Reality: Plus-sized adult film star gets tapped for a mainstream Christmas TV movie playing opposite a washed up boy band bad boy. And they are both secretly each other’s biggest fans.

😅

So yea, this audiobook was not what I expected, but it is freaking hilarious. Imagine a perfect Lifetime Christmas movie set where hair, makeup, costuming, lighting, etc., is staffed by people who work in adult film… and the people who work in mainstream movies have no idea. There were moments I literally laughed out loud listening to this. It’s Boogie Nights meets Lifetime Christmas.

I also LOVED the plus-sized rep in this one. So so good!

🌶 And whew this one is, unsurprisingly, Spicy with a capital S.

❗️CW: Even though I ended up enjoying this one more than I thought I would once I realized what it was actually about, there is a constant drumbeat of how adult film is a-ok and how anyone who thinks differently that is a bigot, which I found problematic. (I know many relationships and addictions to adult film that have destroyed lives).

However, I don’t find the sex workers themselves problematic. Every single person has inherent dignity. Just the notion that if you are opposed to adult films then you’re a villain.

❗️ BIG Note: If based on the cover and title you’re thinking about getting a copy of this for your grandma, you may want to reconsider. This is not yo mama’s Christmas book. 🥵
.

I smiled though this whole audiobook! Such a funny concept porn producer going straight and all the things that could go wrong with trying to keep that a secret. Bee is great as a fat porn star getting her big acting break and Nolan is an interesting beau for her. I will most likely listen to this one again!

My below review for the ebook applies to the audio book, I will just add the narrator was good! Nothing special, not a "must listen" vs read book, but it isn't easy to read romance well and in a way that doesn't make you want to wince at times, and this was read well!
"A Merry Little Meet Cute" was...cute. That being said, I don't think it lived up to the promise of the excellent premise,. I had difficulty connecting with the characters and the balance of light silly romance and serious issues and background constantly felt slightly off. That being said, I will definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a fun holiday romcom this year. The authors' skill and experience is clear throughout--no cringe worthy dialogue that is so common in romances, lots of very genuinely funny parts, and decently well rounded background characters and locations. And even though the premise doesn't quite live up to my expectations, it is still a good enough premise to carry the book pretty far! It was just our two leads I could never quite connect to.

This book is absolutely fantastic but maybe don’t listen to it on the way to work because it is SPICY and you will be thinking about it for eight long hours.

Can you say "sugar cookie lube and gingerbread junk"?

This is my first holiday read of 2022 and it's gunna be hard to beat! 𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗘 has ALL of the good things: sizzling chemistry, sex positivity, so much freaking steam, great side characters, snort-laughs, and a true connection between the leads.

I effing loved that each of these main characters was the other's fantasy, but those silly fantasy ideals changed as they came to truly know each other. Bee and Nolan are sweet, spicy, and seriously lovable.

I also want to stand and cheer at the way Bee, as a plus-size heroine, was handled. Bee's body size was one part of who she is, not her entire identity. And Nolan craves and desires her...full stop. No explanation needed.

When the lead's plus-size body is just written about non-stop it starts to feel...
(1) the ONLY characteristic she can have
(2) the need for the make lead to constantly repeat how into her "softness" he is 🙄
(3) cam feel almost fetishizing (to me, anyway).

𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗘 strikes the perfect balance of addressing being a plus-size woman and the challenges that come with that, but not beating it to death.

Don't let the cutesy title or cover fool you, this book is melt-yo-kindle HOT. There is holiday scented lube for dayyyys.

I listened to the audio version of this book and it was good, but not great. Decent narrating that could be a bit dry and flat here and there.

Seriously, put 𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗘 on your holiday wishlist now and you can than me later.

𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated NC-17 / 5+ sex scenes, harsh language. *MIGHT* include props/bondage.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: bipolar disorder (side character), past death of parent, fat shaming (challenged), slut shaming (challenged)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.

Well, this was a very fun, cute holiday and steamy read! Take a Hallmark movie and add spice? Yes, please! I didn't expect it to be so spicy (and I absolutely should have having read Sierra before) but yep. Loved the chemistry between Bee and Nolan right from the start. I want more from the team of Murphy & Simone! I hope they continue to write more together.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to listen to an audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is so much fun! Delightfully sexy and sensual! And the perfect holiday gift for anyone who loves a Hallmark Christmas movie, but wishes there was a lot more spice! Julie Murphy's fun charm and Sierra Simone's unabashed sensuality work beautifully hand in hand in this Winter Holiday romance! This novel is filled with humor, charm, heartfelt moments, sexiness, while all being beautifully inclusive of all genders and sexualities in a way that feels so natural and true to the actual work we live in!

Bee is a plus sized, adult film star, ready to stretch her wings and acting chops. So when her favorite producer casts her in a holiday movie, Bee knows she must keep her other job under wraps and act like the wholesome actor this type of film expects. Nolan, an ex-boy band member, with a wild reputation, sees this film as the perfect way to reinvent his reputation as well as help out his mom and sister financially. Little does Nolan know, his favorite ClosedDoors performer-Bianca Von Honey, is none other than his co star Bee!

If you are looking for a novel that is effortlessly inclusive feeling, perfectly paced with humor and heart that this novel is absolutely for you. I love that Bee's career as an adult film star is excepted by her moms as well as Nolan does not question or look down on her for this career choice either, yes they might have to overcome other people's prejudices around this but it is not a hinging factor in Bee's life. Bee is confident, sexy, and owns herself heart and soul. I was charmed that both Bee and Nolan have crushes on each other that steam from their celebrity. I love that they have explosive chemistry and they can not keep their hands off each other once they touch. I love that they both learn to grow in their careers as well as grow in their personal lives. I love that this centers around a Hallmark-esqe film and capitalizes on the lightness and beloved corniness of this genre. I love that Nolan and Bee have a consensual relationship, I love that through their physicality we can see them learn to trust and understand each other.

This novel is further brought to live by the delightful dual narration from Joy Nash and Sebastian York (two of my favorite audiobook narrators). Both Nash and York easily embody their characters making the listening experience engaging and fun. I love that both narrators can easily convey other characters with ease, and I never feel pulled out of the story.

This a definite must read for the holiday romance lover! Murphy and Simone work so well together, and I hope they decide to work together again!

This was highly entertaining! Imagine going behind the scenes of a hallmark movie but the leading lady gets hurt before the filming. The producer who really wants this film to be made bc he is trying to do something outside of the adult film industry accidentally suggests that they cast one of his adult film stars.
So now this hallmarky Christmas’ movie is starring a former boy band member (with a bad boy past) and an adult film star. However, no one knows that Bee Hobbes is actually Biance Von Honey 😏 well no one except for the male lead Nolan (former boy band member) because he’s a big fan of hers 😏
I didn’t read the description before I read the book, I just liked the cover but I was plesently surprised and I really enjoyed this book. It was cheesy and hilarious and smutty, I highly recommend for this holiday season 🎄
I listened to the audio and Joy Nash was amazing and Sebastian York grew on me. He sounded really boring at first but then seemed to get more into it.

I absolutely LOVED this book.
It had the lightness and connection of Julie Murphy's writing, and while I'd never read Sierra Simone, I'm certain the sexiness of that. I love a good plus-sized main character, and it's lovely to know that she could get her childhood celebrity crush and fall in love.
The added sex appeal in this Christmas rom-com just made this *chef's kiss*.