I really enjoyed You Had Me at Happy Hour. Timothy Janovsky never disappoints. Would 10/10 recommend this book.

The best part about this book was the pensylvania setting. Other than that I could have cared less about the relataionship or the characters in general.

I remain a big Timothy Janovsky fan for his charming LGBTQIA+ romcoms, that blend humor and heart with deep emotion and vulnerability. This book totally lives up to the hype! The relationship between MC's Julien and Greg is sex-positive, built on a foundation of clear consent and mutual respect. The writing is witty and heartfelt, with depictions of strong communication and trust-building, which makes the plot and characters feel both authentic and empowering. Additionally, the representation of OCD and anxiety is handled with honesty and remarkable care, showing how Julien and Greg support each other's mental health needs without judgment. I adored these characters and their journey.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Julien Boire and Greg Harlow both work with alcoholic drinks. Julien dreams of being one of the top sommeliers in the country and is focused solely on that. Greg let social media stardom blind him into an insane amount of debt and mental illness that has him running away from New York in hopes of getting better. They work together at Julien's family restaurant and things start shakily, but an agreement to have a physical relationship with no emotions to let off some steam has them spending more time together and realizing that there's more to each other than they thought.

Julien and Greg couldn't be more different and the awkward clash of personalities when they first meet is an adorable meet cute that did not prepare me for how hot and steamy things were going to get. It's erotica wearing rom-com clothes and I'm not at all mad about it.

The plot is interesting and focuses on their character growth as individuals while also making it obvious to the reader that they're perfect for each other beyond the obvious chemistry and comfort they find between the sheets. They mature as individuals but a big part of it is the discoveries they make thanks to the relationship. It's the best of all worlds.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the hot romantic read!

I think the book is fun, but probably not his best. I liked the forays into heavier topics, as well as the everall vibe of the book but the third act of the novel wasn't particularly great for me specifically.

Timothy Janovsky is still one of my favorite queer authors, but this was not my favorite of his titles thus far (can't all be favorite, though, can we?). Some of his usual sweetness, his tenderness in writing characters, felt like it was missing in this one? The plot was very light and "fine" and steamy. Brain candy, really. I just miss the usual quality of development that I know Janovsky is capable of--overall a "fine" read; nothing particularly wrong and nothing super memorable compared to the warmth I usually feel for his books. I did appreciate his inclusion of neurospicy characters for main characters in this title and will still be pulling his next title as soon as it comes out, as usual. :)

My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance/Afterglow Books for the opportunity to read this title in exchange for my honest opinion!

I really wanted to like this one, but unfortunately it just didn't work for me.

I liked the representation of different mental illnesses and life with them, I liked the setting and thought that the banter between the two was cute. However, I just didn't have enough differentiation between the characters to truly feel like I knew them. I found the voice of both to be very similar and I had a hard time remembering which character had what going on becuase they felt the same.

I wish there had been more tension between the two before they got together and maybe more on page experimentation with different types of sex that include the issues that the author spent time building up in the narrative.

I cannot pin point exactly what did not work for me, but unfortunately something didn't work. But there was absolutely nothing wrong with this book that I feel the need to point out.

3.5*

You Had Me at Happy Hour is much more of a melancholy read, definitely not the romcom I was expecting. Not that I have an issue with that, not at all. It just kind of took me by surprise. But I actually really liked the feel of this book and the topics it dealt with. I think those were handled very well by TJ. Even with all the heaviness there were some sweet, lighthearted moments between Julian and Greg.

Neither Julian nor Greg expect anything to come of the no strings attached relationship they find themselves in, they both have too much going on to really give it their all. Isn't that how it always is, though, when it comes to a good fwb? I enjoyed both Julian and Greg's journeys through the course of the book. Although I could have done without that third act frustrationess from Greg. I mean, come on dude!
But overall I did like this story, even with it's challenges.

This was so much NOT of what I was expecting. I usually LOVE Janovsky’s words, but for whatever reason this just didn’t hit the same as the others. My guess was it was so basic.

This was the most formulaic contemp romance I ever read. I DID love that they didn’t have to come out to anyone, they were just together tho. But this just isn’t the usual for Janovsky. Usually he can make me cry or laugh out loud so much, but I got none of that from this one. I didn’t feel really anything from this one. (Maybe I feel this way after the last one? This one just felt so tame. Like he was trying not to go over any veggie lines in this one too. [IYKYK])

I’m thinking its because I didn’t care for the main characters. I wanted so much to learn about being a sommelier, but I didn’t feel like there was enough info in the book besides how difficult it is and how much it costs. Or why he had to go back to NYC so bad besides money. I just always assume there’s a deeper meaning (yes I know money security is a thing, but like he had a job?) Especially since the person he went back to was terrible.

I DID like the OCD rep and the way he handled the one character’s parents’ problem. He became what he did in spite of them and I thought it was incredible. And we all know I cannot resist the social media type books, so this was a fun addition to the book too. (Although we hardly get to see it.) I also liked the toy play in this one. I don’t read a lot of spicy books, so this was interesting.

This was pretty tame compared to his other one from Afterglow and I can’t help but wonder if he was playing on the safe side with this one. I hope that’s not the case. I hope in his next book he finds a happy medium for us all.

Julien grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. He is still there, working at the struggling restaurant run by his aunt and uncle who raised him. He’s eager to leave and pursue his dreams of being a sommelier. Then, his aunt and uncle hire Greg Harlow, who became well known on social media for his cocktails. They hope that Greg can bring some much needed attention to the restaurant.

At first, Julien and Greg get along like oil and water (or a red wine paired with a fish dish). But soon they are teaming up for a series of happy hours that will hopefully bring new customers to the restaurant. And from there, their relationship grows. They both agree that their relationship is nothing serious. But the more time they spend together, each finds themselves wondering if they want more—but unsure if the other feels the same.

This is a fun and engaging story. It offers a thoughtful exploration of mental health, the role of social media, and the wide range of families.

Highly recommended!

Thank you to Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the eARC.

3.5 stars.

Greg had some severe himbo energy. It was the perfect foil to grumpy, non-divergent Julien.

Greg (cocktails) and Julien (wine sommelier) are kind of work rivals, but are forced to work together to plan happy hour events (also if you don’t know me in real life, you need to know that I am the Happy Hour Queen at work so I needed to read this book). And surprise, they are attracted to each other, and surprise, they become friends with benefits.

The spicy scenes were the best part of YHMAHH. I loved the realness. Greg has a medical issue due to some medication, and Julien has OCD so has specific rules for sexy time…but they made it work and didn’t make it a big deal. There was no judgment from either side, just understanding and good, clean (literally) sex.

But that third act break-up. It was like when you’re speeding but then you brake when that traffic light turns, such an abrupt stop. It came out of nowhere and didn’t fit. Both characters made TERRIBLE decisions for people who were about to say the L word. It made their make-up less meaningful as I was two-thirds out the door by then.

Overall an entertaining read, but I won’t be forgetting that break-up anytime soon.

I love Timothy’s books so much. It’s not often you get. Queer man writing MLM and it’s much needed. His light hearted romcoms keep me coming back to his writing.

✨ Review ✨ You Had Me at Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky

Thanks to Afterglow Books by Harlequin and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

This one hit just right for me. It had the perfect mix of grumpy-sunshine vibes and rivals to lovers for me. Julien's trying to develop his sommelier skills while working at his aunt and uncle's restaurant when Greg, a tiktok mixologist fleeing debt in NYC, arrives to take over the bar and try to bring the restaurant back to life. They quickly clash as one's expertise is in cocktails and the other's is in wine, but eventually they come to work together in and out of the restaurant.

I loved the way that this was neurodivergent-positive / mental-health-positive and recognized and honored the ways that these characters identified as such. Taking OCD and anxiety and issues around medication side effects, as well as alcoholism, abandonment issues, etc., this book handled these topics with care and respect, and I appreciated that.

I also just loved how these characters fit together and brought out the best in each other. It was just a really lovely read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Setting: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania + NYC
Pub Date: July 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ rivals to friends to lovers
⭕️ mental health positivity
⭕️ restaurants / coworkers
⭕️ when two characters bring out the best in each other

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/m contemporary romance
-rivals to lovers
-sex pact
-nerds about booze
-workplace romance
-opposites attract
-anxiety and OCD rep

There's such a light frothiness to Timothy's writing. I so enjoyed his book. Two men looking for more, not necessarily looking for love but finding it. Julien struggling with his abandonment issues and finding acceptance for his OCD, and Greg struggling with his own feelings about sex due to side effects from his anxiety medication. I loved the restaurant setting and how both of them were such nerds about alcohol.

So many underlying complexities, all intertwining with the steam. I loved every interaction between these two, as they both discovered so much about themselves both through sex and a devloping friendship with each other. I adored this book so much, Timothy just delivers every time.

I am a Timothy Janovsky mega fan, first-and-foremost. And while I went into this book expecting to obsess over it like all the others… I was left feeling a bit disappointed; HOWEVER, I believe that’s on me, and not the book!

You Had Me at Happy Hour is 100% a Harlequin romance down to its core, and I didn’t process that while reading. Reflecting after, I realized I would have enjoyed it much more if I had that mindset going in. Overall, I would still recommend it!

Every book I've read by Timothy has been a treat and I swear they just keep getting better.

This was such a sweet trope pairing of opposites attract and workplace romance with a splash of neurodivergence and special care needed.

Loved how these two were both neurodiverse in their own ways and were very good with communicating what they needed physically at least. When it came to talking about serious and long term commitments that was a bit harder, but it usually is when you've been treated poorly in the past. This took a little turn but they made it back to each other. Luckily, they had some loved ones that steered them back on course.

I really, really enjoyed this one! I've read all of Janovsky's books thus far and have enjoyed all of them, but this one had me really appreciating the characters and their respective struggles. Greg and Julien, at first, appear to be complete opposites, but slowly they realize they may have more in common with one another then not. I enjoyed their relationship and how it progressed and I appreciated the positive outlook on sex in this book.

I look forward to more from Janovsky's!

4 stars!

"You Had Me At Happy Hour" by Timothy Janovsky is a lovely, captivating, charming, sexy, surprisingly deep queer romance! It is one of those books that will play out right in front of your mind in vivid detail. I adored the main characters, Julian and Greg. I loved their chemistry and easy acceptance of one another. They are both imperfect main characters. They are both a little needy, both a little quick to judge for different reasons, but they find solace in each other once their walls come down just a little bit. Greg and Julian are complex people who have their own quirks and hang-ups and needs. What starts out as a mutual agreement/arrangement for them to both blow off steam with each other physically quickly turns into much more for both of them. As Julian and Greg get to know each other outside of their public personas, there are moments of deep tenderness, funny miscommunication, and steamy spice. I liked the balance of seriousness and levity. I really love how Janovsky handles the alcohol issue in this story, considering both of the characters work at a bar/restaurant and are around alcohol all of the time. One of the characters doesn't drink because of the medication they take (HARD relate on my end!), and the other doesn't drink because of something that happened in his past related to his parents. My one complaint is that I had no real sense of time duration while reading this story. I thought it had only been a few days/weeks during some portions of the book, but it turns out, it had been a few months into their relationship! It's a small complaint, but it's definitely something I noticed. Still, I would absolutely recommend this book. I had a lot of fun reading it, as I always do reading Timothy Janovsky's work!

Thank you to NetGalley, Timothy Janovsky, Harlequin - Romance, and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I'm rounding this up from 3.5. I did enjoy the overall story by the ending but I struggled a bit getting there. There were a few things that didn't work well in the story for me.

As someone who lives in Southern California's Wine country, I felt an obligation to read this book! I'm so glad I did because not only did it have me giggling but was also so heartfelt and sweet.
I felt extremely connected to Julien's character because so many of his behavior patterns resemble my own, especially in terms of hyper-fixation on hygiene and struggling to make meaningful connections with people. I didn't realize how badly I needed to see OCD rep in the stories I read!
Julien and Greg's chemistry is so much fun and I loveeeed the banter between them. Me and my Gemini venus LOVE good banter both on the page and off. I really loved the healthy conversations they had and the way Greg respects Julien's boundaries with so much care. I hope we all find the Greg to our Julien.