✨ 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.

This is a tough one for me to rate, because there was a lot to love about this book, but also had parts that fell flat. Admittedly, I have tried to read two of this author's books and have DNF'd both of them, so I didn't come in with the highest of expectations. I wanted to read this one based on the workplace nemesis/romance vibes I was getting from the synopsis, and that part of the story didn't disappoint. I loved the small bar/restaurant setting, the way all the employees really seemed to have each other's backs, and the way Julien and Greg were able to work through their differences and do what's best for the future of the bar.

I was really enjoying this for quite a while, it seemed that both Julien and Greg really began to come together and understand each other's needs, both at work and in their alone time, and all of the mental health representation was great. This was a lot spicier than I was expecting, with much more detail than I have read in a MM romance thus far, but their relationship felt sincere so despite cringing at some parts it didn't take me out of the book. My main gripe comes in with the third act breakup (without an explicit conversation, so is it really a breakup...?) happened, Greg returned to NYC to scout a job and fell back into old patterns, and I was really disappointed in how he handled several situations with as much growing as he seemed to have been doing. When he returned to Pennsylvania, Julien had done this grand gesture and was being so forthcoming with his emotions, and Greg never came clean about what he had done! I think that alone knocked this book down a couple pegs, as there was no real resolution to anything, just a slightly rushed happy ever after.

All in all, a decent and quick read that has good queer and mental health representation, but I feel there's some room for improvement on the author's pacing in future novels.

I have read all of Timothy Janovsky’s books and they never disappoint! You Had Me at Happy Hour was a fun and enchanting book. All of the characters within the book, especially the main two, Greg and Julien were detailed to great length and it was as though I knew them myself. From the start the reader can see the chemistry between both Greg and Julien. It was wonderful to go on the journey with them as they discovered more about themselves and each other. Great read! Definitely recommend!

I absolutely adored Timothy Janovsky’s You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince when I read it a few holiday seasons ago (review is here and, seriously, it’s one of the most lovely holiday romances I’ve read in recent years). So, I was definitely interested in reading his latest, You Had Me at Happy Hour. For a short novel - it’s just under 300 pages - it packs in a lot of heart and heat and was a lovely read.

Here’s the book’s description:

Rivalry never tasted so good.

O’ little town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania—it may be charming, but Julien Boire can’t wait to get out of there. Soon he’ll be leaving to take an advanced wine course that will put him on track to become a master sommelier. Meantime, his OCD demands he keep clear of distractions, especially the hot new hire at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant, Martin’s Place.

Which should be easy, because Greg Harlow is as ill-suited to Julien as a bold cabernet is to a delicate salmon entrée. As charismatic and confident as Julien is tightly wound, Greg is a TikTok mixologist who could charm a paper bag. One thing they do have in common: neither wants a relationship.

Greg’s history with dating is…complicated. Yet working together isn’t. First, they’re teaming up to launch a series of happy hour events at Martin’s Place. Then they’re agreeing to a no-strings sex pact that involves new worlds of experimentation. Nothing is off-limits. Except a future.

It’s exactly how Julien wants it. Except for the little part of him that wonders if maybe he’s about to lose the kind of happy that could last much longer than an hour…

Reading books that feature characters who are nothing like yourself is honestly such a great way to find some empathy for folks you meet in your real life outside of novels. I am not a queer man nor am I neurodivergent. So when I read about Julien struggling with explaining himself or Greg’s hunt for meds that help more than they hinder, I don’t really get it. But you better believe I interact with people like that in my everyday life. If I have a moment of thinking, “Oh my word, Julien, you are SO not getting it”, I can take a beat and think about how I would interact with Julien if he was all of a sudden in front of me and I was the one who was trying to help him understand something. And while I do hope I am gaining more awareness by reading books like this, I am also aware that I’m not the one these books were written for. Of course I can read and enjoy them. But somewhere out there is a queer kid with OCD or a man with ED due to anxiety meds that is going to feel seen and, more importantly, respected, because of Janovsky’s novel.

Even with all the Big Life Stuff Janovsky packed into this novel - career paths, debt, medication, trauma from parents - it ultimately had one of the most lovely Happily Ever Afters I’ve read in awhile. It was like I was wrapped up in a warm hug as I finished the last page. So satisfying!

Though…I say the end was like a warm hug but the epilogue also had one of the steamiest scenes I’ve read in awhile! The second half-ish of this book (once Julien and Greg decide to go forward with their sex pact) is sprinkled with well-written and well-placed sex scenes. Nothing felt gratuitous but Janovsky did not hold back on the sexy times. *fans self*

Julien and Greg were characters I couldn’t help but root for. I loved getting to know them and seeing what was under their carefully constructed facades. Because neither of them are quite how they present themselves to the general public. Being able to see the real men (as real as fictional men can be…) was really lovely.

You Had Me at Happy Hour was a delightful romance that is more than meets the eye. Timothy Janovsky’s latest novel will appeal to all sorts of romance readers and should be on everyone’s radar. Was it perfect? No, but I’m so glad to have read it.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Harlequin, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

This review has taken me a while to write just as this book took me a while to read. I’m a big Timothy Janovsky fan - every other book of his I have genuinely enjoyed if not absolutely adored. He’s an expert at juxtaposing campy humor with heartfelt characters. I tend to have a love-hate relationship with his characters but very much in the “this is wonderful writing and even though I am tempted to fight this character on sight, I am absolutely engaged with them and their storyline” way. Unfortunately You Had Me at Happy Hour fell short for me.

The thing is - the story was fine. The plot was fine. Greg and Julian were fine. It was all very fine. But nothing was memorable. Nothing hooked me. Part of this falls to the plot. Admittedly this was the first story I have read where tiktok played a major role and even though I expected a contemporary romance, it felt a little too real. The backdrop did these characters no favors - every side character felt more like a prop than a real person and I knew so little about the restaurant, the people behind it, or the role it played in the community that I had very little investment as to whether it succeeded or not.

Greg and Julian were… you guessed it - fine. On their own they were interesting but I don’t feel we really got to dig our teeth into either of them enough to really fall in love with either of them. Honestly I feel like their romance felt the same way. Where was the chemistry!? The stakes felt low because I never quite felt like they cared enough for me to care.

All in all - this book was fine. I don’t have anything awful to say nor anything spectacular. It’s a quick read and the characters and plot are cute!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the ARC - I am leaving this review voluntarily!

This is the first book I’ve read by Timothy Janovsky and I really enjoyed it.

The book tells the story of Julien, a sommelier and waiter at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant, and Greg, the TikTok-famous mixologist now working at the restaurant. Julien and Greg’s personalities clash at first, but as they get to know each other, they realize they have more in common than they expect.

There were quite a few things I enjoyed about this book and that made it stand out to me. Greg has ED due to his prescription medication. It was sweet seeing how supportive Julien was and how they were able to find a satisfying physical relationship regardless of the ED. I’d never seen ED discussed in a romance novel at all, and this book managed to discuss ED quite in depth while still being spicy and sensual. I am super impressed! In general, I love it when books take an expansive/inclusive look at what sex means and this book definitely did that!

Julien has OCD and Greg has an anxiety disorder. I appreciated that the book illustrated how ODC and anxiety affected their relationship, without treating either in a stigmatizing manner. Both men are eventually able to bond and understand each other because of their mental health diagnoses and common experiences.

I also thought the book sensitively handled both men’s complicated relationship with alcohol. Julien doesn’t drink because of his parents’ experience with alcohol addiction and Greg doesn’t drink because it interferes with his prescription medication. Since this book is titled Happy Hour and because the characters are a sommelier and mixologist, I didn’t expect the narrative to take a nuanced or critical view of alcohol. I was pleasantly surprised at how the narrative handled complicated issues around alcohol.

Slight spoiler ahead. Greg’s happily ever after involves leaving NYC and finding a home and community in a small town in Pennsylvania. I feel like there is a trope in queer novels where the protagonist escapes to NYC and makes a better life. I appreciated seeing a story that subverted that trope.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Highlights:
- sommelier x mixologist
- themes related to acceptance, home, & family
- leaving NYC
- complicated relationships with alcohol
- mental health rep: OCD and anxiety

Timothy Janovsky has become an auto-read author for me over the last few years so I was excited for this one! I just love Timothy’s writing style! He has a talent for creating these beautiful and vulnerable characters and Julien and Greg are no exception. This story explored a lot of boundaries which created great!

This one had such a fun premise. Greg and Julian have a not-so-meet-cute when Greg is hired to help at Julian’s aunt and uncle's restaurant gain more business by creating cocktails and boosting happy hour. Julian is a sommelier which he takes very seriously so he is not pleased with this development. There is an immediate tension between them that develops into an attraction that they can’t ignore.

I really loved the honest and sensitive conversation they have. Julian has OCD which has affected his past relationships and keeps him from fully opening up and Greg is on antidepressant that has affected his performance in the bedroom and has created some insecurity. They develop an incredible understanding of each other.

This book felt very relevant with the incorporation of Tiktok and how creators can rise and fall. I appreciated how Timothy shed light on the ever frustrating algorithm that all types of creators face on all of the platforms.

Even while discussing heavier topics the story is still spicy, sweet, and heartwarming. Timothy has such a talent of creating a variety of stories and characters.

I love a grumpy sunshine and Timothy Janovsky delivered big time in this book. This is a romance that is delightful and is frosty as a cocktail. I love the banter and the interactions and of course the chemistry between the characters is intense. You feel joy and reading this book because it makes you so happy as you read it from start to finish.

You Had Me at Happy Hour is the newest LGBTQIA+ romance novel by Timothy Janovsky. This is my first novel that I have read by this author and overall I really enjoyed it! I loved the characters, Julien and Greg, and the representation of OCD, anxiety, ED, as well as the sex positivity throughout the book. I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine trope and how once we get to know the characters more we get a chance to see why they are the way they are. I want to keep this as spoiler free as I can so I will say that I was really enjoying how the story was progressing until the last third of the book. Greg, who had seemed to make so much progress throughout the book, seemed to forget everything and reverted back to basically where he started when we first met him. It was very confusing and uncharacteristic of him. It was very confusing and disappointing honestly. Everything up to that point was great! But because of that I feel like my rating is 3.5 stars.

Julien has spent his entire life in a small town in Pennsylvania. He’s grateful to his uncle and aunt for taking him in as one of their own when life with his parents was no longer an option. Julien has always worked in the family restaurant, Martin’s, taking a special interest in wine, and it’s his dream to become a master sommelier. Julien can’t wait to see what else is out there for him. He has his routine well set up so his OCD doesn’t distract him and that leads into his personal life as well. Long-term relationships are difficult for Julien and, now that his last friends-with-benefits relationship is over, he has been alone for longer than he would like. But Julien knows he needs to stay away from Greg, the restaurant’s new bartender.

Greg made a name for himself on TikTok as a shirtless mixologist. He was making great money for a while in NYC, but when his relationship ended along with sponsorships, Greg found himself moving to PA to bartend at Martin’s. Greg is charming and charismatic, but he also needs to navigate life and dating with anxiety.

Julien and Greg are attracted to each other and find themselves in an exclusive, friends-with-benefits relationship while teaming up to launch happy hour events to drive business to the restaurant. Neither man wants a relationship, but they find themselves drawn to each other in all aspects of their lives and realize that happiness can continue long after happy hour is over.

This book features two main characters that appear different at the first few glances, but do have a lot of similarities and wants in life. Julien has spent most of his life around Martin’s and he’s grateful for all that he has learned, but he wants to see the wider world of wine and he doesn’t want to take over the restaurant one day as his uncle expects. Julien had past trauma from his younger years with his parents and his OCD and neurodiversity are part of his life.

Greg is moving into PA from living the fast life in NYC. He had money and a boyfriend, but when the money wasn’t as flush and his anxiety medication affected his intimate life, his boyfriend was less interested. Greg likes Julien immediately and is agreeable to all of Julien’s OCD needs as they embark on an intimate relationship.

I liked the atmosphere of the book here with the restaurant and the wine versus cocktail angle. I did find both Julien and Greg to be as bland and beige as Julien’s described apartment. I also found the beginning of their relationship somewhat transactional and, while I was told they were attracted to each other, it didn’t translate off the page for me. The last part of the book pulled the men apart and then there wasn’t enough time left for me to see them together again as a long-term couple. It was interesting to see a relationship with various barriers, but I didn’t feel they were able to work through enough to overcome them before the fictional world magic took over. If you do like this author and want to see characters face some personal challenges, you may want to join Julien and Greg for happy hour.

Adorable!! This was a quick read, well written. Both MMC were developed well enough to understand what made them each tick, and to demonstrate how they both grew over the relationship.

It was also very refreshing for there to be discussion of mental health concerns - and the implications of drug treatment side effects on relationships. I was so happy to see that Greg sought help for his SSRI induced ED. Not enough men do. Not enough prescribers have e an open discussion with their patients about side effects and the extent.

Even the side characters were charming and had their little roles to play in the story.

What I love about Timothy Janovsky books is that they are always fun and flirty, but the characters always have another layer to them beyond just basic yearning for a romantic connection. In You Had Me at Happy Hour, we have two main characters that are struggling with anxiety and OCD. I love getting main characters that break out of the norm, and the neurodivergent rep here is great. We also go erectile disfunction representation here, which I don't think I have ever seen in a spicy book before. It was navigated with such grace.

I also can always count on Janovsky books to be spicy, and this book was no different! I found the beginning of the story to be on the slow side, and I wished for a little more drama when they were rivals before becoming friends. But about halfway in, I was back and invested. I will pretty much always read a Janovsky book because I know that I will have fun.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a. cute workplace gay romance! I love timothy's books, I find them to be so heartfelt and romantic. I adored this one.