I have been a fan of Timothy’s books for a while now, I’ve read three thus far and You Had Me At Happy Hour is the one I was actually the most excited for and it disappointed me. This book is about a grumpy sommelier named Julien who is desperately trying to escape his small town. He also lives soberly, due to familial history, and has OCD. Then we have sunshine in Greg who is a TikTok mixologist who Julien’s aunt and uncle have hired to revitalize their restaurant and help them land a spot on their local town’s best-of list. He suffers from anxiety and much financial distress after a stint living in New York. Together they wrestle with how to be a team despite their personalities clashing and their ever-increasing lust for one another that turns into love. I must say I really wanted to love this one and it didn’t quite work for me. Logistically the pacing felt really off with the best of list being made at the 50% mark it left me wondering what was next, what more could possibly happen, which then led me to learn that Greg’s Ex makes an appearance and the third act break up started at about 60% of the way through. The last 40% felt like something that needed to be shorter so we could see more of the growth and journey of our characters as they worked and slept together. Without getting into too much detail, I felt we missed a lot of character development in order for puzzle pieces to make sense, I can’t quite grasp what would lead someone who dealt with alcoholism growing up with his parents to become a sober sommelier, not that I don’t believe it could happen but I don’t think we explored enough of it for it to make sense to me, someone who is also sober. I appreciate that representation especially in a queer novel because so often alcohol consumption is depicted within the queer community that it’s good to see sober representation. Between the odd pacing and lack of character development, it made it hard to really fall in love with these characters as I have with Timothy’s books in the past, ultimately there wasn’t enough time in the book to address everything he wanted fully and I feel the story suffered for that. I am looking forward still to reading his next work and seeing if this is a one-off case.

I have had very hit or miss experiences with Timothy Janovsky's writing (really disliked You're a Mean One Matthew Prince but really enjoyed New Adult) and this one just kind of fell in the middle for me.

The story started out pretty good. I enjoyed these characters and really appreciated the anxiety and OCD representation- especially digging into how being medicated can affect other aspects of your life. These were refreshing conversations to see. I think where things fell apart for me was in the third act. The character's felt very inconsistent from what we were previously seeing, specifically Greg.

Overall I think fans of Janovsky are going to enjoy this one as well.

Listen - this is exactly what says on the bottle kids and it was A GREAT TIME. I cannot believe this is my first Timothy Janovsky. I must now go read their entire backlog.

Timothy Janovsky always impresses so I expected no different from this, and I was not disappointed. Both main characters were well written, charming, and loveable. They have deep backgrounds that make them feel genuine but time wasn’t wasted covering their pasts, it was masterfully woven in to the plot. It’s a must read for anyone who likes the genre.

I really enjoyed this book! Julien and Greg had such good chemistry even after getting off on a rocky start. This is definitely a grumpy sunshine book. I loved the way Greg was able to work with Julien’s extreme OCD. They really worked through each other’s situations so nicely.
The book wasn’t too plot heavy but the characters were so lovable that I didn’t mind.
4.25/5

Timothy Janovsky is back and spicier than ever! I adore this story about a grumpy sommelier and a sunshine-y mixologist working together to save a beloved family-owned restaurant. The setting and found family are really warm and inviting, and I'm a sucker for all the delicious drink descriptions. Even more, I love the mental health representation and how Janovsky builds trust between the two protagonists. YOU HAD ME AT HAPPY HOUR absolutely hits the spot!

I already considered Timothy Janovsky one of my auto-buy authors and I feel like this only solidified him more as an author I can consistently rely on for interested LGBTQ+ stories. I really loved the characters of both Julian and Greg, who both have their own flaws that they can help each other begin to work through. While both of them are not fully healed from the pain they have experienced by the end, I feel like that makes the book more realistic as a whole, as the level of healing they are each working on is not typically something that happens within a few months. But as the reader you feel they by the end have better tools and ways of dealing with their issues and having more open conversations.

One of the things that I enjoy the most about Janovsky's writing is the spectrum of sex and pleasure that he discusses throughout his work. From Never Been Kissed, which has a main character who discovers his demisexuality throughout the book to this current book, which discusses the effects of medication on one's sex drive, I think that Janovsky is doing a wonderful job of showing how sex is not made up of a singular act.

The only issue I really had was that I felt like the dual POV didn't need to happen within the chapters. I would have preferred I think if it switched from chapter to chapter rather than in the middle of a chapter to give us each of their perspectives on the same scene. The book is fairly short and sweet and Janovsky touches on a lot of really important topics which I feel could have been discussed a bit more if we were going back and forth on what just happened in both Julian's and Greg's minds for the same scenario. I do think they both had very different thought processes though and being able to see that helped with the miscommunication trope that occurs at the end, because we as the audience know how they both think by that point.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Thank you to Afterglow Publishing at Harlequin for a digital advanced readers copy in exchange for a review.

You Had Me At Happy Hour follows two POV's, Julien and Greg. Julien is an aspiring sommelier and works at his aunt and uncle's restaurant. As time has went on, the restaurant has been struggling to be on the city's esteemed restaurant list, and one day, Greg, a mixologist with plenty of experience behind the bar and a charm that proves worthy on TikTok, is hired to help the restaurant meet the need to be placed on the city's best in town restaurant list. Julien and Greg have a bit of a rivalry, as Julien becomes confused because he thought he was doing a good job handling the wine route at the restaurant. As this rivalry begins to take place, Julien's aunt and uncle give both Julien and Greg the task of working together on making a happy hour experience that is special to the restaurant and they must put aside their differences in hopes of helping the restaurant succeed.

At the beginning of the book, there is an author's note detailing that the book contains themes and messages regarding debt, parental neglect, OCD, GAD, and Erectile Dysfunction. As a therapist in real life, I was intrigued to see how Timothy would bring these important topics to life and how well they would be portrayed. Unfortunately, I do think that the OCD was not done well at all, the GAD really only made sense when it was convenient for the story/plot, and the debt/parental neglect aspects could have been developed more delicately.

From the beginning, I was not buying or investing myself in the romance. It wasn't believable, and it things just seemed to convenient falling into place for the characters. The spice scenes also didn't do much for me. This book could have easily benefited from another 75-100 pages to help out with the construction of characters, romance, etc. It felt like this book was too rushed at times as well as the pacing was a little over the place.

Needless to say, I didn't love the book and was a little disappointed in some aspects. I have previously read New Adult and The (Fake) Dating Game and I thought those books were well done, and this one unfortunately missed the mark for me.

Quick fun read with representation that I really appreciate in romance books! With forced proximity, and a little opposites attract these two catch feelings real quick after their friends with benefits relationship starts. They have great chemistry but also comforting understanding.

This was my first Timothy Janovsky book, but I am hoping to check out some others now too!

Julien is our grumpy sommelier, and Greg is our sunshine mixologist. They meet when Greg is hired to try to improve business at the restaurant where Julien works (owned by his aunt and uncle).

While they don’t get off to the best start, they soon develop a friendship, which leads to a mutually beneficial “pact” between the two of them, and eventually leads to their HEA.

A few of my favourite things:

- Unique and loveable MC’s (even if they do make a few questionable choices)
- The mental health representation was well done!
- The clear communication around sex and boundaries.
- Loveable side characters!
- Found family.
- Forced proximity.
- Great epilogue!

3.5 rounded to 4.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me the ebook Arc of this book!

Overall my rating is a 3 to a 3.5 stars but not saying this is a bad book.

My favorite part in this is the representation. Both main characters to into depth in both of their POV’s and to each other the things going on in their lives and why and how that became. With Greg’s anxiety to Julien’s OCD.

What I didn’t necessarily like is how quickly they got into it. FWB isn’t really my cup of tea in books sometimes it can be down right but I’m more of a slow burn kinda gal. Doesn’t need to be a super slow burn but I don’t enjoy when the couple is getting it on or being intimate less than 50% of the book.

Another note is the big social media presence Greg has. Which is fine but I don’t like modern popular social media things in books. It’s too cringy for me. There was some TikTok references in the book and I was not a fan it kinda weirded me out. It’s fine that there’s social media in the book but once it gets too modern and the references you lose me.

But overall I enjoyed the story, workplace, grumpy sunshine ish, friends with benefits. I definitely recommend!

You Had Me at Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky was so much fun!
Janovsky has created a delightfully funny, extremely sexy, and heartwarmingly emotional novel.
The characters are quirky and unique.
This book was really fun and had me laughing at all the adorable moments.

Thank You NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book had such potential to be a hit for me - queer romance AND mental health representation? Sign me up - but alas it was not. The characters were very flawed, and sparked some great conversations about the experience of OCD and addiction, which was so great to see, and I loved how there was clear communication about boundaries, and what each enjoyed in sexual encounters, and how these were respected and not questioned - especially around Julien's OCD. That being said, the writing style and some of the plot points were not for me. Even so, it is worth noting there was something strangely addictive about this story. I wasn't loving it, yet I couldn't stop reading

There were 2 clear things that were aha moments of 'Ok yes this one isn't for me'. The first was the descriptors used, especially during spicy scenes. There was one scene, where the word penis was used - which is fine, objectively! It's an adequate word. In this context however, it took me out so fast, and I had to take a lap. It's a personal preference, but something about that word in the context of smut is such a turnoff for me.

The second was the third act breakup and miscommunication that occurred. The plot overall felt a little weak for my liking - like for example, Julien and Gregs relationship felt a lot like they were both there, I couldn't ever fully buy into them as a couple - but the third act breakup, like so many other reviewers have pointed out, was very jarring and so out of character. I am not a huge fan of the third act breakup trope, but I can tolerate it most times. This one however was such a weird pivot, and I found myself not only bored but also annoyed with the key charcter inciting it. I get that it was in some ways necessary to get closure for his storyline, but also what are you doing?? It's safe to say if miscommunication and third act breakups annoy you, this one isn't for you

Overall, there were things I really appreciated that this story brought, and there were certain technical and plot choices that irked me. It wasn't my favorite, or the most enjoyable, but I still had a decent enough time, and I finished it quite quickly. If you're looking for a quick queer workplace romance, with great representation and conversations about mental health, and you don't mind miscommunication or third-act breakups, this one could be a good fit for you

Thank you so much to Harlequin for an advance copy of this!

Timothy is an autobuy author & when I saw the cover for this book, I fell absolutely in love with it! He continues to have a variety of stories and characters to his repertoire.

Sighhh - Julien and Greg. They were opposite attracts and yet so completely gone for one another. The representation that Timothy created for both of these characters was super important to see on page. Julien has OCD & is neurodivergent and oftentimes finds that his partners cannot handle his specific requests and how sensitive he is too smells. Greg has GAD and his medication makes it hard for him to perform in the bedroom for his partners. Julien was so tender with Greg and they were able to have this dynamic that worked for them. I also thought the inclusions of toys was a fun twist to add to their intimate moments. I love how their relationship developed over time and got a chuckle at how Greg weaseled his way to a paint and sip with Julien. I think that night really changed everything and it snowballed (pun intended iykyk) from there.

"Everybody wants quick. That's why they choose the shot or the cocktail over the wine. They want a fast buzz, an immediate good time. On the Grindr grid, I'm the merlot you have to decant for forty-minutes before serving, not the tequila shot. I know that. I get it."

Majority of the book is navigating the work dynamic between Julien and Greg but we also get these other moments that are meaningful. I loved anytime Uncle Martin and Aunt Augustine were involved. There was such a sweet moment towards the end between Julien and Aunt Augustine that just made my heart so happy. I also loved Greg's relationship with his cousin Rufus. We didn't get too many scenes of them together but Rufus and his gf Jessica just seemed to want was what best for Greg.

I thought this book felt very current with the incorporation of Tik Tok and the rise and fall of creators. I also liked thow Timothy shed light on the ever frustrating algorithm that all types of creators face on the different platforms.

If you are looking for a small town vibe, spicy moments with characters who have great mental rep & lots of delicious drinks - check this out!

PS - I love that this took place in Bethlehem!!! It's such a charming city & I wish Martin's Place existed in real life!!

This was a great dual POV, enemies to lovers, workplace romance with EXCELLENT mental health (anxiety) and neurodiversity rep (OCD). I loved the way the two MCs were forced to work together, their friends with benefits arrangement that turned into something more and the way they utilized tiktok to help expand their workplace restaurant's profile and reputation. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and physical ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

You Had Me At Happy Hour
By Timothy Janovsky

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The MCs, Julien and Greg were well thought out with truthful emotions, quirks, traumas and loveliness. If I had to pick a favorite I would pick Julien but Greg was perfect for him. The character development and reactions felt true. The supporting cast was likable and in the case of Aunt Augustine,in peculiar, most endearing. Mental health and related physical manifestations were well represented and informed. Acceptance and understanding overcoming insecurities and false assumptions was highlighted in this romance. Sexy, funny, fresh and learning lots about wine and cocktails on the way was a good read. I highly recommend this novel and will look for more from the author. I thank the author, Harlequin and Afterglow books and NetGalley for a copy to review. The couple is as adorable as the title. It’s available now, go read it.

4.5 stars

This is a sweet book that follows a reserved sommelier and an extroverted bartender who find themselves in a workplace fling. There is open discussion about mental health (anxiety, depression, OCD) and family trauma. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters were loveable, despite their faults.

I did struggle with the frequent spelling and grammar errors, plus the sentence structure could make things confusing at some points.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys MM contemporary romance and especially anyone who wants to read more neurodivergent characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my review!

You Had Me at Happy Hour might be my favorite of this authors books! I really enjoyed this. I love a workplace romance, and the wine and mixology content was also really enjoyable. The mental health rep in the book was great and I also really appreciated that it was shown how it impacted their sex life and how they made accommodations for each other. It was great.

Julien Boire is a sommelier at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant in Bethlehem, PA but he has his sights set on becoming a master sommelier and getting out of there. Becoming a master sommelier requires a lot of work and focus so Julien can’t afford any distractions. This is why he isn’t thrilled when his aunt and uncle hire Greg Harlow, a TikTok mixologist, to help revitalize their restaurant. Julien and Greg don’t have a lot in common but Greg is new to town and looking to make friends. Julien is standoffish at first but is eventually won over by Greg’s charm.

While they work together to plan a series of happy hour events at the restaurant they form a sweet friendship and ultimately agree to enter into a no-strings sex pact that gives them a safe space to blow off some steam. It’s an arrangement that works well for both of them until they start developing real feelings. But can they possibly have a real relationship when Julien’s goal to leave Bethlehem remains unchanged and when Greg’s old life in NYC comes calling?

Overall I thought this was a really sweet story. It was cute seeing bristly Julien soften toward sunshiney Greg. Julien misjudged Greg when they first met but it didn’t take long for him to realize that perhaps there was more to Greg than the flashy bartender he portrays himself as on TikTok. Greg had a tough breakup with his old home in NYC and was searching for someplace to start over and where he could feel like he belonged.

This feels weird to say, but I really liked their sex pact. Julien had OCD and had very particular stipulations and Greg had clinical anxiety and sometimes experienced performance issues thanks to his medication. But I loved seeing how well they communicated their wants/needs and the creative ways they worked around any issues and still managed to have satisfying sex for them both. It all felt very realistic and it was refreshing to see this kind of representation.

My only gripe with the story is the communication breakdown in the last 25% or so. It was very frustrating and I didn’t love some of the decisions these guys made as a result. But they finally figure it out and the ending was very sweet and satisfying.

Another great example of why I enjoy Janovsky’s books - You Had Me at Happy Hour is so much fun while incorporating difficult topics of life and dating and the daily grind, and mental health as well, but making it possible to survive while all wrapped up in such a good story. The characters were both really likeable and relatable and interesting in their own ways, and the chemistry was just right.

Greg is an online sensation mixologist who Julien’s uncle finds and hires to spice up happy hour at their slowly fading small town restaurant. Julien is a server and working on his master sommelier course. The pair clash over beverages and many other things, but they end up working out a friends with benefits arrangement once they realize they’re compatible and Greg can work around Julien’s OCD needs, and they can also work together to upgrade the restaurant happy hour to keep the place from closing… until of course they have to pretend to be friendly at work, and soon everything goes off track.

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic book - if you have enjoyed Janovsky’s previous books, you absolutely have to get this one! It’s my favourite so far! I absolutely recommend it for everything it represents. Everyone needs this book in their lives!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and this is my honest feedback.