Not my favorite book by Janovsky (I think the last release before this was my favorite), but it was still so entertaining, tender and had lovely individual coming of age moments for both characters. The mental health representation was written with great care and the steam was steaming oooof!

4.5 stars, rounded up.
My second book in a week featuring a bartender/mixologist…this is the best way to experience cocktails without a hangover!

Julien is a certified sommelier working in a bar/restaurant owned by his aunt and uncle. He dreams of becoming a master sommelier, which will help him write his ticket out of small-town Bethlehem, PA.

In an effort to attract more business to the restaurant, Julien’s aunt and uncle decide to hire Greg, a tremendously handsome mixologist who had gained some notoriety on TikTok. They believe with Greg’s cocktail-making skills and Julien’s expertise about wine, a huge flow of customers should be imminent.

But after Greg and Julien’s initial meeting fizzles awkwardly and their subsequent interactions go awry, business is flowing…away from the restaurant. So the two are tasked with creating new happy hours at the restaurant which can feature fun cocktails and excellent wine. That means they have to overcome whatever issues they have with one another and work together. Or else.

Of course, the awkwardness hides the strong mutual attraction between the two at first, but it’s not long before their feelings for each other intensify. But with Julien’s OCD and Greg’s anxiety and ED issues, the road to casual sex isn’t as smooth as it should be. And as their relationship heads towards love, both panic in their own ways.

I’ve read all of Timothy Janovsky’s books and this may be my favorite. I loved how he balanced the banter and the incredible steam with the serious emotional issues both Julien and Greg were dealing with. It turned what could have been a typical M/M rom-com into something more complex, and I loved it.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the advance copy. The book will publish 7/23.

Cute little romance with a sommelier in training and social media mixologist. Both have neurodiversities and it effects their love life, but the author does a great job of showing how to navigate the challenges. Only thing I would say is that it is a bit too rushed. This all supposedly happens over a span of a year but it feels shorter.

This was such a fun, lovely read! So many romance novels rely on a lot of big, unearned emotionality without any underlying heart- but this paints a beautiful portrait of two, very real people who (like so many of us) struggle to risk the vulnerability required to emotionally bond with another person. Which, as a reader, had me rooting for them to overcome their emotional hurdles and come together even more!

I especially appreciated how both neurodivergence and anxiety were represented with such accurate attention to detail and a great deal of care- so much so that I would be shocked if the author wasn’t (at least in part) writing from personal experience. Extra points for the LGBTQIA+ theme as well, and telling a queer story with the emphasis on the humans, and not the label.

Overall, this was a quick read that gave me all of the feel goods- and if you’re in the market for a highly endearing, equal parts spicy & sweet story about chosen family and finding home, then this is for you!

*Thank you NetGalley & pubs for this treasure!

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin- Romance, and Timothy Janovsky for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a sweet little "nemesis to sex pact to lovers" M/M story. It's my first read of anything by Timothy Janovsky but certainly will not be my last.

I loved, loved, loved, loved the way being an influencer was portrayed. LOVED IT! Adored the mental AND physical health representation and LOOOOOVED Julien meeting Greg where he was at. It truly was a masterclass in how to support a partner... many should take note.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Beware of possible spoilers.

The rating is actually 3.5 stars.

I have to say, I really enjoyed this one. I haven't read this author before, but had heard a lot of decent things about their other works.

It was wonderful to see the topics such as OCD, anxiety, and sex (especially when connected to medication and how that can change for someone) handled so well. I really connected with Greg and Julien and how they navigated their lives having to deal with these things. I loved their scenes together and their way of connecting.

The one thing that really knocked this story down for me was the ending. I hated that Greg left, I hated that Julien didn't do anything about it. And while I don't mind people having multiple partners or anything like that, I hate that it took Greg his ex to realize what he did wrong. It was just...so unnecessary in my eyes and it nearly made me throw the book across the room. Drama is one thing, over-drama is just annoying.

But I'm glad I had a change to read this book and that it had a happy ending with characters learning they can have life despite the obstacles they face. It really was a good read!

I have read all of Timothy Janovsky's books and have had an uneven experience with them. Some I have really liked and some, not so much. Unfortunately, I did not love this one. I did not connect with either of the MCs, and felt that their mental health issues did not really make them more likeable. I felt the third act could have been easily avoided with better communication so that it felt unrealistic to me. For me, this was a 3.5 stars rounded up. I will continue to read this author though, because the next book may be another winner for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a sweet, complex and enjoyable romance. This was my first Janovsky novel & I am certainly going to go back and read some others after how much fun I had reading this. The author did an amazing job navigating hard topics such as OCD, anxiety, and alcoholism. I was giggling and kicking my feet while reading these two fall in love.

I did feel like the ending/resolution was a little bit rushed but it didn’t stop me from loving this book. Overall, this was a really fun and loving romance, i highlt recommend!!

Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you netgalley and Timothy Janovsky for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Really adorable story with two great characters. I loved the premise: Greg Harlow became a TikTok sensation thanks to his seductive bartender videos. After he finds himself in debt, he moves out to the boonies of Pennsylvania (Yay for another PA book!) and meets Julien, a grumpy sommelier with OCD and trust issues who is also his co-worker.

There was a lot of great mental health rep in this. Julien's OCD and PTSD and Gregs GAD and ED are portrayed so thoughtfully, and there is lots of wonderful hurt/comfort.

Also... there is spice (hoorah!)

The writing was a bit cliché, and the pacing felt a little slow at times... but I found that I didn't mind because I liked the characters so much.

Well done! Made me thirsty for Sangria.

I've read and enjoyed many of Timothy Janovky's books. His books have a witty energy that jumps off the page. They manage to be funny and entertainly while addressing serious subjects, and You Had Me at Happy Hour is no exception.

This was my third book by Janovsky, and I love that he has such a distinctive writing voice. It's a little bit sarcastic (and often filled with a healthy dose of self-deprication from the main characters), but his books are always incredibly funny. His words jump off the page, and it almost feels like you can hear him telling you the story. His words have an energy and drive that make them such a pleasure to read, but also make his books just whiz by.

You Had Me at Happy Hour features its fair share of romance tropes. Greg and Julien start as enemies and work rivals. They then come up with an arragement and become friends with benefits. It is so much fun as a reader to watch their relationship morph as the story continues. Of course, in a romance novel, the reader expects a happily ever after, and so much of the excitement is following the characters on the journey to get to that ending.

I love when a romance novel has dual point of view between the two main characters as this one does. Especially early in the novel, when Julien and Greg are rivals, the reader gets to be privy to how obviously attracted to one another they are from the beginning. Not only does the dramatic irony build tension, but it also is just fun to experience the characters falling in love from two different perspectives. It's also a constant reminder of how important point of view can be. Early in the novel, Greg decides to put on a Gucci belt because, "he can't serve drinks with his pants falling halfway to his ankles, so this will have to do." Julien sees this belt and sees it as a sign that Greg thinks he's too good for Pennsylvia and Martin's Place.

Mental health representation is so important in romance novels. OCD is very misunderstood, and Janovsky handles it so well. Julien explains his needs to Greg, and Greg accepts them and adjusts accordingly. There is no hesistation or judgment before he meets Julien exactly where he's at. I find that so lovely, and it made me gain respect for Greg. Similarly, Greg tells Julien about his anxiety and the needs he has around that (specifically, but not limited to in the bedroom). Julien adjusts and does what he can to make sure Greg feels safe and cared for in ways he didn't in previous relationships.

I really loved Greg and Julien's relationship. It always makes me happy when a couple in a romance novel actively makes the other one better, and that is absolutely the case here. Not only do they take accept and support each other's mental health needs, but they also help each other to thrive professionally. The two of them work together to create a successful happy hour at Martin's Place, and they each bring their special and unique skills to the table to make that happen.

I actually have another of Janovsky's books on my TBR, and I cannot wait to read it.

Thoroughly enjoyed this new release, You Had Me at Happy Hour, from a new author, Timothy Janovsky, to me. I enjoy cocktails. I enjoy wine. While I wouldn't have gone to the social gatherings, I would have loved watching this romance unfold, sitting at the bar and sipping on some juice whilst everything got me hot under the collar! Both personalities we're great -- a little quirky, needy, and tough, but underneath them... kind, thoughtful, and charming. Supporting characters were well built without overpowering. No made up drama. Lots of appropriate transitions in connections. And a lusty, intriguing sexual connection that offered some dirty scenes, some tender scenes, and some surprisingly comical yet heart-pounding ones. Was the kinda book you need to read every so often, switch it up out of your norm, and make a connection with a new genre or setting. Won't work for everyone, but if you've got an open mind and just want to see a relationship blossom, this will be a great read.

I did not finish this book unfortunately. The first few chapters introducing the main characters did not grab me and I found their individual personalities difficult to read.

I really enjoyed You Had Me at Happy Hour. The characters' flaws were well fleshed out, and both Julien and Greg seemed to respect and understand each other's differences, unlike their past relationships. This book was sweet and complex, with a lot to like.

Julien, a sommelier at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant, Martin’s Place, feels stuck and is looking to advance his career. Greg, a TikTok famous bartender, sees his views tank and needs a fresh start. When he gets hired at Martin’s Place to mix custom cocktails and attract a young clientele, he immediately clashes with Julien. Their initial discomfort turns into something deeper over time.

I found Julien a bit hard to understand at first, likely by design. His decision not to drink due to trauma from his neglectful, alcoholic parents and his instinctive mistrust of Greg because of his work with hard liquor felt paradoxical given his career as a sommelier. Julien's OCD, fear of abandonment, and social anxiety made him a character that grew on you as the story progressed.

Greg was more straightforward but equally complex, facing Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and heavy debt from living beyond his means. His sexual challenges due to side effects from his SSRI added a layer of realism to his character. Their sexual relationship began with a pragmatic approach, which was an odd but effective start. As they spent more time together, their connection deepened, whether in bed, filming TikToks, or hosting happy hours.

I absolutely loved the mental health representation. It was refreshing to see characters with realistic sex issues having great sex, utilizing a variety of toys to make things work in the beginning. Both characters experienced growth, even if they didn’t become the healthiest versions of themselves by the end.

Timothy Janovsky has crafted a novel that combines quirkiness and depth. Julien wants to leave his hometown of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to take an advanced wine course that will help him become a master sommelier. Until then, he works at Martin’s Place. Greg, struggling to make ends meet, gets a job at Martin’s Place. Initially, things don’t go well between Julien and Greg, but their collaboration on a series of happy hour events brings them closer. Their no-strings-attached friends-with-benefits arrangement gradually turns into something more meaningful.

This book did not disappoint and has become my favorite of Janovsky's works. It was cute, spicy, and filled with character growth. The OCD representation was spot on, and the relationship between Julien and Greg was endearing. I found myself cheering for them and couldn't put the book down.

Overall, You Had Me at Happy Hour is a delightful and heartfelt read with well-developed characters and a refreshing take on romance and mental health. Despite some flaws, it’s a book I highly recommend and look forward to rereading.

Well, this was a very cute, and very spicy M/M romance centered on the will-they/won't they tension between small-town sommelier-in-training Julien Boire and mixologist Greg Harlow, a TikTok star who moves from the bright lights of NYC to Bethlehem, PA to take an unassuming bartender job as a means of picking up the pieces of a broken heart and re-establishing his finances.

At first, despite a mutual attraction, the two are off to an awkward start. Julien spills drinks all down the front of Greg's shirt on their first day working together, a mishap that is only exacerbated by the false impression Julien has of his new coworker as being aloof and awash in romantic prospects.

Beneath the outward facade of their good looks, it turns out that both men, once they get to know each other, have untold layers. Greg, who takes meds for his mental health, struggles with ED as a result. And Julien, who has OCD, has certain specific expectations of his sexual and romantic partners that can't be easily met by the guys he meets on hookup apps.

The two end up making a "sex pact," to be each other's exclusive friends with benefits -- but romantic feelings inevitably develop, and the plot of the book revolves around the ways in which they will express and deal with those feelings (or not).

I enjoyed Janovsky's engaging and conversational writing style, and I devoured this book over the course of several sittings in one day, so I was clearly very engaged by the book. I was especially impressed by the fact that the author had set up very specific sexual parameters for his protagonists and still managed to craft incredibly spicy sex scenes for them. The sex aspect of the book felt more "real" and less overly idealized than in many similar books I've read, and I give the author a lot of credit for that.

I am not a regular romance reader. Usually, I read literary fiction, but I do like to dip into other genres for a change of pace. I'm glad I picked up this book, and I would certainly read other books released by Janovsky. I realize that most if not all romance novels follow a predictable pattern of plot, and I think what keeps this book from being a 5-star read for me was that it went through its motions of by-the-books plot development with a level of predictability that lacked excitement and high stakes, meaning the "night cap" to this happy hour never quite came.

I think Janovsky has created two memorable and engaging characters in Greg and Julien, though, and I would actually be interested in reading a follow-up to this book following their dynamic after the conclusion of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars— Thank you netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this arc. This was a cute fast read following a nemesis to friends to lovers plot. I was not a huge fan of the writing style so I had to push through to finish this. Although I did like how the author addressed different mental health topics and I enjoyed Greg and Juliens relationship.

Greg and Julien are the epitome of rivals to lovers in this cute rom-com. These MMC's both have their fair share of issues and insecurities but they are so supportive and understanding of one another. I love that they take their time and follow each other's lists of rules so that each of them is comfortable at each level of intimacy. Everyone should be lucky enough to experience this type of communication and understanding not only in the bedroom but outside it as well. If you are looking for a quick, spicy, workplace rivals queer romance then I definitely recommend picking this one up. This was my first time reading this author and I'm looking forward to reading more by them.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25/5 stars!

This book was such a fun read! It made me smile, laugh, shake some sense into some characters, and left me feeling happy and hopeful. 

We meet Greg, our charming social media guru, whose recent financial hardship has landed him in Pennsylvania, and Julien, our taciturn wine aficionado who just wants to rush through  to become an expert sommelier. Watching these two bicker and come together was quite the experience. 


I absolutely loved the dynamic between these characters. A highlight for me was how good they were at communicating their needs and meeting each other in those needs and wishes. They were such amazing conversations to witness, so of course you have to laugh when they stumble around actually talking to each other about their feelings for one another. The humanness of it all leaves you content and rooting for them throughout the book.  

I would highly recommend you pick up this book, especially if you love grumpy sunshine and characters who celebrate each other's differences! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After having such a fun time with You're A Mean One, Matthew Prince and New Adult, I was so excited to get an ARC of You Had Me At Happy Hour! Once again Timothy Janovsky gave me a delightful romance with a fun premise, complex characters, and so much heart.

I've read quite a few books with various mental illness representation, but this had a slightly different angle to it. In these other books, characters with ADHD, anxiety, and/or OCD might reckon with the impact their mental health has on the way they relate to others and understand themselves, but Janovsky takes it a step further to show the impact that medication for a mental illness might have on a character's physical ability to build intimacy (something that might exist in other stories but I haven't read them before). Julien and Greg were really compelling characters, and while the 3rd act breakup was one of my least favorite tropes - just talk to each other you silly boys and don't assume what it is the other wants! - I was really rooting for their love story.

This was an enjoyable read. Definitely learned a lot about what wines should be paired with. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

I requested and received an eARC of You Had Me at Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky via NetGalley. I’m a huge fan of his other books (You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince is a personal favorite) and was so happy to see this title! In this novel, Janovsky introduces readers to Julien, a waiter and aspiring master sommelier. Both Julien and Martin’s Place, the restaurant where he works, have seen better days. When Greg Harlow, a TikTok mixologist, is hired to revive interest in Martin’s Place, he also captures Julien’s interest. Although neither of the men want a relationship, they can both agree on a little after hours fun. Will a happy hour special be enough to pull Julien and the restaurant out of their funk?

I cannot get over how amazing this book was! I absolutely fell in love with the characters. I was admittedly skeptical after Julien’s first chapter, but once some of the blanks regarding his character started being filled in, I quickly developed an appreciation for how well written his character truly is. Another surprise was how lovely Greg turned out to be! From the plot description, I was expecting someone cocky and perhaps a little condescending (a prejudicial assumption based on my indifference to TikTok/TikTok culture) but was instead treated to someone who totally defied my preconceived notions. While communication issues do play a role in the plot (would it be a romance novel if they didn’t!?) this novel really shines by allowing Julien and Greg to be honest and vulnerable with one another in some pretty difficult conversations.

The plot itself is generic, but Janovsky heightens this through the complexity of Julien and Greg’s characters. The book opens with a warning that You Had Me at Happy Hour depicts OCD, erectile dysfunction, anxiety, debt, and addiction. As the characters navigate these difficult themes, they demonstrate a tenderness and an understanding that should serve as an example to any writer in the romance genre. These issues do not detract from the joy or the humor of the novel, but they do manage to make this read an even more rewarding and meaningful experience. Oh, and as a bonus….Janovsky definitely wrote one of the hottest spicy scenes I have ever read. This might just be his best work yet!