I have read most of the books that Timothy Janovsky has written and just like with wine, they get better over time. Every single book is a hit out of the park, but every time a new novel comes out that then becomes my favorite. That was no exception with The Merriest Misters. I always want more time with the characters in these books. Not because the books are short or because not enough happens, but because I want to spend more time with them and that’s when you know that you love the author’s work.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was a cute, slightly corny in a good way romance. I enjoyed the main characters and thought this was a good read. The narrators did a good job.

I don’t know about you all but it’s cold and snowing where I am, so I’m still reading holiday books!

THE MERRIEST MISTERS is a hilarious Santa Clause story about a gay couple who aren’t quite happy in their marriage and in their careers, and they get a year to figure it out when one of them unexpectedly takes the reins (literally) and becomes Santa Claus. I really enjoyed the shenanigans (elves, reindeer) and the story. Would recommend! Thanks to the publisher for the copy via NetGalley!

Thank you @smpromance for the gifted copy! I am a big@timothyjanovsky fan - his writing is full of heart and his characters are all so earnest and real. This book was so much fun! It felt like a classic Christmas movie (if you loved The Santa Clause as a kid and grew up to be a romance reader this is for you). Patrick and Quinn were both characters I could connect with and root for, their growth as individuals and as a couple was so satisfying. I absolutely loved this. A great addition to your holiday reading era!

A really cute queer rom com. Patrick and Quinn are newlyweds but they’re already having marital issues but long story short Patrick becomes Santa for a year and Quinn becomes the merriest mister.
I thought I wasn’t going to like this because I thought it sounded corny but it ended up being a delightful book. Probably my third favorite Timothy Janovsky book.

The Merriest Mister by Timothy Janovsky had me right from the cover. The cover screams Christmas and the description of The Santa Clause meets Husband Material was right up my alley.

At first I was rooting for Patrick and Quinn but as the story went on I actually thought they'd be better off without each other. Patrick doesn't stand up for Quinn when his mom belittles him and is more worried about what everyone else thinks. It ended up being hard to see any connection between the two because it felt like they barely knew each other. I am happy that they ultimately figured out their differences and that Patrick was able to mature. It was nice that they were able to find what works for them without someone having to give something up.

Unfortunately the story was a miss for me. I would have liked more holiday cheer and less breaking up. This book really was the queer version of The Santa Clause but it didn't give me the same nostalgia feeling. Also, it didn't have the wit and banter of Husband Material. In the end the story felt unoriginal and I was hoping the main characters would break up.

Oh my God, this is the perfect queer Christmas reading! I’m so happy right now, I feel so warm and comfortable and I’m in love with this book so damn much!
I love all Timothy Janovsky’s books, I’m a huge fan of him and his work, but I think I love this the most!
And the narrators? Their voices were just perfect for the characters!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Timothy Janovsky is an auto-read author for me. While I am a fan of his spice, I still enjoyed this book with no/low heat.
Both narrators were great. I also loved the "marriage in distress" trope, which I don't see that often.
I would recommend this to any reader looking for a magical realism romance.

This was the most surprising and delightful holiday read. Timothy Janovsky really can do no wrong, but I adored these characters and their dual POV let us into their thoughts.
Mark Sanderlin and Zach Barela were both phenomenal. The dual narration really helped to get the essence of who both characters were.

Patrick and Quinn's new marriage is already struggling with the pressures of owning a fixer upper and both working demanding jobs, but when they accidentally attack Santa Clause and have to take over his job, they're forced to take a break from their life and their problems. But even in someplace as magical as the North Pole, they have to figure out how to fix their relationship.

I thought this was a fun holiday read. I occasionally got frustrated with Patrick's choices, but I loved the way the story wrapped up.

I thought both narrators did a great job giving Patrick and Quinn their own distinct voices.

If you've lost your childhood love of Christmas, you may just find what you need in The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky!

This delightful little story starts after the typical "happily ever afters" have finished, making it a fun twist on the norm! Quinn and Patrick's relationship being on the outs means their happily-ever-after is that much more satisfying! Individual and separate character arcs were so heartwarming!

What else?

The gender and sexuality representation was incredible!

Janovsky weaved such magical imagery, which was exactly what I'd expect from Santa land!

This book had me chuckling to myself, jolly as old St. Nick himself!

My hat goes off to Janovsky for teaching me that "travelators" is an actual word!

Mark Sanderli and Zach Barela did an outstanding job with this audiobook narration! Perfect character casting!

This book was like The Santa Claus but for grown-ups. Absolute perfection!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

This was sweet, but unfortunately did not keep my attention or make me feel much. It may be my least favorite Timothy Janovsky title, so far. It's still sweet, though.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARCH and MacMillan Audio for an ALC.
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The Santa Clause is one of our family’s favorite Christmas movies and this one gives those vibes. If Scott Calvin had a Merriest Mister instead of a Mrs. Claus.
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I loved Patrick and Quinn. And while their story was fun, it also had its serious times. Mark Sandrelin and Zac Barela did an excellent job narrating and I enjoyed the dual narration.
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Loved the whole North Pole scene, the elves, the family. Especially loved the growth of both Patrick and Quinn throughout their journey, both as a couple and independently.

Quinn and Patrick's marriage is on the rocks. Less than one year in and a divorce is looking more likely than an anniversary celebration. When they knock out a would-be burglar who turns out to be Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, they spend one frantic and magical night forced to work together to keep Christmas from being ruined. Is filling in for Santa really the way to save their marriage, though? Patrick seems to think so. And sure, life at the North Pole is like one big romantic getaway. But Quinn isn't ready to give up his life in the real world for a fantasy. Will working to save Christmas save their marriage--or just push all their problems out into the open?

This was a really well-done second chances romance. I especially enjoyed the fantasy aspects of life at the North Pole and all the Santa Claus lore.

This book was beyond cute and so much more Christmas-y than I expected !! Patrick and Quinn have a dilemma after they knock out Santa - uh oh , which one of them will take on the job of being the new Santa ?!

I loved how Quinn and Patrick’s relationship evolved to exactly what they needed by the end, they created their own unique lifestyle that worked for them rather than following through with the “traditional” way a relationship is expected to roll out. So heartwarming!

Filled with Santa, elves , and all the Christmas magic you can imagine. Perfect little holiday read!

Okay this is super duper cute I loved both the male leads and I love a good Christmas retelling where somebody becomes Santa Claus it's so much fun

The audiobook helped keep my attention more than the ecopy I had received - I probably would have DNF'd the book otherwise. I was engaged by the dual narrration and I like the voices for each character. The pacing was good and I felt connected to both characters better in this format.

Partick and Quinn haven’t even been married for a year and their marriage is already starting to fall apart. Then on Christmas Eve Patrick accidentally knocks out Santa and is instructed by an elf to put on the red suit. He and Quinn come together to save Christmas and find themselves back at the North Pole where they learn they are the new Santa and Merriest Mister. If they don’t fulfill their new duties, Christmas will be canceled forever, so they agree to stay together until next Christmas.
This book was like a queer version of The Santa Clause, which is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. I loved the premise and I love how the spirit of Christmas was able to bring Patrick and Quinn back together. Reading this book felt like straight-up Christmas magic and I loved it!
Listening to the audiobook was such a joyful experience. Mark Sanderlin and Zach Barela did a phenomenal job bringing the characters and the story to life!
Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Macmillan Audio,, and NetGalley for the advance copies.

This book was a very short DNF. I love a good holiday romance novel. They’re like a Hallmark movie for the ears. And while yes, I should understand a couple trying to find each other. I just don’t find it something I want to listen to at the holidays. This book starts out with our two misters. Their relationship is on the rocks because they’ve been married, but don’t make time for each other. Well, I know the description tells me that they end up taking over for Santa Claus and decide to give each other a year to make the relationship work. I never got to any of that because them not having time for each other was a depressing way to start a romance novel.

Patrick and Quinn are having some turmoil in their marriage, which carries over to their individual lives when Patrick clocks Santa in the face with a frying pan twice in one night. Santa takes off his coat, and leaves it for Patrick to put on, becoming the new Santa. Patrick and Quinn move to the North Pole and embrace their new roles, Patrick as Santa, and Quinn as the first ever Merriest Mister. The North Pole magic runs on love, especially that between Santa and his spouse, so can Patrick and Quinn make their marriage work to continue to fuel Christmas magic?