📚💖 Once Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky 💖📚

Okay, buckle up because this book has everything you didn't know you needed: a fairy tale resort, a spicy age-gap romance, and a “forbidden” chemistry that’s fire 🔥. Once Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky takes us on a swoon-worthy journey as Taylor Frost—meticulous, charming, and maybe a bit too flirty—heads off to the Storybook Endings Resort to set up a fairytale birthday bash. But what he doesn’t plan on? The rugged mountain-man vibe of Ethan Golding—the resort’s manager, the ex-husband of his boss, and the ultimate “forbidden fruit.” 🍎

Ethan thought his happy ending was long gone, but Taylor has him questioning that in the most delicious way possible. There's something about their chemistry that feels both taboo and totally irresistible. It’s angsty, it's sizzling, and yes, there’s an ex-wife in the mix, which means their attraction comes with a side of drama. But honestly, isn’t that what gives a romance its edge?

Janovsky writes with a wit and warmth that makes you root for Taylor and Ethan, no matter how messy things get. 🏞️✨ If you love the charm of fairy tales mixed with a dash of forbidden romance and a pinch of spice, you’ll be devouring this one. And let’s be real—who doesn’t love a story where forbidden flings just might lead to a happily-ever-after? 👀💖

Read this if you love:
Age-Gap Romance 🧔👦: A mature, rugged man and a charming younger guy spark an unexpected romance.
Forbidden Romance 🚫💘: Taylor is the assistant to Ethan’s ex-wife, who’s also the mother of his daughter—making their connection a bit risky.
Workplace Adjacent Romance 💼❤️: Taylor’s at the resort for his job, but mixing work with pleasure could spell trouble.
Single Dad 👨‍👧: Ethan is a doting father focused on making his daughter’s birthday magical.
Grumpy-Sunshine 🌞🌧️: Ethan has that broody, rugged energy, while Taylor brings a playful, flirty vibe.
Only One Bed 🛏️👀: When circumstances throw these two together, things heat up fast.
Small Town Setting 🏞️✨: Set at a picturesque resort in the Catskills, where fairy-tale magic feels real.
Slow Burn to Steamy 🔥🔥: They start with undeniable chemistry and build up to those swoon-worthy, spicy moments.
Happily Ever After? 💕🤞: Will they risk it all for a shot at a true fairy-tale ending?

Thank you to NetGalley, Timothy Janovsky, and Afterglow Books for the eARC of this book!

On the whole, I liked this book. There were a lot of sloppy errors that I hope will get fixed before publication (mostly wrong words like "reign" for "rein," but at least one continuity error). The story, though, I thought held up pretty well. I liked both MCs, and the plot was reasonably plausible. I was never drawn in enough to care deeply about either MC, but I was happy to keep turning the pages. This isn't a book I'd reread, but it made for an enjoyable couple of hours' reading.

My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

When Taylor is sent to plan a sweet sixteen for his boss’s daughter, he doesn’t expect to fall for the rugged manager, Ethan—who just so happens to be the birthday girl’s dad and his boss’s ex. As sparks fly in the Catskills, Taylor must navigate the complications of a forbidden romance while dreaming of a fairytale ending.

I LOVED THIS. It was so cute and fun and sweet and spicy and thoughtful and lovely. I just truly adore Timothy’s stories. I always tear up, laugh, and enjoy myself.

I loved Taylor and Ethan and their relationship. Taylor’s sweet, confident maturity was refreshing and Ethan’s kind, thoughtful personality had me swooning. I adored their sweet and sexy romance, and their beautiful chemistry.

I also really enjoyed the larger relationship dynamics at play, from Ethan and Amy, to Ethan and his daughter, to Taylor and his relationships with the family as a whole. The resolution on this was particularly satisfying and oh my GOSH I that cute as heck ending.

Basically, if Timothy Janovsky writes it, I’m gonna read it.

*I was provided a digital copy of this book for review, all thoughts are my own.*

A spicy gay age gap romance between Taylor and Ethan. Taylor’s boss Amy sends him across the country to the Storybook Endings Resort to help finish the last minute details for her daughter’s 16th birthday. The manager of the resort was Ethan, the father and ex husband of Amy. There were sparks from the beginning and they knew they couldn’t tell anyone, especially Amy. Would a forbidding fling led to happily ever after? I can honestly say that I adored Ethan and Taylor together. Ethan was so sweet. He was brave to tell Taylor about his ADHD diagnosis which was so nice. I loved how Taylor took care of Ethan’s feelings with no hesitation. And wow the sex scenes were hot! I cheered for them to have a happily ever after. I also liked their family members that supported them and wanted them happy. My only yucky moments in the story was Amy. She wasn’t very nice. She worked hard to be at the top of this amazing business but I thought she was borderline abusive. And the way she treated Ethan was awful. Overall, the story was sweet and spicy with storybook elements sprinkled throughout. The ending was adorable! I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my review.
There were Trigger warnings of biphobia, divorce, and a parent living with MS.

This book had me at “spicy gay age gap romance” This is my third book that I’ve read by Timothy and I’ve loved each and everyone and this one was just as good as the other two books I’ve read. I loved the world building and I really wish Storybook Endings resort was real so that I could go and experience the magic that was between these pages for myself. I don’t normally go for age gap romances but this one didn’t really make me feel gross while reading it. I loved reading the story of Taylor and Ethan and how Ethan handles his ADHD and despite the fact that he was a divorced dad he still managed to find his better happy ever after. Can’t wait to see what Timothy publishes next! I love reading his MM romances so much!

Comes out April 25! 4.25 ⭐️

Absolutely wonderful feel good romance. Ethan and Taylor are the epitome of a safe/healthy relationship. Ethan, who has ADHD, needs someone to accept him the way he is and care for him the way he needs. Taylor does just that.

Ethan spends his days making decisions regarding the resort he is the GM of. Taylor spends his days working as a personal assistant to Ethan’s ex wife.

With his daughter’s birthday around the corner, their worlds collide into a beautiful romance. Ethan needs someone to take the decision making away and just tell him what to do. Taylor wants nothing more than to take charge. So begins the start of a beautiful and spicy relationship.

Timothy Janovsky has done it again and further secured his place as one of my instant-buy authors.

This book was was absolutely a joy to read. I liked that it had a definite age-gap relationship where both of the characters are true adults. Ethan and Taylor were just different enough that their relationship had variety in it, but they worked well together and had great chemistry. Their romance was well-balanced between spicy and sweet and I relished every moment the two has together.

I loved that both characters were beautifully flawed and realistic. I'm always a fan of good adult ADHD rep, and I found Ethan's struggles with his ADHD 100% relatable. I also appreciated the body positivity throughout the book.

I can't wait until this book comes out so I add a physical copy to my shelf of favorites.