This LGBTQ romance will likely please readers who are fans of low-conflict, cozy storylines. That's not to say there is zero conflict, but it takes a backseat to the developing relationship between the main characters, who go from strangers to lovers remarkably quickly. While the storyline was not my particular favorite, I was pleased to see a romance featuring older, LGBTQ, neurodivergent, and larger-bodied characters. Overall it's a cozy read in a unique setting, perfect for romance fans who crave a fast-paced, low stakes read.

I don't know what Timothy Janovsky puts in his novels, but they are always a treat. <i>Once Upon You and Me</i> was such a fun, cozy romance to read.


Taylor is busy planning his boss's daughter's sweet 16 and ends up staying at the resort her ex-husband (Ethan) manages to put the final plans together. After an unexpected weather mishap, the two end up finding themselves stuck under the same roof. Taylor is blown away by the person Ethan is and Ethan is impressed with all things Taylor. They both have to decide is it worth it to act on their attraction and is there something more there?


I couldn't put this down, it was charming and happy and kept you rooting for the characters the whole book through! If you love romance I absolutely recommend this one! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was really sweet! I loved the emphasis on fairy tales and the spin on the resort and how Ethan called his daughter Princess. It was cute. This book had a little romance, a little ex-wife drama, and a really cute dog to boot! I really liked the characters and how relatable and realistic their story felt. They had a pretty significant age gap, but they were both mature and practical while simultaneously being very romantic.

I could have had a little more of the daughter and her relationship with both her parents. I felt we needed a scene or two with Amy realizing her daughter was growing up. Amy was initially painted a the horrible ex-wife, but she does get some redemption towards the end. I liked the ending a lot with Amy orchestrating Taylor’s new job.

Ah, Janovsky, the man who brough us the term "dickmatized". While there were a few inaccuracies within the plot, I really didn't care because the characters were sso delightful. The banter was on point, the chemestry was there, and who doesn't love a plus sized bear of a MC? Janovsky delivers a fun queer romance, that digs a bit deeper, and has a whole lot of heart.

This author has become an instant buy for me, anything Timothy writes, I will DEVOUR. I went through a bit of a reading slump but not because of this book, life and holidays happened, but this book was so lovely and cute! It felt like every classic Disney movie but we finally got the gay prince romcom we deserved.

I just love a book that leaves me feeling all warm and fuzzy. Add to that the fact that this book is also spicy, and it was the perfect read.

This is an age-gap relationship story. Ethan is the manager of a resort in the Catskills, which is owned by his ex-wife. Taylor is P.A. to Amy, Ethan’s ex-wife, and he is more than a decade younger than Ethan. Once he arrives at the resort to prepare for Ethan and Amy’s daughter’s 16th birthday, sparks start flying. This leaves both men with mixed feelings over what is the right thing to do.

It seems to me that each of Janovsky’s novels keep getting better, and this one sets a high bar for future works.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.

Ethan and Taylor could not be more opposite as this book opens with them corresponding through emails to arrange Taylor staying at the resort where Ethan works and lives, and owns though that is something his ex-wife certainly seems to forget. The beginning of the book explains the dissolution of Ethan's marriage and the resort at the heart of that marriage and subsequent divorce. Now their daughter's sweet sixteen birthday party will bring his ex-wife's assistant into his life and force them to work together. Amazing chemistry and dynamics in this age gap romance.

Ethan and Taylor have some really really good characterization. they have explicit goals and outward facades, but the more complex pieces that make them up internally are carefully explored and woven seamlessly into the story.

the resort setting was used to its fullest, the fairytale elements really heightened emotions and romance, and i think it hit all the romance beats in fun, unique ways.

it was really great reading an older (and plus size! thank you timothy!! lol) MC and being with him as he unlearns himself and rebuilds the next phase of his life. it's a nice reminder that we always keep learning and changing.

and yes, i loved the intimate scenes. Timothy continues to write these sequences that are authentic to queer people and their experiences. and it's done so well, and i love that they're not the usual sequences. he does a great job of showing different ways queer people can be intimate with each other.

i REALLY loved this and it's just another win for Timothy (and me, tbh, because i got to read it lol so also a huge win for everyone else, too)

Are you looking for a romance that takes place in the beautiful Berkshires? Do you want an age-gap MM romance written by someone with lived experience? Do you wish you could read a better version of a Hallmark movie? Well, then I suggest you add "Once Upon You and Me" by Timothy Janovsky to your TBR because it's got all of the above and more to keep you entertained!

If you're a chronic people-pleaser like me, then you'll especially relate to Taylor, the personal assistant extraordinaire sent to scope out the location for his boss's daughter's sixteenth birthday party. Taylor's in for a shock when he runs into his boss's ex-husband and finds that his pictures don't truly do him justice. What might happen when two attractive people are stuck together for a few days? You'll have to read to find out (but if you're big into fanfiction-like tropes, I'm sure you have a guess!)

Though this book may have started out advertising an age-gap romance, I assure you that it is the very least of the plot points that this wonderful book has to offer. Janovsky does a wonderful job writing his characters, and never once did I feel any sort of disconnect from either Taylor or Ethan. I highly recommend checking this book out when it releases if you're in the mood for something to combat the seriousness of the real-world.

Janovsky does it again with Once Upon You and Me! I loved both main characters and was rooting for them to work out from the beginning. Janovsky is so good at creating cheaters with real personalities. I also appreciated making the conflict anything but a miscommunication!!

I love an age gap romance where the gap isn’t 20+ years, all around this was a great read!

Once Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky is the age-gap, small town, fairytale resort mm love story you absolutely NEED in your life.

Ethan works at the Storybook Endings Resort as a manager. A resort, he and his ex-wife used to managed together. But since she turned the venture into a resort chain and since their divorce was finalized, she took off with their almost 16-year old daughter.
For her sweet sixteen, the ex-couple plans a party at the resort for her, to which her mother sends none other as her personal assistant Taylor, to get the resort party ready.

There are sparks from the moment Ethan and Taylor meet and if they’re honest to themselves…there were sparks since seeing the other’s profile pictures on the resort e-mail chains. When a thunderstorm strikes and leaves Taylor without suitable accommodation, he promptly moves in with Ethan and the two of them start getting closer and closer…

This is yet another spicy novel from Timothy Janovsky, that will tug on your heartstrings and make you swoon and laugh and cry and kick your feet into the air from the absolute joy of these lovable characters. And not only Ethan and Taylor are utterly amazing. There is for example Ethan’s best friend, who made me cackle more than once with his sheer humor.

I absolutely loved this sweet and spicy slow burn-ish story and can honestly say that I read it in one sitting. It made me yearn for a vacation in the Storybook Endings Resort. I mean I am in love with small town romances anyways, but this was just so very magical. As usual - and I know I keep repeating myself -, Timothy’s way to tell a story and his writing style is nothing short of wonderful. The way he describes characters and infuses emotion into each sentence just gets me every time. I love how his characters are always so full of personality and yet each character he writes is new and fresh and exciting and I always look forward to meeting more of the characters in his head.

I finished this baby in one sitting and I haven’t done that in years.

I am very familiar with Timothy’s game, and I am a FAN. There is always the perfect amount of spice and plot and swoon in their books. I recommend them to everyone I know.

This was that signature blend of everything that makes a romance great, plus a fiery age-gap, wonderfully fleshed out characters, and a beautiful fairytale setting.

Read it. Trust me.

This age gap romance stole my heart Once upon you and me is a story about a divorced father who falls in love with his ex wife’s younger assistant .

I can’t begin to describe how much I love this book, had it not currently been the holidays I am absolutely sure I would have devoured this book in one sitting.

This book had just the right amount of romance and spice and was incredibly well written and Timothy Janovsky will be being added to my list of favorite authors.

If you get the chance to read this book I highly recommend it, I am positive you will enjoy the book

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the arc

This charming romance weaves together humor, heart, and just the right amount of spice. The dynamic between Taylor and Ethan is electric, with their age gap and unique circumstances adding depth and intrigue. Set against the whimsical backdrop of a fairy tale-inspired resort, the story balances tender emotional moments with lighthearted fun. While the family drama and forbidden romance elements create tension, the warmth and growth of the characters make this a satisfying and cozy read.

Janovsky does it again with Once Upon You and Me! Loved both main characters and rooted all the way for them to work it out. Very much enjoy how well the author creates memorable personalities and provides a balanced take on reality versus fiction. Can't wait to read another one.

Timothy Janovsky does it again with his new novel Once Upon You and Me! A winning combination of spicy romance, heartwarming hurt/comfort, and a dash of family drama, this story had me hooked from the very first page.

I adored watching Taylor and Ethan fall in love. Not only does Timothy Janovsky write a scintillating, super sexy age-gap, but he explores Ethan’s bi-awakening so beautifully. Both men have plenty to sort in their personal lives as well, and Janovsky brings us along for the ride in the most entertaining way.

I’m a huge fan of this clever author’s writing style. He creates such compelling characters, and then tantalizes us with the sublime dynamics between them. If you haven’t delved into any of Timothy Janovsky’s books yet, I highly recommend you do so as soon as possible.

I was provided with an eARC of One Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky. I’m a big fan of Janovsky’s romances, so I was super excited about this book, probably because of the age gap element in particular. I mean, who doesn’t love a hot, single dad? When Taylor Frost’s boss, Amy Lu, flies him to across the country to help prepare for her daughter’s sweet sixteen at Storybook Endings Resort, he jumps at the opportunity to take on more responsibility. He didn’t expect the resort manager and Amy’s ex-husband, Ethan Golding, to be quite as handsome, caring, and cuddly as he turns out to be. After his divorce, Ethan thought maybe he wasn’t meant to have a storybook romance. When he meets Taylor, however, he begins to wonder if a second-chance at happiness might be within his reach after all.

I was definitely invested in Ethan and Taylor as a couple which is a pretty key element to enjoying any sort of romance novel. What I really liked, with Taylor in particular, is that Janovsky really considered the character’s backstory and how that influences adult Taylor’s personality. I found his relationship with Samara, Ethan and Amy’s daughter, to be particularly sweet. I had a few misgivings about the way Amy was written in a few scenes, but I really enjoyed the overall family dynamic and thought it was an interesting approach to the story. And Ethan! I definitely wanted to be swept away by this sweet daddy. I’m all about plus-size representation in romance and I’m glad there wasn’t any dreary introspection over this facet of his character.

I thought Once Upon You and Me was a very sweet read and the perfect sort of romance to distract myself from the world with. I really enjoyed the premise and there were several moments that really endeared me to Ethan and Taylor as a couple. I may have craved a touch more angst during the final act of the story, but ultimately I was very satisfied with the book as a whole. There were a couple of moments that induced actual laugher, which is always a nice treat. Janovsky writes consistently good romances, so I always know that I’m in for a treat when reading one of his books and I definitely wasn’t disappointed here.

I really enjoyed this book. It has all the feels. Ethan is living in the Catskills and working as the General Manager of a mountain resort. His ex-wife Ann and daughter Samara live in California. It's his daughters 16th birthday and she and a handful of her friends decide to celebrate her sweet 16 at the resort. Taylor who is Ann's assistant is sent ahead to get things ready for the party. Taylor and Ethan hit it off and the chemistry is off the charts. Both guys know that they shouldn't let what they are feeling escape them however they also know that if Ann finds out all hell will break loose!

This was a great read. Characters were well developed and it had me in my feelings. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

This was a really sweet read, the slow-ish burn and the deep, vulnerable conversations were so well-written!

I really liked the fairytale-themed resort and the associated activities - it was fun to read that from the angle of hospitality services. Also the small town! Catskills sounds like a place I wanna visit for sure 🥲

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

This book was so cute. I loved the main characters - I was rooting for Ethan and Taylor from page one. Each man's relationship w Ethan's daughter felt real and watching them navigate it all wasy delightful. The growth of every character was so good and so grounded. Janovsky handled everything in a way that grounded but not heavy - from sexuality to ADHD to body image, everything felt like it was given proper acknowledgement without making a cute, horny book feel sad. Even the ex-wife's redemption was not perfect and wrapped in a bow, but rather the first steps of actual growth you might see in someone you love(d).