As someone who loved the original Mannequin movie growing up, I couldn’t wait to dive into this book, and it absolutely delivered! Timothy Janovsky took a nostalgic, whimsical concept and gave it a heartwarming, queer holiday twist that felt both magical and meaningful.

This story is packed with everything I love in a holiday romance: charm, humor, family, and just the right amount of sparkle. Watching Henry, unlucky in love and a little jaded, get swept up in the whirlwind that is Aidan, the mannequin who springs to life, was so much fun. Their chemistry is electric and endearing, and Aidan’s wide eyed wonder at the world made me smile so much.

Beyond the romance, there’s a sweet exploration of identity, personal growth, and how love, whether romantic or otherwise, can transform us. The antique shop setting was cozy and full of charm, and the Christmas vibes? Immaculate. I could practically smell the gingerbread and hear the soft hum of carols in the background.

This is my second book by Timothy Janovsky, and I’m officially a fan. He writes with warmth, wit, and such clear love for his characters. Oh, and can we talk about that gorgeous cover? It’s giving holiday magic in the best way.

If you’re a fan of Hallmark movies with a dash of queer magic and heart, this book is perfect. I’ll be thinking about Henry and Aidan’s story all season long! 💕

Thank you to NetGalley, Timothy Janovsky, and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book.

I absolutely LOVED the mannequin movie growing up so I was super excited to check this book out and it was incredible! Such a fun concept and so well done. This is now my second book by the author and I’m becoming such a big fan. This has romance, family love, a sweet antique shop, and Christmas vibes. Also, the cover is stunning!

This is a cute, funny, and well-written holiday romance with a magical twist. Henry, unlucky in love, makes a wish and suddenly the mannequin he works with comes to life. Aidan is sweet and charming, and their story is full of heart and humor.

There’s a third-act break where Henry sends Aidan off to explore the world, and while their reunion is sweet, I wished we got more details on their reconnecting. It seemed cut short. It does end with a HEA and delivers some cozy holiday vibes.

This was a fun, very silly premise for a holiday novel that ended up being deeper and more melancholy than expected. Unlucky-in-love Henry, who runs a junk store for his beloved elderly aunt, makes a wish for "the perfect man" and it comes true via a gorgeous store mannequin. Hijinks ensue as the mannequin, who names himself Aidan, has until New Year's Eve to get Harry to fall in love with him or he'll become plastic again. Problem is he basically has to start from scratch in learning how to be a human. This results in some very funny situations and endearingly guileless observations as he grapples with his new abilities and feelings, but also makes him seem uncomfortably child-like and helpless. I did enjoy the building relationship between the men though, especially as they designed a new window display for the store together, but the ending unfortunately soured me on the book. *spoilers* They do fall in love just in time to keep Aidan human, but then Harry decides to send him off to explore the world on his own (even though at that point he is still very much a naive babe in the woods). It makes sense he should have his own experiences before making a lifelong commitment to one man, but it's also very sad since the MCs are kept apart for almost two years(!) and sadly drift apart. Aidan does not even show up when the aunt dies which hurts Harry deeply. It's really painful to read and makes their sudden reconciliation at the end seem unrealistic. They do get the requisite HEA but it feels sudden and unearned. This was a fun concept though and Janovsky's writing is sharp and clever, fans of Hallmark holiday movies will find a lot to enjoy here.

Henry Aster just wants to have a magical love story, only it's approaching the holidays and he's newly single after thinking this was the year he was going to get engaged. After a bit of wallowing, Henry makes a wish, for the perfect man. Hilarity and magic ensure when the mannequin in his shop window comes alive. It's the magical Christmas movie plot he thinks he's always wanted. The catch, if Aidan (the mannequin), can't get Henry to fall in love with him before New Years Eve he will turn back into plastic.

This started out like a perfect hallmark movie, and ended with an indepth look at what we bring into relationships and how we show up and treat those we are in relationships with. I loved the exploration of complex family dynamics and how those relationships can be multilayered, complicated, and beautiful all at the same time. I also really enjoyed seeing the world through Aiden's eyes, the questions he asks, and the exploration of how we communicate things to others.

This book offered dimension and depth and I would recommend it. There is always a good time for a Holiday Romance (even in April lol). Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved these books. I can't wait until I can read the next book by Timothy Janovsky. Five out of five stars from me and would be more if I could.