The Book:
The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky
Published: October 1, 2024 by St. Martin’s Griffin
Date read: September 3, 2024
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The Characters:
Patrick and Quinn
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The Plot (from Goodreads):
Patrick Hargrave and Quinn Muller have been married for less than a year, but their passionate romance is cracking under the pressures of domestic life and a cumbersome mortgage. That’s until Christmas Eve when Patrick wakes Quinn up ‘I think I’ve killed a man.’
Quinn realizes the ‘burglar’ Patrick knocked out is none other than Mr. Claus himself. Instructed by a harried elf to don the red suit and take the reins of the reindeer-guided sleigh up on the roof, Quinn and Patrick work together to save Christmas.
But as the sun rises on Christmas morning, the sleigh brings them back to the North Pole instead of New Jersey, and they’re in for a massive shock. The couple must assume the roles of Santa Claus and the first ever Merriest Mister or Christmas will be cancelled . . . permanently.
With Christmas – and their marriage – on the line, Patrick and Quinn agree to stay together for one year. But can running a toy shop together save their relationship, or will Patrick and Quinn be stuffing coal in each other’s stockings come next Christmas?
My Review:
This book was so much fun. Janovsky took the plot of “The Santa Clause”, made it gay, and added a dash of marriage in trouble. I loved it! The beginning scenes and the world-building of the North Pole were my favorite parts.
There was a bit of dissonance between the lighthearted tone of the magical realism plot and Patrick and Quinn’s struggle to decide whether to salvage their marriage. It worked for the most part: that’s how life is, the good with the bad. Be warned though that some themes may feel too heavy for a Christmas romance! The third-act breakup felt very true-to-life, allowing both men time apart to decide what they each needed without the other’s influence.
This is Janovsky’s second holiday novel (check out my review of You’re A Mean One, Matthew Prince), and I’m looking forward to more from him in the future.
I do have to say, though… What year is it, 1990? Why is Patrick hand-drafting?? Computers make everything easier, my friend. Also at his level, he’d probably have underlings and interns to do the tedious drafting for him.
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