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angelo_vossen's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Timothy Janovsky’s “You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince” is a heartwarming holiday romance that masterfully blends humor, charm, emotional depth, and an honest exploration of mental health. With its witty writing and lovable characters, the novel offers a delightful reimagining of the classic holiday redemption story while addressing real-life challenges like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Matthew Prince, the titular character, begins as a spoiled and self-absorbed socialite who is reluctantly banished to a small town for the holidays. What initially feels like punishment transforms into a journey of self-discovery, empathy, and unexpected love. Janovsky handles Matthew’s struggles with GAD with care and authenticity, portraying his intrusive thoughts, moments of panic, and the coping mechanisms he uses. This nuanced depiction allows readers who may deal with similar challenges to feel seen and understood while providing insight for those who may not.
The dynamic between Matthew and Hector, his gruff yet kind-hearted roommate, is the beating heart of the novel. Their slow-burn romance is as sweet as it is satisfying, and Hector’s unwavering support becomes an essential part of Matthew’s healing process. Janovsky doesn’t rely on romance as a “fix” for Matthew’s anxiety but instead shows the importance of self-work, understanding, and leaning on a supportive community.
The small-town setting, complete with cozy holiday traditions and quirky characters, adds an extra layer of warmth to the story, creating an environment where Matthew can slowly lower his guard. Janovsky’s sharp, humorous prose keeps the pacing lively, while tender and introspective moments ensure emotional payoff.
“You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince” is more than just a holiday romance; it’s a heartfelt exploration of identity, mental health, and the transformative power of love and community. With its deft handling of GAD and its message of hope, this novel is a perfect holiday read, offering equal parts laughter, swoon-worthy romance, and relatable lessons. Highly recommended for anyone looking to embrace the magic of the season while finding a meaningful connection to its themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content and Classism
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
valereads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
fanboyriot's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read For:
🏳️🌈 Achillean
☃️ Holiday Romance
🫶 Enemies to Lovers
☺️ Wholesome Ending
🎄 Small Town Christmas
Loved this!! The holiday atmosphere and the small town vibes made this such an enjoyable read. Worth the hype for sure.
I wasn’t sure if I’d like Matthew or not, the spoiled rich kid usually is an ick for me but this was written so well. He was a well detailed character and had depth to his personality. The character development was so pleasant to read.
This was such a cute holiday rom-com!
POV: First Person
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Rep: Gay (MC), BI (LI), Anxiety (MC), Mental Health, Poly Relationship (Past), BIPOC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
jillkaarlela's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Taylor Swift songs: “King of my heart”, “afterglow”
If you loved the relationship between David and Patrick on the show “Schitt’s Creek”, you will love this! This LGBTQIA+ holiday Romcom is such a joy. The story was adorable, the characters were so animated and lovable, and the mental health rep (GAD: Generalized Anxiety Disorder) was so refreshing. It was dealt with in such a real and relatable way. I have not a single thing bad to say about this, which is so rare for me. This was the good vibes retreat from reality that I do desperately needed right now. If you need a laugh, smile, or a good time, you need to read this book!
Also: The author is a swiftie, and it definitely shows! The dedication says “for the Ed to my Taylor” (I confirmed with the author that it is referring to Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift!) They make the Taylor Swift Chai tea sugar cookies with eggnog icing! And have an apartment on Cornelia Street!! There are a few other smaller Easter eggs as well!
Age rating: 14+ (two extremely brief spicy scenes, 0.5/5🌶️)
If you loved the relationship between David and Patrick on the show “Schitt’s Creek”, you will love this! This LGBTQIA+ holiday Romcom is such a joy. The story was adorable, the characters were so animated and lovable, and the mental health rep (GAD: Generalized Anxiety Disorder) was so refreshing. It was dealt with in such a real and relatable way. I have not a single thing bad to say about this, which is so rare for me. This was the good vibes retreat from reality that I do desperately needed right now. If you need a laugh, smile, or a good time, you need to read this book!
Also: The author is a swiftie, and it definitely shows! The dedication says “for the Ed to my Taylor” (I confirmed with the author that it is referring to Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift!) They make the Taylor Swift Chai tea sugar cookies with eggnog icing! And have an apartment on Cornelia Street!! There are a few other smaller Easter eggs as well!
Age rating: 14+ (two extremely brief spicy scenes, 0.5/5🌶️)
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
theespressoedition's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you're a fan of Red, White & Royal Blue, you will most likely love this book. Considering that I am not a big fan of RWRB, I struggled to enjoy this one, particularly at the beginning.
Enemies-to-lovers is not my jam... like, at all. It takes a lot for me to really like that trope and this story just didn't have good enough reasons for me to put up with it. Our MC - a completely stuck-up, selfish, "I just bought an island because I was sad and wanted to prove myself" rich boy - doesn't like the love interest at first because... what... he exists in the same space as him and doesn't appreciate fashion and skincare? Okay. The initial dislike felt more like a disconnect and I just couldn't get with the program.
As time went on, I softened to the protagonist, understanding some of why he operated the way he did. However, the final conflict could have been avoided ENTIRELY, had he just not been a prick who refused to hear the other side of the story. Oh, and if he had recognized that his parents were just as selfish and fake as he was. Yeah, it was a lot. I felt I had finally gotten into the story for it to do a spin on me again and make me dislike it just as much as I did when I started.
The redeeming factor for me was the comedic aspect. This book is definitely funny and had me laugh aloud a few times. The other part that I appreciated was that it had pretty great anxiety rep. I appreciated the author's note at the beginning and the list of resources at the end of the book. That was really cool. More of that, please and thanks. I just wish I had actually loved the story itself.
Entertaining to some degree but not worth writing home about.
Enemies-to-lovers is not my jam... like, at all. It takes a lot for me to really like that trope and this story just didn't have good enough reasons for me to put up with it. Our MC - a completely stuck-up, selfish, "I just bought an island because I was sad and wanted to prove myself" rich boy - doesn't like the love interest at first because... what... he exists in the same space as him and doesn't appreciate fashion and skincare? Okay. The initial dislike felt more like a disconnect and I just couldn't get with the program.
As time went on, I softened to the protagonist, understanding some of why he operated the way he did. However, the final conflict could have been avoided ENTIRELY, had he just not been a prick who refused to hear the other side of the story. Oh, and if he had recognized that his parents were just as selfish and fake as he was. Yeah, it was a lot. I felt I had finally gotten into the story for it to do a spin on me again and make me dislike it just as much as I did when I started.
The redeeming factor for me was the comedic aspect. This book is definitely funny and had me laugh aloud a few times. The other part that I appreciated was that it had pretty great anxiety rep. I appreciated the author's note at the beginning and the list of resources at the end of the book. That was really cool. More of that, please and thanks. I just wish I had actually loved the story itself.
Entertaining to some degree but not worth writing home about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic friendship
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An adorable Christmas rom-com, just what I was in the mood for! I realize I never really read that many holiday books during the Christmas season, so it's even better when it's a gay holiday book. This read kind of like a Hallmark movie to me, which is just the vibes you want in a Christmas novel. There's just something comforting about reading a romance where you know where it's going. Especially around the holidays!
If you pay atteniont, there are a lot of little hints for the Grinch peppered throughout the novel, and some of them were clever! I thought it made the book ever more fun to read. You don't want to sympathize with Matthew at the beginning, but as we get to know him more, you get to unpack some of his anxieties and stress. I really came to like him by the end.
There were some repetitive things that I wasn't a huge fan of (mostly, the repetition of "dude." I know it was supposed to be a character thing, it just drove me crazy). But there was great chemistry between the two main characters and I thoroughly enjoyed this!
If you pay atteniont, there are a lot of little hints for the Grinch peppered throughout the novel, and some of them were clever! I thought it made the book ever more fun to read. You don't want to sympathize with Matthew at the beginning, but as we get to know him more, you get to unpack some of his anxieties and stress. I really came to like him by the end.
There were some repetitive things that I wasn't a huge fan of (mostly, the repetition of "dude." I know it was supposed to be a character thing, it just drove me crazy). But there was great chemistry between the two main characters and I thoroughly enjoyed this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, and Outing
imstephtacular's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Minor: Eating disorder, Pregnancy, and Outing
melaniereadsbooks's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Dream Scape Media and Netgalley for an ALC of this book.
When Matthew hides out from social media scandal with his grandparents for Christmas, he finds himself temporary roommates with Hector. Both from different worlds, the two butt heads immediately, until they team up to throw a Christmas charity event.
This was so cute! It was funny at times but also sweet and slow when it had to be and I absolutely loved it. I loved the relationship development. I loved the hallmark movie esque setting and plot and how deep Matthew's character went. The anxiety rep was really good and I loved how it all ended. Such an adorable holiday romcom!
Funny story- After reading this book from Netgalley, I went to buy it when it came out. I was at Barnes and Noble and couldn't find it because they had been remodelling and things were kind of all over the place. I asked for help and the employee couldn't find it either. I figured I would order it online and went to get a coffee at the starbucks. While I was ordering, another employee came up to me holding the book! They asked if I was the one looking and I said yes and was visibly excited to have gotten it. The Starbucks cashier asked what book and I told them, holding it up, I said, "It's a gay Christmas romcom!" The cashier gaped and then three other people in the cafe pivoted their heads to see what book I was holding! I think I found some fans that day.
Can't recommend this enough if you are in the mood for some adorable holiday romance!
When Matthew hides out from social media scandal with his grandparents for Christmas, he finds himself temporary roommates with Hector. Both from different worlds, the two butt heads immediately, until they team up to throw a Christmas charity event.
This was so cute! It was funny at times but also sweet and slow when it had to be and I absolutely loved it. I loved the relationship development. I loved the hallmark movie esque setting and plot and how deep Matthew's character went. The anxiety rep was really good and I loved how it all ended. Such an adorable holiday romcom!
Funny story- After reading this book from Netgalley, I went to buy it when it came out. I was at Barnes and Noble and couldn't find it because they had been remodelling and things were kind of all over the place. I asked for help and the employee couldn't find it either. I figured I would order it online and went to get a coffee at the starbucks. While I was ordering, another employee came up to me holding the book! They asked if I was the one looking and I said yes and was visibly excited to have gotten it. The Starbucks cashier asked what book and I told them, holding it up, I said, "It's a gay Christmas romcom!" The cashier gaped and then three other people in the cafe pivoted their heads to see what book I was holding! I think I found some fans that day.
Can't recommend this enough if you are in the mood for some adorable holiday romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Drug use and Infidelity
purplepenning's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Misogyny
tearexmama's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a delightful holiday read which I thoroughly enjoyed outside of the holiday season 😅
It's fun to have the story told from the POV of the "Grinch" character for a change. I thought the romance was very cute and believable.
I did struggle with how terrible Matthew's parents were. They did not in any way behave as parents to their child, and I feel like their intense harm got swept under the rug way too easily.
Ultimately the HEA was satisfying and the story was cute so that's all that really matters.
3.5 🌟
It's fun to have the story told from the POV of the "Grinch" character for a change. I thought the romance was very cute and believable.
I did struggle with how terrible Matthew's parents were. They did not in any way behave as parents to their child, and I feel like their intense harm got swept under the rug way too easily.
Ultimately the HEA was satisfying and the story was cute so that's all that really matters.
3.5 🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Outing, and Gaslighting