Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince

Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky

8 reviews

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.

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its_vendetta's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted tense fast-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

3.5

cute little holiday story!! i enjoyed the character growth and i loved all the relationships, but i didn’t really feel connected to the characters at all. just fell a little flat for me, but i still enjoyed the overall story.

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shelvesofivy's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

4.25

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fanboyriot's review

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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

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maregred's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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kshertz's review

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is such a cute quick read. At first I didn’t want to read it because I haven’t read the first book in the series but it was recommended by two different people and both of them said you don’t need to read the first one. They were correct. This was so nice to see a rich boy understand truly who they are and find the love of your life. I thought it was very sweet and I loved the ending.

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morganperks's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Well, I'll be darned if the small-town romance didn't thaw my stone-cold heart and make it grow three sizes. 5 stars. Only cause I'm feeling sappy.

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ilweran's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

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