Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

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

62 reviews

hdb01's review

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emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-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

3.75

The main character is really hard to love at first and is fairly annoying but he does get better. I was worried he wouldn't but I stuck through it and things improved.
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lexa's review against another edition

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4.0

Small town meets big city. Anxiety rep. Event planning!!!
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angelo_vossen's review

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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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dimondc's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

A funny, heartwarming, and wonderfully cheesy book. I enjoyed the writing style as much as I enjoyed how funny the main character is. Matthew’s grandparents are absolute treasures who have a lovely and frequent role in the book which I loved. 
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valereads's review

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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

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preparetobeenchanted's review

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hopeful 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

4.25

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jehansen127's review

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

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ivykennerauthor's review

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

4.0

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jefferz's review

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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

4.5

A Holiday TV-movie taken straight off ABC family given a queer spin with harder hits and surprisingly solid pacing, in Boy Meets Boy #2 Janovsky takes everything that was good in #1 and refines it. While I enjoyed the first book in the series, I sometimes felt like I was over-scoring it because of how cute and breezy it felt vs directly looking at its objective qualities. This one beefs up all of the weaker elements with better execution.

The pacing is better, characters (especially the side characters) are more developed and complex, the overarching plot being more compelling and involved, I was pleasantly surprised given how predictable most holiday fairs can be. There are still the usual tropes of a Grinch warming to the holiday cheer but the plot twists and it's conclusion help elevate the material beyond simply being cute. It also helps that the comedy is cranked up to an 11 thanks to the protag's overdramatic spoiled rich boy persona. The first 50 pages of diva material can be off-putting but we love a good character development journey (I'm no expert on the matter but it takes a genuine stab at generalized anxiety disorder). Thought book #1 might've been a lucky fluke, now I'm invested and moving on to #3 in the anthology series soon.
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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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