You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince

May 1, 2022

Matthew Prince lives in a luxury New York City apartment with his wealthy parents, who also pay his credit card bills, and he bases his life on how social media will view him. He creates havoc and scandals with every step, leaving his parents' PR firm to clean up the mess. But when Matthew's generalized anxiety disorder overwhelms him and he panic-purchases an island (a small one), it's one scandal too many. His parents cut up his credit cards and send him to his grandparents' house in the small town of Wind River for Christmas while they handle his latest disaster. Storming into his grandparents' small cottage, he discovers a further outrage: He has to share a room, and bunk beds, with their boarder, Hector Martinez. Hector is hardworking, humble, and sincere...the exact opposite of Matthew. And he snores. Matthew is certain this will be the worst holiday of his life. Little by little, however, he begins to find his footing, and maybe even a direction for his future, as his frozen heart begins to thaw. This contemporary gay romantic comedy is told from Matthew's point of view, giving readers a close look at his anxiety, body issues, and lack of close relationships. While he could be, and occasionally is, unlikable, Janovsky (Never Been Kissed) gives Matthew a realistic backstory and believable emotional growth. The secondary characters aren't as well developed, leaving the focus on Matthew, but they all play important roles in his story. VERDICT Fans of Alexandria Bellefleur and Courtney Kae will clamor for this slow-burn, opposites-attract holiday treat.--Heather Miller Cover

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 29, 2022
For this frothy Christmas romance, Janovsky (Never Been Kissed) exiles entitled 21-year-old socialite Matthew Prince, “New York City’s reigning Party Prince,” to the Berkshires for the holidays. As punishment for impulse buying an island, Matthew’s parents cut him off and cart him off to his grandparents’ cozy Wind River, Mass., cottage—where of course he’s a fish out of water. His professor grandfather has also offered a room to Hector Martinez, a financially struggling college student, who strikes up an immediate mutual dislike with snobby Matthew. The polar opposite roommates reach a kind of détente when Hector helps Matthew through a panic attack, each revealing hidden depths to the other. And when Matthew makes a plan to get them both home for the holidays by convincing his parents he’s changed his ways and regaining access to his funds, they become an unlikely team, baking cookies and planning the Wind River Holiday Charity Gala. As they work together, Matthew’s shocked to recognize himself “catching feelings” for his newfound friend. Janovsky is blatant about the “holiday romance magic” at work, but Matthew’s redemption arc is just as gratifying as the love story. The result is a sweet romance that’s sure to put readers in the holiday spirit. Agent: Kevin O’Connor, O’Connor Literary.

September 15, 2022
All Matthew Prince did was buy an island. That's no reason for his parents to cut him off and exile him to his grandparents' place in the Berkshires for the holidays. He is in no mood for the wholesome festiveness of Wind River, his designer clothes are no match for the muddy snow, and his grandparents have rented his room out to college student Hector Martinez, who wears a lot of plaid and loves chopping wood (meaning he's hot). Matthew just wants to keep his anxiety at bay and get back to Manhattan in time for the major New Year's party he is planning with his friend, but how? When the town charity gala suddenly needs a coordinator, Matthew reluctantly takes it on, even though there's no budget, cheap decorations, and Hector insists on helping. Janovsky's latest, following Never Been Kissed (2022), is a sweet, sexy holiday romp. Readers might not sympathize with Matthew at first, but they will grow to love him as he bakes and plans and falls for Hector without losing his fabulous essence.

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