The Merriest Misters: A Novel

by Timothy Janovsky

Overview

The Santa Clause meets Husband Material in this delightful holiday novel!

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 with: “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 canceled… 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?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250338945
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/01/2024
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	160,076
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

TIMOTHY JANOVSKY (he/him) is a queer, multidisciplinary storyteller based in DC. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College and a self-appointed certificate in rom-com studies (accreditation pending). When he's not daydreaming about young Hugh Grant, he's telling jokes, playing characters, and writing books. He is the author of Never Been Kissed, You’re A Mean One, Matthew Prince, and New Adult.
TIMOTHY JANOVSKY(he/him) is a queer, multidisciplinary storyteller based in DC. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College and a self-appointed certificate in rom-com studies (accreditation pending). When he's not daydreaming about young Hugh Grant, he's telling jokes, playing characters, and writing books. He is the author of Never Been Kissed, You’re A Mean One, Matthew Prince, and New Adult.

Editorial Reviews

08/19/2024

Janovsky (You Had Me At Happy Hour) sets up a new Santa mythology in this whimsical gay holiday romance. Less than a year into their marriage, architect Patrick Hargrave and second grade teacher Quinn Muller are having doubts about their relationship. After an argument on Christmas Eve reveals that Patrick has hidden his recent job loss, he encounters and knocks out a late-night intruder. Turns out it was Santa Claus, who rage-quits on the spot. An elf then appears, saying Patrick and Quinn have one hour to decide to take on the role or “cancel Christmas.” Patrick agrees and the pair, after a mad-dash delivery of gifts, are whisked to the North Pole. There, the Council of Priors, made up of former Santas and Mrs. Clauses, inform them that the magic relies on the love between Santa and his significant other and educate them on their new duties. Quinn enjoys his time as the first-ever Merriest Mister, but when Patrick starts making plans to take on the Santa role well beyond the single year they agreed to, the strain on their relationship returns and threatens the future of the holiday. Janovsky once again shows his chops at putting tender, queer spins on rom-com situations. This is a charmer. Agent: Samantha Fabien, Root Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Janovsky puts his own ingeniously clever, wickedly witty twist on holiday romances with a dazzlingly inventive tale that makes the most of its North Pole setting and delightfully quirky cast of characters." —Booklist

"Janovsky once again shows his chops at putting tender, queer spins on rom-com situations. This is a charmer." —Publishers Weekly

"There is no one I trust more to deliver the holiday spirit wrapped up in perfectly-timed comedic gold than Timothy Janovsky. I read The Merriest Misters with the biggest smile on my face, and was rooting for Patrick and Quinn to rediscover the magic between them while navigating the truly outlandish magic of Christmas. I swear my heart grew three sizes from reading this book!" - Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of With Love, from Cold World

"The Merriest Misters is endlessly inventive and just plain magical! Janovsky has created such a fun, delight-filled world that is both solidly rooted in snow-covered fantasy and also unafraid to get into the real life nitty-gritty of making a marriage work. The coziness comes from every corner from page one and never lets up. I'm rooting for these misters and I whole-heartedly believe in Santa Claus." — R. Eric Thomas, national bestselling author of Congratulations, the Best is Over!

From the Publisher