The Merriest Misters

A Novel

By: Timothy Janovsky

Narrated by: Mark Sanderlin, Zach Barela

"Sanderlin takes care to amplify the emotions in each scene—whether silly and lighthearted or steamy and sensual. All is delivered through Sanderlin's charming narration"—AudioFile on The (Fake) Dating Game

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?

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2024 Timothy Janovsky (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"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!

The Santa Clause but Gay.

The story was wonderful and unexpected. Pure Christmas joy. I absolutely loved it. A must read for sure.

magical

Soo many giddy giggles!! This book has become my new fav holiday book. It's like the Santa Claus movie by it make it gay and more magical.

Heartwarming variation on Santa story

This story is a heartwarming version of how the North Pole magic works along with a deep connection to the two main characters who are in love. It is minimally explicit but has treasured intimacy and intimate moments.

Ridiculous

Zero character development. I wouldn’t want to be around any of these people for five minutes.

1 Merry Mister, 1 Merely Meh

Santa Patrick is great! Who wouldn't want a spouse as caring and devoted as him? Is he flawed? Yes. But in understandable and minor ways. Quinn is a little brat. Wishy washy, spoiled, and selfish. One minute everything is great, he loves life at the NP, and he tells Patrick he wants to stay there forever. Quite literally the next minute he can't wait to leave and is furious that Patrick built him his dream house and wants nothing to do with Patrick. I almost quit reading at one point because I was so sick of Quinn being a whiney, unsupportive little jerk. But if you can get past that, it's cute.