Bubbling up with Helena

• Title: You Had Me at Happy Hour
• Author: Timothy Janovsky
• Publisher:  Afterglow Books by Harlequin
• Release Date: 7/23/24
• Genre: Romance
• Age Range: Adult
• Rating: ★★★★
• Publisher’s Summary: In this sexy, emotionally satisfying LGBTQIA+ romance, a grumpy sommelier and a flirty mixologist just might be the perfect pairing…Rivalry never tasted so good. O’ little town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania—it may be charming, but Julien Boire can’t wait to get out of there. Soon he’ll be leaving to take an advanced wine course that will put him on track to become a master sommelier. Meantime, his OCD demands he keep clear of distractions, especially the hot new hire at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant, Martin’s Place. Which should be easy, because Greg Harlow is as ill-suited to Julien as a bold cabernet is to a delicate salmon entrée. As charismatic and confident as Julien is tightly wound, Greg is a TikTok mixologist who could charm a paper bag. One thing they do have in common: neither wants a relationship. Greg’s history with dating is…complicated. Yet working together isn’t. First, they’re teaming up to launch a series of happy hour events at Martin’s Place. Then they’re agreeing to a no-strings sex pact that involves new worlds of experimentation. Nothing is off-limits. Except a future. It’s exactly how Julien wants it. Except for the little part of him that wonders if maybe he’s about to lose the kind of happy that could last much longer than an hour…

I’ve read and enjoyed many of Timothy Janovky’s books. His books have a witty energy that jumps off the page. They manage to be funny and entertainly while addressing serious subjects, and You Had Me at Happy Hour is no exception.

This was my third book by Janovsky, and I love that he has such a distinctive writing voice. It’s a little bit sarcastic (and often filled with a healthy dose of self-deprication from the main characters), but his books are always incredibly funny. His words jump off the page, and it almost feels like you can hear him telling you the story. His words have an energy and drive that make them such a pleasure to read, but also make his books just whiz by.

You Had Me at Happy Hour features its fair share of romance tropes. Greg and Julien start as enemies and work rivals. They then come up with an arragement and become friends with benefits. It is so much fun as a reader to watch their relationship morph as the story continues. Of course, in a romance novel, the reader expects a happily ever after, and so much of the excitement is following the characters on the journey to get to that ending.

I love when a romance novel has dual point of view between the two main characters as this one does. Especially early in the novel, when Julien and Greg are rivals, the reader gets to be privy to how obviously attracted to one another they are from the beginning. Not only does the dramatic irony build tension, but it also is just fun to experience the characters falling in love from two different perspectives. It’s also a constant reminder of how important point of view can be. Early in the novel, Greg decides to put on a Gucci belt because, “he can’t serve drinks with his pants falling halfway to his ankles, so this will have to do.” Julien sees this belt and sees it as a sign that Greg thinks he’s too good for Pennsylvia and Martin’s Place.

Mental health representation is so important in romance novels. OCD is very misunderstood, and Janovsky handles it so well. Julien explains his needs to Greg, and Greg accepts them and adjusts accordingly. There is no hesistation or judgment before he meets Julien exactly where he’s at. I find that so lovely, and it made me gain respect for Greg. Similarly, Greg tells Julien about his anxiety and the needs he has around that (specifically, but not limited to in the bedroom). Julien adjusts and does what he can to make sure Greg feels safe and cared for in ways he didn’t in previous relationships.

I really loved Greg and Julien’s relationship. It always makes me happy when a couple in a romance novel actively makes the other one better, and that is absolutely the case here. Not only do they take accept and support each other’s mental health needs, but they also help each other to thrive professionally. The two of them work together to create a successful happy hour at Martin’s Place, and they each bring their special and unique skills to the table to make that happen.

I actually have another of Janovsky’s books on my TBR, and I cannot wait to read it.