ARC Review: A Merry Little Meet Cute

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
Publication Date: 20 September 2022

I admit to being deeply intrigued by the idea of middle grade/YA/Disney retelling Julie Murphy teaming up with my favorite queen of Smutsville, Sierra Simone, for a book about a porn star in a Hallmark-style movie. The whole idea pretty much made my brain cells melt from overexertion trying to picture the result. The verdict? A Merry Little Meet Cute is a sweet-as-pie, sexy-as-sin, laugh-out-loud, delightful cocktail that highlights the best of both authors. Barkeep, please give me another – and make it a double!

The premise is this: Bee Hobbes works as a porn star and runs her own, very popular OnlyFans-type site under the name of Bianca Von Honey. Nolan Shaw is a former boy band member who took his bad boy image a little too far and ended up tanking his career. Both end up as the unlikely stars of the wholesome Hope Channel’s next Christmas movie, Duke the Halls. Bee is keeping her Bianca persona a secret on set for obvious reasons, and Nolan is trying to rehabilitate his image to get his career back on track. The problem? The chemistry between the two is so immediate and overpowering that everyone watching them shoot their first kiss scene is treated to much more than a mere stage kiss. As is the way of rom-coms, hilarity, hijinks, and hanky-panky ensue.

I adored Bee and her confidence, her body positivity, and that she is profoundly proud of the work she does. Nolan is so loyal and committed to his family that I just wanted to wrap him up in a great big hug. I was thankful that these two acted as adults with actual communication skills, so that when all hell breaks loose, they are able to put the pieces back together in a mature way. But a note to the authors: if you’re going to reference a suitcase full of sex toys, you’d better use them on the page! Also, I want books for every single one of the supporting characters.

I recommend A Merry Little Meet Cute for those who like their Christmas stories to be a little bit naughty, and to anyone who wants to know what the true meaning of Christmas is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.