Book Review: A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
Published: September 20th 2022 by Avon
Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Genre: Adult // Romance, Festive, LGBT, Spicy
Quick Thoughts: A firecracker-of-a-book that sizzles hot enough to melt the Christmas snow.
About The Book:
Cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone—a steamy plus-size holiday rom-com about an adult film star who is semi-accidentally cast as a lead in a family-friendly Christmas movie, and the former bad-boy pop star she falls in love with.
Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldn’t ask for more. But when Bee’s favorite producer casts her to star in a Christmas movie he’s making for the squeaky-clean Hope Channel, Bee’s career is about to take a more family-friendly direction.
Forced to keep her work as Bianca under wraps, Bee quickly learns this is a task a lot easier said than done. Though it all becomes worthwhile when she discovers her co-star is none other than childhood crush Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Nolan’s promised his bulldog manager to keep it zipped up on set, and he will if it means he’ll be able to provide a more stable living situation for his sister and mom.
But things heat up quickly in Christmas Notch, Vermont, when Nolan recognizes his new co-star from her ClosedDoors account (oh yeah, he’s a member). Now Bee and Nolan are sneaking off for quickies on set, keeping their new relationship a secret from the Hope Channel’s execs. Things only get trickier when the reporter who torpedoed Nolan’s singing career comes snooping around—and takes an instant interest in mysterious newcomer Bee.
And if Bee and Nolan can’t keep their off-camera romance behind the scenes, then this merry little meet cute might end up on the cutting room floor.
This book contains material that might be unsuitable for younger readers.
First Thoughts
It’s no secret that I am partial to a Julie Murphy book (ref. my ever-growing stack of her books) so when I saw she was teaming up with Sierra for a spicy Christmas book with a plus-size heroine?!?! I pre-ordered it ASAP. It might’ve taken approximately a month and a half to get to me from the other side of the world, but it was worth every day waiting to hold it!
My Review
You know the kind of character that immediately becomes your comfort character? Well, I didn’t—not until Bee Hobbes came along. Funny, smart and driven, plus size Bee has taken life by the reigns in her independent-woman-esque way, with an alter-ego as Bianca Von Honey on her popular ClosedDoors account (think OnlyFans) and career as an accomplished and well-loved adult film actress. She dreams of getting to star in a movie that isn’t so R-rated, but had always put it out of reach. But when the producer of the adult film company she works with offers her the lead in a family-friendly Christmas movie he’s making for the Hope Channel (kind-of like Hallmark) it’s a direction Bee never thought possible.
On set, Bee has to keep her Bianca-sized secret to herself (and some of the crew that know) which becomes harder when her co-star and former childhood crush Nolan Shaw recognises her. Unknown at first to Bee is that Nolan is her biggest ClosedDoors fan—and seeing her ahead of him in this winter wonderland of the Christmas Notch set is his own personal fairytale fantasy come alive. But even though they share an attraction (in a naughty and nice way) Nolan is here to clean up his bad-boy image. Hooking up with his co-star is one thing, but when that co-star is someone he sees a future with—and who also happens to be an adult film actress—casts him in a blinding spotlight that means choosing between providing for his family and keeping his image clean, or risking it all for a love not promised.
Overall, A Merry Little Meet Cute was the sweetest, candycane-of-a-read. The characters felt like home. Bee felt like my best friend (and I loved her best friend Sunny.) As a Plus girl, I really loved how fatphobia was addressed and how body positive this entire book was. Nolan had so much character development that made him *chef’s kiss*. Plus, Bee’s moms were so supportive and adorable. Yes, it was explicit (obviously) but nothing ever felt forced or unnatural with any of those elements. It was such a progressive read from start to finish, too, and I adored that it had so much LGBTQ+ rep. If you’re looking to get hot under the sweater this time of year, this firecracker-of-a-book that sizzles hot enough to melt the Christmas snow is your perfect read. Five stars wholeheartedly. (Bring on more Christmas Notch books!!)
About The Author
Julie Murphy lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her and her cats who tolerate her. After several wonderful years in the library world, Julie now writes full-time. When she’s not writing or reliving her reference desk glory days, she can be found watching made-for-TV movies, hunting for the perfect slice of cheese pizza, and planning her next great travel adventure. She is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the young adult novels Dumplin’ (now a film on Netflix), Puddin’, Pumpkin, Ramona Blue, and Side Effects May Vary. Her middle grade novels include Dear Sweat Pea and a forthcoming 2023 title. She is also Disney’s If The Shoe Fits, a modern day romcom retelling of Cinderella. Her writing partner is Sierra Simone and their romance debut is A Merry Little Meet Cute.
Julie has been featured in places liek Good Morning America, The New York Times, and Teen Vogue. Dumplin’ was also named one of the best young adult books of all time by Time Magazine.
About The Author
Sierra is a voracious reader of all things including the smuttiest smut, young adult, piles of non-fiction for research, and everything Bill Bryson (especially on audio). She loves writing the dirtiest things that she can think of, King Arthur, sparkling water, Tarot, coffee, leggings, and learning new words daily. Her previous jobs have included firing ceramics, teaching living history lessons in one-room school house in full, 1904-approved school marm attire, and working as a librarian for several years—not in that order. She lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, two children, and two giant dogs. (And two cats, but they’re so naughty we don’t talk about them.)
Her novels have been published in Czech, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, and Romanian. She’s been featured in Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Marie Claire, and Library Journal with a starred review. Sierra is an internet introvert, but you can follow her on Spotify and Instagram, and chat with other readers in her Facebook group!
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happy reading!
