A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone: Book Review

If you’re looking for a steamy romantic comedy to read this holiday season, look now further. A Merry Little Meet Cute checks all the boxes and more.

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From The Publisher:

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.

My Thoughts:

Let me start my discussion of this book but pointing out that this book will not be for everyone. Bee is an adult film star (and not the soft porn variety) so be warned. Those readers that enjoy lots of steam and stories with characters who self-identify as LGBTQ2S+ will appreciate this book.

Having said this, I found the story to be entertaining. The protagonist is an extremely confident plus-sized woman. The theme of the book is acceptance of all regardless of lifestyle choices. I appreciated this about A Very Little Meet Cute. It is thought-provoking and at times challenged me to examine biases I hadn’t even known I had. What more can you ask for in a book?

This is the first book by this writing duo. I am familiar with Julie Murphy’s work and enjoyed her 2021 book If the Shoe Fits. When I watched an interview of these two authors a few weeks ago, it is evident that Sierra Simone brings up the steam factor in this book. I was not familiar with this author until this book.

The fictitious Hope Channel feels like a nod to the Hallmark Channel although I doubt very much that the latter would hire adult film industry actors and staff. Especially ones that would spend their off hours in the local strip joint.

This doesn’t feel like your regular Christmas novel by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, it is set during that time, but you really wouldn’t know it. If you’re a reader who only reads holiday novels in December, let me assure you that you can read this at any time.

What I Liked:

• The theme of acceptance
• The thought-provoking and candid discussion
• The very confident, plus-sized protagonist

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

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