A review by tristatereader
You Had Me at Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

You Had Me at Happy Hour is Timothy Janovsky’s sophomore adult romance and what a freaking gift to this genre! 

Julien Boire is a sommelier who works at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant, Martin’s Place. His aunt and uncle raised him after his biological parents were deemed unfit and the three of them have such a great relationship. Julien is smart, hard-working, and precise. His OCD diagnosis allows for little to no leeway when it comes to making mistakes. And while he adores his aunt and uncle and the family business, he dreams of becoming a master sommelier and leaving their small town. 

Greg is a mixologist who hit TikTok stardom while living the elite life in NYC. But Greg’s expensive lifestyle and less than stellar social circle lead him down a path of mental and financial instability. He decides to leave NYC and move in with his cousin in rural Pennsylvania while he focuses on himself. When he lands a mixologist job at Martin’s Place, he thinks it will be the perfect way to get back on his feet.

But Julien finds Greg cocky and distracting and has no problem letting Greg know. When the restaurant starts to suffer as a result of their tension, Julien’s aunt and uncle decide the two must team up and host happy hours. Shenanigans ensue and the outcome is absolute perfection.