Review: A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone (audio)
steamy mug of hot cocoa in Christmas Notch
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, narrated by Joy Nash and Sebastian York, is what happens when pornography meets Hope Channel wholesome and two not-so-squeaky-clean stars fall into bed on set. Both have a lot at stake: bad boy-band singer Nolan Shaw hoping to restart his burned career and support his mother and sister after the death of his father and Bee Hobbes looking to start a movie career with her clothes on.
One catch: Nolan is one of Bee’s top subscribers on ClosedDoors and Bee is one of Nolan’s top fans from his boy band days. The sparks fly, melting all that Vermont snow into a puddle. These two lust-filled heathens need to keep a low-profile on set for both their sakes and for the sake of Teddy’s non-porn business. Will their hot-filled rendezvous ruin both their chances?
Yes, there is a lot of SEX in this novel. Yes, it is lust-filled. Was it too much, probably. Did it make the book a quicker read? Yes.
For me, Nolan was the more deeply drawn character with his past and his foibles, and his knowledge of how his past could impact his present. He also struggled with his own desires and his practical needs. Bee was a fun character, and she never really expressed moral ambiguity about her porn job, which was refreshing. Too often, sex workers are painted in a moral light, which is often the lens of the author or some other force on the novel.
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone was a fun novel that will definitely have you squirming as the characters are nearly caught. It definitely has me wondering about all those wholesome movie channels that are “moral” and what goes on behind their scenes.
Rating: Tercet
About the Authors:
Julie Murphy is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’, Puddin', Ramona Blue, and Side Effects May Vary. She lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cats who tolerate her. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, traveling, or hunting down the perfect slice of pizza. Before writing full time, she held numerous jobs, such as wedding dress consultant, failed barista, and, ultimately, librarian. Learn more about her at www.juliemurphywrites.com.
Sierra Simone is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling former library employee (who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk). Her notable works include Priest, American Queen, and A Merry Little Meet Cute, and her books have been featured in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, and Buzzfeed. She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.