The merriest misters

As if Quinn Muller and Patrick Hargrave's marriage isn't already coming apart at the seams, the upcoming holidays are adding even more stress to their relationship. Especially when Patrick wakes Quinn up late on Christmas Eve by announcing there's a dead man in their kitchen. It turns out the burglar Patrick brained with a frying pan isn't really dead but really is Santa Claus, and he is now calling it quits. With the possibility that Christmas may now be called off, Patrick, with some assistance from Quinn, agrees to step into Santa's shoes for the night. One night, however, is not enough. If Patrick and Quinn don't agree to reprise their roles of Santa and his Merriest Mister for the next year, Christmas will be cancelled permanently. Janovsky (You Had Me at Happy Hour, 2024) puts his own ingeniously clever, wickedly witty twist on holiday romances with a dazzlingly inventive tale that makes the most of its North Pole setting and delightfully quirky cast of characters.

Janovsky (You Had Me At Happy Hour) sets up a new Santa mythology in this whimsical gay holiday romance. Less than a year into their marriage, architect Patrick Hargrave and second grade teacher Quinn Muller are having doubts about their relationship. After an argument on Christmas Eve reveals that Patrick has hidden his recent job loss, he encounters and knocks out a late-night intruder. Turns out it was Santa Claus, who rage-quits on the spot. An elf then appears, saying Patrick and Quinn have one hour to decide to take on the role or "cancel Christmas." Patrick agrees and the pair, after a mad-dash delivery of gifts, are whisked to the North Pole. There, the Council of Priors, made up of former Santas and Mrs. Clauses, inform them that the magic relies on the love between Santa and his significant other and educate them on their new duties. Quinn enjoys his time as the first-ever Merriest Mister, but when Patrick starts making plans to take on the Santa role well beyond the single year they agreed to, the strain on their relationship returns and threatens the future of the holiday. Janovsky once again shows his chops at putting tender, queer spins on rom-com situations. This is a charmer. Agent: Samantha Fabien, Root Literary. (Oct.)