Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal by Megan Quinn
Meghan Quinn’s latest Christmas romance is a hilarious, heartwarming story about small town rivals Atlas and Betty. Perfect for fans of funny, sexy, and cozy holiday reads, this book pairs wonderfully with tea, cookies, and a snowy afternoon.
Megan Quinn did it again.
Seriously — this book is fun, hilarious, borderline embarrassing, occasionally lawbreaking, definitely sexy, and wildly sarcastic.
And that doesn’t even cover half the chaos.
Atlas — our main character (tall, charming, winter flannel fantasy) might be one of the most awkward, clumsy men I have ever read about.
And it works perfectly for the tone of the story.
“I mean, you say you don't need my help, but then I come here, and you have Mom's old mannequins dressed up and talking to each other, so I'm sorry if it feels like something's a little off!”
Enter Betty — Atlas’s personality twin.
Awkward, slightly chaotic, and trying to rebuild her life in a new small town.
With or without Atlas’s support.
Unfortunately for her, Atlas is also her biggest business rival.
He takes his Christmas tree farm very seriously, while Betty plans to open a similar (and in her mind… better) version next door.
Let the festive feud begin!
Unless Atlas woos her first.
Or attempts to. Emphasis on attempts.
His grand plan?
Use his “charismatic charm” to make Betty fall in love with him — and then guilt her into not opening her business next to his.
He is deeply delusional.
And Betty is far smarter than he gives her credit for.
This book is hilarious.
And there’s a cheeky narrator who pops in after each chapter to recap the disasters, roast everyone involved, and tease what’s next.
Narrator: POOR MAX. WHAT HE thought was a mission accomplished turned into a night of disaster, because our dear friend Betty is smarter than he expected. For she saw his flashlight moving through the woods. She heard the crunching of the snow… and when the moment was right, she busted out her front door and nailed him dead between the eyes with the only weapon she could find.
(The weapon was a 2L pop bottle.)
The narrator’s identity is revealed in the final chapter, and it’s one of my favourite twists in the whole book.
As Atlas’s plan starts to explode, he realizes his feelings for Betty might actually be real — and suddenly this business rivalry becomes emotional mayhem.
Whose business will survive?
Will they fall in love?
And how much holiday destruction can one small town handle?
A LOT.
Think Four Christmases with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn — this is the perfect December read.
Pair it with a hot tea, Christmas cookies, a cozy blanket…
and ideally snow falling outside your window.
Until next time,
Sheila
P.S. if you've read this one, check out How My Neighbour Stole Christmas, also by Meghan Quinn.
