Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal

"Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal” was exactly the kind of silly, cheesy holiday read I didn’t know I needed — and I mean that in the best way. The story follows Max “Atlas” Maxheimer trying to save his family’s Christmas tree farm while constantly butting heads with Betty from the rival farm next door. Their enemies-to-lovers chaos kept me entertained the whole time.

What I loved most is that the characters didn’t feel like the usual “perfect” romance leads. Max “Atlas,” Betty, and the rest of the crew reminded me so much of me and my friends — messy, hilarious, a little dramatic, and totally real. I actually laughed out loud more than once, which almost never happens for me with books.

Yeah, it gets a little show more over the top sometimes, and the cheese factor is definitely high, but honestly? That just added to the fun. The pacing slows down here and there, and it gets a bit spicy in the second half, but overall it’s a warm, goofy, feel-good read with tons of holiday charm.

If you want something fun, light, and guaranteed to make you smile, this one delivers. show less

🍒 For Fans of:
- true RomCom
- funny narrator
- silly situations
- holiday romance
- rivals to lovers
- witty banter
- sexual innuendos
- small town
- Christmas town
- goofy but hot MMC

⭐️ 4.75 True Rating
✏️ My Review
Betty new to town and her uncle wants her to open a new Christmas store next to another Christmas store. They have some kind of rivalry so the other Christmas store owner, Max, is ready to sabotage her and has a plan. Date her then break her heart.

These characters?? So good. They’re both SO awkward around each other and just ramble. Their banter is so insanely random but also endearing and cute and I found it hilarious to keep up with as they slid from rivals to… well, you’ll have to read it.

There’s also the show more small town aspect and getting to the bottom of why Betty’s uncle hates Max so much. I loved the side characters, the main characters growth, the small town characters, and just how silly yet dramatic it all was. show less

OHHH....the Home Alone vibes are so real with this. Next year, I want to read this with a highlighter and annotate the heck out of this book. And see if I can find all the references. Much like the first book, I thought the beginning was decent (the other book was definitely better). I probably would've rated this two stars if it wasn't for the Home Alone reference. It is an easy read. But I just didn't vibe with the characters like I did in the first book. I think I liked the competition idea more too.

[contains spoilers] A girl moves to town to help her Uncle build a farm on the land he bought years ago. She finds out it's because of someone he dislikes in town and wants to put his family farm out of business by opening a competiting show more farm. Then the guy who's parents owns the farm and plans to take it over one day hears she's in town and then tries to get her to fall for him, so then she doesn't open the farm. Of course, there were some mishaps and they don't trust each other but then they start dating. There's also a scene where the parents walk in on them, that was entertaining. And then she finds out that this was all a set up but really, it only was in the beginning, he has fallen for her. And then they end up together.

Picture that storyline dragged out over 400 pages. And like the last one, about 70% into the book we get into pure porn. I skipped those sections. I like me some light smut, but this is just too much. And then you think the scene is over and nope, they're doing it again. The last 30% is pretty much all banging. And then a fight, and then banging.

But yes, I will still 100% read this again, because the Home Alone references were sooooo good! show less

This book had me cracking up. It was so funny. The only reason i didn't give it 5 stars is because Max gave off childish tantrum vibes and he was annoying in some parts. But overall i really enjoyed it. I have not read the first book in this series which i might have to just to know a little more about Cole and Storee. I just know its going to be as funny as this one.

3.5⭐️ rounded up.

Home Alone inspired Christmas romcom. Again, this was just a plain fun Christmas romcom. Dont go into it expecting anything less. Its silly, ridiculous, funny banter, rivals to lovers in a small town whoville-esk Colorado town. Atlas/Max is like a. hild at heart but its funny and light hearted. I got a bit bored by the end but I can also only enjoy so many Christmas books at a time.

would recommend for: A Christmas romcom feel good, HEA. Banter with smut, if youre into food play scenes. Like a Home Alone inspired story

I liked the characters in this book but it was too long and waaaaay too descriptive with sex scenes

overall an interesting story but so cringe

I loved the book last year so I was super excited for this one…a little disappointed

Atlas and Betty were super cute but their personalities together = excessive word vomit… was a little too much