REVIEW: Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn: Christmas in Kringle is pure chaos, and as the reigning king of his family’s Christmas-tree farm, Max most definitely did not sign up for a battle of Christmas-tree farm wars. One minute he’s frantically trying to keep Evergreen Farm from collapsing under the holiday pressure; the next? He’s face-down in the snow courtesy of a suspiciously strong bottle of soda. Enter Betty; new to town, brimming with Christmas cheer and on a mission to make her uncle’s new tree farm the best in town. She’s ready to go to war, even if it means facing off against the hottest Scrooge she’s ever met. Their feud should have been simple; tinsel sabotage, snowball skirmishes and the occasional sassy insult…until a stolen ornament, a string of hilarious mishaps, and a suspiciously romantic mistletoe moment send everything spinning out of control. Now between family antics, town traditions and an undeniable spark neither can ignore Max and Betty are about to discover that love can be just as messy, loud and unpredictable as Christmas itself.

If you’re looking for a holiday romance that’s equal parts laugh out loud chaos and swoon-worthy sparks than Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal is a total must read! As always Quinn delivers a real treat with her latest Christmas inspired romcom, combining witty banter, festive chaos and a romance that sizzles under the mistletoe this was the perfect holiday escape!

While on paper Max and Betty couldn’t be more different but somehow these two are just perfect for each other and I loved every single moment of hi-jinks following them as they fell in love. Max was a darling hero, for all his charm and show he was actually a bit of a chaotic mess and I just loved this about him. I loved getting to see his character open up and show how fiercely loyal and protective he is over his family, but also getting to see his softer moments with Betty. Where as with Betty she is all order and organise, sprinkled in with loads of festive cheer. I just loved her never back down spirit and all the witty banter she brings to the table. Betty was a total sweetheart and I loved getting to see her run circles around Max.

If you like a bit of enemies to lovers in your Christmas romcom then Max and Betty definitely have you covered. There was a delicious tension in every banter-filled interaction, a sweetness beneath each mischievous prank and a tenderness that shines through in quieter moments, like shared family traditions and the occasional stolen glance under the mistletoe. I just loved getting to see Max learn to let down his guard and seeing Betty discover that beneath his chaotic energy lies a genuinely kind and protective heart.

The town itself is practically a character, brimming with small-town charm, festive chaos and quirky personalities that keep every scene buzzing. From the meddling yet lovable neighbours to Max’s eccentric family and even the unsuspecting townsfolk caught up in the Christmas-tree farm rivalry, the supporting characters adds layers of humour, warmth and heart to the story. Their antics, advice and occasional mischief created just that extra layer of sparkle that I have come to love when reading a Meghan Quinn book.

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal was the perfect holiday escape; funny, heartwarming and utterly charming from start to finish. With Max and Betty’s sizzling chemistry, the small-town chaos of Piney Peaks, and a band of quirky, lovable supporting characters, Meghan Quinn delivers a story that’s equal parts laughter, romance, and festive magic. A definite must read!

Book Info:

Publication: October 14, 2025 | Bloom Books | How My Neighbor Stole Christmas #2

Nothing says I love you like trespassing, public humiliation, and a town-wide Christmas spectacle to win your crush back.

Atlas “Max” Maxheimer did not sign up for this. One minute, he’s anxiously trying to keep his family’s Christmas tree farm from imploding. The next? He’s passed out in the snow after getting clocked by a suspiciously strong bottle of soda.

Enter Betty: new in town, full of holiday cheer, and helping her uncle open a rival tree farm next door. Max is convinced she’s out to destroy everything Evergreen Farm stands for. Betty thinks Max might be one sleigh short of a winter parade.

Cue the holiday chaos.

Between blizzards, blown reputations, wildly misguided romantic plots, and one stolen ornament with a seriously tragic backstory, this small-town war turns into something far messier―and much more delicious―than either of them expected.