Review - Once Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky
Once Upon You and Me
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Heat level: 
Tags: Contemporary Rom-Com
Posted in Book Reviews on 10 June, 2026
Ethan and his wife Amy created a highly successful fairy tale themed resort in New York’s Catskills. Ethan was happy with what they had, but Amy had ambitions to build a hospitality empire. The two part ways, with Amy taking control of the business while Ethan continues to manage the original resort. Years later, the sixteenth birthday of their daughter approaches and a big celebration is planned for it at the resort. Amy sends her personal assistant Taylor out to supervise preparations. Taylor and Ethan feel a mutual attraction almost immediately, but there are so many reasons they shouldn’t try to have any sort of relationship. However, the attraction proves irresistible.
There’s definitely a strong romantic comedy flavor in this age-gap romance, from the dramatic storm that forces the two men together, to the big lovable dog. This being a romance, you can be sure Ethan and Taylor will end up together, but there will be a big dramatic turn of events before that comes about. It’s quite obvious what that event will be, but not how it will play out.
Ethan is introverted with a mild attention deficit, which is why the constancy of running the resort suits him. I found it very easy to empathize with Ethan, including his attraction to Taylor. Despite their age difference, Taylor feels like the kind of partner Ethan needs.
In some ways, Taylor is the adult in the relationship, despite being more than ten years younger than Ethan. We soon learn that Taylor ended up being the primary caregiver for his younger siblings. That behavior continues in his job, where Taylor becomes much like an older brother to Ethan’s daughter as well as dealing with all of Amy’s whims.
“Once Upon You & Me” is available from independent booksellers through Bookshop.org.