Small Town Shenanigans and Three Alarm Spice- An Instant Christmas Favorite
Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a brand new holiday rom-com with all the humor and heat her fans adore.
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.
Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal was my first book read by Meghan Quinn, and I am happy to have been introduced to her writing. This is book two of the Kringletown Christmas Series, and I am a little disappointed that I didn’t read How My Neighbor Stole Christmas first. No worries. There’s always next holiday season.
If I haven’t shared with you before, I love small town romances! There’s something magical about the new girl/guy moving to town and falling with the girl/guy who has lived there their whole life and hasn’t found “the one”. Throw in a rivals to lovers trope and a lot of laughs and I am hooked!
If you’re craving a small‑town romance drenched in Christmas, chaotic banter, and a rivalry that melts into something much warmer (and spicier), Meghan Quinn absolutely delivers. Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal is the kind of rom‑com that feels tailor‑made for December nights — or, honestly, any time you need a hit of holiday joy. I am happy to share my five-star CAWPILE review of Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal, because the book deserves its mistletoe!
Tropes
Rivals to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Small Town Romance
Christmas Romance
Holiday Hijinks
Characters: 9
Betty and Atlas completely stole my heart. Their dynamic is pure, unfiltered word‑vomit banter. It’s the adorable kind that feels spontaneous, messy, and human. Every interaction between them had me grinning like a fool. They’re rivals for sure, but the chemistry is instant and undeniable, and watching them fumble their way toward each other was half the fun.
Atmosphere: 10
Small‑town romances already have my whole soul but set it in a town literally named Kringle and I’m done for. Everything is Christmas‑themed, from the tree farms to the town events, and the vibe is so immersive you can practically smell the pine needles, hot cocoa and peppermint.
And yes - the title is a nod to the Home Alone franchise, and the book sprinkles in that playful, slightly chaotic energy from the movies in the cutest way.
Writing: 9
Meghan Quinn has a gift: she can make you laugh out loud without warning. I giggled, I snorted, and Chapter 27 had me in full, raucous laughter. Her comedic timing is razor‑sharp, but she balances it with warmth and sincerity.
Also, the spice? Perfectly measured. Open door romance, but not gratuitous-just enough heat to keep things delicious. And the narrator? Too cute for words.
Plot: 9
Is it a classic Hallmark‑style Christmas romance? Absolutely. Does Meghan Quinn put her own spin on it? Without question.
The rivals‑to‑lovers setup, the tree‑farm drama, the holiday chaos - it’s familiar in the most comforting way, but Quinn adds humor, heart, and a little extra sizzle that makes it feel fresh.
Intrigue: 10
I finished this book in a single day. That’s it. That’s the category.
Logic: 10
The story flows effortlessly. No weird plot holes, no pacing issues, no moments where I had to stop and squint at the page. Everything fits, everything moves, and Quinn keeps the momentum going from start to finish.
Enjoyment: 10
I really, really, really enjoyed this book. It’s festive, funny, romantic, and just chaotic enough to keep you hooked. If you’re looking for a holiday rom‑com that hits every emotional beat from laughter to swoons this one is a must‑read.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal gave me everything I want from a holiday romance: She hits all my favorite tropes, charm, chaos, chemistry, and a town so festive it practically twinkles off the page. Meghan Quinn blends humor and heart with such ease that it’s impossible not to wish for a residence in the town of Kringle, for the Maxheimer family, and for the beautifully messy journey between Betty and Atlas. If you’re looking for a book to lift your spirits, make you laugh, and wrap you in a blanket of Christmas magic, this one absolutely delivers.
Who This Book Is For
If you love small‑town romances that feel like stepping into a snow‑globe, this one will hit the spot. It’s perfect for readers who crave holiday chaos, laugh‑out‑loud banter, and a rivals‑to‑lovers arc with real heart behind the humor. If Christmas is your comfort season, if you adore rom‑coms with open‑door spice, or if you simply want a book that will make you smile from the first chapter to the last, Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal belongs on your December reading list.
