This was a cute book, and I loved the Christmas theme. However, I wish there was a bit more romance between the characters. If anything, this was probably more like a very slow burn.

This is book one of this series, told in third person POV and leaves you with a HEA. This book is a good way to remind you that not everything is as it seems.

I liked Lyla and her determination to take over her family business. There were a few times I wanted to shake some sense into her when she thought of herself as a strong person, just to turn around and fold under the slightest bit of pressure. Although I did like that she could give as good as she got the other times she wasn’t folding under the pressure. I wasn’t a fan of Mason and how he talked to the people around him for most of the book. But as the story progressed and I got more of his history and saw the way he slowly started opening up and showing his true self under his hard exterior, he wasn’t so bad. I loved the side characters as well, their love and support for friends and family was great. I do wish that we got to see if Lyla chose to eventually take over her family business or if she decided to fully stay with Mason and his family.

I am excited to read more of this series and see who finds their HEA next. I received an advanced readers copy via NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read Tis The Season for secrets before this one not realising there were 2 books. Although they're stand alone books. Lyla takes over the family toy making business from her father only to discover he has given half of the shares to the cold and grumpy Klaus.

Lyla throws a Christmas party. There’s a fire. Mason agrees to forget her part in said fire if she joins his family for Christmas… and it turns out he lives at the North Pole and is next in line to be Santa Claus. Kind of left that last part out. The beginning of the book took a little while to get going and I wasn’t sure this one was going to hold my interest, but once we good to Yule (the North Pole), I was totally sucked in. I loved the descriptions of the cobblestone streets, the cocoa, the wolves that protect the town, and all the snow. I loved the conflict of how Mason Klaus ran away from Yule because he was next in line to be Santa and wanted to have some control over his own life rather than being forced to follow in the family business. This was a cute Christmas read! 5/5 stars.

This was so cute! It was definitely a feel good read, I was rooting for them the whole time Mason and Lyla were so perfect for each other! Kevin might be my favorite character though he was full of teenage sass!!

Thank you to author Kate Callaghan, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this eARC

This was such a delight. It has everything I expected and wanted from it
a great rivals to lovers story? Check
loveable characters? Check
the perfect christmas vibes? Check
the perfect amount of whimsey? Check

The more books by Callaghan I read, the more I fall in love with her writing!

The Naughty or Nice Clause
Village of Yule Book 1
Kate Callaghan

The Naughty or Nice Clause is Book 1 of the the Village of Yule series by Kate Callaghan.

A quick-read, enjoyable, holiday enemy to lovers themed romance book with a small town setting.

For lovers of Hallmark movies or folks who just enjoy holiday themed romance books.

Published November 8, 2022
Booksgosocial

The Naughty Or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan is the perfect holiday read, blending festive cheer with magical realism. This is the second book I’ve read by Callaghan this year, and I’ve loved both! She has a knack for writing incredibly cozy stories that never feel overdone. Her books are well-crafted, with easy-to-follow plots that are really entertaining.

In “The Naughty Or Nice Clause,” Christmas magic takes on a whole new meaning with a sprinkle of real magic. The main characters, Lyla and Mason, are wonderful, and even the side characters shine brightly in this story. There’s plenty of humor, which I really appreciate, and the playful banter in the romance between Lyla and Mason is delightful. This book definitely features the rivals-to-lovers trope.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it if you’re looking for an extra magical Christmas read this year.

Reading this book was like entering a magic wonderland. I was overwelmed and amazed and I just couldn't put this story down. I loved it!
This little bit of christmas magic was just what I needed. 

At first I didn't even imagine the road this story was about to take. I believed that the Klaus name was just that, and that it had a meaning because the story was being set at christmas time. I'm so happy I was wrong! That magic happening and turning this book into a fantasy and magic story was a big and surely nice surprise that made me enjoy it even more. 
At first Lyla and Mason were great enemies. They work at the same company, and share (but not equally) the ownership. They could not be more different or appart. While Lyla is all warmth and kind Mason is strict and kind of cold. While she loves chistmas and all it implies, he is kind of a Scrooge. 
I could relate easily to both main characters. Lyla had so much on the line, and feeling left out and being pushed aside from the legacy she so much wanted hurt and made her resent Mason. Mason never wanted to be at odds, but he wasn't one to stand down so he gave as much or maybe more than he get. 
There sure is a thin line between love and hate, and with such stong emotions so many things can change. 
So when he takes her to his home magic town and they have to spend time together, and really getting to know one another, some things start to shift and some of that hate starts do disolve and turn into something else. 

The Village of Yule is somewhere where I wouldn't mind to get lost from time to time. All that close community and all the friendship and support they have for each other was heartwarming
And who never dreamed to go see santa clause and his hometown and see how they make the magic of christmas come true?
I can't wait to get lost in this Village and this world again.

The Yule village was magical, But before that, in the real world, Her constant bickering with the co-CEO about rational decisions confirmed that her father was right not to give her his shares. All she cares about is immediate gratification and thinks her employees will still love to work for a crumbling company if she is left in charge

this book was magical and the perfect quick holiday read. I fell in love with the town of Yule and the members of the Klaus family immediately and this book just warmed my heart. It was so cute and cozy, whilst also dealing with the loss of a loved one and their grieving.
If you’re a fellow Christmas lover like me, this book is a must read. I can’t wait to return to Yule and read the second book of this series. <3

Cute. I loved the plot. At times the female main character though just needed to speak up and that got annoying. I like reading about the town Yule and learning about the Klaus's. Different take on Christmas which was nice.

Such a cute book! this was my second Kate Callaghan book that I have read and I LOVE her writing style, I couldn't put this down! How she wrote the witty characters and described the christmassy goodness, beautiful, I could really picture it (read blurb I ain't spoiling shit)

Not to spoil the whole book but a modern twist on Santa Claus? you best believe it.

A lot of will they won't they with the best vibes.

I can't wait to read the next one!

Big thanks to Kate Callaghan for making this book available for free on NetGalley in preparation for the release of the second in the stand alone series (which I now will be devouring straight away <3)

Review to be posted on Instagram at earliest convenience

This was sweet, and funny. Magically different than your typical holiday romance. Rival co-owners of a company, one with a magical secret identity. Great ending with a happily ever after.

I was provided with a review copy of the ebook and this is my honest opinion. I gave this book 4 stars. (If I am unable to leave partial stars, I will always round up.)

I will continue on with the series. I also plan to check out the author’s previous works.

Thank you NetGalley and Kate Callaghan!

good romance and loved how they found love and each other. They survived their trials and found their way back to each other. another great romance.

Firstly, thanks to NetGallery for this ARC with an exchange of my honestly review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 1/5

I love this book so much I want to cry. This book is everything I ever wanted in a book. The enemies to lovers, the fake dating, the Christmas f-ing village. Don't even get me started on Mason. I want t say everything yet nothing at all because that's how good it is. I'm speechless.

The chemistry between Layla and Mason was perfect. They're exact opposite of each other but they work so well together. The flirting and banter between them made me and laugh gave me butterflies throughout the whole book. I'm even in love with Mason's family as well. They welcomed Layla into their family so much and Kevin even though was putting distance between him and Layla, he even opened up to her.

Out of all characters, I have to say Mason is my favourite. The way he looks after Layla's company honestly was justified and kept everyone in check including Layla. He seemed so cold in the beginning but my god!!!! He is one of the best book boyfriends out there.


✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ fake dating
✔️ found family

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Honestly I do not have one bad thing to say about this book. I loved every part of it in my soul.

I kinda want to know how Mason's family defended Layla now at the end!!!! I want a bonus chapter when Layla goes back!!!!!

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

A cozy holiday christmas rom-com with fake dating Santa, magic, a little bit of spicy and lot's of christmas lights 🎄

A winter wonderland with a sasy FMC and a grumpy or is it a "grinch-y" MMC.
Perfect if you like a quick, fun and magical Christmas story ☃️

Post on IG the 15.nov 2024 (one_fairy_tale_at_the_time)

This book is amazing and full of Christmas magic! It had me hooked from the start. The story follows Lyla who works side by side with the grumpy Mason at her family’s toy company. Lyla is upset because when her father retired and left the toy company basically bankrupt he decides to give his shares to Mason. He is a popular investor that should hopefully be able to dig them out of the hole they are in. Lyla however gets her grandfathers shares and that makes her and Mason partners. Even though they disagree on everything they have no choice but to work together. When Mason cancels the company’s Christmas party Lyla decides enough is enough and decides to throw it anyway. When the party ends with a fire and all the blame on Lyla for throwing the party Mason decides to offer her a deal. Spend the Christmas season with the Klaus family and he will forget the whole thing. But when they arrive and he begins to introduce her as his fiancée she is shocked but has no choice but to go along with it. Can Lyla make it through the season without falling in love with her fake fiancée?

AHHHHHHHHH! I Love a good cozy Christmas story. I very much enjoyed the twist this game on the North Pole and Santyyyy Clause, Hands down a 4.5 star read for me.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

Oh how I swoon for an a work rival romance! It’s one trope that I will run to any given day. So sign me up.

Anyway, I was a bit apprehensive to begin this book as I am a literal scrooge, Christmas is not my kind of thing. BUT, Christmas in this book is done amazingly well. It took the fascinations of children and showed them in such a creative way, Callaghan really did do a fantastic job with that.

Now, the Christmas theme is strong in this one but I’m not gonna mark it down because that’s just rude considering the title, cover and even blurb say CHRISTMAS GALORE. But if you love a little Christmas romance then this is for you.

Although, I did very much enjoy the different take on Santa and the north pile, it was actually quite cute and extremely different to most Christmas romance books out there. So because Callaghan has made this a different sort of Christmas romance, I feel no way about going and reading Tis The Season For Secrets (book 2).

Loved this book and will continue to recommend over Christmas, and beyond.