I must say that this libeo surprised me. is one of those books that you are looking for especially with the approach of Christmas and it is perfect to keep you company in these days. I loved the idea that the author wanted to dedicate this book with her characters that intrigued me so much. I also loved the way it is narrated in the third person and the sup way of writing, not to mention the enemies to lovers trope present in the story. I recommend it, especially as Christmas approaches. Thank you Netgalley for this!

Read this holiday read very quickly. I fell in love with the town of Yule and it’s celebrations of Christmas. At first I was wondering how we were going to get to the ‘fake-relationship’ and how it would progress and it made my heart hurt when Lyla received the email and Mason found out. So glad this had a HEA.

I wanted to read this book to get myself into the Christmas spirit, and undoubtedly it has made me feel more christmassy!

This isn’t my usual type of book, and with that I found that it was probably quite predictable with how the story panned out. That being said I found that it was really easy to read and I found myself routing for the budding relationship that was undoubtedly going to happen throughout the story.

I probably would recommend to somebody if they wanted an easy read on a lazy weekend day, but they shouldn’t expect to find too many surprises whilst they’re reading it!

** Book is presented last in printed column of the Collinwood Observer, along with other versions, one of which is the Euclid Observer, a paper which will come out in the month of December and will be free to readers in and around Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs. While the local news changes in the area my column remains the same. There are hundreds of pick up areas and stand alone paper boxes where readers will get a copy.

Tea Time With A Good Book
Only in December We Substitute With Hot Chocolate ;)
By Jeneane Vanderhoof

With so many great recommendations to close out the year, I wanted to keep them short and plentiful, for under the tree as a gift or a read for yourself on those silent, chilly nights wrapped in a blanket under the twinkling lights.

The Circus Train is a coming of age tale in a mystical, rich, circus, during World War II. It is a tale of strength, courage, love but most of all, endurance, perseverance and overcoming insurmountable, seemingly unwinnable odds. Next, for science fiction/ fantasy fans we turn to the writings of Nathan Traverse in A Fractured Infinity. Hayes Figueiredo, an unsuccessful movie maker, brought to the envisioner, a machine that can't be explained; not where it came from, how it works, even what it does. A complex, metaverse tale that wraps around your mind, not once, or twice but over and over and back to wrap again!

For fans of historical fiction, Philipia Gregory wraps up her series with the long awaited finale to the Fairmire Series with Dawnland. Livia is well, Livia, up to her old schemes. This time, however, her plans may well include royalty, up to, and including, the heir to the English throne. You won't want to miss this masterpiece. And those who want a writer with a strong pen when it comes to looking toward the Lord for strength, there is The Finding of Miss. Fairfield by Grace Hitchcock. Finally, for mystery lovers there is Coached Red Handed by Victoria Laurie. When Cat's client is murdered after a session in which she provided coaching advice she can't help but feel devastated, intent to catch who done it. An instant, new, favorite of mine!

For the Christmas book every reader must have this season, The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan. When Llyas dead father's toy factory is saved from bankruptcy, to appease her co-CEO Mr. Mason Klaus, she must travel to his family's magical wonderland for twelve days. A romance that will knock your stockings off their chimney hooks! Just don't let Santa catch you with this book, you may end up on his naughty list!

To all my readers, Please go to the online version of this article for a longer review, it's provided with more books for yourself and gifts for the holiday reader of all types and genres! Also, my Goodreads page, Jeneane Vanderhoof.

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

Starting off my Christmas reads with this new release! This book starts off cute, a solid setup for a perfect Christmas story. A grinch of a boss with the last name “Klaus” that hated christmas. Now if you’ve watched or read anything Christmas themed I’m sure you can guess where this is going and you’d be exactly right.
With that being said this book didn’t surprise me much, everything felt kind of typical and expected but honestly I’m not really looking to be surprised while reading a Christmas book. I just want to be getting in the spirit of the season and this book definitely did that.
I feel like the story being told from a third person perspective kind of created a disconnect from the characters. While I did like them I didn’t feel a huge attachment to them. I did enjoy the relationship and the found family aspect though!
The ending in my opinion felt very rushed, like everything happened in the last 85% of the book. I was happy with how things turned out but it almost felt so rushed I couldn’t fully enjoy it.
Overall this book was cute a definitely puts you in a holiday mood, but I wouldn’t say it was my favorite. I can definitely see people enjoying it, it just sadly wasn’t for me.

*Thank you Netgalley and team for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are 100% my own*

The Naughty or Nice Clause kind of reminded me of the movie The Santa Clause in regards to the need for a new Claus, the magical secrets, and the fact that the main characters worked at a toy company. Although it reminded me of the movie it was also very different. It dealt with the heavy topic of grief, loneliness, guilt and the expectations of one’s family.

Mason’s father passed away and he must take over his job but his estrangement from his family causes him to panic and he brings Lyla along with him back to Yule but he fails to mention the secretiveness and all the rules. As they pretend to be an engaged couple, Lyla and Mason see a different side to each other and all those original feelings melt away into something much more. Is it just the magical pull of Yule or are their feelings worth fighting for?

This is a very slow burn, enemies to lovers work place romance mixed with some fake dating between Lyla and Mason. Both of them had initial impressions of the other that changed after they truly got to know the other. Mason was able to come to terms with his past with the help of Lyla and Lyla found a home and a family she didn’t know she needed. This is a short Christmas time read full of magical wonder perfect for anyone looking to add a holiday book to their tbr.

Rating 3.5 stars


Thank you publishers and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this one. I honestly wish it was longer. The perfect Christmas read! The characters were so well written and I loved them all except one crazy person. And the magic in this was giving me all the Christmas feels. I loved the chemistry between the two MC’s. Their connection and banter was everything I needed. & Loved that ending! 100% recommend to my holiday readers, this gave me all the holiday feels.

I began reading The Naughty Or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan this weekend as I have jumpstarted my holiday reading! I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t read this author before, but I was so pleasantly surprised! I absolutely loved this book and read it over this weekend—it was a quick read in a great way! Lyla and Mason work for a toy company that Lyla’s father gave his shares to Mason for to avoid bankruptcy and help the company. After some changes and a more than tipsy night for Mason, Lyla learns about Mason’s secret and his family. This book was just too cute and perfect for Christmas lovers!

Lyla and Mason meet at work when Lyla's father gives his shares of the toy company to Mason to restore the company from bankruptcy. While they are working together, Mason initially makes hard changes to turn the company around that Lyla doesn't understand (or feels like they are mean and unfamiliar). Throughout the story, we learn that Mason has a secret and he chooses Lyla to share it with. Discovering this secret will change her opinion of Mason forever and when she realizes who he truly is, she will receive her HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Callaghan and the publisher for allowing me to read a free, advanced copy of this book.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Lyla Smurfit wants nothing more than to own and manage her grandfather’s toy company. When the current CEO, Lyla’s farther, decides to retire, she expects him to hand the company over to her. However, he signs on Mason Klaus as the chief shareholder and financial advisor, completely blindsiding Lyla. Having spent most of her life working at the company, she resents Mason for taking her rightfully earned place as CEO and for making drastic changes to what should be her grandfather’s legacy.

A few days before the Christmas break, Lyla finds out that Mason has cancelled their annual Christmas party to save on costs. Furious, she decides to host her own party at the office, setting off the trigger for events Lyla could have never imagined would happen. After a letter, a fire, a drunken cab ride home, and a guilt trip, Lyla somehow ends up agreeing to go to with Mason to visit his family during the break. There, she will learn the true nature of Christmas spirit and get to know a side of Mason she never thought she’d see… or find alluring.

With the fate of the company at hand, will Lyla be able to resist the temptation of Mason and his family, or is she willing to let go of everything she’s ever wanted for a chance at true happiness?
~~~~
The Naughty or Nice Clause is the perfect Christmas romance to start off the holiday season, and this is coming from someone who doesn’t really enjoy reading holiday themed books. Taking place in Mason's hometown, Lyla feels like she's in a dream because of how much everyone leans into Christmas, which creates the perfect backdrop of a winter romance. I mean, who wouldn’t be able to resist falling in love when you’re surrounded by the beautiful sights of a town that’s covered in snow and decked out in Christmas decorations? Not me, that’s for sure. It doesn’t lean heavily into the romance, which is nice, so it’s definitely a slow burn kind of love story. I will say that it has a NSFW moment though. I was eating lunch when I got to it, and I had to stop reading so that I wouldn’t choke on my french fries.

I loved the character dynamics and how Kate gave them each a well-rounded personality. The setting and imagery were incredible. Again, put me in that Christmas town, please… minus the wolves. I love being able to visualize the surroundings that the characters interact with and I was totally about to do that with Kate's writing. The only reason I docked The Naughty or Nice Clause half a star was because of the pace. I felt like it went too fast. I wanted more time. I wanted to get to know these characters more – to know their motivations and their hopes and dreams. I wanted Lyla and Mason’s relationship to be drawn out, meaning that I wanted whatever changes between them to develop at a slower rate. I like to have a lot of time with characters so that I feel like I know them well enough to call them my friends. Other than that, I loved this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for this advanced reader copy.

Go out and get yourself a copy of The Naughty or Nice Clause. It’s available now!

Love it!
It was a quick read, making my heart warm, but with the mention of a heavy topic: grief. It contains a few popular tropes such as grumpy and the sunshine, fake dating, one bed, friends to lovers, and found family.
The main character loves Christmas, but the man does not and it's a story about spending a few days in Yule where the magic happens.
This book should make you feel good and prep for Christmas and it does. We have hot chocolates, brandy, Christmas baking, snow, and fireplaces. Highly recommend it as a Holiday read.

A fun Christmas read! Far fetched but keep me entertained!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and CallaghanWriter in exchange for my copy of The Naughty Or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan in exchange for an honest review. It published November 8, 2022.
This was a hard-to-put-down read! I found any excuse to read this book, and devoured it in a matter of days! The setting was so magical and fun, and really got me in the Christmas spirit! I loved the Klaus family, and I found the romance to be fairly sweet. I thought the character arc and development was well-done for it being a shorter book.
The only downside to this is there is some R-rated language, and a sex scene.

This is a cute little story, but nothing outstanding. It has Christmassy vibes and a romcom romance, but it’s by no means something unforgettable. I actually struggled to finish it and I’m a big Christmas lover.

I’d recommend this to someone who is looking for something light, Christmassy and not too long of a book.

Quite an entertaining but extremely far-fetched read. But as it’s a Christmassy storyline anything goes and I found this book quite good fun! Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy

I think if you like the hating game, you will like this one! Very reminiscent of the film office christmas party crossed with the hating game. It wasn't for me, but I can see why people would like it.

I'm sorry but this was so not good I just could not finish reading and dnfed at 62%.

I like a good, fluffy Christmas-themed Romcom but it has to have at least better than average writing, so I can look past (slightly) ridiculous premises and cheesy situations. But the writing in The Naughty or Nice Clause was well below average.
The problem with the writing starts with simple issues like two consecutive sentences starting with the same words like "She also...She also..." It then continues with stinted dialogue that elicits no emotion and is just awkward to read as it has nothing to do with how real-life people talk. I think what the author was going for was a relationship where the characters banter with one another but it just didn't work.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed..."Body heat is the best way to warm up," he said, and she could hear the satisfaction in his voice..."I think we have to be naked for that to work," she said breathlessly.

Surroundings and situations were described shortly and efficiently but efficiency doesn't create a cozy or romantic atmosphere. It's all about what the character sees but hardly about sounds, smells, feelings etc. We also don't get to see the character connect to her surroundings. She is just plopped into different rooms and that's it.

If you are looking for a book with a romantic, christmassy feeling this is not it. If you are just looking for a book with a christmassy setting, The Naughty of Nice Clause might work for you.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A huge thanks to Netgalley and Enchanted Ink Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. I was pulled into this book from the very beginning. The atmosphere and aesthetic of Christmas that the book created was everything and I am not even a fan of Christmas like that. I am also not a fan of romance but I didn't hate this book. I also don't think it was amazing but I did like it.

I liked the main characters, Mason more so than Lyla. At times I felt Lyla was a bit flat. The relationship between the two was really cute and at times sexy. I wanted so much to live in Mason's Christmas village. I hate to say this but it was a bit weird to see "Oh! Mr. Klaus" used in a sexy way....

I recommend this book for Christmas and romance fans.

The Naughty Or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan is the epitome of a cozy and merry Christmas romance.

The story follows work enemies and co-CEOs, Lyla Smurfit and Mason Klaus, who respectively own 49% and 51% of Lyla's family's toy company. After Lyla throws a work Christmas party gone wrong, she owes Mason big time for the damages. What better way to make it up to him than to accompany him home for the holidays and (surprise!) play his fake fiancee? Lyla quickly learns that Mason Klaus, his hometown, and his family have some holly jolly secrets. Join Lyla and Mason in a sweetly atmospheric Christmas town as they go from enemy co-CEOs to something more.

The atmosphere of this book was delightfully festive. I was in the holiday spirit from page one till the acknowledgments at the end of the book. I adored Callaghan's take on Santa lore. It was immediately evident that the characters were fleshed out and written considerately. The writing was crisp and easy to follow as well, every time I sat down to read I wanted to binge the whole story! This feels like a story that could be consumed over and over again every Christmas season (like a favorite holiday movie).

A tweak on a Christmas rom-com with a fantasy element thrown in.

This review is quite hard to write…I REALLY enjoyed the broad storyline and the magical elements; the idea of what the real Santa Claus is actually doing was really sweet and refreshing. With a few tweaks I could see this being made as a Netflix/Hallmark Christmas movie.

However…the execution was mostly poor and lazy. The writing was jolting in places, full of cliches (one scene is pretty much fully lifted from Beauty & the Beast) and the main love interest has more red flags than a golf course.

Overall, this was an easy Christmas read with a lot of potential, but in need of a much better edit.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for my copy in return for an honest review.

My review will be posted on Instagram, Amazon and Goodreads.