Arc Provided by NetGalley
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Hallmark better watch out for Kate Callaghan because she now has two slam dunk Christmas books that are 10 times more fun than any of their movies. I loved getting to go back to Yule and see familiar characters from the first book. My only complaint about the story is that Juliet and Will are basically in love at first sight and that’s not my favorite trope, I prefer the characters to have a bit more history together. However, this book is littered with things I do love though. It’s the perfect mix of spice, plot, and stakes that nothing seems out of place or too fast paced. Callaghan really is a master at writing easy to follow and fun holiday romances!
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If you are looking for books to start off the most wonderful time of the year, the Village of Yule series is a great place to start!
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Thank you Kate Callaghan and NetGalley for a chance to review this book

‘Tis the Season for Secrets
3.5 ⭐️

I fell in love with the little Yule village last year in The Naughty or Nice Clause and it’s back!

Juliet gets caught up in a scheme to hide an entire village when she finds out her mother is from a secret North Pole Village. She and Will, a guardian in the village, are trying desperately to let her meet her long lost mother.

I didn’t love this from the start, but it redeemed itself a little once more of it was set back in Yule. Insta love is never my favorite trope, so this might have just been my take!

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC!

Thanks to Kate Callaghan, IBPA and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this delightful read! 'Tis the Season for Secrets is set to release on November 24, and it’s a cozy 306 pages that whisk you away to the enchanting Village of Yule. After a reading slump (thanks a lot, The Alchemist! 😩), I finally picked this up, and despite taking my time, I truly enjoyed it!

✧ One Night Stand 💖
✧ Winter Wonderland ❄️
✧ Family Secrets 🗝️
✧ Forced Proximity 💗
✧ Holiday Romance 🎁
✧ Forbidden Love 🖤
✧ Found Family 💕
✧ Dual POV 👀

Juliet Frost is our aspiring editor on a mission, and when she stumbles upon a family chest filled with secrets, it sets off a whirlwind of chaos! Her unexpected reunion with the mysterious Will Duncan, who she once shared a steamy night with, adds even more intrigue. The plot was a bit of a slow burn for me at first, but Kate Callaghan does a fantastic job weaving together the magical vibes of Yule with some charming romance.

There were moments in this book that really pulled at my heartstrings. I found myself crying toward the end—was it the emotion of the story, or maybe just PMS? Who knows! 😂 But seriously, Juliet’s struggles with her family dynamics resonated with me, especially her pain regarding her father. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to wrap your arms around the characters and tell them it’s not their fault! 🥹❤️

While the romance between Juliet and Will was adorably heartwarming—like, kick-your-legs kind of chemistry—there were elements I wished were explored more. I wanted a deeper dive into the banishment issue tied to Juliet’s family history and a final showdown with her dad for some extra closure. An epilogue would’ve been a cherry on top, too! 🍒 I’m definitely looking forward to more from Kate in the future.

Overall, 'Tis the Season for Secrets is a magical journey filled with love, laughter, and a sprinkle of cheer. It’s the perfect book to curl up with during those chilly winter nights. Grab your hot cocoa and dive in! ☕️✨

Beside from the Instant love, I really enjoyed this book (and the one night troupe)!

The second book in the series where we get to see the land of Yule, but this time we get some history and unravel a lot of secrets!
Cozy, quick and fun - with spice and lot's of christmas lights 🎄

Post on IG (one_fairy_tale_at_the_time) the 15.nov 2024

I absolutely fell in love with the town of Yule and wish I could be part of it! Kate Callaghan has created a festive world that draws you in, with lovable characters and an enchanting holiday setting. Juliet’s life is flipped upside down by family mysteries, and with the help of charming Will, she searches for answers. Their chemistry is undeniable, full of passion and hope. This book is packed with secrets and revelations that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy a little mystery with your Christmas romance, this one’s for you!

In this beautifully crafted novel, we follow the journey of 26-year-old Juliet Frost, a publishing professional whose life takes a turn when she receives a chest containing a letter from her deceased grandmother that reveals a deep family secret.

Filled with romance, this story is a delightful holiday read. Having never read the author’s previous works, this book left me eager for more, a rarity in my reading experience. It’s an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys romance, fantasy, or simply a cozy, whimsical Christmas tale.

Juliet has no idea the village of Yule even exists until Will enters her life. With his help, along with a mysterious chest and letters, she uncovers so much about herself. However, I felt the banishment plot could have been explored more. Since it was a key part of Juliet’s family history, she deserved to learn the full truth. I also wished there had been more clarity on her father and the deadline situation. While we’re told Will resolved it, a final conversation between Juliet and her father would have added more closure.

Tis’ the Season for Secrets
By Kate Callaghan

In this beautifully crafted novel, we follow the journey of 26-year-old Juliet Frost, a publishing professional whose life takes a turn when she receives a chest containing a letter from her deceased grandmother that reveals a deep family secret. This discovery, along with a chance encounter with Will Duncan, ignites Juliet’s quest to uncover the truth about her birth mother and her family's origins.

Filled with whimsy and romance, this story is a delightful holiday read. The plot is intricately woven, and the vivid world-building immerses you in the setting—making you feel the chill of Yule. The character development is exceptional, bringing the story to life in a way that Kate achieves flawlessly.

Having never read the author’s previous works, this book left me eager for more, a rarity in my reading experience. It’s an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys romance, fantasy, or simply a cozy, whimsical Christmas tale.

A special thank you to NetGalley and author Kate Callaghan (IBPA) for the advanced reader copy in exchange for honest feedback.

Yule has become one my favourite places to visit at Christmas time and although you don’t spend as much time there as you do in the first novel I still get the same feeling.
I loved everything from Juliet and wills relationship dynamic throughout the book but also how Juliet was with the characters in the first book. And her best friend was the perfect kind of quirky! I loved everything about it!

When I saw a new Yule book was out, I literally rushed to read it. Lyla and Mason hold a special place in my heart (if you haven’t read The Naughty or Nice Clause yet, go read it, like, right now!). So I couldn’t wait to dive back into that Christmas spirit! This time, we’ve got instalove with a touch of forbidden romance, and of course, as any good holiday story should, a found family. Overall, the book is super sweet and fun, and I especially loved the side characters (Kate, just between us... the next one’s about Morgan, right? Tell me it is, please 🙏🙏).

This book has everything! A secret Christmas town in the North Pole? Check. Sweet, protective, rebellious love interest? Check. If those two things aren’t enough to convince you, there’s also plenty of family drama and Christmas-themed shenanigans to keep you on your toes!
I really enjoyed getting to follow Juliet on her journey to finding her family history and herself. Her upbringing makes it so easy to root for her and want a happy ending. Kate Callaghan does a great job making this book a stand-alone read while also continuing where the first book in the series left off! My only qualm is that the book leaves some loose ends untied that I as the reader am still curious about. Otherwise, it is a delightful read to get you in the Christmas spirit!

This book was a cute holiday read. It was an easy light read. It took me a few days to finish due to life, but I could have easily finished it in one day.

Juliet doesn't know what the villager of Yule exists until Will walks into her life. With the chest, letters, and help from Will, she finds out so much about herself.

I would have liked to hear more about the banishment. It was part of Juliet's family history, so I feel she deserved to know the whole story.

I also wanted to get more information about her father and the deadline. That information was given, and we are told that it was taken care of by Will. I would have liked for one last conversation with her dealing with her dad.

I wish an epilogue would have been added. I wanted to know what she decided to do. Did she stay or go back to her normal life? I guess I was looking for more closure.

I was given this ARC in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley and Kate Callaghan.

This is the second book of the Village of Yule series. You must read the first book The Naughty or Nice Clause before reading the second because it sets the scene and gives introductions to the characters. Perfect little cozy Christmas books to relax with.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book.

My very first ARC! 'Tis the Season for Secrets' by Kate Callaghan is also my first Christmas read of 2024. And I can only say that I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not usually a fan of third-person POV, but the writing drew me in right away. The forbidden love theme added tension and excitement, keeping me hooked as Will and Juliette navigated their emotions and secrets.
The Christmas magic woven throughout the story—it really brought the festive spirit to life. Even while reading this in October. The added layer of family secrets made the plot even more suspenseful, keeping me guessing until the end. Overall, it’s a heartwarming, festive read with a good blend of romance and mystery.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wish I had read the previous book in the series, though it can be read as a standalone. The magical village of Yule was so cute. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I would definitely read more books by this author. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I couldn't wait to return to Yule and the characters that I fell in love with in Kate Callaghan's first book of the series. This time we follow Juliet and Will's story.
When Juliet receives a mysterious package from her late grandmother she has no idea that she will soon be travelling to a magical village, reuniting with family that she has never met and falling head over heels in love with a sexy stranger sent to protect her. I loved this cosy festive romance just as much as the previous installment and hope that it won't be the last.

So our FMC Juliet is a strong and determined assistant within publishing. she is desperate for a promotion at work and is tasked with getting a manuscript from a new difficult author. While collecting the papers she bumps (literally) into Will our MMC, and they are drawn to each other ever since. Little does she know, he knows more about her then he lets on and is the whole reason she is gifted an old family chest.

This is my first read from Kate Callaghan, and I absolutely loved it! It was such a cozy romantic read. It defiantly got me in the Christmas spirit. I loved the whole idea of Yule and the spin on what "Santa " does. It made it still feel magical with out it being childish. The amazing descriptions of Yule really set the scene and made me want to go myself!

The Chemistry between Juliet and Will was so easy and seemed to come naturally. Will fell hard and fast, and Juliet was quick to follow. My favourite aspect of this book is the found family. Wow! this was really tugging at my heartstrings.

I loved both of the main characters in the beginning, however, as we got further into the book Juliet's actions became a bit repetitive and frustrating. I found my self shouting at the book "will you just stay put!!". After learning about Yule I felt like she became a bit of a damsel. However once confronted and threated she starts pushing back and I was so glad to see she did have a backbone. I LOVE a strong FMC.

With end it was lovely and cozy. She seemed to finally feel at peace. However you are left with multiple questions that the end just seems to ignore. I'm hoping there is another book where with will be explained? But I am unsure.

I would 100% recommend this book. Curl up on the sofa with a hot chocolate and mince pie and let the magic unfold.

Tis the Season for Secrets, by Kate Callaghan, is the second in the Village of Yule series.  While it can be read as a stand-alone, why would you want to?  I recommend reading them in order: The Naughty or Nice Clause, then Tis the Season for Secrets. This is a Christmasy hallmark-like story with a twist. Now, for next year's addition... Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

This book was pretty good. I liked the story line and the magical aspects of the story but I was not a huge fan of the male main character.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an eARC. We return to the magical world of Yule for this sequel. Juliet finds out that the mother she never knew lives in Yule and her father’s family was banished from Yule. With the help of Will she slowly starts to learn of Yule and her family’s past. I didn’t love this one as much as the first. I felt it was a lot of talking about small pieces of Juliet’s past but not getting much else. It didn’t feel as magical as the first. I was getting annoyed with no answers and things being drawn out for what seemed like no reason. It seemed to be sad a lot of the time with her feeling abandoned and unloved by everyone around her so didn’t like that feeling. It does have a happy ending but I didn’t connect with this one as much.