I wasn’t too sure about this book at first but by the end, I really enjoyed it! I didn’t read the first book but had no trouble reading this as a standalone (though I will definitely be going back to read Lyla and Mason’s story). This was the perfect Hallmark holiday romance with a touch of magic, taking place partially in a magical Christmas village called Yule. I loved the romance, the friendship, the found family, and all of the holiday themes that have really got me in the Christmas spirit! Definitely recommend for a good magical holiday read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me this arc for my honest review

Rating: 3⭐

One day, shortly before Christmas, the heroine receives a chest from her late grandmother. She discovers that her mother lives in a magical Christmas village and is waiting for her there. Along the way, she meets Will, who falls in love with her and helps her uncover the secrets of her family’s past.

I loved the magical description of the village: mountains, snow, reindeer, and sledging. It sounds like the most peaceful place. I loved the characters and their humour at times. I wish the book's pace were quicker and the beginning of the book felt like it dragged on a little bit. I felt like most of the beginning of the book there wasn't much romance involved, it was mostly learning about Juliets' story.

This was such a charming little Christmas read! It's perfect for a cozy night and a nice cup of hot chocolate☕

Tropes:
✓ one night stand
✓ holiday romance
✓ Winter Wonderland
✓ family secrets
✓ forced proximity
✓ dual POV
✓ bodyguard x editor

3.5 rounded to 4⭐
One day, shortly before Christmas, the heroine receives a chest from her late grandmother. She discovers that her mother lives in a magical Christmas village and is waiting for her there. Along the way, she meets Will, who falls in love with her and helps her uncover the secrets of her family’s past.
This book is so atmospheric! The magical village was described so well – mountains, snow, reindeer, sledding. The characters even take part in a snowman-building contest. I would like to live there myself!
Reading this felt like stepping into an adult fairy tale, and I honestly think this story would make a wonderful Christmas movie.

I liked the characters, their relationships and jokes, although I sometimes wished the plot would move a bit faster. It was funny how Juliet kept running away from Will, and he kept searching for her. I felt sorry for Juliet when reading about her childhood, and I’d love to know more about her relationship with her father in the future. Maybe we’ll get more on that in the next book. I hope it will be about Margo and Harvey.
Tis' the Season for Secrets is the second book in the Village of Yule series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Tropes:
✓ one night stand
✓ holiday romance
✓ Winter Wonderland
✓ family secrets
✓ forced proximity
✓ dual POV
✓ bodyguard x editor

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan (IBPA) for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cool, intriguing and somewhat cheesy, 'Tis the Season for Secrets by Kate Callaghan takes readers back to the Village of Yule with a story about a young girl whose family was banished from the magical town generations ago.

Summary: Juliet Frost randomly receives a chest one day. It turns out she is from a family that was banished from the Village of Yule three generations ago. She also happens to have had a one-night stand with Will Duncan, a guardian from Yule. When she accidentally discovers the truth, she must uncover her heritage.

Tropes/Genres:
• one-night stand
• christmas
• small town
• fantasy
• forced proximity
• family secrets
• romance

Review: This book is so much better than the first one. It dives deeper into the lore of Yule, giving readers more information on how this village works. The characters are more interesting, and the plot has more depth. Of course, this book still has some issues that mostly revolve around the plot and writing.

Juliet and Will seem like a nice pairing. They had chemistry at the beginning of the book when they had just met and displayed interest towards each other. I don't think they had many such cute moments as the story progressed. Regardless, I think they are fairly well-written characters individually.

I like the parts about Juliet's family history, such as the banishment and her parents' relationship. I think it was handled quite well. As mentioned above, the author expanded on the lore of the Village of Yule, and I think it was done rather well. My only issue with this aspect is how cheesy her parents' relationship was. The author went for the Romeo and Juliet route, and yes, that's how Juliet got her name. It was quite hard to take it seriously and feel the intended emotions for this situation when it was so open to cringe. The problem was also resolved way too easily.

While the story is decent, it's difficult to take it seriously when the author uses awkward language and forces colloquialism in the most cringe-worthy way possible– cue "but Rudolph forbids". There simply isn't a need to make everyone such a stereotype, especially when all the Christmas stuff in the real world is meant to be myths and largely exaggerated or untrue in the context of this book. This is an issue that was also present in the first book.

I think the plot eventually forgets that Juliet is supposed to have a life outside of Yule. You know, as an editor. Yule took up the bulk of the story, which just neglected Juliet's real life. It felt like a plot to make this book a tiny bit of bookish to appeal to book lovers, only to forget about it afterwards after this job was used as a device to make her and Will meet. I'm not a fan of that.

In conclusion, this is a nice Christmas-themed read that talks about family secrets. If you like the sound of that, mixed with some romance, then here is a book for you! The story can be a bit cheesy, and the problem was solved way too easily, but this is still an enjoyable read.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the read.

This book was such a wonderful cozy story, just the right amount to bring you into the Christmas preparations.

Secret Santa's helper turns into a sexy naughty lover, who for sure knows how to play woman's body.

Juliet Frost has never been warmly welcomed in her family with the exception of her grandmother. After her grandmother's passing Juliet receives a letter and a mysterious chest full of secrets.

Will Duncan, the guardian of Yule's secrets, should help Juliet to find her way to Yule, her true home.

What they both haven't anticipated was to have a lots of travels between Yule and the outside world, especially without Juliet knowing about the Yule.

This story was more than I expected and a true joy to read.

Callaghan does a fantastic job weaving together beloved tropes—forced proximity, one-night stand, and holiday romance—while adding a sprinkle of magic to create a captivating story. Juliet is a relatable protagonist, caught between her head and her heart, and Will is the kind of brooding yet tender hero that romance fans adore. Their journey feels authentic and emotional, with plenty of festive charm and tension to keep the pages turning.

While the story is engaging and full of holiday spirit, some elements felt a bit rushed, especially in the resolution of certain plotlines. Additionally, readers unfamiliar with the series might miss some of the depth that comes from reading The Naughty or Nice Clause first. However, the guaranteed HEA and the cozy winter vibes more than make up for it.

If you’re looking for a festive, magical romance with heart, steam, and the perfect amount of Christmas charm, 'Tis the Season for Secrets is a great pick to brighten your holiday season.

Juliet Frost has never known much about her Mum, but when an old family chest is delivered to her with a note from her late Grandma, everything she thought she knew is thrown up in the air. Then she meets Will Duncan and her whole life is turned upside down.
Juliet discovers she is descended from a family who used to live in the village of Yule and her mother still lives there.
But Yule is a magical place, you can’t just jump on a plane and go there, and her father’s family were banished many years ago, so how can Juliet ever hope to meet her Mum and answer the many questions she has.
Can Will help her make sense of her history or will their relationship put them both in danger.
This is a perfect Christmas read. And a lovely magical return to Yule. The characters will engage you from the start and sweep you up in their story. You can read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading The Naughty or Nice Clause first, as it is a great book and a wonderful introduction to Yule.

I loved Yule as getting a chance to jump back into this world was just what I needed to get into the holiday spirit. Mason was the best but now I love Will and Juliet. The pacing of the book was perfect with good draw. I felt pulled into the characters stories and felt all the emotions right along side them. This is definitely a light hearted story with depth. Very much enjoyed this and was glad to get a chance to be in this world again.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this holiday book! It encompassed some great feel good themes with a nice ending.

I loved this. It was perfect, all sparkly and festive. I want to live in Yule. It was good to be back and catch up with lyla too and the Claus family. Juliet was a member of the frost family in name only. They were cold and she didn’t fit in properly. Her Mum leaving her to be brought up by her dad and her step mum had left her feeling unloved and left alone out of the family. She had found her friend and made her her family. Then she meets Will, s handsome stranger who keeps being at the right place at the right time and they click. Yule is a charming but deeply mysterious place for outsiders. It’s secrets need to be kept and will Juliet and Will be able to do so.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Juliet Frost, aspiring editor, was gifted a family chest and accidentally stumbled upon some of her family's most closely kept secrets, turning her holidays upside down. At the same time, she happens upon Will, a previous one night stand and he re-enters her life with answers to questions that she desperately seeks. Is Will re-entering her life by chance or a carefully laid plot? Juliet will have to trust her heart in this fun holiday romance to discover where she truly belongs!

I truly enjoyed this super fun spicy holiday romance! I loved the town of Yule in the North Pole, it almost felt like entering into a snow-globe village that was picture perfect. This book started out spicy and with a bang. The novel was told in a dual POV from both Juliet and Will's perspectives, which I liked. I also found that this book was more than just a romance and also focused on friendship and found family. This book was cute and charming and I always love a good holiday romance. I would definitely recommend this book if you're a romance lover looking for a sweet and spicy magical holiday romance!

My reviews are also found on my GoodReads page.

This book will be released November 24th 2024!

Thank you to Callaghanwriter publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A return to our festive holiday town, Yule! This time for Juliet and Will’s story. Although the books are considered standalone reads, I highly recommend reading The Naughty or Nice Clause first, as this one contains some slight spoilers for it.

Juliet, is a hardworking editor slightly estranged from her family (it’s complicated), and Will is a Yule Guardian who helps citizens of Yule acclimate to the outside world. After a steamy one night stand with a not exactly chance encounter at a bar, Will falls head over heels for his current job target, Juliet. The day Juliet meets Will, she is gifted a family chest with a parting letter from her grandmother that within the chest is correspondence letters revealing a family secret and past history between her parents and thus giving her the opportunity to truly find out about her heritage and choose a new path for herself. For 26 years, Juliet has been raised within a family that treats her like a burden and thinking her mother abandoned her. So when she opens this chest and finds a single bell on a necklace, an accidental trip to Yule ensues and Will, her handsome one night stand she never thought she’d see again, comes to her rescue raising far more questions than she was prepared for. Will Juliet finally get the answers to her mother’s disappearance she’s been waiting for her entire life and can she and Will find a way to rescind her family’s banishment so she can return to the home she never got to know?

I love this Yule series so much! It’s the perfect holiday read. I think I liked this one better than the first. Theres a lot that separates Will and Juliet’s journey from Mason and Lyla in the first book, so it truly reads as its own plot. The pace was engaging the whole way through, the spice was PIPING HOT, and the festive atmosphere makes this the coziest holiday read. I hope to see this series continue, but for now I’m adding this to my fave holiday rereads shelf so I can read it again the next time I’m looking for a fun holiday read. Tropes included are forced proximity, bodyguard x editor, holiday romance, and family secrets.

I'm sorry, I just did not enjoy the premise of the book and had a hard time getting through it. I've enjoys Kate's other books in the past, but I just did not enjoy the characters and story.

'Tis the Season for Secrets by Kate Callaghan is a cozy, festive romance novel set against the charming backdrop of a snow-dusted English village during the holiday season. The story is about Ellie, who returns to her hometown for Christmas, hoping for a peaceful holiday break. However, she finds herself swept up in a web of family secrets, old friendships, and romantic sparks she thought she’d left behind.

Ellie is relatable, and has depth to her struggles with family expectations and personal growth. The romance element comes into play as Ellie reconnects with her first love, giving the story a nostalgic touch as they navigate the complications of past misunderstandings and rekindled emotions. The book balances romance with a touch of mystery as secrets about Ellie’s family and friends gradually unfold.

The writing is warm and descriptive, capturing the festive magic of the season with cozy imagery, like crackling fires, decorated village shops, and snow-covered streets. 'Tis the Season for Secrets is a comforting, feel-good read perfect for the holiday season. It’s an ideal pick for anyone looking for a Christmas romance with a sprinkle of suspense and lots of heartwarming moments.

Kate Callaghan is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors. Tis the season for secrets is book 2, but can most definitely be read as a standalone. It was a sure fun cute pre Christmas read.

This book was soooooo good, like the story was just so well written and also interesting, I couldn’t stop reading it and I’m so happy that I got to read it as well as the opportunity that it is readying it here.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

Kate Callaghan truly captures the essence of a Hallmark movie! This was a wonderful read as we head into the Christmas season. I really liked the main characters, Will and Juliet. I enjoy books that build a series around couples, and it was nice to see how the previous couple fared in the future as well. The story is set between a reality and a magical world, and the blend of these elements was done well. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book.

4 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Kate Callaghan for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This is such a cozy and unique holiday read that has a mix of mystery, romance, and drama, all in one! Juliet and Will were adorable and had me hooked from the moment she received her chest. It is perfect for a hot cup of chocolate in bed, surrounded by my Christmas lights and decor!


Tropes:
- One Night Stand
- Winter Wonderland
- Family Secrets
- Forced Proximity
- Bodyguard X Editor

This was a good read overall, great pacing, interesting characters and a magical world. Did Juliet really have to battle her head and heart? In my opinion it was not much of a battle, it leaned more towards insta love with both Yule and Will. I really enjoyed going through Juliets journey as she immerses into Yule, the lifestyle, people ect. of a winter wonderland was done well. Plus the MMC Will is simply precious I really enjoyed his POV. The only downside was regarding how many times being banished was reiterated, how bad it would be if anyone found out who Juliet actually is, that aspect was overly repeated. I also wish the ending would include the aftermath of the decision Juliet made with her fathers family.

"Tis The Season For Secrets" by Kate Callaghan is a cozy and unique holiday read with a mix of mystery, romance, and drama set against a whimsical festive backdrop. The characters are well-developed, and I loved how each one had secrets that gradually unravel, keeping me hooked until the end. Callaghan's writing style is engaging, and she masterfully balances intrigue with warmth, making it easy to get lost in the cozy yet suspenseful atmosphere she creates. The plot had enough twists to keep me guessing, though some parts were a bit predictable. Still, this is a great book to curl up with during the holidays—perfect for fans of feel-good mysteries with a holiday twist!

This is the second book in Kate Callaghan’s Village of Yule series. While it makes for a great standalone read, but I do recommend reading “The Naughty or Nice Clause” first to ensure there are no spoilers!