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.

"Tis the Season for Secrets" is the second book in Kate Callaghan's "Village of Yule" series. In this book, Juliet Frost is a book editor who has recently acquired an old family chest. In this chest are some long-buried family secrets that lead her to look at her family with new eyes. Will Duncan, her hunky one-night stand is now turning into something more, and it turns out he has ties to her family as well. When Will transports Juliet to a magical Christmas village, things start running out of control in Juliet's mind and she has to determine the next best step.

While I enjoyed the originality of this story, I didn't believe in the chemistry between Will and Juliet, and I didn't appreciate how he would get mad at her so quickly. He understood what was going on more than she did and I though he should have been more patient. Overall, it was a cute book but just not for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Before reading, put on a Christmas album and have hot cocoa ready, then sit down to a wonderful story. I have read the first book in what I'm hoping will a continuing series. I love returning to Yule and the characters are engaging with an unusual plot line. I definitely recommend this book and the previous one written by Ms. Callaghan. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

In our trip back to the town of Yule the latest drama has us dealing with the forced choices made upon young people and the consequences of their actions. We learn about Juliet and Will and the instant attraction that pulls them together no matter what they try. You fall in love with them, and what they go through and of course the town of Yule Al over again. I love that this one is a little spicer than the last and I think there is room for a 3rd book to this series <3. If you love Hallmark Christmas movies with spice you will love this sequel. Thank you Netgallery, and Kate Callaghan for picking me to be an arc reader of this book!

Book Review: 'Tis the Season for Secrets (Village of Yule #2) by Kate Callaghan

'Tis the Season for Secrets' by Kate Callaghan delivers a holiday romance brimming with magic, mystery, and emotional depth. The second installment in the Village of Yule series, this enchanting tale sweeps readers into a festive world where the spirit of Christmas and family secrets collide, keeping the pages turning as you root for the characters.

The story follows Juliet Frost, an aspiring editor who stumbles upon her family's hidden history after inheriting an old chest. What begins as a simple holiday turns into a whirlwind of revelations as Juliet discovers her connection to Yule, a magical Christmas village, and learns that she is the product of a forbidden love affair. The novel’s use of this hidden legacy offers a fresh twist on the holiday romance genre, pulling readers into a captivating web of family intrigue.

At the heart of the book is the rekindling of Juliet's unexpected romance with Will Duncan, a mysterious man from her past who holds crucial answers about her origins. Their chemistry sizzles right from the start, thanks to their shared history—a one-night stand that neither has forgotten. Will's return, steeped in his own secrets, adds tension and allure to the romance as the couple grapples with questions of fate, trust, and belonging. The forced proximity trope is effectively woven into their dynamic, enhancing the romantic tension while exploring deeper emotional stakes.

Callaghan beautifully captures the essence of a winter wonderland, infusing the narrative with vivid, atmospheric descriptions of Yule. The village itself becomes a character in the story, with its whimsical charm and magical undertones. This setting, combined with the festive season, evokes warmth and coziness, making the perfect backdrop for a holiday romance full of surprises.

The author also does an excellent job balancing the lightheartedness of holiday festivities with more profound themes of identity and self-discovery. Juliet's journey of unraveling her family's secrets and coming to terms with who she truly is adds emotional complexity to the plot. Meanwhile, the evolving romance with Will, complete with steamy moments and undeniable chemistry, is both engaging and heartfelt.

While this book can be read as a standalone, Callaghan’s recommendation to read The Naughty or Nice Clause first is well-founded. Having that background on the Village of Yule enhances the enjoyment of the overarching plot threads and the shared world of magic and holiday spirit. That said, new readers will still find ’Tis the Season for Secrets enjoyable as it stands alone with its own arc, delivering a satisfying holiday romance complete with a guaranteed HEA (happily ever after).

For readers who love cozy, magical holiday romances with a dash of intrigue, hidden family histories, and a second-chance love story, 'Tis the Season for Secrets hits all the right notes. With mature content and well-executed romantic tropes like "Bodyguard x Editor" and "One Night Stand," it’s a book for readers looking for something heartwarming yet steamy. Kate Callaghan skillfully blends fantasy, romance, and seasonal cheer to create a delightful escape into a world where magic and love are always in the air.

Rating: 4.5/5

The blurb on the back of the book sounded promising and fun. The story, unfortunately, was not that good. At the beginning I liked Will and Juliet and the way they met. But after a while I got the impression that the story becomes circular and nothing big happens anymore. When the chest comes in, it starts to get more exicting again but, nevertheless, I just could not feel the story the way, I would have wished.
The writing style in 3rd person sometimes threw me off. I had the impression, that I could not empathise with the characters as much as I wanted. For me, it was a bit like reading the newspaper and not a novel. It just could not catch me enough.
The characters were sweet and I had fun reading about Juliet and Will but there were so many other characters that I did not like that much or I just could not figure out how to get to know them better. Maybe there were too many characters so that the sidekicks seemed plain.
Also the storyline was not a hundred percent my type. I liked the fact that there was a bit of magic involved and that Jule was perceived as a special place and this is what I love about Christmas books. But this one could not wrap me up with Christmas spirit.
I was not a fan of this book. It was okay to read it but there are nicer Christmas books out there. If you like magic, a bit of miscommunication and secrets, this book might be the right one for you.

A fun story with just the right amount of drama. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the seeting; and, as someone who hadn't come across Yule before, I'm going to have to go back and read Lyra and Mason's story.

I LOVED this book, it reads like a Hallmark Christmas movie in the absolute best way possible. Despite being a sequel of sorts, this book could also work well as a standalone. The building of Yule and the characters first introduced in the first book is very well done, and I think it would flow well without having read the first (though, you totally should!)

Highly recommend.

Juliet is gifted an old trunk and finds out she has ties to a christmas village, but what does it mean? a little mystery and a little romance.