2.5/5 stars

eARC provided by NetGalley

This book was fun and very Christmas. But it was suppose to be a romance and the romance was the less developed part of the whole story. The world building aspects were very well done! I really enjoyed learning about Yule and "Santa Clause's". How this world worked was very interesting and different then what we all think which I though was a really cool things to do. I still have more questions for sure just like the main characters but it was a very different POV to have on things our society teaches us about Christmas time and the legend of Santa Clause. Now, to get into the romance. I did not understand at all how they ended up together. I get that they could be attracted to each other. But them loving each other I did not understand. They were "enemies" as he came in to the busy she was setup to inherent and throw in her face that he owned 51% of the shares so he got to make all the final decisions. While he was saving the busy and actually doing good, which we learned at the end of the story, he was still an ass for no reason to her. I am suppose to just believe this 30 year-old actually just liked her and took the attention he could get from her. When he was the one that started most of the problems. Then as the story progressed he did not get better. He would explain nothing to her and then would yell at her for nothing. While I get he is going through a lot I could not understand why she was falling for him. They spent basically no time together and when they did they were not bonding or getting to know each other. However, if you are looking for a quick read with all the Christmas vibes and some wild Santa Clause vibes I would recommend this book! If those are not things you want at all, would def not recommend.

I love fake relationship tropes but sadly this one didn’t work. It felt to forced almost. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them even when Mason and Lyla started catching feelings for eachother.

Okay, I admit—this one started off a little rocky for me. I wasn’t sure where the story was heading, or if I even wanted to go along for the ride. But wow, am I glad I stuck with it!

I absolutely loved this book. Yes, it felt a bit insta-lovey, but it’s a Christmas romance—there’s gotta be some love magic in there! I enjoyed how Mason cleverly “tricked” Lyla into going home with him to set things right. His family? Completely lovable. The way they welcomed Lyla with open arms was heartwarming and made me fall in love with them just as much.

The touch of spice in the story was perfectly balanced—enough to keep things exciting but still tame. And the retelling of Santa Claus lore? Pure magic! It added such a whimsical and unique twist that made the book unforgettable.

This was such a delightful holiday read, and I’m so thankful to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This festive love story was an unexpected delight. I imagined enemies to lovers, workplace romance but I got something very different - magic!
Lyla owns 49% of her grandfathers toy making business. She is in love with the company and with Christmas. She works extremely hard to keep the business afloat as well as the employees that are like family to her.
Mason Klaus, majority share owner of the company is the grumpy boss, always holding that 51% over Lyla’s head.
The novel opens to Lyla finding out her annual staff Christmas party was cancelled by Mr, Klaus but she’s determined to celebrate the festive season regardless of her boss.
Lyla, in the middle of her DIY Christmas party, stumbles into her boss who’s considerably drunk and very loose lipped compared to his sober self. Lyla has to help him get home but by the next morning she wakes to banging on her door. A fire has happened in their building and a hungover Mr. klaus admits defeat and has to return home after 10 years away. As a way of paying reparations. Lyla is tricked into spending 12 days with Klaus in his family home following the recent death of his father.
But something quite extraordinary happens: they’re teleported to a snowy dreamland. Or, as it turns out, a secret and magical town called Yule where Klaus is from. In disbelief, Lyla is further disorientated by suddenly finding out she has to play the role of doting fiancée.
This novel reminded me of the movies The Santa Clause and Fred Clause. It was a heartwarming and slightly spicy romance mixed with the literal magic of Christmas and family responsibilities. It was really cute.
Thanks so much for the chance to review this book. It was wholesome and easy to enjoy.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This story is about Lyla and Mason Klaus who are work place enemies. Mason takes Lyla to his home town of Yule and they slowly fall in love. I really liked the plot and pacing of the story. I thought Mason and Lyla’s characters were well developed. I loved the found family aspect of the book. Overall I would recommend this book for a cute quick holiday romance.

2.5 stars

Cute but less than satisfying fake dating, enemies to lovers Christmas story that puts you right in a festive mood with gingerbread contests, toys, light shows, reindeer, a magical village called Yule, and a man named Klaus...

I wanted to love this story and while it was super cute in parts, I didn't feel the chemistry or sudden romance between Layla and Mason. I get enemies to lovers but this was really pushing it. I didn't even feel like we got to know either character much less how they got to know each other. Then the ending was super rushed and less than satisfying too.

It was still a festive start to my holiday reading and I plan on reading the next book in the series, Tis the Season for Secrets.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this. I needed a little bit of Christmas charm and this book absolutely delivered. I am not traditionally a romance/cost reader and where I was concerned that I would not feel invested in the characters, by the end of the story I was fully determined to found out how it would end, with it's "will they/won't they" elements, along with all the wonder if being set in Yule, a Christmas town featuring the Klaus family.

Highly recommend for anyone searching out a cosy, light, festive read.

I really loved this Christmas Novella. It captured my attention right from the beginning and it didn’t let go. Now the small town of Yule and its residents live in my heart.
I fell in love with this book because it had my two favorite tropes. Enemies to lovers and he falls first!
I’m so excited to return back to Yule with the second book of this series! I wish I had my gold chime bell!

The naughty or nice clause is an entertaining read by Kate Callaghan. Full of emotion, family drama and an enemies to lovers romance plot this story is a new take on the holiday or,wince genre.

Lyla Smurfit is the 49% owner of her family's toy company following her father's retirement. Her father sold the remaining 51% of the shares to Mason Klaus, an investment banker without discussing it with her. Mason is cold, calculating, focused solely on the bottom line, and doesn't discuss decisions with Lyla, he mandates, leaving her to learn about changes with the rest of the staff. His latest cutback? The company Christmas party and holiday PTO. When Mason won't budge on bringing their staff some Christmas cheer, Lyla takes matters into her own hands and carries on with having a party, which ends with two disasters: 1) having to escort a drunk Mason home without the rest of the company seeing him, and 2) a kitchen fire that forces the company to close over the previously canceled PTO holidays. In return for not holding Lyla responsible for the repairs, Mason asks her to come home with him for the holidays.

I wanted to like this book. The whole Christmas trope of the MMC is secretly Santa Claus is cute. However, I find zero chemistry between the Mason and Lyla. Mason has raging daddy issues from the situation with his recently deceased father that have kept him away from his family home for the past decade. He keeps taking out on Lyla, accusing her of not knowing how to run the company that she's spent her whole life in, blaming her for her father's overspending within the company before he married, cashed out, and turned control over to Mason. After finding out that Lyla thought she would be able to wrest control of the company back from Mason by helping him sort out his family issues and take his rightful place as the Klaus of record in their community, he calls Lyla entitled, selfish, out for no one but herself, despite the fact that Mason:
-Dragged Lyla to his family home under false pretences.
-Used her as a meat shield to give people something/someone to focus on rather than himself, and going so far as kissing her in public to keep the council from discovering his lies.
-Announcing that he intends to stay in Yule without letting Lyla know and discussing the future of the company they 'share' in advance. all of that screams entitled, selfish, only cares about oneself, but he doesn't consider this at all. Somehow, Lyla finds herself falling in love with him despite this. It's almost Stockholm Syndrome in that she seems more in love with the community and the idea of having a family through Mason's sweet and loving family than she is with him. I feel like because the narration is in Lyla's third person POV alone, we don't actually have any insight into the what's and why's of Mason's logic and behavior until he goes to bed with her. The occasional flirting on Mason's end isn't enough to get past the false starts of the relationship of him not talking to her about company matters, treating her poorly, lying about his intentions in taking her to Yule, etc. Once the big misunderstanding occurs, there's less than 20% of the book remaining, and no actual discussion occurs about Mason's previous treatment of Lyla over the company, nor any real closure about her dad's behavior. Dear old dad tells her that he sold his share of the company to Mason to protect her (something he wouldn't have needed if he'd been honest with Lyla and managed the company properly in the first place), and that he didn't abandon her after her mother died, he simply moved on (but he somehow managed to stop spending meaningful time with his daughter).

I wanted this to be a cute magical romp, but the MMC was an ass and a hypocrite who doesn't have enough insight into why he acts that way for the romance to feel real.

I have never read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed reading this book. The pacing was good and the character's were developed very well.

Book Review: The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan
Rating: ★★★☆☆

The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan is a lighthearted, holiday-themed romance perfect for readers looking to embrace the Christmas spirit. The story follows Lyla, a devoted Christmas enthusiast and the daughter of a retired CEO of a toy company. She’s blindsided when her father sells the company to Mason Klaus—a cold, Christmas-hating investor—leaving her out in the cold.

The tension between Lyla and Mason sets the stage for a festive enemies-to-lovers trope, and when Lyla defies Mason by hosting the company’s annual Christmas party (against his orders), the fallout sends her into a whirlwind. Mason’s proposal for her to accompany him to his magical home village of Yule for 12 days—and pretend to be his fiancée—adds a fun, fantastical twist to the plot. The enchanting winter wonderland setting is a highlight, full of cozy holiday vibes and charming details, like Mason’s younger brother Kevin, who steals the show with his charisma and warmth.

While the concept was promising and the setting magical, the story didn’t quite live up to its potential. The romance felt rushed, with little build-up or chemistry to make Lyla and Mason’s relationship believable. Their attraction seemed to spring up suddenly, leaving the emotional connection feeling shallow. Additionally, the pacing of the story was uneven; moments that could have added depth to the characters or tension to the plot were glossed over, and the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying.

That said, the book’s festive atmosphere and creative elements make it a fun escape for the holiday season, especially if you’re a fan of quick reads with a dash of magic. Though it wasn’t entirely to my taste, The Naughty or Nice Clause offers a charming, cozy experience for readers seeking a holiday romance to get them in the Christmas spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute, Christmas romance where Santa is a sexy Scrooge. Miley predictable but still engaging. An easy, light, silly Christmas romcom with a lush atmosphere that I wish I could be part of. Yule sounds amazing!

I think the Naughty or Nice Clause might just be a yearly holiday read for me. It is so cute and I love the twist on the north pole and Santa. It is a little bit different than the typical North Pole - no elves, no toys, no Santa magically going around the world in a night on his own. However, it's still true to the season and there are still many familiar elements. I found the author's version to be charming and unique.

I was a little skeptical going in knowing this is an enemies to lovers romance. But it works so well in this story. Lyla can't stand Mason because he has stepped in and is running the business that she had been expecting to run when her dad retired. But her dad brought Mason in to save the company. He's making decisions she hates and ignoring her input completely. She rightfully hates him. And while she does seem aware that he's attractive, she isn't initially attracted to him. But then, over the course of the story, they are forced together and as she learns about him, she realizes she was wrong about him. Their friendship and chemistry grows as they get to know one another and it's just perfect. And for my friends who like to know going in, yes there is a third act breakup.

Quick note - This book does deal with grief. Mason's father recently passed away, and we do see moments of everyone in the family dealing with that grief.

Overall, this is a cute holiday romance I can see myself returning to over and over again. Thanks so much to the author for the advance copy. As always, opinions are my own.

This was so candy canes and sugar plums cute!!! 🌶️

I love a holiday book for starters. I also love the rivals banter between Mason and Lyla. Mason thinks he knows everything, Lyla is a crusader. There’s just too much at stake for both of them. PLUS the fake dating trope!

These were not fully-developed round characters but it was fun and flirty and a cute concept! I enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my eARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kate Callaghan and the publisher for giving me an e-book copy to review.

This was such a great read and the premise of the book was something I have not read before in any Christmas novels I have read so far.

The magical writing Kate has used in this book to capture the elements of Christmas and the town of Yule was such a pleasure to read and one that I really enjoyed all the way from start to finish.

Kate wrote very loving characters that had depth. Whilst the topic is obviously a Christmas book, Kate highlighted the feeling of loss so well and how to deal with that loss during such a special time for family to be together. I think Kate did a great job of capturing this.

The main relationship between the two characters is your typical grumpy/sunshine and features the fake dating trope which is so often used in romances. What I especially liked was the fast pace of this book. There wasn't really any dithering when it came to the build-up of the plot which in some books can be quite a bore, however, Kate wrote this book so well with a great pace that it was easy to read and to follow along with whilst also keeping you gripped.

I found reading this that I would be reading it very quickly because I was invested in the plot and characters even though I knew it would end in a happily ever after, I was invested in seeing how the characters got there.

All in all, this is a great read for anyone looking for a romantic Christmas read with a magical setting.

This was an enjoyable, festive read, but for me somewhat lacking in oomph.

I liked the premise of the hidden village of "Yule" and its rules and secrets, but I just couldn't immerse myself in the story.

For those or you who like a funny, easy read with a help[ing of romance, this is for you.

This is a cute atmospheric read to get you into the Christmas spirit. I didn't really believe the romance between the two main characters, but they had some cute moments. The plot was good and there was a surprising element of fantasy that I was not expecting. Overall, this was a cute, quick Christmas read that I could picture as a Hallmark movie.

The Naughty or Nice clause is a very fun holiday romance that is a reminiscent of Tim Allen's "The Santa Clause" but make him a Private Equity Mogul who is running away from his family legacy. When Mason decides to cancel the company Christmas party, however, Lyla isn't having it. The events that follow pull them both into a fake engagement situation and then some!

I enjoyed this book a lot and it certainly put me in a Christmas mood. There is good chemistry between the characters and it is great how the author slowly reveals the layers that make Mason who he is so that we have empathy for him. There are also a host of fun side characters that work to give Lyla a found family she dearly needs. There is humor, a little spice, and a great HEA just in time for Christmas. If you are looking for a quick read to get you in the holiday spirit "The Naughty or Nice Clause" will definitely hit the spot!

Thank you Net Galley and publisher for the chance to read this book!

It was a good holiday book to get you ready for Christmas.