This was nowhere near as good as I had hoped. The writing was choppy, pacing was off, characters were unlikeable, and there should be a trigger warning.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

I liked the set up of the story. But that it's a Christmas story is more of a side note because this book is much more than that. It focuses mostly on the relationship you have with your parents once you're an adult yourself. I enjoyed the twists and turns it offered but I felt that some of the emotional moments were cut short. I would've liked to explore the consequences of some of the actions a bit more.

I think this book was a cute little fast paced romance. I loved the office setting and the chemistry they had together. It was definitely a little spicy but not too much as there was still a plot. I think the only thing that was a bit frustrating was the constant self deprecation and disbelief of her self worth. Otherwise the story was really cute.

A Christmas office romance set down under? what more could you ask for?
Secret Santas and not so secret crushes made this a quick easy and enjoyable read.

Secret Santa by Jezabel Nightingale is a dual POV holiday romance that focuses on Journalist Carolyn and her Managing Director Jamie. With complicated pasts, big feelings, and a decent spice level, Jezabel has created depth and layers in her characters that draws you in and keep you invested throughout the book. While an easy and light-hearted read, the story touches on deeper topics, allowing them to play out without overwhelming the narrative.

Secret Santa balances tender romance with character growth, exploring how two people can shed the baggage of their pasts to find a love that’s authentic, empowering, and enduring. The spicy scenes are perfectly placed and go into delectable detail so I wouldn’t recommend it to a younger audience, but this festive romance is perfect for readers looking for a deeper, character-driven holiday story.

Secret Santa is available on Amazon now!

This was so cute and i thoroughly enjoyed this book! Carolyn is a reporter and works jamies company where she covers sports and writes their stories. She has a major crush on jamie. jamie is also obsessed with carolyn ever since he met her but feels he shouldnt cross any lines do to their work relationship. this was such a cute holiday book and i really enjoyed this book. i highly recommend this to everyone.

3.5⭐
Carolyn has had a crush on her boss, Jamie Fitzsimmons, since she first met him when she applied to work for him as a sports reporter for his media company, but she has never had the nerve to act on her feelings - especially because she doesn't want to ruin her reputation which has been drilled into her by her conservative father. This Christmas, she has drawn his name for the secret Santa, and she doesn't know what to get for the man who has it all! On the other side of things, Jamie has had a crush on Carolyn since he first met her, but he's only known woman to want to be with him for his money so he will not break his rules about acting on his feelings when he knows it would all just go wrong. He has Carolyn's name for secret Santa, but with a $20 limit, a nice pair of earrings is out of budget, and so is that new car he's tempted to buy for her!
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The first third of this book wasn't written the best, with a lot of the information being told instead of shown and the writing felt a bit amateurish, however as the story began to pick up the writing also improved. This wasn't your classic "feel good holiday romance" in that there are quite strong themes throughout of trying to overcome toxic parents and the lasting impact on how Carolyn thought about herself, as well as themes of cheating partner's in Jamie's father (who also assaults Carolyn on page). However this is sprinkled throughout Christmas parties and Carolyn and Jamie dancing around their confusing feelings about each other.
I think, if this sounds appealing to you, and you're wanting a festive romance this is definitely worth picking up despite my issues with the beginning of the story, as I did quite enjoy the rest of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jezabel Nightingale and Victory Editing for gifting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own :).

I was quite invested in Carolyn and Jamie's story - I honestly couldn't put the book down.

Told from dual perspectives, Secret Santa tells the story of "Bossman" Jamie and sports writer Carolyn. They've always been attracted to each other and their inner monologue proved to be interesting as it highlighted their vulnerabilities. It did take a while for them to actually interact with each other, but once they did, the story became more fast-paced.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book!! It had me hooked from page one! I couldn’t put this down. I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This was a first for me by this author but it will not be my last!!

This one was a struggle. It started off cute, and I enjoyed the whole staff and the dynamics. Then it just sort of went downhill. Both of our main characters are so self-sabotaging, and it gets old quickly. I thought I would feel more tension with them, but their interactions were just so clumsy. The writing is choppy, and maybe it's a difference in countries, but the grammar was off to me.

There also 100% needs to be some trigger warnings for some of the content! I was caught off guard, even though it's not our main characters, I still would have liked to have known about that particular content ahead of time.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

What’s better than a Christmas romance? An AUSTRALIAN Christmas romance!

Jezebel Nightingale’s Secret Santa is a slow burn romance that is not only set in Melbourne Australia, but continues to subtly pay homage to an Aussie Christmas through fine details scattered throughout the story including the inclusion of pavlova nests and a reference to Mem Fox’s Koala Lou. With strong characters, the perfect balance of witty and heartfelt moments, and a male MC who’s not afraid to allow himself to show some vulnerability, what’s not to love?

If you’re after a spicy, slow burn Christmas read or a Christmas story set in a warmer climate, this book is for you! I honestly couldn’t put it down!

Thank you to Jezebel Nightingale and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

A spicy little Christmas romance with fun supporting characters. I wasn't the biggest fans of our couple nor their families, but I adored Donna and Anton

I like the idea of reading about a Australian Christmas season. It's one I've never delved into before. A hot Christmas!
This was quite a short book and packed just the right of tropes into it.
I did feel for the main characters lacking of confidence. And was rooting for her and others to help see her worth.
A good read from a different countries perspective of the season.

This is a short Christmas novella that takes place in Australia, which got me really curious! Because the reality is that this story takes place in the summer! Something that we usually don’t see.

This is a work place romance, which is one of my favorite tropes, and let me tell you, the way that the author wrote this was INCREDIBLE. There was such an health environment in the company that was honestly one of the best parts!

The only downside is that I felt that the book was a little too long, we end up being a little bored sometimes, because nothing really happens.

A fun Christmas love story! This one takes place in Australia which was fun i have not read anything in that setting before- our main characters Carolyn and Jamie, two people not so into the Christmas holiday- jaime is the boss at the online newspaper Caz (as she is known) is the sports (mostly) reporter- we meet a merry band of co workers- Anton sets up a game of secret Santa (we love that trope) and sensing the simmering between his boss and Caz "helps" them get each other's names while navigating the Christmas holiday and past family drama from both sides can Caz and Jaimie find love and love Christmas- its a good one -- definitely enjoyed it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This has some good reviews but I disliked this. It was so unfortunate because the synopsis seemed fun. I wanted to DNF at 30% but kept going to give a review.

The story was okay... but the FMC's lack of self confidence was important to know at the start, but then it droned on. It was so repetitive and I couldn't stand that, it made me dislike her.

I found it very boring. There's so many side characters to remember and the conversations between the coworkers were completely inappropriate. I get this is an office romance, but all the coworkers speak so freely to one another, sexually, and it isn't realistic. The FMC & MMC rarely interacted before they felt "in love". The entire first 30% they didn't even interact. It was surface level physical attraction and I didn't feel any other emotional involvement from them.

There are positive reviews. Mine is my own honest review, but you may like this if you want to give it a try. It just was a miss for me.

Such a delightful holiday read!

Set in the sun-soaked Australian Christmas season, this book was packed with holiday spirit, and as a Christmas fan, I loved every festive detail.

Caz and Jamie’s chemistry was palpable, and watching them open up and slowly realize their mutual feelings made for a heartwarming slow-burn romance. While cozy and spicy, the story also sensitively explores tough topics like sexual harassment and miscarriage, adding depth.

My only reason for taking off a star was some repetition, and I felt that Caz’s past with her father didn’t get the space it deserved—she hardly expresses what he did or the lasting impact it had, even though the consequences lingered throughout the story.

Still, it’s a perfect holiday escape for romance lovers!"

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I actually did. First of all, I think this book should come with a couple of TW, I was blindsided by something that happened well into the book. It was not triggering for me per se, but it could be for other people.

Having said that, I didn't mind the plot, it was an okay story, but it felt like the FMC's constant lack of self confidence, and the way she talked about herself was at first important, to understand her behaviour. But it became repetitive fast and it started to get annoying and I was on the verge of disliking her.
Her relationship with her boss was weird, I mean, they both felt attracted to each other, never had a chance to act on it. Never even a bit of contact or tense conversation. Then, 30% into the book, insta-attraction. It felt a bit forced, like there was nothing in the first few chapters then bang, they started to interact and it things got fast very quickly.

This eARC was provided by @netgalley and all opinions are my own.

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Book Review of Secret Santa: A Steamy Office Holiday Romance by Jezabel Nightingale

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Secret Santa by Jezabel Nightingale is a delightful holiday romance that brings together all the classic elements of a steamy office love story with the warmth and charm of the holiday season. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Melbourne’s media world, the story explores not only the growing attraction between Carolyn and her boss, Jamie, but also deeper themes of self-worth, family legacy, and personal reinvention. Nightingale’s writing is engaging, full of humor, and balanced by emotional depth, making Secret Santa a fun yet heartfelt read that’s perfect for cozying up during the festive season.

Plot Overview
The plot is both playful and enticingly layered. Carolyn is a hardworking, talented journalist determined to be respected in a male-dominated industry. She’s also intensely aware of how attraction could complicate things, especially when it involves her charming and powerful boss, Jamie Fitzsimmons. While Carolyn fantasizes about him, she’s convinced Jamie would never go for someone like her; he’s Melbourne’s most eligible bachelor, the son of a media tycoon, and known to date only model types. But when Secret Santa season rolls around, Carolyn gets a chance to break out of her insecurities and offer Jamie something uniquely her own.

On Jamie’s end, he’s equally captivated by Carolyn, but his hesitations are rooted in a very different struggle. Jamie's father is a notorious media tycoon and womanizer, and Jamie is haunted by the fear of becoming like him. These worries hold him back, even though his feelings for Carolyn run deep. But when fate (or the office Secret Santa draw) hands him her name, Jamie decides it’s time to break free from his fears and pursue what he truly wants.

This setup provides the perfect framework for a slow-burn romance filled with tension, passion, and anticipation. Nightingale’s use of the Secret Santa tradition is clever, adding a fun and festive touch that moves the plot along while increasing the stakes.

Character Development
Carolyn and Jamie are well-rounded, relatable characters with complexities that make them both lovable and imperfect. Carolyn’s insecurities are deeply tied to her professional life and past experiences, which makes her struggle with self-worth all the more compelling. She wants to be valued for her talents and intelligence, not just seen as another romantic interest, which makes her resistance to Jamie both believable and endearing. Her inner battle between desiring Jamie and fearing the risks that come with it is something many readers can relate to, and it adds a realistic dimension to her character.

Jamie is more than the typical rich, handsome love interest; he’s a man trying hard to escape the shadow of his father’s reputation. His determination to be nothing like his father adds a refreshing vulnerability to his character. Despite his success and confidence in his career, his fear of becoming a womanizer like his dad prevents him from pursuing Carolyn as openly as he’d like. Jamie’s love for Carolyn is sincere, and watching him reconcile his desire for her with his fear of repeating his father’s mistakes adds an emotional resonance to his journey.

The added complication of Jamie’s father showing interest in Carolyn creates a layer of external conflict that ramps up the tension. Carolyn is forced to confront her self-doubts and prove to herself that she’s not just worthy of love, but that she can be someone Jamie chooses despite the pressure from his father’s powerful presence.

Chemistry and Romance
The chemistry between Carolyn and Jamie is electric, yet Nightingale takes her time in building it, allowing the anticipation to simmer. The slow burn is deliciously drawn out, filled with lingering glances, tension-filled interactions, and heartfelt moments. By the time things finally spark, readers feel as invested as the characters. Jamie’s struggle to resist Carolyn because of his fear of repeating his father’s mistakes adds to the tension, while Carolyn’s hesitation feels grounded in her desire to protect both her heart and her professional reputation.

Their romance isn’t just steamy—it’s rooted in mutual respect and admiration, making it feel genuine. Carolyn’s journey from self-doubt to confidence, alongside Jamie’s quest to become his own man, adds a layer of depth to their connection that elevates it from a simple office fling to a romance worth rooting for.

Themes
While Secret Santa is a romance at its core, the novel also touches on meaningful themes like self-worth, legacy, and breaking free from the past. Carolyn’s desire to be seen as more than just a potential romantic partner speaks to the challenges faced by women in male-dominated spaces. Her journey to self-acceptance and her realization that she’s worthy of both professional respect and genuine love is inspiring.

Jamie’s character arc highlights the impact of family legacy and the fear of inheriting negative traits from those closest to us. His journey to prove he can be different from his father adds an emotional depth that many readers will find touching. In the end, his ability to embrace love rather than fear it is a powerful message about moving beyond the shadows of the past to create one’s own story.

Writing Style
Nightingale’s writing is crisp, witty, and perfectly suited to the genre. She balances steamy scenes with humor and insight, making for a well-rounded narrative that feels both fun and thoughtful. The banter between Carolyn and Jamie is playful, yet loaded with subtext, adding to the sense of anticipation. Nightingale’s talent for creating tension is evident, and she knows just when to release it for maximum impact.

Final Thoughts
Secret Santa is an enchanting holiday romance that combines all the best elements of the genre: witty banter, sizzling chemistry, emotional depth, and, of course, a satisfying happy ending. Jezabel Nightingale has crafted a story that’s as much about personal growth as it is about romance, making it both entertaining and meaningful. While the story leans on familiar romance tropes, the depth of the characters and the well-executed tension make it feel fresh and engaging.

For fans of office romances with a holiday twist, Secret Santa offers the perfect blend of festive charm and heated romance. It’s a delightful escape that will have you rooting for Carolyn and Jamie, laughing at their banter, and eagerly turning the pages to see if they can overcome their fears and take a chance on each other. This is one Secret Santa gift you’ll be glad you unwrapped.

This was a really cute book for me to start of my holiday book reading season. I enjoyed the characters, but I really loved the friends of the main characters as well. The parents of the main characters were complicated, but I liked the way the characters were able to resolve (or not) the issues that they had.