Secret Santa

I've read numerous holiday books over the years and this cover was one of the prettiest I've come across. The story is also super enchanting. I enjoyed the book and Nightingale's writing style. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

To be published on Goodreads on 11/03/2024

Secret Santa is a cute holiday spicy read. Carolyn, affectionately known as Caz, is a sports columnist at an online publication who got it bad for her boss, Jamie. Carolyn has some daddy issues and childhood trauma that has affected her from deeming herself worthy of affection and love. Jamie thought he was also slick about his own attraction (spoiler alert he wasn’t) to Carolyn, not just in her looks but her personality, mind and writing talents. He has his own (scumbag) daddy issues.

It’s a rather sloowwwww burn, and I would give it two jalapeño peppers for spice. It’s an open door romance, but I didn’t think it was overtly descriptive. There are so many enjoyable characters, main and supporting, in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Caz has got it bad for her boss Jamie. Little does she know Jamie also has it bad for Caz. This spicy little open-door romance has you rooting for Caz and Jamie while they both discover an appreciation for the holiday season while working through some family drama.

I found the characters likable and I definitely wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a holiday romance with some spice mixed in.


The ARC of this super cute book was provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.

Carolyn is interested in her boss, Jamie but does not believe he could be interested in her. Jamie is infatuated with Carolyn but afraid to let her know. Jamie is not thrilled about Christmas but his assistant is over the top with decorations and fun ideas. Carolyn is not into Christmas either. Both Jamie and Carolyn have dysfunctional families that influence their lives. I loved Anton's ability to get Jamie and Carolyn together and to carry the Christmas spirit to everyone at work. Jamie is divorced and separated from his children. Few know the real facts leading up to the divorce. Jamie's dad is an embarrassment to him and Jamie does his best to keep Carolyn away from him. Carolyn's dad raised her after her mother died putting the fear in her when it comes to sex. She has no self-confidence when it comes to a relationship. The is a fun book about Christmas and I loved the online newspaper started by Jamie. The few staff are very close and work hard to bring interesting articles to the public. Carolyn is a sports writer but her articles include a lot of human interest in them. Great book with wonderful characters.

I love a good open door Christmas spicy book!
I enjoyed the characters, and was eager to see what was next! I would recommend this to anyone who loves holiday romance with spice! I’ll read more from this author!

The ARC of this super cute book was provided by Victory Editing NetGalley.

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.

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 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!

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 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.

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 :).

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.