*thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review :) *

this book was a page-turner! i loved it! it was so sweet!

if you are looking for a good enemies to lovers, forced proximity, kind of workplace romance, hidden identity mixed with opposites attract in a holiday romance setting, you have found the right book!

i have enjoyed this book, it was easy to follow and the banter between our two main characters made their scenes together so interesting....especially the falling in love part!

the grinch and the christmas lover gets together and the grinch's heart ends up turning from black to gold. i loved learning more about our mmc and finding out that there's more than what meets the eye.

4.5/5 stars (i didn't like the fmc's confusion/hesitancy at one particular scene but i'm the same way lol)

I love a good holiday-themed rom-com and this book was certainly that. I won't rehash the plot as the book blurb covers that well. I really enjoyed watching Mason and Lyla's relationship grow and really enjoyed both their interactions with Mason's fun and loving family.

The book did have some misses for me, though. Mason taking Lyla home with him seems abrupt - there was not a prior hint of attraction between them. The language Mason uses during the open door love scene just doesn't fit with the rest of the book (I have no issue with the use of expletives or other dirty talk in love scenes - it just didn't make sense to me here). The ending also wasn't quite the HEA I would have liked. It felt like there were still several major open issues left unaddressed. But most of the book was enjoyable. I give it a solid 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

I think I loved this book?! It was definitely a grower - the more I read, I got so into it. I pretty much read it in one sitting to be honest! The ending was sweet, but I was dying for an epilogue!

This was a sweet Christmas book with a happy ending. I don't normally like books that have things like magic, but this was not overdone and worked well with the story. I loved the characters and they were easy to follow. I will definitely check out more books by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for this free ARC! I see that most of the reviews for this book are quite favorable, leaving my 2 star rating in the minority, so take what you will and leave the rest. I thought this book had really good bones! It has a creative world that was cozy and fun, plus I love when a MC finds more than just love, and in this book she finds a home with the MMC’s family. It had tropes I enjoy - only one bed, enemies to lovers, tending wounds. It even had some heat when the characters get together, which I always prefer over fade to black. Being in the FMC's head was fun, too - she had quick quips and was quite funny! In particular, I think the book really picked up starting around Chapter Four. Also, there's a cat in this book and I always love that lol.

Okay, so why two stars? To me, this book felt like a first draft. Lots of passive voice, adverbs, and weasel / filter words. It definitely took me out of the reading experience. The pacing felt off too, both for individual scenes and the book as a whole. For example, the first chapter starts with the character gearing up to confront the MMC and then she does; emotionally, she starts at 100 and just stays at 100. There’s no arc, she doesn’t build to the anger, and it’s kind of an exhausting way to start the book. There were chapters that felt like they needed to be given more time and slowed down — like the one in the cabin after the wolves. I wanted to enjoy the isolation trope, but it was over so fast. The author frequently summarized parts of the book instead of letting the reader enjoy the tension. For example, the MMC falls asleep in the same bed as the FMC for the first time. Then it goes to the next chapter, and the author begins the chapter already into the morning, the characters at breakfast arguing about something and the FMC thinks to herself 'I'm mad that I woke up in his arms and liked it' (I'm paraphrasing). Why tell me rather than show me? I wish I'd seen her wake up as part of the chapter. The author frequently told rather than showed, and struggled to trust the reader when she did show something, following up by telling the reader what she just showed them. For example, the MMC reaches for his tie to fidget with it a few times in a chapter, and eventually the FMC thinks "must be a nervous tick." She struggled to let the reader just pick that up on their own, and this repetition of showing and then telling happens throughout the story. Then, the romance arc also felt off to me. Overall, I think the best way to describe it was that emotional beats were rushed and not always logical to me. All in all, I think some extra beta reads and editing passes would have made all the difference for this book.

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. It is now one of my new favourite Christmas reads. As soon as I read the description I couldn’t wait to read the book.
There was not one thing I didn’t like about this book, the characters were great, as well as the plot and it had a bonus fantasy element which I really enjoyed. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

I literally read this from start to finish in one sitting and absolutely adore this. I had no idea it would be a little fantasy romance either so I was pleasantly surprised. What a lovely holiday story to put you in the mood for Christmas!

This story just brings all the Christmas comforts. I absolutely love this book. Such a great Christmas love story that makes you feel all the feels!! The writing, the characters, setting everything was amazing. I wish I could live in Yule. Such a fun idea for a love story as well. Makes me excited for Christmas! Could not think of a single thing wrong.
Thank you to NetGalley!

Thanks to the publisher, author and netgalley for the advanced readers copy of this book!

This book was a super cute romance! I laughed out loud at some parts, and was rooting for the couple the whole way! Some people might critique parts of the book… wondering, for instance, how often Lyla needed to be picked up into Masons arms for one reason or another. My answer would be… an infinity amount of times. Like always. Forever.

I really loved this holiday romance and would recommend it easily!

The only thing that didn’t give it a full five stars for me- it was really rushed in the end. There was an additional hurdle that was unnecessary. So I wish that portion could’ve changed- from around the 90% mark.

4 out of 5 stars
3 out of 5 steam level

The perfect Christmas read for a cosy night in.
I gave this book a 3.5 because I enjoyed the mixed vibes of Santa Claus and Fred Claus. As soon as I started reading, I was instanstly taken to the office, the description of the worlds around them and the tension between both of them at the start (chapter 2 especially) had me on the edge of my seat. I thought Kate's choice of names for the main characters was impeccable, and I loved Kevin's character so much that I just wanted to give him a big hug. However, I thought the pace in certain places was a little too fast; for instance, the "Natalie council scene" was hurried and a little bit unclear. there also could have been more romance scenes to get a better feeling of their connection to each other.

Overall, this is the perfect, quick read to get you in the mood for Christmas. I can't wait to reread this in December!

Thank you to both netgalley & Kate Callaghan for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so much fun to read! The banter between Layla and Mason was wonderful. The descriptions really create a winter wonderland in this Christmas romance. Also, enjoyed the fantasy twist that was added. A solid 4 stars.

A perfect festive holiday read for anyone you wants to snuggle up with a holiday read.

What an absolutely lovely little read. Sat down to read and before I knew it I had finished the book. Mason who seems to hate everything about Christmas to Lyla who could eat sleep and drink Christmas all year round.
Mason is giving the majority of shares for Lyla’s family’s business by her father hoping he’ll save the company, a toy making company making Lyla hate him since he hates anything to do with Christmas. From Mason cancelling the companies festival holiday to the party they host every year for clients and staff. Lyla tries to bring back some of her control over the company and employees only for things to take a turn for the worse when a fire is started at her impromptu party.
Only finding out the next day her world is set into a whirlwind of events she can only explain through her champagne intake until it’s clear what she’s experiencing is real.
This book tells of what Christmas is all about family, friends and the magic of Christmas.

I absolutely loved this book! I was given an ARC by Netgalley & CallaghanWriter in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own opinion. ⁣
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We meet Lyla who’s father is the CEO of a toy store. He just retired and Lyla thought the store would be hers but it turns out there’s a clause and the store now belongs to Mason who’s an investor who owns all the shares as the store is bankrupt. Lyla loves everything about Christmas but Mason does not! When Lyla throws a Christmas party behind Mason’s back for the staff it literally goes up in flames. Mason offers her a deal to join his family for Christmas for 12 days. Lyla agrees and is whisked off to a winter Wonderland she could only dream of. But it turns out Mason has told his family that Lyla is his fiancé. Can Lyla find out who Mason really is and save the store in the process? ⁣
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This was so good! I loved the banter between Mason and Lyla. I love the magical fantasy element to it (no spoilers) and I loved the Klaus family. The world building was top notch and I know outsiders aren’t allowed but I want to visit the village of Yule so bad! ⁣
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Be sure to pick up this perfect Christmas read and a cup of hot chocolate on Nov 8,22.

3.5 stars!

This was overall a quick and enjoyable read!

The story was a nice spin on Santa Clause set in a more modern atmosphere. I very much liked the idea and I think any Christmas loving person would appreciate it!
Though it was rather fast paced, I didn't feel like we were necessarily rushing anything. I particularly liked how the story was set up and I hadn't had to read through a lot of intro material or many chapters of introductions to get to the main plot.
I was definitely intrigued after the first third of the book.

I can't say I was surprised about the ending nor the "plot twist", if you can call the Natalie-council-scene that. Though contrary to what I said about being fast paced and not rushed, the ending did felt a bit quick.

I liked the cast. Although I felt like most of them missed some character-personality. However, this was probably due to the nature ( and maybe length) of the book.

Mrs Klaus was an absolute gem. Kevin was a delight! I very much enjoyed whenever he came into the picture. Would have absolutely loved having more of him and his witty and direct comments and maybe even more of him with either Mason or Lyla.
Mason said some really nice things, which would make any woman fall for him. Although this man had some serious mood swings..
The relationship between Lyla and Mason was well built. You could see how she warmed up to him throughout the book. The hand little hand squeezes say everything.
I also liked that Lyla was building a relationship with Lou and Kevin!

Something I equally liked and didn't liked were that some scenes (anything when people were moving from A to B and shifting positions was a bit chaotic) and dialogues (mainly anything after the fight in the office and before the last council meeting) were cut short and rather less detailed. I would have loved some more in sight and explanations.

It's a nice, short story if you want something seasonal for the holidays.

AMAZING!!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

This book gave me the most perfect, cozy, holiday feels! I will for sure be rereading this in December to get my wonderland story fix!

This is an office rivals slow burn romance… but with a twist!

The banter between Lyla and Mason was so funny and they’re probably one of my favorite book couples now!

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A cute, cozy afternoon read, perfect for the holiday season.

The Naughty or Nice Clause is set in modern-day Ireland, where Lyla is running her family's toy shop. She, however, is not running things alone; not after one Mason Klaus was brought into the company as an investor, or perhaps, more accurately, a thorn in Lyla's side. Yet, after an admittedly disastrous Christmas party and Mason receiving news of his father's death, Mason requests Lyla come home with him for the holidays. She eventually agrees, but home is not what Lyla is expecting. What ensues is an adventure through a magical winter wonderland of Christmas delights, with Lyla initially being indignant when Mason surprise introduces her as his fiancae... but maybe she doesn't actually mind as much as she initially thought.

This book is quite literally a Hallmark movie in book form. The romance is a bit cheesy at times, there is a overt theme of happiness and joy that is pervasive throughout the entire story, and, like, it's a Christmas love story. A Christmas love story with some impressive worldbuilding, I should add. Kate clearly thought out her Christmas world, and did an excellent job of explaining said world to readers without falling anywhere near the info dumps that some may argue are inevitable when you build your own world. It's just cute. Personally, I'm a snob when it comes to writing and romance, though, so The Naughty or Nice Clause wasn't my precise cup of tea, but I know for many people, it will be. In regards to my personal gripes, though, it mainly has to do with the romance arc.

The Naughty or Nice Clause is an enemies to lovers romance, my personal favorite. At first, I was into it. I loved Lyla's active dislike of Mason in chapter 1, I was ready for the classic slow-burn and sexual ramp-up that comes from this trope. Yet, by chapter 3, Mason, who initially appeared to also dislike Lyla, is making drunken passes at her... and she's responding to it a little bit. It just felt too fast for me personally. We're pretty much thrown into romantic little moments extremely early, like when Mason brings Lyla home and has to carry her through the snow because she doesn't have her shoes. If this was later on when the chemistry between the two is better established and the romance arc has started to move, this would have been adorable. Instead, it happened too early for me, resulting in a collection of little cutsy moments between characters I'm not invested in as a couple yet, which only resulted in me making a face as I read. Granted, there are some readers who will be eating this up, but again, I'm a picky pain in the ass that has more than a touch of cynicism in my heart... maybe I'm the Grinch.

Anyways, once we got deeper into the story and the romance had time to develop, I was here for all those moments. It's honestly just a fluffy Christmas romance with consequences and repercussions, but not a lot of tension attached to them/problems with fast resolutions, which is better suited for the intended style of writing. Oh, but speaking of writing style, the only other gripe I had about TNONC was the infrequent flipping to first person for thoughts without an attached dialogue tag like, "she thought". Now, dialogue tags are not necessary for thoughts, but I think it you're going to flip between perspective styles, they're needed. Without them, it felt incredibly jarring and disorienting when I suddenly saw an "I" statement. But that could just be personal preference?

Overall, for lovers of Hallmark movies, you need to snap this up. For lovers of drawn-out romances with a bit more depth and consequence, I think it's still possible to enjoy this book, but you just have to take it for what it is.

It’s not even Christmas yet and I’m feeling the season with this book! The Naughty or Nice Clause was such a sweet magical Christmas romance that made me want to curl up with a blanket, some hot cocoa, and listen to Christmas music. My only wish is that the book had an epilogue to see the characters further in the future but the book was great even without it. If you’re feeling a good book with Hallmark movie vibes, this is for you!🎄
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher who greatly provided me an e-arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved reading this book! It’s set in a perfect winter wonderland and really invoked that sense of nostalgia through the festive activities we see the characters take part in. Though I found the book to be a bit fast paced at times, I would definitely read again this holiday season.

I didn’t care for The Naughty or Nice Clause, and thought the writing and plot sophomoric..Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

Thank you to NetGalley and CallaghanWriter for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would rate this book as a 3,5 stars. I was really curious about this book because I got back into reading a year ago but never picked out a Christmas book. At first, I was a bit confused with the change of worlds and how it happened so, as you can tell, expect a bit of fantasy through out this book! It didn't bother me at all after understanding and it was really cute to read about all the place's set-up! Magic will travel through out this pages and the love for the christmas days will be bigger than anything else! If you're a Christmas's lover, I would highly suggest this book. I thought the way that they were able to travel from one place to another was so creative and cute since it was also a christmas element. One thing I have to say is that there aren't any specific povs, just 3rd person pov, if you aren't a huge fan of 3rd person, then be aware before starting this book! I would say this was a slow burn kind of book. This book isn't huge, around 200 pages and the couple get together really, really, really late into the book. This one was one of the things that throw me off a bit when I was thinking about the rating. Since it's quite a small book, in my opinion, I felt like the characters getting together was last minute and fast paced, I wouldn't really mind if it had an extra 50 pages, for example, just for us to get things a little bit better explained. If it wasn't for that, I would absolutely give it a 4 star rating. Mason's gift? I loved it, it was so special. And I also loved the characters, to know them better and their thoughts about each other, how they interacted as a family.

As a whole, I enjoyed this book quite a lot, even if it had some things that I wasn't the biggest fan but for a first christmas book? I think it was really good, it got me curious to try a few more and see if I like it as much as this one! I'm saying all of this when I'm not even a Christmas's type of person (ahaha) and I enjoyed it so if you love Christmas, I'm sure this is going to be a favourite for you!