The Naughty or Nice Clause is a cute enemies to lovers trope between a woman, Lyla, who found out someone to come save her toy company.

Enter Mason Claus and these two cannot stand each other. The two fight over the company's Christmas party. Mason says no, however the party carried on. While at the party, Lyla thought she saw some staff "getting it on" in an office down the hall from the party, only to find Mason drunk and upset. Lyla gets him home and leaves once he's settled and asleep. The next day Mason arrives at her house to ask her to go back home with him in a cryptic way and to act like his fiance. Lyla travels to Mason's home only to discover the most magical wonderland only to find her cold heart against the man she despises starts to warm.

Kate Callaghan's The Naughty or Notice Claus is a very cute rom com with some holiday cheer!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kate Callaghan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

A very christmassy workplace enemies to lovers book.

This was kind of a slow burn enemies to lovers. And the banter between Lyla & Mason was so cute and made me love them more. 💕Although I wish it wasn't as slow as it was l still really enjoyed it. It felt like i was reading a Hallmark movie and I loved that about it.

And the way that Yule was described was so wonderfully done, at times it made me wish we could truly experience something like that.✨

Also, Kevin was hands-down my favorite. But I truly enjoyed getting to know about mason, not only through his eyes but also from how his family & the village talked about him.

The only issue I had was that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have liked if there was an epilogue set years later showing us their progress in both the company & their relationship.

Overall I was hooked from the start. Definitely would recommend if you like holiday rom-com stories.


Thank you to Netgalley & Kate Callaghan for this e-arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this one!! Minor spoilers ahead.

What I liked:

I really enjoyed the world building with Yule and the Christmasy feel of the whole book.

I liked Kevin, Lou and Mrs, Klaus and there was a lot of potential here!! I wish we got to see more of each of their personalities instead of their archetypes.

I liked the magic aspect of Yule, and that the magic felt real and like it “could be”. It was understated in the best way.

What I didn’t like:

The romance fell flat for me. I felt like the characters never spent any time together, and Lyla in particular only learned things about Mason from other characters. I don’t want to be told it, I want to see it. The dialogue wasn’t great, and I never got a feel for who Mason was with Lyla.

I didn’t like the revengeful ex storyline… aren’t we past this?! It’s 2022!!

I’m still not really sure what role the Klaus does? I felt like their role in the village wasn’t well executed, and didn’t add up for me. I still have lots of logistical questions that didn’t really get explained or answered. Why can’t he just say No if he’s a King?

The ending was problematic and rushed. I didn’t like how Lyla, a driven CEO folded as soon as Mason got his panties in a twist, even when she was (rightfully) doing succession planning. I felt like this whole scene was out of character for both Mason and Lyla. The reconciliation and HEA didn’t really add up for me. Mason chose Lyla, sure but did Lyla choose Mason?

Thank you for the eARC I’m exchange for this review!

This was a cute holiday story. I liked lyla and Mason's enemies to friends to more relationship. It's also a good reminder to not assume the worst in people.

This one needs to be on your holiday TBR! Mark that pub date on your calendar ASAP!

I loved this book!

First of all I will say that Netgalley has this tagged as sci-fi/Fanatasy, but it's not super hard-core fantasy at all. I think its more reminiscent of Elf or The Santa Clause.

I really liked the banter between Lyla and Mason. They made a really cute couple! I will say that the burn was definitely slowwwww, and I wish it was a little faster.

Another thing I really loved about the book was the setting. I wanted to be in the secret village so much! It really sounded like a christmas lovers dream!

The book started out pretty slow in the beginning but it did pick up the pace. There was a lot of anticipation surrounding Lyla and Mason's relationship. It was really enjoyable seeing how their relationship started to evolve. If you're someone who doesn't like insta-love, I Think you'd find this one enjoyable.

Another aspect I really enjoyed about this book was its description of Christmas and Santa. It was very different from the traditional explanation of Santa's workshop and how the presents are delivered. The uniqueness with which the author addressed such a traditional topic was super refreshing and enjoyable!

Over all I highly recommend this book! It was a great holiday read that I won't soon forget!

This was really not my thing. It read like a Hallmark movie. There was basically no spice. The lines were very predictable.

The Naughty Or Nice Clause is a very slow-burn enemies-to-lovers book. Lyla's father has retired and given his shares to outsider Mason Klaus, meaning that he owns 1% more of the company. Mason cancels the Christmas party but Lyla decides to go ahead and throw the party anyway which ends in a disaster. Mason bribes Lyla to come along to his family as his fiancee, and in return, he forgets about the party.

I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was a fun and lighthearted Christmas book. It was nice to see the development of Mason and to read about his character background. Kevin, Mason's brother is one of the sweetest characters ever, you will love him! The end seemed a bit sudden, I would have liked to have read at least an epilogue or a bit more of the characters together. It seemed that the journey of the characters liking each other took the majority of the book. I'm not really into extra slow-burn romance books, so maybe that's why.

I was lucky enough to get a arc of this book.

This was a quick and easy holiday romance. It’s enemies to lovers And slow burn 🧎🏽‍♀️I felt like I was reading a hallmark movie which I love 😅 I loved mason and lyla for the most part and in the end I had a better understanding of both of them.

I love Christmas stories. This one promised workplace rivals, and some Christmas magic. With a touch of romance?

Lyla and Mason have known each other from work for about a year. And around Christmas, their cold, rivalry relationship changes when he takes her on a magical trip to a winter wonderland.

I loved the concept of the place they traveled to. Christmas and magic are a good combination and it created a magical location full of holiday cheer. I also loved Mason's family and Lyla's cat. They play their part in the story as well and fill out the story nicely.

Lyla and Mason seem to be attracted to each other, at least physically, but I missed the romance and sweetness. Both characters can be quite rude or cold towards each other and I missed the build up of their relationship to something more.

There is not much information or context of the year they worked together, so I missed a bit more about their time before this magical Christmas season.

Overall, the story got me hooked on reading because of the Christmas and holiday theme. Even though I missed the connection and romantic moments between the characters, it made me root for them and for a happy magical ending.

I recommend this book to people who like magical holiday romcom stories.

In my opinion it is never too soon to start reading Christmas themed books. I enjoyed this romance novel and found it to be an entertaining quick read. At times I felt that the dialog fell a little flat but otherwise I found the characters and setting to be engaging. The only issue I had was that the ending of the book felt very rushed. I would have liked a longer book that spent a little more time on the happier ever after.

Thank you NetGalley, Kate Callaghan and CallaghanWriter for this eARC copy of this holiday romance in exchange for an honest review.

The fantasy element to this book was really cute. It happened a little quickly, but with the length of this book it almost worked really well. Having this little touch of magic throughout this book really adds to the entire charm of Christmas.

This really felt like a fun Christmas wonderland story and it's perfect way to start off the season if you're looking for a fun, easy read to begin with.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan, I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story is an original take on Santa. I really enjoyed the interaction of the characters and the description of the village.

Mason and Lyla work for the same toymaking company, but they do not agree with each other's managing styles. The latest? Mason cancelled the staff/client Christmas party. Unflapped, Lyla reinstates it for employees only and holds it in the office. Imagine her surprise to find Mason enebriated, talking about his family. The situation gets stranger the next day - after the party got out of hand and damaged the offices - Mason insists Lyla come home with him to help out his family. After she agrees, he produces a bell that transports them...to the North Pole.

However, for Lyla to stay in the village, she must pretend to be Mason's fiancee. How can she convince his family she is in love with the sexy, infuriating man?

I love a good enemies to lovers book, especially a Christmas one. Throw in a stupid ex, some family drama and a not so typical HEA and you’re in for a fun read! At first, I wasn’t sure where this story was going to go, but it quickly held my interest. I read it in one sitting and stayed up way to late!

4/5

A huge thank you to Net Galley, Callaghan Writing and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions are my own.

I want to start by saying I love Christmas and everything Christmas! So this book was an immediate read!

And it did not disappoint!

Imagine if a book was a warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day. That's this. It read like a Hallmark movie, almost like a screenplay. I do wish it had a bit more "emotion" is the only way to say it. Sometimes the dialogue fell flat.


I do wish that there had been just a bit more romance and that the MC had had a little more depth.

All in all it was a fun quick read.

The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan
Pub date: Nov. 8/22
Independent Book Publishers Association
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕

Do you love Christmas stories? This is the story of Lyla Smurfit and Mason Klaus. Given the names I admit I thought this book would be predictable but I soon changed my mind. Lyla is co-owner of her family toy business where Mason has the majority shares. This is an enemies to lovers trope with a little Christmas sparkle added in and I’m here for it. I don’t want to share too much as it would spoil it for you so I suggest you check it out as soon as the book is available!

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #IndepenentBookPublishersAssociation for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

This was a good book that had a lot of Christmassy feels.

While I did find that it dragged in places, when it picked back up again I would immediately get sucked back into the story.

I would also love to see a follow-up book written.

I was given a free copy by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK REVIEW

The Naughty or Nice Clause by Katie Callaghan

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Ever wondered what really happens at the North Pole? It’s not exactly what you would think. A great twist on a holiday traditions, with an enemies to lovers/fake engagement trope, and all of the holiday feels. Trust me when I say you can’t go wrong by reading this book. The writing is beautiful, the fantasy aspect is magical, and the banter between characters had me smiling and blushing. Mason’s family felt so real and genuine I found myself wanting to be a part of them. There is some open door romance scenes but they are mild, making this (in my opinion) a great romance for all adults. My only complaint is that the ending is abrupt, making me wish the novel was a little bit longer. For my American readers, this book is by a European author, so you will find some European phrases and spelling in there. Don’t let it trip you up like it did me. 😅
This novel comes out November 8, 2022. Do yourself a favor and preorder it, read it, and pair it with a spiked hot coco like I did. ❤️
Swipe for blurb ➡️

Thank you NetGalley, Katie Callaghan, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In The Naughty or Nice Clause, Lyla and Klaus, business rivals, enter into a fake engagement so Lyla can accompany Klaus back home to help his family. The reason they have to pretend to be engaged? Klaus is from Yule, aka the North Pole, and he’s next in line to be Santa!

I loved the village of Yule and the Klaus family. Kevin and Lyla’s relationship was especially sweet! I felt like Klaus’s grief over his father’s passing was very well done and his struggle in deciding if he was going to take over also felt genuine. It was pretty apparent that Klaus had feelings for Lyla from the get go, I only wish he had expressed it better.

I struggled to like Lyla. Her hatred for Klaus never seemed completely justified, and she came across as very immature and irresponsible when it came to their business. She fought her feelings for him for a while, but then accepted that she loved him and wanted him in her life. BUT!! Then at the end she has like an existential crisis and can’t make a decision on being with him or not when literally a chapter before she said she would do everything in her power to stay with him?! This was so frustrating and kinda ruined the book for me a bit. The ending, in general, felt very rushed aside from Lyla’s inability to make a decision.

For a holiday read, this is a cute, sweet romance with just a hint of spice! If you like Christmas Hallmark movies, I think you’ll enjoy this one!

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.

This had everything you needed for a warm, quick Christmas read. It wasn't overly heavy on the romance, which I'm quite happy about. Yet plenty of the magical, over the top, found family vibe

**This unbiased review was provided in exchange for a complimentary ARC from NetGalley, author Kate Callaghan and CallaghanWriter.**

Kate Callaghan's new novel The Naughty Or Nice Clause is a wonderful and quick holiday read. Lyla, an adorably written toy company owner with a love for Christmas, barely tolerates the investor, Mason Klaus, hired by her father to save the family toy company. After a series of unfortunate events, Mason requests Lila return to his hometown with him and chaos...and love...ensue. In a classic enemies to lovers trope with a holiday twist, Mason and Lila have a great adventure in his hometown.

Things I liked about this book: This plot, while sometimes predictable, is everything a Hallmark movie plot NEEDS to be. There is more spice, more *real* conflict, and deeper character evolution than any holiday movie plot I've seen. While many of us really enjoy holiday made for TV movies, I loved that this book had that exact vibe with more substance. I actually really enjoyed the characters of this book. I particularly loved reading about Mason's family and their interactions. I also really loved the adult perspective spin on Christmas magic. It is always so hard for me to fully enjoy holiday storylines because the Christmas magic is typically much more childlike in nature.

Things I didn't like about this book: The "ex girlfriend" subplot was a bit corny, even for the theme. As I mentioned above, this does have all of the best aspects of the Hallmark and Lifetime stories we love but The Naughty or Nice Clause was so much less superficial so to have the ex girlfriend part of the story play out in the way it did was not my favorite aspect. I do also wish there was a bit more spice in the book! Additionally, I hate that the ending was so abrupt and ended as soon as there was resolution. I want to know what happens in the "ever after" part of the story!!! Maybe there will be a sequel??

In the end, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and would be perfect for a quiet night of reading by a Christmas tree with a huge mug of hot chocolate. It had all of the feel-good vibes many of us seek out around the holiday season but with truly more adult themes. I found myself wishing 1) that it would become a movie because THIS is what I want out of holiday movies and 2) that it would become a series. I would love to have more relationship development, more spicy scenes, more books focusing on other members of the family. I would 100% read this as a holiday series!