This is the third book in Fern Michaels' *Santa's Crew* series, focusing on the friendship of Frankie, Amy, Nina, and Rachel as they embark on their annual Christmas trip with their families—this time to Italy. The story introduces Giovanni and Marco, brothers who run a family restaurant in Manhattan. Though their Italian restaurant is famous for its family recipes, they still haven’t learned their mother’s secret panettone ingredient. Eager to discover it, they close the restaurant for the holidays and head to Italy to reunite with their family.

The novel combines the warmth of family traditions and the beautiful setting of Italy, where the group navigates both personal journeys and travel misadventures. While it offers rich descriptions of Italy’s culture and cuisine, the story is not deeply rooted in typical Christmas themes. Despite this, it remains a heartwarming tale about love, family, and friendship. Though the holiday connection may not be as strong as expected, the book provides an enjoyable, feel-good story.

This is an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, sweet, warm and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This was a delightful Christmas romance, perfect to read on a cold and snowy day, while curled up in a warm blanket, sitting by a fire, and drinking a nice cup of hot cocoa. Fern Michaels is one of this decades greatest romance authors and I can see why she is so popular. And yes, I do realize that I am a bit younger than most of her readers seeing as I am in my twenties, but because I am a huge romantic, (and a big fan of the Hallmark Channel), I can't resist a cozy Christmas romance.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Elin Hilderbrand, Nancy Thayer or Debbie Macomber!

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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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The girls are back!

When Frankie's boyfriend, Giovanni, decides that he wants to spend the holidays in Italy to see his mother, he talks to Frankie and she invites her 3 best friends and their significant others. Everyone but Rachael has a partner, so she invites Randy, to be her plus one.

Italy turns out to be a wonderful vacation. But when Gio sees his Mama, he's shocked at her drastic change. Gone are the bright colors, makeup, and beautifully colored hair. She's wearing all black, like his Aunt Lucia, who has dressed like a grieving widow almost as long as he's known her. It's been 18 months since his father died, but it's Frankie and the girls who perform a major makeover on the women. Making them see that they only live once.

Cute story.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I usually enjoy the books that Fern Michaels writes. I have read a lot of them. I have read the other two books in this series. I loved the Italy references and languages. It makes me want to travel to Italy and eat pizza. I did love the friendship between the women. I liked Frankie the best. I just wish I was able to finish this book. It didn't grab my attention like the other two books. . I'm grateful that Netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several of Fern Michaels' books and have always enjoyed the characters in them. "Santa's Secret" was a bit different from what I expected. The story follows Francesca and her high school friends Amy, Rachael, and Nina as they travel to Italy to spend the holidays with Frankie's boyfriend, Giovanni, and his family. I found it a bit challenging to connect with the main characters, but I did appreciate the detailed descriptions of Italian tourist attractions and delicious Italian food.

Francesca and her friends get together annually at the end of the year and this year they are all going to Italy. As can be expected, everything does not go smoothly but in the end all turns out well although there are some surprises. As you read the story, you feel as if you are right there with the characters in Italy.

Another fun trip with the group of friends…and this time to Italy! This is a quick, enjoyable read. Fans of light reading and descriptions of beautiful scenery will love this one!

I have read all the previous books in this Christmas series which I would suggest. The whole crew is back and planning their next Christmas/ New Year adventure. This time 3 of the 4 friends now are in relationships but Rachael who invites a friend along. There really ain’t the crazy antics as in the other books. This truly was a site seeing story with great food on the side in beautiful Italy. A story of friends bonding, new friendships being made. A fun read. Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #SantasSecret

Readers who like Christmas fiction will enjoy this story. Loved the descriptions of Italy's countryside as it reminded me of the years that I lived there. Readers will also love the recipes included after the story. Fun book with likable characters.

Another Santa's Crew book with the same four lovable women characters. Although I ended up enjoying the story, it took me some time to get into this book. I absolutely loved all of the descriptions of Italy. This is less of a Christmas book and more of a New Years/travelogue book, however it is a good story and worth the read.

This is a popcorn book- the sort of novel you read when you want something light and cheery. Four friends, a trip to Italy, and romance with a secret that, to be honest, isn't that much of a pow make for an easy read. Know that this is heavy on Italy atmospherics (ok by me but I know some might want more romance). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I’ve read quite a few of Fern Michaels’ books and have always enjoyed the antics of many a character in those books. Santa’s Secret was a little bit different from what I expected, though. Yes there were some crazy adventures going on with each of the couples, but I had a hard time gathering them all coherently into the story as Christmas was approaching. And I kept waiting for the ‘secret’ that was implied in the title. I won’t give a spoiler alert, but it didn’t come until the very end of the book, and it was a bit of a let down for me. I do appreciate NetGalley for the advance copy of this book, in return for my honest review.

I just love Fern Michaels. I anxiously await her holiday books every year. Santa’s Secret is one of this year’s best!

Fern Michaels is releasing the third installment of her Santa crew series on 9/24 called Santa’s Secret. This time Frankie, Amy, Nina, and Rachael are traveling to Italy to visit Giovanni’s family during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. This story documents the women’s travels to different tourist destinations in Italy culminating in a celebration together on New Year’s Eve. This book was okay. I read the first two books in the series simply because I won them in a Goodreads giveaway. Is this Christmasy? No. This is more of a travelogue through Italy. There is less emphasis on plot and more emphasis on the different tourist attractions. Michael’s writing is very old fashioned and reminiscent of 80s/90s clean, hokey writing. If you like that and like very descriptive paragraphs on shopping stalls, architecture, and historical sites than this is the book for you. If you’re looking for a book that is about Christmas, then this is a bit misleading.

Christmas comfort in a book.

Grab a cup of peppermint tea (or an espresso) and cozy up with Frankie and the crew for another delightful romp in the Santa’s Crew series.

Frankie has invited Nina, Amy, and Rachael (and their significant others) to join her and her chef boyfriend Giovanni in his hometown in the Campania region of Italy to celebrate the New Year. Naturally hijinks ensue and each characters gets a different adventure before they all reunite in Baronissi.

As always, this distinct cast of characters is a joy to read and left me wanting another book in the series ASAP.

The descriptions of Italy are wanderlust inspiring, and every person who reads this will be able to identify with at least one part of a character if not more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

I like the story what is not to love with friends and family and a trip to Italy. Definitely would recommend.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Francesca is excited about her upcoming vacation with her friends. Her friends are all interested in going to Italy for different reasons. I liked this book and can't wait to read her next one.

I was all excited for a Christmas novel but instead, it read like a travelogue. The story is about 4 women who are life long friends. These women travel every year and have all sorts of adventures. There are references to their escapades and this trip was more of the same. Given three of the women have significant others and the title is Santa's Secret, I thought maybe there would be an engagement or a marriage. It was a bit anti-climatic for me when I found out what the secret really was. I just felt underwhelmed and it didn't put me in the Christmas spirit. There are two previous novels that I have not read, so this can be read as a standalone. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for this advanced copy.

Four friends take a vacation in Italy. This story follows them thru their journey. This is a light read about friends and family. Thank you to net galley for an danced readers copy.