The naughty or nice clause is an entertaining read by Kate Callaghan. Full of emotion, family drama and an enemies to lovers romance plot this story is a new take on the holiday or,wince genre.

Lyla Smurfit is the 49% owner of her family's toy company following her father's retirement. Her father sold the remaining 51% of the shares to Mason Klaus, an investment banker without discussing it with her. Mason is cold, calculating, focused solely on the bottom line, and doesn't discuss decisions with Lyla, he mandates, leaving her to learn about changes with the rest of the staff. His latest cutback? The company Christmas party and holiday PTO. When Mason won't budge on bringing their staff some Christmas cheer, Lyla takes matters into her own hands and carries on with having a party, which ends with two disasters: 1) having to escort a drunk Mason home without the rest of the company seeing him, and 2) a kitchen fire that forces the company to close over the previously canceled PTO holidays. In return for not holding Lyla responsible for the repairs, Mason asks her to come home with him for the holidays.

I wanted to like this book. The whole Christmas trope of the MMC is secretly Santa Claus is cute. However, I find zero chemistry between the Mason and Lyla. Mason has raging daddy issues from the situation with his recently deceased father that have kept him away from his family home for the past decade. He keeps taking out on Lyla, accusing her of not knowing how to run the company that she's spent her whole life in, blaming her for her father's overspending within the company before he married, cashed out, and turned control over to Mason. After finding out that Lyla thought she would be able to wrest control of the company back from Mason by helping him sort out his family issues and take his rightful place as the Klaus of record in their community, he calls Lyla entitled, selfish, out for no one but herself, despite the fact that Mason:
-Dragged Lyla to his family home under false pretences.
-Used her as a meat shield to give people something/someone to focus on rather than himself, and going so far as kissing her in public to keep the council from discovering his lies.
-Announcing that he intends to stay in Yule without letting Lyla know and discussing the future of the company they 'share' in advance. all of that screams entitled, selfish, only cares about oneself, but he doesn't consider this at all. Somehow, Lyla finds herself falling in love with him despite this. It's almost Stockholm Syndrome in that she seems more in love with the community and the idea of having a family through Mason's sweet and loving family than she is with him. I feel like because the narration is in Lyla's third person POV alone, we don't actually have any insight into the what's and why's of Mason's logic and behavior until he goes to bed with her. The occasional flirting on Mason's end isn't enough to get past the false starts of the relationship of him not talking to her about company matters, treating her poorly, lying about his intentions in taking her to Yule, etc. Once the big misunderstanding occurs, there's less than 20% of the book remaining, and no actual discussion occurs about Mason's previous treatment of Lyla over the company, nor any real closure about her dad's behavior. Dear old dad tells her that he sold his share of the company to Mason to protect her (something he wouldn't have needed if he'd been honest with Lyla and managed the company properly in the first place), and that he didn't abandon her after her mother died, he simply moved on (but he somehow managed to stop spending meaningful time with his daughter).

I wanted this to be a cute magical romp, but the MMC was an ass and a hypocrite who doesn't have enough insight into why he acts that way for the romance to feel real.

I have never read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed reading this book. The pacing was good and the character's were developed very well.

Book Review: The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan
Rating: ★★★☆☆

The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan is a lighthearted, holiday-themed romance perfect for readers looking to embrace the Christmas spirit. The story follows Lyla, a devoted Christmas enthusiast and the daughter of a retired CEO of a toy company. She’s blindsided when her father sells the company to Mason Klaus—a cold, Christmas-hating investor—leaving her out in the cold.

The tension between Lyla and Mason sets the stage for a festive enemies-to-lovers trope, and when Lyla defies Mason by hosting the company’s annual Christmas party (against his orders), the fallout sends her into a whirlwind. Mason’s proposal for her to accompany him to his magical home village of Yule for 12 days—and pretend to be his fiancée—adds a fun, fantastical twist to the plot. The enchanting winter wonderland setting is a highlight, full of cozy holiday vibes and charming details, like Mason’s younger brother Kevin, who steals the show with his charisma and warmth.

While the concept was promising and the setting magical, the story didn’t quite live up to its potential. The romance felt rushed, with little build-up or chemistry to make Lyla and Mason’s relationship believable. Their attraction seemed to spring up suddenly, leaving the emotional connection feeling shallow. Additionally, the pacing of the story was uneven; moments that could have added depth to the characters or tension to the plot were glossed over, and the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying.

That said, the book’s festive atmosphere and creative elements make it a fun escape for the holiday season, especially if you’re a fan of quick reads with a dash of magic. Though it wasn’t entirely to my taste, The Naughty or Nice Clause offers a charming, cozy experience for readers seeking a holiday romance to get them in the Christmas spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute, Christmas romance where Santa is a sexy Scrooge. Miley predictable but still engaging. An easy, light, silly Christmas romcom with a lush atmosphere that I wish I could be part of. Yule sounds amazing!

I think the Naughty or Nice Clause might just be a yearly holiday read for me. It is so cute and I love the twist on the north pole and Santa. It is a little bit different than the typical North Pole - no elves, no toys, no Santa magically going around the world in a night on his own. However, it's still true to the season and there are still many familiar elements. I found the author's version to be charming and unique.

I was a little skeptical going in knowing this is an enemies to lovers romance. But it works so well in this story. Lyla can't stand Mason because he has stepped in and is running the business that she had been expecting to run when her dad retired. But her dad brought Mason in to save the company. He's making decisions she hates and ignoring her input completely. She rightfully hates him. And while she does seem aware that he's attractive, she isn't initially attracted to him. But then, over the course of the story, they are forced together and as she learns about him, she realizes she was wrong about him. Their friendship and chemistry grows as they get to know one another and it's just perfect. And for my friends who like to know going in, yes there is a third act breakup.

Quick note - This book does deal with grief. Mason's father recently passed away, and we do see moments of everyone in the family dealing with that grief.

Overall, this is a cute holiday romance I can see myself returning to over and over again. Thanks so much to the author for the advance copy. As always, opinions are my own.

This was so candy canes and sugar plums cute!!! 🌶️

I love a holiday book for starters. I also love the rivals banter between Mason and Lyla. Mason thinks he knows everything, Lyla is a crusader. There’s just too much at stake for both of them. PLUS the fake dating trope!

These were not fully-developed round characters but it was fun and flirty and a cute concept! I enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my eARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kate Callaghan and the publisher for giving me an e-book copy to review.

This was such a great read and the premise of the book was something I have not read before in any Christmas novels I have read so far.

The magical writing Kate has used in this book to capture the elements of Christmas and the town of Yule was such a pleasure to read and one that I really enjoyed all the way from start to finish.

Kate wrote very loving characters that had depth. Whilst the topic is obviously a Christmas book, Kate highlighted the feeling of loss so well and how to deal with that loss during such a special time for family to be together. I think Kate did a great job of capturing this.

The main relationship between the two characters is your typical grumpy/sunshine and features the fake dating trope which is so often used in romances. What I especially liked was the fast pace of this book. There wasn't really any dithering when it came to the build-up of the plot which in some books can be quite a bore, however, Kate wrote this book so well with a great pace that it was easy to read and to follow along with whilst also keeping you gripped.

I found reading this that I would be reading it very quickly because I was invested in the plot and characters even though I knew it would end in a happily ever after, I was invested in seeing how the characters got there.

All in all, this is a great read for anyone looking for a romantic Christmas read with a magical setting.

This was an enjoyable, festive read, but for me somewhat lacking in oomph.

I liked the premise of the hidden village of "Yule" and its rules and secrets, but I just couldn't immerse myself in the story.

For those or you who like a funny, easy read with a help[ing of romance, this is for you.

This is a cute atmospheric read to get you into the Christmas spirit. I didn't really believe the romance between the two main characters, but they had some cute moments. The plot was good and there was a surprising element of fantasy that I was not expecting. Overall, this was a cute, quick Christmas read that I could picture as a Hallmark movie.

The Naughty or Nice clause is a very fun holiday romance that is a reminiscent of Tim Allen's "The Santa Clause" but make him a Private Equity Mogul who is running away from his family legacy. When Mason decides to cancel the company Christmas party, however, Lyla isn't having it. The events that follow pull them both into a fake engagement situation and then some!

I enjoyed this book a lot and it certainly put me in a Christmas mood. There is good chemistry between the characters and it is great how the author slowly reveals the layers that make Mason who he is so that we have empathy for him. There are also a host of fun side characters that work to give Lyla a found family she dearly needs. There is humor, a little spice, and a great HEA just in time for Christmas. If you are looking for a quick read to get you in the holiday spirit "The Naughty or Nice Clause" will definitely hit the spot!

Thank you Net Galley and publisher for the chance to read this book!

It was a good holiday book to get you ready for Christmas.

I think I'm giving up on this author. Her books don't seem to be for me. It felt like things were happening way too quickly and the characters felt one-dimensional and the characters didn't have any chemistry.

“The Naughty Or Nice Clause” was such a charming and festive read! Kate Callaghan brings holiday magic to life with a delightful story that's perfect for the season. The main characters were endearing, and I loved the playful twist on Christmas traditions. The romance was sweet and well-paced, and I found myself rooting for the characters from the beginning. My only minor critique is that some parts felt a bit predictable, but overall, it didn't detract from the joy of reading it. This is a heartwarming holiday read that I'd definitely recommend for anyone looking to get into the Christmas spirit. Looking forward to more from this author!

While the book does a great job at spreading the Christmas “hallmark” spirit, it falls flat. The writing feels choppy, the dialogue feels fake, and the end…it feels like it was written in 5 minutes. Not enough sex, not enough substance.

✨🎄Book Review: The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan🎄✨

Lyla’s journey to a winter wonderland with the elusive Mr. Klaus delivers all the magical holiday vibes! What starts as a mission to reclaim her company quickly turns into something far more enchanting when she’s introduced as Mason’s fiancée. From navigating the charm of a hidden village to discovering the secrets of Mr. Klaus himself, Lyla’s adventure is full of unexpected twists, and her feelings for Mason grow as his softer, more vulnerable side is revealed.

The chemistry between Lyla and Mason is off the charts! While they both struggle with their feelings, Mason’s journey of healing and embracing his home brings a heartfelt layer to the romance. Their path to a happily ever after is as enchanting as the village itself.

If you’re looking for a cozy holiday read with a sprinkle of fantasy, a dash of spice, and a guaranteed HEA, The Naughty or Nice Clause won’t disappoint. Just remember, this adult romance is as hot as it is heartwarming!

This is a festive and fun read! A Christmas-loving Lyla and grumpy Klaus are enemies working together at her family's toy company. Very quickly, she is magically whisked away to Klaus's home town, and she learns the truth about her co-worker. I loved all of the descriptions of holiday decorations, food, and activities. It made me want to curl up with a peppermint mocha! The romance was sweet but not as developed as I would have liked. But overall a fun story, and I look forward to returning to Yule with the next book in the series!

First, thank you to Kate Callaghan and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

I won't lie, this wasn't my favorite book. From the beginning, I was lost. I felt like I had entered into a story that had already been going on, so I had no idea where the story was taking place, what events were transpiring, and so on. It was a lot of push and pull in terms of setting and how the plot progressed.

There was also a major lack of chemistry amongst the two main characters, which was off putting. The fake dating is right up my alley, but this story just didn't hit that trope like a nail on the head. It was difficult to follow their "love" that they developed for one another, as it all seemed too forced and unloving, which was what made this story not my favorite.

In the end, the story was tied up poorly, as well, which made for a story that didn't stick with me much.

As for the title - incredibly creative! I loved the idea behind clause/Claus/Clause and how the play on words was perfect for this book. Just wish I enjoyed the story itself more!

I honestly read this book back in 2022, and was happy to re read it again. I forgot how much I enjoyed this book, I really enjoyed this whole spin on the Klaus family. The depth of the world building really made it all work for me, while the balance between each of the main characters having lost a parent works get. The banter between Lyla and Mason was on point, and I liked how she fought for the company party and for the staff with such passion at the start of the book.

This book was soooo fun!

It really got me in the Christmas spirit, and I was just enjoying all the vibes and it felt so fun.

I would highly recommend this book! .

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for my arc copy!