Member Reviews
“Happy Christmas, your family comes from a mystical winter wonderland that’s kept secret from the rest of the world!”
Tis the Season for Secrets is book two in the Village of Yule series. The magical village of Yule is a secret village in the North Pole that has all the holiday goodness you could want! But when keeping secrets it’s important to only trust those who can keep the secrets, otherwise you could be kept out.
Juliet Frost didn’t have the best childhood with her father and stepmother. She was always on the outside unless there was a public event she needed to attend. So to finally discover information about her mother everything changes for her.
Will Duncan is tasked with protecting Yule’s identity. As a guardian he makes sure no one spills the beans about his hometown but when he is set to guard Juliet it’s difficult to not cross the lines.
“Everyone worth having comes with its challenges, but I’d give up everything I have just to spend my days with you.”
Juliet and Will were an unlikely pair but they were entertaining together. It’s difficult when everything is built of secrets but as things were slowly revealed their relationship became stronger. A lovely trip to Yule!
Thank you @katecallaghanwriter for the ARC!
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My rating: (4.5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Spice level: (2) 🌶️🌶️
I really enjoyed the book; it’s the kind of Christmas story I was hoping for when I opened it. The story is infused with holiday spirit, mysteries, and a touch of magic. I haven’t read the previous book, but I assure you, I will fix that. This is a unique story that I haven’t encountered in other books before.
This story is about Juliet Frost, who one day discovers that her family history is shrouded in secrets, and the key to those secrets is the charming Will Duncan. The book is a blend of the story of "Romeo and Juliet" and Christmas story from Netflix at their finest. This is exactly the kind of story you want to read on Christmas Eve.
Tropes:
- one night stand
- winter wonderland
- family secrets
- found family
- forced proximity
- forbidden love
- holiday romance
- bodyguard & editor
- dual POV
I recommend this for everyone who loves movies in the spirit of "The Princess Switch," "The Knight Before Christmas," and "The Grinch."
Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cute Christmas read which was easy to dip in and out of during the busy period. Characters were fantastic but found the plot hard to follow during certain chapters
When Juliet is gifted an old family chest, her world is turned upside down. Not only is she the outcome of a forbidden love affair, but there is a magical Christmas village. Will keeps appearing in her life with answers about her past. Juliet has to figure out where she truly belongs.
This is the second book in the series. This is more spicy than the first book, but gives all the Christmas vibes like the first.
Thank you to Kate Callaghan, CallaghanWriter, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in a series so I wasn’t sure how this was going to go since I did not read the Village of Yule #1. Thankfully, I don’t feel like not reading book 1 really had an impact on my understanding and enjoyment for book #2. I did notice that there were supporting characters from the first book and knowing how their story went is probably going to have a bigger impact when I finally get around to reading book #1.
With that out of the way, I will say that I typically find these holiday type books a little cheesy and heavy on the eye rolls for me. So…I was very shocked to quickly realize that I liked this one from the very start. This is a magical realism Christmas story. It had a very “Hallmark movie” feel without being totally corny. I think that it helped that the dialogue between characters felt very natural. Sometimes with these types of books the dialogue feels forced and unnatural which is a complete turn off for me. These characters were very well written with lots of emotional depth and loads of chemistry. The setting was dreamy and really tapped into that inner child…the one who wants Santa and the North Pole to be real forever. I could picture the little Village of Yule and I wanted to go there. This is a holiday romance and there was a mild amount of spice but I felt that it was tastefully written and not too over the top. My only complaint is that I feel like I didn’t quite get the closure that I wanted at the end. There are some things about certain characters and relationships that felt unfinished. However, this is definitely one of the better Christmas novels that I have read and I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes a good holiday romance with a little magic
"Tis The Season For Secrets" is a holiday book that gives you a good mix of excitement, romance, and Christmas spirit. The story of Juliet discovering family secrets in the magical village of Yule brings drama and fun to the story.
The book brings out the holiday spirit with its descriptions of Christmas traditions and small town charm. It feels like you're there, right in the middle of all the magic.
The romance between Juliet and Will is intense and adds an extra kick to the story. Even though their relationship develops quickly, it fits well with the dramatic plot. The spicy scenes are also well-written and add a little extra spice to the story.
Juliet's journey to uncover family secrets and find her own identity is both touching and relatable.
All in all, "Tis The Season For Secrets" is a book that combines Christmas magic with romance and drama. Perfect for cozy winter nights when you want to escape into a story that warms your heart. If you enjoy a bit of spice and a lot of holiday spirit, this book is worth reading.
I rate this book 3.5 stars.
A fun sequel to the Naughty or Nice Clause.
In Tis the Season for Secrets we meet Juliet Frost. Juliet has had a less than ideal existence raised by a disinterested father and a grandfather that dislikes her. The only member of the Frost family who looks out for her is her grandmother.
Following her grandfather's death Juliet receives a chest from her grandmother.
At the same time she meets the hunky Will Duncan, who after a one night stand keeps popping up everywhere she goes.
But when Juliet accidently wishes herself to Yule, she finds out Will is a guardian charged with keeping the secret of Yule safe...and that her whole family is exiled from the magical village.
A great sequel to a fun series.
🎄✨Book Review ✨🎄
I just finished Tis the Season for Secrets by Kate Callaghan, and it was a delight from start to finish! 🎅💌
Imagine Yule—a magical town in the North Pole where only those with a special bell can enter and leave. It’s full of Christmas joy, with sleighs for taxis and the warmth of found family. Juliet’s journey to uncover the truth about her mother is heartwarming and filled with wonderful discoveries. The blend of sweet & naughty romance was perfect, adding a bit of spice to the holiday cheer! 🎁❤️
If you’re looking for a feel-good holiday read with mystery, family, and a sprinkle of magic, this one’s for you! ⭐️
This was a great standalone sequel if there ever was one. I loved getting to dip my toes back into Yule from last year, and something about this novel just made me want to read it all day (which is a bad decision to make it my at-work-read on my part)
This felt fast paced and I loved that I could even potentially see the set up for another couple happening within this story at the same time. I'd love another trip back to this universe.
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 is such a feel good Christmas read. I love Yule and wish I could visit!! There was a bit of spice and a insta love match which I’m usually not a fan of but it just worked here. I loved the found family element and the duel pov. It was just a perfect seasonal read.
I received an advanced reader's copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Tis the Season for Secrets is the sequel to The Naughty or Nice Clause in the interconnected series of the VIllage of Yule. Juliet Frost is an aspiring editor who is getting closer to achieving her dream career. During a party with her coworker, Margot, Juliet runs into Will Duncan. They had a steamy one night stand where she ended up running away in the morning. This was no ordinary one night stand though. They meet again and Will ends up showing Juliet a magical Christmas village called Yule. Little does she know in the village of Yule she would find out more about her family's past. Will also has many secrets of his own. Juliet will have to figure out the past and look within to figure out where her heart truly belongs.
I loved being able to go back to Yule, it makes me feel all warm inside. Tis the Season for Secrets was spicier than The Naughty or Nice Clause in all the best ways possible. I also really enjoyed discovering the secrets with Juliet by reading the letters and talking with the Yule locals. Highly recommend this book this holiday season. It's the perfect book to read by the Christmas tree with a fun holiday drink!
I genuinely really enjoyed this book! I thought that the world that Kate Callahan created was very creative and original. This was my first Christmas book of the season and one that makes me excited to read even more holiday/christmas genre. One of my favorite parts about this book was that it told a story, that also had romance. Not a romance book that had another less important plot. The romance plot was a B plot, compared to the focus. I recommend this book if you’re looking looking for a bit of romance, fantasy and the holiday spirit!
I want to just LIVE in Yule! The warmth, love, care, newfound family, chemistry between characters…I was OBSESSED! Thankful for books like this that take you into a new world, especially this holiday season!
Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the first book, I decided to still read this one and I am so glad that I did because I found this story to be cute! I found the romance to be rather believable and it was such a quick read. The Christmassy vibes were on point and it had a bit of that Hallmark movie touch.
"Tis The Season For Secrets by Kate Callaghan is a heartwarming and magical holiday romance that intertwines family secrets, personal growth, and the enchanting charm of the season. The story follows Juliet Frost, an aspiring editor who unexpectedly discovers a mysterious old family chest filled with clues about her hidden lineage. Her journey leads her to the whimsical village of Yule, a place steeped in holiday magic, where she must unravel the truths about her past.
Adding to the intrigue is Will Duncan, a figure from Juliet's past who reappears with crucial insights into her family's history. Their relationship is layered with tension, unspoken feelings, and a growing bond as they delve into the mysteries surrounding her family. The wintery village of Yule provides the perfect setting, immersing readers in a cozy, festive atmosphere filled with twinkling lights and snowy charm.
Kate Callaghan does a beautiful job of balancing romance, mystery, and the magic of the holiday season. Juliet’s journey of self-discovery, combined with her blossoming relationship with Will, creates a story that is both tender and uplifting. Perfect for fans of cozy holiday tales with a sprinkle of mystery, Tis The Season For Secrets will leave readers with a warm heart and a sense of wonder."
Kate Callaghan brings us back to the Village of Yule in this second book in the series, and Tis The Season For Secrets lives up to its name. I often times wonder if books within a series that are also listed as stand alone can, in fact, be read without having finished the prior books. While I understand some references might be enhanced with the previous books reading, I dove in before venturing into book 1. I had absolutely no issues with feeling lost, or having missed out on anything. I will be jumping back to read book 1, The Naughty or Nice Clause because I fell in love with the characters, but I was happy to see you can jump on in anywhere!
In this read we follow Juliet as she discovers the truth about her family, alongside the man charged with protecting her. Will has had his eyes on Juliet for some time and falls in love rather quickly. The development of their relationship is so sweet, with just enough steam to warm you after a snowball fight. His commitment to helping Juliet travel this new road back North is challenged at every turn but he remained true to his dedication to her. There were a couple of occasions even I was face palming at her predicaments. She had a way of just finding herself in the middle of the unexpected. In the end, Juliet truly found her way home and the HEA was worth every minute uncertainty she pushed through.
The world building here was spectacular. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors take on Yule and other stories we have all grown accustom to over generations. This is a wonderful, whimsical romance with plenty of heart and adventure featuring that hidden village. Yule certainly be glad to read it this holiday season!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for this eARC. This is my honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed reading this novel, it was cute and it started my Christmas season!
Sometimes it was a little repetitive and did we forget her job? Is she going back? or is she going to write Christmas books?
I haven't read the first book in the series, someday I will.
Gifted an old family chest, aspiring editor Juliet Frost stumbles upon closely guarded family secrets... and her tranquil holiday season transforms into a whimsical circus of revelations. For starters, how is she supposed to process the fact that she is the outcome of a forbidden love affair - let alone that she has connections to some kind of magical Christmas village called Yule?
To complicate matters, the mysterious Will Duncan, whom she never thought she'd see again after a night of passion, reappears with the answers she seeks about her past. It swiftly becomes clear that he has plenty of secrets of his own. Is their chance meeting fate, or the result of a carefully laid plot? Juliet will have to battle her heart and her head to discover who she is... and where she truly belongs.
Darling holiday read! Kate Callaghan does a fantastic job with holiday stories. Her characters are relatable, the story is fun, this one is spicier than the last, and it just gives off all the cozy Christmas vibes you want this time of year. Pick this one up! 4.5⭐
I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.
This was another fun Christmas. Read for this year. It is the second in the series. You do not have to read the first 12 understand what's going on, but it will help - juliet is trying to make it in the publishing world. And after having a run in with the charming Will, stuff starts to get crazy she receives a mysterious chest from her late grandmother.With letters that don't make sense and a bell.Necklace - do magical places really exist? Is the North Pole real, who is will? How does he figure into this? What is the story with her parents? This is a really good christmas read fun, little spice, and heartwarming, I hope the next book is about juliet's friend
"The moment your eyes met mine, I knew I'd break every rule and tradition to bring you home."
Christmas magic, family drama, and forbidden love—this one delivers it all and SO much more! Juliet’s life is completely upended when a mysterious family chest arrives at her doorstep and reveals a shocking family secret, thrusting her into a whirlwind of emotions, hidden truths, and a romance with her guardian from Yule. And let me tell you—he falls first and falls hard!
This cozy yet spicy holiday romance is a rollercoaster of dramatic twists and tender moments. With holiday romances, secret identities, and forced proximity, it’s like a Hallmark movie—but with an extra dash of heat.
While I wish Juliet’s career journey tied up a bit more neatly, this festive story still had me hooked! A perfect pick for anyone who loves Christmas magic and a bit of spice in their holiday reads!
Read if you like:
🎅Christmas magic/magic realism
🚨forbidden love
❤️forced proximity
🫶found family
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded to a 4)
Spice:🌶️.5