Member Reviews
This was a good read overall, great pacing, interesting characters and a magical world. Did Juliet really have to battle her head and heart? In my opinion it was not much of a battle, it leaned more towards insta love with both Yule and Will. I really enjoyed going through Juliets journey as she immerses into Yule, the lifestyle, people ect. of a winter wonderland was done well. Plus the MMC Will is simply precious I really enjoyed his POV. The only downside was regarding how many times being banished was reiterated, how bad it would be if anyone found out who Juliet actually is, that aspect was overly repeated. I also wish the ending would include the aftermath of the decision Juliet made with her fathers family.
"Tis The Season For Secrets" by Kate Callaghan is a cozy and unique holiday read with a mix of mystery, romance, and drama set against a whimsical festive backdrop. The characters are well-developed, and I loved how each one had secrets that gradually unravel, keeping me hooked until the end. Callaghan's writing style is engaging, and she masterfully balances intrigue with warmth, making it easy to get lost in the cozy yet suspenseful atmosphere she creates. The plot had enough twists to keep me guessing, though some parts were a bit predictable. Still, this is a great book to curl up with during the holidays—perfect for fans of feel-good mysteries with a holiday twist!
This is the second book in Kate Callaghan’s Village of Yule series. While it makes for a great standalone read, but I do recommend reading “The Naughty or Nice Clause” first to ensure there are no spoilers!
3 stars
This was cute but I the romance felt a bit force up to almost the last 80% so I struggled a bit with that. Still this was a sweet story and I had the best time reading it.
It was a joy to return to the Village of Yule! I adored this world and to return to it has trully been a pleasure!
This book can set us in the perfect holiday spirit with a twist of mistery and angst for our characters. I was delighted and couldn't put it down until the very last page!
I really enjoyed the story, there is no doubt about it, but also the characters. Their little perks and developments were adorable.
Juliet was a sweet woman, who had been negleted and let down by her family all her life.
She meets a man one night, and her feelings start growing, but then she learns that their meeting was not random at all, and she gets conflicted. How can she know what he trully wants? When will there be no more secrets? How can she believe that she belongs to a world she only thought had a place in fairy tales? And now that she met her place, how can she stay?
On the other hand, we have Will. Ohh... Will was everything!
He was assigned to help Juliet learn the truth about Yule and make her transition easier for everyone, and to make sure as a guardian he manage to keep Yule as a secret. Well.. things were sidetracked when everything he was told to do was kind of thrown out the windown when he met her. How could he know he was going to feel like that? That he could fall, and fall fast for someone he barely even knew?
Since they met he did all he could to help and protect her and make her happy in any way. He was perfect!
But how can a forbidden love grow and be accepted in the middle of so many secrets and forbidden laws?
One other thing I loved about this story was Juliet and Margot' friendship. It was so nice seeing such care and bond between two people. With no strings atrached. I loved it. I keep wanting to see her story too. I believe there's so much to tell about her and Harvey.
secret Christmas towns, a handsome guardian & a girl that just wants to feel loved. The ultimate Christmas trifecta.
Juliet has lived her entire life just wanting to be loved & accepted. When she takes a drink from a handsome man at a bar her entire life is turned upside down & she gets more than she bargained for.
Tis the season for secrets has it all. A magical city where it is Christmas all year long, a family secret that finally comes to the surface & a steamy romance that will have you hooked.
This book was the perfect Christmas read! Thank you NetGalley & Kate Callaghan for letting me read this book!
This was a cute story about a magical town in the North Pole, and a girl who uncovered her family’s history and found her place. I unfortunately didn’t love the story as much as I hoped I would. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Juliet and Will, and I wasn’t invested in their romance. This isn’t a typical romcom, and I think it just missed the mark for me.
Got an ARC of this thanks to @netgalley. First holiday read of the season. This was cute, sometimes a little too saccharine and silly. The idea is good and fun, the execution is what I struggled with.
Kate Callaghan does it again! This was a fun little holiday read, with a mystery to unravel. While it says this is a standalone, I also read Book 1 and highly recommend reading it because that’s also a cute little holiday read.
I have been loving all of the new Christmas/ Holiday books and Tis The Season for Secrets was no exception! Such a fun holiday read. I can’t wait to read more of Kate’s books!
This is the second book in the Yule series, and I thought this one was better than the first one.
Juliet did trust far more easily than I would've, because Will did come off a little stalker-y at the beginning.
The story was really fast-paced, which is nice for a Christmas story.
Kate Callaghan delivers another entertaining and light story that made me smile, having fun, and root for the characters.
Good world building and storytelling
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I really enjoyed the fantasy town of Yule. It really gives that hallmark christmas movie feel. You do not need to read the first book but I think you should. I think there are pieces that would be filled in. I liked the connection of Juliet and Will but at times felt forced and flat. I would have liked a little more mystery, lead up and mystery. I still throughly enjoyed the magic of north pole and christmas twist in this book. This was my first book by this author and I would definitely try another.
This book has choose your heart or head scenarios. It is gripping, sad, romantic and also quirky. I have not read the first book but I thoroughly enjoyed this second book. I really felt connected with the FMC juliet
Source: Netgalley for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I enjoyed getting to revisit the Village of Yule in this book. A cute quick Christmas read. I do not think you have to read this series in order, but it does help some. The characters Will and Juliet were adorable. They both broke a lot of this town's laws to come together in the end.
I just had the most enchanting adventure in Yule, and I can't wait to be part of its magic! This story follows Juliet on her quest to uncover her true identity and find her way home, and trust me, it’s a total page-turner!
Though it's the second book set in the whimsical Christmas village of Yule, it stands perfectly on its own.
Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions! This book is overflowing with a mother’s unconditional love, tantalizing family secrets, a breathtaking winter wonderland, and a touch of forbidden romance. With all the heartwarming vibes of a Hallmark movie, but with an extra dash of spice, it will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!
I read this as an ARC and I really enjoyed it.
I don’t usually love holiday rom coms because I feel like they are just barfing up with Christmas and it’s sometimes unbearable but this was cute and light and really sweet.
I liked the aspect of both daniels being the original families. I thought it was a fun take on the Frosts. I need to go back and read the first book so I can read about Mason and Lyla.
I would also love a spin off of Margot and Harvey. I feel like that one would be really good.
This to me has the perfect amount of open and closed door spice.
It has everything I wanted in a rom com
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes:
✨ one night stand
✨ legacies
✨ Christmas magic
✨ friends to lovers
Grab a cup of hot coco and park yourself in a nice cozy place by the fire, because this book gives those vibes. This is the perfect Christmas bodyguard romance.
Read this book if you enjoy:
One-night stands
Holiday romance
Forced proximity
Forbidden love
Found family
This book was vastly different from the very first book in the series. There was a lot more action and spice for sure. I actually really enjoyed this story line. My only complaint is that I wanted more, more of Yule. I wanted to be there throughout the story. I felt like in this book there were parts sprinkled in which involved Yule but mostly spent in her hometown. Her whole family dynamic was just a tad bit confusing. All in all, this is another good Christmas read to put on your list!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks so much to Kate Callaghan and CallaghanWriter | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for the eARC of this title. I absolutely loved these first book in this series and this one definitely lived up to my expectations. If you want a quick holiday read look no further. Totally recommend to anyone.
Tis The Season For Secrets just fell flat for me. It was rushed, unenjoyable and I really could not pick up on the plot. It has a lot of potential, but for me this one was just way to rushed and seems like it weas done over the course of a few days to get it out in time for Christmas.
Sorry, it was a hard DNF.
“Tis the Season for Secrets” offers a charming, if somewhat predictable, holiday romance. The storyline features endearing characters and a festive backdrop that captures the spirit of the season. While the plot has its heartwarming moments, it occasionally leans into clichés, making some twists easy to anticipate. The writing is engaging, and the themes of love and forgiveness resonate well. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read for those looking for a lighthearted holiday escape, even if it doesn’t break new ground.