I enjoyed this second book in the series a lot more than the first book. Although I do think that having read the first book helped, as I was already familiar with some characters and the town of Yule. Though it was not necessary to read it first.
The story pulled me in right away, and I wanted to keep reading.
The characters were lovable, if a little annoying at times. (Juliet repeatedly feels guilty for worrying the people she cares about ... yet she continues to make decisions that worry them or even put them at risk.)
I don't really agree with the description of the book being a "whimsical circus of revelations". A circus of revelations, yes; whimsical, not so much.
Overall, I found myself rooting for Juliet. And wonderful if there will be another sequel about her friend Margot???

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Be ready to be transported to Yule Village, a hidden gem in the North Pole. Juliet Frost has been working tirelessly to become an editor, but her world shifts when she receives a mysterious chest from her late grandmother. Now, she’s on a journey to uncover her family's secrets, setting her on a path that will change her future forever.

Enter Will Duncan, a mysterious man who always appears at just the right moment. As Juliet unravels the secrets of her family and Will, she discovers the holiday season has more surprises than she imagined. ‘Tis the Season for Secrets (Village of Yule #2) is a festive, fast-paced read perfect for cozy winter nights.

Tho I've never been a big fan of holiday books, I really enjoyed this one. It reminded me of one that I read years ago by Fannie Flag, about a small town where everyone knows your name and Christmas is a big deal. That is the town of Yule, where our heroine and hero find themselves thrust to. A very big surprise for Juliet, but not so much for Will. So begins the magical journey for these two, with lots of joy, heartache and tears, with all the family drama I'm sure many of us go through every holiday season. I guess I'm a little old fashion, but I felt the intimate scenes could have been toned down a bit, because part of reading something for enjoyment is our imagination in the story. Even with this small flaw, I had to give it 5 stars, cause it was a very fun and enjoyable read. Highly recommend!!

4⭐
This was such a charming little Christmas read! It's perfect for a cozy night and a nice cup of hot chocolate☕

Juliet and Will were adorable and the story had me hooked from the moment Juliet received her chest. There was mystery, laughter, family moments and tears! It's a sweet feel-good story.

The reason for 4 stars; As much as I loved Juliet and Will, their romance was insta-lovey and I felt like there was certain depth to their relationship missing. We didn't get to see much of their "normal" conversation/moments that would lead to falling in love. They were either having sex or there was something going on with the chest/banishment/Yule/Juliet's disappearing acts.

Nonetheless, I liked the book very much and will definitely be checking out Mason and Lyla's story. And I reaaally hope we get Margot and Harvey's story ☺️

Arc Provided by NetGalley
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Hallmark better watch out for Kate Callaghan because she now has two slam dunk Christmas books that are 10 times more fun than any of their movies. I loved getting to go back to Yule and see familiar characters from the first book. My only complaint about the story is that Juliet and Will are basically in love at first sight and that’s not my favorite trope, I prefer the characters to have a bit more history together. However, this book is littered with things I do love though. It’s the perfect mix of spice, plot, and stakes that nothing seems out of place or too fast paced. Callaghan really is a master at writing easy to follow and fun holiday romances!
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If you are looking for books to start off the most wonderful time of the year, the Village of Yule series is a great place to start!
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Thank you Kate Callaghan and NetGalley for a chance to review this book

‘Tis the Season for Secrets
3.5 ⭐️

I fell in love with the little Yule village last year in The Naughty or Nice Clause and it’s back!

Juliet gets caught up in a scheme to hide an entire village when she finds out her mother is from a secret North Pole Village. She and Will, a guardian in the village, are trying desperately to let her meet her long lost mother.

I didn’t love this from the start, but it redeemed itself a little once more of it was set back in Yule. Insta love is never my favorite trope, so this might have just been my take!

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC!

Thanks to Kate Callaghan, IBPA and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this delightful read! 'Tis the Season for Secrets is set to release on November 24, and it’s a cozy 306 pages that whisk you away to the enchanting Village of Yule. After a reading slump (thanks a lot, The Alchemist! 😩), I finally picked this up, and despite taking my time, I truly enjoyed it!

✧ One Night Stand 💖
✧ Winter Wonderland ❄️
✧ Family Secrets 🗝️
✧ Forced Proximity 💗
✧ Holiday Romance 🎁
✧ Forbidden Love 🖤
✧ Found Family 💕
✧ Dual POV 👀

Juliet Frost is our aspiring editor on a mission, and when she stumbles upon a family chest filled with secrets, it sets off a whirlwind of chaos! Her unexpected reunion with the mysterious Will Duncan, who she once shared a steamy night with, adds even more intrigue. The plot was a bit of a slow burn for me at first, but Kate Callaghan does a fantastic job weaving together the magical vibes of Yule with some charming romance.

There were moments in this book that really pulled at my heartstrings. I found myself crying toward the end—was it the emotion of the story, or maybe just PMS? Who knows! 😂 But seriously, Juliet’s struggles with her family dynamics resonated with me, especially her pain regarding her father. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to wrap your arms around the characters and tell them it’s not their fault! 🥹❤️

While the romance between Juliet and Will was adorably heartwarming—like, kick-your-legs kind of chemistry—there were elements I wished were explored more. I wanted a deeper dive into the banishment issue tied to Juliet’s family history and a final showdown with her dad for some extra closure. An epilogue would’ve been a cherry on top, too! 🍒 I’m definitely looking forward to more from Kate in the future.

Overall, 'Tis the Season for Secrets is a magical journey filled with love, laughter, and a sprinkle of cheer. It’s the perfect book to curl up with during those chilly winter nights. Grab your hot cocoa and dive in! ☕️✨

Beside from the Instant love, I really enjoyed this book (and the one night troupe)!

The second book in the series where we get to see the land of Yule, but this time we get some history and unravel a lot of secrets!
Cozy, quick and fun - with spice and lot's of christmas lights 🎄

Post on IG (one_fairy_tale_at_the_time) the 15.nov 2024

I absolutely fell in love with the town of Yule and wish I could be part of it! Kate Callaghan has created a festive world that draws you in, with lovable characters and an enchanting holiday setting. Juliet’s life is flipped upside down by family mysteries, and with the help of charming Will, she searches for answers. Their chemistry is undeniable, full of passion and hope. This book is packed with secrets and revelations that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy a little mystery with your Christmas romance, this one’s for you!

In this beautifully crafted novel, we follow the journey of 26-year-old Juliet Frost, a publishing professional whose life takes a turn when she receives a chest containing a letter from her deceased grandmother that reveals a deep family secret.

Filled with romance, this story is a delightful holiday read. Having never read the author’s previous works, this book left me eager for more, a rarity in my reading experience. It’s an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys romance, fantasy, or simply a cozy, whimsical Christmas tale.

Juliet has no idea the village of Yule even exists until Will enters her life. With his help, along with a mysterious chest and letters, she uncovers so much about herself. However, I felt the banishment plot could have been explored more. Since it was a key part of Juliet’s family history, she deserved to learn the full truth. I also wished there had been more clarity on her father and the deadline situation. While we’re told Will resolved it, a final conversation between Juliet and her father would have added more closure.

Tis’ the Season for Secrets
By Kate Callaghan

In this beautifully crafted novel, we follow the journey of 26-year-old Juliet Frost, a publishing professional whose life takes a turn when she receives a chest containing a letter from her deceased grandmother that reveals a deep family secret. This discovery, along with a chance encounter with Will Duncan, ignites Juliet’s quest to uncover the truth about her birth mother and her family's origins.

Filled with whimsy and romance, this story is a delightful holiday read. The plot is intricately woven, and the vivid world-building immerses you in the setting—making you feel the chill of Yule. The character development is exceptional, bringing the story to life in a way that Kate achieves flawlessly.

Having never read the author’s previous works, this book left me eager for more, a rarity in my reading experience. It’s an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys romance, fantasy, or simply a cozy, whimsical Christmas tale.

A special thank you to NetGalley and author Kate Callaghan (IBPA) for the advanced reader copy in exchange for honest feedback.

Yule has become one my favourite places to visit at Christmas time and although you don’t spend as much time there as you do in the first novel I still get the same feeling.
I loved everything from Juliet and wills relationship dynamic throughout the book but also how Juliet was with the characters in the first book. And her best friend was the perfect kind of quirky! I loved everything about it!

When I saw a new Yule book was out, I literally rushed to read it. Lyla and Mason hold a special place in my heart (if you haven’t read The Naughty or Nice Clause yet, go read it, like, right now!). So I couldn’t wait to dive back into that Christmas spirit! This time, we’ve got instalove with a touch of forbidden romance, and of course, as any good holiday story should, a found family. Overall, the book is super sweet and fun, and I especially loved the side characters (Kate, just between us... the next one’s about Morgan, right? Tell me it is, please 🙏🙏).

This book has everything! A secret Christmas town in the North Pole? Check. Sweet, protective, rebellious love interest? Check. If those two things aren’t enough to convince you, there’s also plenty of family drama and Christmas-themed shenanigans to keep you on your toes!
I really enjoyed getting to follow Juliet on her journey to finding her family history and herself. Her upbringing makes it so easy to root for her and want a happy ending. Kate Callaghan does a great job making this book a stand-alone read while also continuing where the first book in the series left off! My only qualm is that the book leaves some loose ends untied that I as the reader am still curious about. Otherwise, it is a delightful read to get you in the Christmas spirit!

This book was a cute holiday read. It was an easy light read. It took me a few days to finish due to life, but I could have easily finished it in one day.

Juliet doesn't know what the villager of Yule exists until Will walks into her life. With the chest, letters, and help from Will, she finds out so much about herself.

I would have liked to hear more about the banishment. It was part of Juliet's family history, so I feel she deserved to know the whole story.

I also wanted to get more information about her father and the deadline. That information was given, and we are told that it was taken care of by Will. I would have liked for one last conversation with her dealing with her dad.

I wish an epilogue would have been added. I wanted to know what she decided to do. Did she stay or go back to her normal life? I guess I was looking for more closure.

I was given this ARC in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley and Kate Callaghan.

This is the second book of the Village of Yule series. You must read the first book The Naughty or Nice Clause before reading the second because it sets the scene and gives introductions to the characters. Perfect little cozy Christmas books to relax with.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book.

My very first ARC! 'Tis the Season for Secrets' by Kate Callaghan is also my first Christmas read of 2024. And I can only say that I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not usually a fan of third-person POV, but the writing drew me in right away. The forbidden love theme added tension and excitement, keeping me hooked as Will and Juliette navigated their emotions and secrets.
The Christmas magic woven throughout the story—it really brought the festive spirit to life. Even while reading this in October. The added layer of family secrets made the plot even more suspenseful, keeping me guessing until the end. Overall, it’s a heartwarming, festive read with a good blend of romance and mystery.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wish I had read the previous book in the series, though it can be read as a standalone. The magical village of Yule was so cute. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I would definitely read more books by this author. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I couldn't wait to return to Yule and the characters that I fell in love with in Kate Callaghan's first book of the series. This time we follow Juliet and Will's story.
When Juliet receives a mysterious package from her late grandmother she has no idea that she will soon be travelling to a magical village, reuniting with family that she has never met and falling head over heels in love with a sexy stranger sent to protect her. I loved this cosy festive romance just as much as the previous installment and hope that it won't be the last.