The Naughty Or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan

5 Stars Nov 07, 2022

My review

5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️

This was a brilliant, quick, festive read that transported me to a very Christmassy place and put a big smile on my face.

Both Lyla and Mason were inherently likeable characters; both had their own flaws that made them relatable and human, and yet both were charming and endearing in their own way. The chemistry between them jumped off the page from their first fraught interaction, and it was great to see them in different settings, and see their relationship tested in various circumstances to see how things grew between them quite naturally. There was also just the right amount of sexual tension and spice in the book for me.

The premise of the book itself is unlike anything that I've come across in the past, and I think it would made a great movie. I really enjoyed being able to imagine myself in a North Pole setting that had drama and darkness surrounding it, as well as the sweetness and light that the season inevitably brings. I also absolutely loved the idea of how the North Pole works in this book - it's such a fresh way of imagining the Christmas spirit and it really resonated with me as a concept.

The family that resided in Yule were endearing and I wanted more of them than the book was able to give with its speed and brevity. I'd welcome a wider series that encompassed the whole family in more detail, because I found them all charming and welcoming as characters. They gave purpose and depth to what would have otherwise been a fluffy Christmas romance story.

This was a perfect way to kick off the festive period. It really got me in the mood for the season and I enjoyed each page while I was reading it. If I hadn't have started reading this so late at night, it definitely would have been a one sitting read, that's how much I enjoyed it!

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book blurb

When Lyla's father retired as CEO of the toy company which has been in their family for generations, she was meant to receive his shares. Instead, she discovers the company is bankrupt and her father has given her shares to Mason Klaus, an investor known in the corporate world for his cold and callous nature. Much to Lyla's frustration, her only option is to run the company with him, despite their evident loathing for one another.

When Mason cancels the annual Christmas party, Lyla throws it anyway - only for the event of the season to result in a terrible fire. With the offices and Lyla's credibility ruined, Mason offers her a deal: he'll forget her part in the disaster, but she must join his family for the twelve days of their Christmas holidays.

Taken to a fantastical winter wonderland, Lyla hopes that she might discover some of the secrets Mr Klaus is hiding, and maybe even a way to get her company back. However, when Mason introduces her to the secret village as his fiancée, she is horrified to realise she has no choice but to go along with the pretence - because the cost of bringing an outsider to their magical land is far too high.

Can Lyla resist the devilishly handsome Mr Klaus and the enchanting village to win back her company, or will she give into temptation?