Review: The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan

Thank you Kate Callaghan for my review copy! All thoughts are my own.

If you’re looking for a romcom that has low fantasy vibes, I think this will fit the bill! I was surprised by the world building and it made this feel different from all the other holiday romances I’ve been reading recently. It felt very grounded and fun., while also including some tropes that I am obsessed with.

Synopsis:

“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.” —StoryGraph

What I LIked:

The Premise + Setting—This book is kind of like The Santa Clause 2 but in a Rom Com form. I thought Yule was fun and charming and I liked the magic system they had in place. It’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit!
The Tropes—Fake Dating! Grumpy/Sunshine! Christmas Lover/Christmas Hater! All ones that I love. I wish there had been a little more depth to the characters’ relationship but the tropes were breezy and fun.