Book Review: The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan

Title: The Naughty or Nice Clause
Author: Kate Callaghan
Genre: Holiday; Romance
Publisher: Independent Book Publishers Association
Publication Date: November 8th, 2022

Being Naughty Has Never Been So Nice!

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 realize she has no choice but to go along with the pretense – 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 in to temptation?

Rating

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Hello Fellow Readers,

Who says you can't read a Christmas book in February? Why must it only be during the holidays? Anyway, I did intend to read this during the holidays but life got in the way. My reading time has been significantly reduced, which is how it goes when you have a little one who runs around all day. Anyway, who's interested in Enemies to lovers with a dash of fake dating? If you raised your hand then Callaghan's The Naughty or Nice Clause is for you. 

First off, the story is pretty original which for me is hard to come by and the idea itself is right up my alley. I mean I am a sucker for fake dating tropes, which is what originally lured me to this book. Mason Klaus seems like your typical ruthless businessman, and he is with a secret about his family. Secondly, I loved the winter wonderland. It's as Fantastical as the synopsis.

My third point is where the story fell off for me. I just couldn't get behind Lyla and Mason's romance. The fiery chemistry just was not there. It may be that I just couldn't connect with either Lyla or Mason, which makes me not really care about their romance. 

Overall, a great original idea with a flat romance.