ARC Review: Secret Santa by Jay Northcote

Blurb:

Keeping secrets is never a good way to start a relationship

Theo hardly has time to date. Between work and caring for his four-year-old son there aren’t many hours left over. He’s lonely though, so he joins a hook-up app and starts chatting to a guy called Luke. Luke seems friendly and they arrange to meet. Theo doesn’t mention that he has a child. It’s early days and he’s worried about putting Luke off before they get to know each other.

Luke is currently working as Santa at the local shopping mall. He figures Theo never has to know. Christmas will be over soon and Luke will move on to a new, less embarrassing job. He’s surprised when Theo and a little boy visit Santa one afternoon. Theo doesn’t recognise Luke, and Luke realises he’s not the only one with a secret.

Despite misgivings on both sides, they start dating, and the chemistry is amazing. But as Christmas approaches their secrets pile up like colourful packages under the tree. If they’re not careful, they’ll lose the best gift of all—each other.

Jewel's rating:



Secret Santa conjures images of mistletoe, presents, and being merry -- ho ho ho!!! Jay Northcote gifts us all with a low angst Christmas story about getting a boyfriend for Christmas. The holiday just wouldn't be same without Jay's style of feel-good cheer!

Luke and Theo both have secrets. Not huge secrets, but it's enough to make things awkward for a bit there once things are in the open.

You see, Theo is a single dad. He co-parents with his friend Caroline, and has his son, Archie, for three days a week. Dating has been an issue, for Theo, who has found that many men his age don't seem to want to date a guy with a kid. So Theo keeps mum about his son when he goes out with Luke.


Luke has a secret of his own, though. He knows that Theo has a kid because Theo and Archie came to see Santa...and that would be Luke, unbeknownst to Theo.

I enjoyed the story, though I would not have said no to a touch more tension. The smexy-times were plenty smexy and their chemistry was sizzling. I'm not hugely a fan of kids in my stories, but it's Christmas, and if ever there were a holiday for kids, I'd say Christmas is it. I was happy to see that Archie didn't take over the story, though.

So, if you're in the mood for a sexy, low-angst holiday read, Secret Santa is sure to fit the bill.

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ARC of Secret Santa was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.

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