My lifelong search for realistic romances featuring teachers continues unsatisfied. I loved the premise of this book, but the execution didn't grab me. The execution of the grumpy/sunshine trope was underwhelming (I only remembered this was the central trope from the title!) and I felt my mind wandering during dialogue heavy scenes. My main frustration was the almost total lack of engagement with the professional ethical issue of dating a student's father.

Big men writing women vibes from this one. A pity, but I don't mind the concept.

In my opinion, an enemies-to-lovers romance depends on the strength of the characterisation during the enemies dynamic - what substantial conflict is causing the main characters to consider each other enemies? What in the characterisation of each hints at how well they will eventually work together... and how does each need to grow before they will recognise their romantic destiny? That's a lot of heavy lifting for the enemies dynamic to do!

I love Christmas and I really wanted to enjoy The Naughty or Nice Clause. This book delivered on its Hallmark Christmas movie promise, serving the aesthetics of a secret Santa romance set in the North Pole (or "Yule"), unfortunately accompanied by the same somewhat bland characterisation that comes with those same holiday flicks. The narrative voice did not grab me well enough to look past the cartoonish feel of the enemies dynamic, which hindered my buy-in for the transition to lovers.

Though unfortunately The Naughty or Nice Clause couldn't hold my interest this holiday period, and reading this novel became an obligation rather than a pleasure, you may enjoy this book If you have a soft spot for Netflix or Hallmark Christmas movies. It's an easy read so it may be a good one to be able to pick up and put down during the busy holiday period. 

Thankyou to NetGalley, CallaghanWriter and Kate Callaghan for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Everything about this contemporary romance suggests I should have loved it, but for some reason it just wasn't hitting the spot for me. Did every character talk in the same pseudo-philosophical way? Certainly I had that impression from the heroine and her mother (which could make sense, of course). That shouldn't be enough to turn me off the entire book though, so I may try it again another time.