Keeping secrets is never a good way to start a relationshipTheo 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 … 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.
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This is one of those audiobooks where I resented everyday life impinging on my listening pleasure. I so desperately wanted to find out how the initial misunderstandings are resolved. That they have been a few chapters before the end, and then the rest of the book solidifies their relationship, makes this book even more delightful.
I knew the narration by Hamish Long would be to my liking as he is a firm favourite. He brings both main characters to life, but I have to admit that I adore his Archie (Theo’s son).
Audiobook Review
Hamish Lon, narrator
Overall Narrator Story
This was a fun, sweet story to listen to. I’d say the heat scale was about 3.5/5, for those who are interested. The two MCs had great chemistry, and conversed easily. Theo’s son was an adorable addition. The crisis in their budding relationship stemmed from assumptions and miscommunication, which is very common. I found it a very plausible crisis, but I’m glad it didn’t drag on forever. That’s when it gets frustrating.
I always find Northcote’s stories easy to read, whether their angsty or light, and this one was no different. It was well structured and written, and the characters were all well developed and quite likable. I enjoyed how all of the adults, in Theo’s son’s life, got along. That was very pleasant. I know it’s more common for them not to, but there are a lot of families that do. Northcote seems to have a lot of respect for his characters he creates. I love the authenticity they have, no matter what label, or identity, they fall under. It’s completely refreshing.
Hamish Long did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. I love how vast his range in voices is. He’s a very talented narrator, and I always look forward to listening to his work.
Audiobook Review:
It seems as though this author’s writing style is especially well suited for holiday romances. I’d already read four this year when Secret Santa was released on audio, and I happily dove in for a title from Mr. Northcote. Once again, I found myself transported to the scenes he paints, loving the characters, the dialogue, and the romance. Similarly, this narrator is reliably easy to listen to, with a smooth, pleasant delivery that lets the writing shine, and I find myself increasingly looking for new titles he’s worked on.
I really liked both Theo and Luke and found the setup of a single dad trying to find his happily-ever-after during Christmas especially sweet. I also liked that Theo’s son, Archie, isn’t a seen-not-heard plot point like occurs in some single parent romances. Instead, he held a believable, age-appropriate role throughout the story. And of course, I wasn’t let down in the least with the physical romance. All in all, Secret Santa was a solid holiday romance that delivered on multiple fronts made better by an excellent narrator. I’d definitely recommend this title.
*ACX code received via author’s PA. The narrator, author, and PA had no influence over this review*
Audio Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
I read this book back in November 2017 and I liked it a lot. Now, having listened to the audiobook performed by Hamish Long, I love it. Hamish has performed several books by Jay Northcote and I have loved them all.
Theo and Luke have great chemistry with each other but the secrets they’re keeping from each other cause misunderstanding and keep them from forming a close relationship at first.
Theo is a great dad who wants to protect his son so he’s reluctant to tell Luke about him because he misunderstood an off-hand comment that Luke made when they first met. Luke’s keeping his job as a shopping mall Santa from Theo because he believes it makes him look less than successful. The secrets create tension between them even though neither of them know what it is that’s causing it.
I really liked how these two get along together. Once they finally come clean with their secrets their relationship begins to flourish. I found this to be a very entertaining story which didn’t take me too long to read and the epilogue which lets us know how they are getting on a year later was a great touch. I love stories of this length because they are a perfect way to spend an evening.
What a lovely holiday romance! Sweet and cute, giving you all the feels, but never crossing the line and becoming too mushy or overly sentimental. Perfect for finding some holiday cheer!
What truly made this story stand out for me is that it’s about two real, genuine people searching for and finding love in a realistic way while dealing with the hustle and bustle of everyday life and worries. No over the top drama or angst here!
I especially loved Archie, Theo’s little boy. He is an integral part of the story and incredibly adorable! Theo is a wonderful parent, putting his child first, and I found it really easy to relate to him because of that. I like that he has such a great relationship with Caroline and that there is no evil ex in the story.
I thought the references to Top Gear and The Great British Bake Off were a very nice touch in making the characters seem even more real and relatable. Luke, I’m with you, btw!
A great Christmas story
Luke and Theo start chatting over a hook up app, but Luke says something negative about kids and Theo has a young son. He keeps his secret and after they meet both Luke and Theo are keeping secrets from each other making things worse.
Things get worse and then one day all the secrets are revealed by accident.
This is again a well written Christmas book by Jay and Narrated perfectly by Hamish.
As always a HEA from Jay, great book, well worth the read/listen.
Secret Santa
By: Jay Northcote
Narrated by: Hamish Long
Length: 3 hrs and 44
Overall
Narration
Story
Read at 1.15 speed on Audible