Oh, honey, buckle up and pour yourself a mug of spiked cider, because Secret Santa by Kathleen Brooks is bringing the holiday heat, and I’m not just talking about the oven-warmed biscuits.
Set in our beloved, bonkers little town of Keeneston, and let me tell you, it’s a holly-jolly rollercoaster of Southern charm, PTA drama, and steamy surprises.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if your local Christmas concert turned into a rom-com circus featuring a shirtless mystery man and enough casseroles to feed an army, well… you’re in the right place.
Small Town, Big Chaos
First things first: Secret Santa is not a standalone. You need to have read Rising Storm or risk getting more lost than a Yankee at a Derby party. That said, if you have been riding with the Bluegrass crew, this book is like coming home if home is filled with nosy neighbors, hormonal pregnant women, and men who can’t keep their shirts on.
The setup? Perfectly chaotic. Dani is dodging in-laws like a Christmas ninja. Kenna’s court is packed tighter than a tin of cookies. Meanwhile, Marshall is trying to keep the town from imploding. All of it unfolds with Brooks’ signature blend of humor, heart, and just enough heat to melt the snow.
Oh, baby comedic timing, colorful side characters looking at you, Rose Sisters, and that glorious, flirty mystery surrounding the Secret Santa. Brooks balances small-town antics with genuine emotion in a way that makes you laugh, snort, and sigh all in one chapter.
Would I recommend it? Oh, absolutely. It’s festive, funny, and just the right amount of flirty. If you’re already knee-deep in the Bluegrass series, Secret Santa is a must-read holiday treat.

Follow To See What Romanceaholic Really Thinks
Where My Reviews Are Unfiltered, My Book Boyfriends Are Obsessive and Love Loudly, and I’m Unapologetically Obsessed and Zero Regrets.
If you’re ready for honest, emotional, occasionally unhinged romance reviews, you can find me everywhere the bookish internet allows. Click, stalk, scream into the void with me. I don’t judge.
Follow me everywhere romance lives. If there’s a broody antihero and a broken heart to mend, you know I’ve already reviewed it.
Carmen Alicea – One girl. Infinite tropes. Zero regrets.
