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The Christmas Secret
The perfect home.
The perfect career.
The perfect husband.
At least, that’s what Amaryllis once believed. When an earth shattering secret is revealed to her days before Christmas, she makes an impulsive decision that sends her once perfect world spiraling out of control. Now, she has a secret, too. Can she keep it wrapped tight with a pretty little bow, or will it unravel right along with her fragile marriage?
!! THIS IS A SUSPENSE NOVELLA CENTERED AROUND CHRISTMAS !!
The perfect career.
The perfect husband.
At least, that’s what Amaryllis once believed. When an earth shattering secret is revealed to her days before Christmas, she makes an impulsive decision that sends her once perfect world spiraling out of control. Now, she has a secret, too. Can she keep it wrapped tight with a pretty little bow, or will it unravel right along with her fragile marriage?
!! THIS IS A SUSPENSE NOVELLA CENTERED AROUND CHRISTMAS !!
88 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2023
133 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 4, 2024
I know I’ve said this several times but, I👏🏾did 👏🏾not👏🏾like👏🏾Mary! Let me say it again for the people in the back, I👏🏾did 👏🏾not👏🏾like👏🏾Mary! This broad couldn’t seem to Forrest Gump her way out of the shyt she got herself into. Allow me to explain. Mary is sittin’ in her favorite coffee shop minding the business that pays her when young Natalie pulls up uninvited on some, “Barbara this is Shirley” type of time and proceeds to tell her she’s with child and her husband is the daddy. Before she even has a conversation with Shep to hear him out, Mary automatically takes Natalie at her word and decides to leave her husband two days before Christmas. To clear her mind and try to get a little bit of clarity on her current situation, Mary heads to a luxury cabin in the woods with her sister and immediately begins to live her best hot girl summer in the middle of December. From there, it was mistake, after mistake, after MF mistake. A broken heart had Mary forgetting she was a married woman but, life comes at you fast when the truth is revealed and, now she’s fightin’ for her life to keep her misdeeds a secret. I absolutely LOOOOOOOVED this book! The Christmas Secret was so entertaining, and the suspense and plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat tryin’ to figure out who was in Mary’s inbox?!!! The ending had me lookin’ at the author sideways because, she definitely left it open to interpretation. But, all I’ma say is….. Fine azz Santa, you are the daddy. 😏
December 28, 2023
Chyyyyyy Mary can write a book on what not to do when trying to get your lick back. She fumbled so many balls during this book that she shouldn’t be on nobody’s team! 😩😩 just throw the whole character away!!!
Mary was in her favorite cafe writing her next novel when Natalie came to her as a woman about her husband. Mary’s first mistake was believing some random heaux without so much as a conversation from her maaaannnnn!!! Come on Mary!!!! Women pin babies on men every day B. You should’ve at least had a conversation with the man ESPECIALLY since the heaux let it come out her mouth that she had already fkd every Tom Dick and Harry…… smh 🤦🏽♀️
From there things just took a turn for the worse! Mary was stepping in sh*t left and right and I wasn’t sure she was going to come out unscathed! I was literally suspecting EVERYBODY except her sister to be behind the foolishness and the plot kept twisting and twisting until the very end and chyyyyy I did not see it coming at all!
The ending ticked me off because I wanted Mary to stand on business 😑Poor Shep is in the dark behind her mess and ion like det…. Antoinette will forever do it for me as an author and I loved the holiday suspense that she gave us!
Mary was in her favorite cafe writing her next novel when Natalie came to her as a woman about her husband. Mary’s first mistake was believing some random heaux without so much as a conversation from her maaaannnnn!!! Come on Mary!!!! Women pin babies on men every day B. You should’ve at least had a conversation with the man ESPECIALLY since the heaux let it come out her mouth that she had already fkd every Tom Dick and Harry…… smh 🤦🏽♀️
From there things just took a turn for the worse! Mary was stepping in sh*t left and right and I wasn’t sure she was going to come out unscathed! I was literally suspecting EVERYBODY except her sister to be behind the foolishness and the plot kept twisting and twisting until the very end and chyyyyy I did not see it coming at all!
The ending ticked me off because I wanted Mary to stand on business 😑Poor Shep is in the dark behind her mess and ion like det…. Antoinette will forever do it for me as an author and I loved the holiday suspense that she gave us!
December 28, 2023
It was the balcony scene between Shep and Mary for me 🌶️
December 28, 2023
Chile this book was messy!!! I wasn’t prepared.
December 28, 2023
Messy Love
Sheesh what a messy azz story. There were all types of secrets throughout this damn story. Mary was shady af, after all of that she has the nerve to be rocking the diamonds that I'm sure reminds her of the very secret she is trying to keep under wraps smh. She had some audacity.
Sheesh what a messy azz story. There were all types of secrets throughout this damn story. Mary was shady af, after all of that she has the nerve to be rocking the diamonds that I'm sure reminds her of the very secret she is trying to keep under wraps smh. She had some audacity.
December 26, 2024
So am I the only one who was thinking that Idris (Angelo aka Santa) was the daddy?!?!? Lmaooo now that would’ve been a plot twist! This was a messy holiday suspense story I didn’t know I needed to read.
Mary girl what were you thinking!?! lol I know she over there having anxiety everyday thinking them pictures better not resurface 🤣
Mary girl what were you thinking!?! lol I know she over there having anxiety everyday thinking them pictures better not resurface 🤣
December 30, 2023
Wheeeww this book was gooddd!
But messy asf 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
I did not see that coming in the end at all!
But messy asf 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
I did not see that coming in the end at all!
January 21, 2024
Who is the daddy?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
December 30, 2023
Shh don’t ask don’t tell
Not that ending!! NOT that ending?!? Cause wait, what? Look I don’t like folks messing with my holiday like this here but this was goodt! Had my stomach in knots cause I’m not familiar with this author so I don’t know what she’s capable of. But this was a doozy! I enjoyed the writing style and it has a good pace. She was able to establish the chemistry and emotions between all the characters quickly and effectively. Writing good novellas is a real art and I dare say if you can write one that is a suspense than Ms. Sherell’s pen must be mighty!
Not that ending!! NOT that ending?!? Cause wait, what? Look I don’t like folks messing with my holiday like this here but this was goodt! Had my stomach in knots cause I’m not familiar with this author so I don’t know what she’s capable of. But this was a doozy! I enjoyed the writing style and it has a good pace. She was able to establish the chemistry and emotions between all the characters quickly and effectively. Writing good novellas is a real art and I dare say if you can write one that is a suspense than Ms. Sherell’s pen must be mighty!
December 10, 2024
Still shaking my head at this hot mess!!!!!! A well written hot mess, as well as a huge slice of ADULTERY PIE!!!! Talk about a screwed up Christmas dinner!!!!!
When the side chick hunts you down to shove a sonogram, as evidence of your husband's duplicity, in your face, make sure it's true. Don't go to jail if you don't have to! This story was disturbing, as well as hilarious, on so many levels!
When the side chick hunts you down to shove a sonogram, as evidence of your husband's duplicity, in your face, make sure it's true. Don't go to jail if you don't have to! This story was disturbing, as well as hilarious, on so many levels!
December 18, 2024
Mary!!! Whew chile! Baby when I say this story was good!! It was GOOD!!! You hear me! Short but so good. Just what I needed to get me from heading straight into a reading slump. The Suspense. The Drama. Messy. JUST. READ. THE. BOOK!! 5⭐️!!
December 30, 2023
😮💨😮💨
😮💨- In 88 short pages, Antoinette delivered a captivating story! I was appalled, turned on, and curious about all the happenings in this story. The spice, lord, I was not prepared for the car scene or the balcony! 🔥I feel bad for Shepherd because he’ll never know the truth. But, I understand why Mary responded the way she did but she didn’t even give him a chance to explain. Truthfully, all of this could have been avoided if Mary didn’t run from communication. Nonetheless, I really loved when the truth behind the emails came out because I was giving a few people a side eye. Good work, as always!
😮💨- In 88 short pages, Antoinette delivered a captivating story! I was appalled, turned on, and curious about all the happenings in this story. The spice, lord, I was not prepared for the car scene or the balcony! 🔥I feel bad for Shepherd because he’ll never know the truth. But, I understand why Mary responded the way she did but she didn’t even give him a chance to explain. Truthfully, all of this could have been avoided if Mary didn’t run from communication. Nonetheless, I really loved when the truth behind the emails came out because I was giving a few people a side eye. Good work, as always!
December 27, 2023
Now I have questions
Amaryllis moved off of emotion. Though her husband wasn’t innocent she took it to the next level. I couldn’t believe Angelo. I thought he was the good guy in this but he really is a villain. I’m do wonder if Jr isn’t really a Jr. This was a quick read and I was entertained. I couldn’t figure out who was doing what until the end.
Amaryllis moved off of emotion. Though her husband wasn’t innocent she took it to the next level. I couldn’t believe Angelo. I thought he was the good guy in this but he really is a villain. I’m do wonder if Jr isn’t really a Jr. This was a quick read and I was entertained. I couldn’t figure out who was doing what until the end.
January 11, 2024
The nerve of Santa!
Oh my goodness! For some unknown reason I believed Shepherd. I did not think he cheated. The get back did not work out so well Mrs. Ho... Ho... Ho... See.. that part about not listening is key. Belle... Yeah I knew something was shady in her Kool aid. Idris.. Smh, a dirty old man. This short story had lots of drama for such a short time.
Oh my goodness! For some unknown reason I believed Shepherd. I did not think he cheated. The get back did not work out so well Mrs. Ho... Ho... Ho... See.. that part about not listening is key. Belle... Yeah I knew something was shady in her Kool aid. Idris.. Smh, a dirty old man. This short story had lots of drama for such a short time.
December 17, 2024
Omg the anticipation was insane. My heart was beating fast and hands sweating like I was the one that did something wrong🤣🤣🤣🤣. And the enddddd….WHEWWWWW!!!!! When I say my jaw hit the floorrrrrr!!! My mouth still hanging wide open. I didn’t finish the book……the book finished me🥊
December 28, 2023
I went into this book blind but it was a good quick read. Full of mess and suspense. I wasn’t expecting that ending!
August 17, 2024
Well That Was Messy.
I enjoyed this read and all its shenanigans. This book flowed so well. The characters developed quickly with ease and brought you right in.
Mary and Shep got on my nerves. The hot tub and the balcony were steamy. Oh yea the restaurant and the back of the car too. I see you Santa *wink. Anyways Mary just dipping like that was dramatic and Shep baby if you can’t hold your liquor then cut it out. Me personally I’m not playing any form of cheating if we ain’t in together LOL *wink wink. Now when Mary clocked Bell’s tea i had to clap my hands because yea watch yourself girl. I agree with some of the other reviews about who the daddy is.
I enjoyed this read and all its shenanigans. This book flowed so well. The characters developed quickly with ease and brought you right in.
Mary and Shep got on my nerves. The hot tub and the balcony were steamy. Oh yea the restaurant and the back of the car too. I see you Santa *wink. Anyways Mary just dipping like that was dramatic and Shep baby if you can’t hold your liquor then cut it out. Me personally I’m not playing any form of cheating if we ain’t in together LOL *wink wink. Now when Mary clocked Bell’s tea i had to clap my hands because yea watch yourself girl. I agree with some of the other reviews about who the daddy is.
December 8, 2024
Oh hell no
This was the messiest damn Christmas story ever and so damn good… I can’t believe Mary didn’t even get the full story before she did something that she can’t come back from but that twist at the end had me like wth! Poor Shepard didn’t deserve to be in the middle of these shenanigans but I have one last question. Chile I loved this suspenseful read and i can’t wait for more
This was the messiest damn Christmas story ever and so damn good… I can’t believe Mary didn’t even get the full story before she did something that she can’t come back from but that twist at the end had me like wth! Poor Shepard didn’t deserve to be in the middle of these shenanigans but I have one last question. Chile I loved this suspenseful read and i can’t wait for more
December 27, 2023
Jaw dropping! I didn't see this unfolding the way that it did. Well done.
December 30, 2023
Babyyyy its giving mess and suspense, but I loved it ! When you unintentionally plan some get back which lowkey was the best night of your life,but also somebody’s in the corner threatening to tell all your secrets whewwww. My need to know who was behind the soft blackmailing almost had me going to the end of the book ! Mary was the real villain here, but the real MVP for how everything fell into place 🤭. Secrets and diamonds may very well be a girl’s best friend .
January 1, 2024
Hidden secret
OMFG!!!! My mouth is on the MF floor! Y’all I’m really speechless. Mary is a cold blooded wench! She is really a ho ho ho type of woman because why tf would you do that! This is not your ordinary Christmas book but Santa definitely came to town lmaoo
OMFG!!!! My mouth is on the MF floor! Y’all I’m really speechless. Mary is a cold blooded wench! She is really a ho ho ho type of woman because why tf would you do that! This is not your ordinary Christmas book but Santa definitely came to town lmaoo
December 30, 2023
🎅🏽🤫💎🍆💦
Mary pissed me tf off. She believed some female about being pregnant by her husband without having full proof. I wouldve been asking questions to see if it was true. She acted on emotions. I knew Shep was telling the truth. He was too certain about it. The suspense of this was suspending because I did not expect the person that was blackmailing Mary. Shep deserves a new wife honestly. I’m not feeling Mary. She folded and she not even woman enough to tell her husband. Her marriage is basically a fraud all because she didn’t have a civil conversation with her husband and ran from her problem. Messy Mfing Mary.
Mary pissed me tf off. She believed some female about being pregnant by her husband without having full proof. I wouldve been asking questions to see if it was true. She acted on emotions. I knew Shep was telling the truth. He was too certain about it. The suspense of this was suspending because I did not expect the person that was blackmailing Mary. Shep deserves a new wife honestly. I’m not feeling Mary. She folded and she not even woman enough to tell her husband. Her marriage is basically a fraud all because she didn’t have a civil conversation with her husband and ran from her problem. Messy Mfing Mary.
December 30, 2023
Scandal for Christmas!
This was a quick read that was loaded with heat, secrets, suspense and drama! And it was definitely a gift that I didn't know I needed for the holidays!
This was a quick read that was loaded with heat, secrets, suspense and drama! And it was definitely a gift that I didn't know I needed for the holidays!
May 31, 2024
4 ⭐️
if you looked up MESSY in the dictionary, girl this book would be right under the definition because this was MESSSYYYYY AND MIXXYYYY 🫢🫢.
mary is confronted with the idea that her husband cheated on her and got another woman pregnant around christmas. when she confronts him about it, he tells her when he was on his work trip he had a night where he was black out drunk & couldnt remember what he did, but was 95% sure he didn’t get the woman pregnant.
immediately mary leaves and joins her sister on a trip to a cabin and from there starts doing some things she comes to regret later.
for this book to so short the author definitely delivered with still being able to give background to a majority of the characters & still delivered a good plot in less than 100 pages.
there were even some spicy scenes too.
but in the end the reveal & the way the story ended is what made me give it 4 stars. i did NOT expect the last chapter to be that filled with information chile. everybody just messyyyyy.
yes it was crazy outrageous, yes mary is weird for the secrets she kept, but the drama kept me interested i can’t lie 😩.
if you looked up MESSY in the dictionary, girl this book would be right under the definition because this was MESSSYYYYY AND MIXXYYYY 🫢🫢.
mary is confronted with the idea that her husband cheated on her and got another woman pregnant around christmas. when she confronts him about it, he tells her when he was on his work trip he had a night where he was black out drunk & couldnt remember what he did, but was 95% sure he didn’t get the woman pregnant.
immediately mary leaves and joins her sister on a trip to a cabin and from there starts doing some things she comes to regret later.
for this book to so short the author definitely delivered with still being able to give background to a majority of the characters & still delivered a good plot in less than 100 pages.
there were even some spicy scenes too.
but in the end the reveal & the way the story ended is what made me give it 4 stars. i did NOT expect the last chapter to be that filled with information chile. everybody just messyyyyy.
yes it was crazy outrageous, yes mary is weird for the secrets she kept, but the drama kept me interested i can’t lie 😩.
December 28, 2023
petty
She so freaking petty for that ending bruhh. That plot twist was bananas though. I totally didn’t see that coming at all.
She so freaking petty for that ending bruhh. That plot twist was bananas though. I totally didn’t see that coming at all.
December 28, 2023
Wow!
This short, well written book was packed with action and secrets. There were lies, cheating, blackmail and sordid relationships. The cabin trip had a lot going on. Mary and Shepard finally learned to communicate with each other, but Mary left her Christmas indiscretions as a secret.
This short, well written book was packed with action and secrets. There were lies, cheating, blackmail and sordid relationships. The cabin trip had a lot going on. Mary and Shepard finally learned to communicate with each other, but Mary left her Christmas indiscretions as a secret.
December 29, 2023
Mary. Girl. You really got away with that one. Can’t do nothing but shake my head cause you were being real messy when you didn’t need to be. I understand being upset based on the news you found out, but idk you jumped at the opportunity to sleep with someone else way too fast with no evidence. You’re crying about your husband possibly impregnating someone else and how you want your marriage to work but then turn around and do the same thing? I understand getting your get back but you gotta be smart about it my sister.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2024
Must Read
Communication and Listening can solve a lot of problems in marriages as well as not jumping to conclusions, and acting off of emotions. Most women more than likely would've dragged Natalie for stalking them just to say she was the pregnant side chick. However Amaryllis held her composure when Natalie called herself telling her about Shepard. I actually believed Shepard when he told Amaryllis that Natalie was lying . Taking her sister Anya upon the offer to join her and friends at a cabin. Amaryllis accepted. However dealing with insecurities mixed alcohol and a fine ass stranger had Amaryllis doing something she would soon regret. Jasper was a hater. He was in his feelings because Amaryllis dodged his advances. Shepard showing up on the trip to try and reconcile with his wife has Amaryllis nervous once she started receiving anonymous emails of pictures of her night with Angelo. Thinking it was Jasper after all his slick comments and because he was mad that she wouldn't give him any play. Amaryllis was ready to leave. Something was off with Belle from the moment Anya introduced her to Amaryllis. It wasn't long before the end of the trip what Belle problem was when her Aunt and Uncle showed up. It was also when Amaryllis found out Angelo lied and wasn't who he claimed to be and she also learned who was behind the anonymous emails.
Communication and Listening can solve a lot of problems in marriages as well as not jumping to conclusions, and acting off of emotions. Most women more than likely would've dragged Natalie for stalking them just to say she was the pregnant side chick. However Amaryllis held her composure when Natalie called herself telling her about Shepard. I actually believed Shepard when he told Amaryllis that Natalie was lying . Taking her sister Anya upon the offer to join her and friends at a cabin. Amaryllis accepted. However dealing with insecurities mixed alcohol and a fine ass stranger had Amaryllis doing something she would soon regret. Jasper was a hater. He was in his feelings because Amaryllis dodged his advances. Shepard showing up on the trip to try and reconcile with his wife has Amaryllis nervous once she started receiving anonymous emails of pictures of her night with Angelo. Thinking it was Jasper after all his slick comments and because he was mad that she wouldn't give him any play. Amaryllis was ready to leave. Something was off with Belle from the moment Anya introduced her to Amaryllis. It wasn't long before the end of the trip what Belle problem was when her Aunt and Uncle showed up. It was also when Amaryllis found out Angelo lied and wasn't who he claimed to be and she also learned who was behind the anonymous emails.
December 29, 2025
This was such an enjoyable read from start to finish. I really enjoyed this quick Christmas novella. Now let’s get into this book .
When i say Mary ain’t the sharpest in the toolbox i mean that, but how can you blame the girl ?? What would you do if. Woman came into a cafe you frequent & tell you your husband got her pregnant? A. Believe her or B. Investigate ? Well chyy Mary believed her even after she approached her husband shep who stated he didn’t do it.
Mary tells her sister about her problems & she agrees to go on this cabin trip with her sister friends . But Mary makes mistakes after mistakes on this trip. The biggest one was Fine Santa . Chyyy fine Santa had Mary doing things that no married woman should be doing .
Living with her own guilt now . This left readers wanting to know one question. Who’s really that baby father 😏 .
When i say Mary ain’t the sharpest in the toolbox i mean that, but how can you blame the girl ?? What would you do if. Woman came into a cafe you frequent & tell you your husband got her pregnant? A. Believe her or B. Investigate ? Well chyy Mary believed her even after she approached her husband shep who stated he didn’t do it.
Mary tells her sister about her problems & she agrees to go on this cabin trip with her sister friends . But Mary makes mistakes after mistakes on this trip. The biggest one was Fine Santa . Chyyy fine Santa had Mary doing things that no married woman should be doing .
Living with her own guilt now . This left readers wanting to know one question. Who’s really that baby father 😏 .
December 13, 2025
“A consolation for your troubles.” -Santa
If you’re looking for a little winter holiday mess then this is the novella for you. The drama was quick and straight to the point within 80ish pages.
-sisterhood
-“who did it?” trope
-winter vibes
-a trip away
-marital woes
-secrets
The epitome of “what is done in the dark, comes to the light.” Or… does it?
My only issue with the storyline was the ambiguity of the characters. I think we can infer based on what happens. But, there are only two references to what these people look like & they’re very vague.
If you’re a person who likes descriptive visuals in their literature, this won’t give you that. But, the storyline was easily entertaining.
If you’re looking for a little winter holiday mess then this is the novella for you. The drama was quick and straight to the point within 80ish pages.
-sisterhood
-“who did it?” trope
-winter vibes
-a trip away
-marital woes
-secrets
The epitome of “what is done in the dark, comes to the light.” Or… does it?
My only issue with the storyline was the ambiguity of the characters. I think we can infer based on what happens. But, there are only two references to what these people look like & they’re very vague.
If you’re a person who likes descriptive visuals in their literature, this won’t give you that. But, the storyline was easily entertaining.
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