Blame It on the Secret Santa

Sugarplum Falls #8

by Samantha Baca

What to get someone you hate for Christmas…

That’s not something I would typically look up online, but drawing my ex’s name in our company’s Secret Santa exchange left me no choice.

For twelve long years, I was free of him after he broke my heart and moved away. But now he’s back, and thanks to small-town life, he’s everywhere I go.

I tried to shake it off when he first started working at Waldon's. It's a big store, and there aren't a ton of employment options in Sugarplum Falls. Not only did we somehow draw each other’s names in the so-called “Secret” Santa exchange, but we’re constantly being thrown together and being forced to spend time with each other.

As old memories rise to the surface, I’m reminded of the pain and heartache he’s capable of, but it’s hard to focus on that when he’s constantly going out of his way to do nice things for me. They say people change and that forgiveness is healing, but they don’t know the damage he did the last time I allowed myself to love him.

It seems there’s a thin line between love and hate, and suddenly, I’m teetering right over it. No matter how much my heart wants to love him again, it can’t undo the pain he caused all those years ago.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2024

About the author

Samantha lives in the southwest with her husband and two children, where she enjoys writing, drinking iced coffee, and watching the greatest show of all time—Friends. With over 30 books published, Samantha enjoys writing across several different genres, from steamy romantic suspense to laugh-out-loud spicy romantic comedies. She also has a sweet spot for holiday stories, so grab a blanket and get ready to binge some of the sweetest—yet spicy—holiday romance your heart can handle!

Samantha loves connecting with her readers, so here’s a list of where you can find her:

Facebook Reader Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/29457...

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamant...

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/author_samantha...

Webpage:
www.samanthabaca.com

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/authorsamant...

Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/ap/RQAYK9/Sama...

Reviews

[Torey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute second chance/enemies to lovers story. I do love when a couple can overcome their differences and get back together but hate when it's a miscommunication that took them apart, so many missed years 😭 so happy to see Sam in this story though, he's my favorite.

I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Entertaining Story.

Young love between Cassidy and Sean torn apart due to Sean's twin brother's indiscretions. Sean tried to tell Cassidy that he didn't cheat on her. She was so hurt and wouldn't listen to him. Fast forward 12 years when Sean's parents get him & his twin Declan to celebrate Christmas with them due to their fathers health. Declan apologizes again, but Sean is still angry. Finds out he's an Uncle to twin girls & immediately falls in love with the 4 year olds. Fast forward to Cassidy celebrating Christmas with her family & a little too much egg nog. Her true feelings for Sean start to surface. This story has so many feels. You're laughing, then feeling bad for both of them. A very well written story. Loved it!

[claire - clairesbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassidy draws a name for her gift exchange at work only to find she picked Sean, her ex from highschool who she's hated ever since she broke up with him, and who recently moved back to town and started working at the same store. Now, Cassidy needs to figure out what to get him. Sean also drew Cassidy's name, but the difference here is Sean has never stopped loving her. Now he's on a mission to show her that.

This book is all about forgiveness, and not just with the main characters. Cassidy is a bit stubborn, but I can't say I wouldn't be stubborn too in the same situation. I loved the witty humor and banter in this book, especially when the eggnog was involved! I also loved the gift Sean got for Cassidy! I know what it's like to have that elusive book you've always wanted but is super hard to find or way out of your price range, and of course because Sean is a cinnamon roll, he comes through. This journey through Sugarplum Falls has been so fun. I'm sad this series is coming to an end, but I think Samantha might have a little surprise for us later!

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You enjoy quick holiday reads that feel more like a full length story.

[Cheryl Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really had a hard time liking Cassidy, and definitely didn't feel a whole lot of sympathy for her. We've all had are hearts broken in high school, but after twelve years, you shouldn't carry such hate. With a brother like Declan, Sean really didn't need any enemies! A mom who seems more concerned for her own wishes then her son who suffered the worst type of betrayal. It's amazing Sean remained such a great guy. I really felt that Cassidy deserved the heartache she suffered. When Declan betrayed Sean, she didn't even give Sean a chance to defend himself, she just chose to believe the worst about someone she supposedly loved. She never questioned the truth about the rumors and lies. I felt like if she really loved him, she would have at least been willing to hear him out. Instead, she chose to live with a grudge, and pure hatred built on a lie from a complete coward! I couldn't help but feel that Sean was better off without both of them. This was a great book, story line was believable with characters that you will love to hate. My takeaway from this book was that Sean is the only one who deserves a HEA. My favorite part of the story was when Declan's wife made him man-up. Although he really shouldn't have needed her to do that, if he was truly sorry he would have done it a lot sooner! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[R.S.05 · Rating 4 out of 5]

December is here, which means it's time to start reading Christmas books!

I was drawn to this story already from the very first chapter, loving the hateful dynamic between our main characters.

This book had some really great element: The banter and witty remarks were golden, the care and love Sean showed Cassidy - even tough she was stubborn and rude to him - was wonderful, the forgiveness between the two brothers - and Sean connecting with his brothers family - was absolutely adorable.

This was a second chance romance, "enemies" to lovers book, and let me tell you, it delivers exactly what the author promises us in the description.

I adored this book, and I'm really happy I decided to read it!

If there is one thing I'm going to point a finger at it is that I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, and wished we had a chance to see more of Cassidy and Sean in a relationship - an epilogue set a few years forward would have been great too.

Other than that, I think this was a great book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Holiday romance

Good story about a second chances. Cassidy never forgave Sean for breaking her heart all those years ago. Now she has drawn his name to be his Secret Santa at work. Sean had never stopped loving her and now he has drawn her name. I’m not sure if it was meant to be funny at how much she said she hated him but her protestations rapidly became very amusing. Sean, on the other hand, was caring and supportive whenever he could get away with it. Her difficulty trying to find the right gift that would show how much she hated him but wouldn’t seem rude in front of the other employees was hilarious. Watching their romance unfold was actually quite enjoyable and a bit steamy. The author did a great job developing their relationship and writing about their difficulties overcoming their past. I will say that the first intimate encounter seemed to come out of nowhere and caught me off guard but the author made that work somehow. All in all it was a very good read and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sean and Cassidy were high school sweethearts gone wrong. She thought he cheated. He never did, and he never stopped loving her either. It’s twelve years later and now they are co workers. Cassidy hates Sean even after all of these years . . . or does she? Sean definitely loves her. And, their chemistry is still off the charts! Can she forgive him so they can move forward or are they a second chance that was never meant to be?

Welcome back to Sugarplum falls for our final couple! Their drama goes all the way back to high school, when Sean’s brother started a rumor to save himself. Cassidy has stayed bitter about Sean for years, and having him back in town doesn’t make her happy, but it also reminds her just how much she misses everything about him. And, when Sean sees there just might be a second chance with Cassidy, he is ready to pull out all the stops!

I loved that but fate definitely had plans for bringing this couple back together and I am sure you will too! 4 stars!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha has given us another brilliant story from Sugarplum Falls. This series just get better with each new book. Cassidy enjoys her job at the store, that was until her past ended up working there to. Twelve years he'd been gone only returning occasionally to see his parents but now he's back and working at the same store Why? Sean moved back home to help his mom after his dad was diagnosed with dementia. Working this close to Cassidy when he knows how much she dislikes him is hard. How was he going to cope, he'd hoped to at least be friends but the hurt was still there. Still as fresh as it had been twelve years ago. I loved Sean and Cassidy's story it shows how sometimes the truth isn't always as obvious and how small-town rumors aren't necessarily right. Can Sean prove his love and will a Secret Santa gift bring them both a happy ending. I love this series ❤️

[Carolyn Schaeperkoetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, cute, yet spicy romance about second chances and learning to forgive.

Once again, Samantha Baca has hit the spot with yet another Sugarplum Falls book. This time, we have Sean and Cassidy, two former lovers ripped apart by a misunderstand that took place twelve years ago. When they are each given each other as their Secret Santa person, fate thrusts them together, and slowly they relearn one another as well as what really happened so long ago.

This story had the right amount of spice, sweet, and heat, blended with humor. I loved being reunited with some of the characters from previous books (Sam). The situations they find themselves in is so funny. This also had a lot of heart too, where we find that Cassidy and Sean's love never died.

A perfect Christmas story about second chances.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Danelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christmas stories and usually start looking for them in July. This is a good one. A nice holiday quick read and latest in the Sugar Plum series, although this one can definitely be read as a standalone. This one is about Cassidy and Sean, her high school love that shattered her heart back then. Jump to today. Sean is back in town and working at the same place as Cassidy. They pull each other in the secret Santa gift exchange. Now isn’t that just karma? What Cassidy doesn’t know is that what broke them up in high school was actually Sean’s identical twin. A twin that never came clean and still doesn’t until his wife makes him. I enjoyed this book and love that they find their HEA. Definitely recommend adding this one to your holiday reading list. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[neus.dreamybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassidy and Sean broke up 12 years ago, when they were 17 because of a rumor of him cheating.

This story has some great tropes as enemies to lovers, only one bed, second chance and it's a Holiday novella too.

I loved Sean since the first moment he appears because he knows Cassidy still hates him, even when he has been the last years not living in town. He has returned because of his father's illness and now is working in the same shop as her, and fate has given them each other names for the company's secret santa.

I specially enjoyed when she is high with medication and how he interacts with her then.

In general I enjoyed their story but to be perfect it needed to give me some background about these years apart, have they any important relationship? Where has Sean been living/working before returning home?

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Sugarplum Falls!
🎁Small town
🎁Second chance
🎁Enemies to lovers
🎁Holiday novella
🎁Forced proximity
🎁Hot bathroom scene
🎁Workplace romance
🎁Hea

Blame it on the Secret Santa features Cassidy and Sean. An injury and a blizzard force them together for a few days. Cassidy might still be hurt by the past, but the care Sean showed her made it hard to get him a thoughtless gift for secret Santa. She wants to hate him, but as time goes on, it is getting harder to keep it up. Sean, on the other hand, never stopped loving her and even cut ties to his brother because of what happened. To see the relationships mend was really sweet and my favorite part of the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Linda V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blame It On The Secret Santa is book #8 in the Sugarplum Falls series and the perfect ending for this spicy holiday novella series! Cassidy has believed a rumor for 12 years about her high school boyfriend, Sean. When he returns to Sugarplum Falls, starts a job where she works, AND draws his name for the Secret Santa gift exchange… it's almost more than she can handle. Oh, this story was perfection. Sean is a total cinnamon roll with underlying family issues with his twin brother. Cassidy is a total spitfire and has never really gotten over Sean. These two are enemies, then enemies with benefits (so spicy!) until the truth is finally revealed. Do NOT miss this final installment of this series. Easy to binge and so fun to read.

[Cathy Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Novellas are perfect for this time of year!

Tropes:
• Second Chances
• Enemy to Lovers
• Small town
• Forced proximity
• Christmas themed
Cassidy and Sean were high school sweethearts but high school is a time of drama and rumors, unfortunately that is what happened to them. Now, they find themselves trapped together for a few days and this gives them both time to reflect and realize that their love for one another didn’t go away and now it is coming back stronger.

Samantha Baca did an incredible job giving us holiday short stories for this year! I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this was a funny but charming story. It was a steamy page turner and the suspense was intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't even put it down. It will sucked you right in this story of passion and romance. Cassidy and Sean were emotion and surround with the connection that they both share between each other. The chemistry and the physical attraction of romance and run was in the air.Drama and chaos with a twisted of feelings and danger. I can't wait to read the next book.

I highly recommend this book and you won't be disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Trina Jones

[KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - fine story but I wanted more.

Cassidy has held a grudge towards her ex HS boyfriend for 12 years. While it’s understandable to some degree, it turns out she didn’t really give him a real chance to explain things nor does it seem like he overly tried to explain the misunderstanding so that part was frustrating.

It was a cute read at times, but it dragged on a bit too much for me and then the ending seemed rushed.

I have read other Samantha Baca stories that I enjoyed. This one was a fine one-sided enemies to lovers/second chance story, but I wanted more depth to the story.

I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret Santa Draw

The tension between Sean and Cassidy is dangerously electrifying but when sparks fly, so does pent up emotions. Sean was trapped by situations that were beyond his direct control and when he tries to explain his perspective he is shut down. I could not believe how determined he was, this really added to his likeability as a character. On the other hand, Cassidy was a bit pretentious which was not likeable in how she treated Sean initially. It was nice how it all worked out and the journey there had some great banter and chemistry.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tamara Fruge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to read. Cassidy is such an emblazoned character. Her dynamic with Sean was something to behold. Years of hurt and anger made these characters so much more unique. A great second chance/enemies to lovers holiday book. I really enjoyed seeing how the story would unfold and progress with Cassidy and Sean’s past making things all murky. How to move on and forward with the past just looming over everything?

[Rebekah Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need a Christmas tale with enemies to lovers - well here’s the book for you! Cassidy cannot stand Sean due to how their past relationship ended, and now they are each other’s secret Santa at work.

But Sugar Plum Falls sure does have a way at bringing people together. This book kept giving me moment after moment where I had to take a pause and rub my chest over the hurt and anguish. But Samantha Baca has a way of bringing charm and wrapping up it all up with delightfully happy endings.

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun holiday read. It has a lot of my favorite tropes: Enemies to Lovers, second chance romance, forced proximity, only one bed.

I loved the dynamic between Sean and Cassidy. Sean was determined to break through Cassidy's defenses. Cassidy was determined to keep hating Sean. A snowstorm, percocet, and one bed is a perfect recipe for walls to tumble.

There is just enough spice to compliment the story without sacrificing the plot. I have not been disappointed with any of the Sugarplum Falls stories and this is no exception!

[Lita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha rounds out this series so well with this second chance romance. It is so fun to see all the characters return without any spoilers if you have not read the previous books. I am not eternally a Samantha Baca fan and cannot wait to read her Suspense Series! It was great to see these characters get their HEA and lives be healed with the truth is revealed!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Savanna Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect little holiday read. Enemies to lovers, second chance romance, small town setting, what’s not to love? The spice was top tier 😮‍💨🌶️🔥 Will definitely be checking out the other books in the series!

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Courtney Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam & Cassidy dated in high school and someone started a rumor about Sam, it ended up breaking them up!
Can Secret Santa bring them back together?
The whole Sugarplum Falls series is full of cute & spicy, holiday rom-coms. These books are becoming holiday must reads for me!

✔️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✔️ Cinnamon Roll Hero
✔️ Second Chance
🎄 Christmas
📖 135 Pages

[Kristen Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet holiday romance from Samantha Baca! Some stories make you want to scream at the characters through the book so they'll see what's right in front of them, and this was one of those! A misunderstanding that lasts years between these two characters is so frustrating to me that I just want to clear it up for them! Of course they get their happily ever after!

[Holly Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much banter! I have loved this whole series, but this book made me believe in second chances! Cassidy has hated Sean since he broke her heart, but did he really? The town of Sugar Plum Falls is just perfect, and this is the perfect couple to end the series! (I think? But I won’t complain if there is another book!)

[greenapplemojito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank God there were no additional and unnecessary third-act dramas and stuff. This book is a good and quick second chance, enemies to lovers holiday read.

Would have loved to hear their story or how they used to be in the past given they knew each other for so long and had lost touch equally longer but had that spark, this would have helped connect with the characters better.

[Meghan Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun quick holiday read. Can Sean and Cassidy get past a misunderstanding from 12 years ago? Will they give him and give each other a second chance? This book had me hooked from the start. Perfect to read on a snowy day curled on the couch!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Baca's Christmas novellas are so good! The last book in the Sugarplum Falls series is a second chance, enemies to lovers novella with amazing banter and wit!

Sean and Cassidy were too cute and I loved that they got a second chance. This book was a really quick, cute read, but the author didn't skimp on the story or the spice!

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sandy Gutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, absolutely love this story and the characters!! There's nothing better than the bad breakup that gets repaired with hot hot sex!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[tre.wandereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

These forced proximity stories are always a treat to read as the characters are compelled to tackle their issues and finally hash out their feelings for each other. It can go two ways. Explosive chemistry or just explosive. But this was definitely a really good read to sit down to!