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Secret Santa
For fans of ONE OF US IS DEAD and IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE comes a disturbing new thriller from Amy Tackett, author of THE GALA.Official blurb and cover coming SOON!
284 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2024
258 people are currently reading
2057 people want to read
About the author
Amy Tackett
9 books192 followersAmy is a thriller author who was born in the heart of Appalachia before later relocating to the Midwest. With a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and a professional background in content marketing, she has a passion for storytelling. When Amy’s not writing, you can find her playing with her wild (lovable) children, hiding her book purchases from her husband, or rambling way too much on her Instagram stories. You can connect with her here: @authoramytackett.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
December 9, 2024
Like PLL if the group was in their 30s and it was Christmas.
This would have been a three-star, very basic but consumable book but, yet again, I am so upset about having had to experience a casually vicious scene in which a child is unalived. There was no warning about this in advance (I get that listing a warning would have exposed the pivotal mystery 🙄 come up with a better plot). This was extremely upsetting to me and idgaf how the book ends. I am so sick of child m*rder being used as a salacious plot point. Even as someone who watches a lot of horror movies, anything with infant harm is a hard no for me. And as long as I'm throwing out content warnings, there is also SA.
Audiobook notes: As always, Dana Morris's performance was excellent. I liked her narration more than I liked the book.
Thank you to the narrator, Dana Morris, for providing an ALC for review.
This would have been a three-star, very basic but consumable book but, yet again, I am so upset about having had to experience a casually vicious scene in which a child is unalived. There was no warning about this in advance (I get that listing a warning would have exposed the pivotal mystery 🙄 come up with a better plot). This was extremely upsetting to me and idgaf how the book ends. I am so sick of child m*rder being used as a salacious plot point. Even as someone who watches a lot of horror movies, anything with infant harm is a hard no for me. And as long as I'm throwing out content warnings, there is also SA.
Audiobook notes: As always, Dana Morris's performance was excellent. I liked her narration more than I liked the book.
Thank you to the narrator, Dana Morris, for providing an ALC for review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2026
Because I was engaged in a few books at one time- it has taken me a hot minute to sit down and get my thoughts in a review!
Secret Santa by Amy Tackett is a cozy-type thriller with a varied cast of characters. Each quite different, but fit together like hot cocoa and marshmallows! I was pleasantly surprised that these characters were collectively likable! This book has a quaint wintery plot filled with rekindling friendships, and long lost secrets. It slowly gets you settled and then BAM! it takes a shockingly dark turn- which flips this cozy holiday novel into a claustrophobic winter thriller.
A peak inside…
After learning about the surprising death of a school friend, members from her close-knit group are reunited at her funeral. It’s been many years since the group was last together and gathering for such a tragic event had everyone in a tail spin. As emotions begin to settle down and the reconnection of friendships are made, a plan is put into action… the group will reestablish their old tradition of the “Secret Santa” exchange in celebration and memory of their dead friend.
Scarlett, one of the girls in the group offers to host the event at her house and once everyone arrives, things begin to go a little haywire. A sudden snowstorm hits, isolating the group while surprising and unsettling things begin to happen…
And there ya go… you are now smack in the middle of a “Pretty Little Liars” all grown up, mean girl holiday novel! It is a short but smooth read and perfect for a wintery night in December!
This was a super fun, easy to get through, twisty holiday thriller!
A 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
Secret Santa by Amy Tackett is a cozy-type thriller with a varied cast of characters. Each quite different, but fit together like hot cocoa and marshmallows! I was pleasantly surprised that these characters were collectively likable! This book has a quaint wintery plot filled with rekindling friendships, and long lost secrets. It slowly gets you settled and then BAM! it takes a shockingly dark turn- which flips this cozy holiday novel into a claustrophobic winter thriller.
A peak inside…
After learning about the surprising death of a school friend, members from her close-knit group are reunited at her funeral. It’s been many years since the group was last together and gathering for such a tragic event had everyone in a tail spin. As emotions begin to settle down and the reconnection of friendships are made, a plan is put into action… the group will reestablish their old tradition of the “Secret Santa” exchange in celebration and memory of their dead friend.
Scarlett, one of the girls in the group offers to host the event at her house and once everyone arrives, things begin to go a little haywire. A sudden snowstorm hits, isolating the group while surprising and unsettling things begin to happen…
And there ya go… you are now smack in the middle of a “Pretty Little Liars” all grown up, mean girl holiday novel! It is a short but smooth read and perfect for a wintery night in December!
This was a super fun, easy to get through, twisty holiday thriller!
A 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
October 13, 2024
I had the pleasure of being on Amy Tackett’s ARC team for her new book Secret Santa. This book was Pretty Little Liars, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Mean Girls mixed into one with a dash of holiday slasher vibes. It was very fast paced and kept me engrossed until the very end.
You know what they say keep your friends close and your enemies closer but where does a frenemy land ?
Told from alternate timelines this book will have you guessing until the end and shocked at just how mean girls can be. Best friends forever and secrets are forever….but are they?
Thrillers are my favorite genre so having this be a thriller with a holiday spin on it made it even more enjoyable being in the “ber” months. This book publishes November 1st be sure to add this popcorn thriller to your holiday wishlist and tbr!
You know what they say keep your friends close and your enemies closer but where does a frenemy land ?
Told from alternate timelines this book will have you guessing until the end and shocked at just how mean girls can be. Best friends forever and secrets are forever….but are they?
Thrillers are my favorite genre so having this be a thriller with a holiday spin on it made it even more enjoyable being in the “ber” months. This book publishes November 1st be sure to add this popcorn thriller to your holiday wishlist and tbr!
December 9, 2024
It feels a bit Scarlett of me to rate my own book five stars, but what can I say? We all have a little inner Scarlett dying to come out. Now back to my Mother Hen Wren duties…
Read
December 12, 2025Dnf at 50%. All the characters were horrible and I couldn’t care less about what happened to them. At first I was loving it but it felt like it was dragging on. Spoiler ahead: The main character Rebecca died in the beginning and we find out she was sexually assaulted and still stayed with the person who sexually assaulted her. Wtf? I couldn’t read anymore after that. So for those reasons I couldn’t finish this book.
December 16, 2024
Whoa!! This is a good one!
November 6, 2024
Whoever said that best friends are forever, obviously hasn’t read this twisted tale on how deadly friendships can turn…
Amy Tackett sure knows how to put the THRILL in THRILLERS because I could not put this one down. I read this in one sitting, and I’m already jonesing for a reread because I loved it so much. Anyone who can turn the season of giving into the season of killing, and do it as insanely well as Tackett did is an auto-buy author in my book.
This story is full of lies, secrets, and betrayals that cut deep, while still show-casing the true power of friendship, and revealing just how fatal they can be.
For fans of Pretty Little Liars, One of Us is Dead, and The Hunting Party; Secret Santa is the perfect holiday thriller to add to your TBR…and to gift to your favorite friends this holiday season!
Amy Tackett sure knows how to put the THRILL in THRILLERS because I could not put this one down. I read this in one sitting, and I’m already jonesing for a reread because I loved it so much. Anyone who can turn the season of giving into the season of killing, and do it as insanely well as Tackett did is an auto-buy author in my book.
This story is full of lies, secrets, and betrayals that cut deep, while still show-casing the true power of friendship, and revealing just how fatal they can be.
For fans of Pretty Little Liars, One of Us is Dead, and The Hunting Party; Secret Santa is the perfect holiday thriller to add to your TBR…and to gift to your favorite friends this holiday season!
December 10, 2024
Holy shit. I was going to rate this 4 stars until that twist at the end. This was such an entertaining read. I absolutely loved it
October 15, 2024
Secret Santa is a fast-paced, slightly gruesome, popcorn thriller with a great cast of characters and an interesting locked-room setup at Christmas time in a snowstorm. Told from multiple perspectives, the mystery unravels in dual timelines with twists along the way to keep readers on their toes. I enjoyed the short chapters and the fun dialogue that made the book easy to read. Fans of slightly darker thrillers will really enjoy this holiday-themed story.
November 1, 2024
My flabber has been gasted!!! The entire last 15% of this book is DIABOLICAL!! I had NO IDEA ANYYYYYYY of those things were going to take place! THATS what makes a thriller good! When the initial twist is surprising and it just keeps on twisting!! Well done Amy! Well done!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
November 2, 2024
Don't let the cutesy cartoon cover fool you. This is a deadly good read! Combining toxic friendships, suspense, mystery, and an isolated setting, Tackett created the perfect gift for us. Did I mention she slayed those kill scenes?!?! Because Yassss queen she did!!!
I had such a blast reading this and trying to figure out who was behind all the craziness. I'm definitely going to recommend this as a holiday read for all thriller lovers.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I had such a blast reading this and trying to figure out who was behind all the craziness. I'm definitely going to recommend this as a holiday read for all thriller lovers.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2024
What started as a buddy read turned into us finishing it DAYS ahead of schedule 😅 This was such an unhinged, disturbingly delicious read that kept me guessing until the end. Once the major twist was revealed, I was in NO WAY prepared for what happened next. I am unwell and I’m not sure how long it’ll take me to recover 😂
Huge thank you to Amy for this ARC - I cannot WAIT for this book to be out in the wild!!!
Secret Santa will be hitting shelves on 11/1 🤗
(Don’t forget to check out trigger warnings ❤️)
Huge thank you to Amy for this ARC - I cannot WAIT for this book to be out in the wild!!!
Secret Santa will be hitting shelves on 11/1 🤗
(Don’t forget to check out trigger warnings ❤️)
December 16, 2024
There absolutely should be trigger warnings listed for this book. As a newly postpartum mom, this is a book I definitely would have avoided.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️
The plot is insanely unbelievable and the twists made no sense. The first half of this book was so good and had me hooked, but it quickly went down hill once I reached Part II of the book. I was really disappointed with how this all played out. Also, what the heck was that ending? Soooo cringe. I was looking forward to reading more from this author, but after finishing this book, I’ll most likely steer clear. 2 ⭐️’s only because I was super invested at first, but then unfortunately let down. I just want to read a good Christmas thriller! Is that too much to ask for??
My rating: ⭐️⭐️
The plot is insanely unbelievable and the twists made no sense. The first half of this book was so good and had me hooked, but it quickly went down hill once I reached Part II of the book. I was really disappointed with how this all played out. Also, what the heck was that ending? Soooo cringe. I was looking forward to reading more from this author, but after finishing this book, I’ll most likely steer clear. 2 ⭐️’s only because I was super invested at first, but then unfortunately let down. I just want to read a good Christmas thriller! Is that too much to ask for??
December 21, 2025
I’ve been looking for a good holiday thriller, and for me, this one nailed it! I didn’t predict it at all, and the extra twist at the end was a *chef’s kiss* that took it from 4 to 5 Christmas stars ✨🎄 Well done!
November 19, 2024
No, just no!! This book was really dumb. It just had me laughing out loud by the end because it was so far fetched. I was looking for a Christmas thriller to get me in the holiday spirit. It didn’t do that at all.
So let me set this one scene up for you…..They discover a dead body hanging from a chandelier in the house while the killer runs loose in the front yard. They can see the killer on the security cameras that are installed outside. To distract the killer, they pull the dead body down off the chandelier, wrap it in a tarp, drag the body to the backyard and light it on fire. Sure enough, they watch the killer go to the backyard to discover the body (that they already killed) on fire. So what does the killer do, goes to the kitchen to fill up bowls of water to put the fire out. This allows the group inside the house able to exit out the front of the house. I mean, really? Good grief! This book is like Mean Girls times 15 that decide to actually commit murders but lacked any thought from the author.
So let me set this one scene up for you…..They discover a dead body hanging from a chandelier in the house while the killer runs loose in the front yard. They can see the killer on the security cameras that are installed outside. To distract the killer, they pull the dead body down off the chandelier, wrap it in a tarp, drag the body to the backyard and light it on fire. Sure enough, they watch the killer go to the backyard to discover the body (that they already killed) on fire. So what does the killer do, goes to the kitchen to fill up bowls of water to put the fire out. This allows the group inside the house able to exit out the front of the house. I mean, really? Good grief! This book is like Mean Girls times 15 that decide to actually commit murders but lacked any thought from the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2024
Not bad! There is some seriously triggering material for a thriller, so recognize that first and foremost. The author recommends checking her website for a list, and I can’t help but second that. There was some very big Mean Girls vibes throughout- the friend group are all grown, but a lot of them are truly still living in high school the way they casually cut down instead of build each other up. Half the plot is super easy to figure out and the other half is splendidly shocking. The writing was a touch juvenile and I wanted a bit more depth, but it was a certainly enjoyable holiday romp.
December 13, 2024
Wow wow wow!! Full review coming soon. I just need to process what I've just read.
***Edit.***
Ok... Here it is:
Secret Santa is absolutely jaw dropping and I mean that literally. That one chapter and everything after it had me sitting there, jaw on the floor, thinking, “What the actual f**k is happening?” The pacing was perfect and the twist has to be the best I've read this year. A must read Christmas thriller. Amy Tackett, you crushed it! 🏆
***Edit.***
Ok... Here it is:
Secret Santa is absolutely jaw dropping and I mean that literally. That one chapter and everything after it had me sitting there, jaw on the floor, thinking, “What the actual f**k is happening?” The pacing was perfect and the twist has to be the best I've read this year. A must read Christmas thriller. Amy Tackett, you crushed it! 🏆
November 7, 2024
I don't usually give books 5 stars but I absolutely loved this book. I kept thinking it would make a good tv show or movie the whole time I was reading it. I can't wait to check out more Amy Tackett books.
November 1, 2024
Holy crap! This book had so many shocking twists and I couldn't get enough!
***Definitely check the trigger warnings because this one got dark!
***Definitely check the trigger warnings because this one got dark!
February 11, 2025
A fun holiday romp into murder & mayhem. If you like your murder served up cold, with a cool twist and an unpredictable conclusion, this is the novel for you.
Five friends, or should I say frenemies, reunite for a holiday tradition that goes horribly wrong. Filled with secrets, lies, backstabbing, betrayal & vendettas you won’t want to put this book down!
Mean girl culture is a bitch!
I always hated Secret Santa’s, now I know why!
Favorite Line: “You just gotta stop focusing on finding the right person and instead, focus on becoming the right person.”
Thank you Amy Tackett for giving me the opportunity to be part of the ARC team for SECRET SANTA.
Five friends, or should I say frenemies, reunite for a holiday tradition that goes horribly wrong. Filled with secrets, lies, backstabbing, betrayal & vendettas you won’t want to put this book down!
Mean girl culture is a bitch!
I always hated Secret Santa’s, now I know why!
Favorite Line: “You just gotta stop focusing on finding the right person and instead, focus on becoming the right person.”
Thank you Amy Tackett for giving me the opportunity to be part of the ARC team for SECRET SANTA.
October 3, 2024
Thank you for allowing me to ARC review this book.
It has been an absolute delight reading and listening to this wonderful small town thriller. I think this will be one of those books that each year around this time I’ll just pick it up and travel back to Wilderby, WV. The imagery written on these pages left me fully immersed from start to finish. I will highly recommend this to any and everyone all holiday long that’s looking for a good seasonal book. Thank you for sharing this story. I know from you saying this was a tradition you and your friends hosted each year that is it near and dear to your heart so I just love that.
Pause while I “Cue sad-boy era” because it’s officially over.
Set in a small West Virginian town. Five friends set out to reconnect through an old tradition they used to partake in, secret 🎅🏼.
After losing one friend they hold near and dear they figure what better way to celebrate her life. This starts off giving very small town vibes and in my opinion quite cozy. But, don’t get it twisted this is a thriller to the max left me wanting to know more with each page. The book has multiple POV’s which I love but through this she really sets a tone with where each character is at in their life showing that not everything is as it seems. Although this book leads down a dark road the tone is quite nostalgic to me the language and setting seem like real life. She has a beautiful way with words that just makes you want to keep reading because you just feel like you’re in the book part of the friend group.
It has been an absolute delight reading and listening to this wonderful small town thriller. I think this will be one of those books that each year around this time I’ll just pick it up and travel back to Wilderby, WV. The imagery written on these pages left me fully immersed from start to finish. I will highly recommend this to any and everyone all holiday long that’s looking for a good seasonal book. Thank you for sharing this story. I know from you saying this was a tradition you and your friends hosted each year that is it near and dear to your heart so I just love that.
Pause while I “Cue sad-boy era” because it’s officially over.
Set in a small West Virginian town. Five friends set out to reconnect through an old tradition they used to partake in, secret 🎅🏼.
After losing one friend they hold near and dear they figure what better way to celebrate her life. This starts off giving very small town vibes and in my opinion quite cozy. But, don’t get it twisted this is a thriller to the max left me wanting to know more with each page. The book has multiple POV’s which I love but through this she really sets a tone with where each character is at in their life showing that not everything is as it seems. Although this book leads down a dark road the tone is quite nostalgic to me the language and setting seem like real life. She has a beautiful way with words that just makes you want to keep reading because you just feel like you’re in the book part of the friend group.
December 21, 2024
Absolutely loved this!! The twists kept twisting! If I didn’t have those mom responsibilities I would have definitely read this in one sitting! Will get your attention right away and keep sucking you in with each chapter!
December 23, 2024
I did have a guess on the person behind everything, and I was correct. HOWEVER, the last several chapters of this book totally surprised me and was not prepared for how it all ended. Excellent storytelling!
November 14, 2024
A perfect read for those who want to read a thriller with some holiday cheer and slasher vibes mixed in. Told from alternate timelines. Multiple POV's. Fast-paced. Short chapters. Lock-room mystery in a snowstorm. This page turner had me saying OMG a few times with the unexpected twists. I liked the characters even though they had this mean girl vibe going. Please check the trigger warnings ⚠️ before reading this because it does get dark and gory.
December 8, 2024
Literally never saw that last chapter coming!
December 9, 2024
The first part of the book was meh..
I really enjoyed the second part
But the third was too much for me.. I can’t handle the infant stuff.. kept me up at night😭
I really enjoyed the second part
But the third was too much for me.. I can’t handle the infant stuff.. kept me up at night😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ A fast paced, twisty Christmas thriller!! I hated every single character but that’s the fun part
The beginning and middle were so good, had me instantly hooked and then the end… wow that took a dark, serious turn please check the trigger warnings
I enjoyed this but it’s definitely a little forgettable. Also, they never opened their Secret Santa presents :/
The beginning and middle were so good, had me instantly hooked and then the end… wow that took a dark, serious turn please check the trigger warnings
I enjoyed this but it’s definitely a little forgettable. Also, they never opened their Secret Santa presents :/
December 20, 2024
I was SAT. devoured this
January 7, 2025
Wildly Twisty Pitch-Black Holiday Thriller
This was a delightfully dark and twisted holiday thriller! The last few chapters were bat-sh*t crazy!
I always love me a twisty locked-room thriller and this definitely delivered! There’s also this undercurrent of pitch-black humor that I thoroughly enjoyed as well!
This was a delightfully dark and twisted holiday thriller! The last few chapters were bat-sh*t crazy!
I always love me a twisty locked-room thriller and this definitely delivered! There’s also this undercurrent of pitch-black humor that I thoroughly enjoyed as well!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews