What do you think?
Rate this book
A Winter's Secret: A MM, Small Town Romance
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26
You are what your past made you, but your future doesn’t have to be defined by it.
I hated the world, and the world hated me, but that was the way I liked it.
Until Tristan Crutchens barged his way into my life.
With his constant smug grin and infectious happiness, he uncovered secrets I’d kept buried deep inside and made me confront them.
Slowly, I started seeing the world in a different light, and I opened my heart to him. But would love be enough to change the haunting future that awaited me, or was I destined to spend the rest of eternity plagued by the chains of my sins?
A Winter’s Secret is an MM retelling of A Christmas Carol, and is perfect for lovers of grumpy & sunshine MMCs.
I hated the world, and the world hated me, but that was the way I liked it.
Until Tristan Crutchens barged his way into my life.
With his constant smug grin and infectious happiness, he uncovered secrets I’d kept buried deep inside and made me confront them.
Slowly, I started seeing the world in a different light, and I opened my heart to him. But would love be enough to change the haunting future that awaited me, or was I destined to spend the rest of eternity plagued by the chains of my sins?
A Winter’s Secret is an MM retelling of A Christmas Carol, and is perfect for lovers of grumpy & sunshine MMCs.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 1, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Winters Secret
MCs
Ben
He’s giving broken hearted tough guy vibes. But I don’t like him so far…which to me is great writing. If you can evoke strong feelings from any type of character I’m here for it.
Super keen for some character development for this hot grump.
Tristan
Sunshine personified. He’s got so much riding on his shoulders, not just with his family and himself. But being a glass half full person is going to be draining. Hopefully someone can meet him halfway…
Story starts off detailed and strong. Getting a decent backstory for the characters. There’s some real poignant moments and I honestly am beginning to feel sad for our grumpy hottie.
Dips dark for chapter two - but that’s related to side characters that barely get a mention. Really brings to life some hatred though.
There’s strong themes of homophobia. It’s confronting but real life, people can be so cruel. Tread lightly, some kind hearts may suffer.
This book has some deep themes but honestly it’s just a great mix of sweet small town written by an author with a filthy mind. The smut scenes were well written and not overdone. Really beautiful exploration of MM scenes, they didn’t juxtapose violently between the sweetness. Just a nice addition to the books natural storyline.
All round a great read, evoking hatred for a character is just as good as making us love them. The character development is on point and I think this authors first foray into MM was a success.
Keen for more!
MCs
Ben
He’s giving broken hearted tough guy vibes. But I don’t like him so far…which to me is great writing. If you can evoke strong feelings from any type of character I’m here for it.
Super keen for some character development for this hot grump.
Tristan
Sunshine personified. He’s got so much riding on his shoulders, not just with his family and himself. But being a glass half full person is going to be draining. Hopefully someone can meet him halfway…
Story starts off detailed and strong. Getting a decent backstory for the characters. There’s some real poignant moments and I honestly am beginning to feel sad for our grumpy hottie.
Dips dark for chapter two - but that’s related to side characters that barely get a mention. Really brings to life some hatred though.
There’s strong themes of homophobia. It’s confronting but real life, people can be so cruel. Tread lightly, some kind hearts may suffer.
This book has some deep themes but honestly it’s just a great mix of sweet small town written by an author with a filthy mind. The smut scenes were well written and not overdone. Really beautiful exploration of MM scenes, they didn’t juxtapose violently between the sweetness. Just a nice addition to the books natural storyline.
All round a great read, evoking hatred for a character is just as good as making us love them. The character development is on point and I think this authors first foray into MM was a success.
Keen for more!
Review of advance copy received from Author
REVIEW OF AN ADVANCED READERS COPY
This book is a fantastic adult twist of a classic Christmas Carol. Set in Henderson town Mr McScrooge is a mean, bad spirited, grumpy Christmas hating man whose business is starting to fail after the death of his business partner.
Tristan is a family loving, caring friend, full of life and loves Christmas. After his best friend breaks in and damages Mr McScrooges house he has to fix it all.
They wanted to hate each other but fate had different plans. No one realises the rollercoaster journey these two are about to go on.
This book shows how even in the 21st century people judge and never know what has happened in someone else's life to make them behave the way they do. Different people will act different ways even after something similar happens.
This book is a joyful, easy, rollercoaster read. It is a MM book and the first I have ever read and I would read would read more. I loved this book and had it read in 2days. Katie Philips has outdone herself.
This book is a fantastic adult twist of a classic Christmas Carol. Set in Henderson town Mr McScrooge is a mean, bad spirited, grumpy Christmas hating man whose business is starting to fail after the death of his business partner.
Tristan is a family loving, caring friend, full of life and loves Christmas. After his best friend breaks in and damages Mr McScrooges house he has to fix it all.
They wanted to hate each other but fate had different plans. No one realises the rollercoaster journey these two are about to go on.
This book shows how even in the 21st century people judge and never know what has happened in someone else's life to make them behave the way they do. Different people will act different ways even after something similar happens.
This book is a joyful, easy, rollercoaster read. It is a MM book and the first I have ever read and I would read would read more. I loved this book and had it read in 2days. Katie Philips has outdone herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story is a modern day retelling of a classic, with a bit of a twist.
Follow along as we watch Ben McScroodge, our grumpy mmc, go from a hopeless, lonely man, to someone who proves that everyone has a good side, even if it’s been buried deep away.
Tristan Crutchens, our loveable mmc, proves that when you truly love someone, you do not give up on them.
From the beginning, the chemistry between Ben and Tristan is undeniable.
The twists and turns throughout this book will have you in the edge of your seat, wanting more.
Kate has done an absolutely amazing job turning a Dickens classic into a modern day story that is sure to be a Christmas favorite of anyone who reads it.
Who says a grumpy man set in his ways cannot be changed by a walking ray of sunshine?
Tristan and Ben are the epitome of opposites attract and their happy ending will have you feeling all the feels.
Follow along as we watch Ben McScroodge, our grumpy mmc, go from a hopeless, lonely man, to someone who proves that everyone has a good side, even if it’s been buried deep away.
Tristan Crutchens, our loveable mmc, proves that when you truly love someone, you do not give up on them.
From the beginning, the chemistry between Ben and Tristan is undeniable.
The twists and turns throughout this book will have you in the edge of your seat, wanting more.
Kate has done an absolutely amazing job turning a Dickens classic into a modern day story that is sure to be a Christmas favorite of anyone who reads it.
Who says a grumpy man set in his ways cannot be changed by a walking ray of sunshine?
Tristan and Ben are the epitome of opposites attract and their happy ending will have you feeling all the feels.
May 18, 2026
Review of advance copy received from author
I really enjoyed reading A Winter’s Secret and ended up finishing it in just one day. The story was entertaining from start to finish and kept me wanting to continue reading.
There were a few moments where things moved a little quickly for my personal taste, and I would have loved a bit more depth in certain parts of the story. However, that didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment for me.
Overall, this was a fun and engaging read that I genuinely enjoyed, and it definitely made me interested in reading more from this author in the future.
I really enjoyed reading A Winter’s Secret and ended up finishing it in just one day. The story was entertaining from start to finish and kept me wanting to continue reading.
There were a few moments where things moved a little quickly for my personal taste, and I would have loved a bit more depth in certain parts of the story. However, that didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment for me.
Overall, this was a fun and engaging read that I genuinely enjoyed, and it definitely made me interested in reading more from this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An enchanting retelling of A Christmas Carol, although I'm not sure Mr Dickens would have approved our developing romance.
Cleverly and sympathetically written, Kate brings out the best in both our MMCs. Whilst I did not like Ben at all initially, as his story unfolds I began to love him and Tristan just made me want to hug him.
A beautiful, yet different romance that I would definitely recommend.
Cleverly and sympathetically written, Kate brings out the best in both our MMCs. Whilst I did not like Ben at all initially, as his story unfolds I began to love him and Tristan just made me want to hug him.
A beautiful, yet different romance that I would definitely recommend.
May 3, 2026
This book is a twist on the classic Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol, and I have to say I really enjoyed the take on it. This book is charming, fun & sweet, Ben & Tristan are such a great couple and I liked the ease of their relationship despite the struggles Ben was having. That’s not to say it was easy but their HEA was well worth what they went through to get there. Charming read that can be enjoyed throughout the year and especially at Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews