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Secret Santa #4

Complicated Christmas

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Life is full of complications, so why not have an uncomplicated arrangement between friends? Former figure skater Caitlin Aimes doesn't care to make life complicated. Publicly humiliated by her ex-fiancé years ago, she closes herself off to relationships and love. She never thought she'd be that girl- the one having a friends-with-benefits relationship. No complications, right? Wrong. This holiday season, the unexpected happens, catching Caitlin and Ron off guard... Ron Mercer lost his wife four years ago and has no plans to commit himself to another relationship. Life as a widower with two teenagers is already complicated enough. But in a world constantly changing, he finds himself in a predicament he never expected.... The arrangement they made has consequences which neither ever prepared for. Caitlin and Ron are in for a Christmas like they'd never had before.

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2015

214 people are currently reading
142 people want to read

About the author

Nikki Lynn Barrett

88 books1,236 followers
No matter where she goes, USA Today Bestselling author Nikki Lynn Barrett hears voices in her head. Instead of calling her crazy and locking her up, her family realizes it's just a product of being an author and allows her to write the stories so that the voices shut up.
But they don't. And probably never will. There's no need to lock her up, Nikki knows she'll never escape the voices, not until each and every last story is written. And for every story she writes, about ten or more ideas pop up.

When she isn't slaving away at her computer writing books that will probably make you cry and keep you in suspense, Nikki plots to take over the world one book at a time. What? It's a sickness. One she can't escape!

Books aren't her only addiction, though. Nikki can be found making up parodies to drive her son crazy, and bantering back and forth with her husband, who somehow manages to steal her away from the fictional world she lives in all the time.

Nikki lives in Arizona with her husband and son, where she can be found using every creativity outlet she can find through music, photography, handcrafted things, and random interests that she may pick up from time to time.

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
3,053 reviews25.3k followers
November 19, 2015
Complicated Christmas is book four in the Secret Santa series by Nikki Lynn Barrett. This book was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the author.

“It started with a wish.”

ice skater:

Caitlin Aimes is thirty years old and is a very private person. She is a former professional figure skater who owns her own ice rink but only opens it a few months a year. She provides for herself but no one is really sure how she makes her living.

Ron Mercer is forty and is a widow. He lost his wife to cancer four years ago and still grieves for her. He has a nineteen year old son in college and a twelve year old daughter at home.

Caitlin and Ron met through mutual friends and both felt an immediate attraction. But neither wanted a relationship, each for their own private reasons. So they agreed to a friends with benefits relationship. In public they were just friends, but they secretly would hook up and this was working well for the both of them. Soon, though, they are about to get some very unforeseen complications in their lives.

Ron wants to move past missing his wife. He just can’t seem to let go. And his daughter is getting the pre-teen attitude. She seems secretive and angry all the time. He hadn’t planned to be a single parent and doesn’t know what to do.

“His longing for the new life given to him, but the pain and heartache of letting go of what he once had and still missed. His heart was in a tug-o-war.”

gift:

Caitlin suffered while growing up never being able to live up to her parents expectations. Then later in life, she was in a bad relationship that hurt her deeply. Both of these have left Caitlin scarred and the way she handles it is to keep her heart closed off. If she doesn’t open herself up, she will protect herself from disappointment.

“Grief doesn’t have a timer, I get that. But if I’m going to give my heart out, I want to know it won’t get shattered.”

hugging

The book starts in late October. Caitlin and Ron’s lives are about to be complicated, in so many ways. This book deals with real life issues that could happen to anyone. I particularly loved the way Ron dealt with everything in this book. The issues they have to deal with are very difficult and it was wonderful watching these two evolve.

tree and fireplace

Will Ron be able to finally let go and allow himself to love again? Will Caitlin ever free herself from the scars of her past and to open her heart? This was a wonderful little Christmas story of two people, each with their own burdens to bear who come together and help each other to heal and find hope for a future they could never have imagined.

signature
Profile Image for Charilene Lucas.
15 reviews14 followers
December 8, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I started reading yesterday upon receipt. I could not stop until I was finished. The story captures you and pulls you into it from the first paragraph.
Caitlin Aimes and Ron Mercer both experienced loss and a broken heart. Their "friends with benefits" relationship is their attempt at trying to let go of the past and move on.
Their story takes you on an emotional journey with them as they try to keep things between them "uncomplicated" The story has a few surprises that keeps you reading to see the outcome.
The characters are well developed and the story flows nicely. I loved this story. Thank you Nikki Lynn for an amazing story!!
Profile Image for Bambi Sommers.
Author 14 books19 followers
January 11, 2022
All the feels

This is a lovely story about second chances for the heart. Lots of great characters you’ll adopt as family and friends!
Profile Image for Paula Barto.
39 reviews
November 15, 2018
What can I say! Another great read from author Nikki Lynn Barrett full of holiday and family and life’s every day trials. But mostly LOVE conquers all! A must read
Profile Image for Jennifer Craig.
293 reviews
December 4, 2015
Caitlin Aimes once had a promising future as a performance figure skater. After being publicly betrayed by her boyfriend, she has settled for a quiet, yet secretive life in a small town with her brother and a small group of friends. Ron Mercer lost his wife four years earlier and is still struggling to come to terms with the loss while trying to raise his teenage daughter and college-age son. He has lost his fun-loving nature.
Caitlin and Ron have taken what was once a simple friendship and turned it into a “friends with benefits” scenario as they want to keep things uncomplicated. Since things can rarely stay simple in life, complications begin to arise left and right as they both begin to have real feelings for each other.
Both Caitlin and Ron are forced to deal with the walls that they have each built to protect themselves while also dealing with several curveballs thrown at them.

I loved this book as Nikki took realistic situations and wove a wonderful HEA. From dysfunctional families to typical teenage angst to unplanned pregnancies, life is messy and it is how we deal with it that makes a situation good or bad. It is also about learning to trust the people we love to accept us as we are and lift us up rather than tear us down. While the title is Complicated Christmas, this is a great read for any time of the year.
Profile Image for Rebecca Austin.
3,153 reviews3 followers
February 26, 2022
Caitlin Aimes was once a figure skater but has since come back to the town where her brother lives and has stayed to herself and a close group of friends. She has secrets that she holds very close and runs the skating rink, which isn't open all the time.

Ron Mercer is the father of Jonathan, 19 and Kate, 12 and is a widow who is having trouble moving on. Yet he begins a casual relationship with Caitlin based on two things - sex and keeping their relationship hidden from everyone around them.

Yet, secrets aren't kept well and soon there is something in the water around town that leaves many people's lives about to change.

This was a great book in dealing with so many different family issues and keeping it all together when you really don't think you can anymore. It's also about letting people in who care about you and letting them know your secrets so they can help you through them. It's also about learning to let go of the past and that it's ok to move past all the hurt you've had whether from past relationships or the loss of someone. No one can know but you when you are ready to move on but you can't feel guilty for moving on as someone you love would never want you to be lonely.
Profile Image for Michelle.
161 reviews3 followers
November 19, 2015
For two people who want uncomplicated, a friends with benefits relationship fits the bill, right? WRONG!! For Caitlyn and Ron, uncomplicated suited them both just fine for very different reasons.

Caitlyn was a figure skater whose career was on the rise. That all ended when her ex fiancee publicly humiliated her and betrayed her trust by revealing her "secret". She has since moved to town where she surrounds herself with her brother and a small group of close friends (Including Ron).

Ron's wife passed away four years ago leaving him a single parent of two children. His son is now 19 and his daughter is now 12. Ron has been devoted to his wife and is having a difficult time moving on from her passing.

For months, their arrangement was going well.....until suddenly lots of things started to go wrong and things become.....Complicated.

Nikki has a way of pulling you into a story right from the beginning. She also makes it easy to relate to her characters who have problems and issues that we have all experienced. I find myself rooting for a "Happily Ever After". This is part of a series but is a great read as a stand alone.
Profile Image for Stacey.
968 reviews13 followers
November 14, 2016
wow what a tear jerker so yes kleenox is required and also pregnancy and tears and emotional mayhem included . but on with the review ., so what happens when two people get together but only for a physical reason but turns out to be so much more than it is . also how does a widower and a woman ten years younger make it work ,. will the friends understand or his kids take it easy or hard . and what of his in laws will they allow him to move on if he wants to ,. or hold it against him . and can Cait let go of her past and her parents who think their kids should be wiser and have no mistakes in which is what helps us all learn . find out by buying this book and read it you wont want to put it down . also stay tuned for Ben's story next month and yes he wont be 12 or 14 but older so this should be interesting maybe its to deal with his penpal which has been mentioned since last book .
Profile Image for Arica Shupe.
232 reviews4 followers
December 19, 2016
COMPLICATED CHRISTMAS
by Nikki Lynn Barrett

Complicated Christmas is the fourth book in the Secret Santa series but is also a great stand alone read. In this book you get to watch Caitlyn and Ron realize that sometimes friends can be so much more and that relationship is so worth it in the end. Loved watching Caitlyn and Ron grow and learn to put the past behind and trust in each other and those that love them the most.I really enjoyed the everyday lessons that show crap can happen both good and bad and as long as you handle it the right way it can be a blessing as it's all about the attitude you have and the trust you have in yourself and others. Sometimes you just need to open up and believe that those in your life will tell you true but support you no matter what and that's worth everything.

**Reviewed by Hot Box Reviews blog**
** I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book **
Profile Image for Lisa.
2,351 reviews13 followers
December 15, 2016
Christmas just got a whole lot more complicated for friends with benefits Caitlin and Ron. Neither want more: Ron is still grieving the loss of his wife; whilst Catilin has closed her heart off to avoid disappointment. Add in a pre-teen daughter with the attitude that goes with it and a son who has his own secret and you can guarantee chaos with ensue.

Caitlin is a character who keeps of herself hidden to protect herself from being hurt. As Ron gets to know her and we start to strip back the layers, we see a vulnerability under her armour, which brings out Ron's protective nature and leaves him wanting more from her. This was an emotional read as Ron struggles to move forward without his wife, whilst Caitlin struggles against her phobias. Once again the Christmas magic shone through and made this a delight to read.

***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
Profile Image for Rhonda Ziglar.
4,399 reviews42 followers
December 4, 2015
Complicated Christmas by Nikki Lynn Barrett, has all kinds of complications to work through. This books starts in the first sentence and you are sucked in, wanting to keep reading to find out what will happen next. Nikki was able to keep the story flowing smoothly with everything going on. The characters were so well written you felt there pain, happiness and love. This is a Christmas story that you do not want to miss.

I was given an ARC of this book, for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
224 reviews
October 11, 2022
Every October I Start reading Christmas books till middle of December. Some are quick and some take me longer.

My problem with this book…is that it could have taken place in Arizona in August and nothing would have changed. The word Christmas or anything to do with Christmas is in the book maybe 5 times if that.

The story was ok…but honestly kinda boring.

This was the first book I’ve read in the series or by this author.
Profile Image for Ashley Stevenson .
512 reviews5 followers
December 8, 2015
I received a copy of this book exchange for an honest review. Caitlyn and Ron both had a broken heart and trying to let go of the past and move on. Ron been feeling lonely since his wife pass and would love to take a chance on love again. Caitlyn have some fears but would she let them ruin her life or take a chance to be happy. Love this story so emotional and few surprises.
Profile Image for Debbie Kolins.
370 reviews7 followers
November 10, 2019
In this story we Caitlin Aimes who once had a promising future as a performance figure skater but, she was publicly betrayed by her boyfriend Emmett regarding her Phobias. She decides to settle for a quiet and yet secretive life in a small town with her brother and a small group of friends. Then we have Ron Mercer who lost his wife four years earlier and is still struggling to come to terms with the loss while trying to raise his teenage daughter Kate age 12 and son Jonathan age 19 [Jonathon is in College]. He no longer has his fun loving nature. Caitlin and Ron are friends but, decided to turn it into a friends with benefits because they didn't want to complicate things. Caitlin and Ron both are afraid to commit to a relationship. One day Caitlin finds out she is pregnant. One day Jonathon and his girlfriend visit Ron and Jonathon tells his dad that his girlfriend is pregnant. While Ron, Kate and Jonathon are at a restaurant celebrating Kate's performance in a school play, Kate goes to the bathroom and Kate over hears part of a conversation between Caitlin and her girlfriends about Caitlin being pregnant and that Ron was the father. Kate loses it and starts yelling and storms out of the restaurant. How do all these situations work out?? Well you will need to read this book book to find out.
Profile Image for Laurel .
1,363 reviews5 followers
November 26, 2021
This was a very nice read, that takes place before Thanksgiving, and goes on. This was not a literary masterpiece, and sometimes the story dragged on. What I appreciated in this book that deals with flaws inside good people, is the reality of not being able to make some people appreciate you. No matter what some of these characters went through when they were young, it shows the issues and complexes that stay with them as adults. Different phobias were explained & solutions were shown as the character's started new chapters in their lives. I am looking forward to the next book. I want to thank this author for writing a book that had complex characters, difficult situations, and had an ending to the story.
Profile Image for Anne Blyth.
1,982 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2022
This story certainly contained every imaginable issue that people find themselves dealing with and complicated is probably an understatement. However it is beautifully dealt with and contains a wonderful sense of humour to ease the more serious dramas. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and particularly liked the additional bit at the end, an additional epilogue I guess, just rounds it off perfectly.
Profile Image for Angie.
2,456 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2025
Ron and Caitlin have an arrangement until things change drastically. Ron's son drops a bomb on him too. Ron's also trying to deal with his twelve year old daughter. Once Caitlin and Kate, Ron's daughter, talk and get some things straight they are good. Caitlin is learning to open up to Ron and let him know what happened in her past and what she does for a living. These two have many obstacles to overcome and they both learn that they need to trust each other. Really enjoying this series!!
408 reviews
December 9, 2022
This is my favorite of this series thus far. I laughed and cried with these characters especially Ron and Jonas. I loved Kate and Cait. Kate was very astute at such a young age. I had to keep reminding myself she was only 12yrs. old.
73 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2019
Enjoyed

Didn't want to put it down. Picture a young(very) couple, the widowed father of one of the, with a preteen daughter and his pregnant girlfriend.
412 reviews2 followers
April 17, 2021
Complicated Christmas

Another great story by Nikki Barrett. I loved reading about how emotional complications can confuse a person's understanding, and how people deal with them.
315 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2022
Nice

More complicated than it had to be. Nice characters, strange relationship. I felt the relationship should have advanced more quickly. Finally the hea.
Profile Image for Zee.
1,005 reviews17 followers
October 4, 2024
this was so bad. so childish and super boring.
440 reviews
February 20, 2017
This is book four in a series but is part of the anthology Winter Solstice: Getting a Second Chance at Love
This was an OK story but a bit complicated (maybe because it is book four in a series) with a rather long list of characters. It was also a bit confusing with similar sounding names, although spelt differently – Cait/Caitlin/Kate.
I was gifted the anthology Winter Solstice: Getting a Second Chance at Love
Profile Image for Melinda.
2,141 reviews20 followers
May 2, 2016
**http://melenasreviews.wordpress.com**

I`m going to say it I love the Secret Santa series and once again Nikki Lynn Barrett has not disappointed me. I felt for Ron in the first book with Jacob and Cheyenne loosing Ada to Cancer and wondered what will happen to him and the kids. Have to say Nikki Lynn Barrett showed Ron not only as strong but even like all widows scared. I loved that no matter how hard he tries to be a great father he is still a man learning to move on after losing a loved one. Caitlin now is a woman who has never had the best of luck in her life yet Ron is determined ot show her she is loved even though at first it was just about sex. Nikki Lynn Barrett just shows us that no matter how many years have gone by she rocks a series like no author with love, hope, faith and tons of good loving wishes. One word though wait for Bens story, yes little Ben from the first book for Nikkin Lynn Barrett loves teasing her readers.
Profile Image for Abby.
273 reviews
February 16, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I know this book says it is the fourth in a series- but don't let that stop you from reading it. I had absolutely no problems, at no point did I feel like I was missing information. To be honest, at first I didn't realize it was part of a series.
Though I don't personally agree with some life choices that were in the book- I thought that the book was written well and I enjoyed the surprises I was met with. The book was sweet, the characters were well developed and they felt real- it was easy to empathize with them, and the book touched on real concerns that weren't just for the sake of adding conflict to the story. I'd definitely be interested in checking out the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Maggie Hesseling.
1,367 reviews13 followers
May 22, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this novel, even though I have a feeling that I've missed a lot not having read the previous ones. I really enjoyed the main characters, who are both scarred from previous relationships (Ron from his wife's death and Caitlin from her ex-fiancee's betrayal). But what I really liked were Ron's kids. They were honest and open and really held my interest in the novel. The interaction with them made the novel what it is.

There's still one thing bugging me though... Caitlin talks about phobias that she has... we never find out what they are or how they're so debilitating. She mentions claustrophobia, but she also says that that isn't the worst. It seems weird to me, that as far as she and Ron have gotten, she still doesn't seem to trust him when it comes to her fears.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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