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Operation: Secret Santa
When Holly Burke saw who she’d drawn for Secret Santa, she knew she had to do something to make it special. It was Christmas, after all, and if anyone deserved some extra Christmas cheer, it was Mo Davy.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 23, 2020
About the author
M.J. Duncan
20 books491 followersMJ Duncan is a Southern California girl who traded in her surfboard for hockey skates when she moved to Minnesota. When not writing, MJ enjoys reading, climbing, swimming, and spending time with her family. You can also follow her on twitter (@mj_duncan) and tumblr (mjduncan).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 26, 2022
Super sweet!
Holly and Mo's son want to make Mo smile again this Christmas so together, they come up with 12 thoughtful Secret Santa gifts for Mo for each day of Christmas.This one is very short but super sweet and pretty touching. A good one to read over the holidays!
Holly and Mo's son want to make Mo smile again this Christmas so together, they come up with 12 thoughtful Secret Santa gifts for Mo for each day of Christmas.This one is very short but super sweet and pretty touching. A good one to read over the holidays!
May 14, 2021
Sweet and cute holiday short story.
Holly is an elementary school teacher who has a long-time crush on the school librarian, Mo. When she draws Mo's name for secret Santa, she decides to go all in, giving her twelve days of Christmas for the purpose of "making her smile".
This is a friends to lovers romance or friends to kisses romance rather since this is a short story that builds up to a romance. There's also a toaster oven element and Mo is a single mom. What makes this story different is that Mo's husband died two years prior and she's been in mourning this whole time. Her son, who is in seventh grade, was Holly's previous pupil and he's in on the plan to "make his mom smile".
So, all of the characters have a prior history together which gives them more intimacy during the read. However, it's unclear when Mo starts having feelings for Holly or if she's bi, etc. Those questions are left unanswered.
Ultimately, this is a heartwarming little Christmas story.
3.75 stars
Holly is an elementary school teacher who has a long-time crush on the school librarian, Mo. When she draws Mo's name for secret Santa, she decides to go all in, giving her twelve days of Christmas for the purpose of "making her smile".
This is a friends to lovers romance or friends to kisses romance rather since this is a short story that builds up to a romance. There's also a toaster oven element and Mo is a single mom. What makes this story different is that Mo's husband died two years prior and she's been in mourning this whole time. Her son, who is in seventh grade, was Holly's previous pupil and he's in on the plan to "make his mom smile".
So, all of the characters have a prior history together which gives them more intimacy during the read. However, it's unclear when Mo starts having feelings for Holly or if she's bi, etc. Those questions are left unanswered.
Ultimately, this is a heartwarming little Christmas story.
3.75 stars
December 16, 2024
Short, sweet, heartfelt, Christmassy. I really liked thi 😁
December 19, 2022
The book is a warmly written story about a woman who uses her Secret Santa status to show a crush how she really feels about her. Teacher and Librarian mains which are always a favorite of mine. Super cute short story.
January 2, 2023
Cute holiday friends to more short story (46 pages on my device) romance. Holly Burke teaches at an elementary school. She draws her friend and secret crush Mo, the librarian (Yay!), for Secret Santa. Mo has been a widow for two years and doesn’t have her normal Christmas spark. Instead of buying one gift Holly decides to do a twelve day present countdown. With the help of Mo’s son and her friend a PE teacher she wants to bring a smile and Christmas joy to Mo. I was genuinely touched by the sweet ending. I love when a short story or novella gives me a chance to try a new author. In this case I’m delighted to find a new author to read and have already clicked on a few of her novels in KU.
May 18, 2021
She really writes well, MJ, I love all her books - a real star. Too short to be 5*s, but a class act all the same.
October 11, 2022
This story is short and sweet, uncomplicated with a few smiles along the way.
It’s set in the same universe as Atramentum and stars Holly and Mo, who work together at the local elementary school. Holly’s been nursing a seemingly impossibly crush on her widowed coworker but a chance Secret Santa matchup may just be the key to change it all.
If you’re looking for something cute to put you in a holiday mood, this is for you.
My rating: four holiday stars
It’s set in the same universe as Atramentum and stars Holly and Mo, who work together at the local elementary school. Holly’s been nursing a seemingly impossibly crush on her widowed coworker but a chance Secret Santa matchup may just be the key to change it all.
If you’re looking for something cute to put you in a holiday mood, this is for you.
My rating: four holiday stars
October 4, 2022
A sweet, adorable, quirky and fast-paced festive feel-good read...with moments of unanticipated depth and sappy romance; the book title kinda says it all. I hadn't ventured into the world of MJ Duncan's written work in a LONG while, but this has left me wanting SO much more.
September 23, 2022
An adorable Christmas novella!
January 1, 2021
A love does not always stay secret during the holiday.
I did enjoy this story very much. Holly and Mo had a good friendship and touched each other's heart. Their connection seemed tender even before Mo's loss altered her life. The special connection with Mo's son brought a tender gift to the story. I enjoy MJ Duncan and the way she weaves a touching experience so it deepens growth for characters in the story. This is a great holiday story you will love.
I did enjoy this story very much. Holly and Mo had a good friendship and touched each other's heart. Their connection seemed tender even before Mo's loss altered her life. The special connection with Mo's son brought a tender gift to the story. I enjoy MJ Duncan and the way she weaves a touching experience so it deepens growth for characters in the story. This is a great holiday story you will love.
January 8, 2021
I happened upon this book by chance and am so glad I did. This is a short story to make you smile from ear to ear. I remember doing a secret Santa like this were you leave little presents leading up to Christmas and it does make people feel happy. It's never to late to read another holiday story.
January 18, 2022
cute, sweet holiday f/f romance
October 23, 2022
This was so sweet and heartwarming that was a crime it not being at least a novella length. The goofy smile I got plastered on my face made it hurt.
Totally worth the quick reading and definitely deserves a follow up on these adorable people.
Totally worth the quick reading and definitely deserves a follow up on these adorable people.
December 23, 2022
Sweet Holiday Cheer
Loved this short story. Holly and Mo’s son put their heads together to come up with twelve Secret Santa gifts his mom because he wants to put a smile on his recently widowed Mom’s face.
Let the gentle romancing begin. Duncan fits a fully developed tale into a little more than forty pages. Excellent.
Loved this short story. Holly and Mo’s son put their heads together to come up with twelve Secret Santa gifts his mom because he wants to put a smile on his recently widowed Mom’s face.
Let the gentle romancing begin. Duncan fits a fully developed tale into a little more than forty pages. Excellent.
January 2, 2022
Enjoyable soft festive romance
Really enjoyed this lighthearted low angst festive romance.
The plot was sweet and I gelled nicely with both characters.
A fun read.
Really enjoyed this lighthearted low angst festive romance.
The plot was sweet and I gelled nicely with both characters.
A fun read.
November 7, 2024
Stars: 4.5 Stars
Format: Digital
Series: Stand Alone
Steam Level: Not Steamy
This was the first time I’ve read anything by MJ Duncan and I will DEFINITELY be picking up more. The only reason I knocked off half a star is that a few places felt like it gave little too much information that would have come about naturally in a longer story. It wasn’t that bad really, I’ve read stories where a whole lifetime of backstory happens in one paragraph.
Quick Thoughts:
- The side characters are just too cute. I even love the PE teacher best friend and a lot of those goofy characters can be annoying in a short story
- I love a Best Friends to Lovers holiday story and this does it very well
- There is just something about sneaking around to leave secret gifts that I enjoy reading so much
- This was only 46 pages and would be great to read closer to the holidays
Overall I really enjoyed this and I found myself wishing for more with these two cuties. But this hit the perfect spot the holiday season.
Format: Digital
Series: Stand Alone
Steam Level: Not Steamy
This was the first time I’ve read anything by MJ Duncan and I will DEFINITELY be picking up more. The only reason I knocked off half a star is that a few places felt like it gave little too much information that would have come about naturally in a longer story. It wasn’t that bad really, I’ve read stories where a whole lifetime of backstory happens in one paragraph.
Quick Thoughts:
- The side characters are just too cute. I even love the PE teacher best friend and a lot of those goofy characters can be annoying in a short story
- I love a Best Friends to Lovers holiday story and this does it very well
- There is just something about sneaking around to leave secret gifts that I enjoy reading so much
- This was only 46 pages and would be great to read closer to the holidays
Overall I really enjoyed this and I found myself wishing for more with these two cuties. But this hit the perfect spot the holiday season.
February 19, 2021
Very Very Cute!
This was such a perfect Christmas story! Holly picks her friend Mo in secret Santa , despite her crush on her, she vows to make it the best just so she can see Mo smile again after a tragic loss. The care that Holly goes through to give Mo a gift for twelve days til Christmas is so sweet and slightly romantic. When the final gift is set for Christmas morning, Holly gets caught and just those words that Mo utters softly “I Knew It Was You” makes Holly’s heart and mine flutter. And after opening the final gift, Mo kisses Holly so softly, at first Holly is taken back but then the kiss happens again and again. Sweet is what this story was. Of course MJ does a perfect job. Wished it was longer!
This was such a perfect Christmas story! Holly picks her friend Mo in secret Santa , despite her crush on her, she vows to make it the best just so she can see Mo smile again after a tragic loss. The care that Holly goes through to give Mo a gift for twelve days til Christmas is so sweet and slightly romantic. When the final gift is set for Christmas morning, Holly gets caught and just those words that Mo utters softly “I Knew It Was You” makes Holly’s heart and mine flutter. And after opening the final gift, Mo kisses Holly so softly, at first Holly is taken back but then the kiss happens again and again. Sweet is what this story was. Of course MJ does a perfect job. Wished it was longer!
December 24, 2020
Not Grandma's Harlequins!
TBH, I don't read romance, and haven't read fiction in a long time. I've been trying to break into freelance health and wellness writing as a way to survive being cloistered with my parents through the pandemic (they BOTH have cancer), and stumbled upon the romantic short story market. You are my research, lol, and I am so pleasantly surprised by Operation: Secret Santa! What a sweet, fun, REAL story! Nothing like the heaving bosom banality I recall from the Harlequins of the 1980s.
This market research is going to be so much FUN! I'm diving in to the rest of your library...
TBH, I don't read romance, and haven't read fiction in a long time. I've been trying to break into freelance health and wellness writing as a way to survive being cloistered with my parents through the pandemic (they BOTH have cancer), and stumbled upon the romantic short story market. You are my research, lol, and I am so pleasantly surprised by Operation: Secret Santa! What a sweet, fun, REAL story! Nothing like the heaving bosom banality I recall from the Harlequins of the 1980s.
This market research is going to be so much FUN! I'm diving in to the rest of your library...
December 28, 2020
Heartfelt Holiday Short Story
I liked learning how this heartfelt holiday story came about after reading the book acknowledgements. It was a wonderfully crafted story about playing Secret Santa for the twelve days of Christmas to brighten someone’s life who has struggled emotionally over the past couple of years.
I liked learning how this heartfelt holiday story came about after reading the book acknowledgements. It was a wonderfully crafted story about playing Secret Santa for the twelve days of Christmas to brighten someone’s life who has struggled emotionally over the past couple of years.
December 23, 2021
Great Quick Read
This is my second story by the author, and it made me smile.. Holly and Mo's story piqued my interest in reading Atramentum, which is now on my TBR list.
This is my second story by the author, and it made me smile.. Holly and Mo's story piqued my interest in reading Atramentum, which is now on my TBR list.
December 24, 2020
Very sweet holiday tale
When does the Twelve Days of Christmas really start? It absolutely does not matter, just giving someone special something to smile about does. It doesn't have to be flashy to be perfectly lovely....just like this latest delight from MJ Duncan.
When does the Twelve Days of Christmas really start? It absolutely does not matter, just giving someone special something to smile about does. It doesn't have to be flashy to be perfectly lovely....just like this latest delight from MJ Duncan.
December 24, 2020
Home at Christmas
MJ Duncan does it again in this short Christmas romance. With visits from Joss and the bookstore. I loved it! Had 12 days of Christmas leading up to Christmas day., so you feel the Christmas spirit throughout the book.
MJ Duncan does it again in this short Christmas romance. With visits from Joss and the bookstore. I loved it! Had 12 days of Christmas leading up to Christmas day., so you feel the Christmas spirit throughout the book.
January 14, 2021
❤ 🤍 💙 🧡 heart warming ♥ ❤ 💖 💓 💕
This is a story that will wrap itself around your heart for a hug. A hug you didn't know you needed. It's a well written story that leaves you warm and fuzzy. What else could you possibly want from a Christmas 🎄 story.
This is a story that will wrap itself around your heart for a hug. A hug you didn't know you needed. It's a well written story that leaves you warm and fuzzy. What else could you possibly want from a Christmas 🎄 story.
September 9, 2022
ridiculously adorable
It’s super cute. I can totally see this being the Hallmark movie that comes out next- that’d actually be wonderful. MJ always has wonderful writing and this is no exception!
It’s super cute. I can totally see this being the Hallmark movie that comes out next- that’d actually be wonderful. MJ always has wonderful writing and this is no exception!
December 30, 2020
Feel good
This is a short little book but has a streak of feel good a mile wide through it. I read it after a long shift and it was just what I needed. Sometimes I like to know what happens at the end without cutting the story short, and this week nugget did not disappoint.
This is a short little book but has a streak of feel good a mile wide through it. I read it after a long shift and it was just what I needed. Sometimes I like to know what happens at the end without cutting the story short, and this week nugget did not disappoint.
January 2, 2021
😊
It's a great short Christmas story! I like all of MJ Duncan 's books and she hasn't disappointed me yet.
It's a great short Christmas story! I like all of MJ Duncan 's books and she hasn't disappointed me yet.
January 3, 2021
MJ Duncan weaves such wonderful stories. Although this is a short novella, I enjoyed it.
January 10, 2021
Really cute
This was a really cute short story that absolutely put a smile on my face. I love all of M J Duncans' books. Looking forward to what ever she writes next.
This was a really cute short story that absolutely put a smile on my face. I love all of M J Duncans' books. Looking forward to what ever she writes next.
January 10, 2021
Cute
This is a really cute, sweet story about having a crush on someone you think you absolutely do not have a chance with. But, you know what? It never hurts to dream.🙂
This is a really cute, sweet story about having a crush on someone you think you absolutely do not have a chance with. But, you know what? It never hurts to dream.🙂
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews