On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
The Santa Suit: A Novel
Holiday Romance Fiction
St. Martin’s Press (September 28, 2021)
Hardcover : 224 pages
ISBN-10 : 1250279313
ISBN-13 : 978-1250279316
Kindle ASIN : B08ZLN1DDC
Griffin (October 11, 2022)
Paperback : 224 pages
ISBN-10 : 1250858453
ISBN-13 : 978-1250858450
From Mary Kay Andrews, the New York Times bestselling author of Hello, Summer, comes a novella celebrating the magic of Christmas and second chances in The Santa Suit.
When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love—but Ivy didn’t bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it’s a full-time job sorting through all of it.
At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit—beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it’s from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?
Ivy’s quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Ivy Perkins is fresh off her divorce and has purchased an old farmhouse, The Four Roses, online without seeing it in person. She arrives with her dog Punkin, a couple of chickens, and a carload of her possessions to meet the realtor for the key. She immediately sees she has her work cut out for her with a sagging porch and a driveway full of potholes. When she finally gets the front door open she sees the previous family left most of their furniture behind and the inside needs some repairs and updating too. As she continues to investigate her new home she finds a wondrous old Santa Suit still in perfect condition. Then she finds a mystery in the pocket in the form of a child’s note with a very important wish, that her father comes home safely from the war.
So while she tries to make herself at home in this new place she now needs to solve the mystery. Who was this child? Did their father make it home? And why was this note left in the pocket of the Santa suit?
While on her mission she meets several people and decides maybe that isn’t a bad thing. Christmas can be a magical time and Ivy just may have arrived in town at the perfect time.
I loved this story!
Ivy is a fabulous main character. Still burned from her divorce she was strong enough to make a huge decision. One that could have truly backfired but didn’t. She meets her realtor Ezra Wheeler. A much younger man than she expected. He is friendly and kind and he appears to be sweet on Ivy almost from the start.
The previous owners were prominent in the community and very well-liked. Christmas was their holiday and the townspeople hope Ivy will feel the same way. Finding out her new house used to be called The Christmas House does add a little pressure. I did enjoy the way the town welcomed Ivy and gave her some little pushes she needed. The people were charmingly genuine.
The story has several moving parts for a novella but they all come together in a wonderful way. All the people Ivy meets are delightfully developed. We are able to learn their backstories and get invested in their lives. My only minor complaint is that the romance developed a little too fast for my liking but it sure did work with the Christmas theme.
The Santa Suit is a heartwarming cozy holiday read with captivating characters set in a beautiful little mountain town. The book is easily read all in one sitting and it is sure to give your Christmas Spirit a little spark.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
I am giving away 1 Kindle Copy of The Santa Suit.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will
receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
The contest Will End on January 6, 2023, at 11:59 PM CST
The winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For The Entry Form
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This sounds like such a sweet Christmas story. Love Mary Kay Andrews because her characters are always so real and well-developed.