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The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews is a sweet story that will put you into the spirit of the holidays. This small town Christmas read has an enjoyable cast of characters and a mystery to solve. It is a perfect read for those who enjoy a short story with a Christmas theme.
Title: The Santa SuitAuthor: Mary Kay Andrews
Also by this author: The Homewreckers
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: September28, 2021
Rating:
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.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews
This book definitely has some Hallmark movie vibes with its small town setting and Christmas theme. When recently divorced Ivy moves into an old farmhouse in a small town, she has a hard time avoiding the holiday season. The house she bought, sight unseen, is actually a well-known house for Christmas cheer. As she is settling in and fixing up the house, she quickly makes lots of friends in town. It is a short read, so the author really jumps into the story quickly, which is typical of many holiday stories.
❀ Enjoyable Characters
Ivy is a fantastic main character and the side characters are really enjoyable as well. Easy-going Ivy forms many friendships and the characters all seem to help one another out through the course of the story. I especially enjoyed reading about Everett, an old man that Ivy befriends when she is trying to uncover the mysteries of the note in the Santa Suit.
❀ Not a lot of romance
As far as romance goes, Ezra and Ivy do have a few romantic moments, but romance isn’t the main theme of the story. Their interactions are sweet and filled with humour. I would have liked a bit more romance in the book, but with a story that is so short it is hard to pack everything in.
❀ Short and cozy holiday story
The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews is an ideal read for anyone who enjoys a short and cozy holiday story. This one has so many great characters and the mystery of the Santa suit is such a fun element. I would love to read a sequel to this story just to get a little bit more time with these characters.
About Mary Kay Andrews
Mary Kay Andrews is The New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House Cookbook and more than twenty novels, including The Weekenders, Ladies' Night,Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues. A former journalist for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
I really enjoy watching Hallmark Christmas movies when the holidays are coming up so this sounds really great!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Book Blitz: A Wish Too Dark And Kind by M.L. Blackbird — Excerpt+ Giveaway (INTL)
It reads just like a Hallmark movie!
I’ve been waiting for someone to review this one since I have enjoyed her books in the past. I wasn’t surprised that the romance wasn’t heavier since that doesn’t seem to be a thing in her books, but I am not surprised you wanted it to be! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think I’m going to try to fit it in now.
I would love to have had a little bit more romance, but it was still a satisfying and super quick read. I hope that you love it!
I do agree that the romance was secondary, but Andrews gave me some serious warm fuzzies with this one. The way this newcomer made all those connections and the town rallied. It was beautiful.
Absolutely! It really gives a great small town vibe!
I’m always on the lookout for more holiday reads – great review and thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Angela!
LUcky enuf to read it from my library. Great read.
I am glad that you enjoyed it, too!
This sounds like a good book!
This sounds like a book that I would enjoy reading!
Sounds like a good read.
This sounds like a really great Christmas read!
What a great read for the holidays. Nice review 🙂
Sounds like a great holiday story! Thanks for sharing your review and have a happy & successful New Year!
oh ive definitely heard of this one, i can see why its so popular!