This was essentially a Christmas retelling of You've Got Mail. From the rival businesses (and the bigger one putting the smaller more friendly and people-oriented one out of business) to the guy arriving at the girl's house when she's sick. Whilst I did enjoy such a Christmas themed retelling... I'm not totally certain it improved upon the original tale seen in that film. I suppose the only major difference is there were far fewer exchanges between the pair in the book. They end up interacting on an app, Dear Santa, and then exchange a couple of emails and so that part of it was not as significant, instead they have far more face to face time. It was a cute read and I did enjoy it, though, but yeah, all it really did was make me want to rewatch the film.

The book wasn't terrible. In fact, despite reading it in early November (when it most definitely is not Christmas yet and far too early for folks to be getting excited!) I did still find myself enjoying this bit of festive fun. I felt all excited for the Christmas baked treats and decorating the tree and even the dreaded prospect of Christmas shopping (which I most definitely need to start). The book definitely had the festive season captured within its pages, something which not all festive reads easily achieve.

I think it was just all the similarities between it and You've Got Mail which bothered me. I recently saw a blogger explain how they categorise retellings and for me this is one which was easy to spot due to the similarities and, for me, was a little too close to the original so when familiar events occurred it jarred me out of the story as my brain went back and compared it to a scene in the film. I adore You've Got Mail, a Christmas themed version set in a small town in South Carolina is not a bad thing and I did enjoy Angela and Geoff's tale of going from enemies (on Angela's side) to friends to something more. The gradual shift from the antagonistic to the friendly was lovely. And I was just as heartbroken as Angela as she slowly had to accept the end of her Christmas store because she loved that place but it was lovely seeing her move on to the next part of her life. It did bother me one major part in her new direction though but it’s a spoiler, but let’s say she didn’t have total control over her future choices, instead they almost got decided for her and it frustrated the hell out of me. I would have preferred it if she had been approached and made her own choices without external influences.

There were parts which bothered me outside of the retelling similarities too, like the fact that I felt like some side characters never got to have their chance to shine, and that I definitely felt like there were story elements were not explored enough (both of them had family stuff I would have liked to explore more) but I will not grumble because a book which can give me a festive buzz in November is nothing to be sniffed at. I am a notorious grump about Christmas, I love it, but I do wish people would stick to December being it, I hate those folks counting down in July.

I really enjoyed this book as an easy holiday romance. I enjoyed that it wasn't totally focused only on the love story. It was very similar to "You've Got Mail" and sometimes it even used the same lines, which I felt to be a little weird. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend to others.

I have never read a #christmas themed book. EVER. I stick to my usual horror/murder/mystery. But @netgalley @stmartinspress Gave me this arc. Thank you!!!
I absolutely loved it! It totally reminded me of #noraephron You’ve Got Mail. The story is super cute, heart warming and of course throw a dash of romance in, and you got a pot full of good book!
4/5 stars! Make sure you follow us on Instagram!
@beedlethebardbooksleeves

A Christmas play on 'You've Got Mail", Dear Santa is one of those books you just hope will be picked up for a movie. I loved the characters, so different with a unique set of goals and a piercing love that just won't let either go. A perfect holiday present for the lover in all of us...

**thanks to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review**

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Angela Carson owns and runs Heart of Christmas, a store in her hometown of Pleasant Sands, North Carolina. The store was originally started by her great-grandma, and running the store has always been Angela's passion. However, sales have been down, and now that Christmas Galore has opened up nearby, Heart of Christmas just can't compete anymore. At her niece's urging, Angela writes a letter to Santa through the Dear Santa app, wishing for a miracle. Geoff Paisley runs the Christmas Galore franchise with his mom, and he and Angela have a few unpleasant run-ins when she learns that he is the owner of the new Christmas Galore store in town. When Geoff's mom gets sick, she requests that he answer the Dear Santa letters she normally takes care of. Geoff and Angela feel drawn to each other through their electronic correspondence, not realizing who they are actually talking to.

This was a cute Christmas-y rewrite of You've Got Mail. There were a few scenes from the movie that were practically the exact same in the book; I would have liked the story to stand on its own rather than copy that closely. Also, they only wrote each other a few times in the Dear Santa app, and I'm not sure it felt believable that they were so strongly attracted to each other from that brief correspondence, though I understand there was a time constraint with this being a Christmas themed book. If you love the movie You've Got Mail and Christmas, check out this book.

A cute Christmas read. Angela and Geoff are both workaholics, with her small business suffering and his larger one expanding. Angela is also very angry and defensive, it makes it hard for Geoff to like her. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

It’s November first and I am in full holiday mode. I’m on of those obnoxious people that starts decorating and shopping for Christmas immediately following Halloween.

I started my holiday reading a little early this year (normally I wait until after Halloween) since there were a lot of holiday books coming out. This is one that I had my eye on, mostly because it sounded like it was going to be an epistolary novel.

Angela Carson wants nothing more than to be the third-generation to run her family’s holiday store, Heart of Christmas, successfully. They’ve weathered over sixty tourist seasons, major hurricanes, and urban sprawl, in their old decommissioned lighthouse. But the national chain that set up shop in their small North Carolina town of Pleasant Sands may be more than Heart of Christmas can survive.

Encouraged by her niece to ask Santa for help through the Dear Santa app, Angela gives in and lets the words fly in a way that, if Santa were real, would no doubt land her on the naughty list. What’s the harm when it’s just a computer-generated response?

Geoff Paisley has been at his mother’s side running the mega-chain Christmas Galore for the last ten years. When his mother falls ill, Geoff promises to answer the Dear Santa letters in her stead. Soon he realizes the woman he’s been corresponding with on Dear Santa is Angela. How could the woman that grates his every last nerve in person have intrigued him so deeply through those letters?

When Geoff reveals that he’s her Dear Santa, will Angela be able to set aside their very public feud to embrace the magic of the holiday and possibly find true love? (summary from Goodreads).

This book did have a lot of letter components and it reminded me of “You’ve Got Mail”. I have seen a number of other reviewers also draw the same comparison. It was almost impossible for me to not draw a similar conclusion as it is a lot like the film, but it has it’s own uniqueness which I think readers will still enjoy. It is a sweet, quintessential holiday romance. There is a lovable main character, with a romance that turns enemies into lovers throughout the course of the holiday season.

For a Christmas romance, I was impressed by the character development. Sometimes with holiday reads it’s so much more about the holiday feel and less about the characters themselves. But with this book, I found that the author took time building their back stories and lives and I found that I just loved Angela, and Geoff was a great romantic interest for her.

I loved the enemies to lovers troupe in this book. This is a favorite troupe of mine so perhaps that’s why I was partial to this romance. The story itself matched with the romance troupe worked brought the magic of the holiday season together. This was a charming novel full of romance and Christmas cheer. I was relieved that it wasn’t overly sappy, but just the right amount of magic that makes the Hallmark Movies such a Christmas time staple…..it’s a balanced novel with strong characters and I enjoyed reading this one and getting into the holiday spirit!

Lastly, this cover is perfection. I loved the letters in red and green so much. The garland around the cover is a nice touch as well. If you love holiday covers then this is the cover you have been waiting for……it looks just like a Hallmark card!

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle

Kindle Edition
Published October 16th 2018 by St. Martin’s Griffin
ASIN B079DVX2XF
Review copy provided by: Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own
Recommendation: 4 out of 5
Genre: contempo romance, Christmas romance
Memorable lines/quotes

Dear Santa is a sweet seaside holiday retelling of You've Got Mail, with Christmas stores in the place of bookstores. It's an incredibly sloooow moving romance (as was the movie, come to think of it) so don't look for a lot of hands-on action. Or any, really. There are some swoony gestures, though, and that's just as good.

Though the whole "Dear Santa" part of the story is cute, it requires quite a bit of suspension of belief...how is it possible that Geoff, at least, doesn't figure out who his pen pal is sooner? She gives him the name of her store in the very first email and mentions the name of their small resort town a few emails later. And she didn't even have a glimmer of an "I wonder..." when he gave her that bouquet? I mean, really...

Angela feels a bit pricklier than she needs to be for much of the book, and Geoff isn't at his best when he's reflecting on the awesomeness of his business plan. (The lack of care for how disposable literally everything in his store is felt especially tone deaf after the past week's climate news, which isn't really fair but I couldn't help but think of it as I read.) By the end, though, they both manage to pull themselves together into characters the reader wants to root for, and the epilogue was very sweet.

I haven't even decorated for Halloween yet, but have a sudden urge to put up some twinkly lights now... ;)

Rating: 3 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is a sweet Christmas novel that is based on You've Got Mail and The Shop Around the Corner. Set in a North Carolina beach town, it follows the story of a generations-old Christmas shop that is in failing financial health, pushed even further down by the big box Christmas store that has moved to town. Add in a Santa letter-writing app, an historical lighthouse, and the handsome owner of the new store, and you've got a fun Christmas story with may twists and turns.

I am a fan of Nancy Naigle... the books she writes are emotional and romantic with just the right amount of sexuality and innuendo included. This book is no exception.

Angela is a hopeless romantic who owns a quaint Christmas store in Pleasant Sands... a small beach town in North Carolina. The store was started by her great grandparents and she has carried on the tradition of offering handmade and unique Christmas decorations and ornaments year round. But this year the sales are down in numbers and it looks as if she may have to close the doors.

Geoff and his mother own a chain of big box stores called Christmas Galore and have opened a store in Pleasant Sands. This has created most of the woes that Angela is experiencing with her small shop.

As I read this book, I found myself thinking of the movie "You've Got Mail." The plot is very similar... emails are exchanged anonymously, a big store is putting a small store out of business, the characters have met and do not like each other...

This is a sweetly written romance and even though Christmas is still weeks away, I am ready to drag out my decorations and put up my tree! I enjoyed the book and recommend it without any hesitation.

Well written and I enjoyed the novel. Fans of Christmas will like the book. The characters are likable.

This was a "You've Got Mail" spin-off. The same opposing business leaders, one small one large corporation. The smaller business eventually closing after many generations, as they can't keep up with the deeply discounted corporations. Angela holding on to the traditions her grandmother taught her, and Geoff running his business as his high powered mother taught him.

While their constant run-ins prove to be everything but pleasant they eventually turn to be more understanding and build a relationship.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RBQL2GD5VDL09?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp

I loved this book.
Angela and Geoff's story was fun, heart warming and romantic.
I love reading about how the characters grow during the reading of the story.
This author makes her characters come to life.
Nancy Naigle has another winner.

The tone of this book didn't sit right with me - I wanted to care more about the characters, but I just couldn't. I finished it only so that I could provide a review but there were just too many inconsistencies. I found the sister mean at times and supportive at other times, but not in a realistic way. I found Angela to be determined and feisty at times and overly defeated and hard on herself other times. It just fell flat for me overall.

This book is adorable. As a huge fan of You've Got Mail I was instantly smitten with the concept of this book and it did not disappoint.

While Angela is great I actually liked Geoff even more. His character has such a great story line and just really grows on you. And honestly I can totally picture him as a Tom Hanks type of guy.

In addition to Angela and Geoff this book has such a great cast of supporting characters and the settings will make you want to spend the next two months visiting the coast and popping into every holiday shop you find.

I really wanted to love this book. I saw the title and author and was ready to read. If you have never seen the movie “You’ve Got Mail” or the old b &w movie “The Shop Around the Corner” you will adore this book. Otherwise you will regift it. Rating this book was hard due to having seen both films, and remakes are all about the cast of characters.

I had not read very far into this book when I realized why the story line was so familiar. It is the same story as that of “You’ve Got Mail”. If this wasn’t done intentionally, I can’t explain the similarities. Everything from a young woman with an inherited business going under to a conversation between strangers carried out over email.

Just as with the movie, the story was fun and heart-warming. The two main characters have good impressions of each other when they spy one another from afar. When they find out who the other is, prior prejudices take over.

The story is set at Christmas time and the title points to one my favorites parts of the story. Each chapter is begun either with a bit of history of their town or, more fun, letters from children to Santa. Those letters made me laugh more than once.

The book is feel good and doesn’t contain sex or sexual situations. It is a book for all generations to enjoy to read.

I’ll look for more books by Nancy Naigle in the future. I like romance stories that really tell a story rather than providing a backdrop for bedroom scenes.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

What is one to do when you have two different opinions of what Christmas is to mean?

Geoff is a partner of “Christmas Galore” an anything goes store created by his mother years ago. Scouting where to open a new branch as brought a smile to Geoff face that was until he decided to open one in Pleasant Sands, NC. Here he is faced with a troublesome stumbling block in the form of a sweet smile, a past he knew nothing about along with a realization that he truly wanted to belong.

Angela the sweet heart of Pleasant Sands. Keeping the history and her family’s legacy going is what Angela loves. Angela is faced with a few hard facts about life. After having no choice to close her family’s store, Angela has some harsh words with the one person she deems is a huge problem in her closing. Geoff the owner of Christmas Galore. I must admit at first, I thought this heroine would cave to anyone, that is the vibe I got from the interaction between her and her sister Marie. I was glad to say I was wrong on that.

The Christmas tinsel is about to fly when Angela and Geoff square off, the battle lines are drawn. Geoff is a bit of a jerk at first until Angela discovers he does have a heart. Angela has a lot of things happening with her storyline, but her belief is strong.

The secondary characters made the book more superb. Chrissy Angela’s niece was adorbs she is like any other child, no filter…lol. I enjoyed Geoff’s mother, Virgil. I wonder what is between them. Chandler is such a huge flirt. Jeremy, Emma and Stephanie all Angela employees are sweet and care about her. I found myself not liking Marie Angela’s sister, I wanted to slap her, there for me was no redeeming her in the end of the story.

Nancy Naigle gives us a sweet holiday romance where the main characters draw us in as the story builds and keeps us till the end. Dear Santa’s plot is one of heart, hope and family and a little Christmas Magic.

Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb!

I did like the story but I found parts dragged on a bit but it was enjoyable. This isn't one I would read again in the future but it was entertaining.

This is a perfect read for the holidays! It opens on Thanksgiving Day and Angela Carson is finalizing preparations for dinner at sister's home. She makes eye contact with a handsome, well-dressed man in the coffee shop and hopes that she will see him again.

Pleasant Sands, North Carolina is not a big coastal town but it does boast two holiday stores: Heart of Christmas owned by Angela and Christmas Galore, a new arrival. Angela has been praying for a miracle to save her business and is not at all happy with the competition. So, when she discovers that her mystery man is the owner of Christmas Galore, Angela takes her niece's advice and writes to Santa. Who knew that Santa had connections with Christmas Galore?

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.