A delightfully charming holiday novel that was so beautifully written I felt like I was in the Outer Banks in the enchanting little beach town of Pleasant Sands, NC. I really liked the instant attraction and dynamic between business competitors Angela Carson who owns Heart of Christmas located in the old lighthouse at the edge of town and Geoff Paisley, co-owner of the mega-chain Christmas Galore.

Ms. Naigle hit all the right places in this can't-put-down book with humor, poignant moments, family drama, sweet romance and Dear Santa letters. This book put a smile on my face, joy in my heart and ready for the holidays. Fans of this genre will love Dear Santa.

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my voluntary and unbiased review. I liked it so much, I purchased a copy for my keeper library.

Angela owns a Christmas shop filled with unique items that has been in her family for generations. Now there is a new store in town that sells Christmas and other items at discounted prices. Facing closing her store, Angela blames the new store for all of her problems. Her little niece talks her into telling Santa about her problems via an app she is using. She is surprised to gets a return letter that is obviously not an automated response. Who is she corresponding with and why do they relate to each other so easily? You’ll have to read the book to find out! I found this a delightful read with wonderful characters.

Also reviewed at Kobo under the name IrishEyes430. I attempted several times to post on B&N but there is somethings strange going on there that left me unable to post.

Dear Santa: A Novel
by Nancy Naigle

A superb book. A hallmark moment though out each and every chapter. I was totally captivated by this story line. The author is excellent. I wanted to down grade the rating for it having such a sad element but I could not. Each and every piece of this story was perfect. I loved the way it was laid out. I loved the characters and each level of the book itself. It was like watching a movie unfold in my mind. Not many authors have that ability. I can only say if you want a heartwarming touching book to read, this is one you must buy. I was given this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own. Buy and enjoy...... It was truly worth it... and it is definitely a keeper! Regards, Anna

Angela is the sweetheart of Pleasant Sands, North Carolina. She has a sweet little shop call Heart of Christmas that has been in her family for generations. The shop is in a historical lighthouse that her family owns. Angela prides herself on the history and connection to the small town. The store isn’t doing that well and it may be time for some decisions to be made. A part of her problem is a new store in town called Christmas Galore has discounted items and cheaper products for sale and the town seems to love it. While visiting her sister, her young niece encourages Angela to write a letter to Santa, because Santa can fix everything!
Geoff Paisley is the co-owner of Christmas Galore with his mother. When his mom ends up in the hospital, she asks Geoff to answer all the Santa mail for her. He balks at first at the idea, but a promise is a promise, so he gets to work. He sees a letter from someone and it tweaks his interest. This letter deserves a personal reply! Guess who wrote the letter?
Geoff and Angela meet and go head to head in a few battles. Angela blames Geoff for opening a store that will put her out of business. Geoff thinks her store is overpriced. Little do either of them know that they are the two who are writing the letters going back and forth.
As the story unfolds, Geoff and Angela come to a truce and decide they can be friends. Can the friendship grow into a relationship? Will Angela still have to close Heart of Christmas? I don’t want to ruin the ending, so you will have to find out when you read the book. You won’t be disappointed;
This story by Nancy Naigle was such a treat to read. I loved the characters and their extended families. . A big thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of the book to review.

It’s sweet and heartwarming story. It’s captivating as it pulls at your heartstrings from the beginning. I loved the characters. I enjoyed the connection, the banter and the chemistry between the characters. It’s a cute and entertaining story that has the magic of Christmas. This story is definitely not to be missed.

My favorite this year, so far, for Christmas books. Dear Santa is a Christmas version of You Got Mail and I think I liked it better than YGM. This was a heartwarming romance with funny situations and lovable characters especially one adorable niece. I haven't read Nancy Naigle before but if her other books are just as good as this one then I have a new potential favorite author for this genre, right up their with Debbie Mason and Emily March.

In the little tourist town of Pleasant Sands is a decommissioned lighthouse. The lighthouse is home to Heart of Christmas an all year round Christmas store. After three generations the store is on the verge of closing. The owner Angela Carson is desperate to keep it open but the mega store that opened up is sealing the stores fate. Geoff Paisley opened Christmas Galore with his mother their success has been enormous in the last ten years they opened fifteen stores the newest in a small town that technically didn't fit their target location but Geoff's mother, Rebecca, wanted it there so they built there.

Angela hates Christmas Galore it seemed everything she tried to save her store didn't work, logically she knows it's not Christmas Galore's fault her store was already starting to go down hill before they opened but they are an easy and convenient target for her anger. Wanting to be helpful her niece suggested writing Santa. Not wanting to hurt her nieces feeling Angela writes one using the Dear Santa app on her tablet. She never expected an actual person to respond or for that person to understand her pain of giving up her dream of keeping the family business alive. When Rebecca winds up in the hospital she tasks Geoff with answering the Dear Santa letters. Geoff begrudgingly agrees he never expected to find a penpal. It takes almost half the book for Geoff to realize the woman who fascinates him beyond believe the same woman who picks fights with him in public and out right hates him is the same woman he's been exchanging emails with online. Seeing things different now Geoff finds himself wanting things he's never wanted before and he wants them with Angela. Angela wants to hate Geoff but he really is a nice guy and even though she's picked fights with him she still wants to kiss him like crazy but her life is too up in the air right now her future undecided she can't worry about a relationship.

Overall, I loved this book. There is plenty of character development for both Angela and Geoff. Angela is trying to figure out her future and Geoff is finding out about his past. It fits in nicely with the You Got Mail, In the Good Old Summertime, and Shop Around the Corner style, a feel good romantic comedy with plenty of feels and Christmas spirit.

Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle is the story of Geoff Paisley and Angela Carson.
This was a fun read with Geoff and Angela on different sides and heated arguments. But when Geoff fills in for Dear Santa and Angel writes to Dear Santa they end up corresponding without really knowing who at the other end.
Enjoyed the Christmas love story.

Angela owns and runs a holiday store called Heart of Christmas, it's been in their family for generations and she wants to continue with that, but unfortunately the store is doing very well and she might have to close it. There's also a new store in town called Christmas Galore, where things are sold cheaper and it attracts more people in. The new store is owned by Geoff and his mom. Geoff's mom answers to Santa letters via e-mail, but when she falls ill, Geoff answers them himself. Angela's niece convinced her to use the app and she writes to Santa as well. At first they don't know who the other is, but when it comes out, will they have a chance for love?
It was a sweet holiday novel, I adored those Santa letters at the beginning of the chapters. It was a well written story with great characters and I'd recommend it for people who like holiday contemporary romances.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Nancy Nail for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Dear Santa is a sweet heartfelt Christmas story that reminds you of the true reason for the season. Angela owns the Heart of Christmas, a one of a kind shop that’s been in her family for years. They sell high quality hand made Christmas decorations. When a new big box style Christmas store comes into town, Angela’s business takes another hit on top of her already foundering business. The book encourages us to look at what’s really important to us, our families and our communities. Will Angela get some help from Santa this year?

I loved the setting. A quaint beachside town isn’t what you first think of for a Christmasy book, but it works perfectly. The passion Angela has for her town, the history and townspeople absolutely makes the book so special. You can feel the true magic of the holidays on each page. The descriptions of her Christmas store made me feel as if I was right there, surrounded by all the twinkly lights, fresh cut trees, and handcrafted ornaments. The scent of gingerbread and peppermint mochas waft through the air. The book is such a cozy holiday read that I can’t get enough.

However, there isn’t much romance. The story focuses more on Angela’s love for her family, business, and town than a new love interest. At least until the last, maybe 20%. It’s very sweet and happily ever after, so that helps. Also there was a lot of tension and arguing in parts. Completely authentic to the story, but sometimes you don’t want to read about stress and tension. Luckily most is about the wonderful moments of Christmastime.

All together, Dear Santa captures the true magic of Christmas with all the cozy feels.

Ho ho ho...Christmas on the beach

Angela Carson owns and helps run a year-round Christmas shop located in a decommissioned lighthouse in the small resort town of Pleasant Sands, North Carolina. The lighthouse has been in her family for many generations and she loves selling her high-end and one of a kind Christmas items from there.

But this year another Christmas store moved into town, with the emphasis on quantity rather than quality.

She goes head to head with Geoff Paisley, one of the owners of the new store, and sparks are soon flying.

This was a very good Christmas story. Like others that have reviewed the book, I noticed the definite similarity to the older romance movie "You've Got Mail." That's not a bad thing. I enjoyed that movie too.

This is a fun, fast Christmas story. I especially enjoyed the sense of closure with the ending.

I received this book from St.Martin's Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from St. Martin's Griffin for my unbiased opinion of the book. The story centers around Angela Carson who is struggling to hold on to her family's Christmas store that has been open for generations and Geoff Paisley whose store Christmas Galore has recently moved into town and is helping put the final nail into Angela's family store closing's coffin. The book seemed to me to be an updated book version of You've Got Mail. I loved the story, it was great watching it unfold between the two duelling shop owners while secretly falling in love with each other. I would recommend this book to all my friends. Keep up the great work Nancy!

Angela is fighting to keep her store up and running in her seaside town after a big box store opens and kills her sales. When she meets a man and she realizes he owns the big box store she is afraid her heart will betray her as well.

Look into your heart and see what is there. This is what you learn from this book. It i a feel good book.

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

What a cute Christmas story! It's a spin on the 'You've Got Mail' storyline but with Christmas stores in a tourist town. Angela is a character that felt that I would be friends with. This makes a story more enjoyable to me. A new store had moved to town and has contributed to her shop failing. Geoff is the owner of the new Christmas store in town. The two have very different philosophies for their businesses and end up butting heads sometimes in public ways. In a twist of events, Angela writes a letter to Santa and Geoff ends up being "Santa". The story was entertaining and left me feeling happy. The perfect Christmas story! The children's letters to Santa at the beginning of each chapter were fantastic. I received an advance copy for an honest review.

Dear Santa,
I have been very good this year, so I am certain that I am on the nice list! All I want for Christmas is more time in every day to read all the fabulous books in the world! I also wouldn’t mind a winning lottery ticket! Hope Mrs. Klos is being good to you, I will have the cookies waiting!
Thanks so much,
Berit❄️✨❄️
PS: give Rudolph a carrot from me!🛷

This was a fun sweet holiday story reminiscent of the movie “You’ve Got Mail“... really the perfect book to put you in the festive mood... filled with letters to Santa, holiday cheer, hope, family, and love....

Angela loves running her family’s charming Christmas store... for three generations this lovely store has been a staple in the town with its unique location in the lighthouse... but now Angela‘s livelihood has been threatened with the opening of the big box Christmas store “Christmas Galore“... determined to save her shop she has proclaimed war on all things Christmas Galore! After sending a letter to Santa with the encouragement of her niece, Angela begins a correspondence with whoever is on the other end of this app.... i’m sure you do not need to be a master detective to figure out who she is corresponding with!

This was a sweet, slow burning, enemies to lovers, Love story... Angela was such a likable character I absolutely loved her love for Christmas! It took me a while longer to warm up to Jeff the owner of Christmas Galore, but after a while he won me over.... this is just one of those fun feel good stories that puts a smile on your face and a festive feeling in your heart!

If you love a good Christmas story filled with holiday spirit this is a definite must!

*** A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***

What a fun Christmas themed take on “You’ve Got Mail”. I thought it was a heartwarming romance. Once of my favorite things were the Santa letters and town history quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I love how Pleasant Sands, Angela, and the Santa letters opened Geoff’s eyes to what is truly important in in life. The author portrayed such a warm, loving community in Pleasant Sands full of life, laughter, family, and tradition. I enjoyed reading this sweet Christmas romance.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an advance copy, and these are my unbiased opinions.

Dear Santa
I thoroughly enjoyed this fun holiday romance. Nancy Naigle has written a warm and charming Christmas romance.

The story is well written and engaging. The characters are real and relatable and well developed. The use of Dear Santa letters at the beginning of the chapters gives some insight into the people of Pleasant Sands. “Watching” as the business competition between the owners of the holiday stores heats up while at the same time so does their attraction. The twist is neither knows they are competitors. I found myself rooting for their relationship.

I recommend this book to everyone. It is an enjoyable fun read.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for approving my request. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Loved this Christmas romance with a spinoff of, You've Got Mail. Angela's passion is running her family's Christmas Store, Heart of Christmas but this will be the last season since a Christmas chain store has arrived in Pleasant Sands. Her niece encouraged her to write a letter to Santa, needless to say Santa is the owner of the new Christmas store, Geoff. Even though they are stiff in competition in person they soon develop a correspondence in emails. Soon Geoff realizes who he is corresponding with, can this feud end up with true love.

This is a sweet clean romance that has Hallmark written all throughout the story. Loved all of the letters to Santa. I would love to move to Pleasant Sands. I recommend this story while drinking your chocolate coffee.

Angela is the third generation running her shop Heart of Christmas. But a national chain store has opened close by with their cheap decorations and other items. This will likely impact her revenue and she fears she may have to close the shop!

She starts to write to Santa, not realizing the man answering the letters is the handsome Geoff whom she met in a coffee shop. And Geoff is the owner of the new chain store! He figures out he is answering Angela’s letters to Santa, but he is attracted to her and doesn’t want the communication to end.

This is a sweet Christmas story in the lines of You’ve Got Mail! Although we knew the plot and ending, the ride is sweet and is a great start to the holiday romance season.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

Dear Santa is a wonderful book to get you into all of the holiday emotions. It is a heartwarming story about Angela who is trying to save her Christmas store to keep her grandmother & great grandmother’s dream alive . When a discount Christmas store comes to town she realizes that sh cannot compete and becomes angry with Geoff, the man in charge.
Ms . Naigle has a way of bringing you into the holiday spirit . I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St Martin’s press for an honest review .

Dear Santa is a heartwarming, holiday version of "You've Got Mail" - which I personally love, so this was a charming read for me and perfect to get someone in the holiday spirit!