THE SANTA SUIT
By Mary Kay Andrews

There is nothing I love more than a little bit of Christmas magic that warms the heart. I absolutely adore Mary Kay Andrews writing and I LOVED Hello, Summer reading it early this year. I enjoy how characters are so well developed and with an arc that I absolutely enjoy following through in the story.

This one is just as delightful about a woman newly divorced looking for a fresh start by purchasing the Four Roses, farmhouse. Ivy Perkins has a monumental task of renovating the farmhouse but a bit overwhelmed on the task at hand. A mysterious discovery of an old well made santa suit with a letter from a young girl about a wish to see her father return home adds a bit of a mystery to this wonderful Christmas story.

Reading The Santa Suit is like opening a gift that just keeps giving. This was an emotionally packed heartfelt story that brings with it memories and all the feel good warmth of a hot chocolate on a cold night or a warm hug from a loved one.

I really enjoyed this beautifully written Christmas novella.

After her divorce, Ivy Perkins wanted a fresh start and so she buys Four Roses Farm from an online listing, sight unseen. When she arrives, the farmhouse is a bit more neglected than the pictures led on, so Ivy’s got her work cut out for her. Thankfully, she’s got the help of the ruggedly handsome real-estate agent, Ezra. At first it seems like Ivy isn’t all that grateful for the help and not particularly excited to carry on the Christmas traditions of the original family. However, while cleaning out the clutter Ivy finds a Santa Suit with an old letter tucked into the pocket, setting her on a mission that will change her life.

I couldn’t blame Ivy for her feelings after getting her history. After being hurt by the two people she loved most in the world it would be hard to trust again. Plus, Christmastime had been a painful time of year for her, but all that starts to change as she accepts help and makes friends. Ezra was a sweetheart, showing up and helping even when Ivy was a bit prickly at first. Underneath that guardedness was a heart of gold and I loved how her mission made it impossible to keep to herself. Instead, Ivy got tangled up with others in the little town, a happy side-effect. Of course, she got more than a bit tangled up with Ezra, too, and I was all for it!

I just loved the idea of an old farmhouse: original wood trim and floors, fireplaces, built-ins, and a wrap-around porch. Four Roses Farm sounded so lovely, albeit a little neglected, and I’d move there in a heartbeat!

The Santa Suit was a charming novella full of winter/holiday ambiance: old-fashioned Christmas lights, fragrant pine tree, steaming hot cocoa, playing in the snow, and a heartwarming romance! There seemed to be a little meant-to-be magic involved, a couple of twists, and I loved how everything came together at the end!

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS!

Delightful new release from Mary Kay Andrews showing displaying the Magic of Christmas! Newly divorced Ivy moves into a run down fixer upper farmhouse. After a series of mishaps, she finds the blessing in “inheriting” all the leftovers in the home as well - furniture, appliances, clothing, tools, etc. and even some personal items such as family photo albums. While cleaning out the top of a closet, she finds a vintage Santa Suit still in remarkable condition! As she is lifting it out of the box, she discovers a child’s Christmas Wish that was stuffed in the pocket. Ivy is touched by the simple request and decides to try and find out the rest of the story behind the Wish.

When Ivy moved to town, she knew no one. She wasn’t even interested in making friends. As she involves herself with solving the ggj of the Christmas Wish, she meets new friends and in doing so, reconnects old friends and a family who have lost contact. As the town enjoys its Christmas festival, Ivy has a few secrets of her own planned to bring smiles to her new friends’ faces. Ivy realizes, because of the Magic of Christmas, her new life is turning out far better than she could have ever imagined! She has new romance in her life, too!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without any influence.

Ivy Perkins moves to the mountains of North Carolina. She is starting a new life with her dog Punkin in an old farmhouse. Buying a house unseen may not be a wise decision because her new home needs lots of work.
I am a big fan of Mary Kay Andrews and have read a lot of her books. This one is at the very top of her books. The story is so touching and sweet, it will definitely bring tears.
This would be a great Christmas gift.

Mary Kay Andrews whether sharing one of her delightful summer books or a holiday treat is always going to give you a fun escape. The Santa Suit is just that.
Ivy Perkins, life is falling apart.. When her marriage breaks up, so does the business she built with her ex-husband. Acting on impulse and needing an escape she buys Four Roses farmhouse, sight unseen and loads up her belongings and her dog, Punkin and leaves the big city for small town North Carolina.
Little does Ivy know that her purchase comes all the of the previous owners things. As she begins the laborious task of sorting through everything left behind she finds finds an old Santa suit—beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note from a young 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?

I absolutely LOVED this book!
You couldn't ask for better characters, location and storylines.
The main protagonist finds herself a stranger in a small town and how she acclimates herself into the town and the it's people is just beautiful.
A real nice and feel good read.
My first book by this Author and certainly won't be my last!
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins press and the Author, Mary Kay Andrews for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Santa Suit is a charming Mary Kay Andrews novella. Newly divorced Ivy Perkins makes a change in her life by moving from Atlanta to a farm house in North Caroline. Upon arriving at her new home she is met there by her adorable realtor, Ezra. In addition to being single and handsome, Ezra is also handy. Ivy quickly makes a friend and starts to feel comfortable in her new home. She finds an old Santa Suit in her house and discovers a heart wrenching Dear Santa letter in the pocket. This mystery leads Ivy down a road that will change many lives in a delightful way.

When newly divorced Ivy Perkins buys Four Roses Farm in the mountains of North Carolina, she doesn’t know what she’s getting into. I mean, she really doesn’t know because Ivy bought the house sight unseen. She wanted to leave her city life behind in Atlanta. So, she packed up her car, her dog, Punkin, and four baby chicks, and they headed to the mountains.

Ezra Wheeler, her real estate agent, warns her when he first sees her, but she’s ready for country life. She might not be ready for doors that need to be forced open with a shoulder, windows that let in the cold, and hot water heaters that give out. But, Ezra is ready to help, even when Ivy’s furniture is lost in an accident with the moving van.

Ivy is also unprepared for the reaction of everyone in the small community of Tarburton when they learn she bought Four Roses Farm. She just wants time to adjust to her new single life, fix up her house, and tend her chickens. But, it seems as if all 1,500 residents want to know if she’s going to put up all of the Christmas lights that Bob and Betty Rae Rose used to light the house. It was always important to the people of the town.

Ivy isn’t too interested in Christmas trees or lights or what the Roses did until she finds Bob’s beautiful, tailored Santa suit. There’s a note in the pocket from a young girl, asking Santa to bring her father home from the war. Ivy becomes obsessed with finding the letter writer, Carlette. She wants to know what happened to her. Did her father ever come home?

Step-by-step, Ivy tracks Carlette. By the time she loses the trail, she’s found a few new friends, a ninety-six-year-old man, a courthouse clerk desperate to marry her military pen pal, the owner of a candy shop that’s about to close. There’s really no magic in Ivy’s search for answers. But, there might have been a little push in the pocket of The Santa Suit.

While the ending and several relationships seem a little rushed, Ivy Perkins is a charming character. Friendship goes a long way, and Ivy isn’t the only one who finds her life changed. Mary Kay Andrews, as always, sets the reader up for a comforting read.

I absolutely LOVED The Santa Suit!
This author outdid herself.
This is a lovely holiday coming home again story with fantastic characters and a wonderful plot.
Such a joyful read. I love the small town setting and the perfectly placed story line.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book. What an enjoyable holiday read. It had all of the things you are looking for in a HEA holiday read!! I loved the main character. She is a strong independent woman, although slightly damaged from her recent divorce who takes matters in her own hands to start over. I enjoyed the "magic" and mystery that surrounds the Santa Suit and the note that was in the pocket. I loved the way the author draws all parties together in a very surprising way. All and all it was a very quick enjoyable read and has everything readers will be looking for in a holiday read.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

This was unfortunately not to my taste and I didn't enoy it. It was waaaaaay too slow for me and I didn't have the patience to finish it.

I've long been a fan of MKA. Her books bring to mind a southern breeze and I always enjoy them. I especially have always loved her Christmas themed books and "The Santa Suit" was no exception. I love all the holiday vignettes she creates that appeal to all the senses. Her books are sweet without being overly so and she finds artful ways to weave in current issues (online dating, war, family dysfunction, divorce) without weighing the story down. I so appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy of "The Santa Suit." Long live Mary Kay Andrews and the amazing stories she creates!

What a fun book. I read it in one day while sitting on the beach in Key West. It is a light, happy Christmas themed story about starting over and finding yourself. City gal Ivy meets rural farm life complete with chickens and brings back the magic of Christmas to the Four Roses Farm. “The Santa Suit” is a light women’s fiction novel.

Thank you @NetGalley, @StMartin’sPress and @MaryKayAndrews for the advance readers copy for my honest review.

The Santa Suit combined so many of my favorite things: a home improvement project, a small town, a hunky handyman, some amazing friendships, and of course Christmas! It was the perfect short read to get me excited for the holiday season--I know it’s early, but I have a handful of Christmas ARCs to read in the coming weeks.

Tarburton seems like an adorable town, and certainly was a great setting for this book. The town loves Christmas, and the house Ivy bought happened to be the former home of the town’s beloved Mr. and Mrs. Claus. She’s a little bah humbug in the beginning, but quickly falls in love with Tarburton’s charms and the magic of Christmas.

There’s a little mystery that comes up when Ivy finds a letter to Santa from another time. She’s determined to figure out who it belonged to and whether she got her Christmas wish. The ending comes together in the sweetest way imaginable, and I wished this was a full-length novel instead of just a novella!

I just reviewed The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews. #NetGalley
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What a sweet Christmas story! The main character reminded me of my daughter. Divorced city girl buying a farm and getting chickens. I love small town romances.

This story brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. A great way to start the holiday season this book is a warm story about be;Irving in yourself, family, love, and the miracles of Christmas. This is a must read for every holiday book lover.

Mary Kay Andrews is at her best with The Santa Suit. It is Christmas magic and light hearted fun, all tied up with a big bow! Ivy Perkins buys a house, sight unseen, except for photos online. She arrives to find it full of the possessions of the previous owners. In her rummaging, she finds things from that family's past that has her looking for answers. It is a sweet holiday adventure that will warm your heart! I loved this book and so will you! Special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was so excited to start reading Christmas books and Mary Kay Andrew’s did not disappoint. I love that this story had more than just a girl meets boy in December and they are married by Christmas. There was a little mystery, depth of characters, and a strong woman.
A feel good Christmas story to get you in the holiday spirit!

My first holiday book of the year. I love Christmas books because they are always such feel good stories. This one is definitely a feel good story. It takes place in a small town like all good Christmas stories do. Sadly I didn’t love it. It mostly bored me and I really didn’t get where it was going. It seemed to need more build up and details. The romantic storyline was a hard sale. I did like the way it wrapped up in the end but overall it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

This was such a cute and charming book! If you are looking for a sweet easy Christmas read this is your book!

The Santa Suit is a Christmas novella. I would categorize it as women's fiction with some romance.

The narrator is Ivy (3rd person POV). She shows up in a small town in North Carolina.

I really liked Ivy. I loved her friendships with the townspeople. I loved all of the fun things that she discovered at the farmhouse. I liked the romance. And I really liked the magic of the "santa suit".

This is my first Christmas book of the year. This book was such a quick and enjoyable read!