The Santa Suit is a delightful holiday offering by beloved author Mary Kay Andrews. Ivy Perkins and her big dog Punkin have left Atlanta, and the disappointment she found there, behind them as they travel northward to small Tarburton, NC. With all Ivy could pack in her Volvo and her other items collected by a moving truck, she arrives at her new farmhouse bought sight unseen from the internet listing.

When Ivy arrives at her new home her realtor, Ezra Wheeler, is waiting in her drive to open up the difficult lock. After a walk through and a promise to help remove all the left behind items, Ivy is left to settle in and clean out. Ivy is drawn to some of the items left behind, especially a beautifully crafted red velvet Santa suit. And that Santa suit is the start of a magical convergence of events that may mend a lonely old man’s heart.

Like a modern day fairy tale, the endearing characters of this story bring hope and happiness to the holiday season. Ms. Andrews has once again woven an intricate plot that winds around to come full circle and solve a mystery or two along the way. I very much enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly recommend it!!

This is a cute short story about a young woman starting over after a rough divorce. Throw in a cute handyman, an old fixer upper farmhouse, a cute dog, some cold weather and some locals looking for love and you’ve got a perfect holiday story. Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.

I'm a big fan of Mary Kay Andrews but I just found this story to be okay. It's a sweet story but I don't feel like the characters are developed enough for me. It did read very quickly. I read it in 2 hours. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #SantaSuit

The Santa Suit is a wonderful short story that tells the tale of Ivy, a recent divorcee that moves from her home in Atlanta to a sight unseen farmhouse in the Carolinas. While the farmhouse is in need of many repairs, Ivy quickly makes a home in it, and in the community that she has chosen to live. She finds a Santa suit, with a note in the pocket. Quickly that note becomes a catalyst for her to help bring the Christmas Spirit to those who need it in her new town.

This story is magical and definitely put me in the Christmas spirit. It was cheery and uncomplicated, and the perfect story to put you in the mood for cozy winters and beautiful snow storms. Although it is only September, this put me in the mood for the snow and ice that was experienced in the book, as well as the cozy fires and snuggling with someone you love. This book had all the feels, and I thought it did just what it intended to do-- get you ready for Christmas.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy is looking to start over after her divorce and buys an old farmhouse sight unseen. I loved how she starts to join in with all the towns people and try to find the author of a Dear Santa letter she found in the pocket of a Santa suit left in the closet by the previous owners. I wish the book was longer, I'd love to know what happens after the epilogue, maybe there will be a sequel??

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to St Martins Press for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This novella was my first book by Mary Kay Andrews and I liked it a lot! It's cute, uplifting and perfect for a Hallmark movie! I probably would have loved it even more if I read it closer to Christmas with snow falling :)

The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews is a 2021 St. Martin’s Press publication.

An endearing Christmas yarn…

Ivy Perkins, on the heels of a very painful divorce, buys an old farmhouse without ever having seen it in person. When Ezra, her real estate agent, hands her the keys to the house, she’s shocked to discover the house is furnished, and in need of big-time repairs.

While going through some of the things left in the house, Ivy finds an old Santa suit, with a poignant note inside one of the pockets. She’s so touched by it, she goes in search of the letter writer.

Meanwhile, Ivy makes new friends, while she and Ezra ponders the growing attraction between them…

The past few years, I have not had much luck with holiday fare. It was either too saccharine or too hollow. Authors' couldn’t seem to strike the right balance for me.

Maybe Mary Kay Andrews heard my pleas because this book has a healthy amount of holiday spirit without overdoing it.

Novella length tales often suffer from a lack of character development and the romantic elements usually feel rushed or forced. The character development is not really the point of this tale, but yes, the romance was hurried- but not necessarily forced. I did feel some chemistry there. I just wish there had been time for more of a build-up.

That said, the Santa suit thread was golden! I loved the way Andrews brought everything together. It was just the right amount of holiday magic, just the right amount of heartwarming, and just the right amount of whimsy and charm.

Ivy rose to the occasion more than once, and it is obvious she’s found her tribe. She regained all the things she thought she had lost, and then some!

Overall, my first holiday read of 2021 is a winner!!

4 stars

THE SANTA SUIT By Mary Kay Andrews
Romance fiction
224 pages

In the queen of southern fictions newest book it is Christmas time in North Carolina and Ivy Perkins has just moved to town in an old farmhouse. Ivy is a city girl from Atlanta but after a terrible divorce she wants a change and the pictures of The Four Rose farmhouse calls to her. When she arrives it's problem after problem that her real estate agent and a new friend her solve. Ivy seems to be getting the hang of country living when she finds a Santa suit with an old Santa letter in the pocket. That suit and letter will change lives in the little town including Ivy's.

I am a huge fan of Ms Andrews but this reader will tell you I've never really read a holiday book until I saw it was written by one of my favorite authors and fellow readers I loved this story!!!!!!!! I read it in one sitting and it had the charm and classic style of Mary Kay Andrews that we all love. This is an adorable,loving story that will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit and have you counting down the days until you can put up your tree. I highly recommend this book.

This book was absolutely delightful! I loved it so much that I couldn’t put it down! I read it in less than 24 hours. I cannot wait to read more books by this author! It felt as if I was watching a romantic Christmas movie.

Divorced and bitter, Ivy Perkins decides on a fresh start and buys a hundred-year-old farmhouse sight unseen far away from her ex’s influence. The Four Roses farmhouse isn’t in the best of shape, but something about the graceful old home touches Ivy’s heart and makes her grateful she moved. That is as long as she can get the water heater and furnace to work, drafty windows repaired, and a coop made for her baby chicks. Though her handsome real estate agent is offering a hand, and seems to know what he’s doing, so…

While cleaning the house of the previous owners’ possessions, Ivy comes across an old Santa suit with a child’s note in the pocket. Touched by the little girl’s wish, and wanting to find out what happened, Ivy begins a search in the nearby town, making new friends along the way.

A community who welcomes her, a budding romance promising new beginnings, and a decades old mystery solved makes this a beautifully written, feel-good story, perfect for the holiday season.

I always love Mary Kay Andrews' novels. The Santa Suit was a romantic novella with a bit of mystery involved. Holiday books put a smile on my face anytime of year.

Its’s December and Ivy has moved to the Four Roses, a farm house in the country near a small town. She’s brought a few chickens, a dog, and a carful or memories. She’s left a cheating ex and her business. The house needs work, her furniture is lost, and she’s not in the Christmas mood. But she’s made a friend, her realtor is a helpful hunk, and there’s a mysterious Santa suit in the closet. This is a wonderful Christmas story with some surprises along the way. I loved it!

When recently divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farm in North Carolina-sight unseen, she faces many obstacles. There is no heat or hot water, the movers have an accident, and all her furnishings are wrecked. Luckily, her realtor, the handsome Ezra, seems to show up at the right time to help her get her new life started. There are unsolved mysteries in this town, but a note in one old Santa suit, found in her attic, seems to eventually solve them all. The reader will fall in love with this town, the people, Ivy’s sweet dog, and the homemade candy. This needs to be a Hallmark movie! I’m ready for the holidays now.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Marten’s Press, and Mary Kay Andrews for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a sweet and fun holiday novella! I really enjoyed the clever plot tied into the friendships and cute romance. I always enjoy Mary Kay Andrews' book and this was definitely no exception.

Ivy Perkins moves to rural North Carolina hoping for a fresh start. She's nursing a broken heart after finding out her ex-husband had been cheating on her during their marriage. She has purchased a farm house and believes it is just what she needs to find herself and start anew. However, when she arrives at her new home, it isn't exactly like she pictured it. There are repairs that are needed and it generally isn't what she expected. Of course, sometimes you get what "you need" instead of what you want. Ivy will find out over time that is exactly what has happened here. Not only are the home and town what she needs at this point in her life. So are the people that she befriends.

This story might be a quick read but it packs a punch. It's full of emotion, heart and feeling. I really enjoyed how it ties the past to the present. Such a lovely holiday read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

It's that time of year again, when the Christmas romances are coming out and The Santa suit by Mary Kay Andrews was a great one! When a woman moves into an old farmhouse that she bought sight-unseen, the real estate agent turns out to be as helpful fixing things as he is hunky.

Not only is there the romance and the woman coming into her own in this book, but there is the sweetest mystery when Ivy finds a note in the pocket of the Santa suit worn by the previous owner from a little girl who only wants her daddy to return from the war. Ivy's curiosity about the note leads her to discover new friends and leads her to help those around her who need it.

This was such a feel good book! I totally loved it!

I was gifted a copy of this book via St. Martin's Press and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

What a great holiday story! Weaving the characters relationships around an old Santa suit was such a clever way to tie the story together. The characters were all delightful and the relationships evolved very naturally over time. I truly enjoyed this story and felt like I got to know the characters in the same way I would had I personally met them. Definitely recommend as an easy, enjoyable read.

The perfect Christmas story. A little mystery, a small town celebrating the way we all wish we could, 2 love stories and a dog - what else could you fit in this delightful quick read!

The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews is a wonderful story that will warm your heart! A magical story about new beginnings, taking chances, friendships, small town traditions and even adds a little mystery. The characters are very real and lovable. This sentimental story will bring back Christmas memories and all the magic that goes with it. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast and refreshing read. If I were you I would grab a cup of hot tea, a warm blanket and nestle in with this sweet, delightful story. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin Press and Mary Kay Andrews for bringing the magic back into this Holiday Season. I appreciate this advanced copy and this is my unbiased review.
#netgalley #thesantasuit #marykayandrews #stmartinpress #arc

I absolutely love that Mary Kay Andrews focused on a Christmas novella instead of a summer one! Ivy, a recently divorced woman buys a farm house to start life over. She doesn't realize until she gets there that it is more of a fix it up than she expected. But that doesn't stop Ivy from exploring the property and finding a Santa suit. It is in this suit that she discovers a surprise, one that she is determined to learn more about.

A cute, romantic, fun for Christmas novel.

🌨Lovely, warm & kind holiday reading🎄😊

I loved this shorter holiday novel about new beginnings in a small town. The characters are all people I'd love to see live down the street from me!

At the heart of Ivy's story is a mystery that she is compelled to solve regarding an old heartfelt letter by a young girl to Santa asking him to bring her soldier father home for Christmas. In following a string of clues, Ivy makes friends in a town she arrived in with no connections and she is instrumental in brightening their lives in unexpected ways. I particularly loved the friendship she struck up with a 96-year-old housebound widower named Lawrence and the joy she inadvertently conjures up for his Christmas.

Yes, there's some sweet romance but it doesn't dominate this story of Christmas cheer and friend helping friend. Ivy's arrival and settling in is hardly trouble-free, yet she keeps positive and endears herself to one and all. A truly lovely, feel-good story that I enjoyed beginning to end.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.