A sweet book about starting over, with a new home, friends and a new life. Throw in a little Christmas mystery and you have an enjoyable book.

3.5 stars

A quick, feel-good story from an always entertaining author. Newly divorced Ivy Perkins moves to a new community after impulsively buying an old farmhouse sight unseen. Then, in a made for TV movie scenario, Ivy proceeds to shake up her now town in a marvelous way.

She manages to save a failing business, befriend a lonely old man, reunite a family and find happiness in just a few weeks. Sentimental and upbeat. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you are looking for something to put you in the spirit of Christmas, this is the story for you! Small town setting with very clean, closed-door romance.
Ivy Perkins, a newly divorced gal from Atlanta moves to a small town in the middle of nowhere North Carolina and buys an old farm house (Four Roses Farm) which used to be owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rose who played Santa and Mrs. Claus for many years at all the town’s holiday events. Ivy, her dog Pumpkin, and some chickens are all that ends up arriving in one piece. Her furniture is a whole other story. The Roses left everything behind, as their son James didn’t want anything, leaving Ivy with a treasure trove of holiday items and Christmas decor, including a beautiful, well-made Santa suit, worn and well-preserved by Santa Bob Rose for many years. Ivy happens upon an old note in the hidden pocket of the suit from a child named Carlotta asking Santa to bring her daddy home from war. Ivy is touched by the note, especially when she thinks of the feelings of loss when her own mother passed away when Ivy was very young. Upon arrival at Four Roses, Ivy meets the real estate broker, Ezra, who is not an old man she assumed from his name. He’s actually a single, charming, and very good looking man who ends up helping her with so many things on account of her furniture not arriving as planned. With Ezra’s help, she begins to make the best of things at the old, rambling farm house and she and her Irish Setter dog, Pumpkin settle in. But she can’t shake the feeling that she really needs to find out if the little girl named Carlotta ever got her Christmas wish from Santa. Did her Daddy ever come back from the war? As Ivy asks questions around town, she develops some unexpected, and much needed friendships with a lovestruck gal named Phoebe and a very old, lonely gentleman named Lawrence. Will Ivy be able to locate Carlotta and give Lawrence a Christmas miracle she so desperately hopes for?

I really enjoyed this book. It was just the dose of warm and cozy holiday feels I was looking for (even in September). The characters were fun and it was just the right amount of happy needed in a Christmas book. Reading is an escape for me and this one gave just the break I needed from some very heavy things in my life.

The Santa Suit is a great holiday read. Just enough drama with a good dose of loving people. At first I thought this woman was crazy- buying a farm house without ever seeing it in person? Ivy is a strong willed woman. I love how she quickly made friends and became part of the community. Having Ezra to back her up was icing on the cake. Phoebe and Cody need their own book. Lots of warm fuzzies from this book!

This was exactly the palate cleanser I needed after a gritty dark thriller. If you love Hallmark movies, you are going to love this heartwarming Holiday novella.

Recent divorcee Ivy decides to follow her dream of owning a “farm” by buying a house in North Carolina that she’s only seen in pictures. Taking a leap of faith, she is looking for a new start and a new outlook. She of course learns once she arrives, that the beautiful house has been in a state of disrepair since the owners passed away. She is constantly adding items to her punch, and wonders if she might be in over her head. She learns that the owners were crazy about Christmas and served as Ms. and Santa Clause for the town for years.

Once Ivy finds a child’s wish in the pocket of the Santa Suit found in one of the closets, she sets out to find out if the wish ever came true. A wish for a military father serving in Vietnam to come home. During the process, she meets wonderful neighbors and realizes that although she is no longer married, she is not alone. Just like you would hope, the townspeople are supportive and want to help. She has to decide if she will follow in the Christmas traditions that were part of the previous homeowner’s yearly traditions. And she also has to decide if she is ready to open her heart to a relationship once again.

Such a heartwarming, quick read that reminds you of the good in people. Don’t go into this one expecting a literary tour de force- instead just let yourself enjoy a lighthearted and joyous story that highlights the love that shines extra bright during the holiday season. A solid 4 stars Mary Kay Andrews read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy. Pub date: 8.2020.

Super sweet, light, very quick Christmas read.

Ivy moves to a bed town after her divorce, she wants to make a big change. She buys the house without seeing it in person, she just had a feeling that she’s supposed to be there.

When she shows up, the real estate agent Ezra meets her in person to welcome her. Ezra is around her age, single and very quick to offer his help around the house.

Ivy is shocked to realize that the previous owners’ belongings are still in the house. She’s trying to box everything up before her belongings get delivered. She finds an old Santa Suit, it’s a classic. The former owners were beloved by the town for dressing up as Santa and Mrs Claus for years.
Ivy finds a note in the pocket from a girl named Carlette to Santa. She’s asking for him to bring her father home from the war.

Ivy becomes almost obsessed with this note and tracking down Carlette to find out what happened.

Along her path, she meets a nice older gentleman who is Carlette’s grandfather, a quirky new friend around her age, and a woman trying to keep her candy store afloat.

Suddenly, Ivy seems to be helping everyone in town. It’s like there was a spot always waiting to be filled by Ivy.

You could easily read this book on a lazy day or over a weekend. It’ll warm you’d heart.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!

Great story even if you guess the outcome. Quick read but I did enjoy the time reading. I felt sorry for all the thing that went wrong but new friends rally to help and it’s a magical outcome.

It may seem early, but The Santa Suit, a heart-warming Christmas novel, comes out September 28. It can be pre-ordered now. (Remember: buying a new book through pre-order or the first week of publication is the most helpful to an author.) The Santa Suit would make a great gift - even for yourself! Too busy to read during the holidays? No problem. The Santa Suit is a light, easy read with a Hallmark movie feel (but less predictable). You might just find the holiday stress slipping away while you read.
After her divorce Ivy moves to a small town and into an old farm house she bought sight unseen. Ezra, her hunky realtor, helps her fix immediate problems in the house leading to sparks of romantic interest. Meanwhile, when clearing out items the previous owner left behind, Ivy finds an old Santa suit with a child's note in the pocket. Ivy wants to solve the mystery of who the girl was and if her Christmas wish was fulfilled. This curiosity connects her to the small town community and culture right at Christmas-time while she makes new friends and reconnects others who have lost touch.
I have to admit, when I got the advanced reader copy, I wasn't really in the mood to read a Christmas story in September, but I got sucked in right away. The Santa Suit feels Christmas-y without being cliché. Every time I read a Mary Kay Andrews book, I'm in awe at how it flows so naturally. (MKA's writing expertise makes it look easier than it is.) MKA's characters always feel real and relatable. She masterfully ties up loose ends I didn't even realize were loose, tying everything together like a pretty Christmas bow on a special package.
If you like Mary Kay Andrews, take a moment to read my review on The Newcomer, the book she wrote before The Santa Suit.

Funny, sassy, and an all around good time! Mary Kay Andrews never fails to deliver a wonderful book (plus Chirstmas=YAY).

One of the first Mary Kay Andrews books I read was one of her Christmas novellas, so they have a special place in my heart. Her witty dialogue and interesting storylines keep me interested in her books. The Santa Suit was no exception.

Ivy Perkins leaves Atlanta after her divorce to begin her new life in the fixer upper farmhouse of her dreams. In rural North Carolina, she finds a community that needs her help. From Phoebe, the young courthouse clerk, to Nancy, town confectioner, and Lawrence, an elderly gentleman with no family, Ivy begins relationships and a new career. Her real estate agent Ezra is at her beck and call, and is interested in more than just making sure Ivy gets settled.

Reading The Santa Suit was like watching a Hallmark movie, but had a twist that both surprised me and made me cry happy tears. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for making The Santa Suit available.

An absolutely delightful Christmas story that left me smiling from ear to ear. I would have loved to have traded places with Ivy, moving into an old farmhouse and inheriting all the old furniture and such, and of course, the Santa Suit!!! I thought the whole storyline lovely and filled my heart with warmth.

All Ivy wants is a fresh start and when she buys an old farmhouse, she gets more than she bargained for. She also has no intention of starting a romance with anyone but that was before she met Ezra:) I loved the humour in the story and it truly was enjoyable from start to finish.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Sigh. The Santa Suit was such a feel good, Christmasy book. I loved Ivy and all the new friends she made along the way. Punkin and the girls were a particular treat. Four paws up!!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A cute, light Christmas story. I could very easily see this being a Hallmark movie - big city girl moves to small town, finds love and Christmas magic. Short and sweet - perfect to get you in the mood for the holiday season.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews. I have enjoyed all of the MKA books I've read, but I LOVED this one. The Santa Suit should be a Hallmark Christmas movie. It's a novella, so a quick read. Ivy, reeling from a divorce, buys an old farmhouse without ever seeing it. She moves to a small town and learns that the couple that originally owned the class were known for dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus every year. She finds an old note, written by a little girl, that intrigues her. She wants to know what happened to the little girl who wrote the note, which leads her to meeting different members of the community. It was such a sweet story.

Have you ever read an author that can just bring the magic and story right to life for you as you are reading? It is a tough skill to master. I read her last publication earlier this year and Andrews was able to get me hooked with her visualization skills of the story.

The Santa Suit is a marvelous read that brings a delightful visual to life; Old Time Santa in a small town and all of the memories that invokes as we grow older. This story is fresh and dreamy with a delightful cast of characters and a surprise twist that caught me! Memories of Christmases past and experiences for the kids today.

What I did miss with this story is that it could have been a bit longer. I loved this one and the building connection between Ivy and Ezra. I wish that Andrews had expanded on their budding relationship. Overall, a feel good novella that will put you in the holiday spirit!

Ivy Perkins is a recently divorced woman who is looking for a new place to restart her life. When she sees a real estate listing for a farmhouse in a small out-of-state community, she buys the house site unseen. She falls in love with her new home although she finds it in need of a little bit more care than what she had originally imagined.

The home has remained empty for many years, and the previous owner’s belongings were left behind. Ivy discovers a big box in a closet containing a beautiful Santa suit. In the pocket, she finds a note from a little girl written decades ago wishing for Santa to bring her Dad back from the war. Struck with the need to find out what happened to the little girl and her father, Ivy sets out to try and uncover this mystery.

The Santa Suit is a lovely story. The characters are thoughtfully written and very likeable. The supporting characters all have their own well-described storylines keeping the reader the reader engaged throughout. I felt invested in not only how Ivy works her way through unravelling this mystery, but also in how she settles into this new community.

One of my favourite parts of the book is the descriptions of the farmhouse and this small town at Christmas. Despite the fact I read this book in August, I felt myself easily sliding into that cozy Christmas feel. The book is full of new friendships, romance and Christmas magic but it’s the theme of goodwill to others that won me over.

What I Liked About The Santa Suit:

- The cozy Christmas storyline set with a touch of mystery
- The theme of goodwill to others
- The natural flow of the story

Gah! This one is pure sweetness, all those delicious good feels and an overflowing heart, plus Christmas! It’s been quite some time since I’ve read something from this incredibly talented penner of prose, and I can see I’ve been missing out on some amazing romance.

The premise here is enchanting and engaging. Ivy Perkins and her dog, Punkin, move from the big city to a small town in the North Carolina mountains. The life she built has ended in divorce and leaving the company she and her ex-husband built. She purchases Four Roses Farm, sight unseen, to begin her next chapter. When she arrives at the farm, she realizes the online listing pictures didn’t quite tell the whole story.

The previous owners' belongings still occupy the house, and it looks like there are a lot of repairs needed. Still, Ivy rolls up her sleeves and, with the help of her realtor/handyman, Ezra Wheeler, she gets busy on making the house a home. Ivy is content to keep to herself and ignore the upcoming Christmas season. But all that changes when she finds a beautiful, lovingly made Santa suit with a note from a child still in the pocket.

Finding the note sets off a chain of serendipitous events that change Ivy and set her on a path she never could have anticipated. Investigating the origins of the note results in Ivy making new friends, finding her creative muse, taking another chance on love, and being embraced by her new community. There are so many sweet, wonderful things that happen as Ivy settles into her new life, some of them poignant and truly miraculous, and I devoured this in one sitting while hanging on every word.

Get this one now and read it now. It will remind you of the decency of humanity, the kindness of strangers, the heart of a tight-knit community and the magic of Christmas. And then, when the busyness of Christmas starts to overwhelm, carve out some peace and quiet for yourself and read this one again to remind you why we do all that we do during this wonderful time of year. It will warm your heart, reaffirm the goodness in human kind, and have you believing in the magic of Christmas all over again.

A Christmas romance set in a small town in North Carolina. Ivy, a recent divorcee wants to start a new life and comes across this old farmhouse that she purchases over the phone. When she arrives at the farmhouse, she finally gets to meet her realtor (Ezra) face to face, who turns out to be very handsome and a great help in assisting Ivy to get settled in. Although, the romance was insta-lovey, it was very enjoyable. I enjoyed the cast of characters, which made this a quick read for me. Thank you NetGalley, Author and Publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas. Snow. Romance. Farm house. This book had all my favorite things in one- what a cute and fun read!