What a lovely light hearted, festive read this is!
Easy to follow, lovely characters, heart warming moments, and a story the gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and I’m finding I really enjoy how she writes and I look forward to reading more of her books

If you’re looking for a sweet romance to warm you up this Christmas, with plenty of squeal moments, Santa Maybe really delivers.

Elodie Martin isn’t the biggest fan of Christmas, surprising as her toy shop is famous for it’s Santa’s Grotto, and specifically for having the “real deal”, her grandfather Jim, who has entertained the local town’s children for decades. It’s the one time of the year she can compete against her nemesis Callum Ashley and his department store. But with his ill health, Jim retires, realising it’s time to ‘pass the torch’ to a new Santa. Enter Nick Yes-That’s-His-Real-Name Winter, young, scrawny, and definitely doesn’t scream “Santa”. But when Elodie and Callum make a bet over which grotto will be more successful, it’s up to Nick to embody the spirit of Santa and save the toy shop.

I loved this. It’s a love triangle, but one that’s handled well, if not brilliantly. To be honest, it was clear all too early which of the men Elodie would end up with, and why. But the journey there was entertaining. Elodie struggles to connect with people, often pushing them away, and she had some truly wonderful emotional beats through this, as she gradually realises that yes, she does deserve happiness, too. It was also a very realistic and emotional reason for her disliking the holiday season, and made her all the more endearing.

Nick is sweet and kind, able to draw Elodie out and help her embrace the season more than others have been able to. It’s a nice pairing, with the grumpy/sunshine trope, and I loved Nick’s character. He’s also bi; one of my favourite scenes was him and Elodie discussing Kurt Russell, a moment which had me grinning the whole time.

Any Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fans will know what I mean when I say Callum is very much Nathanial. He’s handsome and, thanks to his family’s fortune, rich. He’s never wanted for anything, and seeing something he desires, he gets it. Except for Elodie. But as the novel goes on it becomes clear he feels his life is empty, and missing meaningful connections. At times he’s endearing, but there are moments when he just comes across badly. Still, it was sweet seeing him make an effort, and grow throughout the course of the novel.

I definitely found myself cheering for Nick more than Callum, but Callum does have his moments, and overall the book does a great job with all the characters and their arcs throughout. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to reading more from the author.

Thank you to Aria for providing me a copy of this book via NetGalley. Views remain my own.

Sorry not for me. I didn't get into it at all and therefore didn't finish it to be able to review properly

This might win the prize for most frustrating, unsatisfactory Christmas romance. Honestly...

Elodie runs a tiny independent toy store, massively popular in the run-up to Christmas because of their Santa, played by Elodie's grandfather. Callum owns the local department story and is determined to finally have the best Santa in town, especially since Elodie's grandfather has to give up playing Santa because of his health. Elodie thankfully finds out-of-work actor Nick to take over Santa duties. One not-so-friendly bet between her and Callum later, the war of the toy stores keeps ramping up. But those pesky loving feelings have a way of complicating things.

I was expecting this story to be fully set during the festive season, but it spans pretty much an entire year. Elodie starts dating Callum, but she doesn't know he essentially tricked her into a relationship with him. And then there's Nick, who was getting ready to confess his love for Elodie, but backed down when he found out she was dating Callum. While I don't mind a love triangle, this one was just not believable. Nick and Elodie made a lot of sense as friends, but I just couldn't see the spark between them. Callum and Elodie had some sparks, but they were mostly present when they were still trying to one-up each other in their Santa war. Add to that Callum's determination to "win" Elodie for himself, making it seem like he sees her more like a conquest than a romantic partner, and that was enough for me to completely check out from the romances. I hung in there until the end because I was honestly just waiting for Callum to get his comeuppance, and I was left hanging.

Thanks for this copy in exchange for an honest review 🙂.

I enjoyed the writing and that the book had Christmas spirit in it so over all it was a good book. Only negative with this one was that I could not relate to the characters especially not Eloide but despite that I give it a 3,5 stars.

If you want to read a book this time of the year with a bit of x-mas and romance I think that you might could enjoy this one.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of Santa Maybe in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a refreshing plot for a Christmas book, and I liked how it spanned over 12 months rather than cramming it all into a short festive window., however I did find it really hard to gel with the main love interest.. either of them actually. Whilst I'm not a huge fan of the love-triangle trope, it was easy enough to continue reading with this one.. however I didn't have strong feelings for the main characters, and I felt it was really hard to enjoy the MF character as it was focused too much on her negative traits so the softer side didn't hit where it was attempted to.

Over all though, it was a cheery christmas read, a refreshing plot. Thank you

3.5 Stars

I loved the writing of this book. Although the characters read very childish as someone who hasn't dated a lot I actually felt I could relate to Elodie because I too struggle to pick up on social cues. I really loved pops, Elodie, Nick and Callum as characters but they all did annoy me at parts. Elodie with her indeciciveness. Callum will his quest to win Elodie like she is a piece of meat to be won. Nick and his whinging (like dude just work up the courage and ask the girl out). Pops advise was confusing at times as it was like he was on both nick and Callum's side. There's a lot of humour and friendship in this book which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I wish this hadn't been a two person love interest book as I felt that is what made me disengage towards the end and also is a result of Elodie's indecisiveness. I love a friends to lovers trope and enemies to lovers trope but this book tried to do both and that didn't work for me because in the beginning I was rooting for one of them, and then middle and end I was rooting for the other.

My biggest issues are that one this book isn't set fully during Christmas (first 20% and last 10% are) which I was expecting. I expected a toy store owner war throughout the whole book between Callum and Elodie and we didn't get that. The second issue I had with the book and the reason I knocked it off a star is we get to see one romance story progress for a good chunk of the book and then she does not end up with him at the end of the book. You cannot give the reader a couple for 50% of the book and then change your mind in the last 20% to the other. I didn't even like who Elodie ended up because they had no romantic chemistry and the epilogue was disappointing. Her indecisiveness really killed the book in the last 20% of the book.

Ultimately, the ending left me unsatisfied. It definitely pulls at the heartstrings and I genuinely laughed out loud so many times because it is funny and cute for Christmas. The Santa moments with the children were some of my favourite scenes, and I would have loved to see more of those especially as the book is about Santa.

Tbh to make me love the book I would have preferred this to be an enemies to lovers with santa helping to bring them together.

Oh Mary Jayne Baker you made me almost cry in public while reading this, fear for what the ending might look like while ultimately leaving me feeling very happy and satisfied.

I really took these characters to my heart and I loved Nicks Santa lessons. Turns out to be a legendary Santa you need more than a costume and a good Ho! Ho! Ho!

Just how wonderfully festive was this book, complete with its own grinch to festive fan transformation.

I just loved every second of this wonderful story that has far more depth to it than you may expect.

Really is a Christmas story to cherish, and shows me once again how great this author is at writing a Christmas rom com. Just fantastic. More please!!!

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

SANTA MAYBE has all the ingredients for a festive, fun holiday read. Elodie and her “grinch” attitude toward Christmas made for funny banter. Nick and his love for Christmas was endearing and provided a great contrast to Elodie. The competition with Callum and the drama there. This had everything you could ask for in a seasonal read, and I will definitely recommend.
Mary Jayne Baker is becoming an auto-read author for me. Her stories and characters are so enjoyable.
Thank you Head of Zeus, Aria, for the digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of friends to lovers stories, and this is a lovely example of it. I'm not entirely sure whether the chemistry between Elodie and either of the men in her life was on fire, but it's a beautiful Christmastime read. It's perfect for a winter night on the couch with a blanket and a hot cup of tea.

If you are looking for a fun and entertaining read this Christmas, there are few more festive books than this one. Santa Claus or Father Christmas (and therein lies the specialist subject of one of the Santas in question) is there from start to finish. As Elodie gets her wonderful toy shop ready for the festive season, you can feel the excitement of the season growing. There is plenty of humour in the story, with some lovely cameos by excited children who all have their own ideas on the Santa in question,

At the heart of the story there is plenty of romance and something of a love triangle. Elodie is quite entertaining in her own right as she is scathing about many of the stereotypes she sees around her and has zero admiration for the rich playboy lifestyle of Callum. There is plenty of family feeling and some poignant moments when you consider events that have happened in the past. I was always rooting for one particular character to get his heart's desire- but enough said! This is a fun festive read.

In short: a Christmas romcom full of sparkle 
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

"Christmas. Oh God, how Elodie hated Christmas. She never had as many migraines as she did during the so-called Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Elodie Martin is getting ready for the festive season - but she's not happy about it.

Between having to worry about her family toy store not stocking the must-buy toy of the season and trying to find a new Santa after her beloved Pops had a stroke, it's all work and no fun. Their Santa has been their saving grace every year, and they'll need a Christmas Miracle to pull this off.

So when Nick Winter, the living embodiment of Christmas Spirit auditions to be their new Santa she can't stand it. But she's going to need him if she has a chance of beating Callum Ashley and his ridiculous eight-story department store this year, especially now they've made a bet that could either make or break Martins for good.

And as for Elodie - she's going to have to really tap into the festive feeling if she wants this to work - but her heart would need to grow about three sizes for that to happen, and who could possible ever achieve that?

Santa Maybe is a story that could've been taken from straight from a Christmas Card but with a modern contemporary flair and a lot of humour to make an indulgently fun festive read.

It was bursting with that feelgood glow - familiar and warm, full of your favourite romance tropes in Bakers own style making it such an easy read with a whole lot of heart. It's got that tried-and-true formula for cosy reading with a cheeky edge that could only come from Mary Jayne Baker.

The story moved slowly and naturally, with a few unexpected twists and turns, changes of heart and silly moments that left either giggling or gasping. The characters here were the real heart and soul of the book - they were so uniquely loveable and real and the story grew as they all did.

Love triangles, Christmas Grottos, Fake Beards and Very Bad Choices - there's a lot to love about Santa Maybe.

3.75 ⭐ A cute and cozy Christmas Rom-Com that is the perfect read for the festive season!

Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE Christmas, but I always struggle with the danger of 'peaking to soon' and feeling so Christmassy in October and November that by the time Christmas actually comes around I'm a little bit meh, but I feel like Santa Maybe was a great warm up to dip my toes into the festive season, especially because the book starts just before Christmas and doesn't end until the following Christmas, so it isn't ALL Christmastime (although most of it is, which makes sense- it is about the owner of a toyshop and her Santa Clause after all!)

Santa Maybe could very easily be one of Netflix's Christmas film releases- it was so easy to visualise the events playing out and it had everything you would expect from a cheesy Christmas Rom Com:

🎅A Grumpy MC, Elodie, who's job is Christmas focused... but she hates Christmas
🎅TWO Love Interests - Callum Ashley, Elodie's long standing 'enemy' who is also extremely rich and her business competitor/rival and Nick Winter, Elodie's new Santa who quickly becomes her best friend and begins to show Elodie how to love Christmas like he does.
🎅Exploration of love, loss and family
🎅A happy ending (of course!!)

One thing I found with this book was that I honestly didn't know which love interest I wanted to root for, it was really difficult because I liked them both but I think ultimately, Elodie ended up with the right man ❤ Santa Maybe was a lot of fun, and felt like it was quite unique which was nice as it felt fresh to read instead of reading basically the same book again. It was also a quick and easy read without feeling to rushed and something that stood out to me was that this book didn't shy away from financial hardship, carer responsibilities, illness or the the loss of loved ones.

This was such a cute Christmas romance book. The banter between Elodie and Nick so funny and made me love them even more

Oh my heart!!! Mary Jayne Baker has straightened her crown and taken her seat back on the throne, fully deserving of a QUEEN title.

Santa Maybe is just fabulous, it will have you ready to embrace the Christmas songs, lights and season of cheer. Yes, I’m aware it’s October but I’m so ready after this gem. I’ve adored being transported to the toy shop.

Tis the season to be jolly, Elodie definitely isn’t initially. However as a character, I’ve loved her. She’s been relatable and someone you can’t help but want the best for as you read this.

Additionally, Nick is a sweetheart. A lovely guy guaranteed to make any heart thaw a little. Also, realistic and with his own personal issues. As a reader, you can’t help but love him.

This is a book that will take your emotions on a journey. There are laugh out loud moments, frustrating moments and times you can’t help but have tears in your eyes. I love this about MJB- she has a real talent of making her readers feel.

I have literally been transported by this book. This is one of those books that pulls you in and is just impossible to put down. I have read all of this author’s books and this is definitely up with the favourites.

There is literally nothing to dislike with this book. MJB has written another gem. I adore the characters, the plot and everything about this book.

I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone. It’s a must read!!

Elodie runs a toy shop.and in the run up to Christmas needs a new santa. She ends up with Nick - will they become more than friends or will she end up with her former nemesis instead?

Owner of local toy store, Elodie, is facing a small crisis when her Grandfather is no longer able to play the role of the store Santa. This is their main annual event which sees them go up against a big rival toy store, run by Elodie's old classmate, Callum.
Elodie tries to hire a suitable replacement so that she can take part in a wager against her nemesis to see whose store has the most success over the festive period. Meanwhile, she starts to develop feelings for the new Santa, but things are set to get more complicated as Callum has vowed to make her his.
This book was an absolute joy to read-it was gorgeously festive and I was so invested in the characters, even the ones I didn't want to like.

A cute festive story, but there were too many storylines/tropes/themes. Less would have been more in this case. Loved the Santa storyline with Pops en Nick, but the love triangle not so much. Especially because both men did not feel like "the one" for Elodie. More friends than lovers.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A love triangle, secret crushes, snark and bite, Santa Maybe by Mary Jayne Baker has it all.

Elodie Martin owns a toy shop, and she’s not the greatest fan of Christmas, but the season is important for business, especially against he old schoolmate rival Callum’s family department store. They might be the retail Goliath, but Martin’s have the best Santa experience. The problem is elodie’s very popular Santa grandfather is too unwell to play Santa. In walks in skinny, Christmas loving sunshine Nick Winter who is determined to make Elodie love Christmas.

I just love Mary Jayne Baker and her ability to create such unique characters and Santa Maybe was another smash. This book is funny and clever, with a resolution to a potential love triangle that was done in a careful and believable manner. I immediately pre-ordered my copy after reading this ARC. Add this to your Christmas reads.

This book was pure escapism, I fell in love instantly with it's heartfelt narrative. The characters in this book are so relatable, partly because at the start they are complete opposites but their connection is so obvious. I wanted them to see how much they were made for each other.
This book is brimming with Christmas spirit, and the narrative is a hug in a book.
I won't say too much because I don't want to spoil it for you. This was my second Mary Jane Baker but it won't be my last.