Santa Maybe is a super cute and comforting Christmas romance! Such an easy read, with lovable characters and it left me with a massive smile on my face!

It follows the lives of Elodie (owner of Martin’s Toyshop), Nick (Martin’s new Santa) and Callum (owner of rival Toyshop, Ashley’s)

What I Loved:
✨Toyshop setting
✨Santaing
✨The love Nick has for Christmas
✨Witty banter
✨Happy ending!

My only slight downfall is I felt the beginning was drawn out a little, but I do get that it was needed to set the scene for the new business venture.

Overall, if you like an easy to read, heartwarming romance then I’d give this a read!

This was really a cute read and I fell for the beautiful cover. I really enjoyed to follow Elodie's toy business and preparation for the Santa grotto, the biggest sell for them every year. I also really liked the rivals between her and Callum's store. It was such a fun read to follow.

The book is also a love triangle between Elodie, Callum and Nick. Unfortunately, Elodie's attraction to both the men didn't convince me at all. It felt more at a friendship level with both.

I also lost the interest of the book after 60% where it didn't happen much at all. It kind of lost the festive feeling, the christmas feeling I so wanted to feel when I read this book. But overall a cute read.

🐚 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 🐚

4.5 ⭐

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: friends to lovers, slow burn, Christmas, legacy, unrequited love, he falls first, reverse grumpy x sunshine

I have so many feelings about this book, but I will try to keep it as short as possible so as not to give any spoilers.

I really liked the first part of the book, when we see the grotto war that takes place between Elodie and Callum. They were at war since they were little, but now they were fighting to see who makes the best profit. But then Nick appears in the landscape, replacing Elodie's grandfather as Santa. He is very sweet, young, intelligent, and I enjoyed how he convinced Elodie to like Christmas.

The second part teased me a lot. I wanted something but then something happened. We also see how Elodie gets out of her comfort zone and how Nick gets stronger and stronger feelings, but now Callum appears much more often and made the slow burn in the book very strong.

I really liked the fact that Elodie opens a new business to help Nick have more money, but also her grotto to have more profit. We don't see that often enough in books.

When I say that this book has the biggest slow burn, that's right, you only get what you want at the end of the book.

I loved her, but Mary Jayne Baker doesn't tease me that much anymore, I don't think I can take that anymore.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Head of Zeus and Mary Jayne Baker for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

Toy store owner Elodie Martin is really not that into Christmas, but it is the only time of year that Martin's Toy Kingdom can compete with the local department store run by her nemesis Callum Ashley, and she relies on the profit she makes to get through the lean times.

Sadly, this year, things are not looking at all rosy for the festive season, and Elodie is worried. Her beloved grandad Jim, the big draw of Martin's Christmas grotto as the best Santa Claus for miles around, is unexpectedly retiring, and Elodie needs a replacement fast. Elodie's advert for a jolly, mature Santa lookalike draws in only one candidate - out of work actor Nick Winter, who really does not look the part. Will Nick be able to top the serious Santa Claus competition fielded by the infuriatingly handsome Callum in his flashy department store grotto? Elodie has little choice by to give him a chance - at least he seems to have a lot of Christmas spirit!

This Christmas is going to be more of a challenge than normal, but it might just give Elodie the chance to find her soulmate under the mistletoe. Who will turn out to be the man on her wish list?

Santa Maybe is a gorgeous story that takes all the ingredients of a perfect romantic comedy, and adds that extra sprinkle of Christmas magic to the mix. At its heart, it is the story of a love-triangle, but in Mary Jayne Baker's hands it becomes something very special. Baker does a really clever job of hiding exactly where Elodie's destiny lies by playing with the theme of second chances, and I was not sure where this story was going to take me until the lovely heart-melting end which was everything I wanted. At first sight, Elodie, Nick and Callum are different as they could possible be, but as the story unfolds all the poignant little secrets that have kept each of them at arm's length from love are gradually revealed, and they all learn to let down their barriers. Unlike in many rom-coms it is not quite so easy to see who is most deserving of Elodie's affection, which was a delight. Well played, Mary Jayne Baker!

Beyond our starring central three, there is a lovely cast of supporting actors in this story, especially Elodie's grandfather, and Baker uses them all to hit you right in the emotional sweet spot, with themes of family, loss and love. There is so much here to laugh out loud about, but Baker also knows how to reduce you to a weeping mess - and I loved every extra sparkly magical festive moment.

I am now in the mood for a marathon Christmas movie binge, which will, of course, include Elf - and very possibly Christmas Bingo!

Ahhh this was the perfect book to start off my Christmas reading! I loved the banter, the characters and the premise was just amazing. ⁣
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Now, I'm not normally one to pick up a romance containing a love triangle but I'm really glad I did. The love triangle in Santa Maybe was done really well and I actually enjoyed it. ⁣
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I've always been a fan of Mary Jayne Baker's writing and I love all the Christmas vibes this one gave me. Santa Maybe is the perfect, feel-good, cozy book you need to read this Christmas! ⁣

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a rather refreshing Christmas read in the fact that it doesn’t take place just in December. The ‘Big Man’ features throughout the story and I enjoyed how Baker steps away from the chaotic festivities that are common in similar books of this genre.

That being said, I did think the first half of the novel was the most enjoyable, where we see grotto wars take place between Elodie and Callum. These two have been warring since they were children and now, as adults, they are fighting for the Christmas grotto domination. Whilst Callum has inherited a very successful department store and has all the wealth he can dream of, Elodie’s independent toy shop struggles. It is a story we see so often in the high streets, which is why I wanted Elodie to succeed in everything she did. For the family business, Martin’s toy shop is renowned for its Santa’s grotto and it’s where Elodie can count on the store making money. However, needing to replace her grandfather brings headaches of its own, especially when her newest recruit seems to be the opposite of a traditional Father Christmas…

Although Nick Winter has all the festive facts anyone could ever need, Elodie takes a dislike to him. He is young, slender and well, not like her grandfather! I liked watching Nick convince Elodie that Christmas can be a time for happiness and as he grows into his role in Elodie’s Christmas grotto, I enjoyed seeing the atmosphere lift. Nick puts his heart and soul into his job and Baker adds in the theme of poverty and being a carer with Nick’s character.

This book isn’t just the love and laughter that is usually associated with Christmas, but loss and life. The realities of poverty are portrayed by Nick and how he has to work two jobs to try and keep afloat with the bills. Its a stark contrast with Callum, and when a relationship develops between the childhood enemies, you can see why Nick feels he has nothing new to offer.

The second half of the novel shows Elodie stepping out of her comfort zone and growing as a character. She is completely different to when readers first meet her and I was interested to see her business plan succeed. However, I think it would have been better if more attention was placed on this, especially as this book is a Christmas read. More grotto stories would have added the festive magic of this plot.

I could not foresee how Elodie would find her happy ever after and this intrigue kept me reading until the very end. I definitely thought the first half of the novel was stronger, particularly reading the banter between Elodie, Callum and Nick. On the other hand, the second half of the story shows the characters developing in a new way, giving the plot a different direction.

This was an enjoyable story and provoked many festive memories for myself. I particularly loved how Baker was able to bring in Bluey – it seems to be a cartoon I cannot escape from! It’s a lovely story to read that has more than just Christmas to it, with plenty of additional Santas as well.

With thanks to Aria Fiction and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I started this book full of optimism, it looked like it was going to be a good read, it really did loose its way and felt like a lot of "bits" of books trying to be one and it really went off the boil, a good concept but not very well executed, sorry not for me

Mary Jayne Baker does it again with a cute seasonal story. Girl hates Christmas and Boy 1 shows her how fun Christmas could be whilst Boy 2 is a very old frenemy, who suddenly decides that this girl is exactly what she needs. Which one will she choose?

Throw into the mix an aging Santa who needs to pass the mantle of his Santa suit on to a new Santa, and you have the makings of a very lovely, seasonal story.

What a fun book this was. The author really made me laugh out loud. I adored the story and the characters too

As romantic times of the year go, surely nothing surpasses Christmas as the go-to season for falling headlong, madly, irrevocably and without regret into the welcoming arms of Cupid?

Sure, you are supposed to do that on Valentine’s Day but it’s just one day, and there’s surely something rather more lovely about giving your heart to someone at the most wonderful time of the year.

It gives you way more time in which to check your heart, to work out who it is you love exactly and to make a firm decision on who shall have your heart going forward.

Unless, of course, you’re toy shop owner, Elodie Martin, protagonist of Mary Jayne Baker’s Santa Maybe, who has taken over the reins of the family business from her ailing grandfather who raised her, and who has found herself unexpectedly wedged between the amorous attentions of new grotto Santa and would-be thespian, Nick Winter, and the owner of the rival to the Martin’s toy shop, rich, debonair Callum Ashley, who has known Elodie since childhood and who believes she is the one to make up for his emotionally bankrupt upbringing (so, no pressure then).

Elodie, scarred by the childhood death of her parents in a car accident, is, however, in full Grinch mode, ironically for someone running the centre of a child’s festive world, and can’t see any signs of nascent love from either guy – she sees Nick as simply a very good friend, mistaking his declaration of love for a particular male celebrity as a sign he’s gay, and Callum, well Callum, is someone with whom she has sparred since they were at school together, and how on earth could he be in love with her?

In the grand tradition of all fulsomely-realised comedies, he is not only in love with her but determined to make her his own, while Nick, caught in a cycle of supermarket check-out work and unfulfilling minor acting roles, if he can land them at all, realises, after he’s hired to be the Santa for that year’s Christmas at the toy store, that Elodie is not only his employer and bestie but also his soulmate.

Yes folks, Santa Maybe is a great big love triangle with tinsel and flashing tree lights decked all over it, a delightfully substantial novel which manages to be both whimsically alive with the festive zest of yuletide romance, and grounded with the sage understanding that love only works if we can move beyond the scars of our past.

While the novel, rich in captivating characters, a substantial narrative that doesn’t sacrifice meaningfulness for quirky romantic contrivance, and sparkling dialogue, is all about conjuring up a heady feeling of love in a time of Santa and carols and eggnog, a goal at which it succeeds beautifully, it also takes the time to explore why its three main characters, Elodie especially, are so damn bad at love.

Particularly when the world has been seasonally transformed into a setting so impossibly, breathtakingly romantic, that true love should be all but a fait accompli walk in the park?

But that’s where Santa Maybe elevates itself above many a Christmas rom-com.

It dares to weave together the fairytale dreaminess of love at Christmas with the sobering reality that life doesn’t suddenly turn magically good for people just because that’s what’s supposed to happen.

Elodie is trying to keep the shop afloat, made all the more difficult by the retirement of her grandfather as the shop’s Santa due to ill health – that was their one big advantage they had over Callum’s department store – while grappling with the fact that Christmas reminds her of her orphanhood to such an extent that it can’t be eclipsed by the ever-present, unconditional love of her grandfather.

Nick, meanwhile, has some big familial challenges of his own, the kind that he doesn’t resent for a second but which are making any chance of breaking into acting a in a big way next-to-near impossible, and Callum, outwardly the possessor of everything he needs, can’t surmount the fact that he’s alone and desperately lonely without anyone to call his own.

These are some big ticket issues, and to Baker’s credit, she doesn’t pretend they can be wished away by losing yourself in the glittery, escapist joyfulness of the season, leavening the genuinely transportive romantic whimsy of Santa Maybe affectingly bolstered by the truthfulness of the human condition.

It’s a seductive mix precisely because by being honest about how pain and loss, and some errors of romantic judgement, can cloud even the most wondrous of possibilities, Baker actually burnishes the lustre of the romantic hopefulness bubbling away this most buoyantly alive of festive tales.

It all feels so much more possible and invitingly sigh-worthy because we know how hard each of the three characters have worked to get there; they finally find love, and perhaps not in the configuration you might expect, but they have to really earn it, battling internal demons, external obstacles and some merry old misunderstandings on an impressive scale.

While, of course, there’s nothing wrong with light, bright and gossamer-wafty tales of Christmas romance – at the end of the year when everything feels a little too exhausting and difficult, that kind of festive escapism is an absolute tonic – it’s wonderful to have some extra, emotionally muscular mix added into the recipe.

Especially when it makes it all so much more meaningful.

Escapism is a delight and the ending of Santa Maybedoes come with all the bows tied just so, and the romantic presents arranged beautifully under the tree, reality wrapped in a shimmery sheen of hopes and hearts fulfilled.

But this robustly lovely novel delivers up so much more, offering explorations of pain, loss and grief, derailed hopes and dreams, and childhoods scarred and adulthoods not realised in the expected way, but also a festively draped and lit-up array of possibilities, romantic (mostly) and otherwise, the giddy joy of love and belonging found and proof positive that Christmas doesn’t just talk the talk of romance but it can walk it too, transforming lives well beyond the season and making things perpetually merry and bright.

Santa maybe


With her dad retiring there's new santa needed for the grotto introduce Nick. Elodie is sweet at times.

Callum Ashley works at a rival store and
Nice referencing to current popular trends. A easy to read Romantic comedy. I felt like thier was two many stories at once for me

#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #Santamaybe

Who doesn't like a holiday romance? What better holiday to fall in love but Christmas. Behind her tough exterior elodie has suffered terrible heartbreak and loss. However, it doesn't stop Nick from falling in love with her!

I am a sucker for a festive romance. There is just something delightful about the setting and this one is super cute!

Elodie Martin currently owns Martin's, the family toy shop where her grandad used to play the best Santa in town when it came to grotto season. They have always had a family rivalry with bigger superstore Ashley's, currently owned by Callum Ashley.

Following Jim's retirement after a stroke, Elodie is hiring a new Santa. Enter - Nick Winter. Nick absolutely lives for Christmas and is the perfect replacement for Jim but also is perfect to make Elodie enjoy Christmas again, a time that she hasn't particularly liked ever since her parents died when she was eight years old.

Elodie is so sure in Nick's abilities to be Santa, that she places a bet with Callum Ashley - her grotto will rake in more profits than his.

Both men are completely different in every way but have one similar thing in common; how much they like Elodie. I absolutely loved the development and relationship between Nick and Elodie. I'll admit, I didn't care too much for Callum but the differences in their lives and misunderstandings kept me reading.

A cosy festive romance that I would definitely recommend!

I love Christmas! The best thing about the evenings drawing in for Winter is the large number of Christmassy books that land on my Kindle. Some from authors that I know and love, and others - like this one - from writers that I haven't read before. And honestly looking at her back catalogue I can't believe that I haven't read any of Baker's books before.

Elodie Martin runs the family toy store and like many retailers finds it really hard to get into the festive spirit. In fact, you could go so far as to call her a Grinch. This year is even harder than normal. Her beloved grandad is normally the resident Santa in their grotto but this year, following a stroke, he is having to pass the baton on to someone new. Jim was everyone's favourite Santa Claus so it is really tough for both Elodie and the business.

In desperation she posts a job advert on the bulletin board in the local supermarket and finds - the appropriately named - out of work actor Nick Winter. He's far too young for the role but Elodie doesn't have a choice as it is so last minute and has to hope that Jim can whip Nick into shape as a believable Father Christmas. It is really important that the grotto is a success as the profits from that keep the business going throughout the rest of the year, and Elodie has made a ridiculous wager with her arch rival Callum Ashley, owner of the local department store. Losing the bet could put her out of business.

Santa Maybe isn't just your average holiday romance. It is a really poignant journey through a life straddled with pain and loss but realising that the sadness doesn't have to take over. It is OK to be happy. I really enjoyed the storyline and was surprised by the depth of the emotional response that it evoked in me. The main cast of characters all feel like firm friends by the end of the book and I think that it is one that I'll re-read a bit nearer to the festive season. Plus you'll learn a load of Christmas trivia from Nick who loves Christmas so much!

Supplied by Net Galley, Head of Zeus and Aria Fiction in exchange for an honest review.

Jim Martin has been, for decades, the best Santa in town. Now he's retiring and Martin's Toy Kingdom needs a new Santa to compete with Ashley's Department Store. Year after year Martin's has the best Christmas grotto and Ashley's is the best store for the rest of the year. This year, Elodie Martin and Callum Ashley decide to make a bet on who will have the best grotto.

Elodie and Callum know each other since they were kids and never got along. Now, things might start to change between them.

The search for Martin's next Santa leads Elodie to Nicholas Winter, and Jim is convinced that, although he doesn't look the part, he'll be a great Santa. No one has more Christmas spirit and trivia knowledge than Nick, and he's a great actor. Being Santa has always been his dream role.

I felt like this story could be divided into two parts: one until Christmas is over and the other with the next year.
The story is interesting and I was invested in knowing what would happen. The first part felt a bit slow while reading it but it sped with the second part.

Overall it's a nice Christmas story. I was cheering for everyone to be happy all the way!
I loved Nick and his cheerful self, but he was bothering me always bringing himself down.
I liked Callum and the changes we saw in him but felt bad for Nick since he's so nice!
Elodie has a sad background and loves her family. She's confident and powerful when taking care of her store. I loved the change in her since she met Nick.

Martin's Toy Kingdom is home to everyone's favourite Santa, but after his stroke, owner Elodie has to find someone new to take over from her grandfather. In steps tall, skinny, and far too young Nick Winter, a struggling actor, whose obsession with Christmas hurts Elodie's brain. Her only choice is to whip Nick into shape, especially as she's bet her childhood nemesis and arch-rival, Callum Ashley (owner of the department store) that Martin's will still have THE best Santa.

I really wanted to love this book. It starts off so promising. There's a lot of heart and humour, and rather than a simple rom-com, it's about family, friendship, and love. I usually don't like more than two POVs, but all three worked pretty well here. We get inside Elodie, Nick, and Callum's minds, and I genuinely adored Nick, although all three characters were a bit emotionally stunted for people in their thirties. I also really loved Elodie's grandfather, Pops. Elodie and Callum were less convincingly written, although I did like seeing their more vulnerable sides.

My biggest issue was that it felt like several different stories at times, and because of that, I think it ultimately lost its way. I'm not going to spoil the plot, but we reach Christmas not even halfway through the book, and then it lost a lot of its already meandering pace. Ultimately, it left me unsatisfied. Still, It definitely pulls at the heartstrings and I genuinely laughed out loud so many times. The Santa moments with the children were some of my favourite scenes, and I would have loved to see more of those.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating:
Emotional Rating: 😂🙈😢💔💓😡😬😢💓

*Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review*

I was really enjoying this book for the first third of it but then, I really lost interest. It was so drawn out and a bit boring, which is so disappointing because I'd such high hopes for it. I didn't particularly warm to Elodie, she didn't seem to know who she was at times, Callum was a bit mean about Elodie, remarking on her looks at one stage, which kind of annoyed me. Nick was a little bit of a whinger at times, but I definitely had more respect for him due to him looking after his mum. Pops was definitely the best character. Santa Maybe was just a bit of a miss for me unfortunately.

I’m a sucker for Christmas so when I saw this title I just had to go for it. I’m so thrilled Head of Zeus accepted my request because it turned out to be such a light and lovely read.

Elodie being a little bit Grinchy about Christmas, I wasn’t sure I would connect with her character but oh boy I was so wrong! The story got me wrapped up from the very first page. The witty banter was brilliant. Nick definitely earned a special place in my reader heart. And well, Callum. Does anyone where can I get myself one? Asking for a friend!

The store descriptions where amazing and they really made me feel as if I was there. 10/10 Christmas vibes!
There were a few things here and there that made the story feel a little bit forced or unnatural but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the book.

The love triangle isn’t my favorite trope but I really enjoyed it here. I even ended up feeling sorry for one of the 3 the characters involved.

I can’t wait to include this in my festive posts!

Thank you so much for the ARC NetGalley!

This is the perfect festive story that really kept me interested from start to finish. So much that I actually read it all in one sitting!

This is the story of Elodie who works at her family's Toy store and every year they have a Christmas grotto which is how the store stays afloat. Unfortunately, this year her grandad who is usually Santa has decided he is retiring and so we meet Nick the replacement who doesn't seem to be the greatest of Santas! Throw in rivalry with department store owner Callum and you've got a great story to unwrap!

Highly recommend for a bit of festive fun!

Fun festive rom com in book form, that made me smile and has me feeling Christmassy a tad early…oh who am I trying to kid, never too early for me! Main protagonist Elodie is a strong woman but with a definite vulnerable side and I really felt for her when she lost someone she dearly loved in the book. Enjoyable quick read, savour with a mug of hot chocolate & marshmallows.