Mary Jayne does it again. A cute, relaxing chick lit with all the romantic feels. Sprinkle in a little bit of Christmas and you have a cosy feel-good read!

Ahh, I am so sorry that I have to rate this book so low but I find it hard to find something to like about the story.

The story is about toy store owners' rivals that try to battle each other to see who will have the best Santa in town. Because of grandpa's health issues, Elodie is forced to hire Nick. He is not Santa material but will have to do. Meanwhile, nemesis Callum has managed to find a decent Santa for the first time in years. Between all the competition, hate and Christmas, there is some love. Who will find it, who will hide it, and who might have to let it go?

While there were some cute moments and silly banter, unfortunately, I had trouble connecting with the main characters. Conversations between characters did not feel real. The characters were in their thirties but felt young adultish. I struggled to see any chemistry between them. It felt dragging, and I could not wait for it to end. The ending was cute though.

While I was not a fan of this book, I appreciate NetGalley, the author, and publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my review!

A lovely christmassy read with a cast of quirky characters and a wonderful love triangle, one to read more than once

Lots going on in this festive romantic comedy. It has a traditional feel and explores many contemporary issues through its characters. Elodie's grandparents raised her after her parent's tragic death, and she isn't feeling the Christmas spirit in her failing toy shop. Her grandfather's illness has forced his retirement as Santa, threatening their grotto, the only successful part of their year. In competition with a bigger department run by her nemesis Callum, she looks like she may lose everything. Nick, an out-of-work actor, steps in to play Santa, but will he be the one to add a little festive magic to Elodie's life?

Gently paced, the author creates a believable setting with distinctive characters and realistic problems. There is a good mix of humour, poignancy, and romance, the perfect cosy style romance with a twist.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Toy store owner Elodie and hates Christmas, but loves the chance of getting one over on her arch rival Callum the owner of the local department store

The toy store is not doing well but at Christmas time it comes into its own. Thanks to her grandfather being the best Santa in town. But after his illness Elodie needs to find a replacement. So she hires Nick winter and out of work actor and puts her trust in him so she won't lose her business for good.

A quick, funny Christmas read.

I really, really enjoyed Santa Maybe. It had a ‘You’ve Got Mail’ vibe to it and I loved that. I don’t think the book was actually inspired by the film, however, it did have the essence of it in there. An independent toy shop is struggling because of the department store just around the corner and the owners cannot stand each other. Very similar, but not quite the same.

Toy shops have to be one of the most festive places in the world and Martin’s Toy Kingdom sounded wonderful. Reading all of the descriptions made me nostalgic about festive toy shops when I was a kid and it was such a nice feeling.

Elodie, our main character, doesn’t enjoy Christmas and she absolutely despises Callum Ashley who owns the department store that’s putting her out of business. They’ve known each other since they were kids and their grandfathers were good friends. Only since they both came into possession of their respective companies did the rivalry start and other characters seem to think it’s because of reason outside of sales. Now personally I hate this type of trope. I love enemies to lovers, but here it was so obvious they’d never be right for each other.

As I don’t like giving spoilers I won’t say whether anything does happen between them and if if I did you wouldn’t believe me anyway because in strolls oh so charming Nick Winter. Nick auditions to be the new grotto Santa at Elodie’s shop and from the get-go I loved him.

The first half of this book was so fun and festive and I love the whole ‘will they, won't they?’ situation. Unfortunately, this book does involve the miscommunication trope as Elodie has a conversation with Nick about fancying Kurt Russel as Santa and she assumes that he’s outright gay instead of asking. Not sure if that’s outright miscommunication, but there are other moments that are. I can’t say though because of spoilers.

The second half of the book almost lost me for a while. I didn’t like the direction it was going in as it just did not make sense to me. Well, it made some sense but I wasn’t happy about it. Fortunately, everything turns around, as you would expect from a festive romance, and all is right again in the world.

Honestly, although the second half wasn’t as good I did still really enjoy Santa Maybe. It was super festive and uplifting and the idea of training grotto Santas was absolutely brilliant. I wonder if these schools actually exist.

If you’re looking for a super festive and speedy read then I’d definitely recommend Santa Maybe.

Is there anything better than a really good rom-com with a healthy dose of the festive season? Genuinely had me laughing out loud.

I don't like festive books that much but I do have one that I read every Xmas.... And now I have another to add to that list!

I loved this so much and honestly I'm really surprised at how much I loved it.

You think you will get a cheesy Xmas romance but it really surprised me. Think Miracle on 34th Street vibes, love triangles, grumpy sunshine and lots of other popular tropes thar just work so well in the book.

I loved Elodie. I felt her loneliness and her passion. I loved Callum immediately and I warmed to Nick as I kept reading.

I could see this as a movie, it really was so good!!!!

This is a quick, light, funny Christmasy read that will give you all the feels. The quick wit between the two main characters is something to behold and will make you laugh out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed and it made me feel all cosy.

A fun Christmas story and a pleasure to read 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalle and publisher for this ARC

Elodie is a toy store owner. The store is not doing so well most of the time, but at Christmas time it's crazy busy. Mostly because her grandfather is everyone's favourite Santa. After a stroke, he has to retire and she is forced to find his replacement. She has no choice but to hire Nick Winter. He doesn't look right for the part, but he is all she good.

She can't fail and nothing gets her more determined than Callum, her nemesis and owner of the department store who is her biggest competition.

I was so excited to read it, but I struggle with the book for the last half. I wish there was more to the plot, more depth, and the romance was just not it.

received the ARC from NetGalley, all opinions are my own

DNF

I was very interested by the concept of thus book, but it just wasn't for me. I'm sure there will be plenty of people who enjoy it. I just really struggled getting into it. Elodie wasn't very relatable and was a bit annoying.

This is a light, seasonal read, but for me it didn’t stand out above the many Christmas novels out there. The descriptions of the toy shop and Santa’s grottoes are lovely, and some of the conversations between Elodie and Nick are hilarious. However, some aspects of the plot seemed far fetched and I didn’t warm to Elodie.

Absolutely loved this Christmas love story by Mary Jayne Baker! I love reading about Elodie and Callums journey. Definitely a must read this holiday season!!

An imaginative story of a young woman, a young man, and an entitled man that learn through the wisdom of Santas and Christmas to find true love and a different reality. It is a cute story with great characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Love the witty banter between Elodie and Nick. Love Christmas so could see where Nick was coming from. Some parts felt long-winded and some relationships seemed a little forced but overall a nice heartwarming Christmassy book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book.

Elodie has t had much luck in her life, she loves her grandad as well as the toy shop which has been running for a long time by her family. But the big department store and the Owner Callum is their rival.

Her grandad isn’t well, and that means he can’t be the store’s Santa, this brings more problems for her this Christmas, she’s also made a bet which she can’t go back on, even if it isn’t good for her to do so.

But, there’s a ray of hope, Nick, who works in a supermarket,nothing like a Santa should be, but one who will help change their lives.

I recommend this book.

I loved the premise of this book when I read what it would be about. But for me it just didn’t live up the expectations I had. The biggest complaint I had about this book is that the story just felt awkward and slow. But also I felt the first half of the book was different to the second half. The story was quite predictable which I know you sort of expect from a feel good romance book but this just seemed like it was even more predictable then usual.
My other complaint is that the character felt very 2D. Especially Elodie. I didn’t really care for her at the beginning of the story nor by the end. She was quite unlikeable and didn’t really develop as a character as much as I expected. The only character I like was Nick. He was actually quite likeable from the start and even more by the end.
The other thing is that despite it being a Christmas film set during Christmas it didn’t have the feeling Christmas gives me. Which I think is the biggest let down since a Christmas book is suppose to get you in the Christmas spirit

I’ve read books by this author before so knew what writing style to expect. This is a perfect Christmas read and I can’t wait to share it as part of my December festive posts.

This is the epitome of Christmas reads, it’s the novel version of the film where neighbours compete over Christmas lights. In this novel, two toy shops are competitions against one another for the best Christmas grotto. Of course, it’s a festive ‘enemies’ to romance.

A fun and enjoyable book, perfect to read while snuggled with a blanket.

This was a very cute Christmas romance. The witty banter between Elodie and Nick made me laugh out loud! I absolutely love Christmas, so I was able to connect with Nick and all his jolly, even if I don’t necessarily agree with his Christmas movie choices! Some relationships feel a little forced, and the book felt a little drawn out at times, BUT I really loved it, especially the ending. If you like an easy to read, heartwarming, make you smile romance, then this is a must read for you!