This is a beautiful story. I laughed, I cried and smiled while I read this. I so loved the Christmas letters. They made my heart sing. A small beach town and a sweet romance that brought two people together during Christmas.

I received an ARC of this book to read from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This book is outside of my usual reading as it’s very sweet. Angela Carson owns a lovely Christmas store in an old lighthouse in a small Carolina beach town. It’s been in her family for several generations and is her pride and joy. Geoff Paisley is the CEO of his family’s chain store called Christmas Galore that has moved to town and will put Angela’s Heart of Christmas store out of business. The plot is a reworking of you’ve You’ve Got Mail.So if you like Christmas stories that are sweet, clean and wholesome you will probably enjoy this book.
Publishing Date October 16, 2018 #DearSanta #NetGalley

Description
From USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle, Dear Santa is a heartwarming Christmas story about finding your passion for life and love.



My Thoughts:
This heartwarming holiday romance smacks of a Hallmark movie although it's not a hallmark tale. It is however a Christmas re-telling of You've Got Mail.
I always have loved that movie since it came out in 1998 and never miss a re-airing of it when shown on TV.

There is just enough angst between our hero and heroine to make it a page turner and far from dull.

Dear Santa letters answered by Geoff in the place of his mother, Angela's Dear Santa letters brought on by the urging of her niece; how can these two things bring these enemies to the point of love rather than hate?

Will Angela's distinctly naughty Santa letter be the beginning of something totally different between this warring pair?

In this must read holiday romance you will find your answers.

I gave this sweet, sexy and enemies to friends to lovers story 4.25 of 5.0 stars for plot, story and character development. Since this book has a Hallmark flair to it there is no sensual nature to this book.
I read and reviewed a complimentary digital ARC of this title received through NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Retellings can be a hit or miss for me, and a miss usually if it follows the original's plot and storyline to the letter. DEAR SANTA is a retelling of You've Got Mail (starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan) in the season of Christmas, and instead of books, the characters are selling Christmas stuff.

In this book, Ms. Naigle tackled the demise of the small businesses and offered a reason for the situation. The plot and storyline of the book are almost the same as the ones in the movie, but what saved this book and the reason for the 4-star rating is that the characters are more fleshed out with believable motivations and logical behavior. Also, I like that Angela and Geoff were given time to get to know each other better when the movie would've ended. More, while it hurt Angela to lose the store, which was precious to her because of her memories of her grandmother, I like that she also gets to live her own life after, doing what she loves best.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Angela and Geoff in a more in-depth way.

So here’s a thing I’m realising: Nancy Naigle does an excellent slow winter romance. Last year, I read her Hope at Christmas and it made me utter the following:
“You know that feeling, when it’s really cold out? And you’ve got your comfy clothes on, you’re cuddled up in the sofa with a nice cup of warm cacao or hot tea in front of the open fire? This book is that feeling, but in book-form.”
Honestly? She’s done it again.
I never quite thought I’d yearn for a Christmas in North-Carolina, but there I was, none the less. The author does such an excellent job of giving you a real sense of the surroundings… At times like I was on the beach and in the light house and…
Throughout the entire novel, you are offered both Angela’s and Geoff’s perspective as they both go through maybe the most transformative Christmas they’ve ever had. In what is maybe the best kind of enemies to friends (to lovers) arch I’ve read in a while, it was a joy to see the growth these characters both go through. I will say that, at times, it wasn’t immediately clear to me that a switch of POV had taken place, but that might’ve just been me.
As I mentioned above, I enjoyed that the characters didn’t have to do a complete 180. Instead, they were given the chance to develop a friendship and from that a romance. During which, naturally, Geoff got to be a complete and dork.
Also – let me tell you this right now. If someone ever mentions something’s “as likely to happen as snow on Christmas”? You can bet your behind that snow is about to start falling!

If you've seen You've Got Mail and loved it then you will like this book. It is almost scene for scene from the movie. For that reason alone I had to reduce my review by 1 star.
Otherwise, the characters are lovable and you want to see them get together. The ending is satisfying although I had come up with that solution about half way through the book.
I received a free advanced copy of this book .

I was honestly interested in this title since I saw it was a holiday retelling of You've Got Mail, which is one of my favorite movies and I was not disappointed because this was a very sweet and heartwarming story, something that certainly left me with a smile on my face and perfect not just as a holiday reading but as book that can be read at any time.

The heroine Angela Carson, owns a small year round Christmas store that hasn't really been doing good financially, she loves that store because it means so much to her but the odds are pretty much that the story is going to close down; specially after a new Christmas superstore is opening in town; and that where Geoff Paisley, since him and his mother are owners of that store.
When they both see each other for the first time they feel something and are attracted to the other but as you can imagine once they find out who they are things won't go as smoothly.

I liked how the relationship between Angela and Geoff develops, of course they're attracted to each other but I liked that it they also build a friendship between them; both are well written and it's easy to empathize with them. The book also has that charm little town stories often do, the writing has also a nice pace and it's quite entertaining. If there's anything I can complain is that I wish the author have offered more info about the main characters's fathers.

Overall I think Dear Santa is a light-hearted and sweet romance, that is certain leave the reader with a smile.

Cute Christmas romance if you are a fan of the genre. The setting is a major star of the book, and certainly adds to the story. The book also give a fairly realistic look at what happens when a big box store comes to a small community and threatens the survival of a small independent store. Quality vs. price!

Angela has been running Heart of Christmas since her grandmother died. This is the third generation running the store. Nancy is worried though because, a national chain has opened down the road and, she is afraid she's going to have to close the store permanently. She starts writing Dear Santa letters, not knowing that the man answering those letters is the owner of that new chain store, Geoff Paisley.
It only takes a short time for Geoff to realize that Angela is the one writing him but, he is afraid that, if he tells her, she'll never want to see him again and, he is VERY attracted to her.
This is the perfect Christmas story! I felt like I could look outside and see the snow while I was reading this book!

Angela Carson is a 3rd generation owner of 'Heart of Christmas', an exclusive year round Christmas shop set up in the old lighthouse her great great grandfather operated years ago. The past several years business has been waning and the new opening of Christmas Galore has only worsened her bottom line, even though her top of the line, hand-made wares don't compare with the low end of their merchandise. Although Angela is finally faced with some difficult decisions it's her sweet niece that insists she should write Santa for help.

Geoff Paisley and his mom have recently opened the 10th in their chain of 'Christmas Galore' in the small ocean side town of Pleasant Sands, NC, and business is booming. When Geoff finally meets the owner of the other Christmas store in town it seems all they can do is argue and fight. It's clear Angela is looking for someone to blame for her failing business even though they sell completely different items. When his mother falls ill Geoff is left to take over the answering of letters to Santa, and it's one of those letters that he is especially drawn to respond to.

Along the story line of 'You've Got Mail', this sweet love story was clean to the point of squeeking. I loved the book but just wish Ms. Naigle would have allowed Angela and Geoff at least a kiss or two, or three. That ommission left me feeling like the two were little more than acquaintances even at the very end, as if they were together for convenience sake. A little long at times, this book still held me captivated by the story line.

BROOKE’S REVIEW

This book is a holiday recap of You’ve Got Mail, which is my favorite movie. While Naigle’s book doesn’t quite capture all of the charm of YGM this book is still a lighthearted and warm book that fans of Hallmark movies will certainly love.

PRAISE

“Naigle’s wonderfully heartwarming holiday story will appeal to romance and women’s fiction readers.” —Library Journal

AUTHOR

USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she currently calls North Carolina home.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. Release date: 10/16/18

Dear Santa is the first book I have read by Nancy Naigle and I just loved the melody of the writing and the engaging story. It is love evolving in unsuspecting hearts wrapped within the Christmas holidays. Of course, love starts off on all the wrong footing as Angela Carson and Geoff Paisley find themselves on opposite sides of the retail business coin. She runs a small, family owned Christmas business on its last leg. He owns the new, major retailer, Christmas Galore, which has become the last straw in Angela’s business’s existence. Letters from Santa, written by Geoff become a big factor in Angela’s life-both business and love.

Remember the magic of writing to Santa, secure in the knowledge that he could grant every with you had? DEAR SANTA by Nancy Naigle is the story of the magic of Christmas, Santa and discovering that as one door closes, another one opens.

A small town, a landmark Christmas store in trouble and a new chain store coming to town to further cement its demise are the backdrop for two competitors to meet, bristle at and find unexpected romance and a chance for a new beginning.

I was disappointed after reading the blurb and it’s comparison to a much loved movie. (By the way, I hate comparisons, let something stand on its own, already!) This tale was more about one woman’s bitterness and one man’s cold, financial calculations then the spirit of Christmas and the real magic of the season. My favorite character ended up being the young niece whose firm belief in Santa was simply magical in itself!

The dialogue was heavy, cumbersome and repetitive to me so I didn’t get that special zing of Holiday Romance beauty that I look forward to all year long!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press!

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (October 16, 2018)
Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Genre: Holiday Romance
Page Count: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle is very similar to “You’ve Got Mail” only this is a Christmas Version. This book is my first book written by Nancy Naigle and it will not be my last. I loved the movie “You’ve Got Mail so I totally enjoyed this book with their similarities. This book was a very quick and easy read. If you liked the movie “You’ve Got Mail” you will definitely love this book. It makes you laugh and sometimes cry.

Unfortunately, this was a meh read for me.

Angela works at Heart of Christmas, a store that features handmade and one-of-a-kind Christmas items. It's located in a former lighthouse that she inherited from her grandmother (who inherited it before her). Both the history of the building and her relationship with her grandmother are a large part of why she gives so much to her business.

With today's focus on fast and cheap, the new chain store, Christmas Galore, is the last push towards putting Heart of Christmas out of business. Angela is heartbroken and struggles against the inevitable. Any and all encounters between Angelica and Geoff (the co-owner of Christmas Galore) are tense and full of verbal sparring.

When Angela's niece Chrissy decides that her aunt should enlist Santa's help with the app "Dear Santa," Angela decides to let it rip. After all, she'll just get a generic auto-responder won't she? To her surprise, the response is personal. Little does she know the app is owned by Christmas Galore and Santa is none other than Geoff himself.

As they get to know each other on email and separately in real life, things begin to change. And Santa just might have a surprise just for her.

Overall, this was a light read that took place in real life more than online. I really enjoyed the letters to Santa and the historical tidbits at the beginning of chapters. It kept the mood light instead of too emotional.

However, as much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I really just couldn't get behind the romance. I can't see Geoff, who places a very high importance on turning a profit and eyeing sales figures (think NYC), wanting to settle in a small town with Angela, who cares more for the spirit of the holiday and the history of town (think Mackinac Island). It just doesn't compute. I was also frustrated that they couldn’t see the obvious signs pointing to who their secret pen-pal was.

Small things, perhaps, but something I couldn't get past. All-in-all, it was a cute and cheesy book that spoke a lot to the spirit of Christmas.

Recommended for anyone that loves Hallmark movies.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As you can tell from the description and if you've read any reviews, this story reminds most readers of You've Got Mail, a 90s era sweet romance movie when email was still new and exciting. In Nancy Nigle's version, the stores have a holiday theme and the communications go back and forth via an electronic app. Two rival business owners compete for the last shoppers of the year. One has the newest business in this small tourist town. His focus is on profits and numbers. The other is running a family business with a specialty focus. Her merchandise is more expensive, higher quality and can not be affordable to every shopper. While she is proud of the family business, her true love is the history of this town and her lighthouse location. Sadly, trying to keep tradition alive and not changing with the times, her store is struggling to survive. Will this new competition make the Christmas lights go dark forever? Both business owners are single minded about their careers, not leaving much time for anything else.

I enjoyed the characters created for this story. Both Angela and Geoff have fine qualities and are wonderful to their family and employees. Both also are just beginning to realize their lives are not balanced and complete. When they meet, not understanding who the other is, sparks do fly. There is mutual interest and attraction. When they find out who is who, their stubborn streaks make an appearance.

The prose is passionate and heart tugging. There are many moments that will make you smile.
This is a beautiful book to get lost in while curled up in front of a fire, real or electric.
I can see this being an annual read for me.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for allowing me to enjoy this book.

"Dear Santa" is really the Christmas version of "You've Got Mail"- they are very similar. Angela works at Heart of Christmas, a store in North Carolina that features handmade and one-of-a-kind items related to Christmas out of a former lighthouse. She inherited the store from her grandmother (she and her sister Marie came to live with her grandmother after their mother died and their father left), who had in turn inherited it. Angela loves the store- it's family and so much a part of her.

However, the giant Christmas Galore (think Christmas Tree Shops) has come to town with huge bargains. That store opening is the last push towards putting Heart of Christmas out of business. Angela is facing the reality of the future without the store in the center of her life, when she sees an attractive guy, who she soon learns is Geoff, the owner (with his mother) of Christmas Galore. Upon knowing who they are, they immediately begin verbally sparring. However, each cannot deny their attraction for each other.

Angela's niece Chrissy has a new app that she loves- Dear Santa, where you send an email to Santa- and he replies! Chrissy convinces Angela that she should write to the app, and with the urging/pushing of her sister Marie, Angela goes for it. To her surprise, the response is personal- not the automated replies Chrissy was getting. What she doesn't realize is that the app is owned by Christmas Galore and Geoff's mother has a filter to allow some submissions to come in and be responded to personally- and Geoff is humoring her by responding to some. As they get to know each other on email and separately in real life, things begin to change.

The vast majority of the book is in real life, and the emails between them are very limited, maybe a handful. I was expecting more emails between them with real life being secondary. This is definitely not the case. I didn't really feel the connection through the emails that they both seemed to felt- their real life relationship was definitely taking the helm. Aside from that, the links between the movie and this book are vast (even the sick scene!). As a fan of the movie, I enjoyed reading the book, and it was entertaining enough that I didn't mind feeling like I had read it before. If you don't like the movie, don't read this book- but if you loved the movie and love Christmas reads, then you MUST pick this one up!

At the beginning of each chapter, we got to read a letter to Santa from a child to the app or a factoid about the town that Angela writes on the board outside the shop each day. I loved this part of the book- particularly the letters to Santa. In terms of the characters, Geoff had to grow on me- I didn't like him at first, but I loved Angela from the get-go. Geoff's mother was also great and I would have loved more from her (except, I still don't understand why she never told him about his father- it just didn't make sense to me). Marie, Angela's sister, was really terrible- highly judgmental and overpowering- I would have preferred to see Angela having a little support from family (what support is given felt a bit begrudging)- I like to see strong sister relationships! However, the main characters were great, and Geoff/Angela really sold me on the romance by the end of the book (it's a slow build).

Overall, this is a fun Christmas twist on "You've Got Mail," and it really got me in a Christmas mood! As a final note, it's a really clean book with a very slow build relationship, so it's great for all audiences. This would be perfect for a Hallmark movie!

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars
This was a festive, heartwarming story perfect for fans of Hallmark movies and wholesome, small town romances.

I enjoyed the story though, at times, it dragged a little bit for me. I love the whole “You’ve Got Mail” storyline but I tend to get frustrated that the characters can’t see the obvious signs pointing to who their secret pen-pal/online friend is. That’s more of a general irritation though and not a judgment on the authors storytelling.

Definitely pick this up if you’re looking for a light-hearted, low-angst read that will put you in the mods for the holiday season!

*I received an arc from NetGalley for voluntary review

Angela Carson inherited her lighthouse turned holiday store, Heart of Christmas as well as her Grandmother's beach home.

The business has been run by three generations of women trying to support their family and being a part of the small town of Pleasant Sands, North Carolina.

But since a new chain store has come to town, this may be the last generation to have a store.

As Angela struggles to make a decision, her niece suggests she write to Santa on her app. To get her sister off of her back, she does. And finds a pen pal with good advice and maybe a chance at love.

This was such a sweet Christmas miracle story. I hope we see more of Angela and Pleasant Sands. There are quite a few really good characters here. It wasn't sappy but it was uplifting and made me smile a lot!

Well Done!

Netgalley/October 16th 2018 by St. Martin's Griffin

Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle is a sweet, Christmasy twist on the old classic, You’ve Got Mail. A quick read, it is sure to leave the reader smiling, though not surprised, at the book’s end.
The two lead characters, Angela Carson and Geoff Paisley, both own Christmas themed stores, though Angela’s is very high end with long history. Geoff’s store, owned with his mother, is part of a chain that sells cheaply made and inexpensively priced trinkets, not just holiday based but chosen to appeal to summer tourists and locals year round. Angela’s store, Heart of Christmas, has been struggling for quite some time and the opening of Christmas Galore is the final nail in her store’s chance to stay afloat. She takes it quite personally and is very angry and saddened by this turn of events. Geoff and Angela first encounter each other at a local coffee shop and the attraction is immediate. Over the course of the book, the two’s personal encounters are usually hostile but, through a twist of plot, they “meet” online through Dear Santa, an iPad app that kids can use to write letters to Santa when Angela’s niece encourages her to write to Santa. 
This book, while enjoyable, doesn’t really offer any surprises. The two lead characters are fairly one dimensional, Angela even more so than Geoff. I did enjoy the relationship between Angela and her sister, Marie. This is a great book for fans of HEA and Christmas to curl up with on a lazy afternoon. Three Stars.
I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions stated are solely my own.