A sweet romantic Christmas love story.
It about accepting changes and exploring new ideas.
A feel good book.
Really enjoyed reading.
Voluntarily reviewed.

Dear Santa is the most recent holiday offering from author Nancy Naigle. With shades and shadows of two favorite romantic comedies, The Little Shop on the Corner and You’ve Got Mail, Ms. Naigle has put together a delightful story with a lovely holiday twist. Shop owner Angela Carson is seeing the demise of her several generation owned Heart of Christmas. Although she has seen a decline over the past few years since the economic downturn, she is focusing the anger over her loss at the new big box chain discount store, Christmas Galore.
During the Thanksgiving gathering at her sister Marie’s, her young niece Chrissy gets Angela to write a Dear Santa letter using her special app. This app just happens to have as one of its main sponsors her arch enemy, Christmas Galore. To appease Chrissy, Angela goes ahead and does it, but signs it Anita C. Miracle (I need a Christmas miracle).

Through a series of events, Geoff Paisley, the handsome son of the chain store founder, becomes charged with addressing the Santa letters the app algorithm sends to be answered directly rather than by the savvy computer program. When he encounters the letter from Angela, something about it draws him in and a series of responses volley between them.

Although they have several negative real life encounters, their correspondence is purely positive, neither one knowing the true identity of the other. When Geoff figures out her true identity, he takes great strides to make things right between them with some unexpected results.

This is a lovely holiday story involving family, friends, love, and forgiveness. It carries inspiring messages so appropriate to the season. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it!

"Dear Santa"
By Nancy Naigle
St. Martin's Press

Contemporary romance -- Release date: October 16, 2018

ReaderToReader.com review

"Dear Santa," set in the small coastal town of Pleasant Sands, North Carolina finds Angela Carson in a dilemma. She fears she will lose her business, The Heart of Christmas Shop, which has been in her family for generations. Housed in the decommissioned lighthouse her great-grandparents once maintained and passed down to her, her establishment offers only high-end holiday merchandise not found anywhere else.

When Christmas Galore, a big box company, opens in town, Angela realizes she cannot compete with them. They offer a wide range of products, with most of their stock consisting of lower-priced items. Even though Angela provides collectibles meant to become family heirlooms, she is devastated when shoppers flock to Geoff Paisley's business, and she fears she will be forced to close.

Geoff, with a mindset on profits, spots Angela at the Crabby Coffee Pot and is mesmerized by her. Something about her intrigues him--that is--until he learns she gave an interview to the local news about his store is selling cheap and shoddy goods and trying destroying the town's icon--her business.

Geoff's mother and he started their company many years ago and now own several stores across the country. One of his mom's biggest incentives is her personally and individually answered letters to Santa. When she takes ill, she begs Geoff to continue her tradition. Not a softy kind of guy, he begrudgingly agrees then finds he is intrigued by the notes he receives, especially one from an unknown woman in fear of losing her livelihood.

Reminiscent of the movie "You've Got Mail," the premise of this novel is similar yet the locale and characters are different, making this an enchanting and fast-paced story to be read any time of year.

I love Christmas stories and this one was fantastic. Nothing makes you wish for the holidays more than a good Christmas story.
My favorite part is when Goeff realized who he was communicating with the in the Santa emails.
This book reminded me of a written version of "You Got Mail" one of my favorite movies.
Nicely written and very enjoyable, a definite read for the holidays

The Goodreads blurb says that this is “A holiday retelling of You've Got Mail that will make you fall in love with the Christmas Season!” When I saw that I was excited to read Dear Santa. I love You’ve Got Mail, the Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas, classic Christmas movies, and it’s never too early for a Christmas story. But this book just did not live up to my expectations. After the first several chapters I was still looking for someone, anyone, to be pleasant, not whine, tell the truth, and that was before Geoff was even really introduced – and it was still Thanksgiving.

I believe the intention in the book is to show, like in You’ve Got Mail, a character who is trying to keep her family business intact pitted against the owner of a national chain, and how they become attracted to each other without realizing their true identities. But in You’ve Got Mail, or for that matter the earlier version In the Good Old Summertime from 1949 or the earlier earlier version The Shop Around the Corner from 1940, the people in the story are good at heart, the two main characters may not get along with each other but they have strong, positive relationships with others and there is a spark between them, even if they don’t want to acknowledge it; they make you root for them, be happy or sad for them.

But that just didn’t happen with Dear Santa. The story is filled with holiday themes and activities but the romance isn’t there. Instead there is a mutual attraction based on being “hot” or “handsome” that starts with Angela practically throwing herself at the “stranger” in the coffee shop, and people that seem petty, immature and mean-spirited.

The author filled the book with descriptions of the landscape and the town and all kinds of things meant to put you in the Christmas spirit, and little Chrissy is a real cutie, but sadly neither of those or the writing are strong enough to make up for what this story lacks in heart.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a heartwarming story set around Christmas. Angela inherited her Christmas Shop from her grandmother and it means the world to her, she lives for her shop. Unfortunately a big chain store opens in her small town and everything will change for her. I loved the characters and the setting. I finished reading this story wanting to go and find a little Christmas shop just like this!

"Dear Santa" by Nancy Naigle
I loved this sweet, clean contemporary romance. I fell in love with Pleasant Sands, NC.... and the stars of the story Angela & Geoff... Well to be honest it took me awhile to warm up to Geoff. I laughed and chuckled and had tears run down my cheeks.. And one of these days I plan to read this story again. I was gifted an ARC copy by the publisher via NetGalley. I am pleased to give you my review. I am sure you will enjoy your time in this story.

This is about Angela Carson and Geoff Paisley. Angela is trying to keep her family's store Heart of Christmas open. She is the third generation to run it but sales just haven't been where they needed to be and now another store has opened and is pulling even more sales away. Now she has to make the decision on whether to keep trying to keep the store open or not. And her niece comes up with the idea of writing to Santa for help because Santa can fix everything if you just believe. Geoff is the part owner (along with his mother) of a chain called Christmas Galore. His life revolves around his business and he doesn't feel like he has the time or inclination to change that anytime soon. When his mother ends up in the hospital, she forces him to take over her duties with answering the Santa letters. What neither realizes is that when an answer from Santa turns into 2 people just talking and becoming pen pals through email, it could change their lives forever. Or how much they will come to care about each other once they get over their differences.

I really liked this one. I can completely understand how Angela felt losing her business when that is what made her feel more connected to her grandmother after losing her. I also felt like I could understand how she acted when she first meets Geoff. Of course it also made me laugh quite a bit. At first Geoff comes across as a big jerk until you realize that his mouth runs away before he even thinks about what he is saying. But I also liked that he is man enough to stand up and apologize when he realizes he is wrong, as was Angela. Once they started spending time together and really started to care about each other it was very sweet. All in all, it was a sweet Christmas read and the way it ends up is perfect.

Delightful holiday book with echoes of "you've got mail"
Will leave a 4 star review on Amazon under name of Connie

I enjoyed reading this book. Although it was easy to predict the ending. The focus of the story is a bit more on the failing business, than the romance. Other than that it was light, easy & entertaining to read. If you are looking for a sweet Christmas romance, then check this story out.

Aunque aún estamos algo lejos de la navidad, Dear Santa realmente me metió en el espíritu navideño. Me encantaría pasar esta fecha en un pueblito playero al estilo de Pleasant Sands y asistir al encendido del árbol junto con todos los personajes que conocimos en el libro.

Me hubiera encantado visitar Heart of Christmas, el establecimiento de nuestra protagonista Angela Carson y ver el tren y la villa navideña y ser atendida por los simpáticos empleados. Al inicio del libro, Angela está consciente de que probablemente sea la última temporada navideña de la tienda, económicamente no le va muy bien y ha llegado Christmas Galore, una cadena de tiendas que no solo se especializa en cosas navideñas sino que tiene muchas cositas que tiene la atención de los habitantes del pueblo.

Los dueños de esta cadena son Geoff Paisley y su mamá quien además ha creado una aplicación donde los niños le pueden enviar su carta a Santa. Cuando ella enferma le toca a Geoff contestar algunas de las cartas y recibe la que Angela, a petición de su sobrinita, mandó expresando todo su pesar de perder algo que la conectaba con sus antepasados.

No pude evitar sentir la tristeza de Angela y todo el libro me la pasé rogando para que Heart of Christmas sobreviviera. Creo que el personaje se desarrolló muy bien y me gustó ver que la trama no se centraba en el deseo entre los protagonistas, como es el caso de varias novelas donde los personajes principales se encuentran en lados opuestos y empiezan como enemigos. En Dear Santa podemos ver la evolución de la relación y afortunadamente pasan por la amistad. Todo sucede en un período de un mes pero ese tiempo está bien aprovechado y sí pude sentir cómo se conocían Angela y Geoff. La verdad es que quedé muy contenta con su relación.

La narración me gustó mucho y no me dejó soltar el libro hasta las 2 de la mañana que lo terminé. Generalmente esto me sucede con libros muy emocionantes donde quieres saber que los personajes no van a morir y por supuesto que este no es el caso en Dear Santa, lo que pasó aquí es que me metí de lleno con los personajes y realmente me preocupé por lo que les estaba pasando. Quería que todo saliera bien así que no pude dejar de leer hasta que me aseguré de esto.

Terminé muy contenta y con una sonrisa en el rostro al terminar este libro.

Cute and sweet romance. Emphasis on the sweet. Totally a rated G romance. I tend to like my romances a little bit steamier but this was still cute. If you loved the movie You've Got Mail then you'll definitely love this story. Very similar premise with a few changes of course. Overall an enjoyable holiday story.

Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle is one of those books that you will want to read each time Christmas comes around. Welcome to Pleasant Sands, North Carolina. The story runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. The reader is introduced to Angela Carson and her Heart of Christmas store located in an old lighthouse that was left to her by her grandmother. Angela is struggling to keep the store going. She sells high quality goods and while everyone loves them the economy can no longer support the high end store. Worse is the fact that in the town there has opened a "Christmas store" which actually is a discount store that carries all kinds of cheap items including Christmas items. This is a family owned business and the owners mother and son have moved to the town as the mother has sentimental feelings about the town. Angela is quite an interesting character, knowledgeable about the town she was born and raised in. The chapter headings are letters to Santa written by children. The letter writing is an important of the storyline as the letters being written are to an 'app' the selection process allows extra special letters to be forwarded to a real person while most letters are answered by an automated Santa. Angela scoping out the new store accidentally meets Geoff, who is one of the owners but Angela doesn't know it. Angela's family, who are shopping in the new store, write a letter to Santa for Angela. Angela gets involved with the letter writing as Santa (Brad, who promised his ailing mother he will answer the special letter) has answered her 'letter'. The storyline moves nicely along as Angela and Brad come together. Angela decides to close her store but doesn't know what to do about the lighthouse Brad learns things about his family that he didn't know about. All is well as Brad helps Angela with deciding what to do in the future. This was a very lovely Christmas tale which fills the heart with love.

Very enjoyable story in the style of the film 'You've Got Mail', set around a coastal town called Pleasant Sands and Christmas shops, one an old fashioned one in a lighthouse that has been there for generations, and one a new big business/sells everything sort of 'Christmas' store.

Angela owns and runs her lighthouse Christmas shop, Heart of Christmas, and the house next door, which has been in her family for a couple of generations. She loves her shop but has only known this life so when the shop starts having financial troubles, which she blames on the new Christmas shop, she feels like she is letting her family down.

Then her young niece writes to Santa via an app, and she persuades Angela to send a message too, which she does as a laugh and to keep her niece happy, but then one of the owners of the new shop, Geoff, gets roped into answering the Santa letters when his Mum gets ill and can't keep up with answering them and Santa (aka Geoff) and Angela end up emailing back and forth, whilst she laments the loss of her shop and business, which she has decided to shut forever on Christmas Eve. Via mail both 'Santa' and Angela get on really well.

Geoff and Angela have also met in real-life on more than one occasion and are initially antagonistic towards one another, mainly Angela because of her shop, so very much like 'You've Got Mail'. Then when Geoff's Mum has a few health issues and he finds out he actually has ties to Pleasant Sands that he wasn't aware of he is forced to reevaluate his life a bit and slowly Angela and Geoff start to get to know each other and find they actually like each other - quite a lot in fact!

A very enjoyable, light-hearted story, with - of course - a really, lovely happy ending.

A warm, sentimental holiday story with very strong allusions to the movie “You’ve Got Mail” (which happens to be one of my favorites)...on-line anonymous emails, etc. Rather than dueling bookstores, these are Christmas-themed stores, and more to the point, it’s nostalgic/handmade/family-generational versus cheaper/mass-produced/chain store. I enjoyed it for its feisty heroine and her commitment to her family legacy. Nothing new here but a fun read for the holiday spirit.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsGriffin for providing the ARCs. The opinions are strictly my own.

This is a Hallmark Christmas movie in a book and as such is totally my catnip.

Angela is the owner of a small family owned Christmas shop and Geoff's family owns a large chain Christmas chain.They butt heads and ends up pen pals through letters to Santa.

This is a standard Christmas story plot with well written,developed characters,snark,family and Christmas miracles.

If you want a cozy,sweet Christmas romance this might be it.

Naigle has definitely put me in the Christmas mood! This was a heartwarming, cozy romance, with well defined characters. A definite “feel good” Christmas novel. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dear Santa is another one of the books by Nancy Naigle. It is typical of her novels that they are cozy tales of small town folks involved in holiday or family tasks. In this book she pits the long time business owner of a Christmas store that features artistic gifts against the chain Christmas business that provides low cost gifts and seasonal wares. As in other books by Nancy Naigle I have been into the story from the beginning, Yes the storyline does get a bit long at spots with many characters and their conversations. This did not carry on endlessly throughout the book, As in other of Ms. Naigle's writings I became more involved with the main character. Angela and her family as well as her counterpart ,Geoff. As he discovers more about his family. he is drawn into the seaside community.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it for a pleasant read heading into the holiday season,

I liked this book but in many ways my list of things that I did not like seems to outweigh what I did like. I did not like either of the main characters (and don't even get me started on Angela's sister) and felt that this book really does not work as a romance. The story is less about the connection between Angela and Geoff than it is about Angela's failing business and how her feelings of self-worth and family are wrapped up in it. Even their emails are more about Angela feeling like a failure than about two people leaning about each other and forging a real bond.

I still appreciated this book. It is bursting with Christmas cheer. It made me so ready to put up a tree and drink some hot chocolate (and I don't even especially like hot chocolate). What I loved the most were the letters to Santa that started every chapter.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle is a sweet Christmas romance. Angela Carson, our heroine, has lived all her life in Pleasant Sands, North Carolina; and she runs the local Christmas shop, Heart of Christmas; which she inherited from her mother. Angela loves her shop, and mingling with the townsfolk who have always shopped at her store for unique high scale items, but lately she has been struggling, since the new Christmas Galore, a mega super chain, opened their doors. It is hard to compete with a big store that has all kinds of items at cheaper prices. Angela knows she needs to face reality, and think about closing the store after Christmas.
Geoff Paisley, our hero, is the owner (with his mother) of Christmas Galore, and they are all thrilled how well the store is doing. When Geoff stops at the local coffee shop, he notices a pretty woman, who smiles at him. It will take him a few days to find her, and realizes she is the owner of the store who is slowly going out of business because of their store.

When they come face to face, each knowing who the other is, the conversation turns into a shouting match, with each walking away. Angela’s sister tries to convince her to close the store and move on; and her niece makes her write to the Dear Santa app. Angela writes a quick note to Santa that she is sad, her business is failing; of course she does not know that Dear Santa app is run by Christmas Galore, and Geoff’s mother. When Geoff mother has a heart attack and ends up in the hospital, he will learn the truth of her past growing up in Pleasant Sands, and where his father died. She begs Geoff to take over the Dear Santa letters, which he reluctantly accepts. Geoff is a “suit”, a workaholic, rigid, all business and little compassion, but when he begins to answer the letters, he finds himself softening up. He will be the one to open Anita Miracle’s (Angela’s pseudonym) letter, and start a friendship.

What follows is a sweet wonderful heartwarming story with wonderful characters, and an enemies to friends to lover romance. The romance between Geoff and Angela is very slow burn, but it was fun to watch them argue and avoid each other, but at the same time fight off their attraction. Eventually Geoff will realize who Anita Miracle is, and starts his friendship with Angela with an apology. It was great to see how Geoff changed, and I did love them together, though it took a long time. Lol

Dear Santa was very well written by Naigle, and a wonderful Christmas story about family, life and love. This is a perfect holiday book you should be reading.