This is a Christmas/Holiday Fiction story. This is a fun cute Southern Christmas Story. The Christmas Farm that this story takes place on I would love to live on. I love the setting for this story, and I found the characters on cute. This book does have so much Christmas feelings in it, so if you are looking for a truly Christmas Cute story then you should give this book a try. I do think the romance in this book was weird and did not work for me, but there is so much more then the romance in this book. I love the little mystery in this book, the Christmas stuff, and the friendships that was in this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (St. Martin's Press) or author (Mary Kay Andrews) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

The most festive and enchanting Christmas Novella to get you in the holiday spirit!

The queen of Southern storytelling, Mary Kay Andrews, returns following The Newcomer with her signature witty, engaging style with a magical "must-read" holiday novella —THE SANTA SUIT! A beautiful Christmas story about a little town you'll want to visit, and a love story spanning generations you won't soon forget.

A massive fan of the author, for many years —having read all her books, I always look forward to hours of entertainment, especially with her Christmas books. After all, would it be a Christmas reading list without an appearance from MKA?

Magical, Nostalgic, Heart-warming —Second-chances!

Christmastime can be the most wonderful time of year, but it can be stressful for some. What a great way to unstress with this beautiful story assured to remind you of your favorite holiday times. Better than a holiday Hallmark movie!

Keenly observed, you can almost feel and smell the snow and Christmas trees and the holiday cheer. MKA transports us to a stunning setting which could even make Scrooge laugh and want to join in.

We are introduced to a newly-divorced Ivy Perkins trying to escape the big city life in Atlanta, her job, her best friend, and her cheating husband. Actually, those two she caught in the act.

It is snowing, and Ivy is excited to get to her new farmhouse with barn, located in the NC mountains in a quaint small town on the outskirts of Asheville. She purchased the charming old farmhouse (sight unseen) over the internet. Of course, it does not look like the beautiful photos on the internet upon arrival, and her list is adding up with repairs to be done.

It is called The Four Roses (named from past owners). She is ready for a change, and upon arrival, meets the realtor, Ezra. A nice-looking guy, but she has no time for guys. She just wants to get into her new home and start her new life with her dog Punkin and her chickens. Yes, (the girls) she has brought with her.

However, there are many problems with junky furniture (when she purchased without), and numerous problems with her own furniture delivery.

When going through the stuff left in the house, she finds an old Santa suit with a letter in the pocket from a young girl, Carlette asking to bring her father home from the war. Why did he save this one letter?

She is intrigued (obsessed) and starts sleuthing around town to find this family. She really wants to hide away; however, fate has something else in mind. Instead of fixing up the house, she gets caught up in the town, the Christmas lights, its history, and a link to a mysterious older gentleman who may connect all the dots.

In her quest for answers about the note, she meets some interesting characters and new friends for a new beginning. She brings life to a failing business, serves as cupid for her new friend, reunites a generation of family, and possibly a new love interest.

In the spirit of the season, the Santa suit and the note may unite generations at the Four Roses farmhouse.

THE SANTA SUIT is an enchanting story about finding love, home, and friendship when you're not even looking. Cozy up and settle in with a charming tale that will simply capture your holiday heart. Ideal for gift-giving.

I adored Ivy and I too, have moved to places where I did not know a soul. What great characters. Lawrence, Ezra, Phoebe, Cody, Carlette, Nancy, Bob, and Betty Rae Rose. I read this on my birthday and such a treat.

Half the joy of Christmas is curling up next to the hearth and snow with a good book in hand (even though I am in S. Florida and no snow and no fire), but I can escape through THE SANTA SUIT.

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press for a stunning hardcover with a beautiful holiday signed bookplate from MKA! It is stunning. And a digital copy from #NetGalley.

My Rating: 🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅
@JudithDCollins
Blog Review:
#JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: 09/28/2021

This is a really cute story that genuinely gets the reader ready for the holiday season. Very entertaining and whimsical.

🎅 BOOK / REVIEW 🎅

@marykayandrews ... this book was simply the BEST! I had a permanent smile on my face the entire time reading #thesantasuit, which published yesterday by @stmartinspress 🎁.

Fall (and Christmas) are my favorite and this book put me in the holiday spirit right away! I just loved this story and the characters. There is something so charming about moving from the city to a small town and finding yourself again. This is a sweet, savory and gentle love story, so if you're looking for something super spicy, this will not fit the bill. I would love to see this unfold as a #hallmark Christmas movie or Netflix mini-series. This clocks in around 200 pages and you could absolutely finish in one sitting. I actually wish this was a little longer, as I was sad to say goodbye to all of these amazing characters! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

My first Christmas book of 2021 and it was the perfect start to the season. Okay, it is only September but Christmas is right around the corner. I am ready for the fire in the fireplace, the hot cocoa, and the cuddling up with blankets. Mary Kay Andrew has set the mood and I am read for it.

Ivy is amazing. She has had her life torn up and decides to start over. Her bravery is moving, buying a house unseen, and making new friends makes her wonderful. I loved how she embraces every challenge, opens her heart to new experiences, and gives so much to her new community. As she works to clean up her new farmhouse, she finds family treasures and knows that they could be important to someone. The way that she works to discover who is in the pictures, the way that she reaches out to the people of the community to find the people, and the way that she embraces the Rose family history as if it was her own was heart warming and loving. Ivy does not let her history keep her down, she works hard, plays hard, and loves even harder.

The setting of the small town with its festival, quaint shops, and wonderful residents was perfect. The Southern Charm of the community was real and exactly what I was hoping for. I opened the book to read a few chapters and could not put it down. It was a one-sitting read for me.

Starting over, small towns, Christmas, and Santa! What more could you want? Add in a little bit of Mary Kay Andrews' humor and magic, and you've got a great holiday read!

I'm not typically a Christmas book reader, but I definitely enjoyed this. It's lighthearted, but touches your heart, and just seemed to fit what I wanted to read right now.

Pick this up for yourself or a friend and enjoy a wonderful holiday read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for approving my request for an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

“The Santa Suit” was a perfectly fine, small-town fiction/romance novel. It is a very similar vibe to the “Virgin River” books where a big-city woman moves to a small city and tries to adapt. It was fine, but the book just did not “wow” me. It was fairly predictable and didn’t really lead me to forge a substantial connection to the characters nor really get me on the path of getting in the Christmas spirit at this time, 3 stars ⭐️. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy for review.

I am a relatively new fan of Mary Kay Andrews's books having read a few of her summer books. She is definitely one of my most favorite summer book authors. But I didn't know she also wrote Christmas books so I was super excited to read The Santa Suit.

It is a short, quick read that had me a little misty-eyed at the end.

Recently-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse in North Carolina sight unseen. She dreams of raising chickens and growing her own vegetables, but those rosy dreams are unlikely to come true in the winter. Instead, she finds stopped-up drains and broken window panes at The Four Roses Farm. Still, she is optimistic that she, her dog Punkin, and the four chicks she picked up on her way out of Atlanta can make a go of it. Even if her "to-do" list starts growing as soon as she turns into the driveway. The condition is just the start of her problems. Her belongings are misdirected and eventually destroyed in an accident. Oh, and her only client has just fired her. Christmas isn't looking too cheery, which is okay with Ivy as she wasn't planning to celebrate anyways. Real-estate agent and handyman (and eligible bachelor) Ezra is determined to help her get settled.

The family who owned Four Roses Farm though were big into Christmas and the townspeople are already asking if Ivy is going to restart the Christmas traditions which include a huge light display. The person selling the house pretty much just left everything behind as he isn't "sentimental" (you have to pretend that most real estate contracts don't state that everything will be removed from the property that wasn't explicitly part of the sale). While cleaning out a closet, Ivy pulls out a box with a beautiful Santa suit. in the pocket is a letter - a young child wrote to Santa and asked him to bring her daddy home. Ivy is intrigued and it might just be the start of her rosy dreams coming true.

This story is so sweet - like Christmas sugar cookie sweet. There is a quintessential small town with friendly shop owners, a Christmas stroll, and more. There's even snow and a clean romance.

The only thing missing for me was a plate of Christmas cookies to nibble on while escaping into this book for a little Christmas magic.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday, Sept. 29 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/09/get-started-on-your-christmas-reading.html

This had everything I hoped for in a Christmas book and I’m already hoping this becomes a #Hallmark movie.
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Ivy is recently divorced and buys an old farmhouse sight unseen in a small town looking for a fresh start. There is a lot of labor to be done and things to clean out. She finds an old Santa Suit and a letter in the suit. Intrigued by the letter from a little girl asking for her dad to return from war she begins to investigate.
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Every time I think all Christmas books are the same with their small town romance, saving a business, snow on Christmas Eve, then something beautiful stands out and this one really did it for me. I loved the ending and the conclusion of the mystery. This Christmas book was the perfect one to start off my holiday reading.
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Thank you @StMartinsPress for an arc in exchange for an honest review. This book is out today!

Starting over is never easy, but Ivy Perkins decides to do just that. After finding out about her husband's infidelity, she decides to purchase an old farmhouse sight unseen. Her move to a small town in North Carolina leads to many adventures, including some with her realtor, Ezra.

This was a fun and short novella. I'd love to read more from Ivy one day.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced e-copy for review.

The Santa Suit is all about starting over, seeing the everyday blessings as well as some extraordinary ones, finding a new friends and perhaps a new love. A story that has healing after the heart is broken when the path to start over is not easy but necessary. I admire Ivy for doing that. If you have ever been to the mountains of North Carolina, you would agree this would a place to do such a thing. The setting is perfect and fits the story so well.

What a pleasure to read this realistic story. The Santa Suit and the note tucked into the pocket as well as The Four Roses farmhouse represent more than just a jolly man in red that gives out toys. Mary Kay Andrews has given the reader a heartfelt story that will encourage and inspire us whether we are new or need to be a friend to someone new. I recommend this story to all.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ivy, newly divorced, bought an old farmhouse online. She needs new start and this will do it.
Moving there is best decision ever.
While cleaning, she found a letter from a girl to Santa, she decided to try to find that girl.
She is helping all around her new town.
I loved storyline of this book.

I was surprised by how much I liked this novella. Usually not interested in holiday romance “chick lit,” though I don’t like that dismissive term. I am challenged every year to read a “Christmas book” and I thought this would be it. It is a quick read but it is not nearly as sappy as I expected. I liked the character development and the little sub storylines. Was surprised there was a little sex and even some mild cussing! I am sure this novella will get the Hallmark treatment very quickly and be turned into something magical…like the the Santa suit in the book is actually magic…

Ivy is starting over after a divorce. Buying a farmhouse unseen, she rids it of everything old, but then finds a Santa suit which leads her to unearth the mystery of a note in its pocket. When her moving truck and its contents are lost in an accident, her realtor-turned-friend retrieves the things she got rid of, helps her decorate her house, and helps her with other odd jobs. There's a connection there to be explored.
As she befriends people in the community during her quest, she finds a new purpose for herself and her career. Christmas approaches as she is unraveling more than she bargained for, and becomes part of the Christmas celebration.
The miracle of Christmas reveals itself as a family is reunited, the Santa suit's purpose is revived, and through all of this, Ivy finds herself and a new life. Even more, this second chance brings the possibility of love again, and Ivy learns that wishes come true to those who believe in Christmas and the magic of Santa. 
Received an ARC from Netgalley

The Santa Suit is the perfect book to get you in the Christmas spirit! This was such a fun read. I look forward to reading more from this author!

What an uplifting story. I read the description and thought I would give this story a try.
After the world and US events in the last 18 months, I was ready for some magic. This story brought it.

As many people undergoing divorce, the need to start over is very strong. Ivy Perkins buys a house, unseen, in North Carolina. It is in need of repair but came furnished.

Ivy finds a Santa suit in her new to her home, digs in to repair the home, and meets people. She finds a sense of community and belonging.

This was a fun, short read. Give it a try.

I was given an Advanced Reader’s Copy by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

Title: The Santa Suit
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Holiday
Pub Day: 9/28

Happy Publication Day to author Mary Kay Andrew’s contribution to the holiday season; her latest novella The Santa Suit. I adored this sweet story and feel confident if Christmas & Holiday stories are your jam that you’re going to love this one too!

Newly divorced, Ivy, needs a fresh start. So, she buys an old fixer upper farmhouse site unseen. With her dog in toe, she arrives to the mountains of North Carolina with big dreams. The farmhouse, The Four Roses, quickly becomes a labor of love, but luckily she has the whole whole town rooting for her; including her hunky real estate agent turned neighbor. As she is sorting through decades of old furniture, treasures, and trinkets that the previous family left behind; Ivy stumbles upon the most stunning Santa Suit. But what really catches her eye is a special letter that is in the pocket.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book is signature Mary Kay Andrews with a beautiful story, wonderful characters, a little bit romance and a little bit mystery. Her books seem to have it all. And I love it! My only complaint keeping it out of five star territory was the storyline of the secondary characters lying about what they looked like while online dating before meeting. 🙄 Not a fan. Add this to your holiday tbr!

Thank you to @netgalley + @stmartinspress for honoring my request to read and review this title.

This was a sweet little Christmas story. Perfect for the holidays. It had the feel of watching your favorite holiday movies. It moved a little fast for me and felt a little rushed. Overall it was enjoyable.

The Santa Suit is a charming and delightful Christmas novella that will get you in the Christmas spirit. I enjoyed the story and liked the characters. It is a book that can be read in one sitting and is a definite must-read this holiday season. Mary Kay Andrews never disappoints.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

What a fun novella to read! Ivy was searching for a new life and she found her niche, even though she resisted it at first. I liked how the author took seemingly unimportant details and made them important pieces to the puzzle. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I loved the ending!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.