This book made me so happy!

It is filled with wonderful characters and a storyline which really portrays the true meaning of Christmas - love, family, friendships, and community.

The settings were beautiful and I could perfectly picture the Four Roses farmhouse and the town all set up for The Christmas Stroll.

What a delightful read!

I requested this Christmas novella from Netgalley after reading the synopsis. Ivy Perkins bought a farmhouse based solely on a real estate listing. She knew it would need some "TLC," but hadn't imagined buying "The Four Roses," as the home was called, with the previous tenants' possessions still there. I enjoy visiting historic homes and hearing stories of the previous tenants, so this idea intrigued me. Kind of like the game "Homescapes" where you renovate this old family mansion, but in real life.
The story opened with Ivy on her way from Atlanta to Tarburton, North Carolina, with her dog, Punkin, and a box filled with Araucana chicks. Newly divorced, she wanted to begin again in a new state. When she finally saw “The Four Roses," she realized the house was a serious “fixer upper.” She was irked to find all the Rose family furnishings. No one else in the family was keen on taking the furniture or doing anything with…well, anything. Ivy went through their clothes, furniture, records and other paperwork. She found a beautifully made Santa suit and a note inside one pocket that appeared to have been written by a child. The child wanted her daddy to come home from the war. Ivy wanted to know what happened to the child and if she got her wish. Solving that mystery led her on an adventure and introduced her to her new town and its people.  
Tarburton seemed like the ideal Southern town made up of helpful, caring people...and one hunky real estate agent. I enjoyed solving the mystery behind the note tucked inside the Santa suit alongside Ivy, but I probably enjoyed exploring the farmhouse with her the most. She may have meant to come to this new place where she could be alone to collect her thoughts and rebuild her life. The note gave Ivy a new purpose as she grieved and healed from the pain of the divorce.
Ivy also was rebuilding her career in public relations after losing clients post divorce. She found fertile creative ground once again when she started a marketing campaign to help the owner of a candy shop who made these awesome “dark chocolate pepperymint patties.” Andrews made me crave York peppermint patties. I can see them as sponsors if this becomes a Hallmark movie.  
The things I didn't like reminded me of Stephen King and his editing advice. I noticed words the author repeated that he would probably call "fillers." “Groused” for example and “looking sheepish” were used more than once. I don’t like to see anything beyond “he said, she said” in dialogue. I want to imagine the scene myself based on the dialogue. The descriptions of how we text each other weren’t necessary. Removing all those small details would clear the path of words that impede the flow of the story.
That said, the author perfectly captured the dynamics between owner and dog. I'm a dog person. I talk to my dog, Skylar, frequently and he usually has to be somewhere in my vicinity throughout the day. I could relate to how Ivy and Punkin interacted with each other. I did think the woman needed a fenced-in yard though.
I did experience a bit of a let down at the end. I couldn’t imagine Ivy not sharing information with the people in her immediate circle. I just couldn’t see why a particular character in the story wouldn’t have figured the answer before her. BUT I did cry at the reunion and happy ending. Romance, mystery, the sights, smells, and tastes of Christmas made me long for the past while looking forward to the joys of the holiday season.

Such a sweet fun holiday read. Lots of descriptions of the old farmhouse Ivy buys after her recent divorce. Determined to relocate and rebuild her life she relocated to the old Four Roses farmhouse. At first she is reluctant to become involved in any of the Christmas festivities in the small town of Tarburton. Ivy is befriend by local girl Phoebe, who has a secret crush on a deployed soldier. Meanwhile her realtor Ezra seems determined to make her transition to the farm easier

Ivy uncovers a mysterious decades old letter to Santa, and is soon caught up in trying to find the writer of the letter. Unknown secrets, and a little romance seems to be just what Santa ordered as Ivy finds herself caught up in the Christmas stroll and the spirit of the season.

This will be a great holiday read. Thank you to the author for the ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

If you are looking for an escape from the divisiveness and ugliness of today's headlines, I would highly recommend this book. Ivy buys a farmhouse, sight unseen, to start a new life after her divorce. The house is run down, but fully furnished. After getting rid of the former owner's furnishings, she learns her own were destroyed in a moving van accident, She gets the used furniture back. Along with adjusting to the old furnishings, she adjusts to a life she never knew she could have. Trying on a Mrs. Santa suit she discovered in the farmhouse attic, brought her a renewal of faith in mankind. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had a Santa suit?

Newly divorced Ivy Perkins buys (sight unseen) a rundown farm house in the mountains of North Carolina. While cleaning out everything the previous owner’s family left, she finds a beautiful Santa suit on a shelf. In the pocket, Ivy finds a note from a little girl. It’s a simple request. Please bring my daddy home for Christmas. But it really isn’t so simple since the note was written during the Vietnam war. Ivy sets out to find out if the wish on the note was granted and what happened to the little girl. Along the way, Ivy finds friendship, romance and a place to belong. Part of the ending is predictable. But the answer to who the little girl is and what happened to her was unexpected. The Santa Suit is truly a feel-good Christmas story.

The Santa Suit was a lovely way to put the reader in the holiday spirit, even if the outside weather is warm. While this was a shorter read, it feels complete and did not leave me disappointed. The story follows Ivy Perkins after she filed for divorce from her ex-husband, Kyle. The two of them owned a marketing and public relations firm in Atlanta, Georgia. After getting divorced, Ivy decided to start again by moving to another state and living her dream in a farmhouse. She buys a 106-years-old farmhouse called Four Roses Farm in Tarburton, North Carolina and makes the move there with her dog, Punkin. When she arrives at her new home, she meets her relator in person for the first time, Ezra Wheeler.

From the time Ivy arrives at her house, she begins to learn all the minor and major obstacles that come from this change in her life. While cleaning out some things from the previous owners, she comes across a Santa suit. Tucked into the sleeve is a note from a little girl, Carlette that is wishing from her father to return (from a war). This starts Ivy on a journey to discover the mystery behind the note. Along the way, she begins to settle into her new home with help from Ezra and her new life in the small town where she meets another new friend, Phoebe. Along with Ivy’s story, there are two subplots mainly involving Phoebe and Ezra. All three stories weave together to create a heart-warming read.

All the characters in this novel were greatly enjoyable. I love that even the minor characters were complex and they all interacted together. As the novel is set in a smaller town, I loved that the author kept the community feel throughout the entire novel. The setting was charming and I love the inclusion of all the quirks that come with living and working on very old homes. My house is close to the one in the novel as it is 103 years old, so I definitely related to Ivy. This novel made me want to pick up my own house and put it in a farm setting as I love the community feel described in the pages.

Overall, this novel was easily read in one sitting as it kept my interest to the point it was impossible to put down. While there may be different pieces to the story, such as a potential second chance romance and the mystery of the note, everything was tied together nicely in one way or another by the end. I commend the author for bringing all the pieces together to make it not only feel complete, but not rushing any element. As the story was extremely enjoyable, I do wish that it was longer. The characters, mystery, and town were all fantastic, so the potential to expand on all of them was there. I would easily read a longer version of the story if I was given the opportunity. No matter the length, the story delivered a heart-warming holiday tale that continues to make me a fan of Mary Kay Andrews!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**

this is a good story with a suprise at the end. ivy has moved to a new town after a divorce , she has bought a house and land that is run down when she gets there with her dog and chickens. she is a city girl but learns fast. the first person she meets is the real estate agent who is there to give her the keys to her home that she bought only seeing it on line. the agent is ezra . then she meets some of the other people in town. then she finds out that the house was owned by a husband and wife that played santa and mrs clause at christmas . and the treasurs she finds in the house. very good i got a copy from net galley but this is an honest review

I don't loooove novellas, but this was a fun one. And boy, will it get you in the Christmas spirit.. man, how is this year gone already again?? Gulp! But back to the book. Yes, please, this was a quick and fun interlude, and would love to read more from the author.

The Santa Suit is the perfect book to begin your holiday readings with . Mary Kay Andrew’s found a delightful way to combine family & love with the holidays .
Ivy moves into an old farmhouse when trying to make a new start after her divorce . When she realizes the house she purchased isn’t exactly what she expected she decides to make the best of it. She quickly makes friends with a teenager named Phoebe , her very helpful realtor,Ezra, and an older gentleman named Lawrence . The previous owners’ Santa suit seems to magically bring them all together.’
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for a copy for my honest opinion.

Such a heartwarming and enchanting story. Enjoyed reading this, it's very engaging with indefatigable and compassionate characters and a community that loves being helpful. Love how the foundation builds into so much more and how well things wrap together in such warmness, emotional, very uplifting and such a sweet romance.

Mary Kay Andrews, the queen of the summer beach read has gifted her readers with a sweet Christmas novella sure to warm the hearts of the most hardened of grinches. Newly divorced and jobless, Ivy Perkins buys a quaint old farmhouse sight unseen hoping for a fresh start. Cue the small town charm, the helpful real estate broker/potential love interest and the discovery of a Santa Suit with a note from a child written long ago, stuffed in the pocket. In her search to discover the identity of that little girl, Ivy meets the friendly and helpful locals and in turn endears herself to the community.

This book will appeal to readers looking for a gentle, family values Christmas story to help get into the spirit of Christmas. It’s one of those reads that keeps you smiling throughout, the kind that would make a great Hallmark movie to watch while you are wrapping gifts in December.

A copy of this book was received from the publisher via NetGalley for review.

This was a very sweet story about Christmas magic and second chances - who doesn't love that her dog is named a good alliteration!

I don't know how I've never read an Andrews book before but I will in the future and I'd highly recommend this one!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #St.MartinsPress for an eARC copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review - #publishingdate09.28.2021.

What a wonderful and quick story that will get you in the mood for Christmas. The Santa Suit does magic for the town of Tarbuton. So get a hot Chocolate, light a fire and snuggle in to read this warm and happy novella

I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this enchanting story

This was such a fun, cozy holiday read! I love a good love story in a small town and this one checked all the boxes! Ivy and Ezra were darling, and all of Ivy’s neighbors who became friends were so endearing. The discovered Santa suit gave the story that extra special something that made it magical. I loved this one!

The Santa Suit is a delightful Christmas novella! A sweet romance, a small town community, and a bit of Christmas magic add up to this charming story. Perfect for reading in front of the Christmas tree!

A sweet book about starting over, with a new home, friends and a new life. Throw in a little Christmas mystery and you have an enjoyable book.

3.5 stars

A quick, feel-good story from an always entertaining author. Newly divorced Ivy Perkins moves to a new community after impulsively buying an old farmhouse sight unseen. Then, in a made for TV movie scenario, Ivy proceeds to shake up her now town in a marvelous way.

She manages to save a failing business, befriend a lonely old man, reunite a family and find happiness in just a few weeks. Sentimental and upbeat. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you are looking for something to put you in the spirit of Christmas, this is the story for you! Small town setting with very clean, closed-door romance.
Ivy Perkins, a newly divorced gal from Atlanta moves to a small town in the middle of nowhere North Carolina and buys an old farm house (Four Roses Farm) which used to be owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rose who played Santa and Mrs. Claus for many years at all the town’s holiday events. Ivy, her dog Pumpkin, and some chickens are all that ends up arriving in one piece. Her furniture is a whole other story. The Roses left everything behind, as their son James didn’t want anything, leaving Ivy with a treasure trove of holiday items and Christmas decor, including a beautiful, well-made Santa suit, worn and well-preserved by Santa Bob Rose for many years. Ivy happens upon an old note in the hidden pocket of the suit from a child named Carlotta asking Santa to bring her daddy home from war. Ivy is touched by the note, especially when she thinks of the feelings of loss when her own mother passed away when Ivy was very young. Upon arrival at Four Roses, Ivy meets the real estate broker, Ezra, who is not an old man she assumed from his name. He’s actually a single, charming, and very good looking man who ends up helping her with so many things on account of her furniture not arriving as planned. With Ezra’s help, she begins to make the best of things at the old, rambling farm house and she and her Irish Setter dog, Pumpkin settle in. But she can’t shake the feeling that she really needs to find out if the little girl named Carlotta ever got her Christmas wish from Santa. Did her Daddy ever come back from the war? As Ivy asks questions around town, she develops some unexpected, and much needed friendships with a lovestruck gal named Phoebe and a very old, lonely gentleman named Lawrence. Will Ivy be able to locate Carlotta and give Lawrence a Christmas miracle she so desperately hopes for?

I really enjoyed this book. It was just the dose of warm and cozy holiday feels I was looking for (even in September). The characters were fun and it was just the right amount of happy needed in a Christmas book. Reading is an escape for me and this one gave just the break I needed from some very heavy things in my life.

The Santa Suit is a great holiday read. Just enough drama with a good dose of loving people. At first I thought this woman was crazy- buying a farm house without ever seeing it in person? Ivy is a strong willed woman. I love how she quickly made friends and became part of the community. Having Ezra to back her up was icing on the cake. Phoebe and Cody need their own book. Lots of warm fuzzies from this book!