A sweet, uplifting small town Christmas story that you will put you in the holiday spirit! Mary Kay Andrews’s signature strengths shine through this romantic novella – a feisty independent heroine, a quirky and endearing cast of characters, and a dose of southern charm. When new divorcee Ivy moves to a dilapidated farmhouse in a small town, she finds new love, new friends, a bit of light mystery, and the magic of Christmas.

This book isn’t as long as MKA’s regular novels, but it’s exactly the right length to fit into a busy holiday season. Curl up with this book and a cup of cocoa and you’ll be feeling warm and Christmassy in no time! Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This is a delightful “beach read” for the winter season. I don’t know if Ms. Andrews writes scripts on the side for Hallmark movies (and, yes, I am a fan) but this would be a perfect one. Everyone who needs to find their HEA, does so by the end of the book, and in a satisfying way. The lost are found, the mismatched are matched, and all is well with Christmas in the end. Love it. Very glad I read it.

Mary Kay Andrews is one of those authors that when I pick up her books I just know I’m going to find wonderful writing and a wonderful story so I was excited to read The Santa Suit. This one is a contemporary romance novella that also had a bit of mystery to the story.

Ivy Perkins has just gone through a divorce and decided she needed a huge change in her life. Since Ivy can do her job from anywhere working remotely she decided she was going to buy a farmhouse sight unseen and move from Atlanta to a tiny town in North Carolina.

When Ivy arrives at her new home her realtor, Ezra, is waiting to help and Ivy sees the property is a bit more rundown than she thought. Ezra offers Ivy any assistance she may need including helping to clean out the old furniture. As Ivy boxes up the belongings she finds an old Santa suit tucked away with a note inside the pocket so Ivy being curious tries to find out if that little girl got her Christmas wish all those years ago.

So let’s just get the negative out of the way that lowered my rating to four stars and that would be that being a novella of course I felt it was a bit fast paced and could have used more depth. Being short the romance isn’t given a lot of focus and more of a just sort of happens. However, that being said there was a lot going on in this little story that was very entertaining and fun to read. Ivy was a lovely lead and surrounding her was a small town full of nice folks which more than made up for anything else lacking, especially with the family and friends side of the story.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

What a great Christmas story! Ivy has been divorced and decides to move from Atlanta to a small maintain town in North Carolina. She bought a rundown farmhouse where she has taken her dog and her four chickens. When you add in a great cast of characters including her handsome realtor, and mysterious note found in an old Santa Claus suit, you have a fun adventure to read!

A really delightful small town holiday romance that will get you in the spirit of the season. Amusing dialogue, interesting characters and an adorable small town. Ivy is a delight from the get go and Ezra is the quintessential hunk that is there to meet all of her needs before she even knows what she will require. A little mystery and a quirky new friend keep Ivy busy during the holidays.

Vintage. That describes this wondrous adventure of a woman starting an in a place with tradition as she transitions to a new life. Beset by incidents familiar with a move from the place you thought was yours forever to the unknown. Ivy has bought a house she’s only seen on screen. Expecting a few challenges and armed with a to-do list,things quickly accelerate from the predictable to the comic. Aided by a real estate agent who is part handy man ,part plumber , all male . Added to this is the mystery of a Santa Suit she found in a wardrobe, with a note to Santa inside, with a wish so tender and loving Ivy is moved to uncover its origins. Following a trail of bits and pieces of information provided by people in the present a picture of the past helps Ivy step into her future.

What a delightful, short Christmas story! I normally think of this author for her beachy summer novels, but this delightful holiday read gave me all the feels! Read it in one sitting and really enjoyed this tale of community, old houses (and the things inside) and a bit of romance! Highly recommend to any that want some sweet Christmas reading! My thanks to the author, publisher & Net Galley for the complimentary e-ARC, which did not affect this opinion.

This is the book version of a whipped cream topped peppermint hot cocoa in front of a fireplace wearing wool socks Christmas hug. As an avid Hallmark/Lifetime movie watcher, I’m shocked that this hasn’t been made into a movie yet, and I won’t be surprised if Christmas 2022 this graces our screens.

Fresh out of a divorce, Ivy buys a southern farm house sight unseen to renovate and start her new life. While unpacking the boxes left by the previous owner, she uncovers a Santa suit with a Christmas wish in the pocket. Ivy takes on the mystery of finding who the little girl was that wrote the note and in the process discovers so much more about the quaint community she’s moved to.

I requested this book on Net Galley because after reading a few flops, I needed a good Mary Kay Andrew’s book to make me happy and this was everything I needed. I plan to recommend this to all of my girlfriends as a must read this holiday season. You’ll smile, you’ll cry and you’ll feel that warm fuzzy Christmas joy everyone needs a little more of these days. I cannot recommend this one enough.

The Santa Suit By: Mary Kay Andrews is another huge hit! What a sweet holiday book everyone will enjoy!
Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book. A charming Christmas tale with a bit of mystery and romance thrown in. Kept me reading until the end. Very heart-warming but also intriguing story. Highly recommend!

Oh Mary Kay Andrews.

After her rant about a bookstagrammers fair review of a Hilderbrand novel, I have been truly afraid to post this one. Because while I didn't love it, I also didn't hate it and I am afraid, truly, of the author's retaliation.

This was a cute book, but nothing incredibly groundbreaking or new feeling. I liked it, I think it will be a sweet Holiday read, but that's about it.

Hopelessly sentimental, rewarding, refreshing, perfect feel-good read. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Superbly written fiction with a touch of the best tropes.
I literally gobbled this up in a couple of hours. I woke up, had my coffee and sat down to read before the rest of my household woke up. I enjoyed this book, uninterrupted and hated when it was over. In fact, while reading I glanced at my page count and saw that I was already at 85%. That rarely happens that I am that engrossed.

The Santa suit first caught my eye from an email I received highlighting upcoming releases. And after reading the blurb, I was hooked despite the fact I don't usually delve into the Christmas trope until at least October. I'm so glad I did.

While this book has a bit of several tropes for example: Christmas, second chance, mystery, women's fiction, romance and new beginnings, I did not feel the plot was overdone. In addition, there is a wonderful plot twist at the end that just made me tear up.

I won't go into detail about the premise of this book. The blurb will tell you all you need to know and the book will leave you teary-eyed and smiling. This is actually my first book by this author and I will most definitely be reading more from her.

Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! Don't wait for the holiday season to read this fulfilling fat paced Christmas gem,

While I received an advanced reading copy of The Santa suit,this is my honest and unbiased review and I thank you for taking the time ro read it.

Cozy meet-cute with a holiday element. As usual this was a well-written book by Mary Kay Andrews.  There's a really lovely supporting cast of characters Including a dog named Punkin (and some chimkins!).  This quick read novella includes a light  plot twist that really surprised me in a semi cozy read. Obviously I would read more by this author because this is several books now that I've read by her which is why I jumped on a novella.  The only note I would give is if you're going to mention a cake like that you should definitely give the recipe.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy Perkins, divorced, is starting over. Leaving her big city life behind, along with memories of a cheating husband, a disloyal friend and a loss of faith, she buys a farm house in the middle of a small town, both sight unseen. What she finds is an over-furnished, badly in need of repair building and a town full of strangers she hopes to avoid. Finding a Santa suit and an old letter in its pocket, she is curious and seeks answers. With the help of Ezra, her handsome realtor and Phoebe, a very kind neighbor, her life opens up to more townsfolk and she begins to unravel the secrets of Four Roses Farm, her new home. Mary Kay Andrews’ novel is a delightful, warm and cozy story of taking a chance on love and friendship. What a perfect read for the holidays! What a perfect read for any time of year we need to smile.

When I pick up a book by MKA, I know that I am going to be in for a treat. Her books are light easy reads that usually leave me with a smile. I think that MKA has outdone herself with the Christmas themed book. It is full of charming and lovable characters. Ivy is a delight making a new life for herself after a painful divorce. Ezra is adorable as the real estate agent that all too willing to help Ivy with her new home and life. The Santa Suit and the letters and pictures that Ivy finds gives the story a heart warming feel and a bit of a mystery. Phoebe, Nancy, and Lawrence all help Ivy feel welcome and become fast friends. I loved the way the story ended and wouldn't mind if MKA wanted to take us back to Tarburton for more Christmas stories.


Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoy all of Mary Kay Andrews books. They are heartwarming women's fiction with a swirl of romance and strong female characters. The Santa Suit is no different. It made me long for Christmas in July and the appeal of a small town. Wish it had been a little longer, but still a great weekend read.

This is a cute story that takes place on Christmas time. After a divorce, Ivy decides to start anew by buying an old farmhouse in a city she’s never been to. When getting to the house she finds a lot of Christmas stuff - including a Santa suit - that leads her on a quest to find out more about the past inhabitants of the house.

Recently divorced Ivy Perkins wanted a fresh start far away from her present home in Atlanta. And in a little obscure town of Tarburton, she found the perfect place to call home — the Four Roses Farm. A quaint farmhouse complete with a barn on two lovely acres of land. But Ivy got more than she bargained for. After all, the house was over 100 years old and needed a lot of TLC.

Luckily for Ivy, the townsfolk of Tarburton were a friendly and helpful lot. Especially Ezra Wheeler, her real estate agent. Ezra was fairly new to Tarburton as well, but he developed a lot of business connections that made it easier for Ivy to navigate her way through the cleanup and move in process.

Determined to start her life with a clean slate, Ivy commences to clear out the abandoned furnishing and wardrobes. In the process of clearing out the many boxes and chests, Ivy finds a Santa suit. It was a beautifully preserved suit made with real velvet and real white fur trim.

Upon inspection of the gorgeous suit, Ivy finds a note hidden in the jacket pocket. The note was from a little girl named Carlette asking that Santa bring her daddy home from the war. Filled with emotion upon reading the note, Ivy resolves to find Carlette and learn the outcome of Carlette and her family.

The Santa Suit is an easy, fast read. The book, considered a novella, still contains all the elements of a full novel. The characters are well fleshed out, and the storyline flows nicely with the exception of an abrupt romantic interlude.

Overall, The Santa Suit is an enjoyable novella that is sure to stir up family and Christmas memories. Five heartfelt stars.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

I received an advance copy of, The Santa Suit, by Mary Kay Andrews. This is a sweet story about starting over after divorce. Ivy and her dog Punkin are starting over in anew town.

Mary Kay Andrews always writes incredible books and The Santa Suit is no different. Newly divorced Ivy Perkins is looking for a new start and buys an old Farmhouse online in what turns out to be a nostalgic, heartwarming town that loves to celebrate Christmas. Enjoy the characters, a little romance, mystery and determination sprinkled with a little magic in this delightful holiday book.
I received an advanced copy from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press. The comments and review are my honest opinion.