Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this Mary Kay Andrews book. I always enjoy her books, but usually think of her as a beach book author. This book had all the escapism of one of her beach books, but is sparkling with the magic of Christmas. Ivy is a fun character that adds to the charm as she restarts her life in the small town and gets caught up in its people and traditions. This is a pull-up a chair by the fire and pour a hot cocoa sweet romance.

Tarburton, NC - Present Day

Ivy Perkins, recently divorced, bought Four Roses Farm, sight unseen, over the internet. With her dog, Punkin, she's left Atlanta, carefree, and ready to get on with her life. Ivy has never done anything so spontaneous, possibly reckless, before, but still reeling from her ex-husband's affair with her friend, Ivy knew she needed to break free from everything, and that includes the marketing business she partnered with her ex. Somehow, she'll find work, but, in the meantime, Ivy intends to relax on her farm.

Upon arrival at Four Roses, Ivy is a bit stunned to discover that it's not quite the pristine house that was pictured online. And her realtor, Ezra Wheeler, is not the old codger she expected either. In fact, Ezra is, well, kind of hot. He presents her with her keys, making few apologies for the home's condition. Once inside, Ivy is dismayed to find that the previous owners left literally everything behind - furniture, clothing, you name it. It's while removing clothes from the closet that Ivy opens a box containing a beautifully made Santa suit. And inside the pocket is a note from a child asking Santa to bring her father home from the war. Curious, Ivy saves both the suit and the note, hoping to find out about Carlette, the little girl who wrote the note, and if her father came home.

Ivy's plans to relax go astray when Four Roses presents her with all sorts of challenges. She'll need to replace the windows, fix the lock on the front door, figure out how the heating system works, and build a chicken coop for the box of chicks she brought from Atlanta. While in town she meets Phoebe, a young woman who offers to help Ivy find who Carlette is. Ivy also discovers that Four Roses was known as the Christmas House, and residents she meets in town all ask her if she's going to decorate the place for the holiday? Ivy declines, much to their dismay. Her own history of Christmas isn't as merry as others.

THE SANTA SUIT is an engaging, heartwarming tale of someone starting a new life. Ivy learns quickly that Tarburton is a town that loves tradition, and her warm reception there begins to help her heal from her ex-husband's betrayal. Finding Carlette is something Ivy is determined to do, but, in the meantime, making new friends, possibly finding romance, and growing to love Four Roses keeps her life filled.

Don't miss this gem from Mary Kay Andrews, just in time for the holidays.

I received an ARC digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. She is finally back and this is MKA's book that I have been waiting for! I have come to realize that MKA has two sides to her writing personality and this is the side that I whole heartedly embrace. Her murder, crime side, I just do not don't end up falling in love with those books. Ivy and Ezra are worthy of a stand alone novel to continue their story line along. I even want Ivy's ex-husband and restaurant barbie wife to make an appearance in a future book. I can see the chickens and Punkin starring in their own children's books. I want to know what happens to Phoebe and Cody after Christmas. And Carlotta and Lawrence's reunion now that they finally found each other after all these years. Or does the candy shop survive after Christmas?

This is MKA at her best! She has set up a beautiful Southern town and a whole cast of characters that I want to visit again and again. I hope she makes the decision to continue writing about this little sleepy southern town. Older wiser character who mentors our heroine. Thrifting with mentions of Shiny Bright Christmas ornaments. I want the candy from the candy shop to actually exist. Her descriptions of the candy remind me of “Mint Snowball” by Naomi Shihab Nye and a bit from her own cookbook. Each character/couple has the potential to star in their own stand alone novel if she would decide to continue writing about this little town. Just like Heidi Swain's Wynbridge or Cathy Bramley's Derbyshire. MKA has created a hidden gem and there is so much potential with this cast of characters. Weezie and Bebe are hands down my favorite characters she has ever written but Ivy and Ezra would be my second.

Take a chance and buy this book. You will not regret it!

PS-I have already ordered a copy for my mom for her October birthday. Shhhhh - don't tell her:-)

A sweet and uplifting Chriatmas novella about a recent divorcee who buys an old farmhouse in a small town and gets swept into the local community. I am new to this author but really enjoyed the story and her style.

Mary Kay Andrews has done her usual, remarkable job of telling a good story with a few surprises. This Christmas story is sure to become a favorite. Thanks for the opportunity to read it.

I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin Publishing. Mary Kay Andrew's has created another win. This book has is light harded with some drama. Ivy is a women in need of a start over and she has found thd perfect town to do it in. Ezra realtor with the heart to help some. Phoebe is young at heart but a loyal friend, Mr. Jones is one of a kind. Punkin is loyal to fault. This plot has romance, mystery, drama, forgiveness. This book even though it takes place at Christmas time can be read anytime of the year. Can you find love again. How long is to long to hold onto hope. Can someone really start over? This book is for a mature reader.

What a wonderfully wholesome novella full of goodness, a generous dose of holiday spirit, and a sprinkling of self discovery! I love to read a seasonal book and The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews is one that I will keep on my shelf to re-read during the holidays or whenever I want a literary holiday pick me up. The book begins with a woman, Ivy, who travels from Atlanta and buys a farmhouse sight unseen in North Carolina in December. I enjoyed every page turn as she arrives at the house with her Red Setter, Punkin, and meets Ezra, her realtor who is not the old geezer she envisioned by any stretch. Ivy is solid. I won't spoil this delightful story, but will say that she makes a positive difference wherever she goes. I admire that quality in a character and champion Ms. Andrews for creating such a wonderful heroine. If you want a Christmas story to devour with a steaming cup of cocoa, this is the one for you! Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and Ms. Andrews for the opportunity to review this advanced copy.

How I love Mary Kay Andrews! From her first b00ks about Weezie in her Savannah Blues books up to this one, she just keeps getting better. This one centers on a young divorcee moving to a small North Carolina town to start life anew near Christmas, What she finds in an old farm house and the people she meets in her new town will bring laughter, tears and a feeling of good will to you. I was stuck in a chair with a bad back muscle strain while I read this and I swear, I feel better already! Kudos to this author.

This is an absolutely beautiful story of love I found myself smiling as I read along and the ending had me beaming with joy. A delightful storyline, loveable characters and a beautiful setting made this book a pleasure to read. There is nothing like feeling happy and content when you finish a book. A wonderful creation by this author.

Thanks to St Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. A real treasure.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and St. Martin Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A newly divorced woman buys and old farmhouse and gets more than she initially bargains. She did not expect the amount of work needed to sort through the previous owner furniture and junk.

She finds a Santa suit with a letter from a little girl wanting her father to wear it when he comes home from war. She becomes curious whether or not the little girl got her wish as she dives into the previous owner of the house.

A charming sweet read that brings the magic of the season to life.

Cutest story is filled with a relocating divorced woman, a handsome handyman realtor, new friends and the Santa suit of dreams.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Santa Suit never captured my attention. It just didn’t have enough fast and furious action for me.

Sweet story that makes you smile. Obviously predictable, but that doesn’t take away from it being a nice, gentle read.

Great read.

Ivy bought an old farmhouse without visiting it, wanting a new start following her divorce. A mystery starts with an old santa suit she finds in the house. It leads her to make new friends and uncover the mystery along the way.

Mary Kay Andrews brings us an easy read for the holidays. Ivy, trying to put her life together after her divorce, buys the Four Roses Farm, sight unseen. She intends to remodel the home with all of the modern touches, but comes to love the house the way it is. She is aided in her fixing up by Ezra, her handsome realtor. When Ivy finds the Santa suit worn by the former owner and the child's note in the pocket she has a mystery to solve too. You will enjoy the story and the characters. I felt like I was having Christmas in May while I read this lovely story.

Another great holiday book by Mary Kay Andrews. The book had great main characters and a satisfiying ending to the mystery that was woven throughout. I also love the small town charm - reminded me a little of Stars Hollow for Gilmore Girls fans. For a shorter novel, I would have preferred a little less focus on the minor characters so that space could have been devoted to Ivy and her growing relationships. But still a fun quick read.

The Santa Suit is the perfect, feel good, Christmas book - I loved it! Heart warming and comforting grab a cup of hot cocoa and curl up with this book. You will believe in Santa again!

Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews. This novella is just waiting for someone from the Hallmark channel to make a christmas movie out of it. It was an enjoyable read if a little too sweet.  Usually something happens to derail the obvious outcome but not in this story. All kindness and smiles. Thanks St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this early offering.

Absolutely adorable fun holiday read from a favorite author. She never fails to create a terrific read. This one takes place (stating the obvious I know…) right before Christmas when Ivy and her dog have come to town following the implosion of both her personal and professional life, bought a home sight unseen (never ever do that!!) that no one ever bothered to empty, nothing that works right, does not even remotely resemble the pictures that the real estate agent showed her and just wanting to be left alone to mentally heal and regroup. Then she meets her elders white haired real estate agent who is anything, but and things really heat up. As she unpacks and starts to empty the house she finds a Santa Suit and magic happens. New friends, a new life and all so much more and better than she could have even hoped for. This is a quick read that is so sweet and so much fun. I read it in one sitting and was a little sad when it was done!

The Santa Suit is such a heartwarming story about Ivy Perkins who starts life over after buying a farm that she has never seen in person. She arrives into town and starts making many new friends and connections as she attempts to get her bearings. MKA as always creates endearing characters that seem like real people with real life stories.