The Santa Suit
Ratings13
Average rating3.3
From Mary Kay Andrews, the New York Times bestselling author of Hello, Summer, comes a novella celebrating the magic of Christmas and second chances in The Santa Suit. When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love—but Ivy didn't bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it's a full-time job sorting through all of it. At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit—beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it's from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold? Ivy's quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.
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I loved the small town atmosphere. I loved how Ivy came around on living in the ‘Christmas house'. I loved how she put herself out there and met new people. I loved how she helped her new friends to grow and have a better life. This was a happy book!
Book Version of Hallmark Christmas Movie. The title is basically all you need to know here. If you like the Hallmark Christmas Movie craze, you're going to love this book. If that isn't really your thing... you should still try this book out, since it is funny and includes a compelling small-town mystery of long-lost family. This is an excellently written story that fits well within the space intended, and thus is another sure-fire winner for an author who seems to be in that “groove” now. All the feels, a touch of humor, a dash of Christmas magic, and no true anxiety/ fear inducing drama. Truly, all you can really ask for in a story of this type. Oh, and this one is a short and easy read too - perfect for a quick bite to get you in the Christmas spirit or to kick off your three months of Christmas. Or for when your family is over for Christmas and you need a break! :) Very much recommended.
This book read as if it was written by AI. The plot, the dialogue, the lack of chemistry or meaningful conversations, just contrived. Ivy is kind of a bitch and not in an endearing way. I didn't really understand why Ezra is coming on so strongly to Ivy after she had been so rude to him, but him cyberstalking her gave me all the ick. Ngl, the “you could stand to eat a few cheeseburgers” line knocked a star off all by itself. Ezra in general was a consent nightmare. It's never a good time for me when the male lead of a romance novel is icky. The whole Phoebe and Cody business and her trying to lose 10 pounds just so she can be catfished too, was gross. The only saving grace for this book was Lawrence seeing Carlette again.
