The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews | Book Review

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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.

So, it turns out that Mary Kay Andrews writing really resonates with me. The Santa Suit was such a pleasure to read. I tore right through it. And now I have this whole backlist to check out — particularly with holiday themed reads. Love that for me.

The Santa Suit follows Ivy Perkins who is a divorcee from Atlanta. She’s bought an old farmhouse sight unseen with the intention of rehabilitating and living in it. She wants to create a new life and move past her divorce. However, it turns out that the farmhouse isn’t quite in the condition she expects. So, Ivy receives help from her realtor, Ezra, in getting The Four Roses – the name of the farmhouse – in order. While going through items the previous family left behind, she comes across a beautiful vintage Santa suit.

Within the suit is a note from a little girl named Carlotte, asking for the return of her father who is oversees fighting in the Vietnam War. Ivy becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Carlotte. Also, she finds this project is helping her to integrate into the small North Carolina town that she’s moved to.

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#Inverted Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday and The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews #christmasbooks #christmasbooktok @Avon Books @stmartinspress

♬ I Can Feel It (Christmas Instrumental) – Nick Sena and Danny Echevarria

Overall, I thought that The Santa Suit was such a cute story. I found myself rooting for Ivy and Ezra. Also, I liked that unlike a Hallmark movie, Ivy and Ezra did actually hook up. However, that bit was closed door, but you knew it was happening. The side characters were wonderful too — particularly an old man that Ivy befriends and Phoebe who meets a man on the internet.

On A Scale Of One To Buddy The Elf, How Much Christmas Spirit Does The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews Have?

Mary Kay Andrews’ The Santa Suit exudes Christmas spirit. There’s a holiday lights display. Also included is a town wide holiday shopping event. Oh and Hanukkah is included in this book as well. I found myself feeling buoyed and jolly after reading this book. I’d love to see this turned into a Netflix film — as you are not allowed to allude to spice in a Hallmark movie.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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