Goodreads says, "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."
Ivy Perkins is newly divorced and looking for a fresh start in the idyllic town of Tarburton, North Carolina. She buys an old farmhouse, sight unseen, just because it's the type of house she has always wanted. It's called Four Roses Farm....perfect, right? When she first arrives to Four Roses Farm, she meets good looking Ezra Wheeler, the real-estate agent. They hit it off and she quickly finds out he is more than just a friendly neighbor, he knows just about everyone in town and is an all around great handyman, which she desperately needs. While exploring the house with her adorable dog, Punkin, she comes across an old Santa suit with a note in the pocket. The note says "please bring daddy home from the war." Obviously, this tugs on Ivy's heartstrings. With Ezra's help, she makes some connections in the community that might give her answers as to whose Santa suit it is, who wrote the note, and what happened to the child's father. The Santa Suit is an adorable Christmas story that is sure to provide some major Hallmark Movie vibes and elicit some small town envy.
Ivy is a likeable character in The Santa Suit. She is starting over and has little nothing other than her dog and her chickens. I loved reading about all the details of the old house, the things that make an old house amazing, and the not-so-great things, like when your hot water heater breaks. At first, I sort of did an eye roll when I realized that Ivy and Ezra were hitting it off as the dialogue seemed a bit hokey, but then I remembered this is a Christmas story. Let it go and just enjoy it. Once I did that, I realized how cute the premise is and appreciated their growing relationship, however unlikely I felt it was that the hot real estate agent/handyman is not only single, but an all around perfect guy.
The town of Tarburton was my favorite aspect of The Santa Suit. I loved the town, it's quirky residents, the candy store, the magical Christmas celebrations, and so much more. I felt like Andrews really captured the beauty of a small town at Christmas.
You can always count on Andrews to include a bit of a mystery and I liked the one in The Santa Suit. The mystery leads some friends and family back together again, so I think that only added to the joyfulness of this holiday tale.
So, if you are looking for a quick holiday read that will surely tug on your heartstrings, pick up Andrews's The Santa Suit. As a fan of her beach reads, I am happy to report she pulls off an adorable, feel-good holiday tale as well. So, are you a fan of May Kay Andrews? Have you read The Santa Suit? Let me know in the comments below.
LOL, isn't it always amazing that the perfect hot guy is single until the new girl shows up in town? But, I'm still looking forward to this one! I remember adding it to my TBR last year.
ReplyDeleteRight? It's so Hallmark movie, but that's what we want this holiday season, right? I look forward to your thoughts on this one! Thanks for visiting, Angela!
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