Blurb:
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.
Review:
Some might considered it weird to read a Christmas story in August, but I was in the mood for something light and heart-warming, and this one fit the bill perfectly. I love stories about leaving everything behind and starting over — especially in a small town — and The Santa Suit did not disappoint. Though this is a short story, it’s also a magical one, with a touch of romance and even an intriguing mystery to solve.
I really adored the small-town vibe of this story, and the quirky secondary characters were a delight. The author also does a fantastic job of capturing the magic of the season in this heartwarming tale, and the ending definitely brought a tear or two of joy to my eyes — and the surprise ending was the cherry on top.
The Santa Suit is about love, friendship, community, and chocolates! And in the couple of hours it took me to read it, it led me through a myriad of emotions: I laughed out loud, had tears streaming down my face, and felt a sense of joy and satisfaction when it all came to an end. This is the kind of whimsical story that drips with tenderness and makes you believe in the goodness of people again.
All in all, The Santa Suit is a lovely feel-good holiday novel with a huge heart that would be perfect to read while curling up before a fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.
A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book. This title will be released on September 28, 2021
Leave a Reply