Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle @NancyNaigle @StMartinsPress #bookreview #contemporary #romance #holiday

Title: Dear Santa

Author: Nancy Naigle

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Publication Date: October 16, 2018

Page Count: 352

My rating: 5 stars

About the book:

From USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle, Dear Santa is a heartwarming Christmas story about finding your passion for life and love.

Angela Carson wants nothing more than to be the third-generation to run her family’s holiday store, Heart of Christmas, successfully. They’ve weathered over sixty tourist seasons, major hurricanes, and urban sprawl, in their old decommissioned lighthouse. But the national chain that set up shop in their small North Carolina town of Pleasant Sands may be more than Heart of Christmas can survive.

Encouraged by her niece to ask Santa for help through the Dear Santa app, Angela gives in and lets the words fly in a way that, if Santa were real, would no doubt land her on the naughty list. What’s the harm when it’s just a computer-generated response?

Geoff Paisley has been at his mother’s side running the mega-chain Christmas Galore for the last ten years. When his mother falls ill, Geoff promises to answer the Dear Santa letters in her stead. Soon he realizes the woman he’s been corresponding with on Dear Santa is Angela. How could the woman that grates his every last nerve in person have intrigued him so deeply through those letters?

When Geoff reveals that he’s her Dear Santa, will Angela be able to set aside their very public feud to embrace the magic of the holiday and possibly find true love?

Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle is a contemporary romance that is of course set at Christmas time. Told by alternating the point of view between the characters this one reminds me a bit of You’ve Got Mail the holiday version.

Angela Carson inherited her shop, Heart of Christmas, from her grandmother and doesn’t want to admit that after being in the family for generations she is struggling. When a new big box store moves into the small town, Christmas Galore, it may just be the last nail in the coffin for Heart of Christmas. To satisfy her young niece Angela writes a letter to Santa asking his opinion on what to do to try to save the store.

Geoff Paisley runs Christmas Galore along with his elderly mother who is having problems with her heart. While his mother is in the hospital she asks Geoff to take over answering the Dear Santa letters that has been her project for years. Geoff doesn’t understand why his mother is so adamant to giving personal replies but when he comes across Angela’s plea he finds himself drawn to her despite knowing she blames his store for the troubles with her business.

Dear Santa was a cute holiday romance with plenty of festive content to set the mood of the story. The main couple obviously clash in person but share a spark when they don’t know who they are writing. Both Angela and Geoff were very likable apart from one another obviously sharing their love for their shops and their families so it was just a matter of time to bring them together. Definitely think those looking for a sweet holiday read will enjoy this one.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Find this book online: 

Goodreads  /   Amazon

About the author:

USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. Her books include Christmas Joy, Dear Santa, and Hope at Christmas. A native of Virginia Beach, she currently calls North Carolina home.