It’s BOOK REVIEW DAY!!!
Not only that, but it’s my merriest book review day of the entire year because ALL FOUR BOOKS ARE HOLIDAY READS!!!!
I know what you’re thinking though? Where is The Bestie Breakdown??? Isn’t it Podcast Tuesday?! Well, our sweet producer John has been under the weather, so Erika and I told him to get some rest, get well and we’ll air our podcast episode on another day. Maybe later this week…maybe, we’ll just punt until next Tuesday? Either way, our first concern is that he gets well soon!
So, in lieu of a podcast, I have my book review 🙂 .
Four fictional tales all set around the holiday season. Who doesn’t need a little bit of that in their life?!
Fire up that Kindle, open up your library’s app, make a list, check it twice, it’s time for some festive reads!
The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews was my first pic this month because well, I love Mary Kay Andrews.
That being said, I didn’t love this book.
Eeeeeeeks!
Don’t be mad!
I struggled with this book BIG TIME and had it not been written by an author I adore, I would have bailed on it. Any other Andrews fans out there feel the same way about this one? I just could have cared less about this character and her obsession with this old Santa suit. Call me unsentimental, but the minute I found that old suit in the closet of my new-to-me house, it would have been in the “donate” pile. Of course, there is a bit of romance in this book. There are loads of “girl from the big city moves to the small town” feels. And this one is very PG…but it just made me want to scream as I didn’t get her passion/enthusiasm/desire to track down the list in this Santa’s suit, so I’m going to say skip this book and keep reading my other reviews 🙂 .
A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss was the second book I read this month, and I loved this one!!! Two years ago, I read her book The Twelve Dates of Christmas and LOVED IT, so I was really excited to read this one too! This novel starts in the fall and works its way to Christmas Day. This is about a woman in her 40s who starts over in life after finding out her husband has been cheating. New town, new job, new friends, new house…new man. The book is set in Britain and absolutely CHARMING! I want to live in her little seaside town, I want to eat at the two restaurants she frequents, I want to have coffee at the coffee shop, I want to do all the fun and festive traditions her town hosts…I want to be in this book. This one is just super cute and easy to read. You will love every delicious detail, holiday reference and Christmas charm. This one will put you right in the holiday spirit.
Speaking of which…
Christmas in Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey was magical too!!! So, you know I love these Peachtree Bluff books. You should really just start with book one and read the whole series. This is the fourth book (and only ‘holiday’ one) in the series, and I LOVED IT!! Now, if you haven’t read the other books, I do think you can pick this one up and read it by itself. It does reference many things from the other books, but the author always puts it into context, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything. I would read a million books set in Peachtree Bluff about this family. I love all three adult sisters, I love the mom and her husband Jack…and I really loved how this one was holiday-inspired from beginning to end. If you really want to read a festive holiday book, this one is for you. It’s just sweetness.
One Christmas in Paris by Mandy Baggot was the fourth and final book this month. Now, after I read this one, I started looking at other books this author has written and hello?! Every single novel sounds like one I should read. Do you guys read her books? I thought this holiday tale was super adorable, and now, I want to read even more of her books! This story is a little more adult…PG-13 for sure and covers some meatier plotlines while also wrapping itself in holiday fun SET IN PARIS. Hello?! The perfect combination. This is about a girl from London who goes with her friend to Paris for a holiday during the Christmas season only to find love, purpose and direction in life. This one makes me want to visit Paris during the holiday season as the author references so many fun markets, restaurants, decorated hotels and museums that are musts this time of year. This was just an easy read. I flew right through it!
So, those are the four new holiday books for 2021. Don’t forget, you can see my TOP CHRISTMAS BOOKS TO READ in yesterday’s post.
Now, I’m off to finish up my reading for the year. Next month, I’ll review my December read and announce my TOP THREE BOOKS OF 2021. I’m so excited about that post! It really is my very favorite of the entire year!! In the meantime, what are you reading right now? Tell me please! I will take any and all recs!
Don’t forget, I keep a running list of every book I’ve read in 2021 right HERE!
To see the complete list of books I read in 2015 (all 63 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.
Have a great day! I’ll see you tomorrow for DECEMBER 1ST!!!
Carly says
I typically enjoy Mary Kay Andrew’s as well and thought this one totally stunk! It just felt so fast that you could get behind why any of the characters were motivated by anything. LOVED Christmas in Peachtree Bluff. I want to be in that family! My last holiday book I’m saving for the first few days of December is “ A very magician New York Christmas” Anita Hughes. The Christmas in London/Paris writer? She is just holiday magic on a page
Carly says
Magical* ugh
Margaret says
I’m really enjoying The Switch by Beth O’Leary!
Alexis says
You have to read Always, in December by Emily Stone. It just cracked my top three for this year because I loved it that much!! You will adore it!
Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis is an adorable book that will just make your heart happy. And bonus – the front cover is so very Christmassy!
Just Haven’t Met You Yet is the new one by Sophie Cousens (she wrote This Time Next Year) and it’s a fun and cute read. You’ll love all the food references and there’s even a recipe at the end of the book for one of the treats mentioned. It also makes me want to visit the Channel Islands! I think you’d love it.
Merry early Christmas, Shay!!
Sheila says
I’m reading Let It Snow my Nancy Thayer! I love her books and after watching the Hallmark show Nantucket Noel this year, I had to read the book! ? Thanks for the new holiday book recommendations!! ?
Susan Jeffries says
Thank you for the reviews! We have a little book club, and I always refer to your reviews to help us choose a book for the month!
Elspeth says
I’m currently reading all Christmas books now too! Thanks for the suggestions!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Emily says
Totally agree with you on The Santa Suit. I’m halfway through right now and struggling! Yes, who wants to keep a dusty old Santa suit?
Becky says
I agree with you on The Santa Suit! I was excited because it was a MKA book, but didn’t do it for me. Also: as I was reading I was picturing in my head Mel and Jack from the Virgin River series as Ivy and the main guy.
Kelly says
YES book review day! The best! Shay, thank you for your honest thoughts on The Santa Suit. In this season of life, I usually can only read one Christmas novel on paper – I had The Santa Suit lined up but am now going to make a change 😉 I am listening to A Season for Second Chances on Audible and LOVING IT!!! I read 12 Dates per your recommendation before, and this is totally hitting the mark too!! Thank you for being you! You bring a lot of joy and merry and love into people’s lives! <3
Kristen Hardison says
Oh I can’t wait to read some of these! I just finished “Always in December” and it will for sure give you “One Day in December” vibes. I’m anxiously waiting for my library to send me these two also: 1. The Christmas Bookshop and 2. The Holiday Swap (makes me think of one of Candace Cameron Bure’s holiday movies). Have a great day, Shay!
Kelly Sites says
Get well soon, John. It isn’t a Christmas book, but I LOVED LOVED Apples Never Fall. So so good. I also loved In the Service of the Queen (fictional based on true life book on Queen Elizabeth’s nanny when she was young. A great book, I loved it so much).
Keisha Dawson says
Who is the author on this one? I found several with that name, and it sounds like something I would enjoy!
Erin says
THANK YOU for saying that about The Santa Suit!! I thought I was the only one that didn’t love it! I do love Mary Kay Andrews but this book….ugh…just did not do it for me. It just fell flat and went nowhere. I was so excited about it too so that was a real bummer. In good news, though, Eight Perfect Hours is a MUST! It’s not necessarily Christmas per se but it is a winter read. My heart was a WRECK afterwards. So SO good! Lovelight Farms is a GREAT one as well as Christmas Shopaholic (I’m late to the game on that one, I think, so you’ve probably already read it) and Always in December. These aren’t Christmas at all but I also just finished reading The Royals Next Door and The Forever Girl. Put them on your must read list for sure! I’ve got your other 3 in my pile to read already so now I’m really excited about them!
Marie C says
Awwww. I really liked The Santa Suit. I thought it was sweet, the way she found the child’s letter in the Santa suit pocket (the only thing in the pocket and placed there very specifically) and became concerned about whether the girl’s wish came true, seeing that it was such a serious wish for a little girl to have. I also liked that she was a historically-minded person who saw the value of the treasures in the attic and closets. I had never read anything by Mary Kay Andrews before, and this book made me want to read more by her.
Melanie says
If you could only read one of these this month, which would you choose? I’d love to read your three favorites but this month is already crazy, so I don’t want to be unrealistic. Lol. Love your book review days! Can’t wait for your Top 3!
Mix and Match Mama says
The Peachtree Bluff one 🙂 . Enjoy!!!
Erika Slaughter says
OOOHHH!! Sounds like I need to read that Peachbluff Christmas book! After reading the series I wanted to move to my own Peachtree Bluff, who knows what could happen after this Christmas one?!
Kristen says
Thanks for these picks! Just read the Santa Suit last week and I agree it was horrible!!!!
Rebecca says
Love your book reviews! I’m reading Northern Spy right now! ?
Stacey Armstrong says
You need to read Trouvaille! It is the most fun rom com with tons of travel and wanderlust!!
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trouvaille-kristy-lynae-moore/1140493182?ean=9780578304748
Colleen McTeague says
I read the Santa Suit and I couldn’t agree more! I thought it was a cute, easy to read , short story, but I agree with you when you said you didn’t understand her enthusiasm to track down the list in the Santa Suit. I just finished One Day in December and I’m starting Christmas in Peachtree next. I also agree that I’d read a million books set in Peachtree Bluff. I was very sad when I finished the third book in that series, because I could no longer know what my 4 best friends were up to anymore haha!
Amy says
I highly recommend the book The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox.
Rayne says
I loved this one too! It was light and fun!
Amy says
I LOVE Mandy Baggot. I have read several of her other ones. They are all so good. I always feel swept away to wherever she is writing. My favorites are probably One Last Greek Summer, One Wish in Manhattan, and One Christmas Star.
Nikki says
These sound great for holiday reading! The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot – I would definitely recommend.
Carrie says
Totally agree with you about The Santa Suit! It was so “hoaky” to me!!! Total let down!! The discovery of the relationship between Ezra/ his mom and the man she latches on to was so weird! It was a bit anticlimactic.
Also agree with you on Christmas in Peachtree Bluff!!!! SO good! I’m also obsessed with Peachtree Bluff and all of the characters. I really wish that series would keep going! I love it so much.
Always LOVE your book review days! Your archived ones are the first place I go whenever I’m needing something new:)
Jenna says
I love the Peachtree Bluff books and want to read the Christmas one! I just read A Virgin River Christmas, which was cute! And I’m currently reading and loving Comfort & Joy!
Jenna says
I love the Peachtree Bluff books and want to read the Christmas one! I just finished A Virgin River Christmas, which was cute! And I’m currently reading and loving Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah.
Kiely says
“Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah was my book of the year and one of my top books ever. It’s a must read! My other top 2021 books:
“The One” by John Marrs – super different from what I typically read. I lovvvved it. I made my husband read and he loved it too.
“Catch and Kill – Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators” by Ronan Farrow – the audiobook is amazing. ?
“Eternal” by Lisa Scottoline. An investment as this book was long, but the friendships within this book were beautiful.
“Yearbook” by Seth Rogen- one of the funniest books I’ve ever read! I plan to listen to it again because I’m sure I missed some pieces.
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” – I’m pretty sure you’ve read so you know it’s worth ❤️
KK says
So, Shay, not alone in this I know, BUT these are my favorite posts (outside of your family content/Enneagram… Okay, I like them all!)… I am looking forward to the book club with the podcast continuing in 2022!
Robin says
So agree with you on The Santa Suit ! It was a big disappointment- UGH- and surprised MKA wrote it ! I just finished Christmas In Peachtree Bluff and it was such a good read! It was a cozy Christmas read with the Murphy family that we have loved so much throughout the series . I want to live in PB!
Amy Heinl says
I read the Santa Suit and it was my first Mary Kay Andrew’s book and I loved it. I would have been invested in the Santa Suit if I had found it. I found it to be an easy delightful read. I am just starting The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman. There has been so much buzz on Facebook group that I wanted to see if it lives up to the hype. It will be my first read by her.
Also, I don’t know if you follow Friends and Fiction on Facebook but you should. Its a group that was set up by Mary Kay Andrew’s, Mary Alice Monroe, Patti Callhan Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Kristen Hamel. Each week these 5 authors host a Facebook live with another great author like Elin Hildebrand, Kristen Hannah, etc. Really great discussions and those who are in the group share their current reads and that’s where I get alot of great suggestions.
Brooke Travelsted says
I love that F&F group and can definitely add a plug for The Secret of Snow: sweet read! Hope you enjoy it!
Aubrey H says
You MUST read Midnight Library- such a great, unique story. It kind of reminds of Rebecca Serle’s books.
Keisha Dawson says
I have the Santa Suit on my holds list, and now I’m wondering if I should take it off to free up room for one of these others. I just finished Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall which was adorable. I’m currently reading Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m trying to soak up as many Christmas books as I can. They are always some of my favorites!
Cassidy says
I am reading Season of Second Chances now and love it!!
Joanne says
I enjoyed the Santa Suit but I fully admit that I too would have donated that thing in a heartbeat– I am not a sentimental person at all as my husband always likes to point out. I am all about decluttering and not holding onto “things.”
Janet says
I read Santa Suit and Christmas in Peachtree Bluff last week. Enjoyed them both. I’ll add the other two to my list.
Janice says
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan – excellent novel!
Rayne says
I enjoyed the When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips recently, not a Christmas book but it was a great romance with a little mystery but not heavy, if that makes any sense.
Rayne says
Also I really enjoyed Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti C Henry. It was very well written, and I fell in love with the main characters. It is centered around CS Lewis and his writings and how they touch a young boy. It made me think and cry!
Jessica Lowery says
Shay, read Once Upon a Wardrobe!!!!!! It was magical and incredible!!!!!!
Lisa Klein says
One Christmas in Paris is on sale for $2.99 on Kindle today!! Can’t wait to read it!
Aparna says
Hi I read some great books too this month! All old ones but new for me…Diane chamberlain’s The secret life of ceecee wilkes and the discovery of witches trilogy by deborah harkness…after a long time, enjoyed a para normal romance! Happy Holidays to you Shay!
Elizabeth says
Totally agree on The Santa Suit. I stuck it out for MKA and the cozy setting, but ended up disappointed with it. I am really liking The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan though, if you are still reading Cmas books!
Caitlin Shoemaker says
Have you read The Rural Diaries? If you love Jeffrey Dean Morgan, I think it is a must for you. Plus you watched one tree hill recently too right? Slam dunk. I’m enjoying it!
Kristy Woodson Harvey says
So glad you loved Christmas in Peachtree Bluff!