Dear Santa: A Novel

The thrill of going home for Christmas has Lindy excited. She is looking forward to being with family and friends. Lindy is on a two week vacation. Her heart is broken and her job stressful. She is determined to enjoy her family. Lindy s Mom brings out all the letters Lindy wrote to Santa over years. I enjoyed after Christmas the sledding scene. I always enjoyed those when younger. Need an uplifting get this book. Lindy has a hard decision facing her. What will she choose?

I'm betting it's already a Hallmark Christmas Movie (LOL!). I've read other books by this author and while she's not a favorite (because in some of her books, I feel she pushes the boundaries of appropriateness with her dating couples) when I saw this on the library's sale shelf, I decided to purchase it.

I pretty much knew the ending within the first third of the book, but I still enjoyed it. Lindy comes home for Christmas and her mother presents her with a box of Lindy's childhood letters to Santa. We're not told if Lindy's mother saved all the letters Lindy wrote to Santa or just a select few. It seems Lindy's mother has read through these letters before giving them back to Lindy also.

Where Macomber attributes events following to coincidence or to Santa, if it were real life, I would say God was directing the events. (Since it's fiction, we know that Macomber is sculpting the plot.)

Lindy's mom suggests Lindy write a new letter to Santa--and shortly after, things start happening in Lindy's life that reflect some of the wishes she expressed in the letter to Santa.

Lindy heads to her small hometown after a breakup to spend the holidays with family. There, her mom Ellen shares her old letters to Santa, notes and wishes Lindy made as a kid when hope was more plentiful. It is a sweet premise and when Lindy writes a new letter to Santa to help her combat her present-day blues, you can only hope things go her way. Fun characters and predicaments, a fun, quick holiday read.

Lindy Carmichael arrives home for a two-week Christmas vacation, eager to escape the pressures and disappointments she has encountered in her professional and social life. She accepted a new job and worked almost day and night since developing a proposal that will determine her success. Her co-workers are distant, however, because they wanted a popular internal candidate to receive the position. What’s more, she discovered the man she thought was committed to her is having an affair with her best friend.

Lindy’s mom senses her need for a pick-me-up and encourages her to reread four letters she wrote to Santa as a child. Santa came through with just what she needed every time. When she is unable to fall asleep that night, Lindy pens another letter asking Santa for three gifts. She would like another good friend to pal around with, acceptance of her proposal, and to meet a man who values family and commitment. Will Santa be able to produce as he has in the past?

The story follows the standard format. Lindy meets Billy, and they develop an instant attraction but they know they have only a few days before Lindy returns to her job. As with many romance novels, the initial setup and the ultimate resolution are the most interesting part. Nothing particularly interesting happens in the middle two-thirds of the novel. One missed opportunity involves the introduction of a mystery Santa who possesses intimate details that puzzle and intrigue Lindy. Unfortunately, Macomber fails to take advantage of this intriguing possibility.

The cute premise of this slim, low-key novel promised a diverting pastime. The plot lacks complexity but, for the most part, it delivers about as well as could be expected. This is not Macomber’s best work nor her least appealing.

A perfectly fine and fluffy Christmas romance about getting everything you wanted and then realizing you asked for too much. Lindy Carmichael is happy for two weeks in her hometown with her parents over Christmas but that is about all she's grateful for. She's had an awful 6 months in Seattle and all she wants is a break. Her mom instantly knows something is wrong and Lindy spills her guts. To cheer her up, her mother brings out a box of Lindy's old letters to Santa. Santa was really good about granting her wishes too. Just for fun Lindy decides to write to Santa. She wants a new romance, a new best friend, and to get her project selected at work. It's all for fun, but then she reconnects with her old childhood best friend. And then she stumbles across a bully from her youth and dang he's aged well. Soon her time is flying by and she's grateful for everything. But what will happen if Santa grants her third wish? Cheesy, predictable and cute. Would make a great Hallmark movie.

#FirstLine - Home.

I loved this books so much. Dare I say that Macomber is the queen of Christmas?!?!?! I think she really gets to the heart of the holiday season through her beautiful stories. It does not feel like Christmas until I read one of her amazingly sweet and heartwarming stories of the season. Dear Santa is a book about remembering what it is like to do a wishful child. We can be caught up by the ways that life sometimes chips away at the joyfulness of youth. When Lindy writes a letter to Santa something unexpected happens. This story captures what it means to have faith and to truly believe in something greater than ourselves. A must read holiday story!!!

In this lovely Christmas romance, Lindy, though definitely an adult, has written a letter to Santa. Well, sort of. She did make some wishes known, and it seems that Santa has granted them. But these wishes conflict with each other, and Lindy must decide what she really wants. After getting a long awaited vacation and returning home for Christmas, Lindy reconnects with some old friends. But then a call from her boss tells her she is needed back at work for an important job the firm just landed. Now Lindy must a decision that will determine the path the rest of her life will take. It’s a delightful romance, just the kind of wonderful story we’ve come to expect from Debbie Macomber.

Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber is a book that captured my attention from the very first page. I look forward to reading Debbie Macomber’s Christmas story each year and Dear Santa did not disappoint. Lindy Carmichael is returning home for the holidays, and she is feeling a little blue. Her mother suggests that Lindy read the letters she wrote to Santa as a child. After reading the letters, Lindy writes a letter to Santa with what she would like for Christmas. Lindy is surprised when the items on her list start coming true. When one wish comes true, Lindy will need to make a heartrending decision. Dear Santa has Debbie Macomber’s trademark writing. Her writing is engaging and draws the writer right into the story. The story was easy to read thanks to the writing and steady pacing as well as the engaging characters. I like the lessons in the story. We all go through rough patches, have heartbreak, or struggles, but something good usually comes from these difficulties. It is a clean story which I appreciate (no foul language and there is only kissing, hand holding, and hugs between our romantic couple). Dear Santa is an uplifting story that leaves you with a smile on your face. The one sad thing is now we have to wait a year for Debbie Macomber’s next Christmas book. Dear Santa is a sweet, feel-good tale that will put you in the mood for the holidays.

Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber
Book starts out with a note from the author as to how she got the idea for this story. Dedication page.
Store starts with Lindy, she is back home for the holidays, loving she has a place to go.
She has news for them and tells them of losing her boyfriend to her best friend and out of a place to live but she solves that.
She mother had saved all the letters Lindy had written to Santa over the years so this year she wants a new best friend.
She ends up shopping and meets up with her old friend from junior high and they run into owner of the place they are eating.
She had once written a letter to Santa about him and once she hears the troubles they had that Christmas she feels real bad.
Her mom has an idea, cookies for him.... he shares cookies and coffee in his office with her.
She designs websites and can help him out...and he has a nice way of showing his appreciation.
Love scavenger hunt she has with her new friends, so fun and a riddle to solve. Magical special day at Leavenworth, so festive.
She gets a shock when she sits to talk to Santa. They see each other frequently and she is able to help pass out candy canes to the children.
love how the Christmas day went and the week after Lindy and Billy spend together.
His sister at the snowy hill gets her thinking of her decision to stay or to go back to the city to her job and apartment. Others have tried to persuade her to stay also...she also gives the hint of family secrets...
Her spouse have all their money invested in his restaurant and don't want to lose it.... Lindy has to go back to the city for work....
An excerpt "Jingle all the way" is included at the end along with about the author.
I received this review copy from Ballantine Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#DearSanta #NetGalley

I loved getting lost in this quick read, I knew by the author that I would enjoy it, and Debbie Macomber did not disappoint!
Can you go home again? Well, sure for a visit, and Lindy is heading home to spend Christmas with her family, two wonderful weeks for her to breath and enjoy! What Lindy does find is a life changing journey, and we are along for the ride.
The only bad part of this read is that it had to end, but we are gifted with an epilogue, many which I loved, a life update!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.