Published 13th October 2022 by Aria, Head of Zeus.
From the cover of the book:
It's going to be a holly jolly Christmas...Toy Store owner Elodie Martin is not one to get into the festive spirit but nothing gets her fired up more than the chance to get one over on her nemesis, Callum Ashley – the frosty, infuriatingly handsome owner of the local department store.
Christmas is the only time she can compete thanks to her grandad Jim, everyone's favourite Santa Claus. But when he has to unexpectedly hang up his red suit, Elodie is at risk of losing the business for good and has no choice but to rely on last-minute replacement out-of-work actor Nick Winter.
Can a sprinkling of Christmas magic warm Callum's heart and help Elodie find her happily-ever-after? Or is it just possible that love is to be found a little bit closer to home?
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Toy store owner Elodie Martin is really not that into Christmas, but it is the only time of year that Martin's Toy Kingdom can compete with the local department store run by her nemesis Callum Ashley, and she relies on the profit she makes to get through the lean times.
Sadly, this year, things are not looking at all rosy for the festive season, and Elodie is worried. Her beloved grandad Jim, the big draw of Martin's Christmas grotto as the best Santa Claus for miles around, is unexpectedly retiring, and Elodie needs a replacement fast. Elodie's advert for a jolly, mature Santa lookalike draws in only one candidate - out of work actor Nick Winter, who really does not look the part. Will Nick be able to top the serious Santa Claus competition fielded by the infuriatingly handsome Callum in his flashy department store grotto? Elodie has little choice by to give him a chance - at least he seems to have a lot of Christmas spirit!
This Christmas is going to be more of a challenge than normal, but it might just give Elodie the chance to find her soulmate under the mistletoe. Who will turn out to be the man on her wish list?
Santa Maybe is a gorgeous story that takes all the ingredients of a perfect romantic comedy, and adds that extra sprinkle of Christmas magic to the mix. At its heart, it is the story of a love-triangle, but in Mary Jayne Baker's hands it becomes something very special. Baker does a really clever job of hiding exactly where Elodie's destiny lies by playing with the theme of second chances, and I was not sure where this story was going to take me until the lovely heart-melting end which was everything I wanted. At first sight, Elodie, Nick and Callum are different as they could possible be, but as the story unfolds all the poignant little secrets that have kept each of them at arm's length from love are gradually revealed, and they all learn to let down their barriers. Unlike in many rom-coms it is not quite so easy to see who is most deserving of Elodie's affection, which was a delight. Well played, Mary Jayne Baker!
Beyond our starring central three, there is a lovely cast of supporting actors in this story, especially Elodie's grandfather, and Baker uses them all to hit you right in the emotional sweet spot, with themes of family, loss and love. There is so much here to laugh out loud about, but Baker also knows how to reduce you to a weeping mess - and I loved every extra sparkly magical festive moment.
I am now in the mood for a marathon Christmas movie binge, which will, of course, include Elf - and very possibly Christmas Bingo!
Santa Maybe is available to buy now in paperback, and ebook.
Thank you to Aria for sending me a paperback copy of this book in return for an honest review, and for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
About the author:
After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature, she dallied with living in cities including London, Nottingham and Cambridge, but eventually came back with her own romantic hero in tow to her beloved Dales, where she first started telling stories about heroines with flaws and the men who love them. Mary Jayne Baker is a pen name for an international woman of mystery.
Find out more about Mary Jayne Baker:
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