Mama Dated Santa

by Amy R. Anguish

Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa. Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers.

Genres: Christmas, Christian Fiction

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2023

About the author

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama Dated Santa by Amy R. Anguish is a sweet Christmas romance that hit me in all the feels. I experienced a range of emotions – lots of smiles, a few chuckles, and a couple of moments where I came close to bawling in solidarity with Trudy’s continued grief over the loss of her dad. I saw a lot of myself in her character, even though we’re also very different in many ways. But I absolutely related to her mixed emotions around Christmas, especially as her dad (and mine) passed away just before the holiday. Don’t get me wrong though – this isn’t a heavy read at all. It just hit me more emotionally than it will most readers because my heart is still so tender toward those who are also grieving the loss of a beloved Daddy. The author deftly captures this bittersweet blend of sorrow and joy with sensitivity and grace, while also reminding readers that – while grief shouldn’t be ignored or rushed – it’s imperative to continue living.

Mama Dated Santa is incredibly sweet and full of joyous moments as Trudy helps transform Nick’s family’s toy store into a place that people want to shop in again. In her philosophy, if anything should be fun, it should be a toy store – especially at Christmas – and I loved seeing her ideas come to life on the page. Her interactions with Nick had me doing everything from grinning like a kid at … well… Christmas (lol) to chuckling at loud at their differences (and the way Nick brings out the otherwise absent klutz in Trudy), and swooning at their kisses. Her reminding him how to have fun is truly entertaining, and I also enjoyed the antics of his hair (you’ll have to read it for yourself to discover what I’m talking about). Most of all, I loved how Trudy’s work at the store unexpectedly changes all of their lives – hers, Nick’s, her mom’s, and even “Santa’s”, not to mention the store itself.

Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of stories with a Hallmark-movie vibe, Mama Dated Santa by Amy R. Anguish is the perfect choice for your next read! I could easily see this storyline fitting right in with a future ‘Miracles of Christmas’ lineup, but of course the book will always be better. The author crafts layered characters that capture your heart and compelling stories that keep you fully invested in the outcome, and Trudy & Nick are no exception. I enjoyed my time with these characters and the small town Christmas vibes, and I thought the themes of grief and joy were beautifully woven into the plot. Mama Dated Santa is a must-read for fans of touching stories of hope and heart during the holidays.

(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I read via Kindle Unlimited)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The manager of Russos' Toy Emporium, Nick Russo, has become a little bit of a scrooge. He's so focused on crunching numbers that he's just lost touch with...well with everyone and everything. Meanwhile, Trudy McNamara can't hate Christmas altogether. Not around her nephew at least. Uncovering Trudy's reasons for giving up Christmas brought about many tears, but to see both Trudy and Nick rediscover the magic of the season was such an enjoyable ride! Amy Anguish is a master at creating characters and these two in Mama Dated Santa are some of her best developed ones! This is one story that I'd enjoy again and again. It will be your favorite too! I received a digital ARC of this book with no expectations in return. The opinions and comments above are my own.

[Mary Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama Dated Santa was a fun read! I like the way this author takes an idea and builds a sweet love story (or stories) around it. Trudy and Nick had quite the character arcs--there were times when I didn't care for either one of them, but the way they changed seemed genuine and heartfelt. The plot kept my attention and I appreciated the playfulness embedded throughout. After all, who doesn't appreciate a toy store coming back to life at Christmas time?

[Beth Westcott · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's lots of fun, yet some prickly parts, in Mama Dated Santa. From the time they first run into each other, fun-loving Trudy and bottom-line Nick disagree about almost everything. When Trudy convinces Nick that the toy store he manages for his family should be a place of joy for children, and shows him how, Nick has to remind Trudy how she can overcome lingering grief at Christmastime and rely on God to find joy again in the celebration of Christ's birth.

[Regina Merrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great Christmas read! Trudy McNamara has been mad at God and mad at Christmas, and REALLY mad at her mom, since the death of her father who loved everything about the holiday. Nick Russo is tired. Tired of the toy biz, tired of fighting a losing battle with the family business, and then irritated at his uncle when he hires Trudy to help them revamp the store for the Christmas season. Can't Russo's Toy Emporium just be left alone to die in peace? Enemies to lovers and forced proximity never looked so good! The most fun part? When Trudy convinces Nick to loosen up and enjoy his own business, and Nick shows Trudy that not everything about Christmas is tied to sadness and hurt. Highly recommend for your holiday reading pleasure!

[Tonya B. Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Anguish’s Mama Dated Santa feels like romance’s version of Robin Jones Gunn’s Sisterchickls novels. Like Gunn, Anguish weaves a light-hearted, fun-filled story, landing the reader in a meaningful and tender place by the end. I adore stories that deliver all the fun of a vacation or holiday, yet still lead me to a place of deep reflection.

After reading Trudy and Nick’s story, I’m encouraged to challenge the busy-ness of the holiday season. Be joyful and play. Slow down. Create meaningful moments. And…remember.

(I read this book twice in a year’s time. Once in December and again for Christmas in July. Unusual for me!)

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama Dated Santa is a wonderful story filled with complex situations and dynamic characters who help each other grow and heal through difficult seasons of life.

If you’re looking to find a book that will open your heart to enjoying more this holiday season look no further than Mama Dated Santa.

Amy Anguish is a very talented author who never disappoints her readers when it comes to diving into a tale that keeps you turning to the next page.

(I received a digital ARC of this book with no expectation in return. The opinions and comments above are mine alone.)

[Judith Cowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun Christmas story, but it had more depth than I expected. Good messages about grief and moving past it appropriately. Nick and Trudy find each other annoying, but when forced to work together, find that they are actually a good match. Trudy has not worked through grief and guilt from her father's death five years ago. Once Nick realizes this, he works to help her come to terms with it in a healthier way.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! It had emotional moments, tender moments, laughable moments, and wonderful moments! I loved the relationships that developed in the story and story of course Santa!

[Ellen Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a darling book with romance and humor laced with a lesson about working through grief. Loved it!