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The Mrs. Claus Contract
Sometimes love needs a little North Pole magic to nudge it on its way.
Sam McNaughton is home for the holidays, but no one, especially his ex-fiancée, Sophie,
is going to find out. He wants to be left alone, to stay dead like the military declared him.
His plan is to hide out at the family Christmas tree farm until his back pay arrives, but it’s
slow in coming and staring at sixty acres of untrimmed trees means he won’t be singing O Christmas Tree anytime soon. The temporary Santa job at the local market sounds like the answer to his problems.
Sophie Malone’s been in a funk since hearing her ex-fiancé was killed in action overseas. Why is she crying in her peppermint mocha over a guy who dumped her on a ZOOM call? Sam McNaughton isn’t worth her tears, but she’d give anything to have him with her. She needs to move on, pay her mom’s debts, and pick up the pieces of her life. The month-long Mrs. Claus contract she’s signed with Shiparelli’s market will make that happen.
Except, Sam’s not dead. He’s playing the secret Santa to Sophie’s covert Mrs. Claus, and he doesn’t have a clue. With the Christmas countdown on, can Sophie use Mrs. Claus to bring Sam back to life?
Grab a cup of cocoa, curl up by the fire, and escape to Christmasville where North Pole magic is real.
Sam McNaughton is home for the holidays, but no one, especially his ex-fiancée, Sophie,
is going to find out. He wants to be left alone, to stay dead like the military declared him.
His plan is to hide out at the family Christmas tree farm until his back pay arrives, but it’s
slow in coming and staring at sixty acres of untrimmed trees means he won’t be singing O Christmas Tree anytime soon. The temporary Santa job at the local market sounds like the answer to his problems.
Sophie Malone’s been in a funk since hearing her ex-fiancé was killed in action overseas. Why is she crying in her peppermint mocha over a guy who dumped her on a ZOOM call? Sam McNaughton isn’t worth her tears, but she’d give anything to have him with her. She needs to move on, pay her mom’s debts, and pick up the pieces of her life. The month-long Mrs. Claus contract she’s signed with Shiparelli’s market will make that happen.
Except, Sam’s not dead. He’s playing the secret Santa to Sophie’s covert Mrs. Claus, and he doesn’t have a clue. With the Christmas countdown on, can Sophie use Mrs. Claus to bring Sam back to life?
Grab a cup of cocoa, curl up by the fire, and escape to Christmasville where North Pole magic is real.
- GenresChristmas
266 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2023
4 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Carol Kinnee
7 books88 followersCarol Kinnee is an avid reader, a want to be baker, and a lover of travel. Her books, like her, take place on the west coast, amidst the lush background of deep green forest and rocky coastal shorelines.
When she's not tied to her keyboard, she's exploring her world, hanging out with her husband, or dealing with her quirky, lovable cats.
When she's not tied to her keyboard, she's exploring her world, hanging out with her husband, or dealing with her quirky, lovable cats.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 21, 2025
What I didn’t expect going into The Mrs. Claus Contract was how deeply it would move me. Yes, it’s a Christmas romance but it also deals with military loss, PTSD, financial hardship, and the difficulty of starting over. Carol Kinnee brings all these threads together under a shimmering holiday canopy.
Sam’s grief is never glamorized. His pain is quiet, buried, but persistent. Kinnee writes him as a man trying not to feel anything anymore and that’s the heartbreak. Sophie’s sorrow is more outward, more active. She’s confused, angry, lonely but still trying to believe in something. Watching them stumble into each other’s orbit again without knowing it is like witnessing magic.
I loved how Kinnee used the Santa/Mrs. Claus roles to bring humor and poignancy. There’s a clever irony in how they perform a joyful holiday act while still nursing invisible wounds. And as they connect through these performances, they begin to shed their own emotional disguises.
This book does what the best holiday stories do: it offers hope. Not false hope, but earned hope. It reminds us that love can return, even from the ashes. That laughter and light can follow loss. A must-read for the holidays and any season when you need a lift.
Sam’s grief is never glamorized. His pain is quiet, buried, but persistent. Kinnee writes him as a man trying not to feel anything anymore and that’s the heartbreak. Sophie’s sorrow is more outward, more active. She’s confused, angry, lonely but still trying to believe in something. Watching them stumble into each other’s orbit again without knowing it is like witnessing magic.
I loved how Kinnee used the Santa/Mrs. Claus roles to bring humor and poignancy. There’s a clever irony in how they perform a joyful holiday act while still nursing invisible wounds. And as they connect through these performances, they begin to shed their own emotional disguises.
This book does what the best holiday stories do: it offers hope. Not false hope, but earned hope. It reminds us that love can return, even from the ashes. That laughter and light can follow loss. A must-read for the holidays and any season when you need a lift.
June 21, 2025
This book gave me everything I wanted in a Christmas read and then surprised me with even more. The Mrs. Claus Contract is whimsical, yes, but also incredibly romantic and emotionally satisfying. It’s the kind of story that sneaks up on you and stays in your heart.
From the opening pages, the stakes are clear. Sophie is still hurting from the loss of her ex-fiancé, but she’s trying to move forward. Sam, meanwhile, is stuck haunted by what he’s experienced and unsure how to exist in a world that moved on without him. Their reconnection through anonymous holiday roles creates a slow-burn romance that builds with every page.
Carol Kinnee doesn’t rely on tropes to drive the story. Instead, she focuses on emotional authenticity. Their interactions as Santa and Mrs. Claus is filled with awkwardness, humor, and sparks. There’s a sweetness to it all, but never at the expense of depth.
The ending delivers a cathartic, beautiful payoff. It’s romantic, yes, but it’s also about healing for both of them. You’re not just cheering for their kiss under the mistletoe, you're cheering for their emotional wholeness.
If you love holiday romances that blend humor, heartache, hope, and just a touch of magic, this one is a must-read.
From the opening pages, the stakes are clear. Sophie is still hurting from the loss of her ex-fiancé, but she’s trying to move forward. Sam, meanwhile, is stuck haunted by what he’s experienced and unsure how to exist in a world that moved on without him. Their reconnection through anonymous holiday roles creates a slow-burn romance that builds with every page.
Carol Kinnee doesn’t rely on tropes to drive the story. Instead, she focuses on emotional authenticity. Their interactions as Santa and Mrs. Claus is filled with awkwardness, humor, and sparks. There’s a sweetness to it all, but never at the expense of depth.
The ending delivers a cathartic, beautiful payoff. It’s romantic, yes, but it’s also about healing for both of them. You’re not just cheering for their kiss under the mistletoe, you're cheering for their emotional wholeness.
If you love holiday romances that blend humor, heartache, hope, and just a touch of magic, this one is a must-read.
June 21, 2025
Few stories capture the messy, beautiful complexity of second-chance love like this one. Carol Kinnee doesn’t shy away from the emotional wreckage left behind when love is interrupted by war, grief, and miscommunication. Sam and Sophie’s past is full of jagged edges an unexpected breakup via Zoom, a military deployment gone wrong, and years of silence. The stakes are high and the pain is deep.
Yet The Mrs. Claus Contract doesn’t wallow. Instead, it rebuilds. Slowly. Deliberately. Through scenes at a local market where they're unknowingly paired as Santa and Mrs. Claus, Kinnee layers small moments glances, unspoken familiarity, sparks of recognition. These moments are so emotionally loaded, I found myself re-reading scenes to fully soak them in.
There’s also an undercurrent of forgiveness that runs through the entire novel not just forgiving each other, but forgiving themselves. Sam for disappearing. Sophie for moving on. Their eventual reckoning is incredibly satisfying, a slow-burn redemption arc that feels earned. This book shows us that true love isn’t just about romance it’s about resilience.
Yet The Mrs. Claus Contract doesn’t wallow. Instead, it rebuilds. Slowly. Deliberately. Through scenes at a local market where they're unknowingly paired as Santa and Mrs. Claus, Kinnee layers small moments glances, unspoken familiarity, sparks of recognition. These moments are so emotionally loaded, I found myself re-reading scenes to fully soak them in.
There’s also an undercurrent of forgiveness that runs through the entire novel not just forgiving each other, but forgiving themselves. Sam for disappearing. Sophie for moving on. Their eventual reckoning is incredibly satisfying, a slow-burn redemption arc that feels earned. This book shows us that true love isn’t just about romance it’s about resilience.
June 21, 2025
Reading The Mrs. Claus Contract feels like watching snow fall outside your window while you’re curled up with a warm drink and a fuzzy blanket. It’s the perfect blend of cozy holiday charm and deeply felt emotion. This is the book I’ll reread every December.
The setting is idyllic without being cliché. Christmasville comes alive with festive markets, tree farms, cozy cafés, and that delightful small-town intimacy where everyone knows your name but also your secrets. Kinnee creates an immersive world that feels like stepping into a snow globe, but one filled with real-world complexities.
Sophie’s motivation is deeply personal; she's trying to pay off her mother’s debts and restore a sense of control in her life. Her willingness to take on the Mrs. Claus role isn’t just seasonal, it's survival. Sam’s “undead” status adds a layer of emotional tension that simmers beautifully throughout the story.
One of the most satisfying aspects is the slow unfolding of the truth. The emotional payoff when Sam realizes who Sophie is and vice versa is heartfelt, surprising, and completely earned. Kinnee resists the urge to be overly dramatic, instead keeping everything grounded and real.
There’s also something refreshingly grown-up about this book. It doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life and love, but still celebrates joy, hope, and the redemptive power of the season. A top-tier holiday romance in every sense.
The setting is idyllic without being cliché. Christmasville comes alive with festive markets, tree farms, cozy cafés, and that delightful small-town intimacy where everyone knows your name but also your secrets. Kinnee creates an immersive world that feels like stepping into a snow globe, but one filled with real-world complexities.
Sophie’s motivation is deeply personal; she's trying to pay off her mother’s debts and restore a sense of control in her life. Her willingness to take on the Mrs. Claus role isn’t just seasonal, it's survival. Sam’s “undead” status adds a layer of emotional tension that simmers beautifully throughout the story.
One of the most satisfying aspects is the slow unfolding of the truth. The emotional payoff when Sam realizes who Sophie is and vice versa is heartfelt, surprising, and completely earned. Kinnee resists the urge to be overly dramatic, instead keeping everything grounded and real.
There’s also something refreshingly grown-up about this book. It doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life and love, but still celebrates joy, hope, and the redemptive power of the season. A top-tier holiday romance in every sense.
June 21, 2025
Carol Kinnee strikes an impressive balance between deep emotional themes and light-hearted holiday cheer. What begins as a romance wrapped in festive trappings quickly becomes a nuanced exploration of grief, identity, and reconnection. I appreciated how the novel never rushes the characters' emotional journeys. Sam's reluctance to be “found” after being declared dead is heartbreaking but believable. He’s not just hiding, he's lost.
Sophie’s mourning is equally compelling. She’s not the damsel in distress waiting to be rescued, she's the one who signs the contract, takes the job, and carries her burdens with grit. Her confusion and hope when faced with a man who reminds her so much of Sam is rendered with authenticity and grace.
The Mrs. Claus setup is brilliant, funny, ironic, and a little tragic. Kinnee uses the humor and symbolism of their costumed roles to explore deeper truths about masks, assumptions, and hidden pain. The book beautifully explores how love, like Christmas lights, can find a way to shine even in the darkest corners.
Sophie’s mourning is equally compelling. She’s not the damsel in distress waiting to be rescued, she's the one who signs the contract, takes the job, and carries her burdens with grit. Her confusion and hope when faced with a man who reminds her so much of Sam is rendered with authenticity and grace.
The Mrs. Claus setup is brilliant, funny, ironic, and a little tragic. Kinnee uses the humor and symbolism of their costumed roles to explore deeper truths about masks, assumptions, and hidden pain. The book beautifully explores how love, like Christmas lights, can find a way to shine even in the darkest corners.
June 21, 2025
The Mrs. Claus Contract is the kind of story you curl up with when your soul needs soothing. Like a peppermint mocha comforting, sweet, and a little bittersweet it offers emotional depth while wrapping you in the warm glow of holiday magic.
Sophie is a heroine you root for from the start. She’s relatable and real, mourning a man who broke her heart and died before she could get closure. The brilliance of the narrative is that her healing doesn’t come from Sam's return alone, it's from her strength to face him again, unknowing, and to choose love on her own terms.
Sam’s arc is equally rewarding. He’s a ghost in his own life, trying to reconnect with a world that thinks he’s gone. His choice to become Santa is symbolic, almost poetic; he's stepping into a role that represents joy and generosity while struggling with guilt and loss.
Kinnee’s prose is lyrical and evocative, full of small moments that make your heart ache. I’ll be recommending this book to every holiday romance fan I know.
Sophie is a heroine you root for from the start. She’s relatable and real, mourning a man who broke her heart and died before she could get closure. The brilliance of the narrative is that her healing doesn’t come from Sam's return alone, it's from her strength to face him again, unknowing, and to choose love on her own terms.
Sam’s arc is equally rewarding. He’s a ghost in his own life, trying to reconnect with a world that thinks he’s gone. His choice to become Santa is symbolic, almost poetic; he's stepping into a role that represents joy and generosity while struggling with guilt and loss.
Kinnee’s prose is lyrical and evocative, full of small moments that make your heart ache. I’ll be recommending this book to every holiday romance fan I know.
June 21, 2025
Don’t let the cozy title fool you The Mrs. Claus Contract has some truly unexpected emotional punches. Carol Kinnee’s plot is cleverly structured so that the reader always knows more than the characters. This creates a delicious tension as we watch Sam and Sophie work together in costume, each unaware of the other’s identity.
What I loved most was how Kinnee doesn’t rely on cheap twists or contrived misunderstandings. Everything that happens is deeply rooted in the characters’ choices and trauma. Sam’s disappearance, his reluctance to come forward, Sophie’s guarded emotions, it all rings true.
The moment when the truth is finally revealed is powerful without being melodramatic. There are tears, yes but also growth. Kinnee treats her characters with compassion, letting them hurt but never letting them stay broken.
This book has everything: mystery, heartache, laughter, and love. It’s the kind of story you read with a tissue in one hand and a candy cane in the other.
What I loved most was how Kinnee doesn’t rely on cheap twists or contrived misunderstandings. Everything that happens is deeply rooted in the characters’ choices and trauma. Sam’s disappearance, his reluctance to come forward, Sophie’s guarded emotions, it all rings true.
The moment when the truth is finally revealed is powerful without being melodramatic. There are tears, yes but also growth. Kinnee treats her characters with compassion, letting them hurt but never letting them stay broken.
This book has everything: mystery, heartache, laughter, and love. It’s the kind of story you read with a tissue in one hand and a candy cane in the other.
June 21, 2025
Reading The Mrs. Claus Contract is like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a snowy night. Kinnee doesn’t just tell a love story she builds a world. The small-town charm of Christmasville is irresistible, with its local market, tree farm, and holiday traditions. The sensory writing is exceptional; I could hear sleigh bells in the distance, feel the crunch of snow under boots, and smell the cinnamon in the air.
But the real magic lies in the characters. Sophie is a strong, pragmatic woman who is trying her best despite overwhelming grief and debt. Her choice to take on a Mrs. Claus' role is not just a job, it's a symbol of her quiet bravery. Sam, on the other hand, is broken in believable ways. His internal struggle whether to stay hidden or reclaim his life is beautifully rendered.
The pacing is perfect for a holiday read: comforting, emotional, and deeply satisfying. Even though you can predict the eventual reveal, it’s handled with such grace and warmth that it feels like a gift. Kinnee delivers everything you want in a Christmas romance and more.
But the real magic lies in the characters. Sophie is a strong, pragmatic woman who is trying her best despite overwhelming grief and debt. Her choice to take on a Mrs. Claus' role is not just a job, it's a symbol of her quiet bravery. Sam, on the other hand, is broken in believable ways. His internal struggle whether to stay hidden or reclaim his life is beautifully rendered.
The pacing is perfect for a holiday read: comforting, emotional, and deeply satisfying. Even though you can predict the eventual reveal, it’s handled with such grace and warmth that it feels like a gift. Kinnee delivers everything you want in a Christmas romance and more.
June 8, 2025
This book is everything I want in a holiday romance: heartfelt, charming, and filled with second chances. Sam and Sophie’s story pulled me in from the first page, with rich emotional depth and a clever twist on the classic "he’s alive!" trope. The Christmas tree farm setting is magical, and the way their lives intersect again as Santa and Mrs. Claus made my heart leap. The grief, guilt, hope, and forgiveness are all handled beautifully. I cried, I laughed, and I swooned. If you love stories about redemption, reconnection, and the quiet, powerful magic of the holidays, this is the book to read. It's Hallmark with depth, bittersweet, romantic, and perfect.
October 19, 2025
This is a holiday book that dares to be different. Carol Kinnee doesn’t just rely on snowflakes and cinnamon to charm her readers; she builds a narrative around real emotional stakes. Sam’s status as a presumed-dead soldier brings an unexpected gravitas to the story, reminding readers that the holidays aren’t magical for everyone.
Sophie’s grief is given just as much space as Sam’s trauma. When they end up working together in costume, the setup feels both whimsical and deeply symbolic. They’re pretending to be people they’re not, hiding their truths behind velvet suits and fake beards until love forces them to face what’s real.
This added depth makes their eventual reconciliation all the more satisfying. Their love isn’t a return to what was; it’s a choice to build something new, forged in truth and vulnerability.
Sophie’s grief is given just as much space as Sam’s trauma. When they end up working together in costume, the setup feels both whimsical and deeply symbolic. They’re pretending to be people they’re not, hiding their truths behind velvet suits and fake beards until love forces them to face what’s real.
This added depth makes their eventual reconciliation all the more satisfying. Their love isn’t a return to what was; it’s a choice to build something new, forged in truth and vulnerability.
May 5, 2024
Cute
Well written story with strong and believable characters.
Different and entertaining Christmas book. Enjoyed Carol's
story. Will read more of her books.
Well written story with strong and believable characters.
Different and entertaining Christmas book. Enjoyed Carol's
story. Will read more of her books.
June 21, 2025
If you love Hallmark movies, The Mrs. Claus Contract will be your new favorite read and it also goes deeper than most seasonal love stories. It’s not just about rekindled romance; it’s about rediscovering who you are after loss and disillusionment.
Sam is more than just the brooding love interest; he's a man struggling with the psychological weight of being declared dead. His adjustment back into civilian life is handled with quiet elegance, and Kinnee never rushes his emotional reckoning.
Sophie, too, is more than a “jilted ex.” She’s hardworking, loving, and independent, and her journey feels just as central as the romance. The chemistry between them is subtle but electric, building with every scene until you’re just begging for them to realize who the other is.
The town of Christmasville deserves a Hallmark feature of its own. It’s festive without being cheesy, and Kinnee populates it with delightful side characters that make the story even richer.
Sam is more than just the brooding love interest; he's a man struggling with the psychological weight of being declared dead. His adjustment back into civilian life is handled with quiet elegance, and Kinnee never rushes his emotional reckoning.
Sophie, too, is more than a “jilted ex.” She’s hardworking, loving, and independent, and her journey feels just as central as the romance. The chemistry between them is subtle but electric, building with every scene until you’re just begging for them to realize who the other is.
The town of Christmasville deserves a Hallmark feature of its own. It’s festive without being cheesy, and Kinnee populates it with delightful side characters that make the story even richer.
June 21, 2025
I picked this book up expecting a sweet Christmas tale, but what I got was a deeply emotional journey of healing, forgiveness, and rediscovered love. Sam is a complex hero, wounded in more ways than one, and Sophie is a relatable woman trying to move on while her heart still holds onto the past. Their reunion is not only emotional but beautifully written. The North Pole “magic” is subtle but ever-present, and the Santa/Mrs. Claus's dynamic is both humorous and poignant. I stayed up way too late reading this and have no regrets. I already want to read it again with a cup of cocoa and fairy lights overhead. This is Christmas romance done right.
October 19, 2025
I absolutely loved The Mrs. Claus Contract! From the first page, this book gave me that cozy Christmas feeling you can’t fake, hot cocoa, twinkle lights, and second chances. Sam and Sophie’s story is everything I want in a holiday romance. It’s emotional but never heavy, funny in all the right places, and full of hope.
What really stood out to me was how real the characters felt. Sam isn’t your typical romantic hero, he’s broken, wounded, and hiding from the world after being declared dead by the military. And Sophie? She’s strong but hurting too, trying to piece her life back together. Watching them unknowingly work together as Santa and Mrs. Claus was so entertaining! The slow discovery, the mistaken identity, the magic of Christmas, it all comes together perfectly.
This story reminded me why I love Christmas books. Carol Kinnee captures forgiveness, healing, and love in the most beautiful way. Highly recommend curling up with this one by the fire!
What really stood out to me was how real the characters felt. Sam isn’t your typical romantic hero, he’s broken, wounded, and hiding from the world after being declared dead by the military. And Sophie? She’s strong but hurting too, trying to piece her life back together. Watching them unknowingly work together as Santa and Mrs. Claus was so entertaining! The slow discovery, the mistaken identity, the magic of Christmas, it all comes together perfectly.
This story reminded me why I love Christmas books. Carol Kinnee captures forgiveness, healing, and love in the most beautiful way. Highly recommend curling up with this one by the fire!
October 13, 2025
If I could pack my bags and move to Christmasville, I would. Carol Kinnee has created a town that feels alive with twinkling lights, community warmth, and magical possibility. The backdrop elevates the romance and infuses it with that nostalgic Christmas feeling we all crave.
The romance itself is what holiday dreams are made of emotional, redemptive, and deeply human. Sam and Sophie are flawed but lovable, and their journey back to each other feels earned.
The Mrs. Claus Contract is more than just a job, it’s the catalyst for rediscovery, healing, and ultimately, love. Kinnee understands that sometimes we need to put on a costume to remember who we really are.
I adored every page. Five glowing stars.
The romance itself is what holiday dreams are made of emotional, redemptive, and deeply human. Sam and Sophie are flawed but lovable, and their journey back to each other feels earned.
The Mrs. Claus Contract is more than just a job, it’s the catalyst for rediscovery, healing, and ultimately, love. Kinnee understands that sometimes we need to put on a costume to remember who we really are.
I adored every page. Five glowing stars.
October 13, 2025
I wasn’t prepared to laugh and cry as much as I did. Carol Kinnee has such a light touch with humor, allowing the book to breathe between heavier emotional beats. There’s real joy in the Santa/Mrs. Claus banter, in the awkward moments where Sam and Sophie unknowingly flirt, and in the holiday chaos around them.
But there’s also heartbreak. And longing. And a love that never really died.
The writing is exquisite, flowing, witty, and rich with feeling. I devoured this in one sitting, constantly highlighting lines that struck a chord. The ending left me with a full heart and happy tears. This book is going on my re-read shelf for sure.
But there’s also heartbreak. And longing. And a love that never really died.
The writing is exquisite, flowing, witty, and rich with feeling. I devoured this in one sitting, constantly highlighting lines that struck a chord. The ending left me with a full heart and happy tears. This book is going on my re-read shelf for sure.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews