The Santa Clause: Claus for Christmas

by Annee Jones

I must have missed the "Santa Clause"…

When I won an all-inclusive vacation to a luxury mountain resort over the holidays after entering a sweepstakes on the back of my cereal box, I assumed it was Fate announcing it was finally Merri Bianchi’s time to relax and have a little fun. But you know what they say about assumptions....

As it turns out I neglected to read the fine print, aka the "Santa Clause," and now I’m dressed as an Elf working my red-and-white striped stockings off at Santa’s Toyshop to make sure every parent finds the perfect gift for their precious little snowflake in time for the big day.

Just when I think my life can’t get any worse, items begin going missing from the shop, and a girl gets fingered for stealing when an expensive tablet is found in her backpack. She and her dad, Kane Carpenter – who happens to be single and hotter than my morning cup of cocoa – both insist she’s not the thief. I don’t know why, but I believe them. My boss, however, doesn’t, and tells me that he’ll not only turn the girl in to the authorities if I don’t find the true culprit, but he’ll take away my bell-tipped shoes and send me packing for home.

Can Kane and I team up to nab the Grinch and recover the toys before we all find nothing but lumps of coal in our stockings come Christmas morning? And will the kindlings of love between Kane and I survive even after the season's mysteries are unwrapped?

*Grab your copy of this sweet, clean romcom today and warm your heart for the holidays!

Audible Audio

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

International bestselling author Annee Jones writes romance that ranges from sweet to scorching, sassy to dark, contemporary to fantastical. Perfect for your coffee break or midnight escape—quick reads for wild hearts.

Outside of writing, Annee works as a disability counselor where she helps her clients navigate through complex medical and legal systems while rediscovering their wholeness in Spirit. She loves practicing Barre, relaxing in the sauna, and staying up way too late reading.

Subscribe to Annee’s newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, sneak peeks, and exclusive giveaways: https://www.anneejones.com/newsletter

Find out more about Annee and her books here: https://linktr.ee/anneejones

Reviews

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining Christmas romance with a cute storyline. It's a heartwarming story with emotion and love and is brought to life with her descriptive writing. She moves the story quickly and smoothly and delivers a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding the Good When Things Look Bad . . .

Merri Bianchi, a teacher with a job, unexpectedly won the sweepstakes she found on the back of her cereal box for an all-inclusive vacation at a luxury mountain resort. To her surprise, however, instead of the anticipated relaxing vacation, there was a little clause included that she will be there as Santa’s helper dressed as his Elf #27 in charge of managing the kids at the Toyshop. She tried to refuse and leave, but an incoming storm made leaving the resort impossible and she was stuck with the job.

When items go missing, a 12-year-old named Sophia is accused of stealing a tablet found in her belongings. Her dad, general contractor Kane Carpenter, knows for certain she did not do this. Merri spoke up and suggested someone else may have been trying to steal the tablet and dumped it in Sophia’s pack. So Merri’s boss assigns her the task of finding the real culprit, or he will make sure Sophia is arrested to teach her a lesson about stealing and Merri will be escorted out of the resort for “sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong”. Nice guy, huh? Can she turn up clues to follow? Will Kane join her in hunting down the real thief? Is there somehow an innocent explanation for what really happened? And will Sophia, Merri, and Kane find the perfect HEA for each of them this Christmas?

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Christmas romance
- Single father

This is a feel good Christmas story with just a hint of mystery.

Merri is heading to the North Pole (Colorado) for a two week vacation package that she won in a cereal sweepstakes. She didn't read the fine print, but she is required to work as an elf during her stay. She is assigned to a toy store.

Single father Kane lives in the North Pole and his daughter Sophia has just come to live with him. He is struggling to connect with the preteen. After an incident at the toy store in the village, Kane meets Merri, who wants to help Kane find out the truth befhind the store incident. Sophia is set to take the fall for the incident unless Merri discovers the real culprit. Merri soon discovers multiple stores in the village are having similar issues.

Can Merri solve the mystery or will Sophia have a very unhappy Christmas?

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merri is done with college, a fiance and her family, but Christmas magic is about to hit her head on. She won a two week stay at the North Pole, a location near where she lives in Boulder Colorado. Once she gets there, she finds out she has to work at the Toy Shop part time during her stay. Turns out to be the best thing ever. One by one, the people she meets and the situations she gets into, form a memorable holiday for her. She pairs up with Kane and his daughter Sophia, who are getting to know each other again after his divorce. Loved the events that happen and how the mystery comes out at the end. All the connections and surprises converge on a truly fantastic ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect Christmas read! It's a sweet, clean, fun read with romance and a mystery. There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book. So easy to read and I did just that, cover to cover. The storyline was just so fun and interesting. It's a wholesome and satisfying story of two people who find a connection and love in the most unexpected place. I loved it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun sweet book that is full of Christmas cheer. It's the perfect length to curl up with after a long hard day. It's a heartwarming story that leaves you with a smile. I loved it and highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cute Christmas Story. She wins a vacation a (working one) as a elf. When Kane daughter is accused of stealing Merri believes her I enjoyed the romance, suspense. a cute read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first story by this author that I've read and it was part of the Claus for Christmas series; it was a really good story and addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many surprises in this short holiday themed story. A little romance, a preteen and a thief in the North Pole Village. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merri's vacation prize turns into a working one, with more than one job. This book is full of Christmas spirit. A very heart-warming read.