What do you think?
Rate this book
Santa's Crew #4
Santa's Holiday Spectacular
In an adventure-filled holiday treat from New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels, Frankie, Amy, Rachael and Nina—aka Santa’s Crew—reunite to put a stop to some real-life Grinches, with a little help from their new friends in the Sisterhood . . .
Christmas is so much more than tinsel, lights, and mistletoe. For onetime high school pals Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina, being together for the holidays has become a cherished tradition, whether they’re taking a trip or staying close to home.
There’s something special about giving back during the holiday season too, which is why Frankie is so dismayed when she learns that Salvation Army buckets are being pilfered all over town. Amy, Rachael, and Nina quickly agree to help her track down the thieves. It might not be their usual gathering, but it promises to be an adventure, especially when they bump into two women on a very similar quest . . .
Annie and Myra have learned that a shipment of children’s toys they sent to a charity event in New York City has been stolen. It looks like the thefts are connected, and it’s the kind of injustice that the ladies of the Sisterhood simply can’t abide. On a madcap spree through the city, the two groups join forces to find the bandits, save Christmas, and along the way, make this a holiday to remember for all the right reasons . . .
Christmas is so much more than tinsel, lights, and mistletoe. For onetime high school pals Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina, being together for the holidays has become a cherished tradition, whether they’re taking a trip or staying close to home.
There’s something special about giving back during the holiday season too, which is why Frankie is so dismayed when she learns that Salvation Army buckets are being pilfered all over town. Amy, Rachael, and Nina quickly agree to help her track down the thieves. It might not be their usual gathering, but it promises to be an adventure, especially when they bump into two women on a very similar quest . . .
Annie and Myra have learned that a shipment of children’s toys they sent to a charity event in New York City has been stolen. It looks like the thefts are connected, and it’s the kind of injustice that the ladies of the Sisterhood simply can’t abide. On a madcap spree through the city, the two groups join forces to find the bandits, save Christmas, and along the way, make this a holiday to remember for all the right reasons . . .
431 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2025
354 people are currently reading
13247 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
426 books6,525 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
August 15, 2025
Not a fan. I dragged myself through the first 20% dealing with the character dump. Dozens of people were introduced all with the first 50 pages and half of them weren't even important! I don't care what this guys ex-wife was called! Then trying to follow the story was a whole other issue. It was difficult to follow where everyone was and what they were all doing. I felt like I didn't know any of the characters on a personal level. They were just a random collection a people.
September 14, 2025
Christmas in New York City. The Rockettes, the magnificent tree and skating rink in Rockefeller Center. These iconic New York City events and more are featured in Fern Michaels newest Christmas book, “Santa’s Holiday Spectacular”. Two different Fern Michaels series, the Santa Crew and the Sisterhood, merge in this book. Everyone is making their Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday plans. In the midst of it all, Salvation Army kettles are robbed and Toys For Tots truckloads of toys are hijacked. Join the Santa Crew and the Sisterhood as they meet and decide to join forces to solve these cases.
It was hard for me to get into this book when I started it. There were so many characters that seemed unrelated and the storyline kept switching between the two main groups of characters. Maybe if I had read either of the two series before this book it might have been easier to follow, what was to me, a confusing plot. Once I made it through the first third of the book it became easier. I liked seeing justice served, even if it was a vigilante style of justice. This book did intrigue me enough that I’m going to find the other books in both series to add to my To Be Read stack. Anyone who enjoys holiday who dun it’s with a touch of clean romance will like this book. Warning - the cast of characters can be confusing at first!
I wish to thank Kensington Publishing for the complementary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions stated here are my own.
#SantasHolidaySpectacular
#KensingtonPublishing
#NetGalley
#NewYorkCity
#ChristmasHolidays
It was hard for me to get into this book when I started it. There were so many characters that seemed unrelated and the storyline kept switching between the two main groups of characters. Maybe if I had read either of the two series before this book it might have been easier to follow, what was to me, a confusing plot. Once I made it through the first third of the book it became easier. I liked seeing justice served, even if it was a vigilante style of justice. This book did intrigue me enough that I’m going to find the other books in both series to add to my To Be Read stack. Anyone who enjoys holiday who dun it’s with a touch of clean romance will like this book. Warning - the cast of characters can be confusing at first!
I wish to thank Kensington Publishing for the complementary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions stated here are my own.
#SantasHolidaySpectacular
#KensingtonPublishing
#NetGalley
#NewYorkCity
#ChristmasHolidays
June 11, 2025
When Kathryn helps Annie and Myra with a load of toys for their friend, the load is taken.
A SantaCon group knocks over some Salvation Army Santas and steal their donations for the day. A lady just happens to see that and runs over to help.
Who knew that the two acts would lead some of the sisters to meet a new group of ladies who would click with Kathryn, Maggie, Annie, and Myra. What happens next is nothing short of a Christmas miracle for some, a new friendship with others, and new love and life changing circumstances for others.
This is a funny, beautiful Holiday read.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A SantaCon group knocks over some Salvation Army Santas and steal their donations for the day. A lady just happens to see that and runs over to help.
Who knew that the two acts would lead some of the sisters to meet a new group of ladies who would click with Kathryn, Maggie, Annie, and Myra. What happens next is nothing short of a Christmas miracle for some, a new friendship with others, and new love and life changing circumstances for others.
This is a funny, beautiful Holiday read.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2025
This was a miss for me. I was expecting a sweet Christmas story because of the name. The first 4 pages introduced 17 characters. The book was more about holiday meals than anything else. There was some sort of action at the end but overall a bust.
October 1, 2025
What happens when characters from two different series meet? When Frankie and Nina meet Myra, Annie, Kathryn, and Maggie, things get crazy during the Christmas holidays.
Myra and Annie are supporting an orphanage by donating 1,000 toys. But when Kathryn's rig is accidentally stolen in NY before she delivers the toys, Charles and Fergus are on the case. But when the same guys start stealing money from The Salvation Army tins, Frankie and Nina decide to follow the thieves. That's when the women meet.
But Frankie and Nina have no idea what the Sisters plan for the thieves in the name of justice.
*I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Myra and Annie are supporting an orphanage by donating 1,000 toys. But when Kathryn's rig is accidentally stolen in NY before she delivers the toys, Charles and Fergus are on the case. But when the same guys start stealing money from The Salvation Army tins, Frankie and Nina decide to follow the thieves. That's when the women meet.
But Frankie and Nina have no idea what the Sisters plan for the thieves in the name of justice.
*I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 8, 2025
The character dump at the beginning of the novel left me a little disoriented but I enjoyed walking around New York during the holidays 🎄
September 25, 2025
This was a fun story and I was extra excited that The Sisterhood was a part of the story.
I enjoyed having a peek into how the Santa Club women are doing and what their plans are for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Then to throw in the Sisterhood, I couldn't figure out how that could happen. Until there are Santa's that are stealing from the Salvation Army bell ringers. I figured at that point that must be where the Sisterhood pops in. There were a lot of funny comical and heartfelt moments and as usual there is a lovely ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
I enjoyed having a peek into how the Santa Club women are doing and what their plans are for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Then to throw in the Sisterhood, I couldn't figure out how that could happen. Until there are Santa's that are stealing from the Salvation Army bell ringers. I figured at that point that must be where the Sisterhood pops in. There were a lot of funny comical and heartfelt moments and as usual there is a lovely ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
October 27, 2025
It took a while to get to the story. But the sisters vindicated again.
December 25, 2025
More than the first half of this book was explaining who characters were and such. There was way too many characters to keep straight. There needed to be a character chart or summary in the first page of the book to reference as a guide. Beyond boring and put me to sleep every time I was reading it. #GoodreadsGiveaway
November 3, 2025
Fern Michaels joins the cast of characters from Santa's Crew and the Sisterhood in a fun holiday "mission". From Santa-con Santa's robbing Salvation Army kettles to a "misplaced" semi trailer of toys donated to Toys for Tots, these ladies don't fail to sleuth and figure it all out! This time the "sisters" dole a bit of rehabilitative justice, which was a nice change. 8 out of 10.
October 8, 2025
Santa's Holiday Spectacular by Fern Michaels picks up from the previous books and continues with the characters and traditions. This book add a few characters to the story line as the ladies try to track down a Santa stealing from the Salvation Army buckets. When their Toys for Tots packages go missing, they are all hands on desk.
Funny, silly, entertaining but the series has run its course.
Funny, silly, entertaining but the series has run its course.
October 11, 2025
Characters from two separate series come together for this Christmas spectacular. Each are good in their own series but together brings way too many people to try to follow as they try to bring a little Christmas joy to the unfortunate. Toss in some mischief with the Salvation Army bell ringers and there is a lot of individual potential, but for me is was all a bit too much together. Thanks to Goodreads for the read.
October 1, 2025
Happy Pub Week to Santa’s Holiday Spectacular, where two justice squads collide in New York City, charity thieves get coal in the face, and Christmas is basically a covert operation with cookies.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if two chaotic friend groups teamed up to fight Christmas crime in New York City with the energy of a Hallmark movie on a five-shot espresso bender… congratulations, you’ve stumbled into Santa’s Holiday Spectacular by Fern Michaels. And yes, that title is wearing sequins.
This is book four in the Santa’s Crew series, so at this point Amy, Frankie, Rachael, and Nina are seasoned veterans of holiday drama. In past books they’ve celebrated with cruises, ski resorts, and one very eventful trip to Italy. This year, they're staying grounded in New York City, which you'd think would make for a calmer December. It does not. Because when charity buckets start getting looted across Manhattan, the Crew turns into the peppermint-scented Justice League.
Frankie clocks the first crime, and within one conversation she’s got the whole group ready to crack the case. These women aren’t just “concerned citizens.” They are hobbyist sleuths with an emotionally co-dependent bond and zero tolerance for anyone messing with Christmas. And honestly, we love to see it. Add in a city full of holiday lights, busy sidewalks, and suspicious Santas, and it’s all the excuse they need to launch into a slightly over-the-top (and wildly entertaining) investigation.
But it doesn’t stop there. Enter Annie and Myra from Fern Michaels' Sisterhood series, who are already mid-mission after a truckload of donated toys vanishes en route to a New York charity event. The two groups collide, realize they’re chasing the same bad guys, and suddenly we’ve got a full-on crossover extravaganza. Justice is about to be served, and it will be wrapped in seasonal paper and tied with 14 yards of tinsel.
Now, this book throws a lot at you. The character list is long, the POVs are plentiful, and if you haven’t read either series before, you might spend the first third of the book whispering “Who the hell is that again?” to yourself like it’s a holiday drinking game. But once the plot finds its rhythm, it’s a snow-globe swirl of cozy chaos and ride-or-die friendships with a bit of mystery energy baked in.
And no, there’s no actual mafia, no SantaCon riot, and no one joins the Rockettes. But that doesn’t mean it’s tame. There’s still enough festive drama to fuel a dozen Christmas movies, including high-stakes confrontations, a citywide scavenger hunt for clues, and women who go from baking cookies to planning takedowns without missing a beat.
There are sweet moments too. Career updates, evolving romances, and that signature Fern Michaels found-family warmth sneak in between the sleuthing. Watching the Sisterhood pass the justice-baton to the younger Santa Crew feels like a peppermint-scented legacy being forged. It’s giving “mentor with a concealed carry,” and honestly, that’s the mentorship energy I want.
3.5 stars. It’s a little too chaotic to be fully cohesive, but it delivers on the feel-good, festive adventure with enough sass and sparkle to make up for the character overload.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Treating Christmas Like a Tactical Operation and Making It Weirdly Heartwarming
Big thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of Santa’s Holiday Spectacular. I didn’t know I needed a crossover between holiday justice squads, but now I want one every year. Y’all really said “what if Christmas, but with spreadsheets and surveillance?” and honestly? Iconic behavior.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if two chaotic friend groups teamed up to fight Christmas crime in New York City with the energy of a Hallmark movie on a five-shot espresso bender… congratulations, you’ve stumbled into Santa’s Holiday Spectacular by Fern Michaels. And yes, that title is wearing sequins.
This is book four in the Santa’s Crew series, so at this point Amy, Frankie, Rachael, and Nina are seasoned veterans of holiday drama. In past books they’ve celebrated with cruises, ski resorts, and one very eventful trip to Italy. This year, they're staying grounded in New York City, which you'd think would make for a calmer December. It does not. Because when charity buckets start getting looted across Manhattan, the Crew turns into the peppermint-scented Justice League.
Frankie clocks the first crime, and within one conversation she’s got the whole group ready to crack the case. These women aren’t just “concerned citizens.” They are hobbyist sleuths with an emotionally co-dependent bond and zero tolerance for anyone messing with Christmas. And honestly, we love to see it. Add in a city full of holiday lights, busy sidewalks, and suspicious Santas, and it’s all the excuse they need to launch into a slightly over-the-top (and wildly entertaining) investigation.
But it doesn’t stop there. Enter Annie and Myra from Fern Michaels' Sisterhood series, who are already mid-mission after a truckload of donated toys vanishes en route to a New York charity event. The two groups collide, realize they’re chasing the same bad guys, and suddenly we’ve got a full-on crossover extravaganza. Justice is about to be served, and it will be wrapped in seasonal paper and tied with 14 yards of tinsel.
Now, this book throws a lot at you. The character list is long, the POVs are plentiful, and if you haven’t read either series before, you might spend the first third of the book whispering “Who the hell is that again?” to yourself like it’s a holiday drinking game. But once the plot finds its rhythm, it’s a snow-globe swirl of cozy chaos and ride-or-die friendships with a bit of mystery energy baked in.
And no, there’s no actual mafia, no SantaCon riot, and no one joins the Rockettes. But that doesn’t mean it’s tame. There’s still enough festive drama to fuel a dozen Christmas movies, including high-stakes confrontations, a citywide scavenger hunt for clues, and women who go from baking cookies to planning takedowns without missing a beat.
There are sweet moments too. Career updates, evolving romances, and that signature Fern Michaels found-family warmth sneak in between the sleuthing. Watching the Sisterhood pass the justice-baton to the younger Santa Crew feels like a peppermint-scented legacy being forged. It’s giving “mentor with a concealed carry,” and honestly, that’s the mentorship energy I want.
3.5 stars. It’s a little too chaotic to be fully cohesive, but it delivers on the feel-good, festive adventure with enough sass and sparkle to make up for the character overload.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Treating Christmas Like a Tactical Operation and Making It Weirdly Heartwarming
Big thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of Santa’s Holiday Spectacular. I didn’t know I needed a crossover between holiday justice squads, but now I want one every year. Y’all really said “what if Christmas, but with spreadsheets and surveillance?” and honestly? Iconic behavior.
October 8, 2025
Santa's Holiday Spectacular by Fern Michaels
(Santa's Crew Book 4)
Book 4 of 4: Santa's Crew
In an adventure-filled holiday treat from New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels, Frankie, Amy, Rachael and Nina—aka Santa’s Crew—reunite to put a stop to some real-life Grinches, with a little help from their new friends in the Sisterhood . . .
Christmas is so much more than tinsel, lights, and mistletoe. For onetime high school pals Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina, being together for the holidays has become a cherished tradition, whether they’re taking a trip or staying close to home.
There’s something special about giving back during the holiday season too, which is why Frankie is so dismayed when she learns that Salvation Army buckets are being pilfered all over town. Amy, Rachael, and Nina quickly agree to help her track down the thieves. It might not be their usual gathering, but it promises to be an adventure, especially when they bump into two women on a very similar quest . . .
Annie and Myra have learned that a shipment of children’s toys they sent to a charity event in New York City has been stolen. It looks like the thefts are connected, and it’s the kind of injustice that the ladies of the Sisterhood simply can’t abide. On a madcap spree through the city, the two groups join forces to find the bandits, save Christmas, and along the way, make this a holiday to remember for all the right reasons . . .
Frankie and Nina meet Myra, Annie, Kathryn, and Maggie.
This story is about love of family and friends.
This is a good holiday book.
I recommend this book.
Santa's Holiday Spectacular by Fern Michaels is a 4 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Fern Michaels.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
(Santa's Crew Book 4)
Book 4 of 4: Santa's Crew
In an adventure-filled holiday treat from New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels, Frankie, Amy, Rachael and Nina—aka Santa’s Crew—reunite to put a stop to some real-life Grinches, with a little help from their new friends in the Sisterhood . . .
Christmas is so much more than tinsel, lights, and mistletoe. For onetime high school pals Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina, being together for the holidays has become a cherished tradition, whether they’re taking a trip or staying close to home.
There’s something special about giving back during the holiday season too, which is why Frankie is so dismayed when she learns that Salvation Army buckets are being pilfered all over town. Amy, Rachael, and Nina quickly agree to help her track down the thieves. It might not be their usual gathering, but it promises to be an adventure, especially when they bump into two women on a very similar quest . . .
Annie and Myra have learned that a shipment of children’s toys they sent to a charity event in New York City has been stolen. It looks like the thefts are connected, and it’s the kind of injustice that the ladies of the Sisterhood simply can’t abide. On a madcap spree through the city, the two groups join forces to find the bandits, save Christmas, and along the way, make this a holiday to remember for all the right reasons . . .
Frankie and Nina meet Myra, Annie, Kathryn, and Maggie.
This story is about love of family and friends.
This is a good holiday book.
I recommend this book.
Santa's Holiday Spectacular by Fern Michaels is a 4 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Fern Michaels.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
December 7, 2025
(3.5)
I highly recommend that you read the other books in this series first! I felt a little like I was out of the loop and lost. There were references to things that, I think, happened in previous books because they were mentioned quite a lot. I just sort of had that feeling that it all would have been better if I went into it with the previous books information. As it was, I kind of had to drag myself to finish the book. I love the writing style of this author, this book just didn't click like most of her others have.
I'm not sure what would be a spoiler here so I'll tread lightly. In this story, four friends, Frankie, Amy, Nina, and Rachel, have a tradition of getting together for the holidays. Be it on a trip, cruise or at home they always take this time together. When Frankie learns that the salvation army buckets are being swiped, she and her friends decide to set out to find out who is doing it. During this time they bump into two other women, Annie and Myra who are also looking into these robberies. These women are part of a group called the sisterhood. They are investigating the disappearance of some toys that were donated and think that the two crimes are connected. The two groups join together to try to solve everything and to make this all a Christmas to remember in the best of ways.
I really want to go back and read the first books. I think that if you do it that way you will really enjoy this story. I love the writing and still would recommend this book, just after reading the others in the series first.
I highly recommend that you read the other books in this series first! I felt a little like I was out of the loop and lost. There were references to things that, I think, happened in previous books because they were mentioned quite a lot. I just sort of had that feeling that it all would have been better if I went into it with the previous books information. As it was, I kind of had to drag myself to finish the book. I love the writing style of this author, this book just didn't click like most of her others have.
I'm not sure what would be a spoiler here so I'll tread lightly. In this story, four friends, Frankie, Amy, Nina, and Rachel, have a tradition of getting together for the holidays. Be it on a trip, cruise or at home they always take this time together. When Frankie learns that the salvation army buckets are being swiped, she and her friends decide to set out to find out who is doing it. During this time they bump into two other women, Annie and Myra who are also looking into these robberies. These women are part of a group called the sisterhood. They are investigating the disappearance of some toys that were donated and think that the two crimes are connected. The two groups join together to try to solve everything and to make this all a Christmas to remember in the best of ways.
I really want to go back and read the first books. I think that if you do it that way you will really enjoy this story. I love the writing and still would recommend this book, just after reading the others in the series first.
December 28, 2025
Having read the other novels in the Santa's Crew series, I was expecting another feel-good madcap adventure with Frankie and her friends. However, this novel is a crossover between the Santa's Crew and her lengthy Sisters series. That series follows a group of vigilante warriors who write the wrongs that the system overlooks and delivers their own brand of justice. Although the justice meted out has been modified to fit the Christmas series, it still doesn't blend well with the tone of the Santa's Crew Christmas series. Because the novel is a crossover, the first several chapters are an info-dump presenting all the characters in both series. Since both series have a multitude of characters, that was a lot of back story to learn. Consequently, the pacing suffers and the story doesn't really get going for a while. Fan's who have read one or both of those series, can skim that section and dive into the story sooner. I was saddened to read that the author passed away last month. Santa's Holiday Spectacular does wind up a few ongoing plot lines in the two series, providing changes of heart and happiness for a couple of the characters. Fans can read one last book in the Sisters series, Code Blue which came out December 16.
September 28, 2025
If you are in the mood for holiday cheer and hijinks, then this is the book for you. Set around the holidays, it is the perfect book to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Santa's Holiday Spectacular follows the Santa Crew and the Sisterhood. Two unlikely groups of strong women meeting and getting a little bit of justice. The story is told from each perspective. Our Santa Crew is a group of 4 women who reconnected at a high school reunion and has since rekindled their friendship and found some romances of their own. Frankie, one of the Santa crew hears the story of someone stealing money from the Salvation Army Bell ringers and decides to rope her friend into investigating. Unknowingly, the Sisterhood get drawn in to the plot when a trailer full of Christmas toys was mistakenly taken. The Sisterhood goes on the hunt for the missing toys and unexpectedly find the Santa Crew. Because wouldn't you know it the two mysteries are connected.
The story shows how second chances can be given, forgiveness can be found at the holidays, and there are people there for you if you let them. Told with the usual story telling you expect from Fern Michaels. It's an excellent edition to your holiday reading this year.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the digital ARC of this book. All reviews and opinions are my own.
Santa's Holiday Spectacular follows the Santa Crew and the Sisterhood. Two unlikely groups of strong women meeting and getting a little bit of justice. The story is told from each perspective. Our Santa Crew is a group of 4 women who reconnected at a high school reunion and has since rekindled their friendship and found some romances of their own. Frankie, one of the Santa crew hears the story of someone stealing money from the Salvation Army Bell ringers and decides to rope her friend into investigating. Unknowingly, the Sisterhood get drawn in to the plot when a trailer full of Christmas toys was mistakenly taken. The Sisterhood goes on the hunt for the missing toys and unexpectedly find the Santa Crew. Because wouldn't you know it the two mysteries are connected.
The story shows how second chances can be given, forgiveness can be found at the holidays, and there are people there for you if you let them. Told with the usual story telling you expect from Fern Michaels. It's an excellent edition to your holiday reading this year.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the digital ARC of this book. All reviews and opinions are my own.
September 11, 2025
Time for Fern Michaels’ annual holiday novel. Four friends from high school who are now in their thirties, Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina gather together to celebrate the holidays. In the previous three books in the series they have gone on a cruise, to a mountain resort and journeyed to Italy. Also along the way each story has one of them finding romance. This book has them staying closer to home in NYC.
Frankie learns that someone is stealing from the Salvation Army buckets and her friends agree to help find the thieves. Along the way they meet Annie and Myra who are from the author’s Sisterhood series who are trying to do the same thing. Of course there is going to be mayhem as they try and save Christmas for those in need. The story is clean and lighthearted. It is probably more enjoyable if you are already familiar with the characters from reading some of all of their previous books. Otherwise it can be a lot of names and relationships to keep track of. I find these easy to read and good, silly fun. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Frankie learns that someone is stealing from the Salvation Army buckets and her friends agree to help find the thieves. Along the way they meet Annie and Myra who are from the author’s Sisterhood series who are trying to do the same thing. Of course there is going to be mayhem as they try and save Christmas for those in need. The story is clean and lighthearted. It is probably more enjoyable if you are already familiar with the characters from reading some of all of their previous books. Otherwise it can be a lot of names and relationships to keep track of. I find these easy to read and good, silly fun. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
October 12, 2025
Santa's Holiday Spectacular is part of the Santa's Crew series.
Every time I get a book written by Fern Michaels I know I am in for a treat. This one fits right in with the series.
Frankie, Amy, Rachael and Nina are known as Santa’s Crew. I just love these characters. Christmas time is not a good time for anyone to mess with tradition, and they find out that someone is stealing donation buckets and toys that have been donated. This time Santa’s Crew are going to need help to stop this from happening. That is where the Sisterhood comes into the story. The Sisterhood is a series you will enjoy reading. You don’t have to read the series to follow the characters in Santa’s Holiday Spectacular. The groups fit seamlessly together.
The story is full of characters and situations that kept me reading from start to finish. I enjoy Fern Michaels books, and I know you will too.
Thank you NetGalley, Fern Michaels and Kensington Publishing for the copy of Santa’s Holiday Spectacular. This is my personal review.
Every time I get a book written by Fern Michaels I know I am in for a treat. This one fits right in with the series.
Frankie, Amy, Rachael and Nina are known as Santa’s Crew. I just love these characters. Christmas time is not a good time for anyone to mess with tradition, and they find out that someone is stealing donation buckets and toys that have been donated. This time Santa’s Crew are going to need help to stop this from happening. That is where the Sisterhood comes into the story. The Sisterhood is a series you will enjoy reading. You don’t have to read the series to follow the characters in Santa’s Holiday Spectacular. The groups fit seamlessly together.
The story is full of characters and situations that kept me reading from start to finish. I enjoy Fern Michaels books, and I know you will too.
Thank you NetGalley, Fern Michaels and Kensington Publishing for the copy of Santa’s Holiday Spectacular. This is my personal review.
November 24, 2025
Santa’s Holiday Spectacular is a lively and heartwarming holiday read that has all the charm you’d expect from Fern Michaels. I really enjoyed catching up with Frankie, Amy, Rachael, and Nina, Santa’s Crew, as they reunite for another Christmas season filled with friendship, laughter, and just a little bit of chaos.
The plot is fun and fast-paced, with the ladies jumping into action to stop a string of Salvation Army bucket thefts. When they cross paths with Myra and Annie from the Sisterhood, the story really kicks into high gear. The two groups teaming up to track down stolen toys and chase down real-life Grinches was entertaining and gave the whole book a warm, feel-good vibe.
The only reason I’m giving it four stars instead of five is that some scenes felt a bit rushed, and I wish we had just a little more time with each character. Still, it’s a festive, lighthearted adventure that absolutely puts you in the holiday spirit.
If you enjoy stories about strong friendships, holiday mischief, and a sprinkle of mystery, this one makes a delightful seasonal read!
The plot is fun and fast-paced, with the ladies jumping into action to stop a string of Salvation Army bucket thefts. When they cross paths with Myra and Annie from the Sisterhood, the story really kicks into high gear. The two groups teaming up to track down stolen toys and chase down real-life Grinches was entertaining and gave the whole book a warm, feel-good vibe.
The only reason I’m giving it four stars instead of five is that some scenes felt a bit rushed, and I wish we had just a little more time with each character. Still, it’s a festive, lighthearted adventure that absolutely puts you in the holiday spirit.
If you enjoy stories about strong friendships, holiday mischief, and a sprinkle of mystery, this one makes a delightful seasonal read!
December 26, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
Santa’s Holiday Spectacular is a lively, festive holiday story that brings together Santa’s Crew and the Sisterhood for a Christmas adventure set in New York City.
Amy, Frankie, Rachael, and Nina have made spending the holidays together a tradition. This year, instead of traveling, they find themselves caught up in a mystery involving stolen Salvation Army donation buckets. At the same time, Annie and Myra are trying to recover a shipment of toys meant for a children’s charity event. When the two groups realize the crimes are connected, they join forces—and things quickly escalate into a spirited holiday mission.
This is a big ensemble story with a lot of characters and moving parts. If you’ve read either series before, it’s much easier to follow. Once the two groups fully come together, the story finds its rhythm and becomes an enjoyable holiday adventure filled with friendship, generosity, and a touch of vigilante justice.
There’s something especially bittersweet about reading this book knowing that Fern Michaels passed away in November 2025. Her ability to write warm, friendship-driven stories really shines here, reminding readers why her books have resonated with so many over the years.
If you’re looking for a festive holiday read centered on found family, longtime friendships, and Christmas spirit—especially if you’re already a fan of Fern Michaels—this one is worth adding to your seasonal reading list.
Read Full Review at Forever Book Lover.
Santa’s Holiday Spectacular is a lively, festive holiday story that brings together Santa’s Crew and the Sisterhood for a Christmas adventure set in New York City.
Amy, Frankie, Rachael, and Nina have made spending the holidays together a tradition. This year, instead of traveling, they find themselves caught up in a mystery involving stolen Salvation Army donation buckets. At the same time, Annie and Myra are trying to recover a shipment of toys meant for a children’s charity event. When the two groups realize the crimes are connected, they join forces—and things quickly escalate into a spirited holiday mission.
This is a big ensemble story with a lot of characters and moving parts. If you’ve read either series before, it’s much easier to follow. Once the two groups fully come together, the story finds its rhythm and becomes an enjoyable holiday adventure filled with friendship, generosity, and a touch of vigilante justice.
There’s something especially bittersweet about reading this book knowing that Fern Michaels passed away in November 2025. Her ability to write warm, friendship-driven stories really shines here, reminding readers why her books have resonated with so many over the years.
If you’re looking for a festive holiday read centered on found family, longtime friendships, and Christmas spirit—especially if you’re already a fan of Fern Michaels—this one is worth adding to your seasonal reading list.
Read Full Review at Forever Book Lover.
November 10, 2025
Santa’s Holiday Spectacular brings Frankie, Amy, Rachael, and Nina back together for another festive adventure, this time chasing down a string of thefts that threaten the holiday spirit in New York City. When Salvation Army buckets start disappearing, the women step in to help—and soon cross paths with Annie and Myra from the Sisterhood, who are dealing with their own missing shipment of toys. The combined storyline makes for a fun, fast-paced mystery with plenty of charm, humour, and seasonal atmosphere.
As always, the food descriptions, table settings, and multicultural touches are highlights, and Michaels includes just enough callbacks to earlier books to ground returning readers. I especially enjoyed the blend of Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions and the bits of NYC holiday history woven throughout. I listened to the audiobook, and Susan Bennett’s narration was exceptional—her range of character voices and her pacing elevated the whole story.
As always, the food descriptions, table settings, and multicultural touches are highlights, and Michaels includes just enough callbacks to earlier books to ground returning readers. I especially enjoyed the blend of Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions and the bits of NYC holiday history woven throughout. I listened to the audiobook, and Susan Bennett’s narration was exceptional—her range of character voices and her pacing elevated the whole story.
October 21, 2025
Fern Michaels author profile says she has written 99 books in 37 years. That’s more than 3 per year!!!
This book has characters from two different series. Santa’s crew are Frankie, Nina, Amy, Rachael and their boyfriends Giovanni, Richard, Peter, Robert. And Giovanni’s mother and sister are visiting from Italy. The sisters of the sisterhood vigilantes are Myra, Charles, Countess Anna and Fergus, Kathryn, Yoko, Maggie.
The story revolves around very wealthy people’s holiday plans, toys for tots stolen, Santa stealing $ from Salvation Army buckets to pay off gambling debts. Vinny, Jimmy, and Bucky are added to the list of people to keep track of! All these people team up to right this injustice and enjoy the holiday spectacularly. There were WAY too many people doing TOO many tasks jumping from one event to another.
Thank you Kensington Publishing for the book to write a review.
This book has characters from two different series. Santa’s crew are Frankie, Nina, Amy, Rachael and their boyfriends Giovanni, Richard, Peter, Robert. And Giovanni’s mother and sister are visiting from Italy. The sisters of the sisterhood vigilantes are Myra, Charles, Countess Anna and Fergus, Kathryn, Yoko, Maggie.
The story revolves around very wealthy people’s holiday plans, toys for tots stolen, Santa stealing $ from Salvation Army buckets to pay off gambling debts. Vinny, Jimmy, and Bucky are added to the list of people to keep track of! All these people team up to right this injustice and enjoy the holiday spectacularly. There were WAY too many people doing TOO many tasks jumping from one event to another.
Thank you Kensington Publishing for the book to write a review.
November 14, 2025
If you haven't read the other books in these series, then skip this one. I got about a third of the way through the book before I DNF. There was a huge character dump at the beginning, probably to try to get everyone who hadn't read the others up to speed. It didn't work. I had no idea who was who or what was what. I kept reading. The book shifts perspective, places, and people every few pages. By the time I felt like maybe I was getting what was going on, the book would shift again and I was back to being lost. Also, at least in the portion that I read, there was nothing Christmassy or particularly New York, both of which seemed promised from the cover and description. If you're going to leave us in the dark on what's happening, at least get us to New York quickly so we can hopefully enjoy NYC at Christmas!
September 23, 2025
This book has quite the cast of characters. The Sisters of Sisterhood are hard at work to right wrongs and bring justice to the area. They are on a mission to bring joy to hundreds of misfortune children collecting Christmas gifts to be distributed. On the other side of town Frankie and her friends are amping up for the holidays, in a big Italian way. They also wish to right wrongs and become embroiled in the Santa bandits stealing from the collection kettles. The two groups collide and merge in their efforts and in the process close friendships develop. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review. #netgalley @netgalley #fermichaels @fernmichaels #kensingtonbooks @kensingtonbooks
September 30, 2025
It's the holiday season and time for Frankie, Amy, Rachael and Nina to make plans. This year they are staying close to home rather than traveling. Plans have been made for Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything is proceeding as planned until a grinch decides to steal from the Salvation Army buckets. When that happens, Frankie can't help but get involved in trying to figure out who the thieves are.
At the same time, Myra and Annie have been using their connections to get toys donated for needy children. But before the toys can be delivered, the trailer is stolen. This leads to the Sisterhood and the four friends getting to know each other.
This story is filled with love of family and friends, new friendships, holiday spirit, humor, and good over evil.
At the same time, Myra and Annie have been using their connections to get toys donated for needy children. But before the toys can be delivered, the trailer is stolen. This leads to the Sisterhood and the four friends getting to know each other.
This story is filled with love of family and friends, new friendships, holiday spirit, humor, and good over evil.
December 8, 2025
I do suggest you read some of the Santa Crew and Sisterhood series as this two merge in this story. There is a cast of hundreds, well not quite that many but will confuse you if you haven’t already read a few previous books.
The setting is the holiday season in New York starting just before Thanksgiving and ending New Year’s Day.
Being a small world the Sisters cross paths with the Santa Crew while trying to solve who stole the truck trailer with the Toys For Tots gifts and what bad Santa stole from the Salvation Army kettles. Friendship, food and unbelievable kookiness is throughout the story.
Thank you #NetGallery and #KensingtonPublishing for this eARC. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
The setting is the holiday season in New York starting just before Thanksgiving and ending New Year’s Day.
Being a small world the Sisters cross paths with the Santa Crew while trying to solve who stole the truck trailer with the Toys For Tots gifts and what bad Santa stole from the Salvation Army kettles. Friendship, food and unbelievable kookiness is throughout the story.
Thank you #NetGallery and #KensingtonPublishing for this eARC. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
December 10, 2025
This book reads like an info dump or the author's notes instead of a narrative. The first 100 pages are basically lists or reviewing what the author knows about her characters. The conflict doesn't show up until almost the halfway point of the book. It jumps around constantly, is missing basic grammar structure, doesn't stick to a reliable timeline, and the premise is just weird. I suppose if you are already a fan of the characters and the overall premise of her stories you could forgive some of it in the name of holiday fun, but if you, like me, are new to this author, characters, and world, it only screams terrible writing and zero editing. Do not recommend for new readers of this author.
September 20, 2025
SANTA'S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR is a feel-good adventure. It is the perfect friendship-filled escape holiday in NYC. I especially fell in love with Frankie who is a true friend and crime solver. She, along with her old and new friends, is hard pressed to solve the thefts of the salvation army buckets and the shipment of toys for a charity in NYC.
In addition to solving the crimes, Frankie manages to make all her friends and family around her an exceptional and memorable Christmas. Everyone needs a friend like her. Another bonus was that the men did all the cooking. Yeah!!
I truly enjoyed this read. Thanks, Goodreads, for this giveaway.
In addition to solving the crimes, Frankie manages to make all her friends and family around her an exceptional and memorable Christmas. Everyone needs a friend like her. Another bonus was that the men did all the cooking. Yeah!!
I truly enjoyed this read. Thanks, Goodreads, for this giveaway.
October 4, 2025
TBH, this is my first DNF review. I couldn't stick with it. I was confused from the beginning when the past three books were recapped, characters and adventures, in the first four or five pages. Really, that could have been better worked into the story itself since the book spent much of the part I read recapping those books in detail. Maybe if I had read the first three books first, I would be invested in the characters, but they all seemed a little superficial and undeveloped. I'm assuming this was to be heartwarming, but I was too confused and bored to care. I MAY try this one again AFTER reading the rest of the series, but I don't suggest starting with this one at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews