Reeling from a broken engagement, Andi Carter swears off men. She quits her job in New York and returns home to figure out next steps. Luckily, she quickly finds a job--one that will take her mind off her ex--as a caretaker for an elderly widower, Liam Quinn. Liam is the owner of Christmastown, a holiday-themed amusement park that shut down years ago. But he's anxious to re-open it, and Andi, loving the concept, throws herself into helping him. It's the perfect distraction. And bonus: there are no eligible men for miles.
Until Matt Taylor shows up to audit the park.
Matt is handsome, charming, and full of surprises. Even Liam's notoriously cranky cat, Claus, likes him. Andi works with Matt on a Christmastown project and platonic feelings turn into a full-fledged crush...maybe a little more. She likes this guy. Unbelievably, Matt seems to like her back.
Only she soon discovers that Matt isn't who he says he is. So now, Andi has another decision to make-run away and start over-again? Or stay, and hear Matt out. After all, Christmas is the season of miracles...
Leanne lives in New Jersey with her husband of twenty-five years and their three wonderful children. When Leanne is not cheering her children on in their activities, she can be found running, watching Philadelphia 76ers basketball, and spoiling her two beloved dogs. Favorite locations include the Jersey shore, Martha's Vineyard, and any place that sells books or coffee, preferably both! A passionate student, Leanne's dream life would include going back to college and majoring in everything.
Leanne is a graduate of Lafayette College and The Dickinson School of Law. A former attorney, Leanne is now lucky enough to write full-time!
I want to live in Christmastown with Andi and Matt. This was such a great romance, and I will tell you this is has the setting for a Hallmark movie. I would love to see it on the big screen. I recommend this 4 star book. The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
TITLE: SANTA GAMES AUTHOR: Leanne Treese PUB DATE: 09.22.2022 Now Available
I love starting my holiday reading as early as possible since it gives me the cozy lovey dovey feels, puts me in the right mood - no grouches here, and with a warm viola, a cozy blanket, and some holiday tunes in the background, it the perfect way to cozy up and give yourself self care.
About the book: “Reeling from a broken engagement, Andi Carter swears off men. She quits her job in New York and returns home to figure out next steps. Luckily, she quickly finds a job as a caretaker for an elderly widower, Liam Quinn. Liam is the owner of Christmastown, a holiday-themed amusement park that shut down years ago. But he’s anxious to reopen it, and Andi, loving the concept, throws herself into helping him. It’s the perfect distraction. Until Matt Taylor shows up to audit the park, and platonic feelings turn into a full-fledged crush…Only she soon discovers that Matt isn’t who he says he is”.
Heartwarming, captivating, and a fantastic escape read is how I would describe my feelings for Santa Games by Leanne Treese. It was everything I wanted and more from a holiday romance read. I enjoyed the characters, the cat named Claus, Liam’s Christmas theme park, and many more. Santa Games is like a satisfying hot cocoa during a blistering cold day kind of a book. It’s absolute joy and perfection!
I have a confession I love anything Christmas, I watch all the hallmark and lifetime movies, even the Christmas in July ones! The decorating of the tree, baking and family time. So when I can get my hands on a Christmas book it makes me so happy! When Andi’s fiancée ends their engagement suddenly, she’s devastated. She packs her belongings and leaves town to get away and she finds herself back home. Andi takes a job taking care of Liam an elderly gentleman, he owns Christmastown, a holiday-themed amusement park that shut down years ago. Liam would love to reopen it and Andi offers to help. Matt Taylor an auditor he is sent to audit the amusement park, he’s handsome and charming, soon the two find themselves flirting and the sparks fly. When Andi discovers that Matt isn't who he says he is. Andi has to make the decision to stay and hear him out or end what they have just started and leave. Isn’t Christmas the season of miracles and love? I loved this book it was a quick read and felt like a feel good hallmark movie!
A fun holiday read! I want to go and visit this Christmastown place myself. Andi needs a new start after finding her fiancé a cheater and quitting her job because it just wasn't giving her joy anymore she takes on an impossible task. She is asked to become a caretaker for an elderly man who is the proud owner of the shutdown holiday theme park. But instead of seeing the decay, Andi sees opportunity and believes in what this place can become. Reigniting Liam's drive to get this place up and running, she faces many challenges and has to prove herself. When an auditor is sent to keep an eye on things for Liam's daughter, Andi soon finds an ally in Matt and things are progressing rather well until some truths come out and the one they need to prove what this can be, is only out to prove that her father once again has a crazy idea that will get nowhere like everything else he has done. This was a heartfelt holiday read and I love the idea of a Christmas themed amusement park! Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite and the author for the free novel. This was a great, quick holiday read to get into the season!
Perfect holiday season reading fate. Andi Carter goes to assist Liam adopting his and.his.late wife's dream to revitalize Christmastown and make it a fully functioning theme park. His daughter, a high powered lawyer, worries that this is another impractical dream where he is likely to lose his money. So under the guise of an audit of the facilities, she sends a junior lawyer, Matt, in to gather evidence to back up a claim for conservatorship. A sweet story of joy and love and all the goodness of the season with interesting characters you will root for. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
If I hadn’t been at my parent’s house for a few days, I would have my decorations up already, but trust me…they will be up by the weekend.
I’m not sorry about it.
I’m also not sorry about reading holiday books already either. Here’s a sweet one to add to your TBR.
The Santa Games reads like a Hallmark movie with such charm and sweetness. Treese wrote a powerful book last year that had me crying. This one had me in my warm feels. That’s talent. There’s humor and fun in this light-hearted book. The adorable situations and sweet meet cute had me laughing and just plain happy. There’s a unique feel to this one as well, so if you are burned out on a Hallmark-style plot then don’t worry…this novel offers up a story about starting over and embracing new things. You will want to crawl into this book and cozy up!
The Santa Games is available now!
Thank you to the author and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy.
What a feel good Christmas book! From the very first chapter where we meet Andi (the heroine), a NYC set designer who is dealt quite a blow, this story unfolds in the best of all possible ways. I think I’m in love with Matt (the hero), an attorney who hates his job, has ADHD, and doesn’t quite fit into the upper class social circles he was born into. The two meet in a most unexpected place. I laughed, I fretted, and I cried - feeling all the emotions a romance should have. The Santa Games is a must read.
One of the things that really stuck out to me about this book was the banter and just the love between Matt and Andi. When you can really feel the connection between the characters, it just makes it that much easier to get caught up in their story. I was also very impressed by the ADHD rep in this book. Being married to someone who has ADHD has really put a lot of things into perspective for me, and I really appreciated an author taking the time to show how it's so much more than the stereotypes that are out there. On a less serious note, I really enjoyed the premise of this one--it was so unique, and I think the idea of a Christmas theme park sounds like the coolest thing ever, so I'm gonna go ahead and need that to be a thing ASAP.
Overall, this was an easy-to-read, ADORABLE Christmas romance that hooked me right in. Definitely recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
The Santa Games captured my heart in the first few pages and just didn't let go. I absolutely loved it. Though Christmas cookies abound, this is in no way a cookie cutter holiday romance. The characters, situations, and settings are totally unique. Andi is a spunky, funny, smart heroine who kept me rooting for her from beginning to end. Matt is dreamy and hilarious, the kind of guy who looks drop-dead gorgeous in a tux and playing trivia at the local bar. His total self-awareness about his ADHD just makes him all the more endearing. These are characters who communicate like adults, play like kids, mess up, surprise each other, and make themselves and the reader laugh and cry. Set in a dreamy holiday location, the action takes place throughout the year, making this book perfect with hot cocoa by the fire or a cold drink on the beach. FIVE BIG CHRISTMAS STARS!!!!
This is the PERFECT holiday read! Actually it's a perfect read for anytime during the year that you need a little bit of Christmas magic. I loved Andi, Matt, Liam and Claus, the sometimes cranky cat. I also loved Christmastown, the run-down holiday theme park that this group was trying hard to renovate. This book gave me all the feels. I rarely re-read books but this is one I'll revisit often.
What a great read! The people are folks you’d want to know. They behave the way you wish everyone would. And I want to go to Christmastown! No better place in the world. Thank you for this relaxing, encouraging, fun book to read.
I had so much fun reading this book. I needed more holiday reads and this one was just perfect. Heartwarming, sweet, fun, easy to read, fantastic setting, I want to visit Christmastown, and charming.
Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.
The Santa Games by Leanne Treese, Author released October 4, 2022.
Andi’s fiancé breaks up with her and she leaves town and takes a job as a caretaker for an elderly gentleman who owns a Christmas themed amusement park. He wants to re-open it and Andi gets very invested in helping him.
Matt Taylor is a handsome, charming auditor sent to audit the theme park and Andi develops a crush on him and he seems to like her back, but then she discovers that he is not who he says he is…
This book kept me turning pages and hoping for a happy resolution. It was perfect for Christmas. In fact, I think the Hallmark Channel could learn a few things from this one! It would make a great movie!
I just finished a very cute holiday book: Leanne Treese’s The Santa Games!
If you’re looking for a lovely book to get you into the holiday spirit, give this book a try! It has a lovely Hallmark feel to it, has a light dash of spice and a lot of holiday hope.
Andi Carter just got out of an engagement and has left behind her work in theater and finds herself taking care of Liam, a retired man who has sunk his money into a Christmas theme park, a dream of his deceased wife to overhaul and reopen. Matt works for Liam’s daughter in a law firm job that he hates and only really has because his family’s money. Matt is sent out to audit the theme park and build a case for Liam to be put under a conservatorship, however he falls head over heels for Andi and the idea of the theme park.
Both Andi and Matt find themselves entwined in feelings for each other, however Andi sees a picture of Matt online with a gorgeous woman, and thinks he is taken. She has already proclaimed to him that she is not ready for a relationship anytime soon, so their friendship buds while they try to raise money and attention for the theme park to reopen. One of the great ideas is to open a few attractions and host all the Santa’s who go to a Santa college nearby to come and play in The Santa Games on premises, which Matt, who has started to take a class in programming has created an app for. Unfortunately they only attract one investor who has other ideas for the theme park.
With a lot of twists and turns, a slow burn/low spice, low anxiety problems, and a non traditional villain, this story does deliver some feel good Christmas cheer and is just what Mrs. Claus ordered!
This book is available wherever you can buy books and I suggest you go read it! Thank you Leanne Treese, Moxie Publishing and NetGalley for my free ARC copy!
After the crash-and-burn of her engagement, Andi becomes determined to get Christmastown, a holiday dilapidated theme park, up and running again. The place was owned by a 90-year-old man, and his daughter, worried of the financial ramifications, sends a spy to look out for things.
There’s instant chemistry and a connection between Andi and Matt. Right away, he feels guilty about starting off on a lie with her. The missions were different: she was working to get the theme park open and he was sent to shut it down. Still, Matt roots that Andi will be able to pull it off and offers to help in any way he can. They come up with the idea to arrange a fundraiser for potential investors, calling it The Santa Games. But it’s all fun and games until a fire breaks out and Matt’s boss finds out what he’s been up to.
But none of that keeps them from opening Christmastown.
Witty and engaging! Matt and Andi were great together with their friendly banter and playfulness. Although the two were having fun, the hard reality was this: how could they make this happen without any investors?
The characters had incredible faith in their dream. It was Christmastown or bust!
What happens when the truth comes pouring out and Andi has to make a choice of whether to stay or leave? This story keeps you reading all the way!
A lighthearted, warm, and romantic read! Just perfect for the holidays!
This has lovely characters and a very cool concept of an abandoned Christmas themed amusement park that an elderly man named Liam wants to bring back to life as a promise to his dead wife.
One of his cohorts in this project is his caregiver, Andi, who is a set designer but taking time away after she sees her fiancé cheating.
The other main cohort is Matt, a lawyer that’s been sent by Liam’s daughter to thwart the project. Matt actually loves the idea of Christmastown being reborn and goes against his boss to help plan a massive fundraiser called The Santa Games to get investors interested.
The book is told in the voices of both Andi and Matt. It’s a joy to get their perspectives and see their personalities shine through the pages.
There is also the romance that is budding between Andi and Matt as well as the dynamic once Andi finds out why Matt was actually sent to Christmastown.
And no great holiday book would be complete without a pet so I enjoyed Liam’s feisty cat, Claus.
Andi returns home with her heart broken from her fancy New York fiance. With no interest in love, she lands the perfect job caring for Liam, an elderly widower.
Liam owns Christmastown, an abandoned Holiday-themed amusement park. Although Liam dreams of reopening Christmastown, his daughter thinks it’s a waste of time and money.
Andi loves the idea of Christmastown, and she’s willing to help Liam in any way she can. She gets to work on redesigning the park, plus it's so nice there are no young, single men around to distract her.
To reopen, they’ll have to get through a financial audit of the park. Wouldn’t you know it, Matt Taylor, the auditor, is handsome and charming. As things warm up between Andi and Matt, it seems Holiday Card perfect. Then Andi discovers who Matt is really working for.
Look, I love Christmas and Christmas romance stories are something I enjoy reading, no matter how obvious the plot can be. I really liked the fact that the name really makes sens for the story, because sometimes I feel like people don't really choose fitting titles. After a broken engagement, Andi is going to try and revive and old Christmas themed amusement park. Of course, it's not gonna be easy and it feels like a downgrade from her big city job. but as I said, I wasn't reading for the plot, I was reading to enjoy a cosy Christmas love story, ok? For me, it has a CAWPILE score of 9, mostly because it wasn't dragged so I didn't get bored and I enjoy Christmas stories.
SPOILER: * * * What I really liked is the fact that he encouraged her to try and get the job in London and she actually went there and did not pick the guy she knew for so little time, no matter how special he was in her eyes
The Santa Games had me by title alone and kept me smiling through the whole novel. One of my favorite novels by Leanne Treese so far. And Just in time for the holiday season! I loved the main characters Andi and Matt; especially Claus, the cat with sass-i-tutde for days . If there was ever a place I wished existed it would be Christmastown--the theme park Andi is trying to help elderly owner, Liam, renovate. That is until Matt shows up to audit the decrepit park or should I say more like trying to shut down.
But there's one hitch, Matt likes Andi. And doesn't want to end the dream of Christmastown. If you're looking for a great cozy read with all the feels of a Hallmark romance, The Santa Games is a must read!
If you're a fan of hallmark movies, you have to read this book. It's SO CUTE.
Last year, I was looking for a heartwarming story to read during the holidays, so I got my hands on this ARC. Unfortunately, life got busy and I only managed to finish it now. However, it still managed to transport me back to the Christmas spirit for a few days. It was refreshing to read a story where dreams hold more importance than money. I got emotional a few times, especially seeing how much Christmastown means to Liam (and Andi and Matt too). I highly recommend it - not just in December. Feel free to read it whenever you want. I promise you'll feel the magic.
I liked the story and getting to know the characters, although I think the story would have been just as good without the scenes where the couple are in bed together. Liam and Andi have a hard time fulfilling his dream of a Christmas theme park in honor of his late wife. His daughter thinks it is another lame brain idea so works to thwart him at every turn. She even sends Matt in the supposed role of auditor, but Matt is soon on Liam's side. Andi is trying to prove she can do things on her own after the breakup from her cheating fiance. I was rooting for the Christmas theme park throughout the story.
Andi Carter is going through a broken engagement and has sworn off men, so she goes back to her hometown and finds work looking after a elderly widower. Liam Quinn owns Christmastown, a holiday-themed amusement park that is shut down but he wants to reopen it. She wants to help him but things take a turn when Matt Taylor shows up to audit the park. The story is well written with a very good storyline that held my interest until the end. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After a broken engagement, Andi swears off men,leaves New York and heads back home. She takes a job as a caretaker to an older gentleman who wants to reopen Christmas Town, his holiday themed park. When the handsome Matt Taylor shows up sparks fly between Andi and Matt. Andi finds that Matt isn't exactly who he claims to be. This was a charming, feel good Christmas story with all the feels. I loved it.
After calling off her engagement, Andi is not looking for love. All bets are off and she takes an off the road job at Christmastown ... Or what might be Christmastown one day.
This is a fairly predictable book; the characters are likeable and the plot easy to follow but it was all a little 'meh' for me. I enjoyed parts of it but it lacked a real hook.... Which is a shame as it sounded like a feel good festive read!
The Santa Games is a typical Holiday Romance story with all the trimmings. This little gem has all the expected tropes that romance lovers enjoy. A broken-hearted woman has moved to a new town and a new job to find herself. A man enters her life and magic, misleading, and misunderstandings ensue. The picturesque setting is perfectly described, the characters are lovable, and the ending will make you smile.
I love the idea of Christmastown and this is such a sweet holiday romance. It's written with dual perspectives and Matt and Andi will steal your heart. Not to mention Claus. Perfect with a cup of tea, a crackling fire, and your favorite holiday music in the background.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for a Hallmark-esque Christmas read, pick this one up! This book is seriously adorable!
Christmastown is on the brink of collapse and Andi is there to try to save it. Matt is there to spy and try to shut it down. But even he sees Andi's vision and wants to make it a reality. Such a sweet read! I also really love the ADHD rep in this one 💕
Matt and Andi had me smiling, crying, and laughing out loud. This book would be easily more than 5 stars had there not been a few choice words thrown in. Every chapter was begging you to read the next. I wasn’t ready for it to end. I’m not a super fast reader, but read this book in 2 days. It’s THAT good!
I enjoy a book that has a good story and it's share of problems to overcome without it making me feel like it's too much! The couple had their misunderstandings, but they quickly accepted the truth and never acted like mindless idiots. The pace was good and the resolutions perfect. I really enjoyed this Christmas story!