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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’sslow 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
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2023
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Carol Kinnee
7 books105 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 21, 2025
Some books you finish and forget. Others stay with you, quietly reminding you of their warmth and wisdom. The Mrs. Claus Contract is one of those special books. It’s a Christmas romance, yes, but also a deeply resonant story about identity, sacrifice, and the healing power of connection.
Sam McNaughton isn’t just avoiding his past he’s erased himself from the world. The military declared him dead, and part of him is content to remain that way. He’s grieving not only lost time but a lost sense of self. Sophie, on the other hand, is alive but stuck paralyzed by debt, grief, and the betrayal of being left without closure.
Their reunion under the masks of Santa and Mrs. Claus is so poignant. Kinnee uses this setup not as a gimmick but as a metaphor how we all sometimes play roles to survive. The emotional unmasking that follows is beautiful and, at times, devastating. Their love story isn’t easy, but it’s earned.
What sets this book apart is its pacing and sensitivity. Nothing feels rushed, and every emotional beat lands. You feel the cold, hear the Christmas music, and taste the cocoa. The writing is immersive, and Kinnee’s command of tension is masterful.
This is more than a holiday story, it's a story of coming home, to a place and to a person. A standout romance in every way.
Sam McNaughton isn’t just avoiding his past he’s erased himself from the world. The military declared him dead, and part of him is content to remain that way. He’s grieving not only lost time but a lost sense of self. Sophie, on the other hand, is alive but stuck paralyzed by debt, grief, and the betrayal of being left without closure.
Their reunion under the masks of Santa and Mrs. Claus is so poignant. Kinnee uses this setup not as a gimmick but as a metaphor how we all sometimes play roles to survive. The emotional unmasking that follows is beautiful and, at times, devastating. Their love story isn’t easy, but it’s earned.
What sets this book apart is its pacing and sensitivity. Nothing feels rushed, and every emotional beat lands. You feel the cold, hear the Christmas music, and taste the cocoa. The writing is immersive, and Kinnee’s command of tension is masterful.
This is more than a holiday story, it's a story of coming home, to a place and to a person. A standout romance in every way.
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
The Mrs. Claus Contract is the kind of book you don't just read you feel. Carol Kinnee masterfully crafts a story rooted in the ache of loss and the thrill of unexpected reunion. Sam McNaughton, presumed dead and emotionally untethered, returns to his family Christmas tree farm not to reconnect, but to hide. His backstory as a soldier declared dead sets a powerful emotional foundation that immediately pulled me in. You can feel his exhaustion and emotional retreat through Kinnee’s poignant prose.
Sophie Malone, meanwhile, is a refreshingly relatable heroine. Her grief is raw and real, but she's not wallowing; she's surviving, pushing forward, and signing a Mrs. Claus contract to pay her mother’s debts and reclaim her future. When these two unknowingly reunite in costume, Kinnee uses dramatic irony brilliantly. The reader knows who they are but they don’t. This creates page-turning suspense and deep emotional tension.
Their connection feels authentic. It's not instant or easy, but layered with history, regret, longing, and something far more fragile: hope. This book reminded me that sometimes, healing comes from the most unexpected places like behind a Santa beard or under a fur-trimmed hood.
Sophie Malone, meanwhile, is a refreshingly relatable heroine. Her grief is raw and real, but she's not wallowing; she's surviving, pushing forward, and signing a Mrs. Claus contract to pay her mother’s debts and reclaim her future. When these two unknowingly reunite in costume, Kinnee uses dramatic irony brilliantly. The reader knows who they are but they don’t. This creates page-turning suspense and deep emotional tension.
Their connection feels authentic. It's not instant or easy, but layered with history, regret, longing, and something far more fragile: hope. This book reminded me that sometimes, healing comes from the most unexpected places like behind a Santa beard or under a fur-trimmed hood.
June 21, 2025
Every year, I look for that one holiday romance to kick off the season and this year, The Mrs. Claus Contract is it. From the snowy scenes to the slow-building romance, this book captures the essence of Christmas while telling a story that feels fresh and real.
Sam and Sophie are both broken, but they’re not bitter. They’ve both lost things love, trust, peace but they’re still trying, in their own ways, to move forward. Their accidental reunion, under the jingle bells of retail holiday jobs, becomes the perfect metaphor for rediscovering joy.
The writing is warm, smooth, and full of sensory details. I could smell the pine trees and taste the peppermint mocha. More than that, though, I felt the longing, the awkwardness, the growing affection between Sam and Sophie as they stumbled toward truth and healing.
This is a romance that feels like a journey. Not just a trip back to love, but a journey back to self. It’s hopeful, romantic, gently humorous, and beautifully written. Whether you’re a die-hard holiday romance reader or just dipping your toes in, this book will wrap you in its charm and not let go.
Sam and Sophie are both broken, but they’re not bitter. They’ve both lost things love, trust, peace but they’re still trying, in their own ways, to move forward. Their accidental reunion, under the jingle bells of retail holiday jobs, becomes the perfect metaphor for rediscovering joy.
The writing is warm, smooth, and full of sensory details. I could smell the pine trees and taste the peppermint mocha. More than that, though, I felt the longing, the awkwardness, the growing affection between Sam and Sophie as they stumbled toward truth and healing.
This is a romance that feels like a journey. Not just a trip back to love, but a journey back to self. It’s hopeful, romantic, gently humorous, and beautifully written. Whether you’re a die-hard holiday romance reader or just dipping your toes in, this book will wrap you in its charm and not let go.
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
I’ve read a lot of Christmas romances, but The Mrs. Claus Contract stands out with one of the most original and emotionally engaging premises I’ve encountered in years. A man declared dead by the military returns home and hides only to take a temporary job as Santa and unknowingly be paired with his ex-fiancée as Mrs. Claus? Genius.
What could’ve been just a quirky setup becomes something much deeper in Carol Kinnee’s capable hands. She uses this mistaken identity framework not for cheap laughs, but to explore identity, grief, and the strange masks we all wear in times of crisis.
Sam’s reluctance to rejoin the world is understandable. He’s traumatized, disoriented, and unsure who he is without his uniform or his future. Sophie, meanwhile, is trying to rebuild her world one step at a time. The Mrs. Claus contract gives her a way to contribute, to smile again until she’s confronted with a Santa who sounds and feels hauntingly familiar.
The way these two orbit around each other, connecting without knowing why, makes for a deeply satisfying romantic tension. Every glance, every shared moment carries weight.
This book is heartfelt, creative, and filled with subtle emotional beats. It’s a must-read for anyone craving originality in their romance novels especially during the holiday season.
What could’ve been just a quirky setup becomes something much deeper in Carol Kinnee’s capable hands. She uses this mistaken identity framework not for cheap laughs, but to explore identity, grief, and the strange masks we all wear in times of crisis.
Sam’s reluctance to rejoin the world is understandable. He’s traumatized, disoriented, and unsure who he is without his uniform or his future. Sophie, meanwhile, is trying to rebuild her world one step at a time. The Mrs. Claus contract gives her a way to contribute, to smile again until she’s confronted with a Santa who sounds and feels hauntingly familiar.
The way these two orbit around each other, connecting without knowing why, makes for a deeply satisfying romantic tension. Every glance, every shared moment carries weight.
This book is heartfelt, creative, and filled with subtle emotional beats. It’s a must-read for anyone craving originality in their romance novels especially during the holiday season.
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 8, 2025
This story had me completely hooked from the very first page! The emotional tension between Sam and Sophie was so palpable, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. The way the author weaves together themes of love, grief, healing, and Christmas magic is nothing short of brilliant. Sam’s journey from wanting to disappear to slowly reclaiming his life was so moving, and Sophie’s inner strength made her an incredibly relatable heroine. The Santa and Mrs. Claus twist was adorable, and I loved how the two unknowingly worked side by side with so much unresolved love simmering beneath the surface. This book is everything a holiday romance should be: heartfelt, warm, funny, and deeply satisfying. It’s not just a Christmas story; it’s a story about second chances and rediscovering what matters.
June 8, 2025
This book was a wonderful surprise and an absolute joy to read. The setting alone, Christmasville and a family Christmas tree farm, felt like stepping into a holiday movie, but with richer characters and more emotional weight. I loved the premise of a presumed-dead soldier hiding out only to take a Santa job, unknowingly working with the very woman he’s trying to avoid. The emotional complexity was handled with so much sensitivity and care. Sophie’s heartache felt so real, and Sam’s guilt and isolation broke my heart. The story beautifully shows how love can endure, even through grief, betrayal, and time. The pacing was perfect, the writing flowed effortlessly, and the ending left me with tears in my eyes in the best possible way. I’ll be recommending this to all my holiday romance-loving friends!
June 21, 2025
Carol Kinnee has done something extraordinary; she's written a Christmas romance that feels fresh, elegant, and emotionally rich. The Mrs. Claus Contract combines literary quality with holiday charm, and the result is a story that satisfies both the heart and the mind.
Sophie’s struggle is instantly relatable. Her life has derailed, her heart is broken, and she’s just trying to hold it all together. She’s not waiting for a man to save her, she's actively seeking solutions. The Mrs. Claus contract represents agency, not whimsy.
Sam’s storyline, meanwhile, is quietly profound. There’s something haunting about a man declared dead deciding to stay that way. His internal conflict is handled with immense care. Kinnee’s depiction of trauma is sensitive and realistic, especially for a romance novel. When these two collide unknowingly it’s like watching two stars slowly realign.
Kinnee resists every temptation to rush the reunion. Instead, she lets the characters breathe, stumble, heal, and, eventually, rediscover one another. And the ending? Deeply moving and entirely satisfying.
If you love your romance with emotional layers and character-driven plots, this one's for you. It's intelligent, romantic, and brimming with meaning.
Sophie’s struggle is instantly relatable. Her life has derailed, her heart is broken, and she’s just trying to hold it all together. She’s not waiting for a man to save her, she's actively seeking solutions. The Mrs. Claus contract represents agency, not whimsy.
Sam’s storyline, meanwhile, is quietly profound. There’s something haunting about a man declared dead deciding to stay that way. His internal conflict is handled with immense care. Kinnee’s depiction of trauma is sensitive and realistic, especially for a romance novel. When these two collide unknowingly it’s like watching two stars slowly realign.
Kinnee resists every temptation to rush the reunion. Instead, she lets the characters breathe, stumble, heal, and, eventually, rediscover one another. And the ending? Deeply moving and entirely satisfying.
If you love your romance with emotional layers and character-driven plots, this one's for you. It's intelligent, romantic, and brimming with meaning.
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
I didn’t know what to expect going in, but this book completely swept me away. The setup is brilliant, a presumed-dead soldier returning home incognito, only to be thrown back together with the woman he left behind, both playing Santa roles in the same town. There’s tension, longing, and an overwhelming sense of "this love deserves a second chance." The emotional payoff is so worth it. The author does an incredible job exploring PTSD, grief, and hope without losing the festive tone of a holiday romance. It’s both escapist and grounded. If you're looking for something with substance and sparkle, this is it.
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.
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.
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