I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Debbie Macomber is probably my favorite romance author...I am sure being in my 20s, I am on the younger side of her fans, but I have read at least half a dozen of her books. Her Christmas books are always a "must read" for me and this one did not disappoint. While it might not have been as "romantic" as some of her other books set during the holiday season, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in only a few hours. I have already preordered the audiobook version of this book and I can't wait till it is released, Now, I just have to be patient and wait another year until her next holiday novel is released! 5 stars!!!!

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Peter and Hank are best friends, yet they couldn't be more different. Peter is the local pastor. Hank the local bartender. Envious of each other's jobs, they decide to switch jobs until Christmas eve. They are each surprised at how different and difficult each other's jobs are. They see each other in a different light. This is about friendship, community and tolerance with a Christmas setting.

Two friends, one a bartender and one a pastor, discover they are more alike than they realized when they switch careers for an eye-opening week. Though the outcome is evident from the start, it was an enjoyable read with a few cute but improbable twists.

The Christmas Spirit

by Debbie Macomber

What could the pastor of Light of Life church and the owner/bartender/waiter/janitor of the Last Call tavern possibly have in common? They were childhood friends and they maintain their connection by meeting at Mom’s Place monthly for lunch. Pete is clean-cut and Hank looks a little rough and shaggy, but they both love Jesus and people.

Debbie Macomber’s The Christmas Spirit is a humorous romance that is as Christmasy as Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. With only one week to go before Christmas, the two men decide to change places for a week because each thinks he has a harder job than the other. Walking in each other’s shoes teaches the men a lot of lessons about how to deal with all kinds of people with love and compassion and how to trust God. The pastor has to stand up to some tough characters including the Hell’s Outlaws, and Hank must confront the equally challenging Mrs. Millstone who dangles the large donation of a new roof for the church over the pastor’s head.

Both men are single so you can expect some romance. The women they are interested in have backgrounds that complicate their relationships. The waitress Millie might be unacceptable to Pete’s congregation, and the woman who has caught Hank’s attention happens to be Pete’s sister and the church secretary. Because of past pain, she has shut herself off to others with a superior attitude.

The story has a sweet format as Nana tells it to her two grandchildren who have come over to visit. Instead of a fairy tale, she tells them a real story. Eight year old Lance is good with that, but Nana has to promise to forewarn him if there is any kissing so he can cover his ears. Six year old Lily is delighted that there will be kissing. The plot progresses quickly with interludes in which Nana and the kids reflect on events in the story.

So many problems arise, some fun and some more serious. Characters must rise to the occasion to overcome biases, think outside the box, and trust God to work things out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5

Category: General Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Notes: This is a good book for anyone who feels “church people” are too stuffy or hypocritical.…or for any Christians still holding onto biases. After you read this, you may come away with a new understanding of how God’s love is meant to play out in our world today.

Publication: October 18, 2022—Random House (Ballantine)

Memorable Lines:

Never in all his days had he met anyone more self-righteous than Grace Ann Armstrong. The woman had her nose so far up in the air that she was in danger of drowning in a rainstorm.

In Hank’s way of thinking, Gracie was so heavenly minded, she was no earthly good. Life was black and white for her, unlike Pete, whose real gift was understanding human nature and accepting others for exactly who they were. Pete was never one to cram faith down anyone’s throat. He loved people, and anyone who spent time with him, even a short while, recognized as much.

“Doesn’t the church belong to God?” he asked. “Technically…yes, but…” “It seems to me,” he said, “if God is who you say He is, then it makes sense to me that He knows that the roof needs to be replaced and He’ll see to it.”

Loved this! Very unique twist on the “life swap” genre as two lifelong MALE friends, one a bartender and one a pastor, trade lives the week before Christmas. Super cute, love, and some really fun characters!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I was able to find the audio version through my local library.
I have read a lot of books from this author and I really love her books. They are always light hearted and clean.
But this was a DNF. I was liking the story at first but I was absolutely shocked when the grandma character in the book that is telling the story to her 6 and 8 year old grandkids. Tells them a story about drugs, drinking and strippers. It got to the point where the little 6 year old asked what a stripper was and her 8 year old brother said that is when women take their clothes off for money. I was just shocked. Right before this the grandma's logic was that "I should just be honest with them". They are 6 and 8! It was just absolutely disgusting that actually is what made me just stop reading it.
This won't stop me from reading another of her books. Like I said before I love her books. I don't know what happened here. I really really hope she is not going to start turning liberal feminist on us

The Christmas Spirit is a short, quick Christmas read. Typical of Debbie Macomber's books it had a little love and some heart. I enjoyed the characters and the way they flowed together. I did find the present-day story line to be a littler irrelevant, but overall I enjoyed this book. It was very quick to read and on the shorter side.

I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber and her books. But nothing is better than one of her Christmas books. Her writing is such that, whenever I read it, I feel like ai am in a winter wonderland. Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends and yet their lives are completely different. The two always joke that the others life is easier. One is a bartender and one is a preacher. Both have their own type of flock. They both listen to peoples problems and they both try to give good advice. Peter suggests that guys switch jobs to really know who has the harder job. It seems simple to Peter, he does. They realize that their lives are similar and not so easy. Each finds a new love interest and Christmas is coming .. what could be better? Will they switch back and enjoy their old life just as much? Will they find happiness and the Christmas spirit? This was a 4 star read for me. I want to thank Netgalley and the author for my copy of The Christmas Spirit, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read & review this book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A decent Christmas read filled with Christmas spirit! This book is just so cozy and paints the perfect little town.l and characters. It was a little slow in the beginning, and overall it seemed a little short like things were happening quick. Overall decent, but I enjoy more “fun” Christmas stories.

There’s nothing better than a book by Debbie Macomber during the holidays! I was glad to sink into this book as I sank into the couch by the Christmas tree.

Two eras collide in a story a Grandmother shares with her grandchildren. At the center of the story is a week-long swap before Christmas - between a pastor and a bartender.

Can you influence people in a new way when you change your environment? Can having someone take your place help you see life in a new way?

This is a delightful story of transformation and love and kindness. It's interesting to think about how your life touches others. Highly recommend this tale by a master storyteller.

Cute story about two male friends who decide to switch places because they think their jobs are easier then the other. I thought how the grandmother who was telling the story as a bedtime story was a neat idea. Cute all around feel good holiday book to to make you smile. Definitely a win-win! Thank you #Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was a quintessential Debbie Macomber holiday read. I loved the sweet, uplifting message and was able to read it start to finish in one sitting. For me Christmas time isn’t complete until I read a DM book, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

I love Debbie Macomber. Her stories leave you feeling sunny inside. In this book, Hank, a tavern owner and his best friend Pete, a pastor decide to switch places the week before Christmas. Each thinks the other has it easy as far as work duties and the things they have to do. It is humorous and sweet as each man learns there is more to their best friend and what they do. In the process, they each bring their own spin on how to do the others job, which makes for wonderful chances and experiences.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This was just a wonderful book to read and it was just easy to lose yourself in the story. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

You can never go wrong with a heart warming story written by Debbie Macomber she’s the top of the list. Emotional , ari g and hits you in the hear.

I absolutely loved this story. The author never fails to pull her readers in to the world she creates. You feel as if you are right there living with the characters. She will get you in the holiday spirit!

Another masterpiece from this author!!

A christmas Debbie Macomber book is a yearly tradition...it truly marks the start of the Christmas season. After reading her story I come away happy and hopeful. Christmas wouldn't be the same if she didn't write a story ! Thank you net galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

A fun festive Christmas Eve story told from the unique POV to her grandchildren. As always, DM never disappoints! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review