Take a temporary data entry worker, a curmudgeonly boss, a loving family with a matchmaking bent, and a touch of Christmas spirit, and this is what you get - a warming read of self-discovery and romance.

This was a very quick read, finished in about 2 hours. A cute holiday tale of two people to busy with work to find love. Merry is a temp and is doing mandatory overtime, which she doesn't mind since it helps her family but her boss is a nightmare.

Finding out her family sets her up an online dating profile she decides maybe it is time to get out and date. The exchanges are sweet and they built a great romance even if they take awhile to meet in person which doesn't necessarily go as planned. A cute tale that will get you in the spirit for the holiday season!

Cute holiday romance of two people who find each other on a dating website and start getting to know each other online. Little do they know that they know each other in real life and that's when the story gets good. Fun

Such a wonderful Christmas story by Debbie Macomber. It's a short and sweet book. It's the perfect story of falling in love for the holidays. Debbie Macomber has such a great way of weaving a well written story.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley.

A fun, feel good story about romance. and love. When Merry's mom and brother sign her up with an online dating service she ends up connecting with her unpleasant boss but neither knows the others true identity. When Merry discovers the truth the question becomes should she reveal herself or end the relationship.

I really liked the way the chapters alternated between the point of view of the two main characters, Merry and Jayson. This really helps the reader understand the characters and become more involved in the story. It was somewhat predictable but that did not make it any less enjoyable.

This was a quick, light read! I really enjoyed it. I love Debbie Macomber's books and this didn't disappoint!

Merry Knight is working so hard at her temp job that she doesn't have time to enjoy her favorite holiday, Christmas, let alone find time to date. Her boss, Jayson Knight, isn't bad to look at but he is a stickler for rules and has no time for anything but works and expects the from his employees. When they both end up on a dating site something unexpected happens but there are complications. A good read for the holidays that leaves you in the holiday mood.

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber was a sweet lighthearted Christmas romance.

Mary Knight is our heroine, who lives with her mom, dad and brother. Mary works as a temp, until just before Christmas, which will complete her one year contract, as she wants to go back to school. She works hard and is willing to work overtime. At work she is known as Merry, because of an uncorrected spelling error by HR.

Jayson Bright is the boss of the company and he is a workaholic, especially since he is trying to win a bid. Jayson comes across to his staff, as cold, and unfriendly. His cousin tries to tell him to go out and have some fun, find himself a date, even using one of those computer dating sites.

Mary's mother and her brother, Patrick, who is challenged, also try to tell Mary to find a boyfriend. One day without her approval they set up a profile for her on a dating site. The picture used was that of her dog, Bogie. She figures no harm done, as who will look at her with a picture of a dog. Mary meet Jay.....
Jay sees the dog picture, which brings memories of when he was a kid. Soon Mary and Jay begin a friendship on the internet

Jayson is working overtime to try to meet his deadline, and when he needs help, it is Merry who will stay late to finished to project. Neither Jay nor Mary know each other's identity, until they agree to meet. Only Mary doesn't show up. When Jay asks why she didn't come she tells him that she knows him, and there can be nothing further between them. However, as she works more with Jayson (who still doesn't know who she is), she realizes that he really is a nice guy.

What follows is a warm and sweet story of two people who are lonely and by finding each other, they begin to change the way they look at things. Christmas was a perfect setting for this romance. Will Mary be able to tell Jayson who she is? Will Jay accept that Merry and Mary are one and the same. You will have to read the book to find out.

Merry and Bright is a sweet warm romance with a couple we could not help but root for. Another wonderful fast paced romance, with a Christmas theme by Debbie Momber that you need to read

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.5 Hearts This is a sweet yet unoriginal story. From the first paragraph the reader knows exactly what is going to happen. And while that doesn’t mean this story isn’t good it is obvious.

I was hoping for a little more when I saw that Debbie Macomber wrote this story. Her name is synonymous with Christmas romance novels but this one was short and unrealistic. And unfortunately I just didn’t get the enjoyment I hoped I would.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Merry Smith works 3 jobs in order to help her family survive. Mom has MS, her brother has Down's Syndrome and, her father is a traveling salesman! Merry works at a consulting company where she can't stand her boss and, apparently, the feeling is mutual. Jayson is driven over the edge by the snarky, won't follow his rules, woman who is also the smartest person he knows! Neither has the time or energy to date so, Merry's mom and brother sign her up for an online dating service. Jayson's best friend pushes him into doing the same. These two find each other by noticing the fact that both of them have pictures of golden retrievers as their online photo. They spend hours on end talking and getting to know each other very well. The only problem is that Jayson starts pushing to meet in person and, Merry is afraid that could ruin everything!!! Will their Christmases be Merry and Bright?

Merry and Bright is another wonderful Christmas book written by Debbie Macomber. It is beautifully written with engaging characters. If you are looking for a good holiday read you will not be disappointed with this one.

Merry is on a temp job and she's always there or thats what her mom and brother point out. They want her to start dating so they come up with a plan to help her find a man. Jayson finds out some one close to him is getting married and he wonders what all the hype is about. He starts to wonder if work it everything and if he needs to start to looking for his forever women. Can they both come out of this with there hearts still in tact?
Ok I have to admit I have never read anything by Ms. Macomber I have how ever seen a handful of her work on Hallmark. I will now be reading her work she's so amazing and I just loved this book. The book is 270 pages but it seemed so much smaller it was such a quick read. From the beginning to the end the book did not lack at all. While some parts were predictable but once realize that and just read the story the whole thing is amazing. I loved how this was a clean read. There really nothing about this book I didn't like. It totally puts you in the mood for Christmas. This books is a must read for this coming holiday for sure.

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber is a fun Christmas story. Debbie Macomber can be depended on to write a unique Christmas story each year and this one does not disappoint.
Merry Knight is working as a temporary employee at Matterson Consulting firm; she has not been able to get HR to correct the spelling of her name from Mary to Merry on her name plate. The company is working on a proposal for a large contract and everyone is working mandatory overtime in the weeks before Christmas. Merry has not desire or time for dating. She is also very busy helping her mom who has multiple sclerosis and younger brother with downs syndrome as her father travels a lot for his work. Her mom and brother sign her up on a dating site using the picture of the family dog for her profile. She gets several messages and begins communicating with Jay.
Jayson Bright is in charge of getting the proposal in on time and is a grumpy, demanding boss. No eating at one’s desk and no Christmas decorations allowed. His cousin and best friend encourages him to try online dating as that is how he connected with his future wife. He signs up, using his dog’s picture, and begins communicating with a lady named Merry.
You can see where the plot is going but there are many hysterical twists and turns along the way to the end. I did not want to put this book down; I was anxious to find out what would happen next to the characters or what silly situation they would find themselves in. I have been a fan of Debbie Macomber for years and was excited to read this book. I give it 5 of 5 stars. The characters come to life on the page and feel like friends. Hanna’s brother, Patrick, is shown in light of what he can do and not as being disabled, very nicely portrayed. I recommend this to everyone who enjoys a good, clean, Christmas romance.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Merry Knight is working very hard for a temp agency so she can earn enough money to go back to college when her mom and brother Patrick decide to sign her up for the dating site Mix and Mingle. She is having a little trouble with her curmudgeonly boss who wants to follow all of the rules exactly to the letter. Jayson Bright catches her working and eating lunch at her desk one day and quotes the rule book that says she is not allowed to do that. Merry continues to work cheerfully for him because it is not in her nature to hold a grudge, but she really doesn't like him much. She does look forward to going home each evening and going online to communicate with her new friend Jay who is kind and thoughtful and seems to be made for her. Of course, everyone can guess where this is going. Jay is none other than Jayson Bright, and he is not so enthused about the girl that he has met online is none other than the office temp. Will it work out in the end? If you have read Macomber's books before, you can guess the ending, but you have to read it to find out exactly how it works out. This is an excellent, fun and quick read for the holidays and I highly recommend it!

Book Info
Hardcover
Expected publication: October 3rd 2017 by Ballantine Books
ISBN 0399181229 (ISBN13: 9780399181221)
Other Editions (7)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


Christmas is the season of the heart, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is here to warm yours with a delightful holiday novel of first impressions and second chances.

Merry Smith is pretty busy these days. She's taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry's well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her--minus her photo--and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects--or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

My Thoughts


For me Christmas has always been a bittersweet holiday. Having experienced more than a few loved ones loss during December made those Christmas celebrations a little less joyful and a lot more sorrowful.

My love of holiday romance tales though is a lifelong pleasure that even grief never tarnished so when get a chance every once in a while read a few well before the actual month of December and fall in love with the magic of the season all over again.

What drew me to this particular story was the intrigue of finding out just whom Miss Merry found herself as an online match, that is he was until the day she found out the mans real identity and could not bear to reveal hers.

This is a modern-day contemporary holiday romance that has a positive message for those who think meeting someone online can be a good thing, of course in this case the two have met in real life but are not aware of that fact through most of the story.

I enjoyed the Knight families ability to find the joy in life rather than dwelling on it’s shortcomings, especially the ones that kept them struggling to make ends meet.

I enjoyed the close relationship between Merry, her brother and her mother and their relationship with her as well.

I enjoyed Jay and Merry's getting to know each other process, it beat struggling through awkward first dates hands down but it also set the bar high for them both to live up to.

The icing on the cake was when, despite her misgivings, Merry let her heart rule her head with Jay as she slowly realized that even though the man she knew was not her first choice the man she came to know through their computer correspondence definitely was.

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Another great addition to Ms. Macomber christmas books. Set in the age of dating online Merry's mother and brother sign her up for online dating without her knowledge. At first she is not pleased but eventually gives it a chance. She meets Jay and realize they have alot in common.
Jay at first was skeptical of online dating but his cousin sang the praises of the website that found him his wife that Jay decides to sign up. He comes across Merry profile which shows the family dog Bogie. He in turn put a picture of his deceased dog. Due to the fact they do not use their picture they are not aware they know each other. As they begin to write to each other they realize they have alot in common and begin to fall for each other before meeting. When time comes to meet each other a situation comes up that could possible disappoint them both.
A sweet novel of the spirit of what christmas is all about family, Joy sense of togetherness and the greatest gift of Christmas. Review is on goodreads and amazon.com

I love anything written by Debbie Macomber and this book was no exception. Laugh out loud, fantastic read.

Debbie Macomber is a much-published romance author whose assurance with all the expected romance elements exhibits itself nicely with this cosy seasonal romance.

I'm a sucker for epistolary romances, especially when the romance that develops in the letters runs counter to real life, as it does here: Merry Knight works hard earning money for her family, who are struggling with various expensive issues. About the only free time she has is for baking.

Her mother and brother feel badly about how hard she works, and so they concoct a plot: they sign her up for an online dating service, only her name gets misspelled.

Meanwhile, she is laboring away at her temp job, trying to do two positions' worth of work before her contract runs out before the holiday. This job is not made easier by her boss Cain, who seems to be a real stick-in-the-mud rules wise, and every encounter she has with him gives her a worse impression.

Meanwhile Cain is lonely and stressed, as he has to prove himself with the current contract, which has to be delivered on time, and correct. His way of dealing with the staff is to be a stickler. His best bud calls up to announce he's getting married, and extols this dating service . . .

You know where it's going from there. The fun is all in the getting there, and how Macomber is going to handle the Big Reveal, and what happens after. I really enjoyed how much time she took to set up the characters of Merry's family, and how Cain gets a separate friendship going with Merry's brother, who has some health challenges.

There were a couple of points at which the secret seemed a bit strained in order to keep the reveal from happening too soon, but I was willing to roll with it, as the rest of the story was so enjoyable. Who found out first, how they reacted, how the other reacted, and what finally happened kept me turning the pages until the satisfying ending. I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable holiday season read.

Copy provided courtesy of NetGalley

Merry has been working a temp job for almost a year. She hasn't always gotten along with her boss and he doesn't make things easy on the employees. They have to work mandatory overtime and are not allowed to put up Christmas decorations. Jay has been trying to get a report done and has to have the employees work overtime to do it. Then "Mary" wants to put up decorations and he has to ask her to take them down. Both Merry and Jay sign up for an on-line dating service. Neither have time to find someone. Merry's mom and brother put a picture of their dog for Merry's picture. Jay saw it and thought it was a good idea, so he put a picture of his dog up for his profile. Unaware that they know each other, Merry and Jay get to know each other better. When they find out the truth, will they be able to continue their growing feelings?

A lovely Christmas read with a great story and a nice ending, exactly what I've come to expect and enjoy from Debbie Macomber. She's a great storyteller and her characters really tug at the heartstrings.

Merry Knight works as a temp at a consulting firm. Her year-long contract is almost up, and she's not really disappointed. Mostly because of her boss Jayson, who seems to be quite a Scrooge especially during the Christmas season. Merry puts up decorations and d he makes her take them down. She's ready to move on to baking cookies decorating the house and with her mom and her special needs brother. One day after work, they surprise her with an early present - they created an online dating profile for her, using a picture of her dog as her photo.

Merry is frustrated, but surprised and pleased when she gets a response from a guy who also has a dog as his picture. She starts having regular conversations with him, and feels they have a real connection. When they finally arrange to meet, it doesn't work out like Merry thought it would.

I definitely recommend this book. It's a great holiday read that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.