Debbie Macomber writes the most beautiful and uplifting holiday stories, and Merry and Bright is a shining example! I was so touched by Merry's kind character, and by her taking the time to work a year to pay for her own college expenses and help her family. In the course of Merry's one year temp contract, she has multiple tense encounters with the company vice president, in which she finds him very stern and lacking holiday spirit and flexibility. To surprise her and brighten her spirits, Merry's mother and brother sign her up for an online dating service, using a picture of a beloved pet rather than hers, to attract potential interest that cares for her as a person before her appearance. Merry reluctantly becomes active on the site and is soon chatting with a very special guy. They seem to really click online, but what will happen when they meet, and realize whom they are chatting with? I highly encourage and recommend fellow readers and Debbie Macomber fans to read "Merry and Bright". It will start you feeling the holiday spirit in the fall!

Merry and Jayson are perfect for each other but they don't realize it at first. This is a beautiful, heartwarming, and sweet story about two people falling in love. Debbie Macomber has written another best seller.

The 2017 Debbie Macomber Christmas book follows in the tradition of holidays past. This feel good novel is a fun light-hearted Christmas read. A case of mis-spelling and online dating combine for a fun holiday office romance. This is sure to become a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie in the future.

I received an advanced copy of this via NetGalley.

You Got Mail meets the festivities of the holidays in this adorable story from Debbie Macomber... Merry works for a creep, or at least so she believes, but when she begins to talk to a guy on a dating site, her mood just might change a little.

This is an adorable, clean story about listening to your heart, treating your fellow man like you want to be treated, and seeing a person for their worth, not always their actions. Filled to the brim with Christmas cheer, I felt this would make a cute Hallmark movie and enraptures the reader without adding stuff more sensitive readers avoid,

This holiday story takes place in the beautiful Seattle area during the Christmas holidays, when things just can't get any more hectic! But YES they can. Merry's contract job is coming to an end and her boss Jayson is at the reins demanding perfection and overtime. While on the homefront live-at-home Merry's family feels she needs more of a romantic life and signs her up for an online meet and match for singles. She accidently gets hooked up with her boss, unbeknowst to both of them. Then "roll out the fun"!!

I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a excellent holiday romance with a twist.

This book is good for the heart and lets us see that all people may have beautiful interior. Enjoy the good clean FUN!

Merry and Bright is a sweet reminder of the true spirit of Christmas and another winner by Debbie Macomber. Her Christmas books are great for getting one in the Christmas mood.

Merry Knight is taking a year off from school and working as a data entry temp at Matterson Consulting to save up for school. Each member of her family does their part to support each other financially and emotionally. Her dad travels as a pharmaceutical rep while her mom has MS and is limited to what she can do. Her eighteen year old Patrick has Down syndrome. He goes to school and works at a grocery store. Merry's job requires overtime work because of a project nearing the deadline and her boss, Jayson Bright, is a stern, by the book boss. To add to the stress, it is the Christmas season and a busy but special time for Merry. Merry's social life is non existent. Robin, her mom, and Patrick decide to sign Merry up for an online dating service using a different name, Merry Smith, and a picture of their golden retriever. They misspelled her name at work so her nameplate says Mary Knight.

Jayson Bright is under a lot of pressure to finish a project that Matterson Consulting is doing to gain work for the Boeing Company. His life revolves around the company and he has high goals to move into his uncle's place as head of the company when his uncle retires. Jayson's family life growing up consisted of being moved back and forth between parents when neither seemed to want him. He grew up in boarding schools and summer camps with his best friend and cousin, Cooper, who had the same kind of life. Christmas is just another day for Jayson. He always got presents but there was not a special celebration for the holiday. Cooper reconnected with Maddy, a girl that they knew at summer camp, on an online dating service and now they are engaged. Taken by surprise by Cooper's announcement, Jayson acknowledges his own loneliness and signs up with the online dating service under a different name. Jayson is drawn to Merry Smith whose picture is one of a golden retriever, a dog he once had.

As Jay and Merry connect online, they become friends but decide to wait a while to meet in person. But the situation gets complicated when they agree to meet. I don't want to give anything away so I am not going into anymore detail. When two people with different views of family and the Christmas season become friends, interesting things can happen. This is a sweet story of true Christmas spirit as seen in a close family enjoying gifts of the heart, time, baking, going to church and other traditions.

Thanks to Debbie Macomber and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber but this one didn't quite do it for me. It's a charming Christmas story but it is just too cliché for me. The main character Merry born the day after Christmas from a family who is poor but very loving. Then add in a brother and mother with disabilities (hints of Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol) and a boss Jayson Bright who has an attitude like Ebenezer Scrooge. Jump to modern day with the movie You've Got Mail running in the background with Merry meeting a mystery operate online and eventually deciding to meet. Flash to the scene at the coffee shop in You've Got Mail where Tom Hanks looks in the window to see his mystery mail girl and recognizes Meg Ryan except it is Jayson waiting in the coffee shop.
I normally do not do spoilers but had to share some of the story to point out the clichés. Debbie Macomber is an incredibly talented author who writes, charming, heartwarming, contemporary romances but I feel like she missed the mark with this one and it was disappointing to me.

So, a few pages in, if you haven't forgotten the title of the book (right there on the page corner) you know what has to happen, and the journey from here to there is all in the details. It's feel-good holiday cheer :) Don't be afraid to just enjoy it like a holiday sweet.

I have read only three of Debbie Macomber's Christmas romance novels, but her latest, Merry and Bright, due out October 3, 2017, is by far the best of the three. It shows that, while things could go horribly wrong, with internet dating, sometimes they go wonderfully right.
 
Merry Noel Knight has taken a year off from college to earn money for her senior year working as a temporary data entry clerk at Matterson Consulting, Her boss, Jayson Bright, is feeling pressure to prove himself to his uncle, the owner of the firm.
 
Merry is under pressure to complete the data for a huge report, and has no time for dating. Without her knowledge, her mother and her younger brother who has Down's Syndrome set up an account for her on the online site, "Mix & Mingle". In place of her photo, they post a photo of the family dog. Meanwhile, Jayson's cousin and best friend reveals that he is engaged to a childhood friend who he found on Mix & Mingle. After refusing to try it, Jayson (Jay) decides to set up an account for himself.
 
At work, Jay is stressed out and insists on everything being done by-the-book. He becomes a thorn in Merry's side. Outside of work, Jay is a nice guy, and it is this Jay who Merry meets online.
 
The book compares Jay's childhood of boarding school, and being used by his mother to manipulate his father, to Merry's family life of holidays together and sharing daily meals. It also shows the capabilities and loving personalities of those with Down's Syndrome. This book has a predictable ending, but is a wonderfully heart-warming, feel-good Christmas season story.
 
What Made This Book Reviewer Grumpy:
 
Using "bring" and "brought" when the words "take" and "took" should have been used.
Using "I've got" and "you've got" when it should have been "I have" and "you have".
Frequent use of split infinitives, such as "to forcibly turn", "to personally thank", etc. Look for me online as The Grumpy Book Reviewer.

Merry and Bright is an amazing Christmas novel! It is packed with emotion and ever lasting love and filled to the brim with the magic of Christmas. This is the book to read during the holiday season and I think I will be re-reading it during that time as it really brings out the joy of Christmas. Not only that, the budding romance mixed with the reality of dating in this day an age really make it stand out amongst the rest! I loved this one.

Warm hearted feel good story. A quick afternoon read. This author always leaves readers feeling good and wanting more. It's not deep thoughs, but just happy. We need this!

Another great Debbie Macomber read! Quick, happy, and uplifting. Loved this as a break from the world!

Debbie Macomber’s new book, Merry and Bright, is exactly that. The story follows Merry, a young woman with a loving family and a lot of responsibilities. One night, after a long day ruined by her rotten boss, her family announces they’ve signed her up for online dating. The story that follows is pleasant and undemanding. Unlike some of Macomber’s books, this one is not particularly church oriented. This book might make a good gift for an older female relative you’re visiting but don’t know well.

A super cute, fluffy read. I loved Merry & her family and the chemistry between her and Jayson. My only complaint is that the story felt a little rushed.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!***

Merry and Bright is a fun, magical read. Recommended read.

Debbie Macomber has once again written an engaging book. I feel like I know Merry, her family, and Jay. So much of the story rings true to lige. Great book!

A cute Christmas story that will definitely get you in the mood for the holidays.

I started reading this book and I thought awww, this is just like "you've got mail" and then it was even referenced in the book. I loved it. It was a beautiful lighthearted romance. Definitely recommend this book to give you that warm holiday feeling. You can't ever go wrong with Debbie Macomber books.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review by Net Galley and Random House- Ballatine.

Everything a Christmas story should be.
Warm, sweet and wonderful
Left me a bit teary eyed with happiness.

I received this ARC for an honest review. The story between Merry and Jay pulled me in from the very beginning. I had a hard time putting it down last night., and it was worth losing a little sleep. I loved how you get to know the characters. You understand why Merry and Jay are so work oriented. I hate having spoilers in my review; so my recommendation is to read this book.