Loved this charming book. An engaging holiday story that is sure to warm your heart! Loved the characters in this story. I think I would like to live in this town. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I finished reading Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber last week. What a wonderful book! This is actually the first book I’ve read by Debbie Macomber, although I’ve seen several of the Hallmark Christmas movies based on her works of fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and definitely want to read more of her books!

Merry Knight is working as a temp data entry manager at a company, and her contract is due to expire right before Christmas. She’s fine with that, as she’s had a few run ins with her boss, Jayson Bright, and she’s eager to start college again so she can finish her degree. Her mother and her younger teenage brother (who has Downs Syndrome) think she’s working too much, especially around the holidays. Jayson Bright has mandated overtime work in order to get an important project done, but Merry’s mother and brother are determined that she has some fun during the Christmas season. So they set up a profile for her on a dating website – but they put their golden retriever’s face as the profile picture (so men will be interested in her based on the profile info and not a photograph) and also put the last name Smith on there to protect her identity.

After Jayson Bright’s cousin and best friend tells him about how he re-connected with an old childhood friend via the Mix and Mingle website, Jayson decides to try it out. He is intrigued by the photo of a golden retriever, and decides to make a profile, with a photo of his old golden retriever from childhood. He lists his name as Jay, not Jayson.

Jay and Merry start chatting, but neither suspect who the other is. Merry’s name placard at work is spelled Mary. She’s asked HR multiple times to correct it but they never do and she finally gives up, because she’s a temp and soon to leave the company. When Jay and Merry finally decide to meet, he brings her flowers at a coffee shop – and when she arrives, she sees him (without him seeing her) and is in total shock, and then leaves without saying a word.

Jay is offended and hurt (and worried that something’s happen to her). She admits online that they know each other, but she won’t say where. Eventually they start chatting again. Meanwhile, Merry starts to see another side of Jayson in the office.

I’ve already written too much and don’t want to spoil the story! But this was a great read and definitely put me in the holiday spirit. There are several twists and turns, so be sure to check out this book to see what happens! I especially liked how the author incorporated someone with Downs Syndrome into the book, and how Jayson’s interactions with him influences what Merry thinks of him. This book had hints of You’ve Got Mail in it (and Macaomber even mentions the movie) – which is itself based on Shop Around the Corner (an old black and white Jimmy Stewart film which is wonderful – and also takes place during Christmas!). But this book is unique enough that you’ll absolutely want to read it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Merry Knight has a busy schedule helping her family with their needs plus working at a firm where the boss is a stickler for all sorts of details. She does her best to avoid him but that isn't always the case and it gets worse with her family when they sign her up for a dating site There she meets a man and gets to know him and when she finally goes to meet him she's is shocked by who shows up. Unable to deal with seeing the mystery man she takes off.

This was such a cute romance at Christmas time. As we watch Merry and her boss Jay work around each other and get to know one another. Definitely a book you can read time and again especially at the holidays!

Perfect love story to get you in the mood for Christmas. I just love all Debbie’s books because they are written about real people with real issues. I highly recommend Merry and Bright.

This is a charming contemporary holiday romance!

I love the main characters and the very differing views of the Christmas season that they have. Their names are fantastic for fitting into the the story itself. In fact I think that they are inspired. I don’t know which came first the idea for the story or the idea for the title of this book. I do know that they are perfect.

I adore Merry and the way that she relates with her family and others around her. I would love to be able to consider her a friend. At the same time I can understand all of Jayson’s negative opinions of the holidays. He’s had a difficult family life that has totally colored the season for him.

I was enchanted with the way that their relationship developed through the course of this book. As with just about all romances they needed some help from others and I can’t think of any better helper than Patrick.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

Merry loves Christmas. Jay... not so much. Merry has a beautiful family. Jay... nope. I had a real major "You've Got Mail" feel when reading this one. I was so happy when they mentioned it later in the book. Merry and Jay meet both in person and ALSO in virtual reality. In person, these two do NOT get along in any way. But, when they start talking and revealing more of themselves, they find they have a lot in common...

I really enjoyed this one. Debbie Macomber is so good at writing "people". Even though this was a shorter book, she managed to develop all of the personalities in this very short window of opportunity. It was well written and sucked me in right away. I gave this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Another holiday hit by Debbie Macomber! An easy light beach read for anyone who loves small town life and family.

Debbie Macomber does it again this season.. Each year the Christmas season is a little brighter with her wonderful Christmas story. She draws you in & holds you until the last page. A must read for all Debbie Macomber fans.

I love Debbie Macomber's Holiday books and it's not the season until I read the newest one. Every year, we're treated to a lovely tale that always ends in a Happily Ever After.

Debbie Macomber has written another delightful Christmas novel.

Merry Knight is a hardworking young woman who lives at home with her parents and her younger brother who has Down’s Syndrome. Her mother has multiple sclerosis. Merry’s family is very important to her. Her boss, Jayson Bright, is a young executive in his uncle’s consulting firm.. He is in line to inherit the company. He is all business and a real stickler for the rules. He has never been close to his mother and father who divorced when he was very young and each remarried several times during the time he was growing up. He doesn’t know what it means to have a close family.

Merry’s mother and brother sign her up for ‘Mix & Mingle’ without her knowledge because they think she works too hard and needs a social life. Merry and Jayson are matched up on the website and start communicating online. Merry doesn’t know that the ‘Jay’ she has been communicating with online is really her hard-nosed boss. Jayson doesn’t know that the ‘Merry’' he is falling for online is the same Mary that he has required to work so much mandatory overtime. After a few weeks, they decide to meet in person. Interesting situations ensue.

This story has well developed characters and a believable story line. I have never read a Debbie Macomber book that I didn’t love. I look forward to her Christmas novels every year. This year’s novel did not disappoint. I highly recommend Merry and Bright to anyone who loves a good, wholesome Christmas story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Every year I look forward to Debbie Macomber's Christmas books, and last year was no exception. I only regret taking so long to review this. I love Debbie Mac (that's what I like to call her, like we're friends or something). I will admit I've kind of poo-pooed some of her books in the past because of how sentimental they are, but honestly, that's why I love them! Sometimes I feel like the dialogue is a little unbelievable (do people really talk that way in real life?), but ultimately I love just about any book by her because they always have a happy ending! This was no exception. I thought the Mary/Merry thing had the possibility of being confusing for some, but otherwise this book was just about perfect. I can't wait to read Alaskan Holiday!

No Spoilers!! Merry and Bright is a fun story with all the normal stresses that surround the holiday season with a small twist.. Merry is super busy this time of year and doesn't have time for her personal love life , so her mom and brother step up and decide to set her up on an online dating website without her photo or her permission....Will Merry have a Bright Christmas in the end or a disastrous holiday? An overall good read for the holidays.

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest book review.
While this is not a genre I generally read, when I do, I read Debbie Macomber's books. I am a huge Christmas fan and I was immediately interested in Merry and Bright. The title says it all. Merry is a young lady, taking time off from college to work a temp job to earn enough money to finish college. She's a hard worker who helps to support her family, who includes a younger brother with Down Syndrome. Merry's boss, Mr. Bright, is quite the jerk. Merry can't eat at her desk or decorate at Christmas time. He comes across as heartless and doesn't care about anyone but himself. Since Merry is so busy working and helping her Mom and brother, they decide to create a profile for her on an online dating site as a surprise birthday present. While this sounds predictable enough, the dating site profile picture never shows her actual picture, the one person who happens to be interested in her is....you might've guessed it. And, his profile picture isn't him either. Needless to say, the majority of the book is based around them having an online relationship and once Merry finds out who she's been communicating with and walks away, her brother continues to communicate online with him because he thinks he is the one for Merry. This is a feel good, clean, romantic holiday romance, quick read, with lessons to be learned in between.
This is a predictable book and the endings are always worth the read. Debbie has a way of making anyone feel good and writing about what most of us experience, but are afraid to express. It's okay to be happy and to be a positive influence to others. Don't always look at the bad in people, help those that need help, think of others besides yourself, teach them, educate them and you too could be Merry and Bright.

Wonderful story told from both main characters point of view. Loved the title and where it came from. I thought there was enough story development for the plot to move smoothly. Another winner by Ms. Macomber!

Not driven by feelings, someone comes along and inspires those feelings that you don't know what do with them. You have never been comfortable with them. Always suppressing and hiding your emotions. With the computer dating, you have the anonymity to be yourself and come to discover what love really means.

If you are a fan of The Shop Around the Corner by Miklós László and the remake of that play on You Got Mail in the movie with Tom Hanks, you will delight yourself in this treasure of romance with a slight spin.

Merry Knight has been signed up online dating as a birthday gift from her mother and special needs brother. She never has time with her work and the needs of her family for any socializing. Instead of using a picture of herself, she uses a picture of her dog and describers herself. Will she find someone special? Not wanting just any man, she desires one with character and using the picture of her dog, she can weed the bad ones out. With her work keeping her extremely busy and her boss Jayson Bright keeping demands of a slave driver, she looks forward to the distraction.

Jayson Bright is misunderstood. Coming from a less than loving home, he just has no need for anyone else in his life. He is driven by success and drives those that work for him. It is a phone call from his cousin that points him to another direction. The same dating service. Do you know where this is going. It is fun and delightful. I totally enjoyed this

A Special Thank You to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Debbie Macomber is always fun to read, and she didn't disappoint! I experienced many emotions - anger, joy, sadness - in this fast paced book. Each character was well developed and a joy to read about, whether I was laughing or crying! A great book!

This was a charming story and thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read it. The title is cute, that characters are well developed and the story was solid.

Lovely holiday romance that can be read year round. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. Light, funny, sweet - this was everything I've come to expect from a Debbie Macomber story.

Thank you to NetGalley for and advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Here is the review:

This was an easy, light read for Christmas and I enjoyed it. Romance novels are not usually my "thing" but this one had enough story to make it readable. I knew almost from the beginning how it would end, but the twists and turns made it fun to follow.

Looking for a great Christmas story....this one is one to pick up. Love the charactors and Christmas energy it gives. Puts you right in the spirit.