I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return am giving a voluntary review. I enjoyed Merry "Mary" and Jayson "Jay". The two of them had such different backgrounds that they played well off each other. There is definitely a "You've Got Mail" vibe to the story, but that worked for me, and there were enough differences that I didn't feel like I was just reading the same story.

I received an advanced copy to review from NetGalley. I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber's,  especially her holiday books.  Merry and  Bright is reminiscent of You've Got Mail and the Jimmy Stewart classic The Shoppe Around the Corner, but from the reverse perspective. A very cute romance incorporating online dating and taking time to see what is right in front of your eyes and being able to recognize it.

This was one of my favorite Christmas romances I've read. Absolutely adorable and fun!

Another Christmas win from Debbie Macomber! Perfect for pairing with a mug of cocoa.

I've been reading Debbie Macomber's Christmas novels for more than 20 years now and I always look forward to the next annual offering.  This year's story did not disappoint.  It's a lovely spin on online dating with a nod to You've Got Mail.  Merry and Jay hit it off online (using profile pics of pet Golden retrievers to connect with people who don't judge by appearance) and look forward to their evening chats, not knowing that they spend their days as Mary and Mr. Bright, working for the same company and frequently in conflict.  
I liked the way the failed meet-up and follow-up communication was handled; it allowed both Merry and Jayson the agency to decide how and if they wanted to continue communicating and also to examine the behavioral choices that had been keeping them each lonely in the first place, as well as the assumptions that contributed to their in-real-life conflicts.  I was happy to see them get to know each other better, weather the heartbreak that came with the second failed identity reveal, and witness the resolution that gave them their "happily ever after."  If you enjoy uplifting fiction that deals lightly with real-life issues while leaving a smile on your face and in your heart, treat yourself to Merry and Bright.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

An absolutely delightful holiday story with a perfect ending!
First impressions, on-line dating and believing in one's heart all brought together in this most enjoying story by a very gifted Debbie Macomber.  A real job to read and an even bigger one to review.  Enjoy this special book--it will leave you smiling throughout this season.  Thank you for the opportunity to have read this book prior to publication---it was wonderful!

A Debbie Macomber Christmas love story is always a hit!  Merry Knight is a genuinely nice woman, she loves her family especially her brother Patrick and is working as a Temp to save money to go back to college.  An early birthday present from her family has her signing up on an online dating service where she meets Jay.  Jayson Bright is under a deadline and finds himself having little run in with Mary (Merry).  He doesn't like Christmas, eating at your desk during lunch or homeless people outside his condo building, but after his cousin finds love on an online dating site he signs up and Jayson and Mary become Jay and Merry.  This is a great Christmas love story that will warm your heart and renew your faith in the goodness of the Season.

This is a warm fuzzy read. Just what I was looking for.

Debbie Macomber's protagonist, Merry Knight, finds herself in a precarious situation. Does she trust what she's feels about a person from chatting with him online or does she only rely on what she see's in his business practices?

I loved the character, Merry Knight. She is a hard worker, a loving and helpful daughter and a person dedicated to helping her family. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her romance with her online suitor develop.

People are not always what you see on the outside. We have to take the time to get to know them. Once we do, the things they do are seen in a different light, His light.

When you're ready to get in the Christmas mood, this book will weave it's magic for you. I hope you get you a copy for this holiday season.

A Christmas book YAY!! Honestly haven't read a Christmas or winter themed book in a while and I'm just starting to get back into them. I have to say I didn't enjoy this book as much as a would've liked too. I felt like the book moved too fast towards the end and it wasn't very believable.

I know books are fiction and it's not always meant to be realistic BUT through the entire book Jayson was cold towards Merry and just suddenly he has a heart of gold and falls in love?? Trust me, I love slow burns just as much as the next person, but this was something else...it felt like there was no character development on Jayson's end. I wanted to hear more about his father!! His family!!

In general I give this book a 3.25-50? Weirdest rating I've ever given, I know!! But honestly I can't give it a solid number because it was just very back and forth. Don't get me wrong, I still loved the plot, would read it again, and recommend to a friend, but I think there's room for growth.

Merry Knight has placed romance on the back burner for far too long when her clever and concerned mother and brother create a profile on a dating website in order to find Merry a boyfriend.   After constantly working overtime and dealing with her difficult boss, she decides to give the online dating a try.  She connects with a thoughtful and caring man, named Jay, who seems perfect for her.  However, she does not realize that Jay is actually Jayson Bright, her overbearing boss from work.  In a classic “You’ve Got Mail” scenario, the two agree to meet for coffee and once Merry recognizes her boss, she leaves while trying to reconcile the sweet man she’s talked with online to the abrasive man from her office.  When Merry and Jay spend an evening working late together, the sparks ignite and Merry decides to reveal herself to him at the office Christmas party.  Will Jayson accept the fact that Merry online and Mary from work are one and the same?  Or will he feel tricked and abandon all communication with her?  Enjoy reading this fabulous holiday story from Debbie Macomber and watch the gift of love permeate the lives of these two characters.

To me, there is nothing better to kick off the holiday season than a book from Debbie Macomber.  Her holiday stories are cozy and warm and qualify as a comfort read each and every year.  Merry and Bright does not disappoint and creates a wonderful romantic comedy which I am certain readers will love.

Merry and Bright, by Debbie Macomber is a contemporary holiday romance.

Merry Smith loves the Christmas season, even though she's busy with family activities and mandatory overtime at her temp job. However, Merry doesn't enjoy her boss' critiques and criticisms, especially over holiday-related issues. As the boss, Jayson Bright tries to treat every employee fairly, even though he often is quite strict to follow company guidelines.

Due to family meddling and friends' suggestions, both Jayson and Merry are signed up on a dating site, yet without their full names nor photos posted. Their online romance seems promising to both, yet neither realize they've already met in person.

Merry and Bright is geared towards those who enjoy reading quick contemporary holiday romances.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted story of two people experiencing and meeting on a dating web site. The relationship of Merry and Jay involves many online chats before they take the plunge to meet face-to-face. Complications to meeting ensue for both of them and some irrational mistakes almost ruin everything.

Excellent holiday story with shades of "You've Got Mail". Merry Knight is an overworked temp at an agency in Seattle with loving parents and wonderful special needs brother, Patrick. As an early birthday present, her mother and her brother buy her membership to an online dating service. She quickly bonds with another person on her dating service and they write anonymously to each other for days before trying to meet-both being people who didn't realize how lonely they were until they bonded over the internet with each other. Unfortunately, her "pen-pal" ends up being her boss Jayson Bright, a man who appears to be the Scrooge half of their relationship. I liked reading about how they each complemented each other and found their way to middle ground. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for this ARC  in return for my honest review.

Debbie Macomber has once again written a heart-warming Christmas story. Merry is a temporary employee at Matterson Consulting and with mandatory overtime has little time for anything else in her life. She lives with her mother who has mobility issues due to complications with multiple sclerosis, her father, and her eighteen-year-old Down syndrome brother. Merry is working as a temp to save money for college and tries to help at home as much as she can. Her job on the Boeing project is winding down and after the Christmas holidays her job will end. Merry has made many friends at Matterson and tries to make the workplace better by decorating for the holidays until reprimanded by her inflexible, curmudgeon boss, Jayson Bright. Merry's mother and brother worry that she will never find someone to date, so they surprise her with a subscription to "Mix and Mingle" for an early birthday present. Does Merry meet the man of her dreams online or is he a fraud and destined to break her heart?

What is there to say about a Christmas book that is just fun to read.  From the moment Merry's Mother and brother decide to surprise her with an online dating profile, minus her picture, to the conversations between her and her mystery man, this book was a delight.  What happens when you meet your mystery man only to find out maybe he is not so mysterious at all.  This was a very enjoyable read, always enjoy Debbie Macomber, especially her Christmas books.

I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber's books, and this one didn't disappoint.  In this year's Christmas book, Merry is taking a year off of college to earn enough money to finish.  Her boss is a perpetually angry man and his constant bad moods combined with all of the overtime she is having to work is leaving her frazzled.  Her mom and younger brother sign her up for a dating site as an early birthday present.  Will she find love, or is her Christmas this year going to be overshadowed by her grinch of a boss?  If this book doesn't put you in the Christmas mood, nothing will.

It's that wonderful time of the year where we get Christmas theme stories.  A fun and quick read sure to bring a smile to your face. 

Merry Knight is working as Temp in order to save money for college.  She is working long hours and unfortunately has a grouchy boss who lacks Christmas spirt.  He doesn't want Christmas decorations up or for her to eat lunch at her desk.  Talk about needed some holiday cheer. Work leaves a lot to be desired and not having much of a social life doesn't help.  Her family feeling she needs to dated sign her up for on-line dating.  Merry being a good sports gives it a try and finds a man who captures her interest.  He is easy to talk to and seems kinds.  Could it be to good to be true?  Will they finally meet face to face? If you want to know what happens pick up this book.

I enjoyed reading this book and it made me laugh at times.  I can never go wrong with this author.

Title: Merry and Bright
Author: Debbie Macomber
Rating: 5/5
Release Date: November 16, 2017
Description from Goodreads: “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.”
Review: I have always loved Debbie Macomber’s Christmas novels but this one is probably my favorite so far. Merry and Bright was a super sweet romance and I was drawn in instantly. 
This book made me want a mug of hot chocolate and to go wandering around looking at Christmas lights. I was reminded of all the wonders of Christmas time and to take time out of my busy schedule to do something wonderful for someone in need. There are many people out there who don’t have the advantages we do, Christmas is the perfect time to help out someone and make their day special too.  Debbie Macomber put me right there in the middle of this beautiful Seattle Christmas and I didn’t want to leave. The ending came way too soon and I reluctantly turned that last page. 
This was such a fast read and filled with so much holiday cheer and wonderful romance. I couldn’t think of a better Christmas book to curl up with on a lazy Sunday. I loved this book and will definitely reread during that magical Christmas season!
 
 Full review will be published on my blog alyssarossblog.wordpress.com on November 2, 2017.

*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*

I enjoyed this book. It is a fun, quick read for a lazy afternoon. Gets you in the mood to start thinking about the holidays. Mary/Merry works for Scrooge. He is just trying to prove his worth to his Uncle and was not a very nice person to work with. They both end up on a dating site, and instant Christmas movie. LOL

What a wonderful story.  If you liked "You've Got Mail"  or the old movie "Little Shop Around the Corner", you will love this book.  It is sweet and such a "feel good story".  Merry's mother and brother sign her up on a dating site.  You can guess what happens from there.  As always, Debbie Macomber has hit the mark again!