Not going to lie, this had me crying in the beginning. However, as we moved forward and reached North Carolina, I was good. This book was warm, cozy, well written. I mean, come now, it’s a Christmas Tale about family, starting over, loss, disappointment and changes in one’s attitude. The characters are relatable. The atmosphere was cozy and I could envision myself living there. I personally could see this as a Hallmark Movie. Loved it, appreciate the opportunity to have read it in advance and it made my heart happy.

It was released this week, 9/24/19 and I suggest you not only buy a copy for yourself, but add it as a stocking stuffer for your book lovers. Can’t go wrong!

Another great book by Fern Michaels! This is more of a cozy romance (not the Sisterhood type of book, but still good!) Joy has to go home or lose her inheritance. There, she finds love and reevaluates her life choices. I love how wonderful she is with charity too.

Christmas is a time for remembering loved ones past and present.
In this new novel by New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels, the holidays are also the time to discover a future that, like the perfect gift, is as satisfying as it is surprising.

Joy Preston misses her beloved late grandmother dearly. But when she learns the terms of Nana’s will, she’s shocked—and more than a little irked. Nana knew how much her life in Colorado means to Joy so why saddle her with the Heart and Soul B&B. All Joy wants is to return to her life in Colorado, not stay in North Carolina until she meets her Nana's handsome estate attorney Will Drake.

There’s another special reason for Heart and Soul’s popularity. Rumor has it that, during holiday season, guests can be reunited with the spirit of a loved one who’s passed on. Joy’s skeptical, yet she feels her beloved Nana’s influence all around her . . . perhaps even indulging in a little matchmaking between Joy and handsome estate attorney Will Drake.
This is the first Fern Michaels book I have read in a long time.
This sometimes sad and sometimes funny heartwarming holiday romance is not to be missed. It reminds me of some of the Hallmark books of the same genre and would make an excellent Christmas movie.
You feel a touch of a ghostly nature and influence even if you don't believe in ghosts or an afterlife.
I gave this humorous and romantic read 4.5 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
I loved the characters in this book, even the grumpy and outlandish ones.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which i read and reviewed voluntarily.

I don't really know why but I just couldn't get into this book. Maybe I was just in a Christmas reading overload and I was already getting sick of reading Christmas themed books.

Spirit of the Season was an enjoyable holiday story. Visit Spruce City, NC and Heart and Soul B&B through the eyes of the Preston Family. Become immersed in the holiday lights competition, gingerbread house show down and the race to become the most coveted Christmas tourist destination. Throw in a budding romance, this a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winters night.

Heart wrenching beginning with a heart warming ending. Everything falls into place just as it should, from the first page to the very last. Picture perfect for the holidays. 5/5 stars

Spirit of the Season is the kind of book you read curled up next to a fire.

Description: Christmas is a time for remembering loved ones past and present. In this new novel by New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels, the holidays are also the time to discover a future that, like the perfect gift, is as satisfying as it is surprising. Joy Preston misses her beloved late grandmother dearly. But when she learns the terms of Nana’s will, she’s shocked—and more than a little irked. Joy moved to Colorado years ago and is now CEO of a successful nail polish company. Her life and career are in Denver. How can Nana have expected her to give that up, even temporarily, to take over a bed and breakfast in North Carolina for six months? Yet there’s no denying Heart and Soul’s charm, especially at holiday time. The B&B is always elaborately decorated for the season, with themed guest rooms and dazzling lawn displays created for the annual Parade of Homes competition. The entire town takes part in the festivities, and soon Joy, too, is joining in the gingerbread house contest and letting her reservations melt away. There’s another special reason for Heart and Soul’s popularity. Rumor has it that, during holiday season, guests can be reunited with the spirit of a loved one who’s passed on. Joy’s skeptical, yet she feels her beloved Nana’s influence all around her . . . perhaps even indulging in a little matchmaking between Joy and handsome estate attorney Will Drake. A special homecoming and the glow of new beginnings will combine to make the holiday magical.

A heartwarming feelgood novel. Definitely a Hallmark movie.

As Joy sits at her desk in the company she started the phone rings. As she listens to the caller Izzi, she can't believe what she hears - her Nana has passed away during the night at her Spruce City's Bed and Breakfast.
Joy goes home and as expected there is romance, christmas spirit and all around feel good story.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. I highly recommend it and give it a 5 Star

This book is the perfect feel good holiday read. You know how the story is going to end up, but enjoy the ride! I enjoy these heartfelt books during the holidays and this one was extremely well written.

This was such a charming, heartwarming story, by one of the best romance authors in my opinion! I loved the characters, the scene setting, it was all just really fabulous and lovely. :) I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Great story of Joy, she comes back to N.C. From Colorado to run her grandmothers B&B. She has a successful nail polish company, her Grandma dies,will stipulates that she must remain there and run it for 6 months or it goes to state. Lots of funny competition between all the local B&Bs, but also funny moments of ghosts and love. Easy read, great characters.

This is a heartwarming story to get into the Christmas spirit. It is a captivating tale filled with delightful characters, a loving spirit or two, and colorful descriptions. After the death of her grandmother and inheriting the bed and breakfast, it is the love of family (biological as well as family of the heart) that helps Joy find her way and decide where home really is. Fern Michaels is a master of a good romance/women’s fiction that has depth and passion, and she has done that again with this book.

Received a copy of this book through NetGalley to give an honest opinion.
This book will get you definitely into the holiday season,with its colourful and vivid description,very enjoyable and relaxing read,although I found some parts a bit long winded instead of getting to the point.Some social points are raised,like domestic violence,and giving back to the community,either through donotions or volunteeing.
All in all a pleasant read.

If this book doesn't get you n the holiday mood nothing will. Fran's grandmother leaves her bed and breakfast to her, even thought Fran runs her own company several states away. The work that goes into that b&b would exhaust anyone, plus the money spent on decorations and food. For some reason the way the gifts of money were made - kind of throw the check at the organization left me a bit cold . I can't imagine what it would have cost to stay one night at thee BY B let along several weeks.

Fern Michaels always delivers and this book is no exception. Great writing, heartwarming plot. Just brilliant!!

Spirit of the Season
Fern Michaels
September 24, 2019

Simpy Joy is the company that Joy Preston founded when she graduated from college in Colorado. She had been daydreaming one day, staring at her beautiful fingernails. She decided that the best thing to do would be to produce nail polish, make it every color under the rainbow. Give the colors names that are fun and totally wild. From there her company took off. Her friends Haley and Jessica brought their talents of graphic design and web development into the company. Although Thanksgiving was weeks away, Joy needed to get the Valentine line under control with new products and colors ready to produce. Haley needed to get the web ready to advertise the upcoming season. They worked into the night until all were gone except for Joy. She stayed in her office enjoying a cup of tea, hoping that just the right slogan would light up in her tired mind. The phone rang at the crack of dawn bringing Joy back to reality. Everyone knows that a late night call is not good news. It was Izzi, her Nana’s business partner. Her beloved grandmother had passed during the night at Heart and Soul, Nana’s bed and breakfast in Spruce City, North Carolina.
Tired and emotionally exhausted Joy bought a ticket head east, packed her bags and drove to the Denver airport. By the time she picked up her rental car and drove the distance to Spruce City, her tears were dry. She felt lost without her Nana. She knew the days ahead would be difficult. She had not seen her mother in quite awhile. Joy could not think about how her mom must be feeling; losing her mother, the ultimate loss. The meeting with Anna’s attorney for the reading of the will was not an easy task but a necessary one. During the holiday season the inn is completely booked. Joy knew her mother would be able to help Izzi with the guests and all of the tasks involved. She also realized that she would need to stay awhile to help with the many chores with running such a business.
Fern Michaels has given us an extremely pleasant read for the coming holidays. Spirit of the Season is the kind of book that can be read each year as it gives us wonderful memories of her characters while introducing new ones. I found myself thinking of the many magical times that I too had with my family. This story introduced us to Joy Preston. It gives us a look at life before leaving North Carolina and how things have changed since her move to Denver. It paints a picture of her family members; those she lost as well as those that came home to build a new life in Spruce City with Nana’ s friends and coworkers. It also gives us a wonderful love story. I can't recommend this book enough. I had never read any of Fern Michael’s work before. Spirit of the Season is published by Kensington Publishing Corporation. It will be available on September 24, 2019. I so appreciate their allowing me to read this novel. I very much enjoyed it and I am certain other readers will feel the same.

I enjoyed the setting and visualization of the bed & breakfasts. I wasn't a fan of the main character...she seems a little shallow and one-sided for someone who's supposed to be that old. There is a lot of personal growth throughout the novel, which is a blessing. It's a sweet, feel-good book about coping with crisis and enjoying the holidays.

Great read. Joy's grandma passes away. She is called home for her grandmothers funeral to find out that she was left the bed and breakfast from her grandmother and advised she had to stay and run it for 6 months. To hear more read the book.

Fern Michaels gives us a great read for the holiday season with Spirit of the Season. This one will definitely put you in the holiday spirit while you are reading it. The characters are all very likeable and make you feel a part of the story as you read it.

Joy had a special connection with her grandmother, so when she passes and leaves her the rights to her Bed and Breakfast, Joy thinks she has it made. Come to find out, her grandmother put a twist on her owning the Bed and Breakfast and she has to live there for 6 months in order to own it completely. Joy is not happy with this because she has a successful nail polish business that she is CEO of. How is she going to do both?

It is said that during the holiday season, guests that visit the Bed and Breakfast have an encounter with loved ones that have gone on before them. This is what makes the Bed and Breakfast so special, along with the many special meals and guests that come and go daily. I love how there is so much connection with everyone in the community at the Bed and Breakfast. Sort of like it is "the" place to go!

Joy can feel a special connection with her grandmother at the Bed and Breakfast as she is thrust into a relationship with a local attorney, Will Drake. The reading of her grandmother's will is what brought them together, but the Bed and Breakfast seems to what is keeping them together. All the supporting characters and the town play a major role in this story as well. The way that Fern Michaels describes the Bed and Breakfast being decorated and each room having a theme makes you feel that you are right there in the Bed and Breakfast as well.

This is a great read for the holiday season that you will enjoy getting lost in. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book!

When Joy's Grandma passes away and leaves her a Bed and Breakfast in North Carolina, she is shocked and more than a little upset to leave her life in Colorado.
This is a great book to read at the Holiday season. It has a strong family basis and shows the love between generations of women. The romance took a backseat, in my opinion to a lot of the other moving parts of the plot, but in this case that was okay. I didn't care for the abrupt ending, but wonder about a followup book from the author.
Thanks to Net Galley for the advance read.

A fun book to read to get readers in the mood for Christmas. Readers will be able to imagine the picturesque view of this small town in North Carolina through the delightful descriptions in this story. Small town competition comes out in full force as the local B&B's vie for the best in multiple Christmas contests around town. Joy, who has come home for her grandmother's funeral surprisingly inherits the family B&B and is thrown into the mix. Joy is torn between the B&B and her successful company in Colorado. In the midst of the activity Joy finds that her true gift is giving. Recommended!