I love the friendship between Pete and Hank. They certainly had a good growing experience in their adventure. I enjoyed Nana telling the story to her grands. This is a great Christmas story and a wonderful Christian story. The story and the characters on great. Another winner by Debbie Macomber. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Thank You #NetGalley #Random House #Debbie Macomber I received an ARC of this wonderful book.

I love Christmas in July! I love the way this story was told through the 3rd person. The grandkids were funny.

Debbie Macomber hit this one out of the park. I always look forward to Debbie's Christmas books. This one did not disappoint!

This is heartwarming story that shows us how to look at things from a different point of view.

The characters in this story are very likable. I really enjoyed this heartfelt story. I could picture the scenes in my head as I was reading! Debbie did a great job with the descriptions.

Who would have thought a bartender and a Pastor would turn out to be similar in profession?

As Lily and Lance were dropped off at their Nana's house, they were excited. Hoping to bake cookies, Nana had a busy so she said she would tell them a true story. Lily thought is was going to be a once upon a time story only it was in the beginning. Hank and Pete were best friends. They went to high school and each went their own way for college but always stayed in touch. Each complained that each other had it easy. So they decided to switch it up for a few days. Pete was going to work at Hanks tavern and Hank was going to work at Pete's church till Christmas. Little did they know that this would change them profoundly. Hank always had feelings for Grace, Pete's sister. Now he has the time to get to know her. Pete in the meantime has feelings for Millie, a waitress. When Christmas arrived, there were bikers and saints all at church at the same time. The Lord was working in mysterious way.

A well-written, feel-good Christmas story about walking a mile in someone else's shoes and remembering the true sentiment behind the Christmas holiday.

I appreciated the uniqueness of the characters and the message about not judging others. By biggest criticism is that I find the plotline with the Pastor's romance a bit far-fetched. Obviously, church attendance is not the only representation of someone's faith, however, it seems unrealistic that a Pastor (whose entire life purpose is teaching the Bible) would decide within the span of a week that he's going to marry someone who doesn't seem to profess any faith at all. (Perhaps she does - but we don't see or hear about it at all.)

This is exactly why I love Debbie Macomber. She told this story in a unique way by having the grandmother tell her grandchildren a true story that they find out who it's about at the end. The characters throughout the story were great, & it was nice to be reminded what the holidays are about...kindness & love. We could all use a little more of that. Highly recommend reading this book!

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

I absolutely love Debbie Macomber and her Christmas books are always a treat! The Christmas Spirit her 2022 Christmas book comes out tomorrow - October 18th

Two lifelong friends decide to trade places the week before Christmas and help others learn the true meaning of Christmas and maybe find love in the process. Hank owns a local bar and Peter is a pastor and they find that while they may serve different people their jobs are similar.

This was such a feel good Christmas story! I liked Peter and Hank and some of the funny situations they got in trying to do each other's job!

It's not Christmas season until I've read a Debbie Macomber book. Check this one out!

Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends living very different lives. They have been friends forever, but both believe the other has it easier than he does. So naturally they decided to switch lives the week before Christmas. Peter is a local pastor and Hank is a bartender. Both interact with the public, both must be good listeners, and both are so wrong about how easy the other has it work wise. When the switch places, they learn more about each other and themselves. Plus, along the way, each finds love.

I enjoyed Debbie Macomber books but don't read them very often for some reason. I’ll need to change that. This book reminded me what I enjoy about her writing. She writes likeable characters that I grow to care about. She also writes about community, coming together and helping others. All the things that put a smile on my face.

This was a charming tale which begins and ends with a grandmother telling a story to her grandchildren. It was sweet and full of good cheer! If you are looking for a lighter book that can easily be read in one day, this may be for you.

The holidays always start for me with a Christmas book by Debbie Macomber. The Christmas Spirit is a different one from her usual ones but one that is very good indeed. Two friends decide to change jobs for the week. What an eye opening experience this is for these two men.

Besides finding that their careers as tavern owner and small town paster are more similar than either would have ever believed they also find out each job has its difficulties. What’s more is that each of these single men find love along the way too. What a marvelous book as each man has grows in perspective.

A true enlightening Christmas story in the Debbie Macomber tradition that we have come to know and love. Recommend to all fans of Christmas and stories of the holiday season.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is another light hearted, feel good book. Grandma has been asked to babysit her grandchildren. They always love her stories. This time, grandma let them pick out the names for the story. They chose grandpa Pete and grandpa Hank. Grandma tells them a Christmas story about two men who changed jobs for a week. Pete is a pastor and Hank owns a bar. They each thought the other one had the easiest job. They soon found out that they both had challenging jobs in different ways.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and Debbie Macomber for the ARC for my honesty review.

What a heartwarming story told in the present time of past events. A grandmother shares a story with her two grandchildren one night while babysitting. It's a story of two best friends, a pastor and a tavern owner, who decide to switch jobs the week before Christmas.

It's also a wonderful holiday story of acceptance, understanding, and forgiveness.

Netgalley and the publisher gladly shared an ARC of this book with me. The review is my honest opinion.

This was a very sweet storyline, reminiscent of The Princess Bride in the storytelling to grandchildren and the boys loathing of kisses. The book is about perception and putting yourself in someone else's shoes. What could a pastor and a tavern owner have in common? More than you could possibly know. This is the story of two couples who would seem like they wouldn't work but totally do. Enjoy the book.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is everything and more we have grown to love from this holiday writing queen! I really enjoyed this heartwarming, feel-good holiday story told by a grandmother to her grandkids and featuring to best friends, Peter and Hank who switch places for a week right before Christmas. Each man thinks the others' lives are easier but Pastor and Bar Owner quickly discover that couldn't be further from the truth. Full of small town charm, romance and lots of 'Christmas spirit' this is a lighthearted read sure to make you smile.

The Christmas Spirit
by: Debbie Macomber
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books
release date: 10/18/2022
genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Women's Fiction

The cold week preceding Christmas Eve becomes quite spirit filled when two best friends, Hank and Pete exchange jobs for a week in small town Washington State. Pete, the pastor at Light for Life Church in Bridgeport becomes bartender for Hank at The Last Call tavern in Kettle Springs, and vice versa. These two endearing bachelors quickly find that the grass, or in this case Christmas garland, is not greener on the other side in Macomber's heartfelt holiday tale.

The antics and endeavors of Pete and Hank, along with their co-workers and townspeople, kept me laughing and enthralled. Although full of fun and romantic anticipation, this story is tenderly told from the perspective of a grandmother telling the tale to her two grandchildren. As Christmas approaches, lessons are learned both in the bar and at the church about acceptance, second chances, and coming together in community for the greater good. The ambience of this book brought me joy, with snowy wint
er days and the warmth found inside a small church at Christmas. I love stories that highlight friendships such as the bond of Pastor Pete and his bartender buddy, Hank.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books
for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.

A grandma is babysitting her grandkids and they ask for a story so she decides to tell them a true Christmas story.
Pete and Hank have been best friends since school despite the fact that life took them down very different paths. Pete became a pastor and Hank took over his family’s bar. The week before Christmas k they’re talking and debating who’s job is tougher and decide that neither can tell with out walking in the other shoes, so they decide to switch places for the week, with each thinking he’s getting the sweeter end of the deal, not realizing how tough the others job actually is. Pete’s holier than thou sister, a runaway mule, motorcycle club, a stripper looking for a second chance are just some of the issues that the friends tackle in this story that shows us that Jesus is for everyone.
Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review

#BookRevew: THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT by Debbie Macomber

I have enjoyed many of the author’s books but I think this one is my favorite so far. This dual timeline has more depth and a lot of faith aspects which I liked.

Peter was a local pastor so his actions were not much of a surprise to me. His interactions with the customers at Hank’s bar was interesting. Hank was a revelation. I wasn’t sure about him at first, but his bold and frank words stirred things up for a lot of people. He had some good insight and advice.

Like Gracie, I was not sure how things would play out with the switch. Peter and Hank thought that the other had an easy life. It was definitely an eye opener for both of them.

The wholesome double romances were short, sweet and not the main focus. The Christmas Eve service was hilarious and a head scratcher for many of the church members. Peter saw the contrast and everything that went on from the pulpit. It was a memorable night for everyone.

This was definitely a fun and interesting read. I liked how the story worked out.
Peter and Hank’s unusual friends, bikers with tattoos and strippers, were a blessing in disguise. It gave the church ladies an opportunity to do mission work closer to home.As we meet different kinds of people everyday, we have to remember that we are all the same in God’s eyes. God loves us.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Pub date: 18 Oct 2022

Thank you Ballantine Books and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book 188 of 2022

Sigh…I wanted to like this one. I really did, but there were too many things that just didn’t work for me.

1. Stereotypes — I’ve noticed a lot of cringe-worthy stereotypes in Macomber’s last several novels. They’re almost to the point of being uncomfortable. In this book, she latched onto a biker’s gang (Hell’s Outlaws) and strippers. She repeatedly called the women “the strippers.” Over and over and over. Why couldn’t we just call them by their names?

2. Story Line — I realize with Christmas novels, we have to release our grip on reality & embrace the fantasy and nostalgia of the season. Story lines & tropes that don’t work anywhere else work here. There are many “switcharoo” story lines that occur at Christmas. I can honestly say I didn’t anticipate a bar owner & a pastor switching jobs/roles for the week leading up to Christmas. 🥴

3. Confusing Characters — Macomber’s Christmas novels are on the shorter side, so to add a cast of characters that we know are based off people in real life, but have different names in the story was mega confusing. It was too much too quick at the beginning.

4. Inappropriate??? — This is a story of a grandma telling her 8-year old grandkids a Christmas story. A Christmas story about a pastor working in a bar, strippers, drug dealers, and a biker’s gang. I just cannot see these being in a story I’d tell kids that age. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I appreciate the message Macomber was trying to share. That Jesus us for everyone (even the bikers/drug dealers and strippers), but it needed some smoothing out. I *do* think there’s a target audience here that will love the book. I just don’t think I’m old enough to fall into that demographic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is scheduled to be released on October 18th.

Thank you to NetGalley for this copy of “The Christmas Spirit” by Debbie Macomber. This is a wonderful ,feel-good, heartwarming holiday book in the Debbie Macomber holiday tradition.Nana tells her children.about 2 men Hank and Pete , a bartender and pastor who decide to switch jobs the week before Christmas.Each thinks the other has the easier job but both learn a lot about themselves and others in their new jobs.Hank always had a hard time connecting with Pete’s sister who has suffered heartbreak in her life but both their lives change when Hank comes to work in the parsonage.Pete has lived a sheltered life as a pastor and meets some new friends from the wrong side of the tracks and one particular woman who hasn’t had much good in her life named Millie.Will each an learn something new about himself? Read this great book and find out.

I love, love, love, LOVED this book!! I love then stories, both past and present and seeing how the different lives unfolded throughout the years. I can’t wait for the holidays now!

Another holiday DM delight! This one is extra special. Two friends swap jobs for a few days and quickly get an education. Hank tells some hard truths to a few people and helps the church while Pete befriends bikers and runs a bar.
With typical Macomber warmth and gentleness, this book was so fun to read.
At times I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. The Christmas Eve scene in the church is a classic along with Ms. Pious’ encounter with the strippers. For other good scenes you’ll have to read the book.
My faves were Walt and Rowdy—they were like the old guys in the balcony on the Muppet Show. The Hell’s Outlaws were realky a good group of guys, complete with chains, leather and Harley’s. I adored them.
It’s a quick read that brightened my day.

The Christmas Spirit is a sweet, wholesome Christmas story. Hank and Pete have been best friends since elementary school, yet lead very different lives. They decide to switch places for a week, each thinking they will have it easier than the other. Needless to say they both learn a valuable lesson.

Although I did enjoy this story, I found much of it to be a bit unbelievable. If the men have been best friends for many many years, shouldn't they know more about the difficulties the other faces in their job? And since the storyline takes place over the course of a week, the romance and even friendship relationships just seem a bit far-fetched.

However, this complaint aside, it was still a wholesome, enjoyable read. The characters were all very well done and entertaining, and most go through good personal growth. There were also several humorous and sweet plot points as well.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, sweet, Christmas read with entertaining characters and situations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!