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!

Life long friends with very different jobs decide to switch places the week before Christmas both assuming that the other has no idea how hard their life is. This switch changes both of their lives. This Christmas story is one filled with hope, love, and antics that keep everyone on their toes! It embodies the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks to NetGalley for the early read.

The Christmas Spirit is a very touching Christmas tale from consummate author Debbie Macomber. In a similar style to Dorothea Benton Frank’s Christmas Pearl and Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith, this story will become a holiday classic.

Hank Colfax and Peter Sullivan have been friends since childhood. They played football and ran track together. Although their lives have traveled different paths since their high school days, Pete had gone to college and was now a pastor, Hank had taken over his father’s tavern and ran the business on his own, they had remained close. In fact, they met at least monthly at Mom’s Diner between the two for lunch. The location where they met may have had as much to do with a young waitress who worked there as it did the point between their two small towns.

On a December day, their lunch discussion leads them to each stating they feel the other has a much easier time in life until their conversation leads to a bet for them to exchange places for the days moving up to Christmas Eve. Pastor Pete would take on the running of the tavern in Kettle Springs and all it entails. Hank would take on the duties of the pastor in Bridgeport until the Christmas Eve service. What could go wrong?

Grace Ann Sullivan, Pete’s younger sister is totally against this idea. As the church administrator she is left with Hank and expects a total disaster. And while much may go awry, the outcomes are priceless.

This is such a delightful book! Perfect for the holiday season, but just as appropriate at any time the reader wants a story of how different perspectives and open hearts and minds can usher in small miracles. Told in such a delightful manner as Nana is entertaining her two grandchildren with a story of In The Beginning instead of Once Upon A Time format, this may be the absolute finest Christmas story ever penned by Ms. Macomber. I very much enjoyed this book and I do wholeheartedly recommend it!

Debbie Macomber is a wonderful storyteller, especially in spinning a Christmas tale that touches the heart of her readers. A grandmother spends some special time with her two young grandchildren telling a true story about two friends. I found myself smiling as this unusual story unfolds when two friends since childhood, Peter, a pastor, and his friend, Hank, a tavern owner, switch places the week before Christmas. Both have eye opening experiences and make some friends they never would have before, all in the spirit of Christ's love during the holiday season. We are reminded to love people as Christ loves all, no matter the way they look or act. In the process, Hank and Peter make some lifelong friends out of their usual network and romance is involved. This is heartwarming with how love can touch a heart and change people for the better, even while I gasped at times with the rough edges of some of the characters. Surprisingly, Hank, the tavern owner, had some poignant and applicable stories from the Bible to remind us of how Jesus associated with sinners and how He loved all.
I received a complimentary copy from Ballentine Books and NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are mine only.

This book was perfect! It is full of the Christmas spirit and will make you laugh out loud in spots. I loved everything about this book. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, your favorite fluffy throw and settle in for a wonderful fun read. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great story! My favorite Christmas novel is "Trading Christmas", also by Debbie Macomber, so I knew I'd like this one with a similar plot. In both, two characters trade places during the Christmas season. in the previous one, a male and female stranger trade places (actual locales) ; in "The Christmas Spirit", it's two male friends who think the other has a much easier job. They are both excited to try the other's occupation, expecting something much different than what they got. After all, Peter is a pastor while Hank is a bartender.

It's a heart-warming story when each of the two men make discoveries that induce changes to their lives and to their way of thinking. The Christmas Spirit is certainly present!

I'm thankful to NetGalley for the opportunity to have read this, have posted on Goodreads and will soon share on other sites.

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Debbie Macomber
Holiday Romance / Christmas
Release date 10-18-2022

Peter and Hank lead totally separate lives. With two majorly different jobs: Peter as a pastor and Hank as a bartender. When they decide to change jobs a week before Christmas, all high jinx ensue.

This was a book that I could not put down and I read it in one sitting. It was vastly different from Debbie Macomber's last few Christmas books which I had found to feel a bit predictable with similar plots. This one had me laughing out loud in places and almost crying in others. All in all, one of the best books I have read by her in a while. I give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Mavomber is a gentle reminder that we need to open our hearts and be more accepting to those who are different. The Christmas spirit is not just for Christmas time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ohh what an enjoyable and entertaining read!!! I love Debbie Macomber and her (Christmas) novels. The Christmas Spirit is a wonderful way to start the Christmas holiday! The reading left my heart warm and cheerful.
Two friends switch jobs a week prior to Christmas. Peter is a devoted pastor and has strong ties and relationships to his congregation and community. He switches with his long time friend Hank. Hank is a bartender at the local pub. Each thinking the other had the holiday season job easier. Only to discover how similar their jobs are! I laughed and smiled many times. I enjoyed the bantering!
Caution- this book contains:
*new bonds of friendship
*finding love in the least expected place
*desire to get cozy and lose yourself between the pages of a great book!!!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Pub Group - Ballantine for ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a sweet, heartwarming story! I wasn't sure how bar owner Hank and Pastor Peter were going to switch jobs for a week, but with them each bringing a different perspective to their clientele, it was funny, sweet, and totally entertaining. I loved how they came together in the end to help others in need, and the whole story is setup as a grandmother telling a story to her grandchildren and is telling the story of her family. As always a great story from Debbie Macomber!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Debbie Macomber puts a fresh spin on a holiday feel-good story with The Christmas Spirit. The story unfolds as it is told to her two grandchildren by the narrator. Their sweet interjections throughout the book make for a fun audio listen. It's the perfect family, faith, and friendship filled story to put you in the mood for the holidays.

The Christmas Spirit is told by a grandmother to her two grandchildren. It is the story of two best friends, Hank and Pete. Hank is a bar owner and Pete is a pastor. One day over lunch, the two come up with a plan to switch jobs for the rest of the week. Each thinks the other has an easy job. They are about to find out all is not as easy as it might appear to others. With Christmas near, things are about to get interesting.

The characters are not the typical bunch. You will see devout parishioners, strippers, old men, and even a biker gang to name a few. They interact with each other in unexpected ways.

A heartfelt story of faith, love, friendship that is also comical at times. Just what I was in the mood for. Macomber does not disappoint.

Thanks to netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the arc

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is a heartwarming Christmas story. I like the way this story was told. A grandmother is telling two of her grandchildren a story. The tale she tells takes place in 1977. There are chapters in the present with the grandmother and the kids plus the chapters in the past. This is a cute story. I liked the characters. Hank and Pete are the main characters. They have been friends since elementary school. They are having lunch and each one is complaining about their job. It is a busy time for both of them with Christmas only a week away. One of them proposes they switch jobs for the week. Pete, a pastor, will run Hank’s bar while Hank will handle Pete’s pastoral duties. Hank will have the added task of dealing with Pete’s sister and church secretary, Grace Ann who is not Hank’s biggest fan. It is an enlightening experiment for both men. There is plenty of humor. I laughed often while reading The Christmas Spirit. There is a scene with Pete, a biker gang, and darts that tickled my funny bone. There is romance for Pete and Hank as well. Miracles do happen during the holidays. I like Debbie Macomber’s writing style. It is conversational and friendly. I felt like grandma was telling me a story. I just loved the ending. This is one book that you will want to read straight through (make sure you have your hot cocoa and cookies nearby). The Christmas Spirit is a cheerful Christmas tale with a job swap, scrumptious snowballs, a dripping roof, a mulish mule, a biker challenge, a striking server, straightlaced secretary, a dour donor, and party planning.

Many thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
This was a sweet, wholesome book, which is to be expected from Debbie Macomber. We are introduced to Hank and Pete, a bar owner and a pastor, respectively. Each believes that his job is more difficult than his friend's. So, to determine who is right, they switch positions. Of course they both rapidly find out that there is more to each job than they anticipated. Throw in some romance and some bad-turned-good guys, and you have a cute story befitting a Hallmark movie. Great to put you in the mood for the holidays.