I was given this ARC via Netgalley to read for free. This was a cute, quick Christmas read, but not over the top with the Christmas theme. I did think it was a little different from the other Debbie Macomber books I've read due to two male characters being the more lead characters. The perfect book to lead into holiday reading season.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is a heartwarming story to get readers ready for holiday season. It has so much love, spirit and wonderful characters. Also, romance is abound for the main characters, Hank and Pete who change places for one week. My favorite character was Grace Ann because she allowed love to transform her life. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars

Macomber is one of my favorite authors, and I particularly love her Christmas stories. Her latest is no exception.
I loved seeing the changes in Hank and Peter, as well as how they realized and demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas (vs. the consumerism). I also liked how this was a story within a story, with the grandmother telling a (true) story to her grandchildren. Overall, this is a heartwarming story with realistic and relatable characters, a charming small-town setting, and a bit of romance thrown into the mix (much to the grandson's dismay!). It's an uplifting read, perfect for the upcoming holiday season!

You can always count on Debbie Macomber to write a heart warming Christmas story every year. This book will warm your heart from the inside out. Nana is telling her grandchildren a "story" about two best friends who decide to trade places for a week before Christmas. The switch will be very interesting because Hank owns and runs the local bar and Pete is the pastor of the local church. Needless to say their lifestyles and jobs are on opposite ends of the spectrum, including the people they encounter daily. Both men will learn life lessons as they try to fill the other man's shoes. This book and this story made my spirit soar and felt like a warm fire to my soul. I was so engrossed in the story that I felt as if I lived in the book with the characters for a few hours because I was not going to put it down until I finished it. The characters were engaging and you can learn a life lesson yourself from these characters. In true Debbie Macomber fashion the story flowed easily and was easy to read. If this one does not put a smile on your face, you need to check your Christmas spirit. There was a romance budding for each man in the story with an unlikely lady for each of them. This will put you in the Christmas spirit and the spirit of giving to others. It was also a reminder to me that when you are dealing with people that are not the same as you, you should be careful and never judge a book by the cover. There were also a couple of really humorous scenes in the book that will give you a chuckle. Christmas book lovers will inhale this gem! This is another winner for Christmas Queen Debbie Macomber!

Thank you to Random House Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What a fun book! Debbie Macomber always manages to include a valuable lesson in a humorous, entertaining story. I always turn to her books when I need a relaxing read that doesn’t cause brain strain or give me nightmares, and this book didn’t disappoint. Take time to read this book as you prepare for the holiday season.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber. I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber's books, especially her Christmas stories. They are stories that just make you feel happy. And how sweet that a grandmother is telling her grandkids a love story.
Pete Armstrong and Hank Colfax have been best friends for years and just before Christmas, they decide to switch places at their jobs. Pete is a pastor of a small local church. Hank owns a bar called The Last Call. These two get into some pretty funny and sentimental predicaments and they are so funny!
Pete has to deal with bikers and young women who work at the local strip club while poor Hank has to deal with an old woman who refuses to help the church pay for a much-needed new roof. The friendships formed are ones that could last forever, and they are totally unexpected. The life lessons include forgiveness, the importance of family values and not to pass judgment on anyone.
I really enjoyed the story within the story as Nana tells the tale of Pete and Hank to her sweet grandchildren. The Book is so well written with a wonderful happily-ever-after and all of the loose ends are tied up in a pretty Christmas bow.
I will definitely recommend this book to my friends.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber brings forth every bit of the joy and meaning of the season in another hit by this wonderful author. A grandmother tells her grandchildren a true story which involves family history and romance. Two best friends Paul, a preacher, and Hank, a bar owner, meet for lunch every month or so. One meeting leads to the conversation of how hard/entailed their jobs are. They switch jobs (the week before Christmas) and of course, the grass isn't greener on the other side. Paul meets two older patrons and a biker gang who challenge him but allow him to minister quietly. He ultimately invites them to Christmas service. When a wealthy church member is insulted and pulls her support and church membership, Hank has to navigate the financial problems that he hadn't realized a church has. The two friends find romance through old and new acquaintances, and the reader knows these are romances that last. The ending to the grandmother's story shows that fact as well as what happens to some of the side characters.

The Christmas party scene was filled with wonder and laughter. The need to reach out in the local community was such a success and reminds us to do the same. I will be recommending this book. Thanks to the publisher, author Debbie Macomber and NetGalley for this ARC.

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is another one of her heartwarming, lovely Christmas romance stories.

Story Recap:
Best friends, Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax meet each other regularly at a local diner where they discuss their lives and reminisce on their high school days. One day, while complaining about how hard they work, they decide to swap jobs. Peter is a Pastor, and Hank owns his own bar. Each believes they got the better end of the deal, but after spending a week in each other’s job, both their lives change for the better.

My Thoughts:
I don’t know any author who does Christmas stories as well as Debbie Macomber. She has that balance of telling a sweet, wholesome story without it becoming sappy, or too sweet.

I enjoyed this sweet romance set at Christmastime. These characters were ones I would like to hang out with and I felt comfortable with all of them. They were realistic and compelling. This wasn’t a light Christmas story, but one that was a bit deeper and emotional that resonates with Debbie Macomber’s trademark heartwarming storytelling.

If you enjoy Hallmark movies you’ll love The Christmas Spirit. This book has a small town, quirky characters, and two sweet romances. I enjoyed the grandmother telling the story to her grandchildren as it gave a break between the sections of the story.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Christmas Spirit to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A sweet, clean romance. I really enjoyed how the book was written as a story told to young children by their grandma. This follows Hank, Grace, Pete and Millie. Hank and Pete have been best friends since school and agree to take over the other’s job for a few days. Hank owns a bar and Pete is a pastor. Grace is Pete’s sister and feels like Hank is no good for her brother to be around. Millie is a waitress who catches Pete’s eye.
Over the course of a few days, their lives change dramatically and forever. The characters they meet along the way help each person grow in their own way. Grace was a hard nut to crack and I enjoyed seeing Hank have something to do with opening her eyes. I liked how Pete was kind and generous to everyone but didn’t try to force religion in anyone.
I enjoyed this book and wouldn’t mind reading more about the characters. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

The Christmas Spirit is a heart-warming, cute Christmas story about love and friendship. Hank and Pete, two long time friends, decide to change places for the week leading up to Christmas. The two friends are seemingly total opposites. Hank owns a tavern and Pete is a pastor of a church. Both learn lessons along the way and both have a chance at finding love.

Debbie Macomber does not disappoint. The Christmas Spirit is full of inspiration and Debbie Macomber’s humor. It was a fun and uplifting read, even though some things were unrealistic, like a biker gang riding motorcycles in the cold and snow. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and it is a perfect way to get into the Christmas Spirit.

Debbie Macomber is always an author I can count on to make my heart feel all warm and fuzzy while also keeping me grounded in reality of true and raw emotions. The Christmas Spirit is a story full of hope, love, redemption, faith, family, and friendships. It's the perfect story to help each of us remember that no one is better than anyone, we all have a past, we all have sin and fall short, but that if we will just be kind to everyone & have faith everything will always work out just as it's supposed to in the end.

Two life long friends Pete and Hank decide to switch places the week of Christmas as they're overwhelmed in their daily lives and duties, but think that the other ones life is easier and less chaotic. Oh boy, how they both quickly discover that they may be in over their heads with this spur of the moment decision.

They have a leaky church roof and outdated furnace that's on it's last leg, farm animals on the loose, bikers ready to pin Pete to the tavern wall with darts, strippers that they want to show unconditional love and friendship to, let's not forget cantankerous Mrs. Millstone that has forgotten what it means to show love and warmth to all those around her, including her own family.

This story is sure to warm your heart this holiday season! This story is told by Nana to her grandchildren and their reactions will make you smile if not laugh. Lily and Lance are adorable! ♥️

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Perfect Christmas story!

What a sweet story this was! Told by a grandmother to her two grandchildren, it is a story about 2 men, who in a friendly bet decide to trade places for a week, learn much more about faith, life and love than they expected.

The grandchildren Lily and Lance were adorable, the storytelling was spot on, just like you were listening in during the recitation. It was funny in parts and full of redeeming hope in others. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend if you need a feel-good pick-me-up this year.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

A very sweet and inspirational Christmas story as a grandmother tells her grandchildren the true story of how she came to marry her husband. It is is adorably heart melting as the children eagerly give their opinions on how the story should go. The characters are interesting and wonderful. They are also sometimes funny and endearing. This is a story that will make a great gift for others.

Debbie Macomber’s heartfelt stories and Christmas are a perfect combination. When Pete and Hal, lifelong friends, decide to switch jobs days before Christmas, they have no idea what they are in for. Both have demanding jobs. Hal is an overworked tavern owner and Pete is pastor to a financially challenged church. And each thinks that he’s getting the best of a bad bargain. How wrong they are. Hal is new to the world of midnight calls, demanding church members and a leaky roof. Pete has to deal with dart throwing “Hell’s Outlaws”, the difficulty of pouring a perfect beer and keeping up with unsatisfied patrons. But this is Debbie Macomber. Pete and Hal will discover what is truly important in their lives and find the happiness that has eluded them.

Hallmark, here’s your newest Christmas movie! It has snow, lovers, bikers and a runaway donkey. What more do you need? The Christmas Spirit is delightful, heartwarming and will leave you with a smile. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Debbie Macomber for this ARC.

This is a feel-good story about a very special Christmas that involved a preacher, a bar owner, strippers, and a group of bikers. Together, they find a way to make the best Christmas ever! Enjoyed this story. It will get you ready for the holiday season!

The Christmas Spirit is Debbie Macomber’s newest standalone Christmas romance, a yearly gift to her readers.
The story begins with a grandma telling a story to her two young grandchildren. They want to hear a true story instead of a fairy tale, so she tells them about two young men named Peter and Hank and what they do the week before Christmas in 1977. Peter Armstrong is a pastor who is dedicated to his community, spending time visiting the flock, attending meetings, and preparing for the Christmas service and live Nativity. As a bartender, Hank Colfax serves a much different customer base at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.

When Peter scoffs that Hank has it easy compared to him, the two decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other’s work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. Hank relies on Grace, Peter’s younger sister and the church secretary, to help him get through the week. Peter and a pretty waitress, Millie, help each other at the bar.

The reader can easily guess that “Grandma” is actually Grace and Hank is her husband. The story is very engaging and the characters are realistic and interesting. All Debbie Macomber romances are written so that readers from young adults to the elderly can enjoy them, and there is more humor in The Christmas Spirit than her previous books. The author frequently uses themes of forgiveness, redemption, and not judging others, and they are all found in The Christmas Spirit.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Ballantine Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love a story within a story but for it to be a Christmas one makes it even better. Debbie is my go to for any cozy reading but I know I say this every time but this one might be the best yet!! Grab your favorite blanket and cup of cocoa and enjoy grandma telling you a story of a Christmas past I had a wonderful time reading this and I read it in just a few hours I couldnt put it down.
Did you know she also has a color book that comes out the same day Oct 18, 2022 I have both on pre-order Don't forget to get yours!!


My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Always a delight reading her books!

I would give more stars if I could!!

4 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.

This wonderful little book encompasses all the Christmas spirit in Debbie’s unique way. Her characters are perfectly flawed and human. She balances the romance with reality. And this one has a fabulous theme.

Pete and Hank have been lifelong friends. Pete is the pastor of a local church. Hank is a bar owner. Both are devoted to their work. So at lunch one day when discussing how easy the other has it, an idea pops into Pete’s head. He proposes that the week leading up to Christmas that they swap lives. Hank agrees, and as you can imagine, it’s quite the enlightenment for both of them.

First, Pete’s sister, who does all the administrative jobs for the church, is not a Hank fan. She is utterly peeved at Pete for the suggestion that this was even going to happen. She intends to make Hank’s few days of pastoral life a living hell (pun intended.) But Hank has also known Gracie as long as he’s known Pete. He knows how to push her buttons as well. Hank think it’s high time that Gracie get off her high horse and accept she’s just human.

Then there’s the challenge for Pete of running a bar. With absolutely no experience in Hank’s realm, it’s a rude awakening for Pete to deal with bikers, curmudgeonly old barstool loafers, and the simple act of pouring a beer. Thankfully, Millie, a local waitress, who is more than capable, jumps in to assist.

Weave in that a grandmother is sharing this story with her two grandchildren, and that she’s warned them it’s not a ‘once upon a time’ story, but a ‘real life’ story, and you have a cozy Christmas novel.

I have always loved Macomber’s books for the very reason that she is able to make even religion about real people and real life. Her books are down home and fun. She is also able to make you think about your own place in the world. I was so excited to get to read this one.

A feel good Christmas story about best friends, family, and good times. Peter and Hank have been buddies since forever,. Peter is a pastor and Hank a bartender. An impulsive agreement to switch jobs for a week brings both en to a new place as they realize how similar their jobs are= that both men are committed to listening to others. And, it also brings them both new friends and love interests (no spoilers). It's not easy for either man at first- there are impatient customers and unhappy members of the congregation- but ultimately, everyone learns something about themselves and their community. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Classic Macomber in spirit.

Good friends Peter, a pastor, and Hank, a bartender and tavern owner, decide to switch jobs a week before Christmas. As each realize how much work the other’s job is, they also each come into closer contact to women they are attracted to. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my honest review.