What a sweet and inpriring Christmas story that only Debie Macomber can do. Hank and Pete switch places for a few days as they both think the other has a cushy job. Pete is the local pastor and Hank has a bar. They are so surprised by what is expected of them. It was eye opening. Grace Ann was Pete's sister and had become somewhat hardened to life. I felt sorry for her when her eyes started to be opened, but Hank was there to comfort her. Pete had a few tough moments in the bar, but in the end it changed quite a few people's lives. A wonderful story

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
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Finding the true meaning of Christmas brings a community together.

A grandmother tells the story of Peter and Hank, best friends who trade places for the holidays to see who's life is easier and discover each has a unique impact on their communities.

Peter, an overworked pastor, would love to find someone to share his life, but tending to his congregation leaves little time. He makes time to visit his friend Hank for lunch and they concoct a plan to switch jobs till Christmas Eve.

Peter learns that the people in Hank's bar aren't the type one would expect in his church, and they're not happy about the new guy taking over. While not lying, no one is aware that Peter is a pastor. Seeing that Hank obviously needs help at the bar, Peter hires a waitress to help out, and they spend time together.

Hank thought Peter's job was easy compared to his, until he discovers everything Peter does to keep everyone happy, deals with Peter's sister/church office manager, and finds a way to get things done, a little out of the box.

Both Peter and Hank bring fresh ideas to each other's jobs, and they find ways to help manage the respective jobs in a new light and perspective. Combining their talents, and that of the congregation and the regulars of the bar, they find a way to bring a refreshed Christmas to the community, complete with inclusivity, and each finds love, too.

A sweet tale of Christmas, community, and the heart of the holiday season.

A lovely and warm Christmas read! Romance was a bit quick, I thought, but I enjoyed the feelings this story gave me!

*I received this ebook arc through Netgalley from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I must confess I always look forward to Debbie Macomber's Christmas themed book each year. It's become a comforting ritual each year to curl up with them over the years. I've especially enjoyed the books that have been made into Hallmark movies movies as the Mrs. Miracle series. Nothing puts me more in the holiday spirit than Debbie's books, and her new book, The Christmas Spirit, is no exception. The books is about a preacher named Pete and tavern owner named Hank. The story starts out with a grandmother babysitting her two grandchildren Lily and Lance. They settle in with hot chocolate, and Nana tells them a story from the past. As the story weaves between past and present, the story turns out to be about Lance and Lily's Nana and how she met and fell in love with their grandfather. In 1977, two friends, Pete a preacher and Hank, a tavern owner decide to switch places the week before Christmas. Hank is the sole owner and operator of a tavern and doesn't think Pete works as hard as he does. They also each don't have time for romance because of their busy lives. They switch places, and the hilarity that ensues during that week makes them each realize that neither of them has it so easy. I enjoyed the fact that Pete wasn't judgy to the people at the bar like the bikers and tougher kind of crowd. He talked to them and welcomed them to the church for Christmas Eve services and was patient when they asked questions and talked out loud. Hilarity ensued when the bikers and women all came walking in, shocking regular church members and the live nativity didn't go quite as planned. The Christmas Spirt really weaved a story of what Christmas is all about and how loving everyone without judgment and showing kindness is a lesson we could all use no matter what time of year it is. Plus, the romance is the much added bonus of the story; especially when the grandkids find out that their Nana is talking about her and her grandfather and members of their family from long ago. You don't want to miss this one!

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber 4 stars

Two good friends ribbing each other about how the other one’s life is easier than his own switch places in this Christmas themed Debbie Macomber romance. Hank Colfax is a bar owner whose nights are extremely busy. Peter Armstrong is a pastor dedicated to his community and his flock. Both have been stressed out and both think the other persons job is easier. So each one agrees to step in the other shoes until Christmas Eve. What they discovers is that both their jobs take compassion and empathy to complete. Along the way, both Hank and Peter will encounter romance and a HEA. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book by Ms. Macomber.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine for this ARC.

A charming and delightful tale. As with many of Debbie Macomber's stories she brought me to tears. Only this time it was from laughter. I do not celebrate Christmas but am familiar with the holiday activities. It was entertaining and an engaging story. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

ARC REVIEW

The Christmas Spirit
by Debbie Macomber

Publishing Date: 10/18/2022

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Hank and Pete, who are total opposties, have been life long best friends. Pete is a pastor of the local church and Hank is a bar owner. Each thinks they have the harder job, and in typical Lifetime movie fashion, decide to switch places and take on each others daily roles,  during the week leading up to Christmas.

I definitley didn't hate, but it wasn't   a super memorable read for me. It was a bit to " wholesome and sweet" for my taste.  It felt EXTREMEMLY hallmore movie like which I ADORE but this one didn't give me the warm and fuzzie feelings that I like.

However, it was an EXTREMELY quick read and that was a bonus. I read it in 2 sittings, and only took a couple hours.

If you like squeaky clean holiday romance this one is right up your ally!

Debbie has done it again with a wonderful get in the spirit Christmas book. I wasn’t sure when I started it but once I started I couldn’t put it down. The writing story of Nana sharing a story with her grandchildren was perfect and how every coupe.s of chapters they broke into the story. Very well done, it has all you are looking for in a Christmas book, magic, romance, laughter, lives being changed and the love of Jesus.

The Christmas Spirit is a short and sweet Christmas story about two friends whose lives are entirely different, swapping places just before Christmas. Peter is a local pastor, and Hank is a bartender at a local bar, and both men learned that changing places was not as easy as they thought. They also both learned a valuable lesson about the true meaning of Christmas.

This was a quick read. The storyline was basic, but it was still a cute Christmas story. I enjoyed how both men realized there is more to Christmas than the consumerism aspect. I also liked how this story was told within the story where the grandmother is telling a story of her past to her grandkids. It brought a cute element to the story.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Random House Publishing for giving me a copy of the book.

As a grandmother tells a story to her grandchildren you are drawn into the lives of Peter and Hank and how switching jobs for a week right before Christmas changes their future. The themes of love and forgiveness, not judging others by their looks or jobs, and extending a helping hand when you can all make this a heart-warming, fun read as you see two couples find their happy ever after.

Thank you so much to Net Galley, the author, and publisher for providing this book for my honest review. I adore Debbie Macomber. She is the queen of Christmas and Holiday romances. If you love heartwarming, small town, funny, and wholesome romances then this book is for you. This book is so uplifting and just a feel good story. I highly recommend. Thank you again to Net Galley, the author, and publisher. I adored this book.

Hank and Peter are best friends. They both think the other has an easier life. They decide to switch places the week of Christmas. No shock they learn that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I liked how the story was being told by a grandmother to her grandchildren. I felt like the story could have used more to it but it was a decent read.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I love Debbie’s Christmas books and I just can’t get into the Christmas spirit without one of her books.it’s a must read every October!

This is the most adorable story I've read. The story telling is a wonderful blend of nostalgia and humor to remind us of what it truly means to be a Christian. Nana tells her grandkids, Lily and Lance, a story. In it we learn valuable lessons in such a sweet way that it is only when you are done, do you realize that it can easily relate to your own life. A truly wonderful read that emphasizes kindness but is not preachy.

Not my favorite story by this author. It was hard to believe that a grandmother would be telling this story to her six and eight years old grandchildren. The story has a great message about 'he who is without sin casting the first stone.' The switching jobs made Hank and Peter both better at understanding each other's lives. Romance was quick and unbelievable.

Did you love hearing stories from your grandparents growing up? For me hearing stories of the past from my Mema, was one of the highlights of any family vacation. In this story we meet a grandma who is telling a story to her two grandkids, Peter and Lily.

The story takes place in 1977. We meet Hank and Pete who have been best friends since school. Hank runs a bar and Pete is a pastor. They meet for lunch the week of Christmas and soon hatch a plan to change places for the week and have Hank take the place as pastor of the church and Pete run the bar. Little do either of them know that this change will change the course of their lives forever.

Honestly this is my favorite Christmas story I have read in a long time. It’s not really romantic though there is romance. This is a story of helping out your neighbor, what being a Christian means, and finding what you need in the most unexpected place. Please do yourself a favor and read this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Debbie Macomber, and Ballantine Books for the advanced digital copy and thank you to PRHAudio for the #gifted copy for review.

Debbie's stories are always so enjoyable and heartwarming. I love how she works life lessons in without you realizing she's doing it.. I have never been disappointed by any book that she's ever written.

This one isn't one of my favorites of Macomber's.
This book was a little too out there for me. Macomber's books are usually believable and not so embellished. This one just didn't work for me.
Everyone is to forgiving too fast. The characters' epiphanies and change of hearts happen too fast.
In a perfect world, this story would fit, but it just had me sighing a lot.
I am sure those looking for an easy read without having to feel anything will love this book.

Peter and Hank are best friends. Peter is a pastor and Hank a tavern owner; both are overworked. They decide to switch places for a week.
The story of the men switching places is told by nana to her two grandchildren. When Pete and Hank are trying to do the jobs of the other a lot of problems show up. There are the bikers from the bar and the bitter old lady from the church.
This is a wonderful story for Christmas time and miracles that can ensue.

A delightful story full of Christmas cheer, albeit unexpected Christmas cheer unlike anything you'd expect. A tavern owner and a pastor, the best of friends, decide to switch places a week before Christmas. A unique, heartwarmingly fun Christmas story that was absolutely wonderful. I appreciate Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read and review.