It began with a dare of sorts. Each man believing his own job tougher than the other and in many ways they were. Their jobs were certainly different. Pete was a pastor of a small-town church. His sister Grace his assistant, basically organizes his demanding schedule. Hank owned and operated a tavern in a neighboring town. Sole proprietor Hank ran his tavern without any outside help. Pete and Hank were best friends since grade school. Quite different career paths. Both single, with no prospect in sight.
So at lunch they were having a one off on whose life was more difficult. And they decided to switch places for a week. Each one pretty sure they had the more demanding schedule. Which was of course the reason for their continued single status. As Pete deftly explains, both he and Hank dealt in spirits.

Pure Debbie Macomber. You can spot the humor a mile away. Of course it is kind, caring and friendly. But the premise is ripe for some out loud chuckles. THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT is a gift from one of my favorite authors. Debbie Macomber is one of my go to writers when I want to sit back and enjoy a tale that just makes you feel good.

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT is framed as a story being told by Nana to her two adorable grandchildren. They adore their Nana who loves reading them books. But this evening she is delighting them with an off the cuff tale. Nana is an amazing storyteller, perhaps fashioned after Debbie Macomber herself.

The book goes back and forth from the story to the present time. And Nana introducing some of the best characters to the grandkids. Dialog is crisp and compelling. Characters will steal your heart and the entire theme is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.

Characters like Mrs. Millstone, Hanks fifth grade teacher made me laugh out loud and stroke memories of my second-grade teacher, Mrs. D - not her real name. My Mrs. D had a unique talent of hitting the side of her desk with a ruler which proceeded to snap off a piece, which flew through the air and amazingly landed on the offending student’s desk.

So enjoy this seasonal tale by the master Debbie Macomber. If you aren’t already a fan, the Christmas spirit will do the trick. Scenes including members of a motorcycle bike group recalled a Facebook item I had once seen where this big burly biker reminds us that he is a son, husband, and father and how it hurts to see people gather their children in warning when in his presence. Teaches us a little about judging a book by it’s cover and still another warm wonderful Debbie Macomber moment.

Debbie Macomber brings us a story of two friends who switch places with each other to see how the other one lives. Pastor Peter Armstrong and bar owner Hank Colfax are best friends. One night, they decide to switch places thinking the other has it easier. Hank gets to contend with Peter's sister and the parish with all of their problems and help get ready for the Christmas service while Peter deals with the daily running of the bar and the cast of characters who show up each day. As Peter and Hank experience each other's life, they learn more about not just their friend but themselves. There are also some surprises thrown at them that has the potential to change their lives.

Debbie Macomber brings us a sweet story of friendship and love and how they have the power to change lives. See what life throws at Peter and Hank and how it can transform not only them but those around them. I enjoyed reading about these two friends and how they improvised when thrown into unfamiliar circumstances while still trying to make things better for each other.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for this privilege.

I wasn't really sure what to expect here, but the author definitely uses a play on word with the Christmas 'spirit.' This ended up being a fantastic premise about two friends who switch places and find that their professions aren't really so different after all...they have been called to help others in different ways. As an added bonus, fans of The Princess Bride will love the narration and flow of the story, as it follows that same structure.

The Christmas Spirit was a quick/easy read like all books from this author. I enjoyed the friendship theme throughout this book but I didn’t care for the religion aspect so I probably wouldn’t read this again. Overall though, I think most people would enjoy this as a holiday read.

Really sweet new Christmas story. Something that Debbie McComber does better than most. Read and enjoy!

A very entertaining Christmas story.
Filled with delightful surprises.. Debbie Macomber has a way with a story that just makes me feel good. Friendship features prominently as long time buddies switch jobs for a week, both thinking the other has it easy. One owns a bar and one is a pastor. The results are hilarious, touching, romantic and heartwarming.

Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax have been friends since high school, but now their lives have diverged onto widely different paths. Peter is now a pastor and Hank runs a bar - and each thinks the other one has an easier time of it. So when Hank suggests to Peter that they switch places for a week just to see how easy the other one has it, Peter is more than willing. They switch until Christmas Eve, and end up seeing each other’s lives in a new light, and each discovers a new love to cherish, & their lives are forever changed.
This was a light, fun read that would be perfect with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate on a winter day. It will definitely put you into the Christmas spirit. I especially loved the Christmas Eve service scene with the children's program. I laughed so hard.... It was reminiscent of my favorite Christmas book growing up - "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever", only in reverse. I will definitely be adding this one to my rotation of Christmas books that I read each year!

A predictable but sweet shorter novel about true Christmas and Christian spirit. I'm not a big religious book person, and if that's not your thing I'd give it a pass. But it was still nice.

Debbie Macomber's latest novel is filled with Christmas spirit. It's not her usual type of story but one that leaves readers examining how we treat people and what it means to be a good person.

Through Grace Ann's eyes, best friends Hank and Pete don't have anything in common. Her brother Pete, is a respected pastor while Hank, owns a bar filled with lewd customers. When the friends decide to switch places for the week leading up to Christmas Eve, Grace is horrified to have uncouth Hank heading the congregation.

Surprisingly, Hank begins to wear down Gracie's walls and through his unorthodox actions, initiates change. While remaining pious, Grace unfairly judges other people. Holding herself above them, Hank sets to show Gracie to look beyond appearances and display empathy.

Meanwhile, Pete is struggling to survive in Hank's world. When finding himself in hot water, an unexpected acquaintance jumps in to defuse the situation. Due to circumstances, Millie has her feet in both worlds. By day, she's a waitress and in the evening, to make ends meet, she's working at a questionable establishment. Putting the bikers in their place, Millie is the perfect addition to work at the bar. With her help, Pete begins to connect with and understand the customers. Will he be able to leave a lasting impression?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #TheChristmasSpirit in exchange for an honest review. I was so intrigued by the protagonists' stories, that I stayed up until early hours of the morning just to finish the book.

Utilizing a non-linear timeline, layers of the characters are revealed through Nana and then the novel shifts to the protagonists. Entering Christmas in July celebrations, the novel struck a chord with me. It's not a lighthearted Christmas story but one that illustrates that our actions can institute change, how we treat people matters and that the joy of the holiday is more than presents, but sharing it with special people.

This book is a cozy, quick read for a winter night. Two friends, Peter and Hank, decide to switch lives for a week. Peter is a pastor and Hank is a bartender. They swap schedules and quickly get a taste of the challenges of each job, and the people that they serve. There is predictable heart-warming romance, and this book could definitely be Debbie Macomber's next Hallmark movie.

Another delightful holiday story by one of my favorite authors. It would not be Christmas without a Debbie Macomber Christmas Story.

I always look forward to Debbie Macomber's Christmas romances. this was a sweet story and a great story to put you in the Christmas spirit.

I finished a book about WWII and needed something light and refreshing. You know when you need that type of fix, you can count on Debbie Macomber ... and she did not disappoint.

I am not sure how many times I literally said "awww" when reading (listening via Siri text to voice).

Nana is telling a story to her two grandchildren about two men (one bartender and one pastor) who each think each other's job sounds easy; so they decide to switch jobs for a week.

What a delightful little Christmas novel. I loved it. Not deep, just sweet.

Thank you to NetGalley, Debbie Macomber the author and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for the opportunity to review the advance read copy of The Christmas Spirit in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Oct 18, 2022.

I guess it's Christmas in June, for me. LOL!

Okay so this was a very sweet story By Debbie Macomber, I gotta say no one writes a christmas story better than Debbie..

Thank you for opportunity from Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group and Ballantine sending me an Advanced Reader’s Copy..

I suppose it is not surprising that this book reads like a Hallmark holiday film. After all, five Christmas novels of this best-selling author, Debbie Macomber, have been made into hit movies for Hallmark already. I can easily see how this story could become the sixth.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber was another fantastic, holiday read that will surely uplift you. A wonderful Christmas story that will have you reading it again! Five stars!

This was a really good book. Debbie Macomber has done it again. She turned the holiday season into a heartfelt and romantic one in this book. I can see it becoming one of her movies. That's how good it was. I want to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this for an exchange of an honest review.

This is a sweet story by the gifted author, Debbie Macomber. She does not disappoint. A Nana telling her grandchildren a tale from the past. Although I usually enjoy linear time lines better, this one was fun…guessing who Nana was in the tale. The grands were intrigued and so cute. I liked this book. A quick fun read about live and romance…families…redemption…forgiveness…this book was sent to me for review by Netgalley.

I feel like you know what to expect from Debbie Macomber - good, easy reads that you can finish in less than a day. I love the three stories interwoven and enjoyed the messages of Christmas & the love we can show others whom are different than us. Just a fun read.