Debbie Macomber's holiday books are one of my favorites for the holiday season each year. The Christmas Spirit was no exception - ultimately I really enjoyed it, even though it was in a different "format" than usual given the storytelling narrative. I love these simple and heartfelt romances. This one didn't end up topping my list as a favorite, but was still super enjoyable and full of holiday warmth.

Debbie Macomber’s writing is like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter’s day. It’s cozy, feel-good, and sweet❤️

I have a tradition of reading Debbie Macomber’s latest Christmas release every year at Christmas time, and this year did not disappoint!🤩 Debbie is really fantastic at writing sweet romances that give you warm fuzzies and plenty of laughs🤣

I truly think this is the most unique novel that Debbie has written to date. The premise gripped me from the start—I mean a pastor and a bar tender trading places for a week at Christmas time? The possibilities were endless😂👏🏼 The biker gang had me shamelessly chuckling to myself while reading in public plenty of times😆

This novel included 2 parallel romance plots, both of which were super satisfying. I loved getting to see the second chance romance between Hank & Gracie, and the character develop within both of them was absolutely wonderful! Peter and Millie’s meet cute was also charming, and their strangers to lovers romance was truly heartwarming❤️

I can’t end this review without mentioning Lance and Lily (the grandkids of the narrator who is telling the story). The two children were wonderful additions to the story and I loved their unsolicited commentary throughout the book🤣

Lastly, I would like to say that Debbie interwove faith elements perfectly into the narrative such that they complemented the story and reminded readers of the true meaning of Christmas❤️🙏🏻 I truly appreciated the wisdom encapsulated within this story, and it’s one of the reasons I’ve always loved Debbie’s writing😍

If you’re in the mood for a sweet, charming, heart-warming Christmas romance, you should definitely check this one out!🥳

BOOK REVIEW: The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber
2022 Publication Date: October 18

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Contemporary Romance (Best Christmas Romance Books)
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2022

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
When you protect yourself from disappointment... You are also protecting yourself from success...

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
An Inspiring Holiday Season Tale
Wrap yourself up in a warm blanket, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and get lost in The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber... Best Christmas Romance Books

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber has written the perfect holiday season book to get you into the holiday spirit! The Christmas Spirit follows lifelong friends Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax as they switch jobs for a week before Christmas and end up finding a few "surprises" along the way.

This delightful novel celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and will have you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

A Must-Read Book for the Holidays
The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is a must-read book for anyone who loves the feel-good spirit of the holidays. When Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax trade places the week before Christmas, they learn about each other's lives and gain insight into their own.

Throughout the book, Macomber celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and reminds us that while we may be different, we can all come together to celebrate what’s important — friendship, love, and community spirit.

"We’re all connected somehow..." is a theme that is explored throughout this delightful book.

Throughout this heartwarming tale, readers will be reminded of what is truly important in life — friendship, family, and kindness.

The Characters in The Christmas Spirit
The characters in this story are unforgettable. Peter Armstrong is a pastor living in the small town of Bridgeport, and Hank Colfax is a bartender of his own local family-owned tavern nearby in Kettle Springs. Through their switch, they realize how similar their lives are and gain insight into each other’s experiences.

As Peter and Hank embark on this challenge, they find themselves in humorous yet relatable scenarios that will make readers laugh out loud as well as tear up with emotion.

Not only does this story explore themes of friendship but also touches upon themes such as faith and romance.

Debbie Macomber's Writing Style
Debbie Macomber is a master at creating stories that capture readers’ hearts from start to finish. With her signature style of storytelling, she skillfully weaves together various elements to create an entertaining read that will leave you wanting more!

Her vivid descriptions make every scene come alive while her characters draw us in with their honest emotions.

This delightful story captures the true meaning of the holidays through its charming characters, heartfelt moments, humor, romance, and inspiring messages about friendship. Whether you plan on reading it by a cozy fire or adding it to your summer beach bag — one thing is for sure — you won’t be disappointed!

➾ T.I.M.E. Tip: Don't overlook a charming Christmas romance for your summer reading list. Yes, you read that right!... Best Christmas romance books are the perfect solution to escaping a summer heat wave... ✨😎✨

Why You Should Read The Christmas Spirit
This book has everything you need for any fan of holiday stories. It’s got humor, romance, and plenty of heartwarming moments that will keep you engaged throughout its pages. With vivid characters and a strong sense of place that is so relatable, you’ll get lost in this world as soon as you start reading it.

This New York Times Bestseller has everything readers need for an enjoyable cozy night in — complex characters, beautiful settings, and plenty of Christmas holiday spirit!

Whether you read it alone or with friends, a book club, or family... or all of them, The Christmas Spirit will bring out your festive side via holiday cheer.

So pick up your copy today and have yourself some festive fun... And have yourself a merry little read with Debbie Macomber’s latest novel The Christmas Spirit!...✨😎✨

Pages: 220
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Best Christmas Romance Books
Time Period: 1977 | Present Day
Location: US
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group | Ballantine Books

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Movie: The Holiday ⭐️⭐️⭐️

BOOK SYNOPSIS
A one-upmanship moment of Annie Oakley's "anything you can do, I can do better" leads to two lifelong friends deciding to switch jobs until Christmas Eve...

In The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber, Peter, the local pastor, scoffs that Hank, a bartender of his own family-owned tavern, has it easy compared to him.

One “I dare you” later… And they have challenged each other — and agreed — to step into each other’s shoes until Christmas Eve.

To their surprise, they realize how similar their lives are and gain insight into each other's experiences.

If you're looking for a feel-good holiday read from Best Christmas Romance Books this season, then The Christmas Spirit should definitely be on your list!

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• Friendship and community are integral to our happiness and wellbeing.
• We must strive to understand each other's perspectives in order to create a more inclusive world for everyone
• We must be willing to put ourselves out of our comfort zone in order to grow and learn beyond our assumptions.

BOOK QUOTE:
"Sometimes when someone is disappointed in life, they protect themselves so no one else can ever hurt them again." — The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber

--------------------

All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This was a really cute Christmas romance. I loved the story within the story that the grandmother was tekling her grandkids and all of their cute reactions to it.

I was so intrigued by this premise! A pastor and a bartender switch places in the week leading up to Christmas and they both find love along the way? Yes! I couldn’t wait to read it!
But unfortunately the writing and the plot were way too simplistic. The characters were all very generic and the romances were both underdeveloped. I can see why a lot of people love Debbie Macomber - it was definitely an easy breezy Christmas read but her writing style doesn’t seem to work for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful story of God, faith, forgiveness, and strength. A perfect read for this time of year. A key message being as Christians, we should refrain from judging others as we don't know their struggles.
The reason I'm only giving this 3 stars is because I feel I've read a very similar story from this author already and while the story was touching, it was quite predictable.
I'm already looking forward to next year's Christmas book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this DRC.

The Christmas Spirit was a solid Christmas read by the Queen of Christmas novellas Debbie Macomber. I haven’t read many things by this author, but I can count on her Christmas books to be solid and uplifting. This book has refreshing character friendship and career representation that is not found often in holiday romances.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I always look forward to Debbie Macomber's Christmas book.

The Christmas Spirit is everything I expect from her Christmas story, yet it still had some unexpectant aspects.

One of the unexpected aspects was that the main characters are two guys who have been best friends since their school days. Pete is a paster and Hank runs a bar. Usually the Christmas stories I read feature a female protagonist. I really liked this unexpected twist. They are great characters.

The plot is a familiar trope, but one that is a lot of fun. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, right? Well, Pete and Hank think the other has the easy life so they decide to switch places. It is just days until Christmas, one of the busiest times for both of them. What could go wrong? More importantly what will go right?

There are definitely a few cute moments - a mule gets loose on the square, a biker gang interrogates Pete. There are also a number of touching moments. All the things fans of Macomber's Christmas expect and love.

This book has a vibe similar to her Mrs. Miracle series instead of the romantic comedies she sometimes writes. I enjoyed and appreciated this unexpected aspect. While there is a bit of romance, it is nowhere near the focus of the plot and I again appreciated that as I read way too many holiday romances this time of year.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for the typical feel-good Christmas story. It gave me all the good holiday feels that I want in a Christmas novel.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/12/3-very-different-christmas-stories-for.html

I received an ARC of this book. Another wonderful Christmas story from Debbie Macomber. I loved it!

I had a really hard time getting through this book. I absolutely love this author. However, this book wasn’t my cup of tea. And I love Christmas books! Will I still read books by this author? Absolutely

A sweet story with a gentle reminder to love everyone from all walks of life. Nana has her grandchildren for the day and they decide a story is in order. So begins this tale… Have you ever looked at someone else’s life(job) and thought they have it easy? Well this story is just that. Hank and Pete decide to trade jobs in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Hank runs a tavern and Pete is a pastor. What ensues in the duration of the switch will certainly get you thinking. Christmas is the season of giving and opening your heart to others who ever they may be. Debbie’s newest holiday book will leave you feeling the warmth of the season. The ending is sure to leave you smiling. Ty #NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this Christmas romance. Macomber gives us two intertwined love stories that work well together. It is a sweet tale that has bar owner Hank swapping places with his best friend Pete, who is a pastor. It is set in 1977, though there is an adorable frame about the story being told by a grandmother to her grandchildren.

This is heartwarming and low angst. I liked it much more than last year’s new Christmas story. This feels like a classic Macomber with heart and a bit of faith. It you like her other books, you should enjoy this too.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

My Review: If you have been around here for previous Advent Reads events you know this, but if you are new here it isn't Christmas for me until I have read the newest Debbie Macomber Christmas story. There have been some really great ones and ones that were so so, but this might be one of the best ones yet! I loved the concept of the story and she really ran with it. While we may have heard similar stories in the past but none quite like this one. I enjoyed both the friendships and the community elements in this book. Debbie usually has a strong romance element in her books and while it is there, it kind of takes a backseat. I loved the setting, the characters and the story.

My Rating: I have loved a lot of Debbie's Christmas stories but this is really up there with my favorites. I really recommend this one for a real feel good story for the holiday season, full of traditions new and old and people coming together. I give it a rating of Four Paws!

Fantastic festive and feel good read by Debbie Macomber, full of great characters, community spirit, family and love . It’s got a wonderful Christmassy feel and thoroughly recommend

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Debbie is my go-to Christmas story novelist. She doesn't fail me and this story is just another star. Cozy read told from a grandmother's perspective. Debbie always shows us what the true meaning of Christmas is. Perfect quick read and a pick-me-upper.

If you are looking for a fluffy, light, easy to read, festive Christmas book then this is it! The writing was very surface. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. It was festive and made me feel warm hearted but was missing depth.

‘The Christmas Spirit’, by Debbie Macomber was a cute uplifting Christmas story. Although this was not one of my favorites by Ms. Macomber, it was an easy to read story with likable characters.

I absolutely loved this book! Debbie Macomber is a great writer. Everything she writes is amazing! This is a must read. Everything she writes is a must read. I have yet to find a book I didn’t love!

I always enjoy Ms. Macomber's Christmas books and this one didn't disappoint. I loved the idea of a bar owner and a pastor trading places. The characters are unforgettable and the story is well-crafted.

I loved the humor in the book and found it a very quick read. I have a feeling that I'll be reading again!

Absolutely delightful! A great reminder of what it means to live out our faith. This heartwarming story tells the tale of a transformed life, and the impact it can have on those around us.