Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. This was a sweet little story about stepping out of your comfort zone to see what you may be missing.

This was a fun, heartwarming Christmas story. It opens with a grandmother telling her grandchildren a story, one that starts "in the beginning" instead of "once upon a time." I hadto laugh at her grandson's aversion to anything with kissing, and her promise to warn him so he could cover his ears.

The story is about two men who have been best friends since high school. Though their lives are very different, they regularly get together for lunch and to catch up on each other's lives. During this lunch, each comments on the busyness and stresses of their jobs. Hank is the owner and sole employee of The Last Call, a tavern. Peter is the pastor of a nearby church, somewhat overwhelmed with the preparations for Christmas which is only a few days away. Each believes that the other has the easier life, and decide to switch places to prove it.

I loved seeing these two confident men get tossed into sink or swim situations. Peter's first night as a bartender was a real eye-opener. The bar is busy and he can't keep up with the orders. The customers get grouchy and Peter worries that he's going to wreck Hank's business. Matters become even more tense with the arrival of a motorcycle gang. They don't take well to Peter's ineptness or his cagy replies about what he does in real life. He's saved from disaster by the arrival of Millie, the waitress from the restaurant where he and Hank have lunch. She also works as a waitress at the local strip club, and knows the motorcycle gang from there. She rapidly defuses the situation and steps in to help Peter with the drinks. Peter offers her a job helping him after hearing her story, and looks forward to getting to know her better. Over the next few days, Peter finds his feet, discovers that his job and Hank's hve many similarities, and gets to know many different types of people he wouldn't have met otherwise.

Meanwhile, Hank promptly misplaces the list of duties Peter gave him. After settling in to watch a football game, he's not too happy to get a call from Peter's sister Grace Ann, fussing at him for missing his appointment to collect the donkey for the nativity play. Grace Ann is the church secretary, very uptight, and no fan of Hank. Hank, who had a crush on her in high school, delights in teasing her. When Hank admits losing the list, Grace Ann promises to make sure he doesn't miss anything. His first full day on the job goes south fast when he mortally offends the church's biggest donor. Grace Ann is horrified, Peter is accepting (and a little envious that Hank had the courage to do it), and the finance committee worried. I liked how Hank brought an outsider's fresh look to raising money. Over the next few days, Hank also discovers the similarities of their work as he listens to people's concerns.

I enjoyed seeing the romances develop between Peter and Millie, and Hank and Grace Ann. Peter and Millie are fairly straightforward. Millie worries about her past being an issue for Peter's church family. I loved Peter's confidence that everything would be fine, though you couldn't prove it by Grace Ann's initial reaction. Hank had a rougher time with Grace Ann. Since he knew her in high school, she has become uptight and judgmental, very different than the girl he remembers. I enjoyed seeing him call her out on her attitude and deliver some home truths she wasn't expecting from him.

The ending was terrific, with a Christmas party that brought together people from both their worlds. I laughed out loud at the description of the bikers singing Christmas carols, and Millie's former coworkers visiting with the missionary ladies from Peter's church. The hilarity continued on Christmas Eve as some of the patrons of the Last Call showed up for the service. The Christmas spirit was alive and well, all thanks to a little job sharing.

I liked the epilogue which provided "the rest of the story" about our two couples. It wasn't a surprise, but I enjoyed catching up on some of the more colorful characters.

A bartender and a pastor switch jobs during Christmas week....

Debbie Macomber is often more miss than hit for me but The Christmas Spirit was an absolute delight. I loved that that story was one being told by Nana to her two grandchildren. It's charming and sentimental and lovely for Christmas.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.

This is a classic Debbie Macomber Christmas story. I loved the beginning with the nana telling her grandkids about the story. Our story begins with two best friends both burnt out and tired. They each think each other’s life is easier. Boy did they think wrong. It’s a story about Hank and Grace Ann and Peter and Millie fall in love. This is a story about assumptions and what it means to not judge a person. I highly recommend this!

This was a short, sweet romantic Christmas story. It was predictable and the characters weren't particularly deep, and I had to keep reminding myself that it was set in the 1970s or so, in order to remember why the characters acted the way they did when it was a bit frustrating at times. If you are looking for a happy ending story without much drama, then this is a nice story to read.

Go grab your Snuggie, a hot cup of coffee, and your kitty and snuggle up in front of the fireplace for this warmhearted book! The Christmas Spirit is a story about Peter and his childhood best friend, Hank. Peter is a pastor for a church and Hank owns a bar - the two decided to swap jobs for a week, believing that their new vocation will be a piece of cake. In true Debbie Macomber fashion, this wholesome romance was full of newfound friendships, finding oneself, and lots of love! In a recent Macomber audiobook I listened to, Debbie spoke about how she was "given the gift of storytelling" and I could not agree more! I always look forward to her books, especially her Christmas ones, and this was no exception!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for a digital copy of this book! All opinions are my own! :)

If you are in my age range, you well remember the Princess Bride movie. The grandpa is telling a story to the young Fred Savage, who is listening intently yet full of questions and eager for the tale to move on.

This is the way Debbie Macomber couches her story of Hank Colfax and Peter Armstrong, two men frustrated and disillusioned with their current lives. They decide to 'switch lives' for a week (poorly timed just before Christmas.) A classic case of the idiom 'the grass is always greener', they will unsurprisingly come to find that things are not always what they seem, and gratitude in one's own circumstances can go a long way.

This book was somewhat religious in nature, which I did not know to expect, so if that will bother you, be aware.

A cute Christmas story! Light, magical, if not unrealistic, just the kind of story to start the Christmas season with some Christmas spirit. Loved the story the grandma told her grandchildren and especially loved the little grandson's reaction to love and some kissing! A story of people who are very different from each other opening themselves up to each other and enjoying a magical Christmas together.

Not your typical trade lives storyline. Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax have been best friends for many years. However, their lives have taken such different paths. Peter is dedicated to lead his congregation and church. Hank leads a different set of customers. Owning a bar, Hank is often the ears for his customers. When both men decide the other has it easier, they trade professions the week before Christmas. What they find is that despite different clients, their professions really aren't that different. Throw in a little love along the way and you have a wonderful tale. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

The Christmas Spirit begins with a grandmother telling not a “once upon a time” story but a “remember when.” She tells the story of Peter who was a local pastor and his friend Hank who was the local bartender. Each feel their job is more stressful than the other and so they decide to switch job a week before Christmas. Both quickly realize that each other’s jobs were not as easy as they expected.
Debbie Macomber provides a wonderful snuggle up on the couch Christmas story that will make you laugh out loud, shake your head and fill you with the Christmas Spirit. The revelation at the end was the cherry on top of a great Christmas story. Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and Debbie Macomber for ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Not my favorite of Debbie Macomber’s, but still a sweet holiday read.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance read, in consideration for a review.

Once again, Debbie Macomber comes through with a wonderful Christmas book. This one has 2 men telling each other that their job is harder than the other guy's. When they decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve, they discover new things about themselves and the other person. This is a must read if you are a fan of hers!

Such a delightful Christmas story! One of Macomber’s best. I loved the premise that a bartender and a pastor trade place during the week of Christmas. Each is convinced that they are getting the better (easier) end of the deal. Seeing the enlightenment of both men is both touching and hilarious at the same time. There are so many poignant moments and lessons of faith being lived out. I love the mix of characters, from the clean and polished to the rough and gruff, and how they bring perfect balance to this sweet story. The story is told from the perspective a grandmother to her grand kids and hearing their reactions made is so much sweeter. You do not want to miss this Christmas story!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

I always enjoy any books written by Debbie Macomber, but her holiday reads tend to be among my favorite... and The Christmas Spirit certainly was no exception.

The story starts out with a grandmother sitting down to tell her grandchildren a story--- that story being the main one in the book: a story of two very different best friends- one a bar owner and one a pastor- making the decision to trade roles for the week. What a week that turns out to be! Now, in many ways I thought part of the story seemed perhaps a bit unrealistic... but you know, that's the magic of storytelling, isn't it? Would a group of church goers readily accept and welcome a group of bikers and strippers as easily as they did here? Perhaps not, if we're being honest... but it was a beautiful example of how the church should be, isn't it? With lots of humor and Christmas cheer, I couldn't help but enjoy this uplifting story.

I thought the story-telling aspect really worked so wonderfully in this book. I loved the banter between the grandchildren, and it really gave it more of that warm, family feeling that is so great in a holiday tale!

Overall, I really enjoyed this quick read. Fans of holiday romances are sure to want to check it out this season!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Did not finish @ 32%. I really tried to get through this one because my mom has mentioned Debbie Macomber's works in the past. "The Christmas Spirit" might as well have been called "Look at How Much Jesus We Can Shove Down Your Throat in 300 Pages." Yikes. This book was definitely not for me. I don't love Debbie Macomber's writing style all that much, it leaves next to nothing to the imagination. I feel like she's way too retro for me, like she's one step away from telling me to "get back in the kitchen." This type of story is definitely for people who have a "good 'ol boys" mentality. It's predictable and almost entirely devoid of charm, and sickeningly sweet in a "if I eat one more bite of this cotton candy, I'm gonna hurl" sort of way. But still, thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy!

Every Christmas Debbie Macomber writes a holiday story.  This story centers on 2 friends who change places right before Christmas.  Hank and Pete have totally different occupations.  Hank is a bartender and Pete is a pastor.  Both men have important roles to play in sharing God's love and wisdom.

I read this in October but this story is great for anytime of the year. Christmas love and spirit can be year round.

It has been a minute since I have read a Debbie Macomber book and this one does not disappoint! The Christmas Spirit features an insta-romance as well as a best friend's sister romance. It is a quick read with a lot of holiday cheer!

This book starts out with Nana telling her grandchildren (Lance & Lily) a different kind of story…not a “Once Upon a Time” story but a “In the Beginning” real life story about two best friends Hank & Peter.

Hank & Peter have been best friends since elementary school and still make time to catch up every month. These two are SO different - Hank tends the bar at this family’s tavern and is more of the “bad guy” type whereas, Peter is a pastor and is the “good guy” type. They both think their work is harder than the other so Hank comes up with the idea to swap jobs for a week (until Christmas Eve). While they both have challenges, they come to realize that both of their jobs are quite similar but with different types of customers.

I really enjoyed this story…although I am not entirely certain that a 6 & 8 year old really needed to be told a story about drug dealers and strippers. I love all of the secondary characters as much as the primary characters! There is a lot of emotion in this story - loss, love, happiness and laughter! My favorite books are ones where I can feel all of these emotions from the author's words. This story just shows how important it is to treat all people with kindness and not to judge someone based on their profession or their past.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books, NetGalley and Debbie Macomber for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book for my honest review!

I loved reading this book and what a great start to the holiday reading. This is an author that I have been reading for years and she never lets me down. This is a well written story that will put you in the spirt of Christmas for sure. It is a story that is full of Christmas spirt and characters that are full of heart and soul. I enjoyed how the characters were able to pull me into the story from the start. Find out what happens when to friends trade places for a week. They just might find more than they were expecting. This is a great story that has great growth and chemistry with the characters. This is a story that is hard to put down and easy to read. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.

This was so cute and I really loved it. It was such a good read and I really enjoyed my time with it. Definitely put me in the Christmas spirit.

The Christmas Spirit, written by Debbie Macomber, is another feel-good, Christmas story and exactly what we expect to get from this author! I’m a sucker for a good Christmas story and this one didn’t disappoint. This book was wholesome, sweet, and reminds the reader of a time when things were simpler, given that the story was told from Grandma’s point of view, set in a time when things seemed easier and more carefree.

A love story is what we expect to receive from Debbie Macomber, and she certainly delivered! The switching of jobs for both Peter and Hank was a nice twist, especially given their very different jobs! The pastor manning the bar and the bartender taking over the delivery of Christmas baskets and the live manger scene had moments of fun and laughter, while also allowing each of them to find their own “person”. As usual, this was a great book by this author!