I can always count on a great Christmas read from Debbie Macomber. I enjoy her books so much and look forward to them. All the characters that are in Debbie Macombers books always give you a good feel and leave you feeling like you have made new friends.

Hank and Pete have been friends since high school and even before. Pete went to seminary school after graduating and is the pastor of a local church now. Hank took a different path and inherited the family bar. When the two guys get together to catch up, they decide that they are going to switch places for a week and see who can do the other's job better. Of course they both think they have the harder of the two jobs and will come out the victor in the exchange.

Hank has the pleasure of working with his sister Grace at the church. She is the church secretary and tries to keep everyone and everything in order for the church to prosper as much as possible. When Pete comes in to take over for Hank, Grace is not so sure that the church will get the funding that it needs from some of their donors if it is left up to Pete. Pete doesn't have the same compassion that Hank does.

Hank is not so hot at getting drinks for people either, who would have thought a pastor would be working in a bar anyway? When a local motorcycle group comes in, they start questioning Hank and are very leery of him. Hank has no idea how he is going to be able to handle the bar and the rough crowd. Hopefully he can make friends with them.

You will enjoy this sweet story of how two guys trading places for a week help to bring realizations to a small town as well as bringing two opposite ends of people together. Such a good read and a very good Christmas time read for sure! I could read stories like this one all day long.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own, Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. I highly recommend this read!

Debbie Macomber has done it again...another amazing Christmas story featuring Pete, Hank, Millie and Gracie, who are such lovable characters. I LOVEEEE that it's told by a Nana to her 2 grandchildren. There's bikers, strippers, a pastor (Pete) and a tavern owner (Hank) that make up the most wonderful Christmas story filled with life lessons and the true meaning of the spirit of Christmas.
It's heartfelt and at times made me laugh out loud.

I highly recommend you get cozy and enjoy this wonderfully written story.


A Big Thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine, Debbie Macomber and Netgalley for an ARC of this book!

Pete is a pastor and Hank is a bartender. They decide to switch places which creates some interesting experiences for both of them. This is a light hearted romance with some humor. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Debbie Macomber never disappoints. This is her annual Christmas story which starts with a Nana telling a “for real” story to her grandchildren. The story Nana tells them is about two unlikely friends, a pastor and a bar owner who each believe the other’s life is a piece of cake. The friends decide to switch places the week before Christmas. They each quickly learn that the other’s job is much more than they thought. It was a pleasure reading about Hank and Pete and the cast of characters each encounters at the church and bar as they learn how to manage the other’s livelihood and discover things about the other and themselves. I loved how the occasionally story returned to Nana and her grandchildren and their commentary as Nana told the story. As always Ms. Macomber creates such endearing characters, some life lessons, and an interesting twist at the end. A perfect Christmas story that I highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Release Date scheduled for October 18, 2022

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A typical Debbie Macomber short Christmas title. It will be well loved by those who love her books. She has become too predictable for me these days.

A story within a story. Grandma is telling grandkids a story of a Christmas many years ago. 2 best friends trade jobs for a week, the week before Christmas, a pastor and a bar owner. This book was just okay but I think perhaps not my style. It was cute overall but felt draggy at times.

Hank and Pete have been friends since grade school. Hank runs a bar and Pete is pastor of a church. They have no idea what their jobs entail until they agree to switch places for a week. Hank is shocked by the things Pete is expected to do as a pastor, and Pete is amazed at the work that goes into running a bar. Even pouring beer is beyond him at first. Gracie is Pete’s sister and church secretary. Hank has always had a crush on her and is determined to find out why she is so unhappy. Pete does not have time for women but when he is desperate for help in the bar, Millie needs work and really helps him out. There is much love and humor in this book. I could picture Hank and his friends playing poker in church, and the Outlaw Biker guys giving Pete a hard time in the bar. The true Christmas spirit comes out when Pete and Hank throw a Christmas party in the bar for all. The only negative for me was the preachy parts. The reader can see how wrong Gracie is to judge the girls from the strip club and the biker boys. This is a heartwarming Christmas book!

I just reviewed The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber. #TheChristmasSpirit #NetGalley
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What a sweet story. When Pete and Jack switch places for a few days, it helps them to. Remember that there are people outside of their usual circles that are good and kind. It's a nice quick Uplifting story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts are my own. What a fun read! Book starts off with Grandma telling her Grandchildren a story about two high school friends set in the late 70's switch places for a week. One owns a bar and the other is a Pastor! This book was so much fun, to see the other perspective and the opportunity for each man to find love. Really enjoyed this book, I turned the page (on my kindle) and was so disappointed I was at the end!

This is a Christmas story to remember and share with others because it is filled with life lessons, love and laughter. Pete Armstrong and Hank Colfax have been best friends for years and decide just before Christmas to switch places at their jobs. Pete is a pastor of a small local church while Hank owns a bar called The Last Call. The predicaments that these two get into are just too funny for words! Pete has to deal with bikers and young women who work at the local strip club while poor Hank has to deal with a stingy old woman who refuses to help the church pay for a new roof. The friendships formed are ones for the record books as they are totally unexpected. The life lessons include not judging others and forgiving others as well as the importance of family values. I enjoyed the quick pace and the credible characters, but mostly I enjoyed the story within the story as Nana told the tale of Pete and Hank to her beloved grandchildren. The tale is well-written with a wonderful happy-ever-after conclusion and all of the loose ends tied up in a bow. A perfect book for the holiday season!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Is it the Christmas season without Debbie Macomber's newest Christmas book? I do not think it is and this years is another heartwarming story. If you love Christmas and loved older movies such as The Parent Trap or Freaky Friday get ready as you will LOVE The Christmas Spirit.

Hank and Pete have been friends since childhood and catch up with each other monthly at a diner called Mom's Place. It is the week before Christmas and Hank and Pere are comparing how busy each of them are. One thing leads to another and they decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. And that's all I am going to divulge.

I related to and/or have "known" every character in this book and the author handles each with such heart. I had a few feel good tears as the book ended. I really " felt" this story.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group- Ball engine and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. It publishes on 10/18/22

Refreshing and heartwarming!
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This book is aptly named because it made my spirit soar too! I just love the way the author crafted this story. It is a unique and delightful blend of Christian romance and women’s fiction. A feel-good Christmas story that makes us a bit humble and lets us have a few laughs too.

I don’t know how many Macomber stories I have read, but so many of them have struck a chord with me. She knows how to get to the heart of the story and strike a cord right in your soul. This one is the perfect example.

Fun and heartwarming, The Christmas Spirit is a wonderful way to kick off your holiday romance reads this year!

Well this book was a breathe of fresh air. I loved how it was told as a story back in time from the grandmother’s perspective. And I love the message that I got from the book. It was such a heartwarming and fun Christmas read. I am so thankful to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Christmas Spirit is a heartwarming Christmas story of two best friends who realize they never knew how stressful the others' life was until they switch for a week. Peter is a pastor who is feeling overwhelmed with church problems and responsibilities although Hank thinks he only has one real work day a week. Hank runs a tavern but can attest that it's not the carefree, fun job but seems to think. So they switch and set in motion events that will change both their lives.
Told as a story Nana is telling her grandchildren about a Christmas long ago, The Christmas Spirit will tug at your heart, make you laugh and cry and truly give you the Christmas spirit whenever you read it.
I look forward to Debbie Macomber's Christmas book every year and The Christmas Spirit does not disappoint.

The Christmas Spirit is exactly what you would expect from a Debbie Macomber Christmas book. It is the perfect way to get you in the mood for the holidays.
Long time friends, Pete and Hank live very different lives .Pete is a Pastor and Hank took over his family bar. Right before Christmas the two decide to switch places and do each other’s jobs for a week. While dealing with the trials of each other’s jobs they also had a deeper respect for what the other did .
This is a heartwarming story that a grandmother tells her grandchildren. Debbie Macomber is truly the Queen of Christmas stories. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for a copy for my honest opinion.

This was such a quick read. I fell in love with all the characters.

It's a great switch for 2 characters and living in someone else's world for a short time.

There were some funny moments to laugh out loud to. Overall this is a great get in the Christmas spirit book.

I am so glad to have read this one. Another hit by Debbie Macomber. Her writing style is so easy to read.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this one early.

Lifelong friends, Peter Armstrong, who is a pastor, and Hank Colfax, a bartender, decide to trade places during the week before Christmas. Each thinks the other’s job responsibilities are easy compared to their own, which they learn is far from the truth. Many surprising things happen to both men, to see that even though their lives are very difference, they are also very much the same.

A delightful Christmas story, told as only Debbie Macomber can for our enjoyment, you will not want to miss this holiday read.

I was given a copy of this book from Random House Group – Ballentine and NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

This was so cute! A wonderful romance, filled with witty banter, delightful characters, and just enough steaminess. A must read for romance lovers!

Thank you for the E-Arc Netgalley and Random House Ballantine. This sweet Christmas themed book will take you right out of any reading slump you may be in. There is nothing not to love. You can’t help but root for every character as they find themselves. This was a quick, positive, feel good read that’s perfect for a winter day by the fire. It left me with all the warm fuzzies and it was so refreshing to read something so lovely.

Debbie Macomber is the author that can put me in the holiday spirit like no other. Plus her stories always have the true meaning of how we should all live our lives. This was no exception she starts off by telling her two grandchildren a story. This story was about two men that had been friends forever Peter and Hank. Peter was a pastor and his sister Grace Ann was his secretary for the church. Then Hank owned his family bar. One day as they were eating lunch they decided to trade places for a week.
Grace Ann was not happy about this decision because Hank was always teasing her for instance calling her Gracie. And, she thought Hank wasn’t a very godly man but yet he could quote the Bible.
Hank thought this was going to be an easy switch but he soon found out how much Peter actually did! Peter couldn’t keep up the serving of drinks neither. The bikers, strippers, Ladies Aid, poker games, wild mule and two geezers at the bar all the time makes for a very interesting read.
I couldn’t put this book down because you just want the best for everyone. I could write a short novel myself about this book but I don’t want to give anything away. Trust me you will fall in love with this book!

I received this ARC from Netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.