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.