People taking ferry to Seattle on Christmas Eve are stuck when ferry breaks down at sea. Passengers get to know each other and share Christmas joy. Business people, estranged dad, twin sister, man with expectant wife, sailors on leave, etc. Happy endings for all. Good quick easy read for the holidays.

No one wants to be stuck at Christmas on a ferry. Just ask the passengers on the ferry going to Seattle right before Christmas. What could have been a miserable experience turned into a miracle night for everyone on board. Lives changed. Romances beginning. Families reunited. A staled engine did all that along with some very special people on board. A beautiful Christmas story for everyone. I hope it becomes a Hallmark movie soon.

This was a great book. I really enjoyed reading this and made me want the Christmas season all that much more. As usual the characters will developed, relatable and the story was an easy read - which I definitely needed. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this - I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Although several of the prolific Debbie Macomber's Christmas novels have been made into Hallmark movies, A Ferry Merry Christmas doesn't exactly fit the Hallmark model. Yes, it mostly takes place on Christmas Eve day, and yes, there are some Christmas trimmings and celebrations at the end of the book, but most of the story takes place on a ferry from Bremerton, Washington to Seattle. The ferry suddenly stalls in the middle of Puget Sound for the first time ever, and those on board start to worry whether they will get where they are going in time for Christmas Eve.

There are much-anticipated family reunions, opportunities to fix long-held rifts with estranged siblings, new flirtations, a band headed for a gig at a holiday party, a young woman who can't be late for work one more time, and a mother with a 6--year-old daughter who needs to tell Santa in person that her Christmas wish is to have her father back home. Then there are those waiting long hours in Seattle for the ferry to be fixed and possibly building new bonds of their own. And, of course, there is the expectant father whose wife is afraid, alone, and in labor in Seattle. It's a story where there are too many coincidences and an ending that is absolutely predictable, but it's told with good humor and old-fashioned earnestness, and it could be just the thing for your holiday reading pleasure.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a lovely, delightful Christmas story! This was classic Debbie Macomber with some gentle humor, engaging characters, a smidgen of faith, and several very happy endings.

A Fun Holiday Ride!

Stuck on a ferry, a meet cute between our main characters, as well as several mild friendships arise, including a budding romance. However, tempers flare when the ferry’s motor dies.

I laughed. I cried. I celebrated along with the characters. Classic Macomber at her best.

This ARC was provided to me by NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I have been enjoying Debbie Macomber books for decades but this one was odd. It was relentlessly upbeat and major problems were solved effortlessly. Marriages and longtime feuds were mended in the brief time that the ferry was stranded. Couples were formed in that time, both on and off the ferry, and it was obvious that they would be headed for the altar.

I hope that the author returns to her usual writing.

Loved the stories of the various characters and enjoyed reading of the meeting and coming together of couples that were meant for eachother. It is comforting to read a good cozy and get the results you hope for. Loved this book. Recommend.

As a MASSIVE FAN of Debbie Macomber for over 20 years, I loved this new short story. Her Christmas stories have always been fantastic and this one is no different. All of the mini story lines within the story were so cute. I love a good holiday read and this gave me all the warm, fuzzy feelings. 5 out of 5 stars for this new Debbie Macomber book.

This was such a good Debbie Macomber book. I almost read it in one sitting and the plots were all so cute and fun on how it all tied together. It could have had more Christmas but overall was great!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to honestly review.

If you are a Debbie Macomber fan, then this book is for you. I have read many of her Christmas books, and this one was a little different-- in a good way! You will find multiple short stories, but all are centered around "love." I liked the dynamic of the different characters and relationships. I was a little confused at first, but then it all came together a few chapters in. I can definitely see this as a Hallmark movie.

Thank you to Debbie Macomber and NetGalley for the advanced read and ability to review one of my favorite Christmas authors.

I would recommend this book. A good book to put you in the Christmas spirit. A happy heart warming book, How A stalled Ferry changed lifes..

3.5 ⭐️ If you’re looking for a sweet, simple, cozy Holiday read then I would recommend this! It’s not exactly believable, but not extra cheesy either, so I’ll take that as a romance win. This is my third Christmas novel by this author and it falls in the middle rating-wise. Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Debbie Macomber for the ARC.

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy for a review. All thoughts are my own. Avery an accountant is headed to Seattle to meet her brother Reed for lunch. The Ferry that she is on has engine trouble and stalls in the water. Reed on land waiting for his sister meets a co worker who just so happens is waiting for her Navy brother who is also on the ferry. There are several stories going on that makes this story interesting.
Debbie Macomber's books are a feel good happy romance that makes a heart happy. Really enjoy her books!

I enjoyed this quick read. The characters were fun. The story was a little far fetched and predictable, but heart warming.
The one thing that bothered me was one of the characters saying she was due in October, but it was only December, so that would mean 10 months. I'm sure this will be fixed before publication, since I had an arc copy.

In the Christmas holiday rush, traveling strangers find themselves adrift as their ferry's engine stops working in the middle of Puget Sound. The passengers have to contend with missing monumental life events and holiday gatherings. Anger and discontent grow as what was thought to be a quick fix becomes more involved. Happily, personal connections develop onboard as well as onshore between two loved ones waiting on the ferry's arrival.
Macomber is very adept at exploring the despair in relationships, the redemption of forgiveness, and the camaraderie that can be discovered with complete strangers.
I will be recommending this book.
Thanks to Ballantine Books, Debbie Macomber and NetGalley for this ARC.

A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Debbie Macomber brings warmth and heart to the holiday season in A Ferry Merry Christmas. When a group of passengers finds themselves stranded on a ferry for hours, they’re forced to slow down and truly see one another—each with their own struggles, stories, and hopes. The result is a touching reminder of the true spirit of Christmas: connection, compassion, and second chances.

I especially enjoyed Logan and Beth’s storyline—it felt realistic and raw, a gentle portrayal of a couple navigating a rough patch in their marriage. Their dynamic was moving and reminded me of the challenges many couples face, and how empathy and communication can help rebuild those bonds.

While the story involves many characters, I appreciated how each one had something meaningful to offer. Watching them make the most of an unexpected situation brought a sense of community and warmth that’s perfect for a holiday read. There was something about this book that just kept me turning the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this lovely holiday story. I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a great Christmas story! I enjoyed reading Debbie's note and how she got the idea for the book. There were so many people on the ferry and they each had a story to tell. They also finally figured out how to make the most of the time they were waiting to make it to shore! The true spirit of Christmas!

Thank you for the arc copy of this book. I really enjoyed it. It’s a sweet light hearted Christmas story about a few couples and people who are stuck on the ferry while they try to get to part to fix the ferry. Very sweet story

I just finished a great book. A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber is out this October . Pick it up! This is one you won’t want to miss and a perfect holiday read!