A charming upbeat Christmas story set on the Seattle ferry. I loved the mixture of stories and viewpoints, as well as fun Seattle sites. This book definitely got you into the Christmas spirit and ready to celebrate!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Avery and Reed Bond were raised by their grandparents, and this is the first Christmas without them. Avery is taking the ferry over to Seattle to spend Christmas with her brother when it breaks down on the way over. This is a story about people meeting and bonding when stranded on the ferry.
Avery meets a sailor on leave from the navy who is very interested in getting to know her and a woman is on her way to visit her twin sister who she is estranged from. There is also a woman with a precious little girl on her way to see Santa with only one wish for her daddy to come home.
Wonderful story of bonding when forced into close proximity.

I so loved this story. Avery is such a sweetheart throughout. Her meeting a sailor on the ferry whose sister meets Avery's brother is pretty amazing. It was truly a wonderful Holiday story that shows no matter what people still do care

Debbie Macomber has written a delightful tale about a group of passengers stuck on a ferry during a cold December trip. A quick read with a cast of realistic characters spanning every generation. A touch of romance and full of hope, the perfect pick for the holiday season.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for ARC.

A Ferry Merry Christmas
by Debbie Macomber
Pub Date: Oct. 21, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I will gladly recommend this book!
A delayed ferry leads to a light romance and experience for the passengers. I truly enjoyed this tale, and it is a quick and enjoyable read by Macomber. I was so excited to get this ARC and share with you another great book by one of my favorite authors.

I finished this so fast wow I love her writing and I will always buy her next book and I’m looking forward to adding this one to my collection. I love the story and the characters.

Let me begin with my extreme bias - I love Debbie Macomber's books! And this one is no exception. In the author's notes, she explains that she got the idea from an actual grounding of a ferry on a sand bar. The setting is the ferry ride from Bremerton to Seattle right before Christmas. The central characters are Avery and Reed, two siblings who were raised by their grandparents. This will be the first Christmas without their grandmother so Avery is travelling to spend the holidays with her brother. The delay turns out to be a potential blessing in disguise, in true Debbie Macomber fashion. As a former resident of Seattle, I can vouch for the veracity of the setting - which made it all the more interesting to me. A great read that you will be loath to put down!

Debbie never disappoints with her Christmas books.

This one is different in The setting but so well written, you got the feeling you were on the ferry with Avery, Olivia, Beth, Logan, Harrison, James. i felt so many of the feelings they felt and how quickly things can change.

Then I was at Pikes Market smelling 💐.

Thanks Debbie for another wonderful holiday book.

A FERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS

A sweet tale of people on a delayed ferry and many plans gone awry. All have problems, all need connections, as the best present might be one’s presence. I’m left craving ginger cookies and wondering if some detours might actually be course corrections.
Keeping details to myself so as not to spoil this perfect escape from tense times. Clear the calendar before starting it; it defied sleep and usurped TV options to just keep reading!

Gorgeous cover and love the title 💖 one of my favorite authors .

The writing was beautiful and detailed.,

I enjoyed every as she was describing being on a ferrry near Christamas.

This is a cute, quick read about a group of people trapped on a ferry during the Christmas season. All are dealing with family issues in some way - estrangement, death, birth. While the issues are serious, the lighthearted tone brings a sense of hope. It is Christmas, after all.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it lovers of Christmas magic.

Family friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Debbie Macomber has delivered another engaging and heartwarming novel. I found myself finishing it in a single day because I was eager to see how each storyline unfolded. While it took me a little time to become familiar with all the characters, once I did, I thoroughly appreciated the depth and variety of their stories. The novel offers perspectives across generations, from childhood through grandparenthood, which made it relatable to a wide audience. The ending was both surprising and satisfying, and the epilogue provided a wonderful sense of closure. Overall, this was a compelling and enjoyable read.

Debbie Macomber does not disappoint with her 2025 Christmas novel. "A Ferry Merry Christmas" gives us all that we expect from Debbie Macomber: romance, longing, forgiveness. Anyone who is looking for a feel good book, look no further.

Debbie Macomber's Christmas stories never disappoint!! This is a cute book about people who meet on the ferry, when it breaks down and they are stuck on it for hours, 3 days before Christmas. I loved the many different stories that reveal themselves. This was a book that I just could not put down!!

What an inspirational story., with the people taking the ferry across to Seattle, but got stranded half way there. It was the worst thing to happen, but as the story unfolds, we see what is going on. It is the way we think about things that makes a difference, and the people on the ferry, all had to be somewhere and wasn't going to make it, but they took the time to talk, listen, calm fear, and the worst thing becomes an abundance of blessings. Each person has a story, which makes the book so interesting. Happy reading.
I received an ARC from Ballantine Books through NetGalley.

This book is a predictable happily ever after story. I enjoyed the story and the experiences of the characters. If you want a happily ever free book this is it. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Check out my full review at
https://simbasbookreview.com/blog-posts/

For those readers like my self who love Debbie Macomber, you will not want to miss her newest Christmas novellas scheduled for publication on October 21, 2025. In her delightful storytelling, Macomber weaves together the individual stories of several characters, throws in some unexpected Christmas magic, and readers are blessed with a heartwarming Christmas tale that will leave them ready to grab those Christmas cookie cutters and start baking! She shows the importance of family, and that reconciliation is always possible. Throw in some new and young leaders and readers will not want to put this novel down. If you have never read Debbie Macomber, you have got to try her newest book!

Written by a popular talented author, this book is a page turner. Light hearted and hopeful…love and romance…I enjoy books by this author…entertainment and thought provoking stories…thanks Netgalley

#A Ferry Merry Christmas
by Debbie Macomber
4 out of 5 stars
Expected publication date: October 21, 2025

Thank you to #NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

One-sentence summary: When the ferry gets stuck before reaching its destination, strangers become friends.

This is a typical Debbie Macomber Christmas novella, and I can never pass these up. Macomber's books (especially the Christmas stories) are cute, quick reads that don't leave the reader with a heavy heart. I especially needed that this week. There are no big conflicts, though the characters have to work through some of their internal confusion. Each of the characters is loveable in his or her own way.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Debbie Macomber or someone who is looking for a Christmas story for the upcoming season.

****October 21, 2025****

Avery Bond is on her way to visit her brother Reed in Seattle. When the ferry she is on breaks down on the Puget Sound. Avery and Harrison start to talk. Avery is hesitant since she was burned by a guy in the Navy. On the flip side, Reed is waiting for Avery in Seattle and so is Harrison’s sister, Kellie. They end up going to lunch while waiting for their siblings to arrive. Will this spark a relationship for Avery and Reed, or will it be short-lived?

Debbie Macomber delivers a heartfelt and entertaining Christmas read that is centered around family with a touch of romance! I love Debbie Macomber’s books! They are always an automatic buy for me, as you can always depend on an uplifting and meaningful story that leaves you feeling satisfied in the end! A great book to kick off your holiday season!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.