This author writes such lovely Christmas stories and this one is no exception. Merry is taking a break from school with a year long temp job so she can afford the next year. She loves her family dearly and spends most of her free time with them. At work, she doesn’t seem to get along well with her boss, Jayson Bright. He is all work and no play. Mary’s mom and her brother sign her up on a dating service as a surprise to get her out and enjoy life. She is stunned that they did it, but agrees to try it out. A fun read that I really enjoyed.

I loved this sweet Christmas love story with its quirky secondary characters and lonely hero and sweet heroine. This book made me laugh and I love a good romance. With her mom and brother both wanting her to find her HEA, they set her up online. I loved the plot twist and she did have her HEA. I highly recommend this Christmas story by Debbie Macomber.

Merry and Jayson's relationship is far from typical. Merry is a temp at Jayson's families company and working long hours on a huge time consuming project. Jayson is a stickler for the 'rules' which ruffles Merry's feathers so she despises Jayson. They both wind up on an online dating site, and due to the vague photos they each post have no idea who the other is, but they know they have a lot in common. Will they meet and find even more in common, or is their relationship doomed? Very sweet Christmas romance that's worth a read for the holidays or anytime you want a sweet holiday story.

Just in time for the holidays, a heartwarming, fun, and touching story that will fill your heart with love. Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors, and her books don't disappoint! This one is no exception. It's a fast, heart touching story that keeps your attention from the first page to the last.

Debbie Macomber can always be counted on to provide sweet, romantic, feel-good stories and when she adds in a Christmas season theme be prepared to read with a smile and thoughts of candy canes dancing through your head.

Her characters are likable which helps tremendously when reading a book with a Christmas theme but even better her side characters make wonderful additions to this story. Merry and Jayson are thoroughly enjoyable to read about as their dichotomy plays off each other and the story in a delightful way. Merry is all about the holidays and Jayson is the inherent Scrooge for balance who just like the Carol gets to see life in a better way under her influence. Macomber made sure to add her special touch to others such as Merry’s family. They are a tight group but it was her brother who really stole the show and often my heart! His portrayal felt honest, heartwarming and his relationship to others, particularly Merry and Jayson, added that touch of Tiny Tim Hope-feeling every good holiday story needs.

Her moments of humor will have you letting out those deep chuckles normally reserved for Santa. You will laugh, cry, and feel warm all over in alternating scenes and sometimes all at once because that is how Macomber writes – pulling at the heart strings. She proves you don’t need violence, graphic sex or colorful language to be entertaining.

If you love Christmas themed stories you really should give this one a chance.

I've always enjoyed Debbie Macomber's holiday stories and Merry and Bright is no doubt one of my favorites. Debbie has such a way of bringing positive cheer with these delightful stories, even if there's a little bit of a hurdle to get there. It's what makes them warm your heart and delivers such wonderful messages.

I immediately liked Merry and her family, especially her brother, Patrick. Despite things being tough for the family at times, there was a bond that you couldn't help but love. Her mother and brother wanted the best for her, even if they had to take an extreme route to get there. On-line dating services aren't for everyone, but this turned into a fun story between two characters that were so obviously not going to connect otherwise. And Patrick, gosh he was such a fantastic brother and Merry was so lucky to have him.

Despite Jayson being a stickler and hard-nose at his uncle's company, I found myself feeling a bit sorry for him. He had a soft spot--you could tell it in the way he conversed with Merry via their messages. I also thought it was cute that he used his former dog as his profile picture.

Anyone looking for some holiday cheer will find this story so delightful. It's just cute and will leave you feeling all warm on the inside when you're finished.

**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

When Merry's family decide she need to date they set her up on a dating website but never puts up a picture. Right away she starts chatting with someone. When she realizes who it is she decides to push him aside, however he keeps messaging and pulls her in. When he realizes who it is he has a huge decision to make.
This book had humor, romance and everything it takes to make a good book.

** I received this book in exchange for an honest review**

Merry and Bright is a lovely holiday offering by prolific author Debbie Macomber. Set in the lovely city of Seattle, this story finds two unlikely, driven people discovering one another.

Merry Knight is a contract worker in data entry at Matterson Consulting, working long hours to meet deadlines for an important Boeing contract. She is coming up to the end of her year long contract and looking forward to going back to complete her college degree in special education. The job has been interesting, but the company never got the spelling of her name correct on her desk plate and she has had more than one run in with her handsome but seemingly arrogant boss.

Her family is tight knit and loving, but they have financial struggles. She has taken this year to earn the money she needs to finish college. Her dad is a hardworking pharmaceutical salesman. Her mom, Robin, is an MS patient, her younger brother, Patrick, has learning challenges. But the home is blessed with love.

Wanting to do something nice for Merry, her mom and brother set up an account for her on the Mix & Mingle website. One of Merry's good friends has found a good match there and her mom is concerned about Merry's lack of social life. They set up her profile very truthfully but rather than using an actual photo, they use a picture of their golden retriever, Bogie. While not happy about this, Merry is intrigued.

Jayson Bright is an up and coming Vice President at Matterson Consulting who is putting in very long days trying to wrap up the bid for the huge Boeing contract. If he can be successful with this, it is almost certain that his uncle will put him in the lead when he retires. When visited by his more carefree cousin, Cooper, he learns that Cooper has reconnected with a childhood friend of theirs on Mix & Mingle and they are now engaged. Urged by Cooper, Jayson investigates the website and is intrigued by the profile with the retriever photo. Setting up his own profile using a photo of his childhood golden, Rocky, Jay begins corresponding with Merry.

With shades of You've Got Mail, this delightful tale will excite and amuse at the missed moments and best intentions until the sweet ending brings it all together. With snow and Christmas lights to set off this lovely story, this holiday tale is indeed a gift to the reader. I recommend this book,

This was a sweet story that I rated 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the bit about Merry's family setting up a profile for her on a dating site, but overall the story just kept me returning to the movie You've Got Mail. There were just far too many similarities for me.

I'm really bummed to write such a review of a Debbie Macomber book because she's given me such enjoyment through the years with her Blossom Street books and even some of the Cedar Cove books. She did a good job with the characters and I loved Merry's brother so very much, but the similarities between the book and that movie were just too much for me.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an ARC.

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber is a classic feel-good holiday romance that I would highly recommend. Although the book ends the way one expects a Debbie Macomber novel to end, it is always a pleasure getting to know Macomber’s characters. Merry Knight and her family are warm and loving and, in the way loyal Macomber readers have come to expect, their kindness and generosity of spirit reach into Jayson Bright and help him to become the person he never knew he wanted to be. Macomber brings her readers into 21st century on-line dating but maintains the sweet old-fashioned world she has created in her many books, such as the Blossom Street series. This is a short work and the whole idea of “Merry” and “Bright” as character names may seem a bit cutesy, but Merry and Bright is what Debbie Macomber’s readers want—a story that warms the heart and creates a world we all wish we lived in where the spirit of Christmas exists all year long.

Merry Knight isn't looking for romance. She just wants to survive her temporary job (in spite of her difficult boss), and put enough money away so she can continue her college education. However, her mother and brother have other ideas... They sign Merry up for an online dating service, and she ends up meeting a kind man and talking to him online almost every day. When they finally arrange to meet for the first time, Merry is unpleasantly surprised to find out that he is someone she already knows... Will they find love, or is everything just a huge mistake?
I really enjoyed this book. As I was reading, I could see the scenes playing out as if they were in a movie. Even though the plot was predictable, it was nice to read a simple, sweet story with a small amount of drama and a large amount of heart. I thought the character development was good, but I do wish the story was just a little bit longer. If you enjoy Christmas and clean romance, you will probably enjoy this book. I definitely recommend it!
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Debbie Macomber never fails to write the perfect Christmas novel each year! With just the right humor and play on words, Merry and Bright delivers the gift of Christmas. Online dating vs office romance--which one will win out? This is a must read for the holiday season.Highly recommended!

This is an enjoyable holiday story. I found the characters engaging and the writing flowed effortlessly.
It is a girl meets boy; girl is annoyed by boy; boy doesn't really notice girl type, of story. Merry is a 25-ish woman working as a temp. at a well-known information company in the Seattle area of Washington state. She has a one-year contract so that she can earn enough money to complete her college degree as a special education teacher. She has a downs syndrome younger brother and lives at home with him and their parents. Their father is a traveling salesman; so most of the time it's just the three of them. They are a close-knit, loving, family. Merry has seen Jason Bright around the office. After all, he is the VP and apparently next in line as President; once his uncle retires. Due to an on-line dating site and the unexpected decision for 2 people to try new options; they start messaging, without knowing their true identities; and find that they like each other. This was was wonderfully delightful Christmas story.

Debbie Macomer is the queen of romance that people can relate to... and this story of Christmas, relationships and finding love is just in her wheelhouse. And the typical Boos... Love interest by accident of co-worker and you have this tale to have you in the Christmas mood.

If there is any author that does Christmas books in an exceptional manner, it is this author. I think I have read every Christmas novel, probably every book this author has written. But I look forward to her Christmas book every year. This one was such an easy, enjoyable read.
Merry was such a charming character and you couldn't help but fall in love with her and her story. I couldn't help but feel for Jayson too. All these characters have a way of crawling into your heart and you root for the happy ending.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I have always liked Debbie Macomber's Christmas books and this one did not disappoint me. I love how the title, Merry & Bright relates to the story. I read the book in one day because I could not put it down It speaks to the heart of love, hope, and that wonderful holiday feeling all tied up with a pretty red bow underneath the Christmas tree. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

Merry Knight is so busy doing for others, she doesn't take time for herself. Her mom and brother decided to help her and sign her up on a dating site, but they use the picture of a dog for her profile in an attempt to screen out trolls. It works, and there's a profile of a guy who has done the same thing. Intrigued, they're chatting back and forth and hope to meet.

By day Merry is a temp working on a big project for a grumpy boss. Jayson Bright, with no Christmas spirit and a stickler for the company rules. Working side-by-side with a deadline, she finds he might not be so bad in spite of the scrooge-like behavior. Jayson comes from a dysfunctional family and tends to be a cynic, living in a cold sterile world with no attachments..

As fate would have it, Merry discovers her potential date is none other than Mr. Bright and stands him up on their first meet. It's hard for her to reconcile the two sides of the man she's come to care about. Time is not on her side with the deadline looming. Apologizing for missing their date, she promises him they will meet--they know each other. He's determined to solve the mystery of this woman who makes him long for a family he's never experienced.

These star-crossed lovers will need to decide how much to give of themselves, forgiveness, and overcome a few obstacles to find love and their HEA. This is a Christmas story with all the feels!

**received this book on NetGalley from the publisher**

I so enjoy reading a Debbie Macomber novel and her Christmas oriented ones are some of the best. “Merry and Bright” warmed my heart and gave me some chuckles and laughs along the way.

Merry Knight is a young woman who has set most of her dreams aside while she struggles to help out at home. She has a wonderful mother and a younger (though adult) brother with Down’s Syndrome to help support.

At work, she has a semi-tyrant of a boss (thank goodness the job is a temporary one that is coming to a close following Christmas.) What she doesn’t have is a social life. Her mother and brother decide, much to her initial dismay, to give her an early gift by signing her up for a dating site.

She approaches the site with some trepidation but is soon conversing with an individual who seems to be everything she could want. When reality catches up with the more unrealistic online world, Merry is in for some disappointments.

The story has cross-purposes going on and humorous situations. I really started rooting for Merry and her family and wanted a happy ending for them. I enjoyed the book tremendously and will be waiting for the next holiday story for 2018.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

A Heartwarming Christmas Romance

It’s the Christmas season. Merry Knight is extremely busy. In addition to getting ready for Christmas and taking care of her family, which includes a mother with multiple sclerosis and a brother with Down’s Syndrome, her boss at the consulting firm where she works is increasingly difficult and demanding because of a big project that must be finished.

Christmas is also Merry’s birthday. Since she has no time for social life, her mother and brother decide that something must be done about it. They sign her up on an Internet dating site. Her little brother comes up with a clever idea for the picture. He posts a picture of their dog. Surprisingly this picture attracts a man. Soon Merry is chatting with this man and finding him very attractive.

This is a delightful Christmas story. Merry is a good character. You can’t help but respect her desire to take care of her family. However, it’s the family that steals the show, particularly her little brother. It was wonderful to see how charming a child with Downs Syndrome can be.

I recommend this story for Christmas or if you just love romance. The characters are well drawn. Their emotions are true to life and make you root for them to succeed. Although you know how the story must end, you want to keep reading because the characters are so likable.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.