A sweet holiday read that kept me smiling! Merry Knight has enough on her plate without her mother and brother meddling in her life. Not only does she have both of them to think about and take care of, she temporarily has a boss that could make a grown woman cry. When her family signs her up on a dating website she can't believe it. Yet she finds herself looking forward to her daily chats with one of the guys who was interested in getting to know her. It will definitely be a huge surprise when she finds out who is really on the other side of the computer!

Not to be missed! I highly recommend.

I really like this book. It was a wonderfully sweet love story.
Merry was working very long hours at a temp job to help her family financially. She had a new boss who was a stickler for rules and would stop by her desk to inform her of an infraction. At home, her brother and mother signed her up to a dating site for her birthday because she had no social life. To no one's surprise, she was paired with her boss, but neither knew it (due to spelling of both of their names). They tried to meet finally but she recognized him and didn't go in. Meanwhile, the boss was getting to know Merry at work (not knowing she was who she was talking to online). Misunderstandings happened and both had hurt feelings. It was truly a sweet story.
I got the book from NetGalley for an honest review I will post on Amazon when it releases

charming and clever romantic tale. A by-the-book boss and a temporary employee clash. Family issues add to the engaging story. Sweet conclusion.

It has been years since I’ve read a Debbie Macomber and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy her work as much as I once had. I am very happy to say that I was still heart struck by her talent. She has a way of bringing so many emotions into the story in as few words as possible all while building tension between the characters.

Merry’s family signs her up on a dating site and she is pressured into checking it out. At the same time Jayson Bright decides to check out the same site after his best friend found his fiancé there. Neither post a picture, but both feel an immediate connection to the other. What results is much like the movie “You’ve Got Mail” and the comparison is even made at one point in the book.

However, don’t expect this to be an exact retelling of that cinematic feature. Instead, Ms. Macomber puts a fresh spin on it with a few twists that were pleasantly surprising. This is a fast pace read with plenty of wit and charm and although low to non-existent in the steam factor, I never really missed it.

Watching Jayson change from a “glass half empty” kind of guy into one who saw the world in a better light is the true gem of this story. There was one moment when I wanted to thunk him on the back of the head for being an idiot, but other than that he’s a hero that can outshine so many of those in today’s contemporary novels.

Merry shines when her love for all things Christmas as well as her good will toward mankind is allowed free expression. Don’t mistake that childlike enthusiasm for a weak heroine. She is anything but and she proves it repeatedly to Mr. Bright.

This is an excellent read for the holidays and I highly recommend it if you’d like something sweet with a touch of angst and something clean.

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Ballantine Books.

Dual POV
Safe
No Triggers

I have never been disappointed by Debbie and her Christmas books!! Every year I look forward to getting them. She is the best when it comes to a great romantic and sweet holiday story. Perfect to get you in the mood for Christmas and maybe, just maybe a little romance too.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Merry and Bright is a MUST READ! This is a very sweet Christmas story that you will get caught up in. The characters are so real, I found myself thinking about them when I wasn't reading. I loved this story!!!
This about Merry, a young women who lives with her parents and brother. Merry's brother has special needs, and a very big heart. Merry works as a temp for a year while saving for school. Merry's mom and brother sign her up on a on line daiting site, mix and mingle. She meets a guy named Jay on the site and they start talking each night for hours. They end up liking each other alot, but have yet to meet in person. They plan to meet, but that doesn't go so well. Merry runs home without meeting Jay....because she knows who he is, and he's not one of her favorite people. You"ll have to read to find out what happens next. You will not be disapointed, guaranteed!!! :)
I did receive this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my HONEST review.

Debbie Macomber introduces us to a delightful tale of Christmas romance. It will leave you laughing out loud at some parts. However, it also brings to light dating and finding love.
Merry loves Christmas. She loves baking and taking care of her family. However, her new job leaves little time for her to do anything. When her handsome boss stops her from spreading cheer, Merry tries to avoid him at all costs. Well her mother and brother decide that she needs some fun and maybe love in her life, they set her up a profile on a dating site. One man catches her interests. When they finally meet, an explosion occurs. Will this be the season of Merry and Bright? Or will this Christmas go down as a disaster?
I received a copy through Netgalley. The positive review was not required.

I love holiday books. This was a sweet little holiday romance book that just makes you feel good. It’s pretty predictable but in a story like this it works.

Merry and Jayson have worked together for a year, he as her boss and she his temporary employee. Neither of them was looking for romance but seem to be thrown into it at the same time. By chance they meet on a match maker site and form a friendship … not knowing that they actually know each other. So you can pretty much guess where this takes us. Like I said it is predictable but it was fun watching it all play out.

If you are looking for a sweet, clean, holiday romance then this is a great one to pick up. I loved the characters. I loved that this book focused on family. I can totally see this made into a Hallmark Christmas movie.

I love how Ms. Macomber plays with the name Merry. It seems that at the place she works at they keep spelling it Mary. Her mother and brother are worried about her. She is all work and no play. Unbeknownst to her they set up a profile for an on-line dating sight. She is not happy until they all agree with the one who posted a picture of his dog. After several weeks, they agree to meet. She sees who it is and instantly leaves. How can she date the boss. Impossible situation. Only Jay/Jayson has no idea. He keeps trying to figure out where he knows her from. It isn't until the Christmas party that she tries to tell him. Only he wasn't listening. By the time he realizes she's the one, she's gone. What's a man to do. He is miserable and lonely. It is Christmas. A time for giving. He has a plan. I love the ending.

A new Debbie Macomber is always cause for celebration and this holiday themed romance is no exception! On line matchmaking by her brother and mom lead Merry into a on line romance with Jayson who she does not initially realize is actually her boss. While I normally object to this sort of workplace romance, this is an exception because the circumstances are unique. Merry's terrific- an everywoman with lots of things on her plate, including a special needs brother. Jayson is also pretty cool. Macomber hits the right notes with these two. It's a sweet, engaging romance that tiptoes into your heart. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

While Macomber's holiday treat tugged at my romance reader's heart strings, it fell flat on a few levels, the characterization of the male lead Jayson Bright being one of them--too juvenile and unidimensional for my taste. I warmed up to the delightful heroine of the story though (Merry Knight), and enjoyed the atmosphere of unconditional love, genuineness, and collaboration pervading her home and defining each member of her family. MERRY AND BRIGHT will do the trick for all those readers who are looking for a make-you-feel-good, highly readable, holiday season romance. Having said that, I personally believe the author doesn't dig deep enough in Jayson Bright's background and family history as motivations and emotional triggers standing behind his conflicted attitude toward love and relationships. The author seems to limit herself to what's on the surface of the story and progresses through the stages of the enamourament between Jay and Merry by big narrative leaps. The novel strikes the right chords thanks to the authenticity of the down-to-earth Knight family (Merry's mother's health issues, a brother with special needs, ordinary people with ordinary problems vs the wealthy, Scrooge-like, grumpy male protagonist), but in its uncomplicated, predictable, run of the mill lightheartedness, the narration penalized depth and character development. 3.5 stars

What can I say? Merry & Bright was another quick, delightful holiday gift from Debbie Macomber to her many fans. Merry is an overworked temp who loves her family, and Jayson Bright (see what she did there?) is her Scrooge of a boss. However, they match on a dating website, and then shenanigans begin.

I love Macomber's Christmas books. It honestly isn't the holidays without reading one (or three). If you like her books, you will not be disappointed by this one!

Such an adorable book! The story line is full of joy and hope as well as self-doubt, as the holidays approach. The characters are unique and have great interactions throughout a wonderfully written book. Loved this story of new found love and family togetherness at Christmas!

Merry’s had a tough time lately, but the stranger she’s been communicating with has helped life seem a little better. Of course, the stranger is the guy from the on-line dating site her mom and brother signed her up for without her knowledge. What a surprise she has waiting for her! I don’t want to give too many details away, but suffice it to say, the holiday is looking up! Another Debbie Macomber best seller! No one does holiday stories like her!

I enjoy Debbie Macomber's books in general but I always look forward to her Christmas titles this most. This book did not disappoint! Macomber's recipe of faith and love mixed together puts me in the mood for the season. I especially appreciate that spirituality is included without the book coming across as "preachy". I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a nice holiday read.

This book is a very quick, sweet read. I very much enjoyed reading this refreshing book. I loved the fact that this book Is a clean loving romance book. It is so nice to read a love story that is free of four letter words and descriptive sex scenes. Thanks for a beautiful love story.

Merry Bright is a temp working on a year long special project in order to save up money for college. Between her job, helping her disabled mother cook & clean, & helping take care of her handicapped brother Patrick, Merry's life is full. She doesn't have time for any sort of social life. For her Christmas present, her mother & brother signed her up for an internet dating service & filed her profile.

Jayson Bright is in charge of a special project for his uncle's company. He's been working overtime & pushing his staff to make sure they get the information compiled before the reports due date. He can't let his uncle down. His cousin called to ask him to be his best man since he's getting married. Jayson realized he had been feeling lonely & dissatisfied in his life & signed up for an internet dating service.

In typical Debbie Macomber fashion, this story takes internet dating & makes it hilarious & touching. The writer has created wonderful characters where initial impressions are completely wrong. Jayson comes across as a by the books, grumpy boss until he is encountered outside the office. Patrick & his lack of filters creates several funny instances. The plot takes something that has become commonplace & takes us along as it starts going wrong. Another great story by a great author!

Aw, Debbie Macomber has done it again. It's a cozy Christmas story that will make you smile and give you the Christmas Spirit. Merry is a temp and overworked with no time for dating. But her mother and her brother Patrick decide to surprise her by signing her up for online dating and just put a picture of the family dog instead of a picture of Merry so people will look beyond her pretty face. Jayson is her stressed out boss who has little time for romance and is pretty cynical about marriage and family after growing up in a divorced family but with some encouragement from a cousin who finds love from an online dating site he decides to try it out on a whim and comes across Merry's profile, taking a cue from her he posts a pic of his childhood dog instead of a picture of himself. They start talking online without ever realizing they know each other (like the movie "You've Got Mail" They find themselves falling for each other and of course complications occur that I don't want to give away due to spoilers. But the characters are fun and familiar. Jayson is the rich cynic and Merry is the optimist that loves Christmas and has a wonderful family. Jayson starts falling for her optimism and her family realizing that perhaps that this is the family he has longed for all his life. Just a fun story that will leave you smiling and ready for Christmas. I was given an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this book thanks to Net Galley and the publisher. What a wonderful and charming Christmas romance book!!! I absolutely adored the characters of Merry and Jayson and although predictable I was thrilled with the storyline. A great weekend holiday feel good book!

One of my favorite part of the holiday season is the many Christmas offerings from our favorite authors. That feeling of comfort and joy feels so familiar and intimate. This is my second holiday story from this author and it not all the right notes for the holiday purpose intended.

Merry is a temp for a large corporation and she has been putting in long hours to help reach a deadline and secure a large deal for the company. Her boss, Jayson Bright, is intense and is doing everything to complete the job, but his intensity is off putting to the people at work. They think he is insensitive and not nice. Kerry's family recognizes that she is working too hard and needs a social life, so they sign her up with a dating website is a picture of her dog. She finds this humorous but goes along with it to appease her family. Jay gets a similar lecture from his cousin who met his fiance on the same dating website and urges him to check it out. He thinks it's ridiculous but he's also lonely and listening to his cousin discuss his wedding and his undying love for his fiance makes him a believer.

Jay signs up and is drawn to the picture of the dog and decided to use a picture of his dog on his profile and begins a conversation with Merry. The two not it off and find a connection through their correspondence. Jay wants to meet Merry and they agree on a meeting place. Merry recognizes Jay and quickly exits. She knows who Jay is and she is conflicted because she doesn't like the person she works for. Can Merry follow her heart and believes Jay is the person who has been messaging her? Can Jay forgive her for standing him up?

This was a cute story and Kerry's family is so adorable, I wanted more Patrick.