Debbie never disappoints with her books.
Merry Knight loves Christmas. She is working at a temp job and her boss is like a scrooge always following his rules and won't let her decorate her desk for Christmas its against the rules he says.
Her mom and brother want her to meet a man they are so worried that she works too much and they want her to be happy.
They enroll her on a dating website and she starts communicating with a mystery man on the computer... the man turns out to be her boss.
It was a lighthearted book and worth the read. I really enjoyed the book.

Another delightful Christmas book to add to the author’s credit.

I loved this book as it was a quick, easy, enjoyable read.

Merry is a very busy young woman who is working a temporary assignment with a company that is trying to get their presentation for a large contract done before Christmas. Not only does her work time here demand mandatory overtime, but she must help with her special needs brother, and her mother, who has advancing MS.

Her mother and brother decide to give her a very special present for Christmas of an account with an “online” dating service. She is appalled, but as she begins to check the “winks” she receives on the account, she finds one that is of interest.

As the “online” romance develops and the time comes to meet the man, she discovers he is someone she knows and doesn’t particularly like.

Many events take place that put a comical twist on the relationship.

Will they finally meet? What happens when he discovers who she really is? Can she get past her feelings toward this man?

I highly recommend this book to lovers of Debbie Macomber books and to anyone wanting to read a very enjoyable Christmas book.

I was given a complementary copy of this book through NetGalley by Random House-Ballantine. and was under no obligation to give a review.

Cute story. Enjoyed all the characters. I liked how chapters rotated between Merry and Jayson. I definitely will recommend this book as it is light and refreshing to read. Very enjoyable..

I loved loved this book. It is by far the best book I think that Debbie Macomber has wrote. This is a must read for anytime of the year but I think it would be extra special before Christmas. This would be a great Christmas gift. I will be buying this book for my family. If this book doesn't get you in the spirit for Christmas and romance then nothing will. After reading this book you will think anything is possible. It has a lot of Merry and some Scrooge in there as well.

A wonderful story set during the Christmas season. I finished this book in two sittings. Couldn't put it down. A fast paced story with twists and turns and emotional ups and downs. This story exemplifies the old adage of not judging a book by its cover. I believe in second chances and Merry & Bright is a heartwarming story about finding room in your heart to take a leap of faith and give someone a second chance. Having the story set during December makes the story all the more poignant as Christmastime is always about giving and giving of ones self. Debbie Macomber is an awesome author who brings you into the story. You feel as you are walking beside the main characters and are cheering them on like they are your friends. Debbie Macomber has paired these two unlikely main characters that in any other world would not have been together. No spoiler alerts here, just a recommendation to read this feel good book!

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

As always Debbie Macomber delivers a great feel good Christmas story! I was wondering if it I was going to gwt i to it as tje first couple chapters in I tjoughy for sure it was a prdictable ending but I was pleasantly surprised where my mind had taken me wasnt in the book at all! With an extremely busy lifestyle I was still able to read this rather quickly as every free minute I had I grabbed it up to read. Love the characters and thier stories. Thanks for delivering again Debbie!

Another warm wonderful Christmas Story. This is a story full of family love and caring, humor, and romance. It is a very sweet romance between Merry and Jayson on an internet dating site. They are not aware they already know each other. It makes you realize that you need to talk with a person to really know them. I enjoyed reading this sweet Christmas story.

Merry works a temp job at a consulting firm, and still lives at home with her parents and younger brother, Patrick, while saving up for her final year in college. Although she enjoys her job, the mandatory over time to get a major project done before the holidays leaves her no time for a romantic life. Since her birthday is December 26th, her mother and brother decide to buy her a subscription to an online dating site. Since she is unsure of the whole idea, but doesn't want to let them down, she decides to give it a try, using a picture of her brother's dog as her profile picture. Perhaps it will help weed out those who aren't serious about getting to know someone on a deeper level. And then she meets Jay.

Jayson is the VP at his Uncle's consulting firm, and has no social or romantic life of his own. He is the rule enforcer in the office, and often comes off as stuffy, grouchy, and too firm. Then his cousin and best friend, Cooper, calls to let him know he is getting married to an old childhood friend of there's. He stumbled upon her online, while helping a friend with an online dating profile, and just knew they were meant to be. Jayson finally decides maybe it's his turn to try the online dating scene too. And that's when he meets her.

"Jay" ie Jayson, does not realize that Merry is his Merry, from the office, seeing as her nameplate at work has her name spelled as Mary. What happens when they each find out who the other person really are? Can they over look the office hostility, and form a real relationship based on who they both really are? Never before have Jayson or Merry felt about someone the way they feel about each other. But is it really worth taking that chance? Can it really work?

I love holiday books to begin with, and this one was filled with sweet moments, lovable characters, and real life situations.

Once again, Debbie Macomber gives us a delightful story with loveable characters. This was a quick read that I finished in one afternoon. Perhaps that was because I was unable to put it down.

Merry Knight takes on a temporary job working long hours to help pay for next year's college tuition, all the while helping out at home with her mother who has multiple sclerosis and her brother with Down's Syndrome, Her life has become so busy that she has had no time for a social life. That's when her mother and brother come up with a plan to have Merry join an internet dating website. When they tell Merry what they had done, Merry couldn't get angry with them because she knew they were only trying to help. Instead of a picture of herself, she decided to use a picture of their dog. Then when she receives a response from a man who also posts a picture of a dog instead of himself, she becomes intrigued and a fondness develops. After weeks of corresponding, they plan to meet in person. That's when Merry discovers who this man really is and she quickly leaves before he sees her. Will their relationship continue? Hmmmm.

One of the things I liked about this story is that neither Merry nor Jayson lied... other than not posting their true names. And even though I just knew how the story would end, it still didn't keep me from cheering for this HEA, And the characters! Oh how I loved sweet Patrick! Even though Jayson wasn't all that loveable in the beginning, as I learned his history and his personal story, and as I saw how he changed after getting to know Merry/Mary, I started loving him as well.

This is such a great Christmas story. Debbie Macomber has a way of making you feel the joy and excitement with each Christmas carol sung and each decoration described. "Merry and Bright" would make a great Christmas gift for all your reader friends.

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber
This Christmas themed book starts out with Merry and we learn all she does for the family-her mom who has MS, her brother who has Down's Syndrome and her job that ends that night.
She tries to skimp and save so she can have a meal out and her mother is trying to get her to use a dating site.
Story also follows her boss, the VP, Mr. Bright and he's anything but. He makes her working life miserable.
Love the surprise Merry is given for her birthday, I'm laughing out loud as to what they did!
Chapters alternate between Merrys' life and Jason Bright's life.
Jayson and his cousin Cooper have grown up together and made a pact not to marry before 40 but Jayson is being asked to be his best man, in Australia...
Cute holiday story. Predictable.
Love hearing of the Christmas scenes that are decorated and described.
Excerpt from The Twelve Days of Christmas (12/2016) is included.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

Debbie Macomber writes the most beautiful and uplifting holiday stories, and Merry and Bright is a shining example! I was so touched by Merry's kind character, and by her taking the time to work a year to pay for her own college expenses and help her family. In the course of Merry's one year temp contract, she has multiple tense encounters with the company vice president, in which she finds him very stern and lacking holiday spirit and flexibility. To surprise her and brighten her spirits, Merry's mother and brother sign her up for an online dating service, using a picture of a beloved pet rather than hers, to attract potential interest that cares for her as a person before her appearance. Merry reluctantly becomes active on the site and is soon chatting with a very special guy. They seem to really click online, but what will happen when they meet, and realize whom they are chatting with? I highly encourage and recommend fellow readers and Debbie Macomber fans to read "Merry and Bright". It will start you feeling the holiday spirit in the fall!

Merry and Jayson are perfect for each other but they don't realize it at first. This is a beautiful, heartwarming, and sweet story about two people falling in love. Debbie Macomber has written another best seller.

The 2017 Debbie Macomber Christmas book follows in the tradition of holidays past. This feel good novel is a fun light-hearted Christmas read. A case of mis-spelling and online dating combine for a fun holiday office romance. This is sure to become a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie in the future.

I received an advanced copy of this via NetGalley.

I have to admit this is the first Debbie Macomber novel I have read. I know she has written many many books but I have never picked one up until now. Merry and Bright is a Christmas Story/romance and reminded me of sweet Halmark type christmas movies that are so pleasant to watch anytime of year but especially around the holidays. This was a lovely story that had likable characters and left you with positive feelings. Certainly a pleasure read. I appreciated the fact that the romance was clean and the plot not too far fetched. This one was a "Shop Around the Corner" or "You've got mail" plot that played out exactly as I expected but was still pleasing and fun to follow. I will have to pick up more of Debbie Macomber books for those moments when I just need a little feel good like of story to pass the time with.

"Merry and Bright"
By Debbie Macomber
Ballantine Books


Contemporary Holiday Fiction - Release Date: October 3, 2017


ReaderToReader.com review for Net Galley download


The Christmas season is always busy for the Knight family, but this year it proves to be more stressful. Twenty-four-year-old Merry is working at a Seattle consulting company on a one-year temporary contract to save money so she can finish her college education. The firm is handling a big project that needs to be completed before the year's end, thus the necessity for Merry to work long hours.

Staying over time worries her for she realizes she's needed at home to help Robin, her mother who is struggling with mobility issues due to MS. She also is concerned for her younger brother, Patrick who has Down syndrome. But Merry cannot lose her job, so she stays late, even though her boss, Jayson Bright is stuffy and inflexible.

Robin wants her to find a man and fall in love, which is the last thing in Merry's mind. So as a surprise gift for her birthday which is on December 26th, Robin and Patrick sign her up for an online dating service. Instead of posting her picture, they use a pic of the family's dog, Bogie. Though Merry dreads this, she cannot disappoint her mom and brother.

A gentleman intrigued by Merry's profile and the photo of the canine contacts her, and they begin "chatting." This man seems to share her interests, and they soon form a bond, but Marry doesn't want to meet in person until she knows more about him. Their conversations become the highlight of her day, making her forget the drudgery and long work day and her obstinate employer.

"Merry and Bright," a fast-paced, delightful read, so typical of Ms. Macomber's usual down-home prose is filled with love and family togetherness and can be enjoyed anytime, not only during the holidays.

You Got Mail meets the festivities of the holidays in this adorable story from Debbie Macomber... Merry works for a creep, or at least so she believes, but when she begins to talk to a guy on a dating site, her mood just might change a little.

This is an adorable, clean story about listening to your heart, treating your fellow man like you want to be treated, and seeing a person for their worth, not always their actions. Filled to the brim with Christmas cheer, I felt this would make a cute Hallmark movie and enraptures the reader without adding stuff more sensitive readers avoid,

This holiday story takes place in the beautiful Seattle area during the Christmas holidays, when things just can't get any more hectic! But YES they can. Merry's contract job is coming to an end and her boss Jayson is at the reins demanding perfection and overtime. While on the homefront live-at-home Merry's family feels she needs more of a romantic life and signs her up for an online meet and match for singles. She accidently gets hooked up with her boss, unbeknowst to both of them. Then "roll out the fun"!!

I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a excellent holiday romance with a twist.

This book is good for the heart and lets us see that all people may have beautiful interior. Enjoy the good clean FUN!

Merry and Bright is a sweet reminder of the true spirit of Christmas and another winner by Debbie Macomber. Her Christmas books are great for getting one in the Christmas mood.

Merry Knight is taking a year off from school and working as a data entry temp at Matterson Consulting to save up for school. Each member of her family does their part to support each other financially and emotionally. Her dad travels as a pharmaceutical rep while her mom has MS and is limited to what she can do. Her eighteen year old Patrick has Down syndrome. He goes to school and works at a grocery store. Merry's job requires overtime work because of a project nearing the deadline and her boss, Jayson Bright, is a stern, by the book boss. To add to the stress, it is the Christmas season and a busy but special time for Merry. Merry's social life is non existent. Robin, her mom, and Patrick decide to sign Merry up for an online dating service using a different name, Merry Smith, and a picture of their golden retriever. They misspelled her name at work so her nameplate says Mary Knight.

Jayson Bright is under a lot of pressure to finish a project that Matterson Consulting is doing to gain work for the Boeing Company. His life revolves around the company and he has high goals to move into his uncle's place as head of the company when his uncle retires. Jayson's family life growing up consisted of being moved back and forth between parents when neither seemed to want him. He grew up in boarding schools and summer camps with his best friend and cousin, Cooper, who had the same kind of life. Christmas is just another day for Jayson. He always got presents but there was not a special celebration for the holiday. Cooper reconnected with Maddy, a girl that they knew at summer camp, on an online dating service and now they are engaged. Taken by surprise by Cooper's announcement, Jayson acknowledges his own loneliness and signs up with the online dating service under a different name. Jayson is drawn to Merry Smith whose picture is one of a golden retriever, a dog he once had.

As Jay and Merry connect online, they become friends but decide to wait a while to meet in person. But the situation gets complicated when they agree to meet. I don't want to give anything away so I am not going into anymore detail. When two people with different views of family and the Christmas season become friends, interesting things can happen. This is a sweet story of true Christmas spirit as seen in a close family enjoying gifts of the heart, time, baking, going to church and other traditions.

Thanks to Debbie Macomber and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber but this one didn't quite do it for me. It's a charming Christmas story but it is just too cliché for me. The main character Merry born the day after Christmas from a family who is poor but very loving. Then add in a brother and mother with disabilities (hints of Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol) and a boss Jayson Bright who has an attitude like Ebenezer Scrooge. Jump to modern day with the movie You've Got Mail running in the background with Merry meeting a mystery operate online and eventually deciding to meet. Flash to the scene at the coffee shop in You've Got Mail where Tom Hanks looks in the window to see his mystery mail girl and recognizes Meg Ryan except it is Jayson waiting in the coffee shop.
I normally do not do spoilers but had to share some of the story to point out the clichés. Debbie Macomber is an incredibly talented author who writes, charming, heartwarming, contemporary romances but I feel like she missed the mark with this one and it was disappointing to me.

So, a few pages in, if you haven't forgotten the title of the book (right there on the page corner) you know what has to happen, and the journey from here to there is all in the details. It's feel-good holiday cheer :) Don't be afraid to just enjoy it like a holiday sweet.