Merry has been working long hours as well as caring for her mother an brother. She was surprised when her mother signed her up on an internet dating site with a picture of their dog. She got a return message from a handsome dog in return which started a back and forth with a seemingly nice guy named Jay. They soon discovered that they liked each other and had lot in common. There are some surprises ahead for both of them that creates a fast and warm-heated read for those of us who love Christmas stories. Will Merry and Jay ever meet in person and will their feelings remain the same? Merry & Bright is a thoroughly enjoyable tale by a master story teller. You will keep the pages turning on this feel-good, light-hearted Christmas story

I have read only three of Debbie Macomber's Christmas romance novels, but her latest, Merry and Bright, due out October 3, 2017, is by far the best of the three. It shows that, while things could go horribly wrong, with internet dating, sometimes they go wonderfully right.
 
Merry Noel Knight has taken a year off from college to earn money for her senior year working as a temporary data entry clerk at Matterson Consulting, Her boss, Jayson Bright, is feeling pressure to prove himself to his uncle, the owner of the firm.
 
Merry is under pressure to complete the data for a huge report, and has no time for dating. Without her knowledge, her mother and her younger brother who has Down's Syndrome set up an account for her on the online site, "Mix & Mingle". In place of her photo, they post a photo of the family dog. Meanwhile, Jayson's cousin and best friend reveals that he is engaged to a childhood friend who he found on Mix & Mingle. After refusing to try it, Jayson (Jay) decides to set up an account for himself.
 
At work, Jay is stressed out and insists on everything being done by-the-book. He becomes a thorn in Merry's side. Outside of work, Jay is a nice guy, and it is this Jay who Merry meets online.
 
The book compares Jay's childhood of boarding school, and being used by his mother to manipulate his father, to Merry's family life of holidays together and sharing daily meals. It also shows the capabilities and loving personalities of those with Down's Syndrome. This book has a predictable ending, but is a wonderfully heart-warming, feel-good Christmas season story.
 
What Made This Book Reviewer Grumpy:
 
Using "bring" and "brought" when the words "take" and "took" should have been used.
Using "I've got" and "you've got" when it should have been "I have" and "you have".
Frequent use of split infinitives, such as "to forcibly turn", "to personally thank", etc. Look for me online as The Grumpy Book Reviewer.

Merry and Bright is an amazing Christmas novel! It is packed with emotion and ever lasting love and filled to the brim with the magic of Christmas. This is the book to read during the holiday season and I think I will be re-reading it during that time as it really brings out the joy of Christmas. Not only that, the budding romance mixed with the reality of dating in this day an age really make it stand out amongst the rest! I loved this one.

Warm hearted feel good story. A quick afternoon read. This author always leaves readers feeling good and wanting more. It's not deep thoughs, but just happy. We need this!

Another great Debbie Macomber read! Quick, happy, and uplifting. Loved this as a break from the world!

Debbie Macomber’s new book, Merry and Bright, is exactly that. The story follows Merry, a young woman with a loving family and a lot of responsibilities. One night, after a long day ruined by her rotten boss, her family announces they’ve signed her up for online dating. The story that follows is pleasant and undemanding. Unlike some of Macomber’s books, this one is not particularly church oriented. This book might make a good gift for an older female relative you’re visiting but don’t know well.

A super cute, fluffy read. I loved Merry & her family and the chemistry between her and Jayson. My only complaint is that the story felt a little rushed.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!***

Merry and Bright is a fun, magical read. Recommended read.

Debbie Macomber has once again written an engaging book. I feel like I know Merry, her family, and Jay. So much of the story rings true to lige. Great book!

A cute Christmas story that will definitely get you in the mood for the holidays.

I started reading this book and I thought awww, this is just like "you've got mail" and then it was even referenced in the book. I loved it. It was a beautiful lighthearted romance. Definitely recommend this book to give you that warm holiday feeling. You can't ever go wrong with Debbie Macomber books.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review by Net Galley and Random House- Ballatine.

Everything a Christmas story should be.
Warm, sweet and wonderful
Left me a bit teary eyed with happiness.

I received this ARC for an honest review. The story between Merry and Jay pulled me in from the very beginning. I had a hard time putting it down last night., and it was worth losing a little sleep. I loved how you get to know the characters. You understand why Merry and Jay are so work oriented. I hate having spoilers in my review; so my recommendation is to read this book.

I enjoyed this book so much. It was a light, easy read that I finished in a day. A book that makes you feel good! Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors and this does not disappoint!

Excellent book. Some may say, may the chips lie where they fall. Others may say you play the cards you were dealt or you get what is coming to you but we all like to think the best is yet to come. Merry is still in the state of of playing from that deck that was given to her after those chips fell down the drain. Faith hit her without knowing. A heart warming story that reminds us to look at other more carefully. Big 5 stars

A heart warming and feel good love story that will get you in the right mood for the holiday season. A tale of two opposite personalities who find a mutual understanding and respect for each other on an on line dating service. All of this transpires before one of them finds out that they know the other one. An engaging story that will hold your interest until the final paragraph.

I have rated this book 4.5 stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.

I loved the current love story through the dating site and the instant messaging between the characters. I found myself constantly smiling and eager to keep reading. The story had a wholesomeness to it on a real level that made the story. This author never disappoints on how she can make me feel a part of everything personally. This time I was given an up close and personal insight into a special needs person that I didn't have before and he really was special and openly honest. Loved it!

Merry Knight works as a full time temp employee at a consulting firm. She mainly enjoys her job but seems to have gotten on the wrong side of her employer when she eats and her desk and decorates her cubicle for Christmas. She is cheery and happy but lacks a social life. So her Brother and Mother decide to create an online dating profile for her. At first Merry is not to happy with the idea but eventually begins to have fun with it and begins an online relationship with a man who seems too good to be true.

Jayson Bright is the Vice President of his Uncle's Consulting Company. He has deadlines to meet and finds himself reprimanding his temp employee for and then feeling bad about it - but as the boss he must enforce the rules. He also does not have much of a social life. He works hard to make his deadlines and that does not leave him much room for fun. When he learns his Cousin Cooper is getting married and that he became re-acquainted with an old friend online, he decides to set up an online profile for himself. It isn't long before Jayson meets a woman online and begins an online relationship with her.

So the book is pretty predictable but that did not stop me from enjoying this book. I found that I liked all of the characters and was rooting for them both individually and together. This is a fast and enjoyable read for Christmas 2017. Debbie Macomber books are light and sweet but also deal with some real life issues. In this book we see characters with down syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis. If you are looking for a sweet feel good book for the Holiday season, this is a wonderful book. This book is also perfect for those who enjoy romance novels but without sex scenes or excessive (foul) language.

I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this Christmas story. All the characters were well played. Liked the theme of it too.

Debbie Macomber's Christmas novels are wonderful. I love reading them because they fill your heart with warmness. Her books make you believe in humanity again and this book is no different.
Merry is working as a temp. She is filling in for a year while the employee is on maternity leave. Unfortunately for her, her boss is sullen and does not seem to care about the employees. He just cares about the work getting done. She is very happy with her job until the last few weeks when she has to deal with her sullen boss.

Because she works so much, her brother and mother have signed her up for an online dating site and they have used their dog as the profile picture. When she starts wandering the pages and sees a guy with a dog profile picture too, they start talking. Her brother, who has down syndrome also starts talking when Merry is not looking. Just like any brother, he spills some of Merry's secrets.

Merry does find her true love in this book, but only after a lot of hard work and time. This book seems to give hope. If I could choose one message to share it would be to not give up, the right guy is out there, he might just need a little bit more time.

I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.