As always Debbie Macomber is a wonderful writer. This is a very heartfelt story that shows that knowing who a person is in side is the most important part of a relationship. Also people from very different backgrounds can meet and fall in love.

As usual, another holiday read from Debbie Macomber that hits just the right spot. I almost gave up early on, figuring this one just was not going to cut it for me, but kept on (I figure she deserves it.). Then, the book got exciting, I got totally involved in it and was glad I gave it a good shot.

Merry is a temp working at a consulting firm for a man who comes across as the world’s biggest curmudgeon, who hates everything that people do that makes them and those around them happier and be better people. This boss, Jayson, is quick to cite the chapter, line and verse of the employee handbook, when Merry tries to brighten things up, pointing out her infraction. Merry beginning to dislike him more and more as time goes on. Jayson, for his part, fells lost, even though he doesn’t realize is and certainly won’t admit it. He has worked all his life to succeed. Unlike Merry, who has a loving close family and who had a love-filled, good-memory childhood, Jayson’s childhood had a lonely, empty childhood, and his life thus far has not been much better. Jayson has gone to work for his bachelor uncle and hopes to succeed at the company’s current project, so his uncle will like him enough to let his run the company. Both Jayson and Merry end up on an on-line meet and greet, dating site, texting each other for long periods each night. Merry thinks she knows Jayson, who thinks he knows Merry. When they finally agree to meet, Merry cannot believe that her “chat mate” is her curmudgeon boss and chickens out of the meeting before it occurs, not telling Jayson why. After this, things between the couple go from good to bad to good again. Can Merry ever accept the fact that her “chat mate”, Jay, is really the boss she detests so much? Can Jay ever figure out what to do about his “chat mate” Merry and the “Mary” (whose name was misspelled on the nameplate by the company HR) at his office, to whom he is attracted for reasons he cannot understand?

This is a charming holiday story that will delight the reader. It definitely will get anyone in the holiday spirit. The story is well written, as is generally the case with Debbie Macomber. The characters are also well done and perfectly suited for their respective roles. As usual, I loved this one. Debbie has been filling my holidays with cheer and good stories for years and years, and, if you enjoy her books or want this, you will find her doing the same for you with this one. I highly recommend it. If you read nothing else this holiday season, read this one. I am sure you will not regret it. I only hope the story of Merry and Jay will continue in other books Debbie Macomber writes. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This is a sweet Christmas novel. It's a quick read but we get to know the characters well enough to have a warm feeling toward their dilemmas and resolution at the end. You're rooting for everything to turn out right, which it always does in the end.

This was short, sweet, and full of Christmas cheer. Merry struggled with reconciling what she knew of Jayson versus what she adored about Jay. Jayson had no clue that Mary and Merry were in fact the same person. Putting their confusion and their hearts out front allowed them both to see that what's inside is what matters and that we can all change for the better. They each brought the best in one another and I liked them as a pair. Merry's family was absolutely wonderful and it's no wonder Merry turned out as loving and kind as she did. It's also no wonder that Jayson was drawn to that innate goodness. I didn't really like how Jayson reacted to finally learning the truth and I felt that there should have been more groveling, but overall the conclusion was very sweet and added to the warmth that was replete throughout the entire story.

I love reading all the Christmas books that come out this time of year. And then to read a Christmas story by Debbie Macomber—that has got to be the ultimate!

Merry and Bright is a wonderful glimpse into Merry's life—a busy life with family and work. She loves the holiday season and all that goes with it. But she has a curmudgeon of a boss—a bah-humbug kind of guy. In her personal life though, as she gets to know the mysterious Jay on an online dating service, she starts to think that maybe there is something to the whole 'romance' thing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, like I have enjoyed all of Debbie's books. It is such a wonderful, feel-good story full of the Christmas spirit and lots of love.

A sweet Christmas tale filled with romance, compassion and beauty.

Merry (Mary) has spent the last year working as a temp entering data for a local Boeing contractor and has not focused on her love life. For her birthday, her mom and brother decide to sign up her up on a dating website using the family dog as her picture. During the get to know you process she falls for a fellow dog lover, Jay. They agree to meet at a local coffee shop and when she shows up she realizes Jay is her rude, grouchy boss Jayson. She leaves without him seeing her. Will they continue to talk on Mix and Mingle or will Merry shut it down before giving it a chance?

I liked that Merry's brother was "special" with Downs Syndrome. Macomber treated his character with respect. His character was a perfect fit for this romantic Christmas story.

Merry and Bright is the perfect book that can be read over a cold, snowy weekend with the Christmas tree lights twinkling as you read. It is a clean romance book suitably for teenagers and above.

Fans of Debbie Macomber looking for a sweet, romantic Christmas story will not be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for an advance copy for a review based on my own honest opinion.

Wow I always Love Debbie's books but the Holiday book always manage to get a reader in the holiday spirit even if Christmas is a couple of months away. And this book doesn't disappoint. And these characters are so very realistic they could be your neighbors and this also adds to how realistic a book feels. Loved it and can't wait to continue reading future releases.

Book Talk…10/6/17
Traci Kenworth

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber. Random House Publishing-Ballantine. Copy from Netgalley. Available Oct. 3, 2017.

Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

Merry has a temp job for a company trying to bring in a Boeing report by Christmas. Overtime is mandatory and the boss seems to be a scrooge. When she has one too many run-ins with him, she decides she dislikes him. Meanwhile, at home, her mother and brother sign her up for a dating website, Mix and Mingle. They don’t put a picture of her, but of their dog. She doubts anyone will be interested. However, after hearing about his cousin’s recent engagement, Jayson Bright decides to look up the dating site he met his fiancé on. He sees Merry’s profile and responds. They strike up a friendship immediately that turns to something more despite their not seeing a picture of each other.
Merry or as the HR department has misspelled her name, Mary, continues to collide with her boss not realizing he is the Jaye she talks to online. When they are supposed to meet for their first date, Merry realizes what a mistake it is and doesn’t show. Can these two find it in themselves to give love and each other a shot?

I LOVED this book! It is everything a Debbie Macomber novel should be! Funny, charming, and a big dash of Christmas spirit. The characters are interesting. At first, you think Mary’s online dating name is just what her mom and brother chose for her. As the boss, Jayson Bright is the strict boss you hate to butt heads with but as you get to know him, you see there is something more. Neither suspects the other is something more until the first time their supposed to meet. You can almost feel the trepidation when Mary learns the boss waiting for her is the heartwarming man she’s been trading conversation with for weeks. The plot is simple: mistaken identity but Debbie Macomber weaves it so well, she makes the whole story new.

Merry Knight is trying to balance her job and home life. As things get busier at the office, her commitments at home helping her mom and brother pick up as well. The story could have veered into the sappy, but it is an uplifting holiday story with a sweet romance in which Merry and "Jay" find love in the most unexpected place.

This is an easy, quick read that is a perfect read to start getting into the holiday spirit. Merry is a likeable main character and she and her mom and brother are all devoted to each other and will do what it takes to make the others happy. The love story is entertaining, even when the reader is able to guess the outcome. I really enjoyed Debbie Macomber's latest standalone Christmas story.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Ballantine books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

This is another great holiday book by Debbie Macomber. Merry is working is an office doing data entry. Her coworkers are nice and she’s made fries with them, but it’s a temp job. Her boss isn’t exactly the nicest guy to work for. She doesn’t have time to go out to find someone to date, so her mom and brother sign her up for an online dating website. They even use their family dog as her picture so that they can help weed out guys who are only interested in her looks. Merry begins to text with a man named Jay online. Typical twists in her books get you to the end and a wonderful end, which I won’t spoil! Let me just say that this is definitely one to pick up!

"My name is Bright, but until I met you I was lost in a black void. You were the one who showed me the way out of the dark. "

What would the holidays be without a Christmas book by Debbie Macomber? Merry and Bright has Ms. Macomber special heartwarming spin on the “You Got Mail” theme. Besides the wonderful Merry and the Scrooge-like Jayson, there is an endearing cast of supporting characters with Merry’s family. This has all the making of a Hallmark Christmas movie in the making.

The well-written plot is easy on the heart with characters who need a closer look and a second chance. First impressions are often superficial only as Ms. Macomber shows in Jayson’s case. Because of that you know where Merry and Bright is headed. Who cares that it is predictable, it is a delight to read. Also, I love the play on the names in the title.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

I opened this book up yesterday, intending to read it in between chapters in my other book. Now 24 hours later I'm done with this one, and my poor other book has been neglected. (I received the book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review - and glad I did!)

Merry is working long hours at a job and spending the remainder of her time with her parents and brother. Her mother and brother sign her up for a dating site, and she forms a great connection with someone. Her Scrooge-like boss Jayson also signed up on the site - and guess what!? He is the one. I fully realize the base plot has been done before, but it was an enjoyable, light holiday read and I couldn't put it down.

Merry and Bright is another great Debbie Macomber book!!! Debbie has a way of pulling you in, making you part of the story. If you are looking for a Christmas romance, this is it!

This is a wonderful Christmas read with captivating characters and a beautifully written story that will warm your heart and put a smile on your face. I really liked Merry Knight and her dynamic with the other characters, especially her grumpy boss, Jason Bright.

This book will definitely put you in the mood for Christmas. Ms. Macomber writes with so much love and emotion, the story will stay with you long after you finish the book.

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my unbiased review.

I love anything to do with Christmas so when I was given an opportunity by NetGalley to read and review an advance copy of “Merry and Bright”, I was more than happy to accept. Debbie Macomber is a gifted writer who has a way of creating wonderful characters who are human and who have flaws.

Jayson Bright is a grumpy boss… he rarely smiles and has a very gruff nature around the office. His employees steer clear of him when possible and that suits him just fine. Merry Knight is a temporary employee working for Jayson and she is a cheerful friendly soul who cannot understand Jayson’s demeanor.

Merry is working to save up enough $ for tuition and her job will end just before Christmas but that does not hamper her Christmas spirit. As a birthday/Christmas gift, her brother and mother sign her up for a dating service as she has no social life to speak of. Rather than use her real photo, they posted a picture of the family dog as her profile photo. This leads to an interesting twist in the story….

When his cousin reveals that he is engaged, Jayson realizes how empty his life is and he signs up on the same dating site as Merry. Funny thing is, he uses his dog’s photo in his profile as well. As fate would have it.. the two of them find each other on the site and start chatting, all the while not having any clue that they already know each other.

The plot thickens as they say… but no spoilers here… you will have to read the book to discover what happens next! The mistaken identities lead to some interesting moments!

I loved this book and it has all the elements of a great Hallmark Channel holiday movie. It is only October but I am already in the Christmas spirit after reading this wonderful book.

Macomber, Debbie
Merry and Bright
A delightful Christmas romance, sweet and loving. I was reminded of YOU’VE GOT MAIL even before it was mentioned as one of Merry’s favorite movies. In truth, the basic story of lovers’ confused identities is a classic one, back to (and likely before) Shakespeare, though Will could not have foretold online dating. Lovely lessons that people can change and should be given a chance to, that we do show different aspects of our selves in different settings, that love is a worthwhile risk, and family can be one’s strength. The writing flows beautifully, and yes, I did stay up a bit late because I just couldn’t stop reading.

Fabulous, cute Christmas story with true charm via a twist with an on line dating twist. Love the heroine Merry Knight, her family and all the fun great read.

When it comes to setting a Christmas mood with her magical words, there is no author who does that better -for me – than Debbie Macomber. I’ll read anything she produces throughout the year. Yet her holiday themed stories capture my heart every single time with faith, love and hope shinning through the pages. This year she brings us Merry and Bright. A delightful romance of two people who should not have worked under any circumstances. Still, it’s amazing what the heart can discover when there are no distractions to get in the way, when only our words show our true selves to another person.

Merry is at heart a happy person who absolutely loves the holiday season. It takes a super Grinch to mess up that mood but her boss is working very hard to make that a reality. No choice overtime, a grumpy, unreasonable boss have put a damper on Merry’s spirits this season. Oh, she hasn’t lost that magic but it certainly isn’t a bright as it once was. She has responsibilities at home, and work is seriously getting in the way of enjoying her life. When her mother and brother set her up at an online dating site she’s incredulous. But a few conversations with one man has her rethinking just about everything. Determined to not meet face to face immediately, Merry is slowly coming to the conclusion that Jay is simply perfect for her… right up until they meet in person and the man behind the written words is revealed.

I loved Merry and Bright. It will bring a smile, perhaps some frustration, definitely emotions and a belief that no matter what is shown on the surface when we dig down a bit we’ll often find gold. If you are already a Debbie Macomber fan, then you’ll be picking up this one fast. If you haven’t discovered her yet (which would be pretty amazing considering she’s been giving us amazing stories for years now)… well, then this story is a perfect way to discover the magic of the season and true love.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Every year I look forward to Ms. Macomber's Christmas book and this was her best one yet! I read the entire book in one night, I could not put it down. This is a sweet story about falling in love. The author makes her characters believable and you can't help but love them. The only downside is waiting a year for the next Christmas book.