I have reviewed this book for New York Journal of Books where it will be posted on their site the evening prior to the release date.

"Jingle All the Way" by Debbie Macomber
Ballantine Books
October 13, 2020
10-1984818759
272 pages
Women's Contemporary Romance


The middle sibling of five, Daisy Lancaster, is half-owner of a high-powered Chicago online real estate company called Easy Home. Believing the name Daisy is too frivolous for running a business, she goes by Everly, which to her is more sophisticated. She works long days and is frustrated when her partner, Jack Campbell insists she hire his niece, Annette as her assistant. Annette is young, immature, and knows nothing about the industry and causes nothing but problems for Everly. When Everly confronts Jack stating Anette must go, he suggests—no demands—she take a month's vacation. Seeing it is nearing December when things slow down, he insists they'll manage well enough without her, reminding her she hasn't taken time off in six years.

A phone call to her mother in Indiana does not help calm Everly's stress after she hears her say it's a good idea for her to get away. Her mom reminds her how much she was missed last Christmas when she was too busy working to come for the holiday, so Everly promises she will be there after her trip.

On Jack's orders, Annette books a cruise to Brazil for Everly, and though it's against her better judgement to go, she basically has no choice. Jack refuses to fire Annette, and Everly states she will not deal with the young woman’s incompetence. Everly gives in, knowing she needs a break and after many flight delays, she barely makes it to the ship. Once aboard, she learns there is no TV, phone, pool, or Internet service! How can she do any work, even though she's supposed to relax and not think about the office?

She meets Asher Adams, the naturalist tour advisor who explains this two-week cruise down the Amazon River offers nothing but the rainforest of which he gives daily lectures and tours off ship for the passengers. Already having departed, Everly cannot disembark, so she determines to brace herself for fourteen days of boredom. When she is bitten by a mosquito and becomes extremely ill, she is confined to her tiny quarters for several days. To her relief, she is not alone as Asher helps her recover, spending time with her and nursing her back to health. As they spend this time together, they get to know each other better, and feelings begin to grow. Now Everly is rethinking her life situation.

"Jack had no idea what he'd done when he insisted she take the entire month of December off. Everly was convinced he would live to regret that decision.

"The longer Everly was out of the office, the more she realized how stressed out she was and how badly she needed to slow down and have a life. This vacation had opened her eyes to how she'd fallen victim to her own need to succeed. She'd given up Christmas with her family, lost out on relationships, worked tirelessly—and for what?"

Though Everly imagined this would be the trip from Hell, she finds she is enjoying every aspect of it, including the unexpected plunge into the piranha-infested river and being captured by a native tribe.

All too soon they return to port, and the hour of departure is upon Everly. She professes her feelings to Asher, and though he feels the same, he recognizes they live in two different worlds. She has an important career in Chicago while his life consists of giving tours in exotic places, so how could they have any type of future? He explains this to her letting her go, breaking her heart.

Everly arrives back in the states after her vacation and heads to Indiana questioning herself. Was she wrong? She thought she and Asher shared the same feelings. How could he think so little of her? She assumed what they had was special.

Apprehensive about seeing her parents and siblings again, always having felt like a third wheel, she is delighted and surprised at how they welcome her with open arms. She unburdens herself to her sister about Asher, who shows nothing but empathy for her. Though she is delighted to be home, she states she has some serious misgivings about her future. She cannot go on pulling all the weight in the business, but what else can she do? And, meeting Asher has changed her priorities, but will she ever see or hear from him again? Though confused and dejected, her family offers her the love and comfort she so needs.

"Jingle All the Way" is somewhat of a departure from Ms. Macomber's other novels, by bringing a surprising change of locale describing the beauty and dangers of the Amazon. However, she still imparts the importance of family intimacy and support. This delightful Christmas story can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Everly works too hard at a real estate business she co-owns, and is very unhappy with her inept assistant, who has only been hired because her uncle is Jack, the other co-owner of the business. When Jack tells her to take a month off because she is too stressed, she’s not very happy about it. But her assistant, who she would love to fire, does what her uncle asks, and books her on a cruise that had a last-minute cancellation. Little does Everly know, but it’s a small eco-cruise of the Amazon rain forest. As it turns out, Everly has a wonderful time and even falls for the ship’s naturalist, Asher. But is it a 2 week hook-up, or can it be more? Asher is happy doing what he’s doing, and Everly loves Chicago and her job.

No spoilers, but this was another good Macomber book. While I wouldn’t necessarily call it a “Christmas” book because there were so many other things going on, it does have some holiday cheer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC and submit my honest review.

I look forward to reading Debbie Macomber’s Christmas books every year. While this one was very different from any of her previous Christmas books, it was one of her best. The storyline was original and completely captivating.

Everly Lancaster was one of five children. She always felt like she wasn’t as important as her siblings. She was co-owner of a thriving real estate company. She dedicated herself completely to making the company a success.

Her vindictive, incompetent assistant, who is also her business partner’s niece, books a luxury cruise for her that turns out to be two weeks in the Amazon Rain Forest. Anything that can possibly go wrong does.

Asher Adams, the naturalist and tour guide on the cruise is the only thing that makes the trip bearable.

Everly has time during the cruise with no internet and no contact with ‘her world’ to rethink her priorities.

Every Debbie Macomber Christmas book has an uplifting message. Ms. Macomber never disappoints. I highly recommend that you add Jingle All the Way to your TBR list.

Each year I eagerly await the author’s Christmas stories as they are always lighthearted and uplifting. Perfect for the season. The storyline deals with finding joy in unexpected places and often in unwanted circumstances. It gives credence to the adage “love conquers all”. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read in advance of publication.

What a great read! Now I want to go on an Amazon cruise and spend Christmas in Indiana! Debbie Macomber never fails to disappoint me, and this book is no exception. I will definitely be recommending this holiday read to my reader friends!

I'm a big fan of turning someone's dark plot into something fabulous, an advantage and a 'win,' so I enjoyed this fast-moving book with its signature magic of Debbie Macomber. It's an easy book to get lost in, scenic, with plenty of electricity in the romantic connection. A sweet and transporting book. i liked this one, and am always happy with a favorite author surpasses my expectations. So much in this world is hard to predict, but with Debbie's books you're always delighted. Well done, DM!

*** I received an advanced e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ⭐️
I have to admit this is my first book by Debbie Macomber (shocking I know) but I am definitely eager to read more by her!
At first I found the cover to be a little misleading. I was expecting the typical beginning to end holiday romance and was pleasantly surprised and intrigued with the unexpected twist/trip down the Amazon. I was engorssed right from the start with workaholic Everly(Daisy), her ever failing assistant Annette.
Jingle All the Way is a heart warming page turner. The characters were real, and relatable. A unexpected adventure with snakes, piranhas, self-reflection and finding out what's truly important in life.

I love Debbie Macomber's Christmas books so much. They are always so full of love, family, and just everything amazing about the Christmas season.
I loved these characters so much. They felt so real and were easy to relate to. They were the type of people I would love to know in real life.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially if you want to get lost in a clean, happy story this Christmas season.

Daisy did not realize how stressed she was working long hours and managing her business until she took a cruise down the Amazon, away from it all. Asher did not realize he was avoiding a life that included a family until he encountered Daisy. Asher was the naturalist who loved to give talks then lead those on the cruise into the remote parts of the Amazon. He was drawn to Daisy immediately, but it was not until he got to know her when she had a reaction to a mosquito bite, that he realized how important she was to him. This book has many funny moments as the “perfect” businesswoman had trouble navigating the sight seeing adventures on the cruise; fishing for piranhas, dealing with snakes, and getting captured by native tribesmen. This book was great: warm, funny, and full of the importance of family .

I’m telling you, I will never, ever tire of a Debbie Macomber Christmas book! They are all equally cozy and fun! This one was no exception. The only downside was that I read it during a heat wave. I’ll have to read it again in December in front of my fireplace. ❤️

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. I loved it! Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters and the story was so heartwarming. Perfect feel good read.

As always, Debbie Macomber writes the CUTEST Christmas stories. This one might be my favorite so far. Loved it from the first page and will Re read as we get closer to Christmas. So good!

I was happy to receive an ARC from a favorite author, Debbie Macomber, and am voluntarily reviewing. Jingle All the Way is a sweet romance that takes place in the month leading up to Christmas. Everly, whose real name is Daisy, is a high powered career woman who started her own company with a partner and let’s it take over her world. When her partner insists that she take a vacation it is an unwanted opportunity to see how much she has given up for her job. The setting of this one is a little different, a cruise on the Amazon doesn’t really make me think. Christmas, but the story sweet with touches of humor.

****Jingle All the Way is a sweet story about Daisy, a workaholic woman commanded to take a vacation and Asher, the tour guide on her boat. The luxury cruise she anticipated turns out to be anything but luxurious, but both come to realize that their meeting is a defining life event. Will this new understanding carry forward when the voyage is over? Christmas is coming and both have family around the Chicago area. Author Debbie Macomber is a pro at creating characters with depth and amusing situations that keep her fans engaged. This reader easily can see the story as a wonderful Hallmark Christmas movie. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

I love how the Christmas season makes us think of the special loved ones in our lives, thia is what happens to Everly Lancaster as she decides quite unexpectedly to take some time off a very high paced job. Her new totally incompetent assistant tells her she books her a wonderful cruise only to find out that she is now going up the Amazon river and is not prepared! The naturalist on the cruise , Asher Adams becomes her rock during many uncomfortable situations!! The interactions between Everly and Asher are sweet and comforting and before we know it sparks were flying!! I like Christmas stories that make you stop and consider what’s really out priorities! #NETGALLEY#JINGLEALLTHEWAY

This is such a cute story. Although the cover is a little deceptive since most of the book is set in the Amazon, it is not a bad deception. I love everything about Asher and Everly. Their adventures in the Amazon were hilarious and quite enjoyable. This was a very easy to read story that went by fast, and is for anytime you want to have those warm fuzzy feelings.

Even though I could foretell the ending of this book, it was still a sweet read.
What happens when a workaholic has a problem with one of her employees? Well, this one ends up in Brazil on an Amazon cruise, and we are along for her journey. She does end up with a shipboard romance, so to speak, but this is not a usual boy meets girl story.
I did love the warm family oriented aspect here, and being with loved ones at the Christmas season.
Can two job oriented people change their way of life, both married to their jobs! When you meet them and know what they are doing, you will wonder how any future relationship would ever be possible!
This is a quick page-turning read that will warm your heart.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine, and was not required to give a positive review.

This was a new take on the ultimate Christmas vacation story and Debbie Macomber didn't disappoint with Jingle All the Way. I laughed out loud several times as the comedy unfolded and it began on page one. From the assistant who never should have been an assistant to the business partner who was out of sync with his business Everly clearly needed a break more than she even knew. Even if you do not work in a high powered career, there is someone is this story you can identify with.

One takeaway from this story of a vacation gone awry is that sometimes, a fresh look at life is a good thing before it passes on by. Everly and Asher are a good example of two people who are so busy with their goals they nearly missed the golden opportunity of a lifetime. Deadlines are important, even Wi-Fi is important, but just like everything else, there is a time and place even for those parts of our lives.

I admired Everly for the way she met every challenge on her cruise. Her expectations for the cruise she reluctantly took were so different than the ship she boarded, yet she proved to be the ultimate good sport. If you are looking for a new kind of Christmas story, look no further than Jingle All the Way!

Everly (Daisy) has had it with her assistant, Annette, her business partner’s niece, for her incompetence. Trying to cajole her out of firing Annette Jack insists she take December off and suggests a cruise. What was supposed to be a relaxing luxury cruise turns out to be a trip down the Amazon - Annette’s version of revenge. Everly has a series of misadventures on the trip, but the one thing she is able to do is relax and recover from all the stress related to overworking at her job. The high point of the trip is meeting Asher. He is the naturalist aboard the Amazon Explorer. Daisy (Everly) and Asher are attracted to one another, but Asher doesn’t see how it could work so when they say goodbye at the end of the trip he tells Daisy they have no future. Everly (Daisy) goes home to Chicago, checks in at her job for a couple of hours then goes to Indiana for Christmas with her family. Daisy (Everly) tells one of her sisters about Asher to get help working through the hurt, but otherwise she focuses on enjoying time with her family and all the Christmas traditions. Asher surprises her when he shows up at her family’s farm. They have some decisions to make, but they both agree they want a future together.

Jingle All the Way
Debbie Macomber
October 13, 2020


Easy Home Realty, owned and operated by Everly Lancaster and her partner Jack Campbell, have spent the past 6 years pouring time and energy into their popular home business. Jack, being the creative director of the business, while Everly, spent her hours managing everyday operations, budgets, and personnel. Much to Everly’s disagreement Jack hired his niece, Annette to become her office assistant. At a congress of 500 real estate brokers Everly was due to speak at an award dinner. She reminded Annette several times of the things she needed to have a spectacular speech and video production for Easy Home. Stepping in front of the crowd she realized too late that her pleasant but not diligent Annette had downloaded the wrong production. Although Everly did her best to remember the talk and present without the viewing, her presentation to the throng of professionals was not what she envisioned. Tomorrow, she would finally fire Annette for the last amongst all her misdoings. Unfortunately Jack was not to be swayed. He felt that she needed a vacation due to stress and Annette should be given another chance. He spoke with the assistant and encouraged her to book a cruise for Everly. She could be gone for the month of December. The cruise would last 2 weeks then home to visit her family in Indiana for her last 2 weeks. Everly was not pleased with what Jack had done but really could not disagree with his assessment. Throughout her career she had yet to take time off, nor spend time with her folks or her siblings.
Macomber’s newest Christmas novel is nothing like I had envisioned, especially with the title JIngle All the Way. I anticipated family celebrations from Thanksgiving to Christmas, with tales of jubilee with perhaps some grievances thrown in. Ok, Ok, nothing wrong with that but I will be the first to admit when I am wrong. Debbie gave us a story of traveling down the Amazon River in a small cruise ship. Her characters were retired, professional couples who like adventure and discovery in unpopulated areas of the world. Not only was I surprised at the plot that unfolded into a really great story, I fell into a synopsis of fact and fiction that was tough to put down. No more spoilers, you will need to pick up Debbie Macomber’s Jingle All The Way on October 13, 2020 when it is published by Ballantine Books of New York. They have my gratitude for allowing me to read the uncorrected ebook prior to publishing. I encourage all her followers as well as new readers to Debbie Macomber (are there any???) to be sure to purchase or find a copy via library. Such a fun read!