Member Reviews
I have always been a Debbie Macomber fan and loyally read one of her Christmas installments year after year. With the opportunity from Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group and Ballantine sending me an Advanced Reader’s Copy, I jumped at the chance to read her newest. That’s where the joy ended.
Where all her previous novels were set inside of Christmas, this book was only written in the month of December; that’s as far as it got. 3/4 of the novel takes place on the Amazon River and while you get the romance part, you don’t get the holiday portion (sorry playing carols during appetizers doesn’t cut it). She eventually moves the story along closer to Christmas but it doesn’t have all the feels you want to get you in the holiday mood. It turned out to be a generic romance that doesn’t offer much in return. Skip this one and pick up a different Macomber Christmas gem.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this title.
I enjoyed this quick holiday read this past December. I then turned to her backlist and listened to several more of her holiday books.
Typical Macomber Christmas, a tradition for me, even if they are not the best. I feel like this one sits some where in the middle of the pack.
Another sweet story from Debbie! The main character was relatable in that she's running a company and trying to prove herself as a woman. Forced on a vacation (cruise that turns out to be exactly what she didn't think but definitely needed!), she learns to slow down and enjoy life around her. Meeting a guy doesn't hurt either ;)
The characters were so well developed and relatable. The story kept you locked in wanting to read more to see how it ended! Such a cute rom-com!!
Was excited to get this ARC before Christmas and tried multiple times to get into it, but the story had no Christmas. It was taking place on the Amazon River and I just kept putting it down for other Christmas stories. In the time I had the ARC we actually got a real copy at the library so I checked it out to see if I needed the book in hand. Finally it was the last of my Christmas pile and it was after Christmas that I tried again. Bingo! I needed to read it not as a Christmas book since that only comes into play for a short bit at the very end.
Loved the story and it was a great quick feel good read! I just don't think it should be a Christmas book.
Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber. #JingleAlltheWay #NetGalley
Let's just dive right in! -- just like Everly did, straight into the Amazon river! Half of the book actually takes place in the Amazon jungle, with Everly experiencing some wacky adventures on her expedition cruise in Brazil. She finds herself starting to fall in love with a man she meets aboard the ship -- even if the situation seems impossible for them to be together. After that though, Everly trucks it back to her family's home in Indiana. That's where the pretty, snow-covered scenery and everything-you-need-in-a-heartwarming-Christmas story come in. And what would you know, maybe a Christmas surprise too.
A clean romance read.
Some say revenge is sweet, and when overworked Everly Lancaster is tricked by a disgruntled employee, and is booked on an educational cruise down the Amazon river instead of the relaxing luxury liner she had been expecting, she had no idea what a blessing in disguise this revenge tactic would be. What starts out as a nightmare quickly becomes a once in a lifetime adventure for Everly, full of insane accidents, adventures I couldn't conjure up in my wildest dreams, and deep self-reflection; showing that life doesn't always go as you planned, but it's those unplanned surprises that could be the best thing that could ever happen to you.
I felt all warm and fuzzy while I read Jingle All the Way and could hardly put it down! This novel has everything you crave in a sweet Christmas read. You have Everly's unexpected trip that leads to some crazy incidents, that were hilarious but also truly gave me the willies, as the images were vivid in my mind, and stuck with me throughout the whole book. You get to witness an unlikely friendship between Everly and Asher that grows into something magical, as well as attention to past relationships, which is truly wondrous, as it mirrors and mingles with the blossoming bond of Everly and Asher.
There is a dash of drama that is heart-rendering, but the ending picks you right back up, putting you on a happily-ever-after high. Everly and Asher have a remarkable chemistry, the imagery was truly breathtaking, making me wish I could go on that Amazonian trip myself. Beautifully descriptive writing by the incredibly talented Debbie Macomber made this the perfect holiday read for me and one that I could see myself reading again!
If you're looking for a Christmas story romance, this one falls a bit short of the mark in my opinion. Technically, it does take place in December, but it's not as Christmasy as the cover would suggest.
I’ve read lots of Christmas books this season and let’s face it, they tend to be a bit hit and miss. Jingle All the Way was nearly a miss. I loved the writing style and the characters were pretty well developed. However, the only Christmas in this story was at the very end when she was celebrating with her family. I realize that the blurb mentions the Amazon, but with that, I would've expected something different on the cover - I don't know, a cruise ship maybe? I've read plenty of stories with Christmas happening at some point, but it's not made to look like a Christmas romance, which is what should've been done with this one, especially when you consider the author's reputation for holiday stories. I mean, the blurb even calls her the 'queen of Christmas,' so it stands to reason that a person would pick this one up and without looking at the blurb, think they're getting a Holiday story.
As I mentioned, I did like the writing style and the characters, and It's a quick read, which is nice in these crazy times when I tend to get so easily distracted. It's also a bit too predictable, so when I weighed it all and thought about it, I landed firmly on middle ground with this one. It's not a bad story by any means, but it's not quite what I expected and hoped for either.
Thank you Debbie Macomber! This was a great Christmas story! I so love your writings! I always have to read your Christmas novels or it would not be a normal Christmas! Thank you!
Another sweet, happy ending story by Debbie Macomber. A fast, fun read with characters that you will like and relate to. And, who does love exotic settings like a Amazon cruise. Daisy is a hardworking lady in the real estate business. With no life balance, she take an unwanted vacation and finds love and figures out how to a balance work and love life..
A great quick Christmas read. I love reading cheesy Christmas books around the Holidays and was excited when NetGalley provided an Arc copy of this book in exchange for a review. Everly Lancaster finds herself in quite the predicament when her vacation turns out to be something else entirely. Fun & quirky mishaps along the way add up to a cute (but super cheesy) love story. It could easily be made into a Hallmark movie. So this is not Dickens, so I wouldn't recommend going into this thinking it's a groundbreaking novel, but it was the light read I needed at the end of 2020.
I love Debbie Macomber and all her books and this one didn't disappoint. Everly (or Daisy as her family call her) is an over-worked executive. Her boss and co-owner insists she take a month off. Even though he and his niece are are part of the reason for her stress. Her assistant (the niece) books her on an Amazon nature cruise instead of a a luxury cruise to Brazil. Everly wants off, but she gets sick from a mosquito bite and Asher is assigned to care for her.
This book made me laugh and root for Everly and Asher. I love her characters and the stories always leave me feeling good.
Everly has to deal with a less than useful assistant at work, who just so happens to be her partner's niece. In an effort to reduce her stress, her partner tells her to take a month off of work and asks her assistant to book her on a cruise. Everly gets to South America and realizes this isn't a relaxing cruise, it's a naturalist expedition through the Amazon. Completely unprepared, she doesn't make a good impression on the guide, but that starts to change as the tour continues. They're from two different worlds, so it's destined to be a vacation romance only, or is it?
Jingle All the Way is a delightfully funny, warmly engaging Christmas Romance! In true Debbie Macomber fashion this story had me laughing a bunch, shedding a few tears, and I couldn't stop reading this book till the very last sentence.
Most of all, I came away from this story with a huge smile on my face and a warmth in my heart that is still with me today. I loved reading Jingle All the Way and I highly recommend it!
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all view expressed are my own. Thank you to Ballentine Books, Ms. Macomber and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Jingle All The Way, Debbie Macomber's latest holiday release, is a bit of a departure from her normal Christmas novels. Everly Lancaster, a workaholic, is ordered to take a vacation and the month of December off from work. Fearful that everything will go wrong her mother convinces her to take the time off. Everly's assistant, in an act of revenge, books her for a cruise down the Amazon-not a luxury vacation. However, even with a couple disasters, Everly managers to connect with Asher, the cruise line's naturalist. Forced to revisit her priorities, Everly's connection with Asher deepens and she questions what's really important. As Christmas with her family looms closer, will Everly receive a Christmas miracle?
While this book is less "holiday" feel than Macomber's other holiday releases, it was a feel good story-similar in vein to a Hallmark movie. While the stories can become formulaic the departure from the typical themes was a good turn-3.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
As always Debbie Macomber delivers a great read. This story is about Everly who is trapped in the middle of 5 siblings She has always had big dreams but has found her work is her life. Her boss insists she takes the month of December off. By accident she is booked on a cruise in the Amazon instead of a luxury beach vacation
Asher is the ship's naturalist and convinces Everly the trip will be unforgettable. As their relationship deepens Everly is forced to take a hard look at her priorities.
Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber
The positive attitude of the main character shines through in this short, fun Christmas novel by Debbie Macomber. Real Estate executive Everly Lancaster faces many struggles as she unintentionally embarks on an Amazon River cruise that she thought was going to be a luxury cruise. From getting lost on a hike in the Amazon rainforest to falling into piranha infested waters, she finds a way to see the positive side of each situation she encounters. She learns a lot about herself and her priorities as she takes this unexpected journey, which helps her find room in her life for more than just work.
Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber was an excellent story adventure. It was a bit different than her other stories, but I enjoyed this one just as well. Imagine that you were going on a cruise, but find out that it is not what you expected. A non frills Amazon River cruise with no internet, phone, etc. Well this high achieving executive found herself in that position. She also finds the man of her dreams. I love Debbie's stories and this one did not disappoint me. I highly recommend it!
Thanks Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
The most unlikely duo comes together after a high powered executive is booked on a 'luxury cruise' by her incompetent assistant. Winding up touring the Amazon, Everly meets Asher, where sparks fly from the start. It's not all smooth sailing however, and both are sent on a journey that has them reevaluating their lives and what they want in the future.
A sweet holiday romance to warm your heart this time of year.
Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
"Jingle All the Way" includes two stories woven together in one novel. Daisy/Everly enjoys her career as an online real estate manager, but her partner forces her to take a vacation. Her "luxury" cruise turns out to be a trip down the Amazon river on a small educational cruise. During her trip, Daisy meets Asher, the ship naturalist, and sparks fly between the two. They part ways at the end of the cruise, since Daisy's city style and Asher's freewheeling travel don't mesh. The novel then changes focus as Daisy goes home to the family farm for Christmas with her parents and siblings.
Readers who enjoy a romance novel without strong language, intimate scenes, and violence will find this holiday themed novel to be a lighthearted read. From my point of view, the novel needed more continuity, and the Christmas setting was secondary to the romance aspect of the novel. Each part of the novel could have been a standalone novella with a bit more development. The abrupt ending and epilogue left me somewhat confused, wondering how we got from here to there? Debbie Macomber fans will probably delight in the humor and descriptions. Many readers would most likely identify with the "work-a-holic" theme.
I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.