this is a story of two friends who trade places the week before Christmas. You can never go wrong with a Debbie Macomber book.

“The Christmas Spirit” by Debbie Macomber
Nana tells the best stories !!!
Yup, I loved this story. It has chuckles, maybe a tear or two, two kids, and a bit of history. All of that tied up in a delightful easy reading story I am sure you will enjoy. Well, IF you like sweet, clean stories. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.

When you read a Debbie Macomber Christmas story you know you are going to get a wholesome message with sweet characters. When I thought it might get too schmaltzy the author keeps it all on track showing her skill as a storyteller. This story has two life long best friends, one is a bar owner and the other a pastor. They decide to switch places the week before Christmas each thinking the other has an easier job. Pastor Peter takes over the bar which brings him in contact with bikers, strippers (not from his bar) and a new down on her luck waitress. Hank takes on over seeing the church deliveries of Christmas baskets and getting ready for the live manger scene. The church secretary Grace, who is Peter’s sister, ends up helping Hank and he helps her get over her past hurts as well.

I only have two negatives. First the story is being told by a Nana to her grandkids ages 8 an 6. And I’m not sure you’d really include drug dealing bikers and strippers in a story for that young of an audience. And the few chapters where it shows the kids reactions interrupts the story flow. My second rant is minor but it has come up in three books I’ve read this week. It is where the male MC calls the female MC by a nickname and refuses to give it up after being corrected more than once. It is not endearing. It is misogynistic, provoking and demeaning. Hank knows it bothers her and laughs and says ’she’ll get use to it’. If the female protests she is made to look like she isn’t fun. This is probably the wrong book to make my pet peeve known but I’ve decided to start calling it out.

I am happy I got a chance to read this story. It is good to realize the grass isn’t always greener and we can always learn by thinking about walking in someone shoes. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber
story starts out with a grandmother and she's got her two grandkids over for the night and she proceeds to tell them a story.
One is about a pastor and the other is a bartender. They each think the other has so much time on their hands and agree for a week to swap jobs.
the pastor has a sister Grace Ann who is a secretary and keeps him busy with things to do for the parish. Hank handles not only bartending but the books and scheduling.
They soon learn both jobs are not easy in any way. Granddaughter enjoys the hand holding and kissing but the grandson plugs his ears when the parts come with warning from the grandmother.
Love the charity things done to help the church with things they need. Christmas party of hookers and bikers, what a concept.
Things you can't imagine are happening in this book. Like how they also both find women in their lives and they wree right there all along.
Different perspectives and it's a wonder who shows up at the church service with the bartender in charge of the nights service. Love how the community helps when needed, no questions asked.
Cute Christmas story.
Received this review copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheChristmasSpirit #NetGalley

The queen of Christmas books has just DELIVERED an amazing story once again. Debbie Macomber is my go to author for Christmas stories. Debbie Macomber, thank you so much for this beautiful, heart touching story. The Christmas Spirit is absolutely no exception and not a story you want to pass up this Christmas season. Debbie has a way of connecting her readers with the characters in this amazing story. I felt like every character in this book had a piece of my heart. When I saw that Debbie was coming out with another Christmas book, I knew I had to run to this one, only because I have loved her past Christmas books. I'm so happy I got to read this book because it was so beautiful, and I loved every single minute of it. I was hooked from the very first page, and I couldn't put it down until the very end. Please do yourself a favor a pick up a copy of this book, a cozy blanket, and a cup of hot chocolate/tea and don't move until you finish. The Christmas Spirit celebrates the true meaning of the holidays. THANK YOU RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP-BALLANTINE AND NETGALLEY FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK!!!!! Hank Colfax and Peter Armstrong have been best friends since elementary school, and are still the very best friends till this day. But their lives couldn't be more different. Hank is a bartender at his family owned tavern, The Last Call. Peter is a local pastor who is very dedicated to his community, but also very dedicated to his faith. Peter isn't the type of person who will judge you if you don't attend church, or if you don't believe in God, but he will be the type of person who opens his arms for anyone, if you ever need a listening ear, Peter is the type of person who you should go to. Peter spends his time attending meetings, and being by their side for those in need. But with the holiday season approaching, Peter is preparing for the Christmas service and live nativity. But, as a bartender Hank serves a much different crowd, including those who are lonely during the Christmas season and the local biker gang. When Peter voices his opinion that Hank has it easier compared to him, the two best friends decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To Hank and Peter's surprise, the responsibilities of both pastor and bartender are similar, but more more difficult than either of them expected. Peter has given Hank a list of everything that needs to be tend to around the church community. As Peter starts his bartender job he realizes he can't keep up with Hank's speed and all the customers realize that and start getting antsy. As Hank takes over Peter's job he realizes he will be working with Peter's sister, Grace Ann. Hank had a crush on Grace Ann in high school, but Hank realizes Grace isn't the same girl she was back in high school, she is more stubborn. Hank likes to get under Grace's skin, and wonders why she changed so much. Both Hank and Peter love Mom's Place which is their favorite restaurant, but Peter is instantly drawn to one of the waitresses, Millie. Peter has a huge crush on Millie, and thinks she's so beautiful. One night when Peter is working as a bartender, the local biker gang decides to test his patience and puts him up against the dart board and throws darts past him, but the person who comes to rescue Peter is Millie, the beautiful waitress. Peter and Millie start talking, and Peter learns about Millie's story. Millie works at Toy's Dancers, which is a strip club, but she got fired for slapping a clientele. Millie got pregnant at the age of eighteen, but miscarried in her third month, Millie's family made it clear that she wasn't welcome back into the family after she got pregnant at such a young age. After getting fired from the strip club, Millie is looking for a new job, and Peter could use the help at the tavern. Peter believes Millie would be such great help, but he must run the idea past Hank first. As Hank and Peter begin to see each other's lives in a new light, and each of them discover a new love to cherish, their lives are changed forever. I absolutely adored Hand and Peter's friendship. The Christmas Spirit is honestly my favorite Christmas book so far this year. I choose to read this book in July because, hello Christmas in July is the best, but the hot and humid weather is kicking my butt, so this book made me miss the winter weather already. I love how Peter and Hank didn't even argue about switching jobs, they didn't even have to think twice about it. All in all I just loved this book so so much!!!!This story made my heart swell, and I don't think I'll ever find another Christmas story like this one. After learning about Millie's story, my heart broke for her, but I was cheering her on as she pulled through this difficult time in her life. I loved how all the characters came together in the holiday season and helped each other out.

Debbie Macomber does it again with another heart-warming holiday story. This story is told by a grandmother to her grandchildren around Christmastime and Debbie takes us back to the late 1970s where Hank and Peter decide to trade places for a week around Christmas to see how the each other lives. I do love a good switch story and this one was fun to read. Pete, being a pastor, is now in charge of Hank’s bar, the Last Call and Hank has to fill in with Pete’s duties of pastor of the Light and Life Church. As you can imagine, there are all sorts of problems as they try to fill in as best they can. Pete has troubles keeping up with the patrons at the bar and Hank keeps putting his foot in his mouth with congregants of the church. But, this is a Christmas story so you know in the end, everything is going to work out just fine despite some pretty hilarious mishaps. I felt the romance between Pete and Millie was a little rushed, Hank and Grace Ann felt more natural since they had known each other for a longer period of time. I would have liked to have seen Mrs. Millstone turn around and see the error of her ways, but that may have been a bit too much sappiness in the book.

Being one of Debbie Macomber’s Christmas stories, this is a short book and will leave you wanting more of the story at the end, but that’s the best kind of book. I half expected to see Debbie’s favorite three angels make an appearance at the Christmas service, but I thought it was ok to end things where they did. All in all, I really enjoyed this story and it left me feel happier and more hopeful than I did when I started reading. Thank you Debbie!

Name of Book: The Spirit of Christmas
Author: Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group ~ Ballantine
Genre: Chick Lit
Pub Date: October 18, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars


Awww Christmas in July! This story is a perfect read for a hot July day.
Don’t you just love the cover?
I am a Debbie Macomber fan and her Christmas stories are always a delight. Totally had a smile on face the entire story!


Story starts when grandchildren visit their grandmother and ask for one of her stories.
She tells the story of two friends with somewhat opposite careers who switch places a week before Christmas~ Peter Armstrong is a minister and Hank Colfax owns the a bar.

Totally love ALL these characters ~ besides are main characters we have non typical church going characters ~bikers – Snake and Switchblade, ladies from ‘The Last Call’ the local a strip bar, and yes our regular church goers.
Then there is a Christmas party like no other!

Love grows with Pete/Bambi and Hank/Gracie our main characters over the course of this week; totally a ‘feel good’ story.
Thank you Ms. Macomber for the smile on my face!

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group ~ Ballantine for this eGalley.
This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form. Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 18, 2022

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review The Christmas Spirit. I look forward to Debbie Macomber’s Christmas releases each year and I am never disappointed by any of her books. The Christmas Spirit is a sweet holiday romance that shifts between past and present. A very enjoyable quick read.

I wish that Debbie Macomber would revisit Mrs. Miracle and the goofy angels That always put a smile on my face.

Another great Christmas book by Debbie Macomber. This one is about two friends who are the odd couple who switch lives the week before Christmas to see what it’s like to walk in the other person’s shoes. Fully enjoyable.

Debbie Macomber hit it out of the park with her newest novel, The Christmas Spirit. Her creative mind takes us through the unlikely friendship of a bartender and a pastor switching jobs for a week right before Christmas. Chaos ensues as they attempt to take on each other’s roles, and they both discover that their new jobs are not as easy as they thought. She tells this story with humor, and reminds us that everyone deserves a chance at love.
Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC of this book.

Debbie Macomber's annual Christmas book, The Christmas Spirit is a look back on the unusual love stories of Hank and Pete, who switch jobs the week before Christmas and both find their true loves. It is told by a grandmother to her grandchildren. It's a nice story, although the stereotyped strippers, bikers and biblical platitudes used to make points are just way over the top. Sounds like Ms. Macomber just put it on autopilot to churn this one out.

Thanks to the author,Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Christmas Spirit is a lovely story filled with compassion caring, new friends and Christmas! Wonderful characters filled with good spirit. I loved it! Thank you #NetGalley#BallentineBooks#TheChristmas Spirit

Cozy and welcoming! This book is about two friends…Hank and Peter who decide to change places with one another the week before Christmas. It is told as a story that Nana is telling her grandchildren. Wonderful story that can be read anytime of the year! I always enjoy reading this author!

I requested to read and review this book for free from Ballantine Books. This is another great book by Debbie Macomber. This book can be read anytime don't let the title The Christmas Spirit think you can only read at Christmas. It has a great message that each person goes through trials in their own way. Each person job has ita hard moments but also some of the most rewarding moments. Love can pop up in the most unusually way. Love can be a great thing but also a hard thing to understand. Be open to all possibilities you might be some great last memories and fill people with joy! This book can be read by anyone!! Hank and Pete have been friends for years when they walk in each other shoes they learn things about each other and themselves. Mollie and Grace will play a part in each of these stories and learn some interesting things about themselves. There is many great characters that you will meet in this book. You won't be disappointed.

I received an Advanced Reader copy from Netgalley. I have read many Debbie Macomber books over the years. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. There were a few items that didn’t click for me. Grandma is telling a story to her grandson and granddaughter. The children acted young, covering their ears, commenting on the kissing parts. Yet Grandma is telling a story of strippers and motorcyclists. The story of Gracie’s love for Ken and harboring a broken heart for years, which is restored within one week. I felt that the story would have been stronger without the grandchildren being the audience. Ignoring those items, the stories of falling in love, redemption, and lifelong friendships held my interest. Each character had unique qualities that grow stronger through their relationships! I recommend The Christmas Spirit for anyone looking for a sweet holiday story.

Hank, the bar tender, and Pete, the Pastor, switch places for the week leading up to Christmas. They’ve been best friends for forever, but think each other has it easier than the other. They learn a lot about each other and life when they switch places. It was a short, sweet story perfect for Christmas with friendship and love.

Does it get any better than a Debbie Macomber Christmas novel?!? Wonderful read and perfect for Christmas in July!

This is another sweet Debbie Macomber Christmas story. A novel of family and friendship that leaves you feeling good. Great read for the holidays.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber. I loved the story of the Christmas Spirit that the grandmother told her children their was love, kindness, friendship, religion and hope for all in the story. The best kind of story for Christmas.

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This has been a blah six weeks for me with a bout of Covid, busy at work, getting a home ready for sale, then a bout of the Flu (worse than Covid), followed by nightly news that gets more and more depressing. Is it just me? It’s July and with this heat it feels like we are going to heck in a handbasket. But…I am not giving up and I have faith in the future. I also know that when I’m feeling blue, the first thing that I reach for is a Christmas story. Yep, it’s CHRISTMAS in July for @bookbimbo. Debbie Macomber has a new novel coming out Oct. 18, 2022 named The Christmas Spirit. Could this be more appropriate for someone who needs her spirits lifted? The story revolves around two male best friends, Pete & Hank. One is a Pastor, and one is a Tavern owner. They decide to switch jobs on a bet the week before Christmas thinking they might prove a point. We get a judgmental sister, a mean parishioner, Hell’s Angel bikers, a bar with a bunch of characters, and life lessons galore. Throw in two blooming romances and you get the Christmas spirit. Is it predictable? Maybe. But who cares? I wanted something, light, happy, sweet, with the potential for love centered around the season of love. It was a win-win for me. 5 stars for making me smile. #TheChristmasSpirit #pastor #barowner #hope #love #lifelessons #runawaymule #nativity #acceptance #faith #neighborhoodMissionField #nativity #cute #tradingplaces @ballantinecorp #ballantinebooks @netgalley @debbiemacomber
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this book. Pub Date: Oct. 2022.

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