~~~ I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~~~

I just can't do it. I NEVER not finish a book! But unfortunately, The Christmas Spirit is not my cup of tea in the least bit. I got 35% through before reading other reviews that share the same issues as me, and even said it goes downhill even more! To start with the book is told within a story that a nana is telling her grandchildren (ages 6 and 8). I'm not sure what grandmother would ever tell a story involving stip clubs, bar fights, and drugs... but that's how this book is structured. Also, I didn't care for the characters at all- the main men, Pete and Hank both fight over whose job is more time consuming and harder. So they switch places- sending Hank the Bar owner to be a pastor! This is just ridiculous. I'm over it and disappointed. I have read tons of Macomber books and usually really enjoy them!

This was a charming story! I love Debbie Macomber's Christmas story. This one did not disappoint. Really nice and heartwarming. Definitely recommend.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Debbie Macomber in my mind is the absolute best Christmas story author. I will never pass up an opportunity to read one of her books. This book will not disappoint you and leave you with all the feels. So good and will put you in the right holiday frame of mind.

What a great and charming Christmas story! But you expect nothing less than that from Debbie Macomber! I have read many, many of her books and have never read one I didn't love and this one is no different! Thank you Debbie for giving us another great book!t

(2.5⭐️) When a pastor and a bar owner switch places at Christmastime, the meaning of Christmas takes on a new perspective.

This was a sweet (potentially overly sweet), faith based book that made for an easy and quick holiday read.

It's worth noting that I really enjoyed Dear Santa, Macomber's 2021 holiday book. It put me right in the spirit of Christmas and delighted me. Somehow I missed that same charm in this one but will be looking for it in next year's book.

Debbie is the queen of Christmas stories. Every year I look forward to reading her newest creations and this one did not disappoint.
This story was fantastic. The characters were believable and entertaining. The storyline flowed nicely and kept my attention. It had plenty of laugh out loud moments and even a few tears.
Excellent read for the holiday season.

Sometimes other people's lives seem like they are easier or better than our own but that's not always the case...

Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are lifelong friends who chose very different paths in life. Peter is a local pastor who is overworked and underpaid and never seems to be able to get everything accomplished to help his church run smoothly. Hank is a local bar owner running his family-owned tavern by himself, which is a completely different kind of work but no less stressful.

Peter and Hank argue that the other has it easy compared to the other, so they decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. They quickly realize that the other's work is more difficult than they originally thought but they also find new friends, love and understanding by taking on the switch.

This was a fun, light, easy read which is just what the doctor ordered at times. They characters were all great.

I received this title in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

A great Christmas story, Lovely.

This story will be sure to delight the author’s many fans. Debbie Macomber can be relied upon to tell a story that is light, nice and absorbing, thereby offering a break from the anxieties of the world.

This Christmas themed novel has two men swap places. It is a tried and true theme but nonetheless an enjoyable one in the author’s hands. One character is a minister while the other owns a bar. Will they want their own lives back? Where will each find love? Read this one to find out.

I did not review this before Christmas but…with this book, you can enjoy the holiday season all over again!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

This was such a delightful and entertaining read It is sure to bring you the spirit of Christmas.
Many thanks to Random House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

For years, Debbie Macomber has been one of my favorite authors to read. Her holiday romances never disappoint and I always add a few to my December reading list. The Christmas Spirit was the perfect addition to this year's list. I enjoyed this love story being told by a Grandmother to her grandchildren. It was a neat perspective that made the story extra sweet. I enjoyed the interesting cast of characters and seeing their personal transformation throughout the story. I highly recommend this clean, feel-good romance.

What a perfectly wonderful Christmas story by one of my favorite authors. Pete and Hank, friends since high school decide to switch jobs for a week. Both think their jobs are harder and the other's is easy. Peter, the local pastor is getting his church and community ready for the Christmas season and Hank, a local tavern owner is busy with the sports season and parties. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other's work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. As the two begin to see each other in a new light--and each discovers a new love to cherish--their lives are forever changed. The story is narrated by a grandmother telling her grandchildren a Christmas story while she is babysitting. I loved this story and the characters.

When I think of holiday reasons, there is one author that always comes to my mind and that is Debbie Macomber. She is known for her sweet Christmas stories and her 2022 release The Christmas Spirit continues this tradition. In this story, the premise is set up by a grandmother who is telling a story to her grandchildren. There seems to be something special about this story though.

Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends with completely different lifestyles. Hank is a bar owner by trade while Peter is a local pastor. Each thinks that the other has an easier job than him and so they agree to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. Both characters are in for a surprise when they realize the responsibilities of each respective job are not as easy as they appear. There are also some similarities between them as well.

Of course there is also a touch of romance as both Peter and Hank find love while working in their new positions. One of the grandchildren is not necessarily happy about this part of his grandmothers story. This experience of trading positions opened both of their eyes in various ways. I enjoyed the connections that were made between the characters and how they each brought comfort to their respective new and old positions.

The Christmas Spirit is an easy quick read. There is nothing too strenuous about it and it is easy to get lost in. There is a strong sense of community. The characters are enjoyable and the holiday spirit is strong. It is a good way to enjoy a light hearted Christmas story.

While watching her grandchildren one evening they ask her about baking cookies and after volunteering all that day she is wiped out. They agree to have her tell them a story instead and while drinking hot cocoa and cuddling on the couch she starts, it's a true story about two men, friends since childhood. One is a pastor, one a bartender, two quite different
professions. Each thinks the other's job is easy peasy, nothing to it and they agree to trade jobs for a bit and prove how easy each other's job is. With funny and disastrous results, it's quite the eye-opening experience for them both as they meet new people and come to have a new appreciation for each other. A heartwarming and emotional story. I really enjoy this author's books and always read her new ones when they release.

18 Oct 2022 publish date.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely love Debbie Macomber's Christmas books!! This one had all the things I love...cozy, Christmas spirit, great location, and characters. The premise was really unique and fun!
I did think it was too short to really sell the story.
I would happily recommend this book looking for a sweet Christmas read!
I received an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank netgalley, the author Debbie Macomber, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!

The Christmas Spirit is your quintessential hallmark Christmas read and is very much consistent with Debbie Macomber’s writing style.

I usually love Debbie Macomber's books. This was not one of my favorites. It was told as a grandmother telling a story to her two grandchildren. The story itself was good, but I don't think some of the content of the story would actually be suitable for children of that age. A bar, strippers, bikers, etc. I think it would have been better without that aspect of it. Also, there was just too much going on. First the grandmother with her grandchildren, then Hank and Gracie's story, and Pete and Millie's story. Two couples fell in love in a week? Also Debbie's books are getting way too religious for my taste. I like clean stories but I don't like all the religion thrown in.

I really enjoyed this tale of two friends trading places. If shows and lets you experience what it is like to be in someone's shoes. I thought the storyline was good and it had a good pace to it.

Quick Holiday read. A good reminder at the holidays about perspective and leaving judgement behind. This book embraced the true meaning of Christmas

I feel like Debbie Macomber is the queen of Christmas and romance and has been around forever!

I liked this Christmas novel, but at times I felt the plot like dragging along a little bit. Maybe it was the timing of reading the novel for me, as I was reading in October and there were plenty of other holidays during that time period.

I will certainly recommend it to others and put it in my cozy Christmas folder on Goodreads for sure! She deserves a spot there! Can't wait to read next year's novel, I bet I will be in a different headspace for that one!