A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber is another solid Christmas book from a beloved author. This author has written many books, with many of them Christmas stories. This is one of my least favorites among her books, but that still ranks it as better than most Christmas books in this genre. You can’t go wrong with a book by this author. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber is a good read for the holiday season. I always enjoy Macomber and while this book didn't require much of me, it is a nice holiday read.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving an advance copy of A Christmas Duet in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now.

Debbie Macomber is a mainstay in the Christmas genre and reading her new story each year has become a "must do." A Christmas Duet brings a frustrated musician, Hailey Morgan, who wants nothing more than to compose music, something she has done since she was a child. Her parents - especially her mother - discouraged her dream, and encouraged her to go into teaching instead. After all, very few people earn a REAL living writing music. Hailey is the assistant band director at the local high school, and is dreading going home for Christmas break. Her mother has been pressuring her to "find a man and get married" and now, her former boyfriend is making noises about wanting her back. When she learns that her mother has invited the man to their family Christmas, she bolts to her friend's family cabin in Podunk. She has no plans of falling into her mother's scheme to get her and Zach back together. If they can't find her, they can't hijack her Christmas break!

Settling into the cozy cabin sounds amazing, until she encounters the other occupant - a hissing raccoon. Rescued by the mayor's son, Jay, she learns that he is a former musician himself. Soon, they are spending time together, tweaking her songs, and inspiring her to keep composing. When her song goes viral, Hailey starts to believe she really can be a songwriter. But then, one by one, her family shows up, bringing their drama along, and her muse is stymied. Can she break free from her mother's expectations to find a love she never expected?

I felt for Hailey. As a bit of an introvert myself, I could totally understand wanting some peace and quiet to create. I was glad to see her finally get a backbone where her family was concerned. I also loved how Jay stepped in as an encourager when she most needed one. Their collaboration made both of them better.

Readers looking for a feel-good Christmas story need look no further than A Christmas Duet. I listened to this one through Libby, and the narrator kept things moving and did a great job voicing the characters. I definitely recommend this one!

Seeking refuge from family drama, Hailey accepts her friend's offer to use their cabin for the holidays. Now working as a band teacher, she hopes the getaway will help her reconnect with her abandoned songwriting dreams.

Upon arriving at the cabin, Hailey discovers it's already inhabited by unwelcome woodland creatures. Jay, the son of the local general store owner, comes to her rescue. Beyond his good looks, Jay reveals himself to be a former musician—creating an unexpected connection.

With their shared passion for music, Hailey and Jay become inseparable. He offers valuable feedback on her songwriting, and Hailey finds herself filled with renewed hope and joy. However, her bubble of happiness bursts and reality crashes in - along with her family.

The cozy cabin setting provides the perfect backdrop for the growing attraction between Hailey and Jay. Watching Hailey come to terms with the need to take control of her life and make difficult choices creates a compelling narrative that showcases Debbie Macomber's signature storytelling style.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing an advance copy of "The Christmas Duet." All opinions expressed are my own.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

This is a great book. Debbie Macomber did it again. You will not want to put this book down. The two main characters are Hailey and Jay. They meet when Hailey goes to the country at Christmas when her best friend lends her a family cabin. She stops at the store and Jay’s mom starts her electricity in the cabin. She tells Hailey that her son will come get the raccoons out too. There is an instant attraction. They start dating and writing music together. They fall in love.

Debbie Macomber rarely writes a miss for me and the streak continues! I really love her Christmas books, they are so full of warmth! This book is a heartwarming and charming holiday read that blends love, music, and second chances. Small towns are one of favorite settings and then a festive small-town Christmas, even better! Macomber captures the magic of the season while also touching on forgiveness and rediscovery. It's the perfect read for anyone looking to feel the Christmas spirit.

A heartwarming holiday story sure to get you into the spirit of Christmas. I loved the festive activities and the cozy moments the characters shared. The story has an uplifting message.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love reading Debbie’s books. I enjoyed reading this story. The story kept me intrigued throughout. I didn’t want to put it down.

Debbie Macomber is back with another Christmas romance, and this time, it’s giving run away from your family’s holiday expectations, but somehow still end up in a Hallmark movie. In "A Christmas Duet", Hailey Morgan is over the constant pressure from her family—especially from her mother, who seems to have taken over the role of Chief Holiday Enthusiast. Instead of forcing herself to smile through another overwhelming Christmas, Hailey pulls off the ultimate festive escape: a borrowed cabin, a break from traditions, and some much-needed solitude. That is, until Jay, the town mayor’s son and ex-musician-turned-handyman, shows up to help her out, proving that small towns will not let you be alone in peace.

This one has all the signature Macomber charm—small-town warmth, holiday magic, and a romance that builds with just the right amount of slow-burn sweetness. But what really makes this book shine is Hailey’s personal journey. Family relationships can be messy, and Hailey’s struggle with hers isn’t just about Christmas decorations or differing personalities—it’s about years of expectations, comparisons, and the complicated love that exists between those who are meant to know you best. Her family members aren't villains, but they also don't quite get why Hailey feels the need to step back. That emotional core gives the story a little more depth than your average holiday romance. And Jay? He’s the perfect mix of capable and kind, making it easy to root for him as more than just the town’s unofficial handyman-therapist.

A solid 4.5 out of 5 stars! It’s sweet, heartfelt, and captures both the joy and the occasional chaos of family during the holidays. Hailey’s journey feels authentic, the romance is warm and cozy, and if you’ve ever needed a break from holiday chaos—but still want to soak up all the festive vibes—this is the perfect book to curl up with.

Wonderful novel! I really enjoyed reading it. It was a warm, comforting Christmas read that most people would enjoy if they like holiday romance! The characters really resonated with me. It is difficult when your parents try to control you - even when you are an adult.

Debbie never shows up empty headed. Another wonderful story by a great author. Thank you for you stories of love and beauty.

This book was so cute. It could be a Hallmark Movie. A girl is trying to escape her family for Christmas and her ex-fiance. She goes to stay at her friend's cabin to work on her music.

Hailey's life is all about music. She had dreams of being a songwriter, but she is an assistant high school band teacher. As the holidays approach she dreads spending it with her mother who always is asking questions about her life choices. Hailey's close fiend offers her the use of her family cabin as a solo retreat. She arrives only to discover that the house is filled with wild animals. Jay, son of the town's store owner is happy to assist Hailey in getting rid of the animals. He is also a former musician. Soon they are best friends and he provides her positive feedback on her songwriting. Read it to find out the ending.

I loved this book and I especially loved reading it during the holiday season! It was a wonderful easy read - would definitely recommend!

4 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy

"A Christmas Duet" was a sweet story at times, and frustrating at others.

Hailey Morgan once had a dream of a career in music. But her former boyfriend, Zac, really messed with her confidence, insisting that music was fine as a hobby, but not something she should waste her time and effort on when a real income was much more important.

It's been three years since she left Zac behind and she's since become a music teacher. Her confidence in her own ability to write anything that could be commercially successful is fairly shattered.

When Zac suddenly reappears saying he wants to get back together, she wants nothing to do with him, but her mother is thrilled at the prospect and does everything she can to convince Hailey that Zac is the one for her.

Given that Zac and her mother both seem unwilling to take "no" for an answer, Hailey decides not to head home for Christmas, but rather to have some quiet time alone over the holidays to reconnect with her music. What she finds there is so much more, but she has major hurdles to get past to attain her dreams.

If you enjoy stories of talented women regaining their courage and pursuing their dreams, you'll enjoy this one too.

Thank you to Debbie Macomber, Random House, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

When I see a book by Debbie Macomber I always click on it. She writes beautiful stories, especially Christmas books. I've been reading her for many years and the only thing I have to watch is many of her releases are reprints from older books. But they are worth reading twice. Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of composing her own songs, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland, Oregon. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of Christmas with her meddling family, where she’ll have to play nice while dodging their traditional expectations.

When Hailey’s close friend offers her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in small-town Podunk, Washington, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin is occupied by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the mayor’s son—who happens to be an incredibly charming former musician—is more than willing to help.
Soon Hailey and Jay are nearly inseparable, chopping down and decorating a Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa in front of a cozy fire, and best of all, playing music together. Jay’s encouragement and feedback inspire Hailey to believe she might succeed as a songwriter after all. But even in her snow-dusted oasis, family holiday drama still finds Hailey, threatening her newfound peace and confidence, while she realizes Jay might be more than he presents himself to be. Suddenly her Christmas paradise has become a winter storm and Hailey must weather through the challenges to stand up for herself and embrace the holiday spirit.

Do you enjoy Christmas music? Do you have any favorite songs? I love Christmas music and especially older songs. My daughter gets annoyed about not updating the Christmas music list, so I’ve been adding in newer albums as time goes on.

Hailey Morgan decides to accept her friends offer to stay at a family cabin over Christmas break to have time to focus on her music. She also doesn’t want to return home as her mother has invited her ex-boyfriend for Christmas in an attempt to get them back together. While in the small town of Podunk, Washington, she asks for help removing the wild animals in resident. The mayor/general store owner sends her son Jethro (Jay). As Hailey and Jay get to know each other, will Haily be able to have her Christmas dreams of love and music come true?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I always enjoy reading Debbie Macomber’s Christmas novels and novellas every year at Christmas time. They really put me in the Christmas mood.

• This novel was the December pick for the 2024 Brenda Novak Reading Challenge.

• This was a nice, short cozy read for the holiday season.

• I enjoyed that Hailey was able to take control of her life and do what she wanted to do.

• I loved the romance between Hailey and Jay as they both seemed to really understand one another.

• I also enjoyed the secondary characters such as Hailey’s sister Daisy and Jay’s Mom. Hailey’s mom drove me crazy.

• This was a clean read.

Overall, A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber was a sweet, cozy Christmas novella that will get you into the Christmas spirit.

Book Source: E-book review copy from NetGalley. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It was just alright. It felt a little rushed and a little cliche. It's an okay Christmas novel if you want something short and sweet and predictable.

I've been reading Debbie Macomber books for several years now, she always writes such heartwarming and sweet stories, and she has done it again! This story took us on a delightful journey, a story about love, commitment and listening to your heart, a perfect book to cozy up to during the holiday season. The characters are relatable and feel real, there were unpredictable twists, and a happy ending, A satisfying read full of Christmas joy. A must read.

A light Christmas themed read. Cute and predictable but a cute holiday hallmark type book. I am used to this author having more interesting plots so I feel it didn’t live up to Macomber standards. The mom character was not likable either which I think added to the lack of interest I had while reading this.