A Christmas Duet is an adorable new holiday novel by the inimitable Debbie Macomber.

In it, we find Hailey Morgan, the ultimate pleaser person. On the same day that her best friend offered Hailey the use of her family’s secluded cabin to relax, unwind, and work on her music, Hailey’s mother invited Hailey’s ex to spend Christmas with their entire family, against Hailey’s explicit wishes. Hailey decides that for the first time in her life, she is going to take a stand and take her bestie up on her offer. She is desperate to actually get to distress and write down the song that’s been stuck in her head for weeks. The avoidance of her mom and ex-boyfriend are just bonuses.

While in the cabin, Hailey wanders down to the nearest town and begins to meet the locals. She ends up getting to know another musician, who is also trying to decompress in the same little town, named Podunk, Oregon.

Is Hailey going to finally have life go her way? Will she be able to continue to stand up for what she wants and believes in? Or will she go back to trying to make everyone else happy at the expense of her goals and dreams?

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this wonderful ARC!!

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber. I absolutely love Christmas stories. Debbie Macomber has often been called the Queen of writing Christmas stories. I loved this story there was romance, love and matchmaking at Christmas. Read it you will love it.

Hailey’s dream is to be a songwriter; however, she works at a high school as the assistant band teacher. As Christmas is approaching, she is, as usual, doing just what her parents expect of her and that is to come home for Christmas. Hailey’s close friend suggests she use her family’s cabin that will be empty throughout the holiday season, where she can retreat by herself and concentrate on writing the songs she continues to hear in her head. Upon learning who her mother has invited for Christmas, the decision to use the cabin is suddenly easy. When school is out for the holiday break, Hailey packs up and heads to Podunk, Oregon.
When she finds the cabin, snuggled in the woods outside of the little town, she also finds a racoon has taken up residence. Running back out to the car she heads into town to the general store. The owner assures Hailey that she’ll send her son to help her. When Jay arrives and gets the racoon out of the cabin, he and Hailey discover their mutual love of music. The next day when Jay returns to cover up the hole under the sink, so the racoon doesn’t return, he brings his guitar. With music in common they become fast friends, not only playing their guitars and singing together they cut down a Christmas tree, discovering they enjoy being together
This is a delightful story with some unexpected twists and turns as first one unexpected guest shows up at the cabin, then a few days later, two more and finally an unwelcome guest arrives at the door.
I believe you can never go wrong with a book by Debbie Macomber and that is certainly true with this beautifully written, heartfelt holiday story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.

What a beautiful Christmas book! This book is so full of heart. It’s got a lot of humor in it. It’s just a bright and happy story that left me smiling at the end. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

The last thing Hailey expected when she needed to get away from her family for Christmas was to find a man who not only understood her love for music but also appreciated her need to find the joy of the holiday again. In true Debbie Macomber style she gives her reader the best in romance while at the same time wrapping the story up in a pretty bow. Hailey and Jay have instant chemistry and although they have their own issues they must overcome in the end it is a HEA made for a holiday romance at its best.

Debbie Macomber brings us the story of school teacher Hailey. At the start of the holidays, she learns that her mother has invited her ex-boyfriend over. Wanting to get away and concentrate on her music, she takes a chance and goes to a remote cabin belonging to a friend. Hailey hopes that the peace, quiet, and seclusion of the cabin will help her creatively. Instead, she finds the wildlife has invaded the cabin and needs to enlist the help of those in town. What luck that the store''s owner's son is there to help! Her plan does not necessarily go to plan when Jay encourages her to join in the festivities in town and join the Christmas spirit while helping her with her music. But when her song goes viral online and everyone she knows start showing up at the cabin, will she be able to deal with it all? And how does Jay fit into her life now after spending all this time together?

Debbie Macomber brings us a story filled with family and friends with some Christmas spirit and joy sprinkled on top. Follow along as Hailey and Jay get closer together as they fill their days with music and the festivities of the town. See what happens when unexpected guests invade her space and how the surprises she encounters at each turn may change her future. What happens when luck and fortune come knocking at your door? Will Hailey be brave enough to open the door, or will her doubts keep her from her possible destiny? You keep turning the page to see who else shows up at her door and what Hailey will do next.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this privilege.

I love Debbie Macomber books and was so excited to receive an ARC of this book - but this book isn't one of her best at 3.5 stars rounded up. The plot and writing are good and I enjoyed this quick, easy read. That said, there just wasn't the depth in this book that so many of her other books are known for - I feel some points were belabored while gaps in others made some of the characters a bit plastic. And I could not stand the Mom - I know this is fiction but her meddling was so over-the-top as to be almost unbeliveable - not in a malicious way but I still cringed every time she went on a rant. I loved the sister, Daisy, and would like to have had more of her fun, infectious personality in the book. Fans of Debbie Macomber will enjoy this book and as a fan, I look forward to her next book. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read the ARC and provide my honest review.

#AChristmasDuet is in 'tune' with the holiday season. Assistant Band Director, Hailey and her best friend Katherine are ecstatic for their Christmas break. Katherine offers her friend a rustic cottage in the woods as a retreat to write her music while escaping Hailey's ex-boyfriend's advances.

Upon arriving at the cozy cabin, a visiting raccoon generates a meet-cute that throws Jay and Hailey together. While the season is looking bright, ghosts of Hailey's past threaten her future. Will her new love strike a chord with her family or refrain from commencing a new chapter?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #AChristmasDuet in exchange for an honest review. I'm a fan of the author's work but this story was too sweet my taste. I prefer Macomber's novels that have more substance and complex characters. That being said, if you're seeking a feel-good holiday story, A Christmas Duet, hits the right notes.

Yes! I was so excited when I received this arc. Debbie Macomber is an auto buy author for me. As usual, I loved this book of hers!

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber is cozy Christmas romance that I enjoyed.

This was a super quick read for me. It flowed well, was relaxing, and gave me plenty of warm thoughts that balanced out with the seasonal snow and seasonal temps.

Hailey and Jay were well-matched and I enjoyed reading their story. I honestly think a book focussing on Daisy and Charles would be awesome. I think their story would be even more heartwarming. Just a thought.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/15/24.