There wasn’t a ton of emotional depth here, which makes it kind of hard to read or relate to the characters. There is a fairly well-known saying writers use - show don’t tell. This is full of a lot of telling and not a lot of showing which makes it a little boring to read. Still a cute feel-good easy read Christmas story. Kind of like watching a Hallmark movie - predictable happy ending without a lot of emotional development.

I love Christmas romances and the feelings they evoke for the season. While this was set during the holidays, the writing didn’t really make me feel the Christmas spirit and this could have been set at any time of year if not for a random Christmas reference here and there. The characters were OK but I didn’t connect with either Hailey or Jay and the “conflict” that brings them together was lackluster. This was not my favorite Debbie Macomber.

This is a Christmas Clean Romance. I really loved the characters in this book, and there was enough Christmas stuff in this book to make you feel the Christmas time in the storyline. This is a fast moving book with fun characters, family drama, Christmas and a little romance. The small town were this story took place won my heart too. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Sweet romance! What a great setting for this story! Podunk, a small town filled with characters you have to love. Two weeks of solitude turn into a revolving door of visitors. Hometown parade, Santa, tree lighting, homemade decorations, excellent meals, what more could anyone want during the holidays? I can’t forget the driving force of music, singing, composing, and enjoying each component. If you are looking for a Christmas story, Christmas Duet will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart.

Get in the Christmas spirit with this book. Music, romance and small town all come together to make this story a fun read.

Debbie Macomber is a favorite author when it comes to romance and Christmas. She writes "feel good" stories with happy endings. But that does not mean that the characters are not dealing with issues and need to make changes to improve their lives. In this story the main characters are both dealing with dreams that are not working out. They both have strong influential families that must be dealt with.

What a charming, great holiday read! I always enjoy Debbie Macomber and these characters were a delight! If you love music, an adorable (and clean) love story, this book is for you!

A Debbie Macomber Christmas story is the perfect way to kick off the beginning of holiday reading season! This book is like a hug from a warm Christmas blanket 🥰 it is sweet and heartwarming, if you're a fan of following your dreams, overcoming, romance, and happy endings, then you'll be a fan of this book!

A happy, heartfelt holiday romance with all the small town Christmas trimmings! This is a clean enjoyable story with believable characters. It’s characterized as Christian but it doesn’t have enough Christian content for me to call it that. However, there was nothing objectionable in it either. I really liked this one! It’s exactly what we would expect in a holiday tale from this author.
Hailey Morgan is a music teacher whose real passion is writing songs, but she doesn’t have a lot of time to do it and doesn’t get any support from her family or her former boyfriend. Her best friend and fellow teacher, Katherine Stockton, gives her the opportunity to spend the holidays in a rustic, secluded cabin so she can concentrate on her song writing. Over her family’s protests, Hailey decides to go to the cabin without telling them where it is. Upon arriving at the cabin she is greeted by an intruder, a very scarey racoon. The local handyman, Jethro or Jay as he prefers to be called, comes to the rescue. He also happens to be a former member of a rock band and they bond over their interest in music.
Hailey’s solitude is disrupted when her flighty sister, Daisy, shows up and crashes her vacation. Eventually her family finds out where she is and shows up. Strained family dynamics, and an overbearing and manipulative mother are combined with all the small town festivities of tree lighting, parade and caroling.
I was given a digital ARC of this book but as soon as I’m able, I’m going to find a hard copy to keep on my bookshelf for future Christmases.
This is from the publisher’s website:
“Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of becoming a professional songwriter, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of spending Christmas with her family and dodging her mother’s meddling questions about her love life.

When Hailey’s close friend offers her the use of her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo holiday retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in the small town of Podunk, Oregon, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin has been invaded by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the son of the town’s main store proprietor—and an incredibly handsome and charming former musician to boot—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 positive feedback and encouragement 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, interrupting and threatening her newfound peace and confidence. Meanwhile revelations from Jay present complications of their own. 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.”
I don’t very often give a 5 star rating but this one deserves it!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

A Christmas Duet is a sweet holiday novella by consummate author Debbie Macomber. Zach broke up with Hailey Morgan, band instructor and aspiring songwriter, several years back but is now contacting her repeatedly even though she does all she knows to quell the situation. Hailey’s repeated rebuffs only send the conniving Zach behind her back to sweet talk her gullible mother who desperately wants grandchildren. With Mom on his side, there is no telling what will happen. Her Mom admits that Zach has wrangled a Christmas invitation even though Hailey has been quite clear about her feelings about telling him no. When Hailey’s friend Heather offers her the use of her family cabin for the holidays so that she can have peace to work on her music Hailey jumps at the chance and doesn’t tell anyone where she is going, just that she won’t be home for Christmas and that she will keep in contact.

Upon arrival Hailey discovers the heat is out and heads to town to speak with Thelma at the Cantor Store. Promising to send Jethro out to check on it, when lumberjack lookalike Jay shows up Hailey is taken aback. When they discover they have music in common it draws them closer. But when her family and ex boyfriend Zach show up the story takes numerous twists.

This is such a good story! With interesting characters, a wilderness setting, and a holiday in the mix Ms.Macomber has provided a heartwarming story of family, friends, and new beginnings. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

Another wonderful Christmas book from Debbie Macomber. Hailey wants to spend Christmas alone in a cabin in a small town aptly named Podunk. Her first night she meets Jay, a man who shares Hailey’s interest in music. A few days in to her holiday, Hailey’s sister, Daisy, shows up, followed by her parents. Great setting, Christmas activities, and family!

I really enjoyed the storyline in A Christmas Duet. I admit, I know that Debbie Macomber has written a lot of books, but I am relatively new to reading her novels. I have liked the ones I have read and A Christmas Duet is no exception. Hailey Morgan is a high school band teacher in Portland, Oregon who has always dreamed of being a songwriter. She has been writing songs for her family to hear since she was a child, but like so many people with artistic dreams, the reality is that it's hard to get started in that industry. A close friend offers Hailey her family cabin over her Christmas break, for her to have some quiet time to focus on her songwriting. The remote cabin is near a small town in Oregon, and Hailey did not tell her family where to find her. Luckily for her, the town mayor's son, Jay, who is also visiting and happens to be a member of a band that has broken up, helps her rid the cabin of unwanted wildlife. Jay & Hailey soon discover their shared love of music, and Jay gives her some ideas for finishing a Christmas song she couldn't quite finish. When she performs the song at a local Christmas event at Jay's encouragement, it gets posted on YouTube and her quiet oasis gets invaded by her sister and her parents. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance reader's copy to review.

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber was a wonderful read. The novel’s main character is Hailey Morgan. She has always wanted to be a musician and earns her living as a band teacher. Hailey just wants to be able to spend time working on her music and not having to hear harping about her life and choices.

Hailey decides to take up a friend’s offers for a place to stay over the holidays away from everyone. Too bad not everyone got the same memo. Hailey’s place to stay has an influx of opportunistic animals who have moved in but she was helped by another musician. Jay and Hailey enjoyed playing music together and the quiet.

Then the family and ex descend. Everyone in Hailey’s family shows up one at a time, because they didn’t want her to be alone. Her mother (does not understand the word - NO) invites her ex up too. Hailey has choices to make that will help decide her future. A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber was a good read.

Another great book from Debbie Macomber. I loved it! Its a great Christmas story that will leave you filled with the Christmas spirit and the love of family.

Loved the book. I was able to relate to the main characters. I liked the idea of getting away for Christmas and appealing to your inner desires.

A house “haunted “ by a raccoon was cute and then the “duet” guy saves the day which starts the relationship.

Another stunner from the queen of Romance. This Christmas themed novel has it all--characters you root for, and charming setting and a wonderful plot to get lost in. Not to be missed.

Thanks to Ballantine Books for my advanced copy of A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber! Debbie's Christmas books are something I look forward to every year so I'm glad she "un-retired" and wrote one this year. 

A Christmas Duet was sweet and I loved the small town and how Hailey tried to get away from it all for Christmas to focus on her dreams, but her family has other plans. I'm glad Hailey kept standing up to her mom (who was the worst!). 

This was a heartwarming holiday romance. I recommend a cup of hot chocolate to cozy up with A Christmas Duet!

Debbie Macomber’s holiday novels are eagerly awaited by her readership. Year after year this author writes a heartwarming story that gives readers a chance to slow down, breathe, and remember why the season is so special.

This time there is a plot that features music, an escape for me time (does it become we time?), romance, family involvement and recognizing and working towards one’s dreams. All in a relatively short book.

Macomber fans will be quite content with this latest seasonal entry. Thank you, Ms. Macomber.

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

An incredibly charming and easy read full of hope, journey, and love (x2)! Macomber never disappoints in giving us what we love and A Christmas Duet did not disappoint.

Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of becoming a professional songwriter, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of spending Christmas with her family and dodging her mother’s meddling questions about her love life.

When Hailey’s close friend offers her the use of her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo holiday retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in the small town of Podunk, Oregon, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin has been invaded by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the son of the town’s main store proprietor—and an incredibly handsome and charming former musician to boot—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 positive feedback and encouragement 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, interrupting and threatening her newfound peace and confidence. Meanwhile revelations from Jay present complications of their own. 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.

Debbie Macomber never disappoints with her Christmas books and this one is no exception!

Hailey is trying to escape for a solo Christmas break to work on her music; but as the story goes along people begin to show up at her secluded cabin. Hailey takes the visitors in stride when all the wants to do is be alone for Christmas.

Debbie did a wonderful job writing a cute, heartwarming Christmas story that keeps you entertained with two happy endings.

Thank you Net Galley, Debbie Macomber, and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for an ARC copy of The Christmas Duet.