Debbie Macomber always writes wonderful stories and this one was perfect as a holiday read. I loved Jay and Hailey and how their relationship developed. I enjoyed reading about the town of Podunk which is where Hailey tried to escape her family’s Christmas. Her mom had invited
Hailey’s ex boyfriend because she wanted them to get back together. Hailey wanted time alone to create and write music which was her passion and not one her family thought she should be doing, but like all good stories, her whole family followed her to Podunk and almost ruined Christmas. I was happy with all the HEA’s the book finished with. An easy feel good book just right for the holiday season.

Quite the Christmas gift for Hailey, not only does she meet a wonderful partner for her life but she also gets to do what she always wanted to do and make music. The story and the town of Podunk are very charming and Christmassy with all the Christmas trees and lights and the annual gathering for the seasons. Even Hailey meeting Jay is just irresistible, so I knew that the way the story was going along, it was to easy to stay that way and sure enough the reasons Hailey tried to get away from it all, all showed up. However, the showing up part came to be the best part of the story because Hailey had to stand her ground to get what she always wanted and it worked. Lets say the music she finally creates isn't the only thing that will make you swoon.

I loved all the characters, Hailey's mom (Kind of stubborn), Father, her sister Daisy, who finally stops running and gets caught, Jay's mom Thelma who is rough around the edges but has a very kind heart. I could go on about how wonderful everyone in town is but I won't. The only exception was Hank, who frankly I would have blocked but then there wouldn't be a story.

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this wonderful and cozy Christmas story.

I enjoyed reading A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

There’s just a great vibe that happens when you put Debbie Macomber and Christmas stories in the same sentence! The Christmas Duet reflects this mastery and I really loved the story. As with most all of her tales there are surprises that show themselves to both the hero and heroine, but nothing that can’t be overcome with love and understanding. Thanks for getting me into the spirit of the season! And thanks NetGalley for the chance to read this a bit before it was published in return for an honest review.

I usually get excited when I can read and review this author. Her stories are consistently heartwarming and beautifully true to life. This one is no exception.

Macomber does not shy away from the tough parts of being a family. Hailey’s mother is obsessive when it comes to her daughter’s love life and will not quit trying to guide and influence her choices. The impact of her behavior is felt throughout this story.

I love it when someone can empower themselves to step away when they need to, and even with the crushing guilt, the outcome is usually strength and healing.

Making a stand in this story means opening a door to the unexpected along with a new vision and chance at a new life. I love how the author blends her characters through the discovery of something and someone new, especially when it is tied to a new romance.

A Christmas Duet is a wonderful heartwarming holiday story that brings emotion, family ties, healing and forgiveness, and a cozy small-town feel.

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber is a standalone about Hailey and Jay. 4.5 stars

What happens when Hailey decides to do a solo holiday in order to avoid the pressures from home…new friends, angst, baggage, former flames, then family shows up too..

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley, Ballantine Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love reading Christmas love stories and this one did not disappoint. Hailey needs a holiday away from her family and their drama and takes a friend up on a cabin in a small town in Washington. She wants to write music and feels the time away alone would help. Due to random issues at the cabin she meets Jay, former musician, and son of the mayor. The interactions between the two of them are so sweet, and in a way reminds me of when my husband and I started dating. The family drama follows her to Washington and threatens what she has with Jay. Will they work things out and get there happily ever after? You’ll have to read it to find out because I’m not telling!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

A cozy, small town Christmas romance loaded with a mixture of emotions. The storytelling is both heartwarming and inspiring which added depth and reality to this very adorable story. All the characters were easy to love and chemistry was perfect between Hailey and Jay. There are family entanglements and drama along with the Christmas merriment of tree trimming, snow, cozy fires, hot cocoa and music but that just kept those pages turning. This wonderful book is fun, romantic and complex. I loved it and one I highly recommend.

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A Christmas Duet
Author: Debbie Macomber
Source: NetGalley
Date Published: Oct.15, 2024
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A Christmas Duet is another cozy romantic story based in a small town during Christmas. All introverted Hailey wants is a drama-free Christmas holiday where she can spend quality time alone while composing and writing music. Lucky for Hailey, she meets Jay, who also likes to write and perform music, leading to a friendship based on similar desires and goals. Unfortunately, her demanding and controlling family discovers her secret hideaway, and Hailey has to hurry up and demand respect from her family and ex-boyfriend. Fortunately, the thought of losing Jay, now Hailey’s sweetheart, moves her to action, thus giving hope for a truly happy ending. #romantic #AChristmasDuet #family #goals #future #love #music #Christmas #smalltown #happiness @netgalley @debbiemacomber @ballantines #Hallmarkish
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookreviewer

“A Christmas Duet” by Debbie Macomber
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Release Date: 10/15

Every year I look out for Debbie Macomber’s new Christmas book. I really enjoyed this story. The characters were likable and it had a fun premise.
Hailey Morgan always dreamed of being a songwriter, but after her ex made her feel like she couldn’t be successful she became a music teacher. She thought she would write music in her spare time but it hasn’t happened. Three years later she’s supposed to be going home for Christmas, but her ex boyfriend roots himself into her family plans. Her friend offers her grandparents cabin for winter break so she can be alone and write music. When she arrives in Podunk, Oregon she realizes how isolated it is, which she finds perfect. It’s even more perfect when she meets the town musician and success story Jay. They become inseparable and started creating music together. Will she create anything worthwhile?

Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music, she loves to write it. She currently works in a high school teaching music. She decides to not go home for Christmas break, but to go to a remote cabin and write music. Jay's mother send him out to the cabin to remove the critters that is inhabitants of the cabin. Jay and Hailey connect over music and spend time together. Hailey's mother was determined to get Hailey back with her old boyfriend and invited to Christmas, but Hailey cancels going home for Christmas.
The is a wonderful Christmas story.

A new romance from Debbie Macomber. A Christmas romance just in time for the holiday season - perfect timing! I picked this one up immediately.

Description:
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.

My Thoughts:
This was a sweet romance featuring a former rock star turned music producer and a high school band teacher with dreams of following her passion and writing songs for a living. With themes of Christmas, family and, of course, love this all came together to produce a satisfying romance. I enjoyed this short book and I'm sure it would help get anyone into the Christmas spirit.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Sweet, charming holiday romance! Debbie Macomber always writes enjoyable novels- that tap into our longing for a sweet, simpler time. A Christmas Duet was no exception. Hailey Morgan accepts her friend’s offer to use their empty, family cabin as a solo holiday retreat. Hailey needs to escape her overbearing mom and ex- boyfriend, as they scheme to reunite the former couple, regardless of Hailey firmly telling them both that she has moved on. More importantly, Hailey is looking forward to spending focused time on her real passion, which is writing music. Add in a charming small town that fully embraces the holidays, a local man returned home who shares Hailey’s passion for music, and a reunion between sisters who had grown apart- and you get this sweet, comforting story. The perfect escape for a fun yet touching holiday story!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy.

I love Debbie Macomber's Christmas novels. They are always so sweet. A Christmas Duet kept reminding me of a Karen Kingsbury novel I read many years ago. There was something about main character Hailey that reminded me of a character in that book.

If you like your holiday romances to be low on drama, then this is the novel for you. That doesn't mean it is conflict-free. There is an ex-boyfriend that is determined to get back together with Hailey and he enlists the help of her mother who is over-the-top in her desire for a wedding and grandchildren. The reader has to wonder if they are going to mess up the budding romance between Hailey and Jay.

I loved the characters - except for Hailey's mother who is selfish and rude (even if she has the best of intentions). I have thought about taking a holiday trip alone to some mountain town so I kind of got to experience that while reading this book. Instead of creating music though I want to spend it reading books!

While the plot is predictable it checks all the boxes of a wonderful holiday story.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/10/a-christmas-duet-by-debbie-macomber.html

Debbie Macomber is probably my favorite romance author!
A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber is a quick and uplifting Christmas read.
I loved Hailey and Jay. They were so sweet and endearing.
I love how clean and heartwarming her stories are.
Debbie never disappoints, and you can always count on her wonderful writing to suck in.
You can never go wrong with a heart warming story written by Macomber.

Thank You NetGalley and Ballantine Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Hailey Morgan is a music teacher and she enjoys it, but she’s ready to find time to put her music first. When an opportunity presents itself over Christmas break to hide away in a cabin and focus on her song writing Hailey takes the opportunity. She’s prepared to spend the holidays alone, but that’s far from what happens. At least she gets some time to focus on her music before he perfectly laid plans fall to pieces. During her getaway in Podunk, Oregon Hailey meets Jay, who has a music background himself. His support and encouragement is all Hailey needs to follow her music writing dreams. It also doesn’t hurt that there is an instant connecting between Hailey and Jay. When her Podunk Christmas is over and Hailey has to go back home will she be able to continue to put her dreams first? Will her budding relationship with Jay withstand the distance?

Debbie Macomber is the queen of Christmas romances and this one didn’t fall short of the mark. I was pulled into this story from the very first chapter and didn’t want to put the book down. It was a quick and easy holiday read that is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit. I enjoyed the setting, the musical dreams and the relationship between Jay and Hailey. All of the holidays feels are in this book and it is the perfect story with its heartwarming moments and budding romance. I loved this book and I think you will too if you are looking for a quick, holiday romance that is perfect for the Christmas season. Debbie Macomber has yet to disappoint when it comes to holiday romances for me.

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber
This was a quick read. If you're looking for a feel good holiday book, this will be a good fit. When you're being pulled in too many ducting, it might be time to plan an escape. It's about finding yourself and putting your best interests first. Didn't really like the family dynamics, who just shows up uninvited.

A Christmas Duet is a lovely Christmas story by the queen of storytelling especially Christmas stories, Debbie Macomber. Hailey Morgan is seeking peace and solitude for the holidays, so she secretly goes to away for Christmas. Planning to spend the time working on her music, she is able to do that and much more.

Need to get into the spirit of the season then this is the story for you. All the feels are here with meddlesome family, crossroads in life, small town celebrations, extending grace, and the need to just enjoy Christmas. Fall in love with Hailey and Jay as you read this wonderful story.

Hailey, a high school band teacher, dreads going home for Christmas and facing her mother’s prying questions. When a friend offers the use of her family’s cabin as an escape, she jumps at the chance to spend a few days on her own. But when she discovers local wildlife in the cabin and asks the townspeople for help removing them, Jay comes to her rescue. Jay is regrouping after his musical group disbanded, and has returned home to help his mother with her general store. As they spend more and more time together, they realize they have more in common than just being in Podunk, Oregon, at Christmas.

I always enjoy this author’s books, especially those set around Christmas. Her stories are sweet without being saccharine, even if the plot is predictable. Hailey and Jay are both easy to like and to root for, although I had a hard time coming to terms with Hailey’s wish to be so isolated and spend Christmas entirely on her own. My family isn’t huge, but if I didn’t have at least some of them around me, it wouldn’t be much a holiday for me.

I look forward to reading Ms. Macomber’s next book and meeting whatever new characters and situations she comes up with.

This is a sweet Christmas time story in which both of the main characters are at a crossroads in their lives. Hailey has always loved music and composing songs but the last few years she's lost her mojo. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, she's dreading the holiday. So, when she has the opportunity to go away to an isolated cabin and concentrate on her music, she jumps at the chance.

Little does she expect that she will meet a former musician turned producer who encourages her to pursue her music. And it doesn't hurt that he's handsome and there's an attraction between them. But he has his own personal issues that he's dealing with.

Spending time in the small town, getting to know the locals and attending events, along with getting to know Jay helps Hailey to regain the parts of herself that she hadn't realized were missing the last few years and made her a stronger person. There's some Christmas magic in the air as not one but two couples find their HEA.