All Hailey wants to do over Christmas is go somewhere by herself and try to rejuvenated her creative juices so she can write music again. So when her friend offers her family’s cabin in a small far away isolated small town she jumps at it. Once she gets there she meets a nice looking man who also is a musician and love and attraction blooms as well as her creative skills for music.

This was an adorable Christmas story that was light and fun to read.

Christmas is not Christmas without a Debbie Macomber book. I loved A Christmas Duet. Absolutely delightful!

Hailey is not looking forward to going home to her parents house for Christmas. Not only will she have no peace and quiet, but her mother is very adamant that she gives her ex another chance. So, when Hailey's good friend offers the use of her grandmother's cabin, she takes it. It will give her the solitude she is desperately seeking to really concentrate on her music.

Hailey has only been in Podunk for about a minute when she discovers Rocky the Raccoon. Enter Jay. Am I the only one swooning over Jay? I think not! Jay is exactly what Hailey needs! He encourages her, plays music with her and they seem to be totally meant for each other.

Hailey's quiet getaway is soon interrupted by family. Unwanted family equals a little bit of drama of course. Though she's annoyed at first, she soon sees that this crazy Christmas has turned out to be exactly what she needed all along.

Highly recommend!

For me, this book is a slam dunk winner in the Christmas romance genre! With characters that spoke (and sang) their ways into my heart, and a delightful story of a young woman who wants to pursue her dream of writing songs, this novel captured my heart from the beginning. Hailey is the quintessential people pleaser, having gone along with other people’s plans for her life until finally she just wants to be alone and write her songs. When she goes to a little town called Podunk, Oregon and settles into an isolated cabin, she figures she has found the perfect place to create. Little does she know that a swoonworthy hero is going to step into her life in the form of Jay, a man who comes to rescue her from varmints and worms his way into her heart. The book is carefully plotted with dual storylines. The secondary one is that of Hailey’s sister Daisy who is having her own issues with self-acceptance and love. Both stories are mesmerizing and a sweet portrayal of sisterly advice and love and the dynamics between the characters was amazingly well portrayed. The banter between Jay and Hailey is screen worthy and so satisfying as both characters are easy to cheer for. This is a delightful romance with a depth of emotion that had me reading long into the night, as I laughed and cried and celebrated with the characters who are so believable and refreshingly honest.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This story has all the holiday feels and traditions!

Hailey has always had big dreams involving music. Unfortunately teaching music to students is what is paying the bills. When she finds out her mother has invited her ex boyfriend to Christmas she decides to boycott her family’s Christmas. Given the opportunity to stay in a secluded cabin in the woods and focus only on her music - that’s a definite yes from her.

Jay, home on a break is helping out his mom at the local town store. His mom sends him to help Hailey on her first night in the cabin with an unwanted visitor.

As the holidays grow nearer Hailey starts getting some push back from her family about not coming to Christmas.

This was a very quick read and makes me ready for the holidays. The mother drove me a little crazy but I’m sure exactly how she was supposed to be portrayed. There isn’t any spice so perfect for anyone to enjoy.

Debbie Macomber is the queen of holiday romances and this story didn’t disappoint. I am so thankful to have gotten to enjoy this story early.

This was a wonderfully, sweet story. Hailey always just wanted to write music but when her college boyfriend broke up with her because it was too much of a fanciful dream for her to be successfull writing music. He wanted her to give it up, so she gave him up instead. Now she is an asst music director in a Portland school. Zach (her college boyfriend) has started texting her wanting to get back together. Her friend offers her a cabin to just chill and write music. When she discovers her mother has invited Zach for Christmas, she takes her up on it. There she meets Jay who is a starting out music producer who was once in a band that broke up. They get very close. His mother is the mayor of this little town in Oregon and is a hoot. I love her attitude on life. Even though Hailey wants solitude, her sister, Daisy, shows up out of the blue. Daisy is a free spirit, but Hailey thinks something is going on with her.
The story shows how two very different sisters find their way back to each other, a mother who learns (a little) not to interfere as much in her daughter's lives, and how love can find it way even in a little small town when things don't happen the way you want them too. A very charming story

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Cosy, sweet Christmas romance read! I highly recommend this and enjoyed this book!

Thank you NetGalley, Debbie Macomber, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Ballantine Books for giving me an ARC of this book!

Christmas would be incomplete without a book from Debbie Macomber! This one doesn’t disappoint and will likely become a Hallmark Christmas movie in the next couple of years! Don’t miss this one.

One of my favorite authors. Love her Christmas books. They are always quick, wholesome, full of holiday spirit and themes. The love of the family while sitting boundaries and offering support was balanced with the right amount of humor. The new relationship was sweet. The challenges of the cabin added humor. The thought of all of the people showing up in town one at a time asking where the cabin was from various town people is the perfect Hallmark Movie nod. I really enjoy this book and think it makes a perfect December read.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to preview the book in exchange for my honest review.

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I was so disappointed to turn the last page and I immediately wanted more. I can’t wait to see what's next from this author.

Are your looking for Debbie Macomber's new Christmas book. This is it! This one has Hailey wanting a break from her family for the holidays. Her friend steps up and loans her a cabin in Podunk, Oregon. Unfortunately, the cabin has been invaded by a few animals. Thankfully the local main store has a wonderful, and cute, guy who will help get them out of the cabin. Hailey & Jay begin spending time together and have a great time. Did she find a place to land and make her dreams come true?

Debbie Macomber is absolutely amazing! She never fails to disappoint me, and A Christmas Duet is probably now one of my favorite books. The love of family shines bright in this Christmas story. While I was reading it, my own family was having a crisis and suffered the loss of a loved one. It's comforting to read about a family that loves and supports each other. It made me reflect on my own family and be so thankful that we are all the same way. I will definitely be recommending this book to my reader friends!

Hailey Morgan has a good life. She once thought she would have a music career, but, it turned out that being an assistant band teacher at the high school was as far as her musical career landed. Her career aspirations are gone. she's single, and it's the holidays; what's a girl to do? When her teacher BFF offers her a remote cabin for a time of rest, Hailey can't resist. She sets off to Podunk, Oregon, not knowing how one tiny trip will end her life as she knows it.

Once settling in the town, Hailey is in awe. Music is flowing, the townspeople (especially one) are fantastic, and life is good. What she doesn't expect is her sister, parents, and ex to show up, putting a spin on the holidays.

Can Hailey feel the music? Can she take her career to the next level? Debbie Macomber balances love, career, and family in her newest holiday spectacular.

Hailey and Jay make perfect music together in this holiday rom-com, perfect for a Winter's cozy evening. Hailey gave up her dream of writing music settling to be a teacher, as her ex-fiancee always told her it was not realistic and she had no talent. Set at an isolated cabin in a small town (of course), Hailey is bound to spend Christmas alone, writing music, rather than returning home for break at her parents who invited her ex-boyfriend and are hopeful of rekindling their past relationship. But then Hailey meets Jay who inspires her and encourages her. When Hailey's new holiday song hits thousands of view on YOUTUBE, her family sees where she is at. Enter Hailey's sister, and then her Mom and Dad, and finally ex-fiancee who are all set on making sure that Hailey is not alone for the holidays. Full of Hallmarky vibes for that HEA ending, this is just a fun feel-good book and great for the holidays. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, a cozy blanket , and wrap up to read this. Many thanks to #netgalley #debbiemaccomber #achristmasduet for theopportunity to read and review this book.

I can’t tell you how much I loved this book. I can’t imagine spending Christmas alone.I’m glad Hailey met Jay on her trip to compose new songs.Her sister Daisy and their parents surprised her to spend Christmas with her. I highly recommend reading this book.

Hailey has put aside her love for writing music to be a music teacher instead, as a more practical career. Her ex boyfriend didn’t believe in her songwriting and her parents thought it was a nice hobby.

Christmas break comes along and Hailey is offered a week alone in her friend Katherine’s family cabin to go back to doing what she loves writing music. She arrives in Podunk as small town in Oregon and meets Jay a fellow musician.


This book was great meet cute Christmas book. I really enjoyed the fast pace of the story. Perfect read for over the holidays.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for- Ballantine for this eARC in return for my honest review.

This is such a great read, Hailey Morgan is such a talented young women, and she is gifted as far as music goes, always with a song in her head.
Three years ago she was dumped by her steady boyfriend, now he wants her back and he has the support of her mother.
When things go awry with her visit to her to her parents over Christmas, she makes abrupt other plans, and ends up in Podunk. From Podunk to the end of this read we are swept away with involvement in Hailey's life, and in the end I wanted more.
Debbie Macomber doesn't disappoint, and this is a terrific Christmas read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

Grab your beverage of choice and cozy up with another great holiday story from Debbie Macomber. Road trip with Hailey as she heads off to a friends' cabin to spend time alone for the holidays instead of with her family. Who and what she encounters at the cabin leads to a heartwarming and satisfying story about family, friends, and sometimes needing to stand up for yourself.

The perfect sweet Christmas read! A solo Christmas trip inspires Hailey to rediscover her passion for music! While finding herself and her music again, she falls head over heels in love Jay, who also is a musician. This book took me on the perfect ride from start to finish! To rekindling with her family, clearing the air with old love, finding new love, discovering her musical passion, and to getting engaged in the end - this book was the perfect Christmas read! It felt like a warm hug that had me smiling ear to ear! Debbie Macomber is always so good and becoming a must read in my book! A Christmas book you’ll definitely have to check out this holiday season!

Thank you netgalley & random house publishing for an ebook arc of this gem!

ARC REVIEW

A December Duet
By Debbie Macomber

Publishing date: 10/15/2025

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (4 out of 5)

If you are looking for a squeaky, clean, warm Christmas romance...this is your book!

Hailey needs to escape, so she heads to an isolated cabin to spend Christmas alone. She meets Jay, who was sent to remove a raccoon from the cabin - Que the sparks and insta love! Haileys solo holiday has suddenly become not so lonely 😊But when her parents make a suprise (unwanted) visit and a viral video brings attention Haileys way, her relationship with Jay gets complicated....her happy Christmas is not looking so happy...

This was cute! It was a quick read that only took a couple of sittings. It was a nice palette cleanser. No spice, so if that's not something you enjoy, def add this to your tbr.

The story also touches on family relationships between parents, siblings, and even ex romantic relationships.

Overall, it's a cute Christmas read. If you like Debbie Macomber, give this one a try in the upcoming holiday season 🎄

Thank you @randomhouse and @netgalley for the #arc . Always appreciated!!

Another Debbie Macomber book I will read on repeat every Christmas! Loved the characters, loved the setting, loved it all! She just does not disappoint!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.