Debbie Macomber is always a good read. And writing about the holidays is one of my favorites to read. This was such a good story. It really warmed my heart.

Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber

The synopsis of Twelve Days of Christmas immediately sounded like something I swear I've seen on Hallmark, so of course I grabbed it. While it was fun and festive and everything you'd expect from Debbie Macomber, I also struggled with Julia's attitude that Christmas solves everything and that "killing people with kindness" will turn their lives around. Stories like these sometimes force things down peoples' throats, almost as if Christmas is a religion and the characters are evangelists hell-bent on converting their unsuspecting acquaintances to festive merriment. Julia is overly drippy and smiley and will not leave poor Cain alone. I did enjoy the friendship they formed, and Cain does eventually open up. When Julia acts like a normal human, I really liked her! I loved the old man, Bernie, and thought he was wonderful. So all in all, this was just ok.

Debbie Macomber is synonymous for her annual Christmas novel! Always fun and witty and full of joy and hope. Cain and Julia’s story was often funny and festive. Perfect for the holidays

Twelve Days of Christmas is everything I look for in a sweet Christmas romance. Engaging characters, a little bit of romantic tensions, and plenty of scenes filled with Christmas Magic.

Julia is a young woman living in Seattle who fills her time with work, volunteering, and playing piano at her church. Although she likes her job at Macy's she's been waiting quite some time to find a job in the social media field, and she's finally found her chance. She must compete with another candidate to create a blog, and see if she can get more hits and comments then her competitor.

The only problem is that Julia doesn't have any ideas. While talking on the phone with her best friend, she begins complaining about her neighbor across the hall. He's rude and a newspaper thief! So after some discussion, Julia decides to go along with her friends suggestion. She's going to try being kind to her neighbor to see if she can get him to lighten up, all while documenting it on her blog.

Meanwhile, Cain (also known as Ebenezer on Julia's blog) has his own issues going on. He comes off as so serious because he's dealt with a lot of loss in his life, from his parents to a former romantic partner. He's scared of getting hurt.

This book had everything I love in it: Christmas, Starbucks, Friend to lovers tension (although not technically lovers since this is a clean romance lol). Some of the scenes where Julia was just being a normal, nice human and Cain was distrusting of her were so funny. Julia was the Christmas angel that he really needed in his life, to be honest.

A bonus factor is that Cain's grandfather, Bernie, is a main character in the story and helps Julia with her kindness project. What will happen when Cain finds out? Well, you'll just have to read and find out. If you love Christmas romances, you'll certainly love this one by Debbie Macomber. It's so sweet and made my heart incredibly happy.

Fantastic novel as always by Debbie Macomber. Absolutely brilliant, easy to ready story as always! Highly recommend to others.

Its not the holiday season without a NEW debbie Macomber Christmas novel. Twelve Days of Christmas is the latest Christmas offering. I liked the this book. It has everything you would expect from the author. Its sweet, clean and a must read! Thank you netgalley for the complimentary arc. The opinions are my own.

Julia is bubbly and always has a smile on her face. Her neighbor, Cain, is quite the opposite. As friendly as Julia is to Cain, he barely acknowledges her and is sometimes downright rude. Julia comes up with an idea for the holiday season - she is going to kill her neighbor with kindness. She decides that her experiment will run over the twelve days of Christmas and she's going to write about it on her blog. Julia's blog becomes a hit with some of her readers offering advice and taking on their own acts of kindness. She finds herself breaking through Cain's tough exterior and falling for the man behind it. Julia wants to tell Cain about the blog, but he is an extremely private person and she knows it won't go over well. How will Cain react when he finds out that Julia has been writing about him?

I know that Debbie Macomber is a popular author, but this is the first book I've read by her and I wish I had read it sooner. Twelve Days of Christmas will get you into the holiday spirit. The story was a little predictable by the end, but I still enjoyed it and it was just what I needed. I'm definitely going to check out more by this author.

Sounded like a very inventive idea for a blog and Julia is in need of something that will catch the attention of as many followers as possible. Julia is at the top of a list for a new job at a major software company. The list narrowed down to two people. Goal was to generate followers, now all she needed was a hook.
Being the season of good will toward all men, that would have to include her grumpy neighbor too. But Cain was usually in a rushed, get out of my way mood. The only thing friendly about Cain was his dog.
So when Julia’s friend suggests a fun and seasonal idea for her blog it seems like something that just might work. Julia was aware that she was outgoing and friendly and most important a huge fan of the holidays. Was there even a remote chance that any of her holiday spirit could rub off on her neighbor? Well the job prospect was waiting in the wings. What did she have to lose?
The game is on. It’s neighbor Cain and his anti-holiday sentiment versus Julia and her all things holiday spirit.
Almost immediately Julia notices an uptick on her blog which is definitely a step in the right direction. But there was quite a lot of time left until Christmas and a lot of territory to cover. Surely there would be some hiccups. The countdown to Christmas begins and hopefully she can not only continue generating hits on her blog but provide a measure of holiday glee for her curmudgeon of a neighbor.
Anyone who has ever read a story by Debbie Macomber expects to be entertained and joyously at that. TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS is Debbie Macomber’s latest foray into holiday tales with a decidedly modern twist. The cast of characters include some adorably quirky folk and a gorgeous beast of a dog. Family is all important to the holidays and to Debbie Macomber. This is quite evident in TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS in which the challenge of infusing the merriment and joy of the season is at the forefront of activity. Can’t think of anyone more up to this challenge than Debbie Macomber. So sit back and enjoy the game.

Basic Macomber. It's a sweet little Christmas book. What you'd expect from this author. It was our library book club book for December. Most members felt it was lacking but still finished it and gave it an ok rating.

I loved this book! It was so cute and Christmasy and I liked the whole premise of giving someone a second chance. I liked the whole concept of killing someone with kindness even when you do not get along with them - it is something I have had to do several times in life. I also liked how the experiment was used for a blog and that it gained popularity.

I loved Julia and seeing her grow during her experiment of showing kindness to Cain even when it was tough the first few days. I also loved Cain, he sounds swoon-worthy, and I loved how there was more than meets the eye with him and his Scrooge-like personality. Ultimately, I loved the relationship between these two characters even though it does happen in a quick amount of time, but it is the perfect gooey romance for the Christmas season! 4/5 Stars.

I was really enjoying this Christmas romance, but then the female lead, Julia, started to bother me. She started actively lying to Cain and being devious; she cared more about her stupid blog than her love interest. The story started out great. I loved the sort of enemies to lovers scenario; there was a sweet connection between Cain and Julia. Julia also seemed like a nice person, but as the story went on, her true colors began to come through. She was selfish and judgmental; she's too much of a schemer. The feelings also changed too quick from you annoy me so much to I want you so much. Julia and Cain are neighbors; he's a bit of a grump, she's a bit too peppy, so she annoys Cain. Julia's friend gives her the idea of killing him with kindness, so she starts doing nice things for him; even if they are against his will. Julia is also trying to land some job; she and one other are in competition to see who can get the most followers on a blog, so Julia starts posting about her 12 days of kindness mission. A romantic connection begins to bloom between Cain and her, but when her blog starts to gain a crazy amount of followers, she worries Cain might not take it well. Cain has some past issues with being used in relationships. There was some fun humor and I love the Christmas aspects, but this could've been so much better with a stronger female lead. There was also some weird scenes, such as needing to weigh herself while she's sick; so weird, and Cain and Julia kissing when she was just really sick; they actually got over being sick what seemed way too quickly. There needed to be a bit more heart to the story, and more POV from Cain. Overall, this could've been really great, but ended up being just okay.

I always used to enjoy Debbie Macomber's holiday stories, but the last few I've read have been a miss for me. Fortunately, "Twelve Days of Christmas" reminded me of Macomber's classics of years past. It was a cute, sweet holiday romance with likeable characters and a nice message regarding the impact of kindness on those around us.

I totally agree with the other reviewers who have likened this story to a Hallmark movie - it definitely has that light, frothy quality to it. Bottom line: if you're looking for a really deep, thought-provoking read, keep looking. But if you're looking for something short and sweet to get you in a holiday mood or while away a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea, this book is for you.

*ARC provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

At first, I thought this was going to be just another Christmas romance book and I was already getting bored. But then Julia started her blog about "Ebenezer Scrooge", and, wow, the story picked up fast! I really enjoyed it and want to read the rest of the one she featured at the end of the book.

This is another of Macomber's delightful tales of Christmas. A good read amidst the holiday craziness. Take a few hours and enjoy this fun story reminiscent of Scroogish behavior and that one person so full of cheer it overflows.

This was a great book to curl up and read before the holiday season! I would recommend it to anyone hoping to get into the holiday spirit.

Reading the annual Christmas Debbie Macomber title is a traditional part of my holidays. I can't say that I love all of her books, but they are frequently comforting and cozy -- just right for the winter holiday season. This one is no exception. Fun and funny, Twelve Days of Christmas is a perfect curl-up-by-the-fire book.

Great Christmas story of two unlikely people falls in love.
Julia is bubbly personality is rubbing off a grumpy neighbor Cain. Both can’t stand each other for each other’s personality.
While Julia is talking to her best friend, she recommends she should kill him with kindness. That sparks the idea for her blog and calling him “Ebenezer”.
Everyday she is doing everything she can to show kindness to Cain and she shares it in her blog. At first, only few were interested in her story, as she keeps up the stories and more people are interested.
Slowly but surely he is opening up and Julia feels the same way....
But things gets out of hand when her blog hits big and news stations wants her story...Julia wants to come clean about her blog to Cain but will she tell him on time..
Great Christmas story that will warm your heart!!!!

Definitely A Winner - Few writers can write with the kind of sweetness that can reach into the heart and make it sing. It takes you back to a kinder time. Not necessarily simpler, but kinder. It's not that it's an old fashioned book, not by a long shot. It's just that it's a kinder book. While there are issues that need to be resolved between the hero and heroine and inside themselves, I absolutely loved the book! I kind of want a friend like Julia and I do kind of want to hug cranky pants Cain. He really did need Julia in his life!

I am such a fan of Debbie Macomber's books and this one is no different. If it has the word Christmas, Holiday or relates to Christmas and Holidays, I'm all in for reading it.

This book did not disappoint.

5 stars

Once again Debbie Macomber has made an excellent romance book to enjoy start to finish without putting it down. Get a comfy chair and a rainy day and curl up to this! you won't be disappointed.