Debbie Macomber is the queen of gentle romances, preferably set at Christmas time, and it's impossible to not fly through her books and feel all warm and fuzzy at the end of them.

The Christmas Spirit could easily be turned into a Hallmark movie except it would have a bit of a twist as we don't often see a pastor and a pub landlord swap places in order to find love! Both Peter and Hank find that their respective skill sets may not traditionally suit their temporary new roles but both do a great job which is quite a surprise to many and the opportunity for romance is predictably just around the corner.

As ever, a great, fast paced gentle read perfect for winter when the weather is horrible outside and you want to stay inside, cozy, warm and entertained.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber was a wonderful feel good book about friends and the need to help those less fortunate. A good read that has helped me get into the Christmas spirit and the true meaning of Christmas.

A lovely feel-good, heart warming book perfect for the festive season.

I loved the plot idea and the characters and was hooked from the first chapter.

Looking forward to reading more from Debbie Macomber

Lovely story with lovely characters, but then Debbie Macomber is always a pleasure to read. Would recommend to anyone who likes Women's fiction or Romantic reading

Two friends trade places just before Christmas after teasing each other that the other has the easier life. The pastor takes on running a bar and Hank the bar owner attempts to minister to the congregation and help try to sort out the fundraising. An unlikely swap- but they both brought a fresh pair of eyes to their new role and managed to secure a new love interest each!
I loved the supporting characters in the book and the way they added so much to the overall story. You could imagine them in the bar and the christmas party.
I love Debbie Macombers writing style and this one would make the perfect christmas film for the festive season.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another amazing christmas story full of all fun, laughs and love. Lots of different loveable characters and I loved the premise of this book being a grandmother telling a story to her grandchildren which made it all the more special.

a lovely fun read and exactly what is needed on the run up to christmas, was it a bit cheesy, yes but it also had everything we want for a christmas book, the characters were very likable and the story did hold attention.

This is my first book by this author, although I’ve heard her name before. I loved the style- not the usual girl-meets-boy, add a misunderstanging, then they get back together type, but I can honestly say that I loved it. I stayed up way too late to finish this. It’s a gentle story, with some festive cheer and loveable characters, albeit with a rather unbelievable ending (the epilogue does tie everything up neatly. In a regular book the saccharine ending would be cringeworthy but hey… it’s Christmas!). It’s not a story that will give you and great insights, but if you want an easy, Christmassy read then it’s perfect.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I read this book in one sitting.

Two friends change places, one is a Pastor and the other owns a bar, as they feel the others life is easy. In doing this, they see what the other friend faces in their daily life, and try to help lessen the burdens.

Their outlook on life changes and, of course they find love. Even though this story is told over Christmas, it’s not necessarily a festive Christmas story.

I definitely recommend this book

This is a lovely feel good seasonal story. There are no surprises and it is a quick read. - ideal for busy people in the run up to Christmas! It would make a great Christmas movie.

I feel like Debbie is the queen of romance. Especially at Christmas time. This book is a prime example of how a good yet predictable book can make you feel all warm and cosy and festive.

Great festive read, love the idea of a job/life swap. Funny and enjoyable. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

This was a beautiful story where we listen along as a woman tells a story to her grandchildren. They asks for a special story, one that wasn't 'once upon a time' and so the story she weaves for them is a very special one.

As we follow along while Peter and Hank swap their lives, we see them finding not only what was missing in their own lives but also helping those around them, as well as each other, to find their happy ever after.

This is a story about the true meaning of Christmas, accepting those who are different to yourself and helping those who need it. There were plenty of the Christmas essentials that we are all familiar with to make this into a very wonderful read, perfect for warming the heart at the coldest part of the year.

Like the children, at the end of the tale I really wanted to know the stories of everyone else involved and how life had played out for them too. This was another delight in the book in that it told me, I now know what happened to all the characters that the author had made me care about during the telling of this story. Thank you for that.

This was a bit different to previous titles by this author and I don’t think it was as good as her other books.
There was almost a disconnect, which was a shame as it was an interesting idea for the narrative. And I really wasn’t expecting strippers. Not my favourite but I will still recommend to customers looking for a gentle festive read.

I wasn’t sure that the idea of a pastor and bar tender changing lives would work, but having read the latest from Debbie Macomber, it did.

Sweet, inoffensive, what’s not to like. Throw in a bit of Christmas cheer and you have the makings of a nice, easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my review.

I love all Debbie’s books. This one sees two friends exchange jobs for five days just before Christmas. One owns a bar the other is a Pastor. Each believe that their profession will prove the hardest. Friendships, community and of course romance all are explored. A very interesting read that I would highly recommend.

I have always loved Debbie Macomber and have read quite a few of her books, so couldn’t wait to get started on this one.
The story focuses on friends Hank and Pete who both have quite different but equally busy, stressful jobs and decide to do a life swap until Christmas Eve. I loved the fact the story was told by a grandmother to her two grandchildren and I felt this added to the magic.
I adored all the characters in the story and loved seeing how different friendships and romances developed. It was great to see how different peoples lives can be, but friendships can still grow.
I loved the ending of the story and for the last few chapters (no spoilers)I could not stop laughing it was hilarious.
This story was exactly what the title suggests it was full of the Christmas spirit, romance and friendship and is definitely worth a full five stars. A truly magical Christmas story.
Thanks to Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and Debbie Macomber for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I absolutely adore a Debbie Macomber novel! You could never go wrong with one of her books! I’m so excited for the Christmas theme. I also love a good swap places book as well as a cozy heart warming holiday story you could get lost in. I will be sharing much more soon, but jus wanted to put out how excited I am for this one and I know readers will be as well! The perfect book to start getting in the holiday spirit.