The Christmas Spirit

ByDebbie Macomber

Release Date: 2022-10-18
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 304 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two lifelong friends decide to trade places the week before Christmas and end up finding love along the way in this delightful novel from the queen of holiday stories, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends, but their lives couldn’t be more different. Peter, the local pastor who is dedicated to his community, spending time visiting the flock, attending meetings, and, with the holiday season approaching, preparing for the Christmas service and live nativity. As a bartender, Hank serves a much different customer base at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.

When Peter scoffs that Hank has it easy compared to him, the two decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other’s work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. As the two begin to see each other in a new light—and each discovers a new love to cherish—their lives are forever changed.

In The Christmas Spirit, Debbie Macomber celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and the inclusive community spirit that binds us all.

Reviews

From a Bar to a Church
5
By Lakewaco
Great story about two people who made an exchange of jobs and worked miracles with some Biker Buddies. All told to two little children.
Just Wonderful
5
By Gaily Mae
This was the perfect treat to eat in the Christmas spirit while delayed on Amtrak on my way to family for Christmas. ❤️🎄
Wonderful
5
By Greta12865
As always Debbie has written a very special Christmas story! Loved it!
Barbara
The Christmas Spirit
5
By Nursemarcy
Cute but story seemed rushed.
Bad
1
By ariana happy
Very bad
Love Debbie Macomber
5
By 39how
I love Christmas stories and Debbie does it again! Thank you ❤️
The Christmas Spirit
4
By Jen G F
A*R*C for honest review with no compensation Received from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group 4.5 stars

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is a standalone holiday story that is filled with the Spirit of Christmas.

What happens when two best friends decide to change places (jobs) right before the holidays, a preacher and a bar owner. Change perspective, new friends, romance, storytelling, some drama, smiles and heartwarming story.
Heartwarming Holiday Story
5
By princezz24789
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is another one of her heartwarming, lovely Christmas romance stories.

Story Recap:
Best friends, Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax meet each other regularly at a local diner where they discuss their lives and reminisce on their high school days. One day, while complaining about how hard they work, they decide to swap jobs. Peter is a Pastor, and Hank owns his own bar. Each believes they got the better end of the deal, but after spending a week in each other’s job, both their lives change for the better.

My Thoughts:
I don’t know any author who does Christmas stories as well as Debbie Macomber. She has that balance of telling a sweet, wholesome story without it becoming sappy, or too sweet.

I enjoyed this sweet romance set at Christmastime. These characters were ones I would like to hang out with and I felt comfortable with all of them. They were realistic and compelling. This wasn’t a light Christmas story, but one that was a bit deeper and emotional that resonates with Debbie Macomber’s trademark heartwarming storytelling.

If you enjoy Hallmark movies you’ll love The Christmas Spirit. This book has a small town, quirky characters, and two sweet romances. I enjoyed the grandmother telling the story to her grandchildren as it gave a break between the sections of the story.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Christmas Spirit to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Another beautiful Christmas story!
4
By Oma 3
A wonderful way of telling a story of learning and sharing the Christmas spirit. Love how Nana is telling her grandkids a story of two best friends that are really the opposite of one another. Pete is a pastor and Hank is a bartender. So the week before Christmas they decided to trade places to discover who has the harder life. They both have eye opening experiences, finding love and realizing that life is not what one always believes in. There is a wonderful sense of humor throughout that had me laughing out loud. Well done! Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheChristmasSpirit
A Wonderful Story!
5
By akbaird
This story begins with Lilly and Lance visiting their Nana, which they love doing as she bakes cookies with them and tell them stories. This time around, Nana begins with a story. What they love most is being able to name the characters in the story. This time Lance chooses the name Hank in honor of their grandpa and Lily chooses Pete in honor of their uncle. So the story unfolds with Nana telling them the story of Pete and Hank who have been best friends since high school. Pete a minister and Hank a bartender decides to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. What will they discover about themselves and each other? How will the community react? Will they both finally meet the love of their lives?

This heartwarming story dives into what it means to be best friends, what it means to look at another person from their perspective and situation, taking chances, finding love, etc. This book has a great story line, likable characters, and has enough love and drama that it will keep you entertained from the first page to the last!

I really enjoyed this story and felt it was a heartfelt, fun and entertaining story! A great book to kick off your holiday season! A great book club pick as it will lead to many great discussions!