The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber: Book Review

 *Book received for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

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.

Debbie Macomber is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Fifteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller lists, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. She is as well the author of the cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

I always enjoy any books written by Debbie Macomber, but her holiday reads tend to be among my favorite... and The Christmas Spirit certainly was no exception. 

The story starts out with a grandmother sitting down to tell her grandchildren a story--- that story being the main one in the book: a story of two very different best friends- one a bar owner and one a pastor- making the decision to trade roles for the week. What a week that turns out to be! Now, in many ways I thought part of the story seemed perhaps a bit unrealistic... but you know, that's the magic of storytelling, isn't it? Would a group of church goers readily accept and welcome a group of bikers and strippers as easily as they did here? Perhaps not, if we're being honest... but it was a beautiful example of how the church should be, isn't it? With lots of humor and Christmas cheer, I couldn't help but enjoy this uplifting story. 

I thought the story-telling aspect really worked so wonderfully in this book. I loved the banter between the grandchildren, and it really gave it more of that warm, family feeling that is so great in a holiday tale!

Overall, I really enjoyed this quick read. Fans of holiday romances are sure to want to check it out this season!