Book Review - The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Christmas Spirit

Author: Debbie Macomber

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 18th October 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

Will they find their happy-ever-after this Christmas?

Peter and Hank are lifelong friends, but when it comes to their jobs they couldn't be more different. Peter is a small-town pastor and is devoted to helping the community, while Hank runs the local pub and is never too far from a party. But this Christmas, everything is about to change . . .

Having never settled down, Peter and Hank believe their demanding jobs are keeping them from finding love. Convinced that the other has it easier, they hatch a plan to swap places the week before Christmas to put their theories to the test and find time for themselves.

But as Hank quickly becomes overwhelmed by nativity plans, and Peter struggles to control the rowdy festive pub-goers, they each begin to worry they're in over their heads. Luckily, church assistant Grace is on hand to help Hank navigate a church/life balance, and a young woman seeking shelter at the pub might be exactly what Peter needs to realise there's more than one way to help his community . . .

This Christmas, will Peter and Hank's stunt fall flat, or will it open their eyes to the possibility of love at last?

The Christmas Spirit is a warm and wintry delight from the #1 New York Times bestselling author. The perfect Christmas read for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Trisha Ashley

What an apt title, as this is a book that embodies the true meaning of Christmas, and the Christmas spirit, and the story was told in such a way that also felt fitting for the season. 

This is about best friends Peter the pastor and Hank the barman who each are convinced the other leads a much easier life than they claim to, and decide in the week before Christmas to swap places for a week. 

And watching them attempt each others jobs and roles is fantastic too see, especially as it gives them both a chance of happiness in unlikely places, and able to cast new perspectives on so many situations. 

There is a fabulous supporting cast of characters, who I enjoyed getting to know too. 

My only slight problem with the book is due to there being a working pastor, and scenes set around the church, there is a bit too much bible and faith in it for my particular tastes and beliefs, or at least far more than I would ever expect to see in a book from this author. 

In spite of that I loved the story and the messages it brings, in addition to finding it just a warm hearted and all around lovely read. It's another really cosy story from Debbie Macomber that I found to be a very quick to read book, and happily devoured it over the course of a day.

Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.