A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber

 A Christmas Duet

Book Summary

Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of becoming a professional songwriter, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of spending Christmas with her family and dodging her mother’s meddling questions about her love life.

When Hailey’s close friend offers her the use of her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo holiday retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in the small town of Podunk, Oregon, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin has been invaded by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the son of the town’s main store proprietor—and an incredibly handsome and charming former musician to boot—is more than willing to help.

Soon Hailey and Jay are nearly inseparable, chopping down and decorating a Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa in front of a cozy fire, and best of all, playing music together. Jay’s positive feedback and encouragement inspire Hailey to believe she might succeed as a songwriter after all. But even in her snow-dusted oasis, family holiday drama still finds Hailey, interrupting and threatening her newfound peace and confidence. Meanwhile revelations from Jay present complications of their own. Suddenly her Christmas paradise has become a winter storm and Hailey must weather through the challenges to stand up for herself and embrace the holiday spirit.

My Thoughts

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber is a sweet holiday tale.  I look forward to reading Debbie Macomber’s new holiday tale each year.  I found A Christmas Duet easy to read with steady pacing.  I like how a racoon provided an entertaining meet-cute between Hailey and Jay. I understood why Hailey did not want to spend the holidays with her ex-boyfriend with her mother pressuring her to get back together with him.  However, I thought the background details were lacking.   Had the mother always been this overbearing?  I wanted more information to explain why Hailey would abandon her family for the holidays.  There was plenty of Christmas spirit in the story as well as romance.  I did feel the romance was a little rushed (instant attraction). 

There were a couple of items that were mentioned that were out of place.  I did not know how the townspeople could love Hailey if they did not know her.  The story could have used more depth.  It felt more like a novella than a novel.  That does not mean that I did not enjoy A Christmas Duet.  It is a cute story with some feel-good moments.  A Christmas Duet, though, is not on par with Debbie Macomber’s previous Christmas stories.  A Christmas Duet is a happy holiday tale with a domineering mother, a brash ex-boyfriend, a helpful friend, a marauding racoon, domestic drama, singing songs, cutting down a tree, and unforeseen blessings.

A Christmas Duet is available from Amazon*.  You can find Debbie Macomber's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on  Tuesday, October 22 with A Courtship for the Amish Spinster by Vannetta Chapman. It is the fifth book in the Indiana Amish Market series (Eunice's story). I am off to fill out more paperwork and make more calls regarding our home (Hurricane Milton damage).  My mother and I were very lucky compared to others (we could have been swept out with the tornado).  I hope that you have an uplifting day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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