A Christmas Duet

For reasons not adequately explained, a music teacher who has no children, pets, or roommates can never find time to compose music at home so she accepts a friend's offer to spend the holiday alone at a remote cabin instead of with her parents where a former boyfriend is determined to re-enter her life. Of course, Hailey immediately meets a hunk who helps her out of several jams. They also share a love of music so it's easy to see why she falls for Jay but I have no idea why he falls for her. Christmas in Podunk, Washington is white in more ways than one. The men will only go to the barbershop, not a hair salon, because "in these parts, men want to be men" and it's all "apple pie, guns, and the American flag." Hailey thinks that's show more "foolish" but, of course, would never express that mildly contradictory opinion to Jay. Why would a woman's opinion matter? I gave it 2 stars only because Macomber doesn't rely on the usual trope of a miscommunication driving a wedge between the couple and Hailey's Christmas ditty is hilariously banal. show less

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). show more 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. show less

As sisters, Hailey and Daisy couldn’t be more different. Hailey dreamed of being a song writer, but settled into a teaching career, as a band teacher. Daisy always struggled in school, but her creative nature fueled her into designing crafts and even creating her own recipes. Hailey’s boyfriend broke up with her three years ago, and though she was upset at the time, Hailey knew that he didn’t support her dreams of being a song writer. When Hailey’s friend offered her the use of her family’s isolated family cabin during the Christmas holiday, she jumped at the chance to avoid her mother’s push to reconnect her with her old boyfriend. And she could devote her time to song writing. An unexpected bonus was meeting Jay in that show more small town. Surprises are in store for more than one person in this delightful and heartwarming tale. With likable and well developed characters, this is a wonderful story for Christmas time. show less

This was a comforting if predictable holiday read. Hailey is a music teacher who has dabbled in songwriting and had some small successes. Her teacher friend offers the use of her family cabin for the holidays in small Podunk, OR, when Hailey realizes going home for the holiday is out, since her mom seems to think she is getting back together with a man she broke up with three years ago. Podunk is small, eventually welcoming, and even has a resident who is a former band member in the process of turning music producer, Kismet!

This was a nice, short read. Hailey's mother was annoying throughout the book, but otherwise I enjoyed the story. I don't mind reading Christmas stories at other times of the year as I'm usually too busy in December to read very many.

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber
Holiday romance. Closed door.
Hailey Morgan doesn’t know what to do for the Christmas holiday. Her mother has invited Hailey’s ex to join the holidays even after Hailey told him she had no interest in getting back together. Hailey takes a friend up on an offer of a secluded cabin in Podunk, Washington and tells her parents she’ll be out of town for the holiday.
The cabin is remote and not quite unoccupied. Hailey goes back to the single store in town where Jay, the mayor’s son, offers to help Hailey get rid of the raccoons and bats and whatever else may have inhabited the house. When the two discover their joint love of music they continue to spend time together. At least until her family finds show more the hidden cabin and shows up unexpectedly.

Charming and heartwarming. Family may be trying at times but here, the caring is evident and the holiday is rich in love. show less

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber
Love this holiday read. It starts with Hailey and her friend that has a cabin in the woods that is great for escaping the holidays.
They are schoolteachers and Hailey just wants solitude so she can play her guitar and write songs.
She finds out her mom had invited the ex-boyfriend to spend Christmas with them and they makes her run quickly to the cabin.
Problem is when she arrives it's infested with animals, inside. She heads to the local store and finds the woman owner and asks about help.
She sends her son Jay who's also a musician and not only does he rid the place of the raccoon but they also jam several times and lose all track of time.
She finds out more about her and she tells him all about her show more ex-boyfriend.
Things don't go according to plan. Love the local festivities, similar to ones here in our town.
It's so magical. Love the extra things they do, especially when Daisy her sister shows up. and discusses her love interest.
They have deep sister talks and are closer. Song Hailey had sung at the town sing along went viral and everybody wants to sign her to their music company. Love hearing of the song process.
She has other plans. Then her parents show up and the ex. So twisted and you can't even imagine how things turn out.
Hilarious and festive. Great fun read.
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Ballantine Books via NetGalley
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