A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber – a Review

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Description:
Halley 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 Halley’s close friend offers her the use of her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo holiday retreat, Halley 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 Halley 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 Halley 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.

Review:

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber is a sweet wonderful heartwarming Christmas holiday story. We meet Halley Morgan, who has always dreamed of becoming a professional song writer, but she currently is an assistant high school band teacher in Portland. Halley isn’t happy to join her family on Christmas, since her mother keeps pushing Halley’s ex-boyfriend to attend Christmas. Her BFF, Katherine are both happy for the holiday break, and when Halley talks about her ex planning to come to their house, she is desperate.  Katherine suggests to her to use the family cabin in the small town of Podunk; enabling her to concentrate on creating her music.  Halley decides to take up Katherine offer and escape having to go to her family’s Christmas celebration, with her ex planning to attend.

 When Halley arrives at the cabin, she senses the feel of her journey in creating her music; but she also discovers some animals that seem to visit the cabin. When shopping at the town’s main store, the owner sends her son, Jay to help rid the animals; and Halley finds him to be charming and handsome, not to mention he too is a former musician. Both Halley & Jay play the guitar and are very passionate about creating music; though she loves writing songs, he is currently working on building his own company.  In a short time, both begin to feel sparks between them, with lots of delightful banter and their love of music.  Jay gives Halley encouragement inspiring her that she can be a successful songwriter, especially when she sang her song at the bar/restaurant, which became so popular, with videos opening up a possible career. Halley and Jay become inseparable, spending fun time together as well as playing music together.

I will say, I really did not like Halley’s mother, who was obsessive and determined to bring the ex-back into the picture. When the video of her song escalated, her parents found out where she was staying, comes to visit; of course, the mother lets the ex-know.   It will take Halley to tell the ex she does not want anything to do with him; especially since she finds herself caring about Jay. I really loved Hailey and Jay together. I liked Halley’s sister, Daisy, who had who came earlier, concerned about her own boyfriend being serious. 

A Christmas Duet was a heartwarming, charming, sweet, cozy romantic story filled with music and love.  It was really nice to see both sisters have their own HEA. A Christmas Duet was so very well written by Debbie Macomber.  I suggest you read A Christmas Duet, as you can n ever go wrong with anything by Debbie Macomber.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher