Jingle All the Way: A Novel

Written by Debbie Macomber

Narrated by Thérèse Plummer

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Love can transform even the best-laid plans in this heartfelt Christmas novel from the queen of Christmas stories, Debbie Macomber.

Trapped in the middle of five siblings, Everly Lancaster always had big dreams. Now a top real-estate executive, Everly finds her work is her life, leaving no space for anything (or anyone) else. Sensing her stress, Everly’s boss insists she take December off. At first, a month away seems crazy—how will the company survive without her? But Everly’s mother convinces her otherwise. She deserves a vacation—plus, when she returns, she’ll have no excuse to skip family Christmas like she did last year.

But after her vengeful assistant books a guided cruise in the Amazon instead of the luxury beach vacation she expected, Everly is horrified to realize that she’s about to spend the next two weeks trapped—with no Wi-Fi!—in the rain forest. Not even Asher Adams, the ship’s charming naturalist, can convince Everly that the trip will be unforgettable. Slowly but surely, she realizes he is right: the sights are spectacular. And with each passing day, Everly’s relationship with Asher deepens, forcing her to take a long, hard look at her priorities.

Everly and Asher begin to see magic in the possibility of a life together. But as the cruise nears its end, and Everly’s family Christmas approaches, both must decide if love is worth the risk. A merry surprise may be in store in Debbie Macomber’s newest holiday delight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9780593289594

Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author and a leading voice in women’s fiction today. She is a multiple award winner with more than 200 million copies of her books in print. Five of her Christmas titles have been made into Hallmark Channel Original Movies, as well as a series based on her bestselling Cedar Cove stories. For more information, visit her website: www.DebbieMacomber.com.

Reviews for Jingle All the Way

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

"Jingle All the Way" includes two stories woven together in one novel. Daisy/Everly enjoys her career as an online real estate manager, but her partner forces her to take a vacation. Her "luxury" cruise turns out to be a trip down the Amazon river on a small educational cruise. During her trip, Daisy meets Asher, the ship naturalist, and sparks fly between the two. They part ways at the end of the cruise, since Daisy's city style and Asher's freewheeling travel don't mesh. The novel then changes focus as Daisy goes home to the family farm for Christmas with her parents and siblings.

Readers who enjoy a romance novel without strong language, intimate scenes, and violence will find this holiday themed novel to be a lighthearted read. From my point of view, the novel needed more continuity, and the Christmas setting was secondary to the romance aspect of the novel. Each part of the novel could have been a standalone novella with a bit more development. The abrupt ending and epilogue left me somewhat confused, wondering how we got from here to there? Debbie Macomber fans will probably delight in the humor and descriptions.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[susan0316 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When the December rush stresses you out in a normal year, it was really tough in 2020 when most holiday plans had to be cancelled. A good light, fluffy book always helps to calm my nerves and there is always a new Debbie Macomber Christmas book to pick up. This year it was Jingle All the Way - a predictable book with a happily ever after ending that helped my mood tremendously.

Daisy is a top real estate broker in Chicago where she owns a popular company with her best friend Jack. She seems to be taking on all of the work involved in the company, while Jack relaxes and lets her handle the problems. When she wants to fire his inept niece as her secretary, he decides that she is too stressed and orders her take a cruise that his niece arranges. When Daisy decides that a warm weather cruise might be helpful, she packs her summer clothes and heads to the airport. When she finds out that she has been booked on an educational Amazon river cruise instead of a leisurely Caribbean cruise, she attempts to get off the boat but has to make the best of it and continue the cruise. After several days of being sick from a spider bite, she decides to make the best of the cruise and starts to meet the people. When she meets Asher Adams, the ship's charming naturalist, there are instant sparks between them. As the cruise is ending, they have to make a decision whether a long distance relationship is the best for them or if they should just say goodbye.

There were several things about the book that I didn't like
-If Daisy (known as Everly in her Chicago life) and Jack co-owned the company - why was she doing all of the work?
-It's a bit difficult to believe that two such different people with totally different life plans would fall in love so quickly.
-The whole name change was difficult to follow at times -- was she Daisy or was she Everly?

But if you totally read this book as a romance and ignored some of the inconsistencies, this was a fun book to read and who doesn't like a happily ever after ending?

[kristy1992 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Nice, enjoyable (though predictable) read for the holidays! If you enjoy Hallmark movies this one is for you. What happens when a workaholic has a problem with one of her employees? She ends up in Brazil on an Amazon cruise (not a luxury relaxing cruise) and ends up with a shipboard romance.
I did love the warm family-oriented aspect and being with loved ones during the Christmas season. This is a quick page-turning read that will warm your heart.

[mrsmommybooknerd7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

#FirstLine - Everly Lancaster was ready to explode.

It is really Christmastime if you don’t read a Debbie Macomber book? I don’t think so!!! I love every book Macomber writes and JINGLE ALL THE WAY, was another book I adored. It was a sweet holiday read that left my heart happy! I loved going on the Amazon Explorer with Everly as she learned to let go of the stress and busyness of life in the city. She was able look to her future in a whole new way because of a special person she met on her journey! Everly had some unfortunate situations take place while on board, which forced her out of her comfort zone and into a future she never even knew she wanted or needed! Adventure, and perhaps love, is in abundance within the pages of this fantastic read! I highly recommend this book for your holiday reading!!!

[drebbles · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Feeling lost as the middle of her siblings, Daisy Lancaster chanted her first name to Everly and threw herself into her job as a real estate executive, even skipping last Christmas with her family to focus on her work. Worried about her stress level, her business partner insists that she take the month of December off and has her secretary book her on a two week cruise. Everly is expecting a luxury cruise but her vengeful secretary has other ideas – a two week cruise along the Amazon. Everly is convinced that she will hate this cruise until she meets Asher Adams. The two quick fall for each other but will these two vastly different people be able to find happiness together or go their separate ways?

Each year I look forward to Debbie Macomber’s newest Christmas novel and “Jingle All the Way” is a great addition to her collection of Christmas novels. To be honest, I wasn’t sure that I would like this book – my thoughts on reading about a cruise on the Amazon were the same as Everly’s thoughts on actually taking one! However, once I started reading it, I really enjoyed it. I really liked Everly as a character – she is hardworking, loves her family (even if she skipped last Christmas with them), smart, and quick to realize that she has lost sight of her priorities. I also liked Asher as a character – he also is so wrapped up in his work to realize that he too has lost sight of his priorities yet very caring of Everly when she needs it the most. The romance between the two is nicely done with just the right amount of obstacles, sweetness, and humor – I love the humor in this book! As for the Christmas elements – nobody does Christmas like Debbie Macomber does and she is at her best here – creating a fairy-tale like Christmas that can only happen in books but is so much fun to read!

“Jingle All the Way” is another great Christmas novel by the always enjoyable Debbie Macomber.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber is a 2020 Ballantine publication.

Funny and sweet!

After a fiasco involving her new assistant, who happens to be her boss’s niece, Everly is sent on a long overdue vacation. Although reluctant at first, the thought of a luxury cruise does sound nice. Unfortunately, the vengeful assistant booked a cruise in the Amazon just for spite-

Poor Everly encounters one mishap after another, but her naturalist guide, Asher, helps her forget all about the internet, and shows her the magnificence of the Amazon. Her time away without all her technological connections give Everly time to reflect on her life, as her friendship with Asher deepens. But what will she and Asher do once the cruise is over?

This is a very pleasant contemporary romance that couples a little light humor in with a little adventure and a sweet romance, and ends with a segue into the spirit of the holiday season.

As a few other reviewers have noted, the title and cover is misleading, because Christmas doesn't play a role this story until the very last part of the book. The plus side to that, though, is this book can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Due to the length of the story, the chemistry between Everly and Asher was a little forced and the romance felt a bit rushed- but it was still lovely watching the couple fall in love.

For me, the growth between Everly and her sisters was the most heartwarming aspect of the story. The way everything turned out for Everly, Asher and her family left a big smile on my face!

Overall, I enjoyed this gentle story. It was a like soothingly balm in a time of turmoil and anxiety. I think I may need to add more Debbie Macomber to reading list!

4 stars

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber is a charming Christmas tale. It contains Debbie Macomber’s trademark writing style. The author has a way of drawing a reader right into a story which was what happened to me with Jingle All the Way. Everly Lancaster aka Daisy has spent the last six years working to make the real estate company she, Easy Home that she co-owns with Jack Campbell a success. Work has dominated her life to the detriment of her family and other relationships. Now she has an inept assistant who happens to be her partner’s niece. Jack insists she take a thirty-day vacation. The inept assistant is tasked with finding a relaxing cruise in a warm climate. You just know that this is not going to go well. What ensues are embarrassing and humorous situations along with a chance for a romantic encounter. Asher Adams is a naturalist who works on the cruise Everly takes down the Amazon River. He is the perfect counterpart for Everly. A beautiful setting and a cozy cruise ship have a way of bringing two people together. Staying together, though, is the tricky part. I enjoyed meeting Everly’s large, boisterous family. It is amazing how time gives us a different perspective on our family and where we grew up. I liked that Everly took her time while laid up to gain a new perspective about the cruise as well as reflect on her life. I was surprised by how quickly this story flew by for me. I loved the epilogue that nicely wrapped up the tale. Jingle All the Way is a heartwarming holiday story that will leave you smiling. I wish we did not have to wait a year for Debbie Macomber’s next holiday novel. Jingle All the Way is an entertaining holiday story with an incapable assistant, wardrobe woes, tribal tribulations, insect irritation, sociable siblings, and Christmas cheer.

[marquis784-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Everly Lancaster has always been an overachiever having grown up on a farm she always dreamed of living in the city. She is living a busy life in Chicago running an online real estate agency called Easy Home. She met Jack Campbell six years ago while they were both business students and became partners in this start up project.

It seems she has taken on more of the responsibilities as Jack becomes less involved. Unfortunately, he hired his sister’s daughter, Annette Howington to work as her assistant. After much patience and embarrassing mishaps she decides Annette needs to be let go. Jack decides instead that Everly is overwhelmed and needs a vacation. He has Annette schedule her a two week vacation “somewhere warm” and not giving her much time to back out or say no with all the plans made for her.

She always dreads going home to the farm for the holidays. She is the middle child of five with two twin younger brothers Jeff and John and two older sisters Rose and Lily. Escaping her quiet farm life for the big city she also changed her name from Daisy to Everly. In Indiana, she feels she doesn’t fit in with her brothers working the farm with her father and sisters who are married with kids.

When Everly is sent on an unexpected Amazon Explorer cruise in Brazil she is forced to reevaluate her life. She manages to handle the media free nightmare vacation with the help of Asher Adams the cruise naturist. She slowly begins to make the best of the situation and finds she really did need a break from the craziness of the city.

When both Everly and Asher discover they have feelings for each other things go sideways. They are both independent and devoted to their jobs. Will they be able to work out their differences to try to make their relationship work? Does the spirit of the holidays bring back special memories?

Another delightful story by Debbie Macomber about family traditions, love and new beginnings.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even though I could foretell the ending of this book, it was still a sweet read.
What happens when a workaholic has a problem with one of her employees? Well, this one ends up in Brazil on an Amazon cruise, and we are along for her journey. She does end up with a shipboard romance, so to speak, but this is not a usual boy meets girl story.
I did love the warm family oriented aspect here, and being with loved ones at the Christmas season.
Can two job oriented people change their way of life, both married to their jobs! When you meet them and know what they are doing, you will wonder how any future relationship would ever be possible!
This is a quick page-turning read that will warm your heart.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine, and was not required to give a positive review.