Merry and Bright: A Novel

Written by Debbie Macomber

Narrated by Em Eldridge

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Christmas is the season of the heart, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is here to warm yours with a delightful holiday novel of first impressions and second chances.

Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

Praise for Merry and Bright

“Warm and sweet as Christmas cookies, this new Debbie Macomber romance is sure to be a hit this holiday season.”—Bookreporter

“Heartfelt, cheerful . . . Readers looking for a light and sweet holiday treat will find it here.”—Publishers Weekly

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9780525491743

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 Merry and Bright

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

How is this not a Hallmark movie? Seriously. If Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas and You've Got Mail had a love child - Merry and Bright would be it's offspring. Merry is all work and no play she's got a few weeks left at her temp job and the overtime is killing her. She really needs the extra income so she can finish her last year of college and help out her family. She lives at home with her mother who has MS, her father, and her 18 year old brother with down syndrome - and due to all the extra hours she's been putting in at work - she hasn't even gotten to enjoy their company very much. As an early birthday gift her mother and brother Patrick buy her a subscription to an online dating service and fill out her page for her - instead of putting a picture of her up on it - they put a picture of their family dog. Their hope is that Merry will find someone who is attracted to her personality - rather than looks. To her surprise a man with a picture of his dog as his profile picture responds to her page and the two hit off. Soon the two are staying up late every night chatting. Will they ever meet and if so will they like what they see? 100% predictable and 100% sweet, charming fun. It's pure holiday fluff.

[sandra.pinkerton83 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sweet Christmas romance.

[circlestonesbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Merry Knight works as a temp for Matterson Consulting, just twelve month to earn money to finish her studies at the college. Beeing it December, her work there is almost over. So her mother and brother Patrick are sure that it is time to do something for her social live and as a birthday present for Merry they set up her profile at Mix & Mingle, a famous dating platform. The put in “Smith” instead of Knight and a foto of their dog Bogie.

Jayson Bright, vice president of the company she is working for might be, as the other women say, good-locking, but he never seems to smile, sticks to the employee handbook for lots of rules and is under extreme pressure preparing a very important contract with Boeing, scheduled still before Christmas. But when his cousin and best friend fiends the love of his life through Mix & Mingle, he is just curious, logs on the dating site, searching for women in the aerea – and finds the foto of a dog, a golden retriver like his childhood friend Rocky …

Debbie Macomber knows how to write romance. Merry and Jayson are both likeable characters, but still remain realistic. This book is about family, about caring for each other and about the spirit of Christmas- and about two people who need time to see what is just in front of their noses.

An entertaining, cosy and enjoyable read for comfortable hours in the time around Christmas, where readers are ready for some dreaming and romance, happy-ending included.

[kuglar · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Wow. This was the first thing I've read from this author and it's looking like the it might be the last. Maybe she's better at full length novels?

-Tired gender roles. She's poor and good, he's rich and haughty.
-Tiny Tim mom and brother. (Patrick was seriously the best part of the book though.)
-They had one computer and one car but lived in a 3 story Victorian?
-Where was she working that she called a boss by Mr. Bright instead of his first name? Not normal for a typical office.
-So so so much telling and not showing.
-So repetitive. We get it, Jayson, shitty childhood, cousin = only good family. Merry treasures her family, who are poor but salt of the earth good.
-The names were truly awful. Merry Noelle? Did they hate their daughter? And if they marry and she takes his name she'd be Merry Noelle Bright.
-I realize that it's a Christmas story but I was surprised that Merry brought decorations into work as not everyone celebrates Christmas. Again, this makes me think the author is not familiar with office norms.

I think my favorite part was the author's pre-story letter.

[heatherdhahn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this ebook copy of Merry and Bright from Goodreads Giveaways.

This is such a sweet heartwarming love story. Merry is a kind, generous, loving daughter that is too busy for fun. Jayson Bright is a hard working executive with no "need" for fun. Enter some family members and an online dating website and let the "fun" begin. The story is sweet and a perfect Holiday read.

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

Merry and Bright by Debbie Newcomber is a fun, holiday read of a joy-filled temp office worker Merry and her Scrooge-like single boss, Jayson Bright. While the book is predictable, it is sweet and great for those who enjoy a light, feel-good Christmas romance. The little brother is truly a scene stealer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway. This review is voluntary and the opinions therein are solely my responsibility.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you have seen and enjoyed the movie “You’ve Got Mail,” then this is the book for you. Merry is a temp working for a rather straight-laced, by-the-book boss. Her special-needs brother and her mom decide she needs to have more of a social life and sign her up with an on-line dating service. Then things get complicated. She does meet a guy she is attracted to, but is he really what he seems to be? It’s a merry chase and the season for it. Author Debbie Macomber has penned a delightfully charming Christmas romance, peopled with likable characters in a touching tale that will, eventually, end happily.

[arlenadean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Merry and Bright
Author: Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Merry and Bright" by Debbie Macomber

My Thoughts....

This was quite a thoughtful good Christmas read that will keep your attention all the way till the end. What will happen for Merry Knight when her mother and brother [Patrick] decide to give her a special birthday present which happened to be on December 24th? What will she do when Merry finds out that she has been signed up on a dating website... 'Mix and Mingle' due to the fact that she worked all the time and had been so busy with college [taking out a year out to work] and the upcoming holidays? Merry's mom has MS, a son with special needs and a husband that travels with working a lots. So, she felt that life was passing Merry by and just wanted to do something special for her. Well, for Merry everything was looking up for her until she finds out she has been signed up with a certain person that she didn't care for. Merry Knight and Jayson Bright [her boss] didn't get along very well almost clashing on just about everything at work. However, it seemed like Merry and Jayson liked chatting together behind their computer screens. What will happen when Merry finds out just who her on line date is? Will these two be able to come together as it was with each of these two individuals come from different backgrounds? We find Merry was born near the Christmas holiday and even the spell of her name showed how much she loved all there was to offer about the holiday, however, Jayson was more of what one would call a 'Scrooge' which he never had any good memories of that holiday. So, yes they both have different childhoods but with them both wanting something more meaningful and real in their lives will there be a friendship that will develop more for each other? To find out what all happens you will have to pick up "Merry and Bright" to see how well this author will bring out the 'romance, drama and misunderstanding and in the end a very happy "Merry and Bright" Christmas all out so very well to the reader. Yes, this story maybe a little predictable story but still a good read.

I liked how this author was able to give the reader quite a emotional heart-warming read with a host of well developed characters that will give the readers one memorable and delightful holiday story. This is also definitely one of those reads that will get one in the mood for a good fun family Christmas season.

[joannefm2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Merry Knight is a young woman who's almost finished working a temp position at a consulting firm. There's only a few days before Christmas, and she has a deadline at work, along with helping her disabled mother Robin and Down Syndrome brother Patrick decorate for the holidays. Her father, a pharmaceutical salesman, is away quite a bit, and they've only the one car, she depends on public transportation to get anywhere. She thinks her boss is mean-spirited and has it in for her, and she's just trying to stay employed until her contract is finished. Her life is definitely complicated right now.

Jayson Bright, a young executive working for his uncle Matthew at Matt's company, has a potential contract with the Boeing Company, if he can make the deadline. So he's pushing his employees to get the data finished before Christmas Eve, even if it means working mandatory overtime. He has no time for nonsense, and believes in following everything by the book. He's a hard worker and serious about his life.

But Merry's best friend is happily married and now pregnant. She found her spouse on a dating website called Mix & Mingle, and Robin wants Merry to sign up, but Merry insists she's too busy. Since her birthday is coming up close - December 26 - Robin and Patrick sign her up as an early birthday gift, and rather than use a photo of her, use one of their Golden Retriever, Bogie. Merry, while surprised and not too happy about it, decides to see what just might be out there for her...

Jayson, receiving a surprise visit from his cousin and best friend Cooper, is stunned to hear that Cooper is getting married. Both of them had lousy childhoods with multiple-married parents, and they decided early on that neither one would even start looking for a spouse until they were in their forties. But it turns out that Cooper, on a fluke, met his soon-to-be wife on Mix & Mingle, and better yet, it's someone from his past. After Cooper leaves, Jayson, realizing his life is empty, decides to take a look and see what might be just around the corner. He sees Bogie, fills out an online form, and uses a photo of his own late retriever in return...

Soon Jayson and Merry are communicating without either knowing who the other is. The more they talk, the more they like about each other. But will deciding to meet face-to-face change their budding relationship? Will they be able to survive the knowledge of knowing how they feel about each other? Will they each decide to go their separate ways or will Christmas light its magic and bring two lonely people together?

Debbie Macomber has a lovely tradition of writing an annual Christmas story that touches your heart and brings warmth to the season. This one is no different. We read the story, chapter to chapter, from both Merry and Jayson's points of view. Each one shows us their lives and the changes they are going through. We watch their relationship begin warily, and then, as they start to trust each other, change slowly. But it isn't an easy change. Anyone who's seen the film The Shop Around the Corner will notice the similarity, but I don't think it matters if you enjoy anything of that nature.

It's a lovely book for the holidays, and I enjoyed reading it. I have no doubt that everyone who has read it - or is going to - knows that the magic of Christmas will bring a happy ending. But then again, isn't that what we want to see anyway? A warm, inviting book that will have you longing for snow and a glowing fire to read by. Highly recommended. (To see a hidden spoiler regarding this book, please look for it on Goodreads).

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

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber is set in Seattle, Washington. Merry Knight is a temp at Matterson Consulting. Her contract will be up on December 23 and Merry will be glad for the break. Her by-the-book boss has been pushing the workers and the mandatory overtime has put a kink in her social life. Merry’s mother (Robin) and brother (Patrick) set up a profile for her on Mix and Mingle with a photo of their dog. They want to find someone for Merry who will be interested in her as a person (not her outward appearance). Merry is stunned, but, to her surprise, one man stands out to her. He did use a photo of himself either (his childhood dog). The pair start chatting online at night while Merry deals with her difficult boss during the day. After getting to know each other, they agree to meet in person and Merry is astonished by the man’s identity. It is the last person she expected to see or wanted to. To find out what happens between Merry and her online suitor, pick up a copy of Merry and Bright.

Merry and Bright is a fun, entertaining story (Debbie Macomber never disappoints). It has good characters, a lovely city (I want to live there), a cute premise, and a set during a magical time of year--Christmas. I liked the themes presented in the story—Christmas is a condition of the heart (isn’t that just beautiful), kindness, generosity, openness, showing love to those we cherish, bad things about assumptions, misconceptions and judgements can be harmful/detrimental. I found Merry and Bright to be well-written with a nice ease to the writing (it flowed nicely). My rating for Merry and Bright is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). My one critique is the story is predictable. Once I started reading, I accurately predicted the rest of the story. Merry and Bright is a lovely, heartwarming Christmas tale that will delight fans of Debbie Macomber.

[ethel55_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I always enjoy the yearly Christmas novel from Debbie Macomber. This year, things take on a You've Got Mail vibe, but with the characters connecting through a dating site called Mix and Mingle. That anonymity and a misspelled name set the stage for a fun courtship that takes the read right up to the holidays.

[jbarr5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber
This Christmas themed book starts out with Merry and we learn all she does for the family-her mom who has MS, her brother who has Down's Syndrome and her job that ends that night.
She tries to skimp and save so she can have a meal out and her mother is trying to get her to use a dating site.
Story also follows her boss, the VP, Mr. Bright and he's anything but. He makes her working life miserable.
Love the surprise Merry is given for her birthday, I'm laughing out loud as to what they did!
Chapters alternate between Merrys' life and Jason Bright's life.
Jayson and his cousin Cooper have grown up together and made a pact not to marry before 40 but Jayson is being asked to be his best man, in Australia...
Cute holiday story. Predictable.
Love hearing of the Christmas scenes that are decorated and described.
Excerpt from The Twelve Days of Christmas (12/2016) is included.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this quick Holiday read, and I will tell you once you start you won’t want to close the cover. I personally love to read Debbie Macomber, a go to author for me, and this one did not disappoint.
The author has us walking in Merry/Mary’s shoes as she goes about her life, and then we meet Jayson Bright, and we see that not all of us are brought up with a loving family as Merry had.
Jayson is a bright, handsome, and power driven man, Merry is working a temporary job to earn enough money to return to finish college, and at first you don’t see much in common, but come along, there are so many chuckles awaiting.
I don’t think you will be disappointed with this one, just that I wanted more!
I received this book through Net Galley and Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

[pam50627 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Merry Bright is a temp working on a year long special project in order to save up money for college. Between her job, helping her disabled mother cook & clean, & helping take care of her handicapped brother Patrick, Merry's life is full. She doesn't have time for any sort of social life. For her Christmas present, her mother & brother signed her up for an internet dating service & filed her profile.

Jayson Bright is in charge of a special project for his uncle's company. He's been working overtime & pushing his staff to make sure they get the information compiled before the reports due date. He can't let his uncle down. His cousin called to ask him to be his best man since he's getting married. Jayson realized he had been feeling lonely & dissatisfied in his life & signed up for an internet dating service.

In typical Debbie Macomber fashion, this story takes internet dating & makes it hilarious & touching. The writer has created wonderful characters where initial impressions are completely wrong. Jayson comes across as a by the books, grumpy boss until he is encountered outside the office. Patrick & his lack of filters creates several funny instances. The plot takes something that has become commonplace & takes us along as it starts going wrong. Another great story by a great author!