by Debbie Macomber
Narrator: Suzanne Elise Freeman
Length: 5 hours and 23 minutes
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
Friendly and bubbly, Julia Padden likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor, Cain Maddox, presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she s tried to be nice, Cain rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. But when Julia catches Cain stealing her newspaper from the lobby of their apartment building, that s the last straw. She s going to break through Cain s Scrooge-like exterior the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.
To track her progress, Julia starts a blog called The Twelve Days of Christmas. Her first attempts to humanize Cain are far from successful. Julia brings him homemade Christmas treats and the disagreeable grinch won t even accept them. Meanwhile, Julie s blog becomes an online sensation, as an astonishing number of people start following her adventures. Julia continues to find ways to express kindness and, little by little, chips away at Cain s gruff facade to reveal the caring man underneath. Unbelievably, Julia feels herself falling for Cain and she suspects that he may be falling for her as well. But as the popularity of her blog continues to grow, Julia must decide if telling Cain the truth about having chronicled their relationship to the rest of the world is worth risking their chance at love.
Each year I make it a point to grab Debbie Macomber’s holiday book. It always gets me excited for the holidays and I soon find myself singing carols. This year I chose to listen to the book on audio. Twelves Days of Christmas narrated by Suzanne Elise Freeman shared a delightful romance featuring a blogger and her grumpy neighbor. Grab your earbuds and prepare to be captured by the holiday spirit.
Julia Padden is the friendly bubbly sort. She plays piano for her local church, blogs, works in retail and dream of landing the perfect job to launch her career. Julia greets everyone, knows her barista’s name and loves Christmas. Her next door neighbor Cain Maddox perplexes her. The man is downright grumpy, a real Ebenezer Scrooge. When he infuriates her, she shares her frustrations with her best friend who suggests she kill him with kindness. Their conversation sparks an idea for her blog which just might help her land that dream job. Soon Julia is blogging about her efforts with Ebenezer (Cain).
The tale that unfolds shared all that I love about Macomber’s holiday stories. The more Julia tried to do nice things, the more Cain pushed back. The banter and snark were great. We slowly witness a friendship emerge. Macomber weaves in back history and introduced family members. We quickly learned why Cain acts like Scrooge. I wasn’t sure I would like him, despite his charming looks but the more we learned the harder I fell. Of course, he wasn’t perfect but maybe just maybe his heart grew two sizes.
Secondary characters added to the tale and will steal your heart. As these two fell for one another, the blog and Julia’s project loomed over them. Will they find happiness or spend the holidays grumpy? You’ll have to listen to find out.
Suzanne Elise Freeman is a new to me narrator, but she did a delightful job of capturing the emotions of the characters and added warmth to the tale. She made it easy to curl up by the fire and listen to the story unfold.
Macomber’s tales often become Hallmark movies, and I am hoping they pick up this story. If you are looking for a feel good story with a sweet romance you cannot go wrong with Twelve Days of Christmas this holiday season.
[bctt tweet=”Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber was the perfect holiday listen” username=”kimbacaffeinate”]
Leona
This year has to be the start of when I’ve actually taken the time out to seek out holiday reads. I never was a seasonal reader, but this year I’m definitely seeing the benefit and fun of it. I’ve actually never read a Debbie Macomber story so I’ll be looking for that one that speaks to me the most, on audio most likely. Thanks for the review.
kimbacaffeinate
Happy hunting, she does a holiday book every year and I love it.
Darlene
This one is on my TBR. I recently finished Macomber’s Dashing Through the Snow and really enjoyed it! I think you recommended that one to me!
kimbacaffeinate
It’s possible as I read and review them every year 🙂 Enjoy!
Priscilla
Christmas books always gear us up for the holiday season and it looks like this one accomplish that for you, Kim! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It really did Priscilla.
Kay
I am so excited for this! Every year I read a couple of holiday novels in December and this one is already on hold at my library. I am next up on the list! It sounds exactly what I am looking for.
kimbacaffeinate
Yay..enjoy Kay!
blodeuedd
What a lovely way to start the holiday season
kimbacaffeinate
Right. This was fun and she is a blogger which I loved 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
This sounds so adorable!
kimbacaffeinate
It really was..it makes you smile.
Braine
Haven’t read her but I’ve seen a lot of her Lifetime mini-movies and stuff. She is a maven and never fails to give me feel-good butterflies everytime I manage to catch those shows.
kimbacaffeinate
Right. I usually read the book first and then devour the Hallmark movies too.
Aubrey Wynne
I love Debbie Macomber. I also buy one of her books every season. My sister and I take a trip to the book store, pick out a Christmas favorite, sip some coffee and let the holidays begin!
kimbacaffeinate
That is a wonderful tradition Aubrey!
Megan
This sounds so good! Will definitely be adding to my TBR
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Megan. I love books that put me in a festive mood 🙂
Stormi Johnson
I really liked this one too! 🙂 I like Debbie Macomber but this is really only my second Christmas read from her!! Shocking I know…lol. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I tend to read more of her holiday books, but enjoy her series when I read them.
Angela Adams
Like you, I look forward each Holiday season to a Debbie Macomber novel. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
So happy you have made them a tradition as well Angela.
Melissa
This sounds adorable. I’ve not read a lot of Macomber but I enjoyed the Mrs Miracle & Dashing Thru the Snow movies.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh those were good, I hope you enjoy it!
Kimberly
I love her holiday books, but i haven’t read any the last few years so I had no idea she had this one out. I love how she really puts the essence of Christmas/the holidays in her books. They’re always so heartwarming. It sounds so cozy. Glad you loved it 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly Kimberly. I hope you love it.
Laurel-Rain Snow
I love Macomber’s books, but have never read one of her holiday ones. I need to do that! I have seen some of her holiday books as movies on Hallmark, though, so I know I am in for a treat.
I like the fact that this MC blogs…we can relate, right? Thanks for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh Laurel, you really should try them. I have fun every year:)
Cyn
Www y es!! This sounds so adorable and I love a good neighbour romance! Glad you loved it, definitely adding to my Dec TBR! I can totally see this as a Hallmark movie! Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Most of her holiday books end up as Hallmark movies!
Quinn's Book Nook
I’ve never read anything by Macomber. I’m always afraid they will be too sappy. But this seems pretty adorable, and I do love a Hallmark movie.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah her books tend to be tame and full of sap..but I never miss her holiday books…because that is when I devour sap <3
kindlemom1
I really, really need to pick up a holiday read!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes, it will fill you with the holiday spirit.
Debbie Haupt
How true that Deb is an auto buy author and no one tells a holiday tale like she can. I even have her holiday cookbook and use it every year for tips on gifts and recipes. Thanks for the great review Kim
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I would enjoy her cookbook. Yeah, I have to read her holiday books..and watch the Hallmark movies of them 🙂
Nick
This sounds like the perfectly warm and cozy book to read in the winter, Kim. I haven’t read this author, but she sounds like she writes delightful stories!
kimbacaffeinate
It really is Nick. I hope you get to listen.