lisabooksit's review
1.0
DNF. Just could not get in to it. Stopped reading about 20% in because I just didn't care about it. Not Christmasy at all which is what I was wanting.
randikaye's review against another edition
4.0
Whenever I pick up ANY book by Debbie Macomber, I know that I am going to enjoy it. When I pick up one of her Christmas books, I know that it's going to be even better. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to check out Jingle All the Way... and it was well worth the wait!
To be honest, for over half the book this really didn't seem like a Christmas novel at all. We meet Everly as she is dealing with a incompetent assistant... who just so happens to be the the niece of her business partner. When said partner suggests that she takes a whole month off and insists she goes on a cruise, it seems that this may be just what the overworked Everly needs. When she boards her cruise, however, she realizes it wasn't quite what she was expecting. That assistant has decided to seek revenge and book her an Amazonian adventure tour. Yikes! What follows is a humorous adventure that is everything a good romantic comedy should be.
The chemistry between Everly and Asher (the ship's naturalist) flies off the pages... and I must admit, I wasn't quite ready for their story to end. Speaking of ending, I must say that I did feel that perhaps the ending felt just a bit rushed, but then again, that could be just my not wanting it to end.
The final half of the book did have a more Christmas-y feel to it, which I loved. I think though, even those who aren't overly thrilled with Christmas stories could still get enjoyment out of this one. To me, it felt like a story that takes place at Christmastime, but not one in which Christmas was really the primary focus.
Overall, it was another great read from Debbie Macomber and one that I would highly recommend!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
To be honest, for over half the book this really didn't seem like a Christmas novel at all. We meet Everly as she is dealing with a incompetent assistant... who just so happens to be the the niece of her business partner. When said partner suggests that she takes a whole month off and insists she goes on a cruise, it seems that this may be just what the overworked Everly needs. When she boards her cruise, however, she realizes it wasn't quite what she was expecting. That assistant has decided to seek revenge and book her an Amazonian adventure tour. Yikes! What follows is a humorous adventure that is everything a good romantic comedy should be.
The chemistry between Everly and Asher (the ship's naturalist) flies off the pages... and I must admit, I wasn't quite ready for their story to end. Speaking of ending, I must say that I did feel that perhaps the ending felt just a bit rushed, but then again, that could be just my not wanting it to end.
The final half of the book did have a more Christmas-y feel to it, which I loved. I think though, even those who aren't overly thrilled with Christmas stories could still get enjoyment out of this one. To me, it felt like a story that takes place at Christmastime, but not one in which Christmas was really the primary focus.
Overall, it was another great read from Debbie Macomber and one that I would highly recommend!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
hdwoodyard's review against another edition
2.0
This is my least favorite of all of Debbie Macomber’s Christmas books. It had a lot of potential in the beginning but eventually fell flat.
mirandasbookreviews's review
2.0
This book had potential but overall, fell flat for me. Most of the story takes place in the Amazon jungle also so it didn't really feel like a holiday read. The 2 main characters lacked chemistry and their connection wasn't really developed. I also felt that the book was really repetitive. If I wasn't an enneagram 3 achiever, I probably would have just stopped this one short.
Who should read- I would say this was a very clean romance book so if you have a teen or adult that isn't a fan of spicy reads, this book did check that clean read box.
When to read- Anytime, not really a holiday read since they were in the Rainforest for most of the storyline.
Who should read- I would say this was a very clean romance book so if you have a teen or adult that isn't a fan of spicy reads, this book did check that clean read box.
When to read- Anytime, not really a holiday read since they were in the Rainforest for most of the storyline.
amyma's review against another edition
5.0
Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber is my favorite Christmas story of 2020. I was invested early on in Everly Lancaster's adventures and read it late into the night because I did not want to go to sleep without finding out how things would turn out for Daisy (Everly's real name) and Asher. The only bad thing about this is that I was done with the story way too quickly! Now for the storyline... Everly is an overworked, stressed-out executive that takes a month off work (at the urging of her business partner) and ends up on a two-week Amazon 'cruise' booked by her under-qualified and vindictive assistant. Everly was under the impression that she would be on a luxury cruise, but ended up on an adventurer's cruise that was much rougher, think piranhas, angry natives, and extreme mosquitos. This book starts at the beginning of December, ends on Christmas Day, and features an epilogue of three years later. Aside from Daisy and Asher, I loved the sisters' relationship and the family dynamic of the Lancaster family. Overall a super sweet Christmas story that I would highly recommend. Thank you to Random House Publishing House - Ballantine and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book. All opinions stated are 100% mine.
leedigesu's review against another edition
4.0
Very cute Christmas story. Exactly what you'd expect from Debbie Macomber.
katkinney's review against another edition
3.0
I look forward to Debbie Macomber's Christmas book every year. This novel wasn't badly written for a general romance novel, but I had two issues with it. One... it didn't feel like a Christmas novel. The vast majority of the book takes place on an Amazon cruise, which is GREAT if you want to read two characters falling in love on an Amazon cruise... but not if you specifically want a Christmas-themed novel. Which leads me to my second issue, which is title and cover. The snowy cover with the sleigh and snowy Christmas tree felt very deceptive when the book is about them sailing down the Amazon! No snow! 3/5 stars for bait and switch.
sandylovesbooks's review against another edition
1.0
First, I want to recommend Twelve Days of Christmas for a good Christmasy romance. It’s one of the better books by this author. I haven’t liked many of her Christmas books lately.
Next, I didn’t like this book at all. It’s not a Christmas book. Yes, I understand many people don’t celebrate Christmas in the traditional way. I do and I like reading these books with actual Christmas scenes, snow, Christmas lights, trees, presents, etc. And I know Daisy/Everly’s dad mentioned snow rides in the sleigh but that was it. Christmas Day wasn’t even in the book. Most of the time Daisy/Everly was in Brazil on a “cruise” down the Amazon. And can we talk about Annette? Just because the cruise “changed her life” doesn’t mean giving the person at fault any credit. No, you did it in spite of the incompetent person. And, then, there is the sexism. Jack and Daisy/Everly are partners in the on-line business and he treats her like a subordinate. No, Jack, she has been carrying you. You hired your niece and she is worthless and she gets revenge because Daisy/Everly wants to fire her. “I’ll think about it”, he says. I think I would have left him a long time ago. How is Daisy/Everly a strong woman? She does all the hard work at the business, works long hours when Jack leaves early, and she lets Asher walk all over her. She isn’t prepared for the “cruise”, gets bitten by a mosquito and has a bad reaction, she takes pills from strangers on more than one occasion. I would have to say this woman is as dumb as a rock. TSTL
I could go on but I’ll just write down my notes I had while reading this book.
Page 7 – I see how it will be. Old school sexism. Everly has to take on the entitled spoiled niece. Everly and Jack are partners but he will see about her firing the niece.
Page 13 – Oh God, the names! Everly’s real name is Daisy. Her sister’s names are Rose and Lily. Her brothers?! – John and Jeff. Does her mom hate her brothers? How about Prickly Pear and Thorny Bush?
Page 27 – What smart and sane person takes a “sleeping pill” from a complete stranger?
Page 37 – Oh, poor DaisyEverly. You won’t DIE from not having internet.
Page 53 – Another stranger offering her pills and she takes them.
Page 57 – Introvert ≠ shy.
Page 58 – She should be able to date because she is attractive. If she were a dog it would be a different story? Smh
Page 69 – Asher brings her meals and medicine. He’s not a doctor so how does he know she should take that medicine?
Page 85 – The passengers are taken into the rainforest to have a meal with a tribe but Daisy/Everly gets lost and one of the staff follows her. #1 – Daisy/Everly has just recovered from her bad reaction to the mosquito bite, she is the last passenger to go in line to eat the meal and meet the people of the tribe. There is one staff member behind her so when she gets lost he follows her. She is “rescued” by a man in another tribe because the staff person was following her. The staff member is taken and tied to a tree. The scene reminded me of Gilligan’s Island with the guy tied to a tree and the headhunters speaking a different language. Hilarity ensues. Smh again. #2 – Where is Asher? He is at the front of the line, obviously not worrying about Daisy/Everly, even though he thinks about her all the time.
Page 91 – Of course, it’s Daisy/Everly’s fault for getting herself in danger. “What has she gotten herself into?”
Page 132 – The passengers are out on the Amazon in the boats and a snake falls into the boat right in front of Daisy/Everly. She freaks and falls over the side into the Amazon.
Page 141 – Captain Dickhead says “I should have known it was her. She seems to have a talent for trouble.” Asher agrees. Fuck you both.
Page 146 – “I’m falling in love with you, Asher” she says.
“No, you’re not” he says.
“I know my own heart” she says.
“No, you don’t” he says.
OMG! On all levels. And also WTH!
Page 149 – “You’ll go back to Chicago and be Everly again. I don’t know that woman, and I’m not sure I would even like her.” Let me tell you Asher, who cares? You can go get lost in the rainforest.
Page 233 – One of my biggest pet peeves – “We” are not pregnant. She is pregnant. You had 2 minutes of fun and she is doing the rest.
Yes, I’m sure you can tell I don’t like the book. I sure as hell didn’t like Asher and Daisy/Everly needs a backbone. Of course, he goes to see her, says a couple of things, and everything is fine.
I read Debbie Macomber’s Christmas romance books for my mom. She loved reading these types of books at Christmastime. I will have to rethink reading them in the future.
Next, I didn’t like this book at all. It’s not a Christmas book. Yes, I understand many people don’t celebrate Christmas in the traditional way. I do and I like reading these books with actual Christmas scenes, snow, Christmas lights, trees, presents, etc. And I know Daisy/Everly’s dad mentioned snow rides in the sleigh but that was it. Christmas Day wasn’t even in the book. Most of the time Daisy/Everly was in Brazil on a “cruise” down the Amazon. And can we talk about Annette? Just because the cruise “changed her life” doesn’t mean giving the person at fault any credit. No, you did it in spite of the incompetent person. And, then, there is the sexism. Jack and Daisy/Everly are partners in the on-line business and he treats her like a subordinate. No, Jack, she has been carrying you. You hired your niece and she is worthless and she gets revenge because Daisy/Everly wants to fire her. “I’ll think about it”, he says. I think I would have left him a long time ago. How is Daisy/Everly a strong woman? She does all the hard work at the business, works long hours when Jack leaves early, and she lets Asher walk all over her. She isn’t prepared for the “cruise”, gets bitten by a mosquito and has a bad reaction, she takes pills from strangers on more than one occasion. I would have to say this woman is as dumb as a rock. TSTL
I could go on but I’ll just write down my notes I had while reading this book.
Page 7 – I see how it will be. Old school sexism. Everly has to take on the entitled spoiled niece. Everly and Jack are partners but he will see about her firing the niece.
Page 13 – Oh God, the names! Everly’s real name is Daisy. Her sister’s names are Rose and Lily. Her brothers?! – John and Jeff. Does her mom hate her brothers? How about Prickly Pear and Thorny Bush?
Page 27 – What smart and sane person takes a “sleeping pill” from a complete stranger?
Page 37 – Oh, poor DaisyEverly. You won’t DIE from not having internet.
Page 53 – Another stranger offering her pills and she takes them.
Page 57 – Introvert ≠ shy.
Page 58 – She should be able to date because she is attractive. If she were a dog it would be a different story? Smh
Page 69 – Asher brings her meals and medicine. He’s not a doctor so how does he know she should take that medicine?
Page 85 – The passengers are taken into the rainforest to have a meal with a tribe but Daisy/Everly gets lost and one of the staff follows her. #1 – Daisy/Everly has just recovered from her bad reaction to the mosquito bite, she is the last passenger to go in line to eat the meal and meet the people of the tribe. There is one staff member behind her so when she gets lost he follows her. She is “rescued” by a man in another tribe because the staff person was following her. The staff member is taken and tied to a tree. The scene reminded me of Gilligan’s Island with the guy tied to a tree and the headhunters speaking a different language. Hilarity ensues. Smh again. #2 – Where is Asher? He is at the front of the line, obviously not worrying about Daisy/Everly, even though he thinks about her all the time.
Page 91 – Of course, it’s Daisy/Everly’s fault for getting herself in danger. “What has she gotten herself into?”
Page 132 – The passengers are out on the Amazon in the boats and a snake falls into the boat right in front of Daisy/Everly. She freaks and falls over the side into the Amazon.
Page 141 – Captain Dickhead says “I should have known it was her. She seems to have a talent for trouble.” Asher agrees. Fuck you both.
Page 146 – “I’m falling in love with you, Asher” she says.
“No, you’re not” he says.
“I know my own heart” she says.
“No, you don’t” he says.
OMG! On all levels. And also WTH!
Page 149 – “You’ll go back to Chicago and be Everly again. I don’t know that woman, and I’m not sure I would even like her.” Let me tell you Asher, who cares? You can go get lost in the rainforest.
Page 233 – One of my biggest pet peeves – “We” are not pregnant. She is pregnant. You had 2 minutes of fun and she is doing the rest.
Yes, I’m sure you can tell I don’t like the book. I sure as hell didn’t like Asher and Daisy/Everly needs a backbone. Of course, he goes to see her, says a couple of things, and everything is fine.
I read Debbie Macomber’s Christmas romance books for my mom. She loved reading these types of books at Christmastime. I will have to rethink reading them in the future.