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The Perfect Christmas / Can This Be Christmas
Cassie, at thirty-three, wants a husband and kids, and so far, nothing's worked. Not blind dates, not the internet and certainly not leaving love to chance.
What other options are there? Well...she could hire a professional matchmaker. Simon Dodson has quite a reputation, but he's very choosy about the clients he takes on--and very expensive. Cassie considers him a difficult, acerbic know-it-all, and she's astonished when he accepts her as a client.
Claiming he has her perfect mate in mind, Simon assigns her three tasks to complete before she meets this paragon. Three tasks that are all about Christmas: being a charity bell-ringer, dressing up as Santa's elf at a mall and preparing a traditional turkey dinner for her neighbors (most of whom she happens to dislike). Despite a number of comical mishaps, Cassie does it all--and then she's finally ready to meet her match.
But just like the perfect Christmas gift, he turns out to be a wonderful surprise.
This Edition includes Holiday recipes, instructions for a knitted Santa Hat, and the short story "Can This Be Christmas."
"Can This Be Christmas:" In this short story, Debbie Macomber shows how a group of train travelers stranded in a New Hampshire depot on Christmas Eve find the true meaning of Christmas. Len Dawber, a navy man stationed in Maine, is desperate to get home to Texas, where he intends to propose to his sweetheart Amy. Cathy Norris, devastated by her husband's recent death, doesn't expect to enjoy the holiday with her daughter's family in Boston. Burned-out computer salesman Matt McHugh, emotionally estranged from his wife and two kids, nurses his resentment and contemplates divorce. Kelly and Nick Berry fear they're losing the closeness they once shared as they struggle to adjust to their new roles as adoptive parents. When a blizzard forces these characters, and several others, all cranky and argumentative, to spend the night before Christmas together, they find that a little kindness and the courage to open their hearts go a long way toward making it a Christmas to remember. A good choice if you're looking to get in the Christmas spirit.
What other options are there? Well...she could hire a professional matchmaker. Simon Dodson has quite a reputation, but he's very choosy about the clients he takes on--and very expensive. Cassie considers him a difficult, acerbic know-it-all, and she's astonished when he accepts her as a client.
Claiming he has her perfect mate in mind, Simon assigns her three tasks to complete before she meets this paragon. Three tasks that are all about Christmas: being a charity bell-ringer, dressing up as Santa's elf at a mall and preparing a traditional turkey dinner for her neighbors (most of whom she happens to dislike). Despite a number of comical mishaps, Cassie does it all--and then she's finally ready to meet her match.
But just like the perfect Christmas gift, he turns out to be a wonderful surprise.
This Edition includes Holiday recipes, instructions for a knitted Santa Hat, and the short story "Can This Be Christmas."
"Can This Be Christmas:" In this short story, Debbie Macomber shows how a group of train travelers stranded in a New Hampshire depot on Christmas Eve find the true meaning of Christmas. Len Dawber, a navy man stationed in Maine, is desperate to get home to Texas, where he intends to propose to his sweetheart Amy. Cathy Norris, devastated by her husband's recent death, doesn't expect to enjoy the holiday with her daughter's family in Boston. Burned-out computer salesman Matt McHugh, emotionally estranged from his wife and two kids, nurses his resentment and contemplates divorce. Kelly and Nick Berry fear they're losing the closeness they once shared as they struggle to adjust to their new roles as adoptive parents. When a blizzard forces these characters, and several others, all cranky and argumentative, to spend the night before Christmas together, they find that a little kindness and the courage to open their hearts go a long way toward making it a Christmas to remember. A good choice if you're looking to get in the Christmas spirit.
288 pages, ebook
Published October 25, 2011
346 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
895 books20.8k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 16, 2019
The Perfect Christmas:
I had already read this story back in 2015 in the book Christmas in Seattle but I decided to read it again here because this story is really cute and very Christmas-y, just the way I like it. There were even some parts that I had forgotten, so it was great to read it as if it was the first time.
Can This Be Christmas:
Wow, very educational story. I quite liked to read it and I even shed a tear towards the end of the story because even though it's short, it is packed with sentiment. A group of strangers is stranded at a train station because of a storm. They are unable to spend Christmas Eve with their families so people are feeling ungenerous, nervous, anxious and the like. However, Christmas spirit starts to kick in when he station master brings in a tree. It was really satisfying reading about how Christmas spirit can change moods and even personalities and also how the holiday season brings a new will to make amends.
I had already read this story back in 2015 in the book Christmas in Seattle but I decided to read it again here because this story is really cute and very Christmas-y, just the way I like it. There were even some parts that I had forgotten, so it was great to read it as if it was the first time.
Can This Be Christmas:
Wow, very educational story. I quite liked to read it and I even shed a tear towards the end of the story because even though it's short, it is packed with sentiment. A group of strangers is stranded at a train station because of a storm. They are unable to spend Christmas Eve with their families so people are feeling ungenerous, nervous, anxious and the like. However, Christmas spirit starts to kick in when he station master brings in a tree. It was really satisfying reading about how Christmas spirit can change moods and even personalities and also how the holiday season brings a new will to make amends.
September 23, 2019
2 in 1 book. I know Kim wasn't loving this author's predictability but in a world that has more unpredictability than I would like- a predictable tale can be nice. I liked the Perfect Christmas better (made me laugh out loud) than Can this be Christmas...and mine was an actual book - not a Kindle Edition. My first non-audio book in awhile. The recipies were fun as well.
January 22, 2024
Predictable but just what I needed. Light reading with perfect outcomes and a happy ending.
December 23, 2025
An excellent Christmas story. very enjoyable and festive.
January 30, 2017
I don't recall ever having read anything by Sheila Roberts before but now that I have I'm a fan!
In "Three Christmas Wishes" we have not one but three protagonists, each the star of her own personal story. Two are sisters and the other woman is their childhood friend still present in their lives. Their tales are actually intertwined into the main story.
During the countdown to Christmas, they decide to visit the mall Santa to get their pictures taken, something they had done when younger. Santa grants each of them a wish. In the ensuing days, unexpected events take place leaving each woman to ask themselves the question - does Santa really exist?
In "Three Christmas Wishes" we have not one but three protagonists, each the star of her own personal story. Two are sisters and the other woman is their childhood friend still present in their lives. Their tales are actually intertwined into the main story.
During the countdown to Christmas, they decide to visit the mall Santa to get their pictures taken, something they had done when younger. Santa grants each of them a wish. In the ensuing days, unexpected events take place leaving each woman to ask themselves the question - does Santa really exist?
December 27, 2020
There were two stories in this book: The Perfect Christmas and Can This Be Christmas. I liked The Perfect Christmas as it was easy to follow. The premise was a little outrageous with Cassie paying a matchmaking service $30k to find her a husband. (Who in the world would actually pay that?!) But I liked the “tasks” that she had to do. The ending was...nice.
Can This Be Christmas was a little hard to keep track of because there were multiple POV’s (I think around 5) but there are other people in the story too. They all are stuck at a train depot on Christmas Eve, so you can imagine how everyone is feeling. But I really liked how everything turned out.
Can This Be Christmas was a little hard to keep track of because there were multiple POV’s (I think around 5) but there are other people in the story too. They all are stuck at a train depot on Christmas Eve, so you can imagine how everyone is feeling. But I really liked how everything turned out.
January 5, 2013
The Perfect Christmas was a predictable feel good Christmas story. Boy meets girl, fall in love and live happily every after. The edition I had also contained Can This Be Christmas which was somewhat out of the ordinary and I really enjoyed this story - of course being a Christmas story it had to have a happy ending but there were some rough patches getting there.
January 2, 2017
Perfect Christmas gift
Both of the stories in this book were fun and uplifting. The first story could have developed the characters a little more but overall, it had a nice flow. The second story had very well developed characters, a great plot, and really captured the true meaning of Christmas.
Both of the stories in this book were fun and uplifting. The first story could have developed the characters a little more but overall, it had a nice flow. The second story had very well developed characters, a great plot, and really captured the true meaning of Christmas.
June 13, 2017
Perfect
The spirit of Christmas is a true miracle. Some times we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget. This book is a great reminder of peace on earth and good will towards men
The spirit of Christmas is a true miracle. Some times we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget. This book is a great reminder of peace on earth and good will towards men
August 17, 2020
Recipe for a brilliant Christmas Story.
1 x Christmas magic
1 x Debbie Macomber
1 x apparatus to write with
1 x publisher of romance
Method: mix it all together, sprinkle with Christmas Magic. Enjoy!
1 x Christmas magic
1 x Debbie Macomber
1 x apparatus to write with
1 x publisher of romance
Method: mix it all together, sprinkle with Christmas Magic. Enjoy!
November 20, 2012
Cute Christmas stories to put you in the mood for the holidays.
November 15, 2016
Great Holiday Reading!
Just the right book to start off the Christmas season. Light, easy read that made you feel like you were a part of their family.
Just the right book to start off the Christmas season. Light, easy read that made you feel like you were a part of their family.
January 3, 2017
Quick holiday read
Two enjoyable stories in one book with feel good endings! Nice to be able to get through them with all the holiday craziness!
Two enjoyable stories in one book with feel good endings! Nice to be able to get through them with all the holiday craziness!
January 4, 2017
I loved this sweet Christmas story. This was a little different for this author, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A different take on matchmakers.
January 10, 2018
This book is a nice look at human behavior when it comes to love and relationships. I enjoyed the characters and the unique trope.
I recommend this to fans of the contemporary romance genre.
I recommend this to fans of the contemporary romance genre.
January 11, 2019
Fun and light hearted.
December 28, 2020
I loved this book. I enjoyed it so much fun to settle down and read it during the holidays.
It really put me in a festive mood and loved the recipes at the end.
It really put me in a festive mood and loved the recipes at the end.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews