Jack Frost

by Debbie Macomber

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes a heartwarming new novella about the power of Christmas to melt even the coldest hearts.

With the rest of her family on a cruise, Lindsay Calhoun will be spending her first Christmas alone, so she volunteers to plan an especially festive holiday party for her company. Her coworkers are grateful—except for tall, quiet Jack Taylor. Jack has always been a loner, but something about Christmas puts him in an unusually foul mood.

Despite Jack’s Scrooge-like complaints, the party is a success, ending only with a sudden snowstorm. As Lindsay cleans up and Jack looks for lost keys, they are the last ones in the building. Then the power goes out. The locks malfunction. Lindsay and Jack are stuck together with no rescue in sight.

While the two wait out the storm, there’s nothing to do but talk. Once they drop their defenses, they learn surprising truths about each other. After the lights come back on, neither knows whether to pretend it never happened—or let their undeniable attraction bring them together again, and lead to something more.

Jack Frost is a celebration of the romantic magic of Christmastime, when something as simple as a gingerbread cookie can offer a new beginning, and when love can surprise us when we least expect it.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Fiction, Holiday, Novella, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

82 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2023

About the author

Debbie 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.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even in her retirement Debbie Macomber can't help but put pen to paper and churn out another Christmas romance. This short novella follows her usual style and establishes a nice framework but fails to deliver a fully developed and convincing story. Even though the romance is hurried along, it is a cute and quick read, and will satisfy many fans of sappy yet happy-ever-after storylines.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have been following my blog for any amount of time, you will know I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber and JACK FROST is exactly why. I have always enjoyed Debbie Macomber’s stories, and JACK FROST is no exception! Debbie is my go to author when I’m looking for a feel good heart tugging story and especially when I’m needing to read a wonderful holiday tale. Her holiday stories are almost magical and you can’t help but fall in love with them. I can definitely see myself reading this story over and over again and I’m not one to reread anything.

Lindsay is a very bubbly person almost to the point of being irritating. Her co-worker, a grouchy guy named Jack practically runs away from her. She nicknames him Scrooge because he is so grumpy about Christmas. She decides to kill him with kindness to see if she can break through his walls. Well, her life is about to change like Lindsay could never imagine and it is going to be hysterical along the way. I found myself giggling out loud with some of the situations and conversations she found herself in with Jack. JACK FROST would make a wonderful holiday movie.

Once I started reading JACK FROST I didn’t want it to end. I was emotionally invested in Lindsay and Jack and cheering for Lindsay to finally break through to Jack and make him see all he was missing. My heart was very happy while reading and it was very sad when it came to an end. I love when an author does that to me. Even though I didn’t want the story to end, I love how Ms. Macomber ended it. Lindsay not only killed Jack with kindness but kindness also changed her as well.

[Mary Goth · Rating 2 out of 5]

خریدمش چون فکر می‌کردم یک ربطی به «جک فراست» اصلی داره، ولی نداشت.
یک عاشقانهٔ کریسمسی ساده و کوتاه که برای مدتی توی کتابخونه‌م افتاده بود و امروز هوسش افتاد به دلم که بخونمش...
زیادی سنتی و عجیب بود، اما ایده‌ش رو دوست داشتم. اگر بهتر بهش پرداخته می‌شد شاید امتیاز بهتری از نظر من می‌گرفت، ولی فعلاً همین.
من خودم طرفدار سنت‌گرایی به حساب میام از خیلی جهات ولی این... زیادی «کلیشه».
بیشتر از اینکه بهم حس خواستنِ برگشتن به سنت‌هایی چون خانواده‌گرایی، دین، کریسمس و... رو بده، یاد آدم می‌ندازه چرا مردم مدرن تصمیم گرفتن ازش فراری بشن...
البته نه که چیز بدی راجع‌بهشون بگه، لحن تعریف کردنش مثل لحن آدم‌های خشکه مذهبی‌ای می‌مونه که هیچکس خوشش نمیاد.
به اون آدم عرزشی فامیلتون فکر کنید که فکر می‌کنه خیلی بامزه‌ست. این معادل اروپایی همونه.

[Love Fool · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the rest of her family on a cruise, Lindsay Calhoun will be spending her first Christmas alone, so she volunteers to plan an especially festive holiday party for her company. Her coworkers are grateful—except for tall, quiet Jack Taylor. Jack has always been a loner, but something about Christmas puts him in an unusually foul mood.

Despite Jack’s Scrooge-like complaints, the party is a success, ending only with a sudden snowstorm. As Lindsay cleans up and Jack looks for lost keys, they are the last ones in the building. Then the power goes out. The locks malfunction. Lindsay and Jack are stuck together with no rescue in sight.

While the two wait out the storm, there’s nothing to do but talk. Once they drop their defenses, they learn surprising truths about each other. After the lights come back on, neither knows whether to pretend it never happened—or let their undeniable attraction bring them together again, and lead to something more.

Jack Frost is a celebration of the romantic magic of Christmastime, when something as simple as a gingerbread cookie can offer a new beginning, and when love can surprise us when we least expect it.

This was like 60 pages so I loved that, sometimes you just want to read a whole book in one afternoon or commute so this book was perfect for that. I only gave it 3 stars because I felt like the romance just bloomed in 5 minutes especially when there was a love/hate relationship so I didn't feel it.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Frost is a wonderful Christmas Novella by Debbie Macomber.

I absolutely love this author's stories.

This short story is a definite grumpy/sunshine Christmas romance.

Forced proximity trope during a snowstorm.

Jack and Lindsay work for the same company and Jack seems to be so negative all the time around Lindsay's planning of the company Christmas party, a real scrooge.

After everyone leaves the party, the two get locked in the bank where the party is and are left with their own truths.

This was such a FANTASTIC holiday romance. It is a short story at only 68 pages, but every word is wonderful!

[Elyse Mcnulty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Frost by Debbie Macomber was a quick Holiday story that will leave you smiling. Debbie Macomber is the queen of Christmas stories. She had not intended on writing one this year but, could not help herself. This is a very quick story; only 60 pages. Lindsay is planning the company Christmas party and Jack is the office curmudgeon. Towards the end of the party everyone realizes there’s a winter storm advisory as the snow is building outside. Lindsay stays to clean up and the power goes out and that’s when things change. Enjoy !

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. They say opposites attract.
After a Christmas party, Jack and Lindsay are stuck together in a room during a winter blackout. They definitely don't like each other but they are so bored so they finally begin to talk with each other.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy Macomber's reads.

[Robert Fenske · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Hallmark movie in book format. Predictable from the very first page... but at least you know what you're getting.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was way too short. But it was what you would expect from Macomber if you have read her other 25 Christmas books in the past.
I hate to hear she is somewhat retiring.

[Harriet Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful Christmas novella by Debbie Macomber. Sweet, fun, tearful. You will enjoy this cute
Christmas story.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Entertaining Read!

Debbie Macomber’s Novella, Jack Frost is a heartwarming and entertaining read. I loved the premise of two unlikely people, Lindsay (sunshine) and Jack(grumpy), falling in love when stuck in a snow storm! They were forced to put their guards down when faced with a compromising situation! Will their love last or will it be short-lived? A perfect book to put in someone’s stocking or to buy for a secret Santa gift!

[Dayna Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book version of a Hallmark type movie!

Delightful, fun and romantic. I am glad I read this one (2025 Christmas holiday season stories I chose) first. A warm fuzzy kind of story.

[e_anne_b · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t rate much due to no plot since it’s a novella but I love me some Debbie for a feel good romance ❤️

[Bobby's Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

QUICK and HEARTWARMING, Macomber makes this holiday novella BEAUTIFUL, even for the cold hearted! It’s a mix of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS as it tells the story of Lindsay planning a holiday party for her business and the coworkers are grateful for her, except Jack. He hates the holidays and has a cold heart. But when both Lindsay and Jack are locked in at the party’s building and no help available, they get to know each other better and maybe Lindsay can melt Jack’s heart into something more. A fast-paced holiday novella to read for the season!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt unfinished

I love Debbie Macomber books, but this just felt rushed and unfinished. I know this was a novella but for the main characters to go from barely tolerating each other to being in love over the span of two weeks and a power outage, just didn’t feel right to me. I wish this would have been a complete novel and given the characters time to develop over the course of the book. I normally love Debbie’s Christmas books, but sadly this one didn’t leave me with the holiday spirit.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story but painfully outdated. The author threw in a zoom call and smart phones but the rest of the story is straight from the 1950’s.

[Marie Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute holiday book,kind of predictable though. Jack is a Grinch & Lindsay is sweet & outgoing. Lindsay organizes a work Christmas party & After a power outage,the two of them get locked in the facility overnight. She learns why he’s such a grump…when he was 10 years old,his Dad left his mom,twin sisters & himself on Christmas Eve. His Dad cleaned out the bank account & left town with another woman. 5 days pass & he shows up on her doorstep on Christmas Eve & he confesses just how deeply she affected him. Ta Da ,they live happily ever after

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was a very short story and a very heartfelt story.

[Amy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber never disappoints. Such a sweet novella for around the holidays. A feel good little story of Christmas, new love, and family.

[Melinda Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful short story!!! I loved it and read it straight through!

[Marcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish it was longer but it was short and sweet.

[Jenn Kasprzak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and quick holiday read to get you in the spirit of Christmas!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🎄🎄🎄

Cute hallmark-ish Christmas 🎄 story that comes with two bonus recipes 👩🏼‍🍳

[Karen Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

love

My husband was like that when we were introduced but he changed and we married. Best Jack Frost I ever knew.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a quick book with a Christmas theme. Cute story

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Don't let one curmudgeon get you down."

[Leane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars Super cute Christmas short story.

[Susan Purnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber always brings the Christmas spirit with her novels! 🎄Jack Frost is a very quick read, not always a bad thing!! Somehow I feel that I’m apart of her storyline. She certainly keeps me entertained. Many thanks Debbie Macomber for giving us another chance to read Christmas from YOU!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent cozy Christmas read. I know it's a novella, but I really wished there was more.

[Jennifer Kayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

Debbie's books are always a joy to read. Loved this cute story just wish there was more to it. Here's to Jack.