The Perfect Holiday: That Wintry Feeling / Thanksgiving Prayer

by Debbie Macomber

Available in one volume for the first time: That Wintry Feeling and Thanksgiving Prayer, two of Debbie Macomber’s classic novels that explore the power and joy of the holiday season.

That Wintry Feeling

After watching the man she loves walk down the aisle with her sister, Cathy Thompson needs to get away. Alaska—beautiful, remote, and far from bitter memories—sounds like the perfect place to start over. But a brand-new life comes with brand-new challenges . . . namely Grady Jones, a pilot and single dad who has a solution to both their problems: a marriage of convenience.

Thanksgiving Prayer

Seth immediately recognizes that Claudia is the woman for him—the woman he wants to marry and take back to Alaska. But Claudia is torn between Seth and her life in Seattle. How can she give up everything familiar, everything she's always worked for? And yet, she can’t bear the thought of losing this man she’s come to love. . . . Only when she acts with faith and hope can she find her true destiny.

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

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 10, 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

[Jennifer (not getting notifications) · Rating 3 out of 5]

That Winter Feeling
⭐️⭐️⭐️



**SPOILER ALERT**
If you didn’t read the book, you may want to stop here.

Thanksgiving Prayer
⭐️ ⭐️

This book was such a disappointment. The book started off with a focus on God, which I loved. Seth’s character was supposed to be a faithful man who found Christ. However, he was possessive, uncompromising, selfish, untruthful, and a cheater just to name a few descriptions of his actions. Honestly, it was hard to finish this book.

[Melissa Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know these books were written several years ago, but I found the male leads in both stories to be controlling, manipulative, and emotionally abusive. The story lines were ridiculous - I mean who expects a woman to accept a proposal to marry him and have his children after just one week of courtship … and gets angry when she doesn’t - and I just wanted the female lead to run as fast as she could in the opposite direction.

I’m a huge Debbie Macomber fan and usually love her holiday stories, but these were almost painful to finish.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Debbie Macomber books, but these didn't do it for me. In both books, the men had some serious issues and the women should have ran. Thanksgiving Prayer started with a religious aspect which I really liked, but fast went downhill. I struggled to get through both books and almost DNF'd both.

[Brenda Degerolamo · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 quick reads to get you in the holiday spirit.

[T'Shura Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good , heart warming book.

[Lynn Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favorites!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Holiday is a collection of two Debbie Macomber old-fashioned romances she wrote almost 40 years ago. They were fun to read and were like reading historical fiction!!

[Kathy Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book to start Christmas reading with. It has two of Debbie Macomber's books, That Wintry Feeling and Thanksgiving Prayer. Both stories are set in Alaska. These are two of her stories from 1984 and it makes you think about what people did when they didn't have cell phones and the internet.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love seasonal-themed books and The Perfect Holiday, two novellas set in Alaska, fits the bill.

That Wintry Feeling begins in early fall with Cathy Thompson, a teacher who worked with children who had problems with basic learning skills in math and reading. One such student was Angela Jones. The same day Cathy confronts Angela’s single dad, Grady, she answers a personal ad in the local paper.

As anyone who has watched rom-com movies or read a rom-com, the ad Cathy answered was placed by Grady.

Macomber does NOT try to tease the reader into 200 pages of hidden identity. Instead, the couple meet in person and after what they both termed as an “interesting” time, they embark on the rocky road to a satisfying happy ever after.

Thanksgiving Prayer, as the title indicates, includes the Thanksgiving holiday in a Christian-centered romance. Claudia Master struggles to deal with how to know God’s will, especially when her physical attraction to Seth Lessinger is crowding her thoughts but conflicting with her desire to finish medical school and become a pediatrician since marriage to Seth would involve moving to Nome, Alaska, and putting medical school off to a distant future, if at all.

I appreciated the handling of the faith issues in this book. Macomber shows that faith really is taking a step forward without knowing the outcome and that acting in faith does not mean the absence of pain.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This is my honest review of the book.

[Linda Rorex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 2-in-1 collection by Debbie Macomber.
The first story That Wintry Feeling is about Cathy Thompson who escapes to Alaska after her sister marries the man that she loved. Cathy meets Grady Jones, a single dad after she becomes a teacher and speaks with Grady to discuss his daughter Angela's learning disability to help tutor her. Grady is a pilot and doesn’t have time to spend with his daughter. Cathy and Grady develop an romantic attraction to each other.
The second story Thanksgiving Prayer is about a University of Washington student Claudia Master and Seth Lessinger a commissioning agent for a major oil company. Seth wants to marry Claudia but she wants to finish medical school and become a pediatrician in Seattle. Claudia is attracted to Seth and wants to marry him, but she would have to move to Nome, Alaska and give up her dreams of becoming a pediatrician. Claudia must decide if she wants to be with Seth in Alaska or finish medical school. I really enjoyed both of these wonderful contemporary women's romance novels.

[Sally Stribling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Perfect Holiday by Debbie Macomber. Her ease at spinning complicated romances is impressive. Grady Jones and Seth Lessinger both were hurting from their pasts, and the women they wooed: Cathy and Claudia, had difficulty interpreting their stoic and explosive emotions. This was entertaining for me. The give and take of each couple finding their way through to the truth of their feelings was realistic and layered.
I love light reads, and yet these stories (even from 1984) were refreshing.
I used to live in Seattle, and I miss it up there sometimes. It’s fun to reminisce The Emerald City through these stories. Thanks Debbie Macomber!

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these stories

I love these stories. It was amazing. I love all Debbie Macomber novels. I'd like to know though - what happened to Cooper and Ashley? Ashley hinted that she kind of liked Cooper. Could they have had a romance - even though there may have been a bit of an age difference? How about it Debbie Macomber. Will you give us a Cooper/Ashley romance story? I enjoyed these characters - even though Seth and Claudia had more ups and downs than a roller coaster. I loved this novel, but I didn't want it to end. I truly enjoyed that the Bible was part of Seth and Claudia's story. In my opinion, that's the way it should be. God's peace is a beautiful thing. If you love Debbie Macomber, I'm sure you will live both of these stories too.

[Nancy N. Phelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Beginnings

I am rating The Perfect Holiday a five-star.rating, because, as in most of her books, Debbie Macomber's characters have a new beginnings. Debbie Macomber's books are all entertaining and fun to read because they are about family, friends, and new beginnings. I would recommend her books to anyone who likes to read about family.

[Monica Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!!

I couldn’t put this book down. Read each of the two books in a day. Oh, how we humans mess things up with our lack of communication skills!!
That’s the lesson we learn from these books. Married couples need to communicate! And of course we are reminded that God is good to His children.

[Debi Renfro · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read, cute stories

I loved both books. The characters were believable and the twist and turns you couldn’t see coming. Debbie is my favorite author because she doesn’t use sex or foul language to tell her stories. Would recommend to anyone interested in good clean stories.

[Paige Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Both books were just unbelievable nonsense! They were also very similar story lines, written in 1984 and both were laughable, at best. I usually like this author's holiday novels, but definitely not this load of crap. I almost DNF after the first one, but I did and now I wish I hadn't.

[Brian LaPolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and Intense

Both stories were captivating in their own way. I found myself on the edge of my seat, knowing how each couple belonged together and wondering how both stories would end. Neither was disappointing. Bothe are must reads!

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two enjoyable holiday stories about women who chose selfish men who
Claimed to love, but were selfish, and work alcoholics. They were fast
And enjoyable reads, but not the author’s best work. Both tales have the
Alaskan setting and deal with faith and forgiveness.

[Jane Clarkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tumultuous tale

I loved this book from the very first passage!
The characters are perfectly lovely!
Debbie Macomber really knows how to ttug your heartstrings!
I highly recommend you read it.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved both stories in this book.

[Marie Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed both stories,but both had boneheaded men in them 😑

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Older stories that were re-released. Not her best.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were too sappy for me.

[Eileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf Could not get into second story. First story was just ok but characters were irritating

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Audrey Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where is the red flag guy?

[Marilyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just awful,none of the characters were likable.Even the main character’s mother was annoying

[Carol Stanley-Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with Ma. Macomber!! Two great reads!

Love, relationships and faith.

[Debbi Rattunde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading both of these stories. They were very inspirational.