Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber

 

From Goodreads

A young workaholic avoiding home for the holidays discovers that you can't run away from who you are--a heartfelt Christmas novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Everly Lancaster always dreamed of leaving her hometown in rural Illinois. Now she helps run a burgeoning startup in Chicago, where her professional goals leave little time for friends...or a vacation.

When a massive snowstorm hits, Everly's mother urges her to come home for Christmas, but she hesitates to return to the life she's worked so hard to escape. Searching for other holiday plans, Everly tasks her assistant with booking her a cruise--the perfect getaway. Embarking on a weeklong tour of the Amazon guided by charming naturalist Asher Adams, Everly slowly but surely begins to realize that relationships are more important than work--and just might decide to journey home just in time for Christmas Day.

Debbie Macomber's signature wintry warmth shines in this holiday delight.

My thoughts

Thanks to the Publishers via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Telling the story of Everly/Daisy Lancaster (I was a little confused at first with the same person having two names), the reason for her having two names is explained and Asher Adams.  Everly is in need of a vacation and one of her work colleagues books one for her, it's not quite the cruise that she was anticipating.  However, she is stuck on this boat and can't get off until she reaches her destination.  Is her destination solid ground again or is it Asher Adams the naturalist that she meets on the cruise down the Amazon?  As her life is being turned upside down and her focus on work that she is so used to having is slowly changing to affairs of the heart, will her life ever be the same again?

This was a gentle romance (yes it may be a tad predictable in some ways) that is perfect escapism for reading at any time of the year.  It was an enjoyable average read that kept me reading and engaged in the lives of the characters for several hours.