Member Reviews
Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.
A Festive and Heartwarming Christmas Tale
Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a delightful holiday romance that captures the magic of the season. Mary Kay Andrews has once again crafted a charming story filled with heartwarming characters and festive cheer.
Kerry Tolliver, a talented artist, is thrust into the role of family caretaker as she travels to New York City to help her brother run their annual Christmas tree stand. In the bustling West Village, she encounters a cast of colorful characters, including a handsome neighbor with a mysterious past.
The novel beautifully blends the cozy charm of a small-town Christmas with the excitement of the big city. Andrews's vivid descriptions of the holiday season create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The characters are endearing and relatable, and their interactions spark both humor and heartfelt moments.
The audiobook narration by Kathleen McInerney is excellent, bringing the story to life with her expressive voice and perfect pacing.
Overall, Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a heartwarming and enjoyable read that will leave you feeling festive and uplifted.
4 stars
#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillanaudio #brightlightsbigchristmas #marykayandrews
Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors. Her books never disappoint! This one was a great Christmas themed book. Perfect for this time of year! The characters are very likeable and realistic. The setting was fun. It was just a great feel good story.
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Mary Kay Andrews knows how to make a cozy Christmas novel. This was so charming, so unassuming and so incredibly lifting for a season of the year that can feel very downer. I enjoyed this quick read and lighthearted fun.
Anything MKA writes is on my list! this book I read in two days. I wish there could be a 2nd! The relationships in this book were so well done. I was sucked in. Make another!!!
This was such a cute story! I loved how Kerry, the outsider, became friends with everyone in the neighborhood! The only part I didn’t like was how grumpy her brother Murphy was through most of the story.
If you’re looking for a sweet holiday story with no 3rd act break up, check this one out!
Mary Kay Andrews knows how to write Christmas!! The cozy corner neighborhood atmosphere set smack-dab in the middle of a large metropolitan city lends a certain charm and comfortable appeal. Kerry leaves her family Christmas farm in North Carolina to NY City to help her gruff brother & his dog Queenie. They set up a tree stand on a corner in Greenwich Village and stay in a tiny vintage camper. Kerry becomes close with neighbors who live by the stand. Patrick and his son Austin become friends with Kerry as well and I just loved when they started being friends. I devoured this book and fell in love with the characters. This book is like a warm hug. Grab yourself some hot cocoa, sit by the fire and read or listen to this wonderful holiday book. I highly recommend this book.
Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
"Bright Lights, Big Christmas" by Mary Kay Andrews is a heartwarming and festive read that captures the magic of the holiday season. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Savannah, the story follows a strong-willed protagonist navigating love, family, and a holiday lighting competition. Andrews’ signature wit shines through, blending humor with poignant moments that resonate deeply. The richly drawn characters and enchanting setting make for a cozy escape, while the themes of community and redemption add depth to the narrative. Perfect for fans of charming holiday tales, this book is sure to brighten up any reader’s Christmas spirit!
Such a fun Christmas story of friends, family, community and Christmas trees. This was a perfect story for getting cozy by the fire (or heater) with a cup of cocoa around the holidays or when you want that holiday spirit.
This was a sweet holiday read. I love the feel of a New York Christmas and following Kerry through the twists and turns of helping her brother with their family's Christmas Tree business made me feel all of the warm fuzzies that come along with the holiday season. The growth that Kerry was able to make in her relationships through the story highlighted the idea of making amends and finding joy in the small moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had to DNF this one. I'm finding I'm really not a fan of this authors writing. I found it way too boring to continue.
Mary Kay Andrews did not disappoint me with this book! I loved this sweet Christmas book. The characters were great and I felt like I was right there with them. I definitely would recommend this book!
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. Pub Date: September 26, 2023. Rating: 4 stars. In this novella, the author takes us on a journey from North Carolina to NYC to sell Christmas trees. Trees are produced on a family farm in North Carolina and Kerry Tolliver travels to NYC to sell them with her brother and his cute dog. Kerry quickly becomes charmed by the city, the surrounding neighbors and a cute single dad who makes an appearance in her life. This is a heartwarming story of following your heart, taking chances, family and all the good things of Christmas. I really enjoyed this sweet story. Perfect for the holidays! Thanks to #stmartinspress and #netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Mary Kay Andrews delivers another charming holiday tale with "Bright Lights, Big Christmas", a heartwarming story set against the bustling backdrop of New York City during the holiday season. The novel follows Kerry Tolliver, who leaves her family’s Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to help her brother sell trees in Manhattan. What begins as a temporary escape from her own troubles quickly becomes a journey of self-discovery as Kerry forms deep connections with the quirky and warm-hearted community around the tree stand.
The magic of Christmas comes alive through Andrews’ vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters. The novel skillfully blends romance, family dynamics, and the spirit of community, making it an engaging and feel-good read. The only downside is that the ending feels a bit rushed, leaving me wishing for a little more closure. However, this doesn’t detract much from the overall warmth and joy that the story brings.
This book is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit with a story that celebrates love, family, and the unexpected gifts of life.
This was a cute Christmas story. I loved all of the characters and the found family aspect. The perfect book to pick up in December!
I really enjoyed Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. I am a fan of Ms. Andrews's writing style and loved that she included a nod to a previous Christmas book of hers in this one. The characters she creates are believable and well developed. I adored how she built a strong community within New York City which gave the story a very warm and caring vibe and helped to enhance the neighborly love and Christmas spirit. If you are looking for a feel good story set at Christmastime, this is a strong contender! Thank you to Ms. Andrews, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this wonderful tale.
Many loved this book... I was not one of them. First, I'm not a fan of Hallmark movies. I also read this in the summer and maybe it would be better read in December.
The premise is a little bizarre. Kerry is forced to drive up from North Carolina (even though she's jobless, homeless and single, she makes it seem like such a burden to have to help out her family) and help her brother in New York City. They are selling the family Xmas trees from a trailer on the streets of New York. Really? They just live in a trailer with no heat or electricity for a month in New York with no issues? Okay.
Enter the instalove story with Kerry and Patrick. It didn't work for me at all. Kerry was stubborn, annoying and made poor choices. I definitely prefer Andrews' summer stories better!
Cute. Cozy. The perfect addition to anyone’s holiday TBR stack. “Bright Lights, Big Christmas” will leave readers with all the holiday feels.
Bright Lights Big Christmas was another solid effort by Mary Kay Andrews. It's cute, it's fun, and it's Christmas-y, what's not to like?
This book was a home-run - one of my favorite Christmas books ever!
It was a unique story and setting - an overall great holiday pick!
Mary Kay Andrews’ "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is a charming and festive read that perfectly captures the holiday spirit. The story follows Kerry Tolliver as she trades her family’s Christmas tree farm for a bustling New York City corner, where she helps her brother sell trees and discovers the magic of Manhattan. Her adventures in a tiny vintage camper and her interactions with the quirky locals add a delightful touch of humor and warmth to the narrative.
The heart of the novel lies in Kerry’s growing connections with her new neighbors and the charming romance that blossoms with Patrick, a single dad on the block. The blend of small-town sensibilities with the vibrancy of NYC creates a cozy and engaging backdrop. Andrews’ writing shines through with its witty dialogue and heartfelt moments, making the characters' journey both entertaining and endearing. The mystery surrounding the missing elderly neighbor adds an extra layer of intrigue, though it remains secondary to the story’s romantic and festive elements. Overall, "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is a delightful holiday read that delivers Mary Kay Andrews’ signature blend of humor, romance, and Christmas cheer.