I found this one to be not very well written. All of the characters were very unlikable. It felt very choppy and rushed. Too many characters for a small storyline.

Kerry Tolliver is a bit down on her luck, having been recently fired from her job in North Carolina and had to move back in with her mom, just in time for the holidays. Not only that, but she was somewhat forced to help with her families tradition of selling Christmas trees in the West Village of New York City because her dad had recently fallen ill and is unable to go spend the most profitable season there as he had done for years past. She's tasked with helping her brother Murphy, a mountain man grumpy sort who she hasn't been close to since her parents divorce when she was young. They have to work together to bring home a profit for their families Christmas Tree farm. While in New York, Kerry makes new friends and finds a chosen family, just in time for Christmas.

I absolutely loved this book. It was charming and sweet, and I loved the story. Is there anything more romantic and magical than Christmas in New York? This book served up impeccable vibes and I'm so happy that I read it this Christmas season. I found the characters to be enjoyable, and loved the storyline about Heinz, the somewhat reclusive man in the neighborhood. I found Kerry to be a great main character, and enjoyed her growth throughout the book. Finally, this felt like a love letter to New York, and made me want to go to the West Village in the Christmas season. Overall, I'm very happy that I read this charming book!

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this sweet Christmas book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Bright Lights, Big Christmas
by Mary Kay Andrews (Goodreads Author)
F 50x66
Connie's reviewNov 26, 2023 · edit
really liked it
bookshelves: to-read

If you are craving a comfy holiday read, Bright LIghts, Big Christmas delivers in a big way. This book is like a piping hot cup of hot chocolate and your favorite Hallmark movie. This holiday feel good story checks all of the boxes:
Small town girl visits the big City
Manhattan at Christmas
A Christmas Tree Lot
A grumpy brother and cute dog
An adorable love interest/single dad with precocious son
Kerry Tolliver's journey to the big city to assist her grumpy brother in selling Christmas Trees is a predictable but very comfy and fun story. This is my first book by this author, and I will definitely be checking out her earlier titles (especially her holiday titles).
Thanks to #netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews feels like a warm blanket by the fire place during cold weather. Kerry Tolliver grew up on a Christmas Tree Farm in the mountains of North Carolina. The Tolliver Christmas Trees were was known to have the best fresh cut trees and every year the family tow their old camper with a truck full of cut trees and make their way to the buzzling streets of New York City. Since their parents divorced, Kerry did not get to sell the trees anymore but her older brother Murphy and her Dad did until her dad’s recent medical condition limits him to do so. With sky high medical bills, and without her dad, brother Murphy can’t run the tree selling alone. With her mom Birdie’s insistence, Kerry has to step up and tow the camper for the first time by herself to NYC and sell trees with Murphy. Now here’s when the magic happen- a big city that never sleeps,, brights lights and perfect cold holiday weather. Throw in a neighborhood corner for a cute location of a tree selling spot. Add in an adorable child with his equally adorable divorced dad, a grumpy old mysterious gentleman who actually has a heart of gold despite the grumpy facade, add a dog- smart and playful one that everyone can’t stop loving and a neighborhood full of friendly, kind and caring human beings all ready to welcome the Tolliver Christmas Tree Farm every year and you got yourself a perfect magical story dashed with holiday romance under the mistletoe.
I enjoyed this read. It was a perfect kick off for the holiday and I thank Netgalley for the e-book file and MacMillan Audio for the copy in exchange of my honest review.

I adore a good MKA book and while I was sad that we didn’t get a 2023 summer book, this gem of a winter book really worked for me (Plus, when you see the cover of her 2024 summer book, your socks will be rocked off!)

It’s well established that as a reader, I tend to gravitate more towards the mystery-ish genre; although I do still love a good women’s fiction. Bright Lights, Big Christmas was the perfect book to cleanse my mind, give my heart a boost, and take some stress away for a few hours.

What I liked:

Ya’ll this cover is Christmas-licious. What can I say?

Kerry. She was capable, but was questioning herself after having some blows. Relatable. Funny at times. Easy to root for.

Austin. How could you not love him?

Bottom line: An easy read, filled with heart and good Christmas spirit. Perfect for fans of NYC, Hallmark movies, & believers in love.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

✩ ✩ ✩ /5

while I loved the Christmas cozy vibes of this book & the setting of a Christmas tree stand in New York, the story fell a little flat for me. I found myself a little bored of the romance aspect and it felt a little repetitive. It did remind me a lot of a hallmark Christmas movie which I love but I would have liked a little more to the story.

I picked this one up expecting a hallmark Christmas movie vibe, so I knew it wouldn’t be too deep, but unfortunately, this one didn’t hit the spot for me.

When Kerry Tolliver’s dad falls ill, she heads to the city with her brother Murphy to help him sell Christmas trees — the family business. Unfortunately, the whole first half of the book was not much more than day to day selling of trees, running out, making wreaths, buying supplies, selling more trees, and on and on. It was charming for a minute, and it got old fast. Her brother was such a grump and I kept waiting for some redeeming qualities but the character development never really came.

The romance at the center was lackluster. There wasn’t much of a build up, and both main characters were bland and underdeveloped.

I really wanted to love this one, and there was a lot of potential, but in the end, it was underwhelming at best.

Thanks to @netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free egalley in exchange for an honest review. Bright Lights, Big Christmas is out now.

This was a quick, fun + festive read set in NYC. This is my second book by Mary Kay Andrews and I really enjoyed it. The characters + atmosphere really jumped off the pages; siblings selling their family's Christmas trees in the big city makes for a charming + heartwarming story. Looking for a great holiday read to get you in the spirit? Then look no further! Curl up with a hot cocoa + this book and thank me later ;)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute, heart-warming Christmas book! Perfect if you are looking for a light, quick read during the holiday season.

Thank you very much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐️

I’m usually extremely picky when it comes to holiday books and how I rate them, and this book will definitely be one I recommend to people in the years to come. It is so adorable!!

The plot was really well thought out, and there were so many intricate pieces to it, even with it being a more light hearted holiday read. I felt like there was enough character development to really get a grasp on who these people were, and to understand how they think.

I think what I really loved the most about this book was how easy it was to picture it playing out like a movie. That’s one skill I find this author always manages to successfully do, and I really appreciate that while reading.

I will definitely be recommending this to all of my holiday lighthearted romance book lovers.

Probably one of my favorite MKA books to date! I loved the family Christmas Tree farm meets NYC chaos, and loved all the characters. This is a great holiday read!

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a super cute, fun Christmas book. It had a great plot. I really liked the ending.

This was the perfect book to read this time of year.. Very heartwarming! I had never read anything by Mary Kay Andrews before. I like her style of writing. She has great characterization, and a true sense of place. Both of those are important to me in a novel. By the end of the book, I was hoping for a sequel, because it was hard to let go of Heinz, Patrick, Austin, and Kerry.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS by Mary Kay Andrews is a delightful holiday treat that sparkles with charm. Set against the backdrop of bustling city lights and the magic of Christmas, Andrews weaves a heartfelt story that embodies the essence of the season.

The story follows Kerry Tolliver, recruited to help her brother with the family’s Christmas tree stand in New York City. Andrews skillfully blends humor, romance, and the joy of the holidays, creating a perfect recipe for a feel-good Christmas read.

Most of the characters are endearing, and Andrews masterfully develops their relationships against the enchanting backdrop of the city. The narrative is sprinkled with festive details, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the holiday magic.

With its witty dialogue and cozy atmosphere, "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is a heartening escape into a world where love and joy triumph over many of life’s challenges. Mary Kay Andrews has crafted a festive gem that will leave readers with a warm glow and a renewed appreciation for the magic that Christmas brings.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a feel good Christmas story set in NYC. I loved all the characters and the way they made a big city like NYC feel like a community (set in the west village). It has set my mood for this holiday season.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is the cutest, most heartwarming romance that will put you in the Christmas spirit! Kerry Tolliver leaves the quiet mountains of North Carolina to join the hustle and bustle of New York City as she and her older brother, Murphy, sell Christmas trees grown at their family farm. Kerry quickly befriends everyone in the neighborhood community, including Patrick, a single dad and his son, Austin. As relationships grow between several characters in just a few short weeks, Kerry realizes she might need to postpone her trip back south. Not only did I fall in love with the story and characters, I ended up pairing the ebook with the audio version because I couldn't wait to read/hear what happened next. Grab a cozy blanket, warm drink and comfy spot to read this adorable Christmas love story!

Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to read and leave an honest review of this special book!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a cozy read peppered with Christmas festivity and happiness. Set in New York City, sibling duo Murphy and Kerry Tolliver are living out of a small camper while selling Christmas trees from their family tree farm back home. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, they sell trees, make friends, and even find love in the city.

The best part about this book is the setting – New York City in December is an unforgettable and truly living character within the novel. The community of friends and neighbors that develops and grows as the story progresses is heartwarming and brings the saying, “it takes a village,” to heart. Seeing Kerry and Murphy make and deepen their connections is one of the best parts of the story as well. The characters they meet (including fan favorites Heinz and Austin) help to round out the story and keep readers interested.

As far as holiday-themed romances go, however, this one fell flat. The male love interest, Patrick, seems rather pushy and unconcerned with the main female character’s wishes and desires. Their relationship seemingly develops over an attraction but doesn’t feel very deep at all. The ending felt rushed because their relationship didn’t have enough time in only one month to become as strong as it seemed. The relationship part of this book felt extremely unreal and uninteresting compared to the rest of the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books brimming with holiday cheer and happiness. If you’re looking for a quick and enjoyable read, this book is perfect. Just don’t expect too much in the way of romance and true love.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
What a cute Christmas book!! I absolutely loved this plot and setting of selling Christmas trees in nyc to locals. A heartwarming story it reminded me of a great hallmark movie with a message that it’s not what we have it’s who we have. Thank you to @netgalley for the arc. This book is available for sale in stores!
#holidayreads #christmasbook #marykayandrews #brightlightsbigchristmas

Lovely lovely story, a lot of great characters, the leading lady is creative, fun, loving. A very nice Christmas romance with a nice ending.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I loved this book. It was a cute Christmas story of falling in love, taking chances and making new life long friends.
It was a quick and heart warming read.
I enjoyed all of the characters.