Kelly Tolliver recently returned to North Carolina after having been away for many years, but her company downsized, and she found herself without a job. For the first time since she was a child, Kelly will be going on the annual trip from North Carolina to New York City to sell Christmas trees from the family farm. With her father being unable to travel this year it has fallen to her to be her older brother Murphy’s (whom she barely knows) right-hand girl for the holiday season. They’ll also be living in close quarters in the vintage camper they travelled in as children.

Kelly has some new ideas and some creative talent which she brings to the tree stand, realizing that people are willing to pay top dollar for luxury wreaths. Everyone in the neighbourhood seems to know Murphy and Kelly quickly befriends many of the neighbours as well. She meets Patrick and his son Austin; Austin takes to Kelly quickly and loves to spend any spare minute hanging out with her. Kelly and Austin also make a friend in an elderly gentleman who shares their artistic talent.

These newfound friends quickly become a family that Kelly has chosen for herself and as the days wind down before Christmas she realizes that she hates the idea of leaving.

I love Christmas novels and movies, so really enjoyed this novel and how a neighbourhood came together when one of their own needed them. Christmas spirit was definitely present in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #BrightLightsBigChristmas

First and foremost, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishing company for allowing me to read and review the ARC version of this novel. Thank you!*

Mary Kay Andrew’s novel “Bright Lights, Big Christmas really will set you in the holiday spirit.

In this book, we get introduced to Kerry, a woman from North Carolina at the cross roads when it comes to her family’s Christmas tree farm. She likes comfort, security in life and when her father can’t make the holiday run to New York City, Kerry is the one who accompanies her brother on the trip.

This story is adorable and the people of the city are so kind to Kerry. It really feels like you’re being sucked in to a big extended family, where neighbors care about each other. (Where in most cases, that rarely happens).

This was such a fast read and perfect to ring in the holiday season.

My rating is ⭐️⭐️⭐️ three stars for the story.

This is Christmas Romance. I really loved all the Christmas stuff in this book, and I also really loved all the characters in this book. I loved this book so much. This book had romance, family drama, great characters and a great setting. I loved it so much. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

I really enjoyed this Christmas romance based in NYC written by MKA. If your in the mood to pick up a good Christmas story this is a perfect easy read.

2.5 rounded up
I wasn't highly impressed by the book but the ending did make me happy so that added the .5

This was a delightful Christmas read of the Hallmark movie-esque variety. Kerry Tolliver finds herself reluctantly taking her dad's place in New York City to sell trees for the family's Christmas Tree business. On her adventures, she discovers some things about herself, bonds with her family, meets some new friends, and teaches us all a lesson about judging others. It was a fun holiday read with all the Christmas feels.

I switched back and forth between the Kindle version and the audiobook of this one. The audiobook is narrated by Kathleen McInerney. She did a fantastic job.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for the advanced review copies.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this advance copy.
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Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite comfort read authors. This was a rare summer without a new book from her, so I was thrilled to get my hands on her new Christmas release. Andrews creates a cast of lovable characters and a strong sense of community in this novel that takes place at a family Christmas tree stand in Greenwich Village. I loved the little Easter egg about the characters from her previous Christmas novel, The Santa Suit. This would be perfect to listen to on audio while decorating the tree or read under a blanket by the fire. A perfect way to kick start your Christmas season!

What a heartwarming Christmas story. The characters are all very lovable and the story is perfect for this time of year.

Sweet, lighthearted Christmas read that gets you in the holiday spirit! Mary Kay Andrews did an excellent job describing the adorable trailer “Spammy”, the tree lot, and the cute little neighborhood surrounding the lot. I felt like I was in a Hallmark movie.

Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother to sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself. Filled with family ties, both rekindled and new, and sparkling with Christmas magic, Bright Lights, Big Christmas delivers everything Mary Kay Andrews fans adore, all tied up in a hilarious, romantic gem of a novel.

Christmas book on October, Why not. since I read too much of thriller recently, I need something make me happy.

I am glade I choose Mary Kay Andrews new book. it is such a warm, sweet, happy experience. This is the second book I read by Ms. Andrews. one thriller and one cont. romance, both of them from Netgalley.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press give me the opportunity to read and review this amazing book. I find a great author to follow.

3.5

Mary Kay Andrews knows without a doubt the formula for a bestseller!

What an interesting concept to locate your story on a Christmas tree stand in New York City!

As Christmas approaches, the author slowly introduces a great cast of characters that you get to love including a solitary old man, a dog and a small boy.

Kerry and her brother Murphy want to save their father’s tree farm in North Carolina and live in an old camper. They get to meet the neighborhood, shop’s owners and customers. Kerry is also at an impasse in her professional life having difficulties expressing her artistic talent. Can a kid with a passion for dragons along with the spirit of Christmas awake the magic?

There is also suspense as the old man disappears.

It is a very heartwarming light story about love, friendship, sense of community and discovering your path just around Christmas time!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis

After losing her job, Kerry Tolliver goes back to her family’s Christmas tree farm to help out following her father’s heart attack. What she thinks is a momentary disruption to her real life might just be the turning point she needs

My Overall Thoughts

This is a quick, light, Christmas romance with lots of charm. Just what I needed to get in the holiday mood.

What I Didn't Love

Christmas romances are, by definition, a little cheesy. I always wish they were a little less so, but then I always read more. I must be okay with a little cheese.


What I Loved

The characters are so good and gentle and kind. In other genres, this might be a negative, but here, it fits well.

I love all of Mary Kay’s books! I was afraid this one wouldn’t meet my expectations after last year’s The Santa Suit. This book was just as powerful. I love the themes running through this book and the unraveling of the mystery.

I loved this Christmas book. It was a great story about finding family in the friends you make, taking risks and finding yourself in new places and fresh love. An easy, clean but romantic read in many different ways. It’s the perfect story to start your Christmas reading! It got me in the mood the season!
It was also cool to see reference to characters from this author’s previous Christmas book!
Thanks so much!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas has it all - Christmas, NYC, and Mary Kay Andrews! As a loyal MKA reader, I look forward to her Christmas stories every year.

Kerry Tolliver has recently moved home after being laid off. She doesn't want to be living with her mom in a small mountain town and she definitely doesn't want to have tow a trailer from NC to NYC to help her brother sell Christmas trees. But it is her family's Christmas tree farm and what else would she be doing instead anyway.

Things are a little strained at first, Kerry is sleeping in a tiny trailer with a gruff brother that she hardly knows. But as Kerry get acclimated to her new digs and manning the tree lot, she is soon enjoying herself. Tolliver's tree lot is always in the same neighborhood spot and the neighbors treat them as one of their own. Kerry finds herself not wanting to leave her new friends and love interest. But she still has no job and no place to live - it will take a Christmas miracle to make Kerry's wish come true.

If you like heartwarming Christmas stories, you will love this book! Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5/5 stars

This was a beautiful holiday romance! It was my first Christmas book of the season!

The narrator is 34 year old Kerry Tolliver (female 3rd person POV). She is a former art director who loves art and is extremely creative. She goes to NYC with her brother Murphy to help sell Christmas trees from her family's North Carolina Christmas tree farm.

What I liked about this book:

The fun times with her brother at their Christmas tree stand and in their tiny camper. The neighborhood and amazing neighbors (I loved these people!). The romance (Patrick was such a kind and caring man and father). Heinz (what a fantastic charming elderly curmudgeon). Austin (the adorable little boy who was so fun!).

In November and December I'm always looking for holiday reads. This is the perfect holiday novella. This is a quick read that will make you feel good!

Oh I just ate this sweet little cozy Christmas novel up!

I loved the little nod to last year’s book, The Santa Suit, with this one’s internal story- so cute!

The story line is a North Carolina tree farm family always tows a trailer of trees to NYC and sets up in a particular neighborhood- one they’ve been at for years. Only this year Kerry has to go and help her brother, since their father is sick.

Kerry brings her own artistic flare and update to the booth, and drives sales like a boss. There were times her brother really irritated me, full disclosure. I felt like he literally slept through half of the novel. Kerry owned that stand though!

In the midst of the storyline, Kerry meets neighbors Patrick and his son, as well as an artistic friend, Heinz. This turns out to be one of my favorite internal storylines!

I recommend you add this to your Christmas reads this year, it is cute, and you will love that it melds both the North Carolina mountain vibes with the heart of NYC.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is an adorable, wholesome, Hallmark-worthy holiday story that takes place in New York city. It's charming (I mean, how could it not be when she leaves her family's Christmas tree farm to travel to NYC to sell Christmas trees?!). And I loved the sibling/family dynamic. This is definitely a feel-good story, but I do feel like the romance could have been a little more developed. But as a North Carolina native, I really enjoyed this story!

One of my all time favorite Christmas books! I’m a sucker for a great Christmas romance and this is just that!

Sweet and cozy Christmas "hallmark" story.
Great setting with lovely characters. Predictable but cute love story.
Nothing to dislike but also not something I will remember.
Definitely a good read when you are just looking to sit back and enjoy a story without thinking.
Both read and listened to audiobook and I enjoyed the audiobook more.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.