Thank you, NetGalley, for this wonderful early Christmas gift! Mary Kay Andrews has written another five star book! Bright Lights, Big Christmas is the story of the Tolliver family, who every year leave their Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to see their trees on a corner in Greenwich Village. This is a heartwarming story of both the family you are born into and the family you choose. I highly recommend this wonderful Christmas story that makes the reader feel like they are experiencing Christmas time in NYC. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me this advance reader copy!

I just LOVED this book. The story was super interesting and all the characters were wonderful. I wish it was a little spicier, but overall the book was amazing. I loved the Christmas tree lot and Spammy and just everything about this book. It made me wish I was living in the city at Christmastime.

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think I just read the script for the next Hallmark movie! This was a heartwarming and sweet Christmas story. I love any book set in NYC, but make it a Christmas tree stand on a corner in Greenwich Village with a snowy backdrop and I’m totally in! The story itself was a bit sappy and corny in parts and the romance seemed to materialize out of nowhere. Overall I enjoyed the themes and forming friendships, neighbors as family and pursuing your big dreams. It’s a nice quick warm and fuzzy Christmas read.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is filled with the charming characters and heart warming stories we have come to expect from Mary Kay Andrews. Kerry Tolliver is sent to NYC to help her older brother Murphy sell Christmas trees that were grown on the family's North Carolina farm. Although Kerry is not currently working she despises the idea of living in a decrepit bathroom less trailer for six weeks with Murphy. However, once Kerry gets to know others in the neighborhood, her world opens up. Yes, there is a romance and Andrews has created a great guy for Kerry. Even Murphy has a girlfriend! This novel is not just about the power of love. Andrews teaches her reader that the more you give of yourself to people, the more you get in return. Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a gift.

Review: Well, I’m ready for Christmas now!! What an absolutely adorable read! And I loved the little cameo of The Santa Suit that was in here. The whole story was just told in the POV of Kerry Tolliver, but her story was so magical. And the last chapter, make sure you have your Kleenex handy! I am still choking down tears! I can’t wait to read more books by Andrews! Her stories just light up your life when you read them! Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my ARC copy!! You need to go out and get this book ASAP!! It will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit!!

What a great way to kick off my Christmas reads! Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a story of a brother and sister from North Carolina who journey to New York City to sell Christmas trees from their family farm after their dad is unable to make the yearly trip. Friendships are formed, relationships are kindled, and hearts are warmed. I loved the characters and the story. If you need something to just make you smile - read this book!

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced e-copy of this book.

Reading this was like receiving a warm hug or sipping a candy cane hot chocolate on a snowy evening by a fire.

Kerry, Murphy (Kerry’s brother) and Queenie (Murphy’s dog) are all in Greenwich village to sell the Christmas trees they grow on their family farm in North Carolina. Whilst selling trees there are evil corporate rivals, a mysterious and artsy old man, an excitable and rambunctious six year old and his handsome dad.

This is definitely the book to pick up if you need a feel good, Hallmark-esque holiday story!

4 stars

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another fun romance that is satisfying and enjoyable and funny. Just a great Christmas story that is short. easy to read, and you can’t go wrong. Mary Kay Andrews doesn’t disappoint ever. Her stories are so well written, and we love them. I got to meet Miss Andrews at a local Indie store the last week or two and listen to her talk about where the story came from and how it related to her life and where she grew up and her family, and also her friends and friendships that are part of this story as well. It sounds like she had the greatest time creating the story and so it made it even more interesting to read it because I thought about her heart and soul that she put into this short book.

This is a story including a Christmas tree lot. It has found love and community that surrounds the protagonist and brings her closer to her family and to finding purpose in her life. It includes her artistic persona and it enhances the storyline. She develops new friendships and She finds a new love. It’s very satisfying as I said, and a quick very fun read especially during Christmas. Don’t skip this book. Thanks Netgalley and St Martins Press for this book.

⭐️Book Review⭐️

Thank-you to #netgalley and the publisher for the #AdvanceReviewCopy

Release Date: September 2023
Genre: Women’s Fiction

Summary: Kerry’s family owns a Christmas Tree farm and each year her Brother and father leave their country home to sell Christmas trees in Manhattan. When Kerry’s dad falls ill and is unable to go, Kerry, a struggling artist, steps in ready to brave the NYC cold for an entire month in a shared vintage trailer with no working bathroom or kitchen. Will she survive?

To her surprise, she soon befriends the neighbours and a chance encounter with an old man and a little boy has her thinking about her dream to support herself with her talent. Torn between a new beginning and the comfort of her family home, Kerry must decide what risks she’s willing to take to satisfy her heart.

My Thoughts: Just like all other Mary Kay Andrews books, I loved this one! Cute and Christmassy but also contained some heavier topics such as grief from losing a loved one, divorce, and most importantly friendship. The relationships that developed here were heartwarming and thoughtful. Each character had dimension and depth, especially Heinz! He was a mysterious, well thought out side character who deserved all the spotlight he received toward the end.

This was my first holiday read, and a great one to start the warm and cozy season off with. These characters will stay with me for a long time.

Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews is the quintessential holiday romance readers have come to expect from Andrews. Every November Murphy Tolliver and his dad head to the same NYC corner to sell their homegrown Fraser firs at prices they’d never get in North Carolina. This year Murphy’s dad is recovering from heart surgery and his ex-wife, Murphy’s mom, is nursing him, so neither of them can make the trip. Younger sister Kerry, who’s recent job loss leaves her with the time if not the inclination to help, reluctantly fills in driving “Spammy,” the 1963 Shasta trailer to the city and staying to sell trees. Everyone knows Murphy and the entire neighborhood welcomes Kerry, especially young Austin and his newly divorced dad Patrick. When graphic artist Kerry and Austin befriend a hermit-like old man and begin writing a story together, love blooms. Those looking for Hallmark on a page will find it here.

This is such a warm Christmas hug in a book. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, Christmas music in background and pick up this book to get you in the Christmas spirit. New York City is such a magical place to be during Christmas. This book takes place during the weeks leading up to Christmas. The Tolliver family has a Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina. Every year they take their trees to sell on the street in New York City. This year Kerry fills her dad’s spot as he is ill and not able to commit to this years selling time.Kerry will join her brother Murphy who typically sells the trees with his dad every year. I loved these characters as well as the neighbors around the area where Kerry and Murphy sell their trees. The community is so welcoming and inviting. I really loved the story of Heinz. Everything about this story was just perfect. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

What a heartwarming Christmas read! Curl up with a cup of cocoa or hot cider and enjoy.

Kerry is at a crossroads, she lost her job and her boyfriend. Her family owns a Christmas tree farm and she steps in to help after her father’s heart attack. She helps her brother set up and run their stand in NYC. She reconnects with her brother and meets wonderful people along the way.

This is a perfect read for the upcoming season. Kerry is likable, relatable. The supporting cast is equally endearing. Family, friends and neighbors doing what we would hope everyone would step up to do. In a perfect world, this scenario would be the norm. A lighter read perfect for the holiday season. MKA never disappoints.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

Mary Kay Andrews has done it again!

Small town girl stuck selling her family’s Christmas trees in New York City with her older brother, who she’s never been close to. Throw in an Irish Setter, a grumpy mysterious old man and a hunk and his son, and you’ve got a classic MKA holiday tale.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to enjoy an early copy of this book.

Bright Lights by Mary Kay Andrews was an absolute delight. So perfect for a Christmas time romance. This was my first Mary Kay book, and I loved it. So easy to follow, and a just plain fun read. Thank you Mary Kay, and thank you NetGalley.

As usual, MKA did it! I love the way she writes and how her stories are always original. I recommend this, especially with the upcoming holiday season. Excellent character descriptions, fantastic read!

I really enjoyed this book as I got into the story. I enjoyed Kerry and her brother, Murphy and their Christmas tree farm in North Carolina. This year Kerry had to go with her brother to New York City to sell their trees since her dad was not allowed to go because of his health. Spammy, the cute, small camper they stayed in was such a fun part of the story as were the many residents of the street they spent a month camped out on.
I liked that they all became one, big family as the Tolivers sold their trees, wreaths, and garlands. I especially liked how Kerry started drawing again and how that became a fun part of the story. This really was a special story. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

There's nothing like a Mary Kay Andrews book! Her writing style and character creation are amazing! This book is filled with the feelings of a New York Christmas peppered with small town North Carolina and uplifting heartfelt friendships and family reconciliation. There's also a little romance and goodwill towards those in need. Bravo!

I flew through this book like I had wings!

The book was easy to read, has an engaging plot and held the true holiday spirit, be kind to everyone, no matter who they are. Kerry and her brother Murph are sent to NYC to sell their families' trees. Kerry normally doesn't go, but her Dad had recent medical issues so she was enlisted in his place. Since she recently lost her job through no fault of her own, she had the free time to go. She definitely isn't excited about spending the month with Murph in the small trailer the family affectionately calls "Spammy", but it is what it is.

The neighborhood welcomes the Tolliver's back, they sell at the same place every year, and the neighbor treat them like family. Houses are opened, showers and laundry facilities openly offered, and meals magically provided. Kerry starts to feel a sense of belonging, which grows stronger after meeting young Austin and his Dad, Patrick. When one of the neighborhood people goes missing, everyone joins together to find him, further binding Kerry to the area. Is a permanent move to NYC in Kerry's future, or is it just a temporary stop?

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

In this holiday tale, Kerry finds herself selling Christmas trees in Greenwich Village, living in a vintage camper with her brother and his dog. As she embraces the charm of the city and falls for a single dad and his adorable son, Kerry’s Christmas takes an unexpected turn when she becomes entangled in the search for a missing neighbor.

I fell in love with the little street Kerry finds herself on at Christmas, as well as her love interest, the rivalry with the tree yard across the street, and her cute little camper van. I was swept away by this magical Christmas book for 2023. #gifted