When her dad becomes ill, Kerry is drafted to leave the North Carolina tree farm and join her rather cranky brother in Greenwich Village to man the family's traditional Christmas tree stand. Brother Murphy is used to doing things a certain way, so he and Kerry often butt heads when she offers up new ideas. Like maybe cleaning the adorable trailer they live in to make it actually livable. Yuck. And I must say, the prices are appalling! But I live in Oregon where we have loads of trees, so, shutting up. Murphy is well known and liked among the locals, and Kerry is soon pulled into the little community of quirky and endearing neighbors, and there are even a few sparks with a handsome single dad.
I love Christmas stories, but so many are saccharine or overly predictable, but I am so happy to say this was an absolute delight from start to finish. The characters are well drawn and believable, and the secondary characters equally so - no cardboard here. I especially liked the sometimes combative relationship between Kerry and Murphy as each vied for their own ideas, a real sister/brother relationship. A beautiful job all around. Greatly enjoyed. Highly recommended.

Sometimes you need to dive into a world that's cozy and sweet, where if it doesn't work out by the end, it's not the end. That's when you might grab one of Mary Kay Andrews' novels to envelop you in a warm holiday hug. You have to believe in a bit of magic, insta-love and a whole lot of good luck.

You'll also find lovable characters - in this case we have Kerry, her half brother Murphy, and their trusty camper, Spammy. The 3 of them are parked in the West Village to sell the Christmas trees from their father's farm, Kerry joining for the first time as her father recovers from a health scare.

Murphy, though, has been there before - he knows everyone, and everyone knows him. This isn't gritty NYC, or anonymous and indifferent the way the city might be, at times. This neighborhood is full of friendly neighbors who let Kerry use their showers, warm restaurant owners who feed her, and a cute kid, Austin, who takes an immediate shine to her. So does Austin's dad, and there is our romance.

Throw in an eccentric and somewhat mysterious gentleman, Heinz, that joins the fray. There's a bit of a Great Expectations tinge to the story as Kerry unravels his past, and for what he does for her future.

The writing is easy and the world is enchanting for as long as you're reading, which makes it all worthwhile.

This one is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance or a Hallmark holiday movie. This one had all the elements of a seasonal read:
🎄 A down on her luck heroine helping out her family Christmas tree stand for the holidays
💚 Set in the big city of NYC where anything can happen in the week’s leading to the holidays
🎄A precocious child with a big imagination and a handsome single dad
❤️ A colorful cast of characters that build a wonderful community including a mysterious hermit, a grumpy brother, and lots of eclectic shop owners

A must read if you’re looking for a little holiday spirit!

I have a confession to make. Until reading The Newcomer recently, I had never read any of Mary Kay Andrews’ books. I know. Weird, right? But after reading it, I decided to pick up more of her books in the future, which lands me here with Bright Lights, Big Christmas. I would call it a sweet romance with fade-to-black scenes that you’d expect from a light yet emotional journey for the characters. If you’re like me and love a great holiday read any time of the year, this is one you definitely should read. Written from the heroine’s point of view, the secondary characters are significant and meaningful for her (and their own) growth throughout the story. It’s more chick-lit than romance, now that I think about it, but it does have a HEA. Bright Lights, Big Christmas should be the book you reach for when you’re in the mood for something far from angsty yet a worthy emotional journey.

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a sweet holiday story that has great characters. A strained relationship between a brother and sister divided by the parents' divorce is further tested as they struggle to save their ailing father's Christmas tree farm business. The stresses and strains of navigating their failing sales numbers are exacerbated by hurts from the past, and the machinations of a rival business owned by brothers who don't mind using a bit of sabotage in the competition. The motley crew of neighbors surrounding them in the East Village neighborhood lends support, but many of them are experiencing their own struggles. The story develops the relationships amongst all these characters as the Christmas season plays out, and Kerry and Murphy get help from unexpected quarters and have their lives changed by the time Christmas Eve rolls around. I loved the two siblings, love interest Patrick and his son Austin, Claudia, Murphy's girlfriend, Vic the high school helper, and Heinz, the crusty elderly gent who surprises them all. The ups and downs of the various characters keep the story moving along toward the requisite happy ending. This holiday novel is a sure bet if you like a skillfully-written Hallmark-style Christmas story with a lot of heart, engaging characters with depth, and tales of triumphing over adversity by means of accepting the support of others and giving them support in return.

A sweet and charming holiday romance set in NYC. Brother and sister Murphy and Kerry Tolliver come to the city to sell Christmas trees grown on the family farm in North Carolina. Normally their father Jock would be there working with Murphy but he's recovering from a heart attack. And since Kerry was recently let go from her job as a graphic artist, her family has roped her into pitching in.

Kerry quickly gets the hang of things, making friends with the neighborhood people, crafting gorgeous wreaths to sell, and doodling sketches in her spare time. Soon she finds herself working on a children's story with the little boy living in the building next door with the oh so handsome and recently-divorced father.

As always, this is a quick and heart-warming story from the inimitable Mary Kay Andrews, a perfect gift idea for the holidays.

I received an arc of this new novel from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Oh how I hope this will become a Christmas movie.! Once again as only Mary Kay Andrews can do, she has written a wonderful Christmas story filled with love and hope. Kerry is guilted into helping sell Christmas trees along with her grumpy older brother in New York City. They drive a trailer of trees from their father’s tree farm in North Carolina and also Spammy a relict of an old broken down camper. Being in their usual neighborhood spot as several problems to overcome. But finding new friends, that became a family to Kerry helps her find herself again after losing her job and having to economize by moving in with her mom.
Wonderful characters, just love little Austin and the recluse Heinz. I did read the book and listened to the audiobook, both are winners! This definitely has the Christmas spirit written throughout.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #BrightLightsBigChristmas #MaryKayAndrews

A heartwarming novella just in time for Christmas. It takes a village, doesn't it? In this case, it's the East Village in New York City when Kerry and her brother Murphy are selling Christmas trees from the family farm in North Carolina. They're living in a trailer (with a dog as well) and spending long hours but all of that melts away for Kerry as she falls for the neighbors and the neighborhood. There's single dad Patrick, his son Austin, older fellow Heinz and so on. There's a small crisis and everyone pulls together. This is a very idealized version of life in the big city but it works with these characters and for the season. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC A relaxing read.

Bright Lights Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews is the perfect holiday story for me because it’s full of authentic relationships and relatable characters. It’s a closed-door romance, but the story is more about Kerry finding herself and getting back on her feet after she unexpectedly lost her job than it is about a romance. Kerry feels she needs to reinvent herself professionally, but she’s unsure what that will look like.

I loved the found family themes, too. Is there anything more heartwarming and Christmas-like than a found family? Not to me, and the one that develops in this story is just right because all the characters are developed so well that it is easy to believe they would come together in fellowship and love. I could relate to the main character and narrator of the story - Kerry, but Heinz and Austin grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let go. Heinz is an older gentleman whom everyone thinks is homeless, and Austin is a seven-year-old boy with an old soul. And when those two come together with Kerry and create a story, I could easily believe all would be right with their world.

Also, the setting is sublime (NYC in December), with a bit of quirkiness provided by Spammy the camper. An adult brother and sister who haven’t spent much time together since their parents divorced when they were young, living in such close quarters is a situation just made for some well-timed laughs. And NYC at Christmas is just magical, so what a fantastic backdrop for the Christmas tree stand. This story made me feel like Christmas, and for that, I am grateful.

This was cute, nothing terribly exciting tho. I did like how it had a small connection with The Santa Suit.

Bright lights Big Christmas is a perfect holiday read. Set in New York City at Christmas time which happens to be a magical Christmas place for me and the main character has my name which is rare! (Although not spelled the same) a failing Christmas tree farm selling trees in NYC Kerry and Murphy are brother and sister helping out the family business. A very heartwarming holiday light romance read.

This charming story is a Hallmark Christmas movie waiting to happen. It has all the ingredients ~ woman moves from her childhood home in the country to the city, unique profession (selling Christmas trees on a NYC street corner), grumpy old man, villains trying to drive them out of business, romance, and found family, and I loved every minute of it! It's very sweet and heartwarming and is the perfect gateway to the holiday season. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for giving me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest seasonal novel by the queen, Mary Kay Andrews, and wonderfully narrated by another favorite, Kathleen McInerney - 5 stars!

Kerry is back home living with her mother after being let go from her job. When her dad becomes ill, Kerry has to take his place at their annual corner in Greenwich Village with her older brother selling Christmas trees from their family farm. They have to share a tiny vintage camper that sounds more charming than it is. Kerry soon becomes close with nearby neighbors and becomes to think of them as family. Then there's Patrick, a single dad raising his son, Austin, whom she has instant chemistry with. But with time ticking, is there any chance for them?

Although it's not quite fall, any chance to read a Mary Kay Andrews Christmas novel is perfect! Her writing invokes all the sights, smells and feelings of the season, and I was totally in! This book hit all the romance notes, but also family loyalty and bonds, and a community looking out for each other, Filled with great characters, it's the perfect start to Christmas!

If you like holiday romances, you will love this book. It was a SUPER fast read and just as cute as most books by this author. I would almost say it was a bit sappy but sometimes that's what you want in a holiday romance. Definitely add this to your TBR!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas comes out next week on September 26, 2023 and you can purchase HERE.

Kerry Clare Tolliver couldn't remember a time when the smell of a Fraser fir tree didn't make her smile.

Tollivers had been growing this particular variety of Christmas tree, in this particular patch of farmland in the mountains of western North Carolina, for four generations.

But today, standing in front of the flatbed trailer loaded with hundreds of freshly cut and baled fragrant firs, she wanted to cry.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a sweet, fun, easy-to-read story with interesting characters and a great holiday vibe. The Tolliver family has been driving to NYC to sell their North Carolina Christmas trees for three decades. Having recently moved back home after losing her job, Kerry Tolliver ends up making the trip with her older brother and his dog when their father is hospitalized and can't go himself. Living in a vintage camper with no bathroom on the street next to the tree stand for weeks isn't Kerry's idea of fun, but she soon discovers that this corner of Greenwich Village is a welcoming community that takes care of its own. This is a story of self-discovery and the importance of friendship and family, with a side of romance and twist of humor. It held my interest from start to finish and I wouldn't have minded if it had been longer!

Sweet, feel-good Christmas read. An easy read with likeable characters. The romance between the two main characters could have been explored more but overall, a heartwarming read.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley for this advance e-copy of Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews.This is another of Mary Kay’s gems that will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit.It is the story of Kerry and Murph Tolliver who travel from North Carolina to NYC every Christmas time to sell their home grown Christmas trees. This year is different.Usually it is Murph and his dad but this year the dad is sick and Kerry who is trying to find herself ,amid a job loss and a bad breakup ,accompanies her brother north.This book is full of drama, romance and some bad guys too.It is a story of love, family and kindness .A perfect Christmas book you won’t want to put down,Highly recommend.

I first want to thank Mary Kay Andrews and NetGalley for this ARC eBook edition.

This book reminded me of Silver Bell, the book. They own a Christmas Tree farm and go into the city to sell their trees. Heartwarming and drew me in. The characters felt real. It meshed together good. A story about friendship, found family and romance. It truly felt like it was book describing what the real meaning of Christmas is.

Mary Kay Andrews’ Bright Lights, Big Christmas is an adorable holiday read. It is filled with charming characters, interesting situations, and heartwarming holiday cheer.

A family-run Christmas tree business, a couple of artists, and a neighborhood full of interesting characters made this book a pleasurable, one-sit read for me. I loved the family story, the slow-burn romance, and most of all I loved the magic of the holidays as seen through the eyes of a child named Austin.

This feel good book made the holidays in New York seem magical, and life in the country seem idyllic. With strong messages about family and friends, Bright LIghts, Big Christmas was like a giant, warm hug.

A charming holiday story about siblings from North Carolina who travel to NY city to sell trees for Christmas. Throw in a diverse group of neighbors, two rivals setting up on the opposite street corner, and you get a funny and uplifting story of friends that become family.

There's a bit of drama, romance, and a mystery surrounding their location. Working together to sell trees to save their family farm after their father suffered a heart attack, brings the two estranged siblings together. All in all, it was a great story to kick off my holiday reading !

Although I received a free ARC e-book from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.