💙✨ Bright Lights, Big Christmas Review ✨💙
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
5 ⭐️’s
Thank you Mary Kay Andrews, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press for the ARC! ☺️
My thoughts 💭:
This was my first time reading a Christmas 🎄 book but definitely won’t be my last! 😉 It was my first Mary Kay Andrews book but it also won’t be my last! 😉 Bright Lights, Big Christmas hooked me from the beginning with the storyline and how relatable the characters were. The family dynamics were so written in ways that made them feel like any family in real life could have similar family dynamics and or sibling relationships which was part of the reason I absolutely loved this book. 💕 I also loved how it showed that even when someone isn’t looking a relationship can form and grow overtime like they did between Kerry & Patrick. 🤩 If I could read this book over again for the first time I absolutely would because it’s just so great! If you’ve never read any of Mary Kay Andrews books I highly recommend you check out some of her books! 💜🫶🏻
If you’re doing the state reading challenge, this book could fit the New York State option. Also, if you have a reading challenge that has a spot for a book that takes place in or around Christmas 🎄 time this book would also fix that box.
Do you enjoy Christmas 🎄 time?!
Is Bright Lights, Big Christmas on your TBR?! If not, you should put it on your TBR! 😉
Have you ever read any of Mary Kay Andrews books before?!
#BrightLightsBigChristmas #NursesWhoRead #MaryKayAndrews #TeachersWhoRead #ChristmasReads #NewBookReleases #NetGalley #Bookworms #ChristmasBooks #BookNerds

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, MKA never fails to disappoint. This book was like a warm fuzzy hug in under 300 pages. It was the perfect palette cleanser between thrillers and I could just not put it down. This is a wonderful holiday story, set in the magical NYC, the setting was so well described I felt like I could close my eyes to transport myself right there at the tree stand! I fell in love with all the characters, especially Mr. Heinz and Austin. This book had such amazing representation and had the sweetest feel-good story. The slow burn development of the love story was impeccable and added a perfect extra layer to the story. The way the tension between siblings was ironed out was so perfect. A few of the story lines felt a little rushed compared to what I am used to reading in some of MKA’s longer novels but that did not have a big impact on how much I enjoyed the book. I highly recommend this book as an escape from reality and the responsibilities of everyday life. A true Christmas gem!

Leave it to up to Mary Kay Andrews to give me happy tears, this book was just everything that represents Christmas…. We have Kerry, who is helping her brother this year selling their family Christmas trees in NYC. She has gone through a slum, she lost her job, living back with her mom, so coming to NYC is not what she really wanted to do. She meets the most amazing people, the cutest to little boy and his dad, and the neighborhood grump, who I later find out is someone no one expected to be. This book is giving the true definition of what Christmas is all about. And how family are the people you chose, and how Kerry’s life turns around!!! Ugh! Such a sweet comfy romance…. Can’t wait for Christmas.

When I compare this book to all the other Christmas books I've read over the years (and trust me, I've read a lot), I just didn't connect with this one very much. It didn't have the heartwarming aspect I was looking for. It had its touching moments, such as how this small community in NYC took care of each other, but I just wanted and needed more.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC.

This is a sweet Christmas story. Kerry Tolliver returns to her North Carolina home to recover and regroup after losing her art director's position and her boyfriend. Her hometown doesn't feel like home anymore but she is unhappy that she has to drive a fifty-year old camper to NYC to sell Christmas trees. Topping it off, she will be staying in the camper with her grumpy older brother. Her working and living conditions are cold, but the people in the neighborhood are warm and friendly, especially a six year old boy and his father. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This is a wonderful feel-good story. There is a romance, but its more about the connections that Kerry makes in that neighborhood.

This was the best book. I loved it so much! It's one of my first Christmas books this year, but I have no doubt that it will be one of my favorites, if not my very favorite.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is not your average Christmas romance/novel. The story revolves around Kerry, who has had to go to New York to help her brother sell Christmas trees from their farm back home. Conditions in their little trailer are far from ideal, but they have deals with locals for things like using their toilets, their showers and places to get food. The real upswing for Kerry is meeting the people. There are so many fantastic characters that she develops relationships with. There is man with his young son, an older man that is all alone, the owners of the shops and the people who stop to buy trees.

I also listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Kathleen McInerney. The narration was incredible. The very distinct and different voices for the characters really added to the experience. I really loved it!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

This light-hearted, heart-warming, Christmas romance was so sweet! Mary Kay Andrews knocked it out of the park with this story. It is like a warm hug! Perfect holiday read! I can't wait for her next book!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
If you take a curmudgeonly old man, a family-like neighborhood, a Christmas tree stand, and a canned ham shaped camper, what do you get? BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS!!! Mary Kay Andrews has long been known as a queen of the beach read, as in "Summer begins with MKA!" With this novel, along with a couple other holiday-themed pieces, including last year's hit, The Santa Suit, we can add another moniker to the crown of Mary Kay Andrews..."Holidays begin with MKA!" Like all MKA novels, this one does not disappoint. A must read this holiday season.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a feel good Christmas book. Brother and sister, Murphy and Kerry Tolliver are in New York to sell Christmas trees from their family tree farm. Their family has set up in the same neighborhood in NY for decades, although because of divorce, Murphy and Kerry haven't spent a lot of time together.

The neighborhood in NY will make you feel like you are in a small town. The characters all live in the area and have a history with the Tolliver Family Tree Farm. I believe this is the third Mary Kay Andrews book I've read and they are all quick, easy reads. This one reminded me of a Hallmark movie.

I received an ARC of Bright Lights, Big Christmas in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Kay Andrew’s yearly seasonal novel, BRIGHT LIGHTS BIG CHRISTMAS, releases later this month. For fans of MKA, this book is true to her unique style. The characters are endearing and the plot moves quickly. It’s a fun, feel good story, and who among us doesn’t need more of that these days?

I loved protagonist Kerry's character, a small-town girl dealing with New York City at Christmas. She’s smart but compassionate and caring of everyone around her. Kerry is put in a position where she must stand on her own and risk it all in order to pursue her own passion. There are the sights and sounds of New York, a lonely old man, and a delightful dog. And, of course, there’s a romance thrown in for good measure. This novel is the perfect story to start the holiday season.

This is a wonderful Christmas story!! It has a little bit of New York City snow, a little bit of romance and a whole lot of love and Christmas Spirit! I finished this book in two sittings and was sad to see it end!
Kerrie and her brother Murphy travel from North Carolina to NYC to sell Christmas trees for their family’s farm. They run into some obstacles but with the help of some new friends everything turns out in a wonderful way. I love Spammy!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a fan of MKA for many years because she does heartwarming family stories like nobody else and this book was no exception. This one is about family both blood and found, friendship and lots of holiday spirit. Perfect to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and settle in for the afternoon.
When Kerry lost her job she was forced to go back home to the small mountain town in NC where she grew up on a charter farm with her family where every year her brother and father would take the trees they grew to NYC to sell during the month of December. This year as luck would have it, her father is sick and he can’t make the trip, so she is forced to make the trip with her brother, who she is estranged from, so she is forced to drive their camper, which is adorably nicknamed Spammy, while he drives the truck full of trees to the city to set up their stand.
Once they get to their usual spot in the Village, Kerry gets to know a lot of the neighbors that have gotten to know her brother Murphy over the many years he’s been coming. One particular neighbor, Patrick, and his son, Austin, quickly win over Kerry’s heart. While there is downtime at the stand, Kerry practices her art by sketching the people and animals she sees on the street and one of the neighbors, an elderly man, stops and comments on how she can make her sketches better. She gets to know him over time until he suddenly stops coming by so she and the neighbors go on a hunt to find him to make sure he’s ok. Once they do, life changes for all of them, as he isn’t who they thought he was, and can change all of their lives forever.

Thanks to St. Martins Press for this gifted arc in exchange for my review.

I really enjoyed this story. It has a great holiday vibe. All of the characters are interesting and a lot of fun to get to know. Sounds like a cool neighborhood in which to live. I did find the extremely quick romance a bit of a stretch but I am sure it happens like that for some people. Overall a lot of fun to read and highly recommend for the holiday season.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this sweet clean holiday romance, that is sure to out you in the holiday mood.

The Tolver Family has been down on their luck this year and the brother and sister duo need to run the family tree stand in downtown New York in order to save the family's tree farm business. This story has found family, new beginnings, the magical Christmas in the city vibes, the coziest tree stand, and an esthetic old camper.

Releasing September 26th, 2023. Make sure to add this one to your holiday TBR. Perfect for a chill night snuggled up with a blanket and a steamy mug of hot chocolate.

Every Christmas the Tollivers, of North Carolina, set up their booth to sell Christmas trees in Grenwich Village. The trees are grown on their family tree farm. Kerry, her brother and his dog live in a tiny camper during the holiday season. Kerry becomes close to the friendly neighbors and even finds love there. She has some hard decisions to make about whether to go home or stay in New York. This book is about family, community, and Christmas magic. I highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a cute Christmas story and an easy read. If you like the Hallmark, quick love story you will probably find this book cute. But, it was a little abrupt how the characters had just met and the next time they see each other they're kissing. The connection just wasn't ever made between any of the characters and the story seemed to be lacking that connection. The story was quite repetitive; them standing outside in the cold, working the tree stand. This Christmas story just fell a little flat for me.

Four generations of Tollivers have grown Fraser fir trees on their western North Carolina tree farm and transported them to a stand in the West Village, NY to sell over the holiday season. When Kerry was young, the whole family drove up and stayed in a small trailer. Kerry has wonderful memories of this time. Now 34 and living with her mother, she is between jobs. Her father, Jock Tolliver had heart surgery and can't make the trip, so Kerry is convinced to go and help her older, curmudgeon and taciturn brother, Murphy. They head up but "Spammy" is not the same. There is no plumbing and the kitchen doesn't work, so they depend on neighbors and business owners to use their washrooms and get food. Things do not go smoothly and Kerry and Murphy have issues, but this is a Christmas story, so you know things will work out with a bit of Christmas Magic. When a discount tree seller sets up shop across the street, they have to do something, or the tree farm could be in danger. With social media, a handsome single father and great neighbors, this story made me smile and feel all Christmasy, even though it is only September.

The big city of New York is always one that makes me think of impersonal neighbours and non-stop action, but this book shows a neighborhood that is a community, not unlike the small town romances I have read. The characters were wonderful from Kerry, Patrick, his son and the older artist "homeless" man who disappears for several days. I love how they all rallied around to help and what they find out about him. I am not always a fan of social media and influencers, but in this book, I loved how it helped Tolliver Farms and their sales. If you want a Christmas book that is a romance, but much more, then I recommend you pick up Bright Lights, Big Christmas. With themes of family, dreams, small town vs Big City, community, supporting others, romance, grief, friendship and new beginnings, this was a great start to my Christmas reading. I highly recommend this one in whatever format you prefer.

This was a predictable but cute read! Kerry and her very grumpy brother end up from the mountains of North Carolina to a park in NYC selling Christmas trees from their farm. I loved the community built up around this square they're selling trees from and who wouldn't love a trailer nicknamed Spammy. Overall a cute story with a side of romance to it. It did give off very wintery/Christmas vibes, which I needed in the middle of this incredibly hot summer.

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors.

I love the way that in this holiday book MKA has brought the south to New York City for an uplifting book of family, friendship, and romance.

I think the characters and the setting and even the tiny camper makes this book perfect.

This story put me into the Christmas Spirt . Put me in a feel good mood, heartfelt and warm are emotions that come to mind when reading it. Curl up under a comfy blanket with some hot chocolate and put yourself into the holiday spirt by enjoying this book. I really enjoyed this one.