Mary Kay Andrews never disappoints. Another charming, sweet, heartwarming story. I especially enjoyed how the area in New York City showed that it really had a small-town atmosphere. Wonderful variety of characters. Nice mix of issues. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is a cute book filled with family drama and sweet holiday cheer centered around a Christmas tree farm. Kerry has to improvise to help her brother make money when another tree stand moves across the street. With the help of a good friend and an IG influencer, they pull it off! I love the relationship between Kerry and Heinz, the grumpy old man!

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

The story is cute enough, but I had trouble really getting into it which sucks for a short book. I also expected the missing elderly person plot line to happen much earlier in the story, not 2/3 of the way through. I liked the characters for the most part, but this was unfortunately one short story that was too short to develop any romance for me.

Recommend for a cute Christmas-time story, but not if you’re looking for a real romance.

I think I would categorize Mary Kay Andrew's books as "cozy romance" if there is such a category. They are sweet and heartwarming, with just a hint of romance between a couple characters. Her books are great for a breath of fresh air and enjoyable to read. I would recommend going into this book blind, without reading the summary because it gives too much of the plot away. Most of the things described in the summary don't happen until over halfway through this book.

Overall, it's a great holiday story that would be fun to read during the Christmas season. I definitely recommend it for something light and cute. Also, her book The Santa Suit (which links into this one slightly) is another great holiday read.

This is a lovely and warm Christmas story. Kerry and her brother go to New York City to sell Christmas trees after their dad gets sick. There they interact with members of the community. They form great and meaningful friendships that have lasted throughout the years. Romance also develops as both siblings find love. Kerry is able to change her life and the life of two of her new friends for Christmas. Readers will be delighted and pleased by this page turning story.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS was a fun, quick Christmas/winter novella set in New York City – but somehow, Mary Kay Andrews was able to make NYC feel like it’s own little small village with close-knit neighbors who care about one another. It focuses on Kerry Tolliver, and her brother Murphy, who set up a family Christmas tree stand in the city each year. BLBC was a return to a more traditional MKA romance book with very little mystery to it at all. BLBC unfolds just like a Hallmark Christmas movie. Although, while this is a personal preference, I would have liked to see just a little more Christmas interjected into the story <spoiler> (was I the only one holding out hope that Heinz would turn out to be Santa?) </spoiler>.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get into a Christmas story in September in North Carolina (where the weather is still in the 90s), but MKA does a great job of making the reader feel like they are in a winter wonderland in the heart of NYC. My biggest critique of the book is that I wanted more buildup within the romance between Kerry and Patrick. While I quickly grew to love Austin, Patrick’s son, the relationship with Kerry and Patrick felt forced and not as believable. I don't feel like Kerry and Patrick connected or even spent that much time alone together, and when they did, Patrick was always making moves that weren't reciprocated by Kerry. I did really love Austin and Heinz, the mystery man in the neighborhood, and how by the end of the book Kerry was able to create her own community in such a big city.

Overall, this was another cute and quick holiday read with heartwarming and festive themes of family, community, and taking a chance. Long-time fans of MKA, Christmas stories, and Hallmark movies are sure to enjoy BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS this holiday season. 3.5 stars rounded up because MKA is such a gem.

A special thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I just enjoyed reading this beautiful heartfelt story that takes place in New York City during the Christmas 🎄 holiday season. The Tolliver family commute from North Carolina to bring their trees 🌲 from their farm to the big apple state. This season Kerry will be helping her older brother Murphy with this, since their dad isn't well. You will meet a bunch of amazing characters throughout the pages. Spammy, their trusted transportation and home. The lovable dog Queenie. A dad named Patrick, and his awesome son Austin. A bunch of very helpful and caring neighbors that will assist Kerry & Murphy Tolliver in trying to reach their goal.

You will have suspense with a missing person, drama with the other tree selling family that moves across the street, and romance for a few characters too ❣️.

You will also get Mary Kay Andrews funny 🤣 one liners, ex, "Truck Full of Muggers". I liked learning about a new musical 🎶 instrument, the Dobro 🎸, what a beautiful guitar, would love to hear the sounds it makes one day.

I've also read "The Santa Suit", and I like the way the author adds a little info about a little boy named Nick in this. A lovely added surprise.

I live in NYC and I sold Christmas trees🎄 one year, wow that was fun, and so is this book, you will love it. Enjoy.❤️

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ebook arc copy in exchange for my honest opinion & review.

#Netgalley
#MaryKayAndrews
#BrightLightsBigChristmas
#St.Martin'sPress

💙✨ 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