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.

Mary Kay Andrews’ books are always on the must read list for me. This is a wonderful new Christmas story that absolutely warmed my heart. Christmas in New York City, a cute kid, a lovable dog, a cranky big brother, a mysterious old man, and a handsome neighbor. What more could we want? Read it!,

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for my eARC and to MacMillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mary Kay Andrews has done it again. Bright Lights Big Christmas is an absolute joy of a Christmas story. It focuses on friends and the joys of found family.

While they may only see each other for a few weeks each December, this interconnected group of neighbors must come together to save one of their own.

I enjoyed the shout out to The Santa Suit.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. Kathleen McInerney has a wonderful voice. She did an amazing job with all the characters.

3.5 stars rounded up
Kerry Tolliver lives in the North Carolina mountains. Her family owns a Christmas tree farm; and every year they load their trees up to be sold in NYC. This year, Kerry’s dad is ill, so she is taking his spot and will be helping her brother, Murphy, sell the trees. She hasn’t been to NYC since she was a child, so it seems very exciting. However, first there is the long drive, then there is sleeping in a 50 year old trailer with no heat or plumbing. They have to use an extension cord to a nearby business just to get power. Since Murphy goes to NYC every year, he is well-known in the neighborhood; and everyone seems to love him. This is great, since they have to rely on the kindness of business owners and neighbors for bathroom breaks, showers, and laundry. The neighbors quickly grow to like Kerry too, including a divorced dad, Patrick, and his son, Austin. I didn’t think the romance was that great, but I really liked all the characters. Overall, a very cute, holiday story.

Thank you to St Martins Press & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews is a sweet holiday read with a touch of romance, a bit of sibling rivalry, and a whole lot of heart. More about community and connections than anything else, this feel-good read has a bit of everything: dogs, art, cantankerous old men, spunky Italian restaurant family, country folk, and ritzy New York City life. Not too cheesy, with just the right amount of happy endings and cute little kids. A winner for the holiday 2023 reading season.

Thank you to St Martins Press & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Only Mary Kay could weave such a beautiful story about Christmas, the South, and NYC. I didn’t want this book to end!

Kerry is packing up all the Christmas trees from her family farm in NC, and heading to NYC for the month with her brother Murphy. They set up shop and begin selling trees on a corner lot in Greenwich Village. And before long become friends with many faces in the neighborhood. Kerry and her brother forge a relationship after years of being apart. They both find love and friendship with the locals. But what will happen when all the trees are sold and it’s time for them to head back down South?

I think what I loved most about this story was how it so beautifully weaved everyone in the neighborhood together. It was a story full of love, friendship, forgiveness, and healing. I enjoyed the short chapters, that made this a quick read. And the perfect happily ever after was just chefs kiss!

Definitely add this to your TBR of Christmas reads this year, it won’t disappoint you!

Sometimes you need a dose of MKA to soothe your soul. I'm a fan of her beach reads combined with a mystery but there is something about her Christmas books that just hit the spot. Bright Lights, Big Christmas has a hallmark vibe without being over the top cheesy. It gave me the warm fuzzies and a dose of Christmas cheer early. I admit it made me long for a good snowy day again but I don't see that happening in Texas anytime soon. One of the things that separates a good book from a great one in my opinion is the side characters. I loved a well fleshed out, quirky side kick and there's quite a few in BCBC. Thank you MKA for a quality dose of Christmas cheer. Oh and I loved the Santa Suit bit.

Kerry Tolliver is a graphic designer that was recently let go after the company she worked for merged with another. With her dad recently having a heart attack, Kerry's mother ropes her into traveling from North Carolina to New York with her brother Murphy to work on the Tolliver Tree Lot. She has to drive up to New York hauling the family's old camper Spammy.

While working on the tree lot, Kerry gets to know Murphy again. He lived with their father after the divorce and she lived with their mother. Kerry also gets to know the regulars of the tree lot and the locals who help with food, place to shower and use the bathroom, and do laundry. She also gets to know Patrick and his son Austin. Kerry and Austin with the help of another local named Hienz start to work on a story. Hienz and Kerry draw the illustrations as Austin changes what happens next.

When Hienz becomes sick, Kerry forces him to allow her to help him. She realizes he is a famous artist that suddenly stopped make art in the 1990s. They end up help each other in the end and Kerry agrees to stay in New York to be his assistant and create her own art. It also makes Patrick and Austin happy that she is stays.

I yet again loved a Mary Kay Andrews book. This is my eleventh book by her.

A (very) sweet holiday story. Cute clean romance and lots of holiday vibes. If you like the author and are looking for a holiday read thisbm year, you will enjoy!

Kerry finds herself back at home on her family’s Christmas tree farm in North Carolina, in need of a fresh start. When her father’s health prevents him from participating in the annual tree-selling trip to New York City, she is guilted into accompanying her brother in her father’s stead, something she doesn’t want to do but knows she can’t avoid. As she spends time in the East Village, though, and gets to know some of the residents who are regular customers, she finds the circumstances more stimulating than she initially expected.

I love Mary Kay Andrews’ books and will never pass up the opportunity to read one, especially her Christmas books. Every one of them has been a feel-good story with relatable and believable characters and an uplifting but not preachy message. They are all predictable too, in that feel-good way, but that’s ok, because it’s Mary Kay Andrews, and that’s what I’ve come to expect from her books.

The relationship between Kerry and her brother, Murphy, is strained at first, probably because despite being siblings, they haven’t spent much time together as adults. Murphy is also a man very set in his ways who doesn’t like to try new things, something Kerry wants to do to help the tree stand become more profitable. They eventually learn to cooperate, usually with the help of some of their regular customers.

Of course there’s a love interest for Kerry, the newly-single Patrick with a six-year-old who sometimes seems wiser than his years. There’s also a less intense love interest for Murphy, although he’s not ready to admit it just yet. But the most compelling character for me was Mr. Heinz, the apparent homeless man with an eye for art and a kind, gentle manner. His story was fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time, which made me root for him almost from his first appearance in the story. By the end of the book, everything was wrapped up in a neat and tidy bow, but isn’t that the way holiday stories are supposed to end?

I look forward to reading MKA’s next book, wherever it takes me. I know I will greatly enjoy it!

I'd like to thank NetGalley for the gifted copy of "Kerry's Christmas Tree Farm" by Mary Kay Andrews. This book is quintessentially Mary Kay Andrews—filled with her trademark clean, lovable, and sometimes snarky characters.

The story is centered around Kerry Tolliver and her family's Christmas tree farm in North Carolina. When they venture to New York to sell trees, Kerry's life takes an unexpected turn. Meeting Patrick and his adorable son Austin adds a delightful romantic element to the plot.

While not as exceptional as the series' first installment, "Kerry's Christmas Tree Farm" still offers a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and love. It's perfect for a cozy holiday read, and Mary Kay Andrews' storytelling prowess shines through once again.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas brought back all my memories of going to the local Christmas tree stand to pick out our annual tree. Filled with found family and neighborhood warmth, this novella was like a cup of cocoa in book form!

The cast of characters was remarkably well-fleshed-out for a relatively short book, and I enjoyed the way they all looked out for each other. The romance of Patrick and Kerry felt a bit rushed, they never did seem to go on an actual date after all, but in a book that is less than 300 pages, that is to be expected.

I will be rereading this one in December, as it is the perfect book to get in a holiday mood. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC of Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mark Kay Andrews. The opinions in this review are my own.

What a great Christmas story. This book encaptures all of the emotions that we have come to expect around the holiday season. The characters were all special and each brought a unique aspect to the story. Mary Kay Andrews has written a wonderful holiday story that encompasses everything that the holidays should be about love, caring, traditions, and community. A great book to read on a snowy night in front of a warm fire with a cup of hot chocolate!

the QUEEN has done it again!!🤩 she does not disappoint- another fantastic and feel good read by Andrews.

New York City, the month before Christmas. a small town Christmas Tree farm comes from North Carolina to sell their trees, but what else may be in store for the Tolliver siblings?

I adored this book and the way that Andrews pulls you in from page 1 and makes you feel like you’re living right along side of the characters. Diverse characters, and so much character growth throughout the book. Absolutely amazing and a book you won’t be able to put down! You’ll want to re-read it as soon as you’ve finished it!