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!

Mary Kay Andrews never disappoints. This was a great holiday read. From the grumpy brother to the “strange” old man this book was filled with holiday magic. I found myself rooting for Kerry and the family Christmas Trees. This book had the feature I look for in a great book….I was sad when the story was over because I missed the characters.

This could very well be an it's me things, especially seeing all the higher ratings, but this one didn't bring it. I felt like I was reading a book with pages, maybe even whole chapters missing.

Her brother is a total jerk and at times mean to Kerry and this is never properly addressed. There's a romance that has him asking her to give up her life and move in with him before they'd spent any significant amount of time together. They're selling Christmas trees and trying to save the family farm (a favorite holiday romance cliche) but it's all business business business with practically zero holiday charm or magic.

I don't know. I was really looking forward to this one and have heard such wonderful things about MKA's writing. I did see some long time fans express their disappointment in this one so I'm not giving up on her. This book though, not for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and to Mary Kay Andrews for providing this charming Christmas novel for my honest review. I love cozy Christmas stories and this one is no different. I love that this novel centers around saving the family Christmas Tree farm and takes place in New York City. After reading this heartwarming story, I am so ready for the Christmas season! I can’t wait for her next heartwarming book. Thank you again for allowing me to review this book. I highly recommend it!

Mary Kay Andrews brings us the holiday magic once again with Bright Lights, Big Christmas! Reading this book in the summer is bringing me so much joy.

This book was so sweet and I just wanted so much more! Coming in at a little under 300 pages, we are left wanting more of these characters, main and side, and more holiday spirit!

I will read any and every Christmas and holiday book that Mary Kay Andrews puts out into the world.

This novella is a magical, heartwarming, and feel good read. I absolutely loved the setting and every single character. It may be a short read, but it is full of moments that will make you long for the holiday season. It did feel like it ended really quickly. I wish there were 20 or so more pages just to round out the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

If you're looking for a short story that's full of heart, this is it!

I instantly fell in love with the characters and their journey to save the family tree farm. Kerry is packing up to head to a corner in New York City where her family has sold Christmas trees for decades. This year is extra important as they need to sell more trees than ever before to save the farm from having to shut down. Once she's in New York she meets Patrick and sparks fly.

I enjoyed that the romance was a large part of the plot but there were also side plots about selling trees, caring for an elderly neighbour and getting to know other people who live near the tree stand. Every page was full of Christmas scenes and even though I read the book in September it put me in a holiday mood. I could almost smell pine needles while I was reading this and think any romance lover would enjoy this during the holidays. The romance was sweet and it pulled me in while I stayed engaged with the other plot points in the book. I'd recommend this one and if you want more holiday romances check out The Santa Suit that's also by Andrews!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes, when life seems a little off, or the day's news is too much, it's nice to tune the TV to some Christmas movies. Same can be true of Christmas books - they aren't just for the month of December. I'm so happy to have requested this book and had it available now. It's filled with appealing characters, a magical urban setting, and love. Worth four stars just for the smile on my face at the end.