Merry Tolliver lost her dream job & moved back to North Carolina and her mom. Her parents divorced when she was a child but after her Dads recent heart attack her mom helped him recover and nurse dad back to health.
It’s Christmas season and the only way the family farm will survive is if Kerry goes to New York City with her older gruffer brother Oliver and his dog Queenie.
Kerry quickly becomes close with the neighborhood. She befriends an elderly neighbor man who comes up missing and she begins her search to find him. When they finally find him and discover his background Kerry and the neighbors find a new prospective on life.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: September 26, 2023

A cutesy and wholesome small town to big city Christmas read.

Overly stereotypical in its depiction of NYC and its residents which made me eyeroll more than a few times. The first kiss is out of nowhere and lacking consent which made me feel icky even with all that Christmas cheer around. Also, a yellow and blue striped Steelers ski cap? Yellow and blue?!!!! Goodness, where was the editor on this one?

This is very wholesome but in the end I didn’t find the instant-love trope believable in this case. The door is bolted closed in this one.

☕Snuggle in for a warm-hearted 🎄 Christmas jewel 💎

I had a wonderful time reading Bright Lights, Big Christmas. It was such an easy story, full of Christmas trappings as it focused on an NYC West Village neighborhood and brother and sister North Carolina Christmas tree farmers who liven the area with their tree stand. This is not an impersonal, strangers passing on the streets neighborhood. So much friendship, personal kindness and connection, with a building romance and sharing, caring characters.

I can't recall a single part of the story I did not adore. If you are ready for a sweet holiday story, you've found it!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Mary Kay Andrew's Bright Lights, Big Christmas is the perfect way to usher in this holiday season. It speaks to the value of community and how the friends we chose can be just as important as the family we are given.

In Bright Lights, Big Christmas, Kerry Tolliver is forced to step up to help her family out after her father falls ill. She must step out of her comfort zone in the mountains of North Carolina to head to Manhattan in a small camper, joining her brother in the family business of selling Christmas trees. While she is certainly not ready for the work and cramped conditions at first glance, after awhile Kerry learns to see the magic of the neighborhood and the kind people who live in the apartments nearby.

This novel is filled with holiday spirit and hope and is for anyone looking for a little Christmas cheer already. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this novel. Bright Lights, Big Christmas hits shelves on September 26th.

This was everything you’d expect from a holiday romance. Kerry, an out of work artist down on her luck, finds herself coerced into going to NYC to help her brother she barely knows sell Christmas trees. The living conditions are awful, she barely knows her gruff brother anymore, and she has no idea what to do with her life. Little by little, she starts to make connections, and find her creative spark again. This was such a sweet slow burn holiday romance with a great cast of characters. A feel good quick holiday read. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

I absolutely loved MKA’s last Christmas novel The Santa Suit when it came out in 2021, and when I found out she had a new Christmas novel coming out in 2023, I knew I had to read it! (Honestly… I have to read any and all of her books!) Like always, MKA delivered! She brings the Christmas spirit and Christmas joy to the reader no matter what month the book was read. I was honestly worried about starting this book in August that would it be too early for me to get in the Christmas spirit. But NO, it didn’t! I swear as I was reading, I could smell the pine trees of Christmas! All I needed was cold temperatures and some hot cocoa! (Which will be coming very soon!) We don’t usually get snow here in Georgia, but I found myself wanting that as well even though I was reading the book in 90+ degree heat!

MKA can truly write and just captures the magic of the Christmas season! Bright Lights, Big Christmas deals with the Tolliver family who live in North Carolina. Every year they bring their family owned and grown Christmas trees to NYC and sell them for enormous prices. They are well known in the area and this Christmas we have Kerry taking her father’s place to help her brother Murphy sell the trees. Kerry is going through some life changes and finds herself growing to love the people and the neighborhood. And we get a little Christmas romance with a single dad and his utterly adorable son Austin! MKA also gives us a little bit of a mystery as well!

This is such a sweet, fun, and fluffy read to get you in the Christmas spirit! It deals with family, friendships, romance, and holiday cheer! You can’t help but become attached to these characters. And we have Spammy the vintage camper that Kerry and Murphy are living in which ends up being its own unique character with its own history in of itself!

If you are a fan of MKA and/ or Christmas stories in general, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Bright Lights, Big Christmas when it comes out on September 26th!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas
Mary Kay Andrew
September 26, 2023

Once again during the prep for the holiday season, the Tolliver family are working hard to get the trees cut and on the trailer to head to New York City from their home in Western Colorado. Usually Jock and his son,Murphy make the trip, however this year Jock has suffered a heart attack. He is in the family home with his ex-wife, Birdie recovering. His young wife feels she can’t handle being his nurse. For a reason the kids can’t figure out, their mom has taken over the job. Murphy will drive his truck with all the equipment and lumber to set up the stand. Kerry is home after being let go from her job so being the only person available, she will be driving the old truck and trailer on the long ride to the big city.
Bright Lights, Big City will be published on September 26, 2023 by St. Martin’s Press of New York. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Mary Kay Andrews latest novel via NetGalley.
This unique holiday treat is a delightful read from beginning to end. Kerry’s tale of coming back to the city to help with the yearly task for the family. It was so fun to listen to the two siblings trying their best work together. This is a holiday book that readers will not want to pass. I laughed, was sad and enjoyed each new incident that plagued their adventure. Do enjoy!.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews is an absolute delight that captures the spirit of Christmas in the most heartwarming way possible. I've been a devoted fan of Andrews' incredible storytelling for a while now, and this book didn't disappoint one bit. It has become a tradition for me to cozy up with her books as soon as the weather starts to turn chilly, and this one was a magical addition to my collection.

What truly sets this book apart is how effortlessly it transports you into this world. I've been to both NC and NYC, and I could picture it all in my head perfectly. To be honest, it made me miss the East Coast a bit (cries for living in the Midwest).

But let's talk about the romance! The chemistry in this book is absolutely magical. It adds an extra layer of warmth and sweetness to the story that will make you believe in the power of love during the holiday season.

Beyond the humor and charm, this book also reminds us of the profound importance of family bonds, both old and new. Mary Kay Andrews' storytelling truly feels like a warm hug on a cold winter's day. This charming and feel-good read is highly recommended to anyone in need of a hefty dose of holiday cheer. "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is the ultimate companion as you curl up with a cup of steaming hot cocoa and embrace the cooler weather.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of the eARC.

3.5 🌟

Fans of Mary Kay Andrews will love this sweet, holiday romance.

When the Tolliver Family Christmas tree business is at risk, Kerry finds herself tagging along with her brother to New York to sell Christmas trees (and live in a camper 😳).

The characters in this book are likable (... okay, most if the characters). The setting of Christmas in New York is perfect. And the side characters made me enjoy this book even more (I'm looking at you, Heinz).
If you are looking for a closed door, quick holiday romance, Mary Kay Andrews delivers with Bright Lights, Big Christmas.

Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas

3.5 ⭐️

Such cozy Christmas vibes just when it’s starting to get cooler here!

Kerry is headed from her North Carolina home to NYC to sell Christmas trees for the season. As she works there, she meets the most charming people in the neighborhood where their Christmas tree stand is located.

I liked watching Kerry find her way back into her art. Parts of this seemed to go a little too quickly for it to be believable but a fast read!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas didn't do it for me but I believe this was very much one of those "it just wasn't for me" situations because I believe a lot of others will love it. I'm not a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies either and this book had those kind of vibes. So I definitely recommend to anyone who's a fan of that kind of wholesome holiday story.

Kerry has found herself unemployed and living back home with her parents. Her family runs a Christmas tree farm and every year they travel to NYC to sell them. This year, her dad is unable to travel due to health reasons so she goes to help her brother sell the trees. What follows is a sweet nostalgic story of found family, friendships, and community. I did really enjoy the description of the beautiful neighborhood setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my honest review.

Every time I pick up a Mary Kay Andrews book, I'm always struck by how quickly she engages her readers. Each character is so well-developed and relatable, it's hard to not feel connected to them immediately.
Bright Lights, Big Christmas is an absolute delight. The surprising story of two grown siblings traveling to NYC to sell Christmas trees while living out of a cramped, run down RV could be a nightmare, but this is an absolute dream. I rooted hard for Kerry, Murphy, Patrick and the rest of the crew throughout the novel. It was the perfect Christmas escape!

Fun, feel good holiday story. This book has everything you want in a holiday book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is such a heartwarming holiday read involving found family. 

The Tolliver family grow Christmas trees in North Carolina. Every year they come to the West Village of New York City to run their Christmas tree stand. 

This year Kerry came to help her brother Murphy run the stand since their dad had a heart attack. She comes to realize how close knit and welcoming the neighborhood is.
She becomes very close with Patrick and his son Austin and many others on the street.

You really see Kerry find her place and belonging. It is such a wonderful story! This will start to get you in the holiday feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. What a sweet holiday romance with a HEA! Every character from Murphy to Heinz was amazing! I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin Press for an ARC of Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews.

The Tollivers have been growing Christmas trees in the mountains of Western North Carolina for four generations. Due to Jock Tolliver being sick this year, his daughter had to take his place at the Tolliver Christmas tree stand along with her brother, Murphy, in New York. There was a late freeze in May that wiped out a quarter of the farm's trees. The Tollivers knew that the locals would not pay premium prices to make up for their loss. The New York trip normally accounts for 75% of the farm's revenue. So, this was a very important trip that the farm could not miss out on.

Kerry and Murphy stayed in their family's vintage 15 foot travel trailer that they had nicknamed Spammy. They parked on the street in New York right in front of their tree stand. The toilet didn't work and it didn't have a shower. So, they had to depend on the local businesses and neighbors to use the bathroom, take showers and do the laundry.

Even though Kerry didn't want to make the trip, when she got there she began to make friends with the locals. The strange old man Heinz who walks by everyday. The divorced father and son who lives in the building that looks down on the tree stand.

This book brings all of these characters together like a family. They truly needed each other and didn't even know it

If you are looking to read a warm feeling holiday book this season, you will absolutely love this book.

“Bright Lights, Big Christmas” by Mary Kay Andrews
Family, Friends, Love, Family, & Christmas
This was a sweet clean story of making new friends and forging new paths into the future. For me, I think Austin, the six-year-old is the ‘STAR’ in this story. Although, we all know Kerry has star billing in the book’s description. In any case, this book is loaded with a great cast of characters. And, I am sure you will enjoy meeting, each and every one of them. (I know I dd.) I wonder who your star character will be. Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.

Mary Kay has done it again. Her holiday books are on my Christmas Reading List every year and this one will be no exception. Set on a Christmas Tree Lot in New York city, this one brings all the magic of the city and the holiday together.

For the first time since she was a child, Kerry must join her brother in New York to man the lot where they sell the trees from the family farm in North Carolina. Andrews makes you feel like you are there with the siblings in their corner lot, smelling of pine and city streets. There is everything you need for Christmas, crafts, friendship, community and twinkle lights.

I am so glad I was able to get an ARC from NetGalley so I could read it before i even came out. I will be reading it again as we get closer to the holiday season. Check out all the books on my holiday reading list here.

This book gave me all the feels! It’s more than a festive Christmas book! It’s a story about family, obligation, generosity, reconciliation, new opportunities & compassion.

Living in NC, I frequently drive by the Christmas tree farms that line the mountain highway. I imagine there are family businesses making plans right now to set up shop in NYC just like the Tolliver family in Bright Lights, Big Christmas.

This was such a cozy read that drives the Christmas spirit and brings people together. I loved the genuine connections Kerry makes with her northern neighbors through her caring disposition. Even though she’s been down on her luck, she manages to remain positive to save her family’s business.

If you're in a festive mood and are looking for a sweet Christmas story, Bright Lights, Big Christmas is one that will give you all the warm and fuzzies.

I actually started reading this mere days after my father passed away, not sure if I could read something about Christmas so soon after his passing. I fully expected to say, not right now and read it in a few more weeks, but I found myself drawn into the story and in a way, comforted by it. We might be in the middle of a heat wave, but Bright Lights, Big Christmas put me in the festive spirit and ready for all the cozy winter vibes.

Thank you, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC!