A fun, holiday romance with some wonderful characters!

An easy, quick read - reminiscent of a Hallmark Movie - complete with a fun, sweet romance; lots of Christmas cheer and trees; and a cute little camper.

After her father has a heart attack and needs to recover, Kerry ends up helping her older brother, Murphy, take the family farm's Christmas trees from NC up to NYC and set up their corner lot for the holiday season. The siblings haven't spent much time together so you get to see their relationship grow as they fight to keep their family farm in business. There are so many side characters that are so interesting and make Kerry's time in the city really special. Full of Christmas cheer and romance, it's a great holiday read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Great holiday read! Loved the story and the descriptive language. As I read, the language painted a beautiful picture in my mind of Spammy and the tree stand. I am looking forward to hand-selling this title to those looking for a heartwarming holiday read.

This was a cute little Christmas time story about a small town brother and sister duo working together at their family’s Christmas Tree Stand in NYC. I enjoyed the character development, the interpersonal relationships, and that the love story between the MC and her love interest was more realistic than some books AND not the sole focus.

Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, NetGalley, and St Martins Press for this eARC!

Title: Bright Lights, Big Christmas
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself.

In the weeks leading into Christmas, Kerry quickly becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. When an elderly neighbor goes missing, Kerry will need to combine her country know-how with her newly acquired New York knowledge to protect the new friends she’s come to think of as family,

And complicating everything is Patrick, a single dad raising his adorable, dragon-loving son Austin on this quirky block. Kerry and Patrick’s chemistry is undeniable, but what chance does this holiday romance really have?

This was an okay read. I think its main goal was to make NYC seem quirky, charming, and safe. I’ve never been there, but I think that may be a bit inaccurate. Kerry’s brother, Murphy, really was a selfish jerk, and that was basically his entire personality: grouchy jerk. Kerry felt like she flitted from thing to thing, a surface-level person only. I liked the neighborhood and its inhabitants, but this novel didn’t have very much depth.

Mary Kay Andrews is from Florida. Bright Lights, Big Christmas is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Review live on release day.)

Recommended for fans of MKA who want a light, holiday read with an NYC Christmas setting.

Cute and wholesome!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is an amazing holiday read. This gives you all the holiday feelings you are going to love. I love the dynamics between Kerry and her brother Murph. Thrown together to work the family business while living in a camper they haven't been close in years. Murph is a little grumpy and set in his ways of how the business is run. Kerry has this way of bringing new life and magic to the Christmas tree lot that has been missing. I love how she sticks it out through everything. You are going to love the friendships Kerry forms in the neighborhood with Patrick and his son Austin plus even cranky Heinz. This is a sweet read with a whole lot of holiday spirit, blooming friendships and bringing family closer. I loved this so much. You need to read this today and feel the Christmas love.

Mary Kay Andrews has another bestseller in Bright Lights, Big Christmas. She develops each character beautifully revealing their imperfectness and complexities. She incorporates many of today’s issues into the storyline and weaves everything together perfectly. I could picture the snowy New York square as I read and lived the nod she gave to last year’s hit The Santa Suit. Read Bright Lights, Big Christmas - you will love it!

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.