Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a warm, cozy, heartwarming story about family and friendship. We get a front-row seat as a family gets closer and friendships bloom during one Christmas season in New York City. The characters were so likable and I was invested in a happy ending!

I'm not normally a person who enjoys a Christmas book in the warm summer months, but this one left me with all the warm fuzzy feels!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy.

MKA is such a favorite of mine, how could I not enjoy this brand new Christmas story. Kerry and Patrick are just to die for with his adorable son Austin in tow, you can’t help but get in the Christmas mood. I also wouldn’t mind a book two fully dedicated to Murphy!!!

4.5 ⭐️’s This hallmark “esque” story has everything needed to put you in the Christmas spirit. Completely charming, this was a dual read/listen. Kathleen McInerney has the perfect voice to bring Mary Kay Andrew’s books to life and this one was so real you could almost smell the Christmas trees and taste the hot chocolate🙂 A perfect, feel good story from an author that knows what Christmas is all about❣️Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for and ARC and ALC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I just loved Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews! Kerry, an aspiring artist, has recently moved back home having lost her job in Charlotte. After her father's health scare, she joins her brother in New York to help run their Christmas Tree stand. Over the month she is in New York, she meets several special people who help her understand the value of friendship. Heinz also helps her see her potential and encourages her to take a leap of faith. After all, you only have one life to live and life is too short for regrets. This was a really lighthearted, witty read. I especially loved the dynamics between Kerry and her brother. Though, he's a man of few words, he only wants what is best for his sister. I would recommend this novel to those who love sappy, holiday Hallmark movies!

Well this was an easy one to fall in love with. I adore this author so much. Christmas reads are great any time of the year and this author is one of my go-tos when I need a pick-me-up story.

I loved every character in this book and of course teared up a few times like the sap that I am. Absolutely LOVE the Santa Suit mention (if you don't know .. go grab that book!!) Perfect read for the holiday season so if you're a planner .. mark your calendar and snag this one when it releases on September 26, 2023.

I sincerely appreciate St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a story about Kerry Tolliver and her brother Murphy. They aren’t close because their parents divorced when they were young, and Kerry lived with their mom, while Murphy lived with their dad and they didn’t interact much. Their dad is on wife number three, and has just had a heart attack. That wife decides she doesn’t want to be a nursemaid, so she leaves him, and Kerry’s mom takes responsibility for making sure he takes his meds and eats right. Thus, Kerry and Murphy are tasked with driving their load of Christmas trees to NY City to sell, because their dad can’t make it this year, and it’s definitely a two-person gig. This month of high dollar sales in NYC is how they stay in business. Murphy drives the trees in on a trailer, and Kerry drives the 50-year-old camper (Spammy) several hundred miles to the city, all while hoping it holds together for the whole trip!

This is a story about a found family. Most of the characters in this story have some other family, but the found family that happens over the course of this story is beautiful and unexpected! There is so much heart, care, and kindness in this tale. There is a little boy named Austin McCaleb, and his dad, Patrick. There is a dog named Queenie and an old man named Heinz, who may or may not be homeless. They come together over Christmas trees and art and a story they are working on collectively. The process opens their eyes and hearts to selfless love, acceptance, and hopeful new possibilities. This is a beautiful and heartwarming story that has that little ‘something extra’ (like a sercy or lagniappe—but you’ll have to read the book for those!) that could make it an enduring classic to be loved and enjoyed for years to come.

"Bright Lights, Big Christmas" by Mary Kay Andrews is the perfect story to read by the fireside as snow falls outside your windows. It's a book of second chances, true love, and family.

I truly recommend this book. Save it for after your tree is up and lights are glowing... 4 Solid Stars

Kerry Tolliver and her brother leave their Christmas tree farm in North Carolina for their annual trip to Nee York City to sell their trees. This is the first time for Kerry and she loves the city at first sight. Kerry makes friends and forms a romantic relationship. As they are close to selling all their trees, Kerry is reluctant to leave and wonders if she can find a way to stay in New York City for a new life. Great easy read!


Thanks to Mary Kay Andrews and St. Martin’s Press for the book

I loved this heartwarming holiday story about siblings Kerry and Murphy. Murphy and his dad normally bring their Christmas trees from the family tree farm in North Carolina to sell in NYC every holiday season, and have built up a community of friends that they depend on every year to help them while they are there. This year however sister Kerry has to substitute for dad when his health keeps him from coming, and her recent job loss allows her to be guilted into helping the family business even though she hasn't spent time with her brother in many years.

Even though this novel takes place in NYC vs. the authors usual small town scene, she makes this corner of the city feel like a close neighborhood, and although this still is a trademark MKA romance, it also has a wonderful found family element which was the most important part of the story for me. I highly recommend you adding this novel when you are ready for that holiday story to give you some joy and happy tears.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
This is a heartfelt Christmastime story. The Tolliver's leave their Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to travel to New York City to sell the trees. They have been doing this for many years - but this year Kerry has to make the trip with her brother because their father is ill. Kerry quickly becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. This includes Patrick, a single dad raising his adorable son Austin - also an elderly man who encourages her drawing. There is angst, laughter, tears, a couple of bad guys, someone gone missing, a strong attraction, a little steam and a very Merry HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Funny Wonderful characters Happily Ever After Romantic Entertaining Tear-jerker Action-packed Page-turner Unpredictable Easy-to-read Great world building Informative.

Another great cozy Christmas book from Mary Kay! If you’re a hallmark fan, this is a great holiday read to dive into for feel good reads. I loved this one!

Kerry Tolliver lost her job, and is going to leave the family Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to go to New York with her brother to sell the Christmas trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. This will be Kerry's first time seeing Manhattan and discovering the neighborhood, the people, and working with her brother selling the trees, making wreaths to sell, and neighbors helping neighbors.
As Kerry meets the people in the neighborhood, she discovers she is bonding with them, becoming part of the neighborhood, learns things about herself, but will she find the courage, to take the steps to move on to a life that will be so different from what it was.
Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a story, that has the magic of Christmas, the discoveries of seeing yourself through someone else's eyes, and a little boy who loved an old man that most people didn't know or understand him. When he hadn't been seen for a while, the little boy, wanted to find him. They knew they had to find him because they didn't want that little boy's heart to be broken.
I received an ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.

I was so super excited to get this as a arc. I really enjoyed the book, however the only issue I have is reading it before the holiday season. I think if I was in the season I would love it even more! I am going to read it again after thanksgiving and reevaluate my review. However I did not dislike it by any means!

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my all-time favorite authors. This was a fun read, about a brother and sister from North Carolina selling Christmas trees in Greenwich Village. Little did I know that's a New York tradition, for tree sellers to literally set up camp on a city street for weeks, to sell to city dwellers (I googled!) There's a great supporting cast of quirky New York City types. My only issue was that I felt the connection between Kerry and Patrick was a little too instant to be believed.

I enjoyed the little "cameo" about the characters from the Santa Suit, my all-time favorite MKA!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

Mary Kay Andrews has written another fabulous story. I devoured this book in just a few hours. Reading a Christmas themed book on one of the hottest days of the year is an awesome idea. I needed a read that is warm, funny, romantic, and joyous. The plot and character development are on point. I highly recommend this book. You will come to love Kerry, Patrick, Austin, Murphy, Queenie and all the friends that become family in this book just as I did! Thank you to NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion of this book.

Another fabulously fun read by Mary Kay Andrews. Follow Kerry, her grumpy brother Murphy, and his adorable dog Queenie from their family Christmas tree farm in small town North Carolina to NYC. I always love Mary Kay Andrews's books, as the main characters are usually well developed and pretty relatable, and the side characters are interesting and add to the storyline, rather than distracting from it. Bright Lights, Big Christmas is another winner. The only downside is I was wishing it were cold and snowy, rather than 90⁰ while I was reading it.

WOW! “Bright Lights, Big Christmas” by Mary Kay Andrews is an early Christmas present wrapped as a well-written book and breathtaking story that provides nostalgia, the magic of Christmas, heartfelt and emotional feelings, and the importance of family, friends, neighborhood, and pets. Kudos to Mary Kay Andrews for providing such an inspirational and delightful Holiday book for all seasons. I highly recommend this memorable book!

Mary Kay Andrews vividly describes the setting, plot, scenery, and colorful and dramatic characters. There is a small-town feel in the East Village in New York, where Kerry Tolliver, her brother Murphy, and dog Queenie bring their North Carolina Christmas trees to sell. Although Kerry Tolliver is now out of a job, she isn’t thrilled sharing the trailer, named “Spammy,” with her brother. Kerry’s divorced mother is taking care of her ex-husband, recovering from a heart attack and surgery, and needs Kerry’s help. With their father’s being sick, the two siblings decide to make the best of it. There is no working bathroom in Spammy, so the siblings depend on some of the neighbors to let them use their shower. Some store owners also look out for them and provide food and coffee.

When they first arrive in the city, a person is driving a Mercedes parked in their designated spot, and another Christmas tree business is set up in their area, looking to take over. On the positive side, Kerry becomes friends with some quirky and exciting neighbors. Patrick owns the Mercedes and has a precocious and imaginative six-year-old son who is adorable. Patrick and Kerry seem to have a sparkling connection. Kerry is artistic and is making wreaths and drawing. Kerry and Patrick’s son, Austin, draw and write a story about Spammy’s activity, the Christmas trees, and the people who visit. An older, mysterious man stops, appraises, and advises Kerry on her drawing.

I love how Mary Kay Andrews celebrates and discusses the importance of family, friends, neighbors, second chances, finding oneself, love, and hope. This is one book that you will treasure and enjoy!

Such a sweet read as we close out the summer season! Kerry moves to the sweet neighborhood of Abington Square to sell Christmas trees with her brother. I absolutely love the story of these pop up tree sellers and how they are such a beloved tradition in the community- who take them in to shower, do laundry, etc. This heartwarming story is about chosen family, and how a neighborhood can be as cozy as a small country town.

After a family emergency Kerry had to jump in to help her brother at their families Christmas tree stand in New York. Where she makes new friends and new enemies and new frenemies. This book is a perfect New York christmas setting to give you all the feels.

I have read every book by Mary Kay Andrew's and she really has out done herself!! I loved the book . The characters are so loveable especially Heinz !!