Mary Kay Andrews delivers the magic and glitter of Christmas with this beautiful new Christmas book! I really adore her books - they always make me feel good.

Description:
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?

My Thoughts:
You really can't go wrong with a Mary Kay Andrews book. She consistently delivers heart-warming plots and lovable characters. This book is really about family and friends which is what Christmas is all about. There is also some romance as well. The book follows Kerry Tolliver whose family has a Chrismas tree farm in North Carolina. It is mostly set in New York though, where she and her brother go to sell the Christmas trees - Kerry is filling in for her father, who has been ill. The adventure in New York is remarkable. Kerry and her brother Murphy meeting Patrick, a divorced Dad and his son Austin. I adored Austin, he is such a great character. I also loved how Kerry got involved in the community and the results of her involvement.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 26, 2023.

If you are looking for a quick, easy read, that is heavy on the holiday spirit, then this book is for you. I enjoyed the Christmas setting, the light romance, and the heartwarming story.

The Tolliver family has a Christmas tree farm and every year they set up a stand in New York City to sell their trees. What better location for the holiday spirit! Only this year their father is unable to go, so the tree stand and selling of trees is left to Kerry and her brother Murphy. It's been years since Kerry had helped to sell trees so she is seeing NYC with new eyes, especially since she's had some recent bad luck of losing her job. In NYC, Kerry's quickly met by several characters who live in the neighborhood, including Patrick and his son Austin, and a quirky old man Heinz. She develops some fast friendships and builds her relationship with her brother all while getting into the Christmas spirit.

While the plot wasn't new or fresh, it still found me quickly turning the pages and provided me with all the holiday feels. Definitely a story on the lighter side that will put a smile on your face.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review.

Very pleased I was able to get the early release of this book
I have the hardcover on order which will arrive next month
I absolutely loved this book
May Kay Andrew’s is a new author for me to read. I have only read The Homewreckers
But I love her style of writing
This book kept my attention. It was a wonderful story about family, finding love,
Caring about other people and a chance of hope with new friends.

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary Kindle e-book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Mary Kay Edwards, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the fourth or fifth book that I have read by Mary Kay Andrews, but most importantly the second Christmas book by her! She definitely knows how to write a great Christmas story. My only complaint was that I was reading this cozy novel while in the middle of a huge heatwave in Los Angeles. I would much rather read this on a rainy day with a roaring fire and a cup of tea. But, the book was GREAT and the weather not so much!!

I wish that I discovered Mary Kay Edwards sooner. She writes lovely books that are a joy and so much fun to read!! She writes great summer reads that are perfect by the beach or pool or in this case perfect for a cold Christmas-y day!! But don't wait until Christmas to read this book!!

Definite RECOMMEND

Thank you, NetGalley for this advanced copy of Bright Lights Big Christmas. A beautiful Christmas story about a brother and sister going to the NY City to sell the family Christmas trees and age d tradition. Watching them learning to work together and find their way through their relationship is a challenge for siblings who did not grow up together. Kerry learns about another side of her brother, Murphy. Add a small boy and his dad as a new love interest and the new friendship with an elderly gentleman who is trying to forget the past. Mary Kay Andrews hit it out of the park!

Thank you so much to St Martin's Press for the chance to read and review this book prior to release.

THE SANTA SUIT by Mary Kay Andrews is a Christmas story favorite and one I read in just a couple sittings, so I was so excited to get my hands on her new Christmas book! In true Mary Kay Andrews, this was a light and breezy read that could be enjoyed in a day or so.

This one wasn't very plot heavy so I was a little bored in the beginning and found the characters to be a little...less than interesting. I think for what it is, it was fun, but usually prefer a little more plot even in my holiday reads! There were still lots of heartwarming moments and I definitely had the "Hallmark* feeling a couple times though!

Fans of hers will still love this and I'm sure it will be a big hit this holiday season!

This book will be available for purchase on September 26th.

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.