Bright Lights, Big Christmas is putting me in the holiday mood in August, and I can see it being a perfect read or listen this holiday season!

Kerry Tolliver's family sells Christmas trees from their farm every year in New York City. This year, her father is unable to go on the trip due to a heart attack, so she goes to help her brother Murphy. They park a camper along the street and sell their trees in a charming neighborhood full of interesting characters.

The story is charming, lighthearted, and shows the good in people around the holidays as neighbors help one another out. I loved the descriptions of the wreaths Kerry made, the bitter chill in the air, and the holiday hijinks. It felt like I was right there with Kerry!

The romance is sweet, I adored the little boy, and really the entire secondary cast is fantastic. I loved how they all chipped in to help the Tolliver siblings during the tree season, whether by letting them use their shower or making them a hot meal. The generosity of people during the holidays is always a great thing to see. This definitely gave me all the Hallmark movie vibes and I'm here for it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a charming Christmas book with the potential to be a Hallmark Christmas movie. The story was heartwarming and a great way to start the holiday season. I loved that a small Christmas tree shop from the south would bring people together for the holidays. The amount of compassion and love they had for their neighborhood was heartwarming. The slow-burn romance between Kerry and Patrick was a great addition to the story, and their chemistry felt very natural. Patrick’s son Austin was hands down my favorite character. I did not care for Kerry’s brother. He was a massive ass throughout the book, and I do not think he ever redeemed himself. This book will make you believe in Christmas cheer and uplift your spirits.

I had access to both the kindle and audiobook versions but I loved listening to the audiobook more. Kathleen McIneray did an amazing job at narrating and incorporating all of the different characters.

Thank you to NetGallery and to both St. Martin Press and Macmillan for giving me a copy of the book.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas
by Mary Kay Andrews

MKA does it again with a feel-good, Hallmark, Christmas story! The Tolliver Family Christmas Tree stand has set up shop in West Village, NYC for decades but this year, the patriarch Jock is unable to make the trip due to a heart attack. Kerry is guilted into making the trip from North Carolina with her estranged brother, Murphy, to try to salvage the season and keep their father's business afloat. Kerry is floundering in her career having recently moved home and unlocks her artistic skills as she tries to build the tree stand's offerings. Murphy is hard-headed and stubborn and hates to admit Kerry has some good ideas when it comes to the business he has tried to take over.

With a cast of lovable characters, Kerry (and the reader) fall in love with this little community in the West Village. Kerry briefly mentions the story of The Santa Suit by MKA released last year and it was a heartwarming memory of that sweet book as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A fun Christmas read with Mary Kay Andrews typical wit! Kerry must help her estranged brother with the tree farm this season. As they prepare the tree lot in NYC, trouble ensues with tree farm rivals. There is a love interest and a questionable camper and a hint of mtstrry.

This tale gives you a happy lift reminding us of finding joy and Christmas spirit .

Due out September 2023! Add to your list!

I really wanted to love this one and start my holiday reading off early with a bang, but this one was very meh. I think the thing I struggled with the most was that I felt ZERO chemistry between Kerry and Patrick, and it was very hard to buy into their whole insta-love dynamic. I loved the setting of a tree farm in New York City. I enjoyed the characters of Austin and Heinz...though it took too long to get a feel for them. I enjoyed how Kerry and Murphy's relationship developed throughout the book (but I really got tired about the details of who was sleeping when and who was covering tree sales when). Overall, I was just hoping for a bit more.

This is a sweet rom-com that would be perfect as a Hallmark Christmas movie. It is a bit of a whirlwind romance, but the cozy feel overall will have you wanting to curl up with a drink beside the fireplace to finish this book. Themes of family and friendship are tied in. I did expect a bit more character development, but if you're looking for a quick, holiday read, this may just fit the bill.

If you told me Bright Lights, Big Christmas was being made into a movie for Lifetime, I would tell you I wasn’t surprised at all. The best and only word I keep coming back to in describing this word is sweet. I think as a Holiday read, that’s a great thing, but as a romance it leaves something to be desired.

A story of bickering siblings living in tight quarters while they sell Xmas trees to save their farm is a great backdrop for the Holidays. I’m afraid this book spends a lot of time stressing that part of the story, along with all the sweet supporting characters that Kerry and Murphy (her brother) meet along the way. If this book was just about them selling said trees and interacting with sweet people they meet along the way, I would say it’s a well told tale.

The challenge is, it’s not. There’s supposed to be romance in this novel that felt like an afterthought and lacked chemistry, both with Kerry/Patrick and Murphy/Claudia. Then there’s the story of the neighbor in need, which is barely a thing until the very end…again something that seemed thrown into this book almost as an afterthought. I wish more were put into these character’s stories vs. the Holiday themes.

And as a minor issue…the NYC setting that was described: the interactions, the cold and snow in December, the flippancy regarding money…it was a little hard to swallow as someone who knows NYC in Xmas all too well.

The thing is, this is my first MKA book and so while these things may not fit my normal preferences in books, it’s hard for me to say they don’t live up to her normal audience’s wants and needs. If I had to guess, I think the normal MKA reader will be charmed with this book, and considering it’s a fast read, there is no reason they shouldn’t give this book a chance. If nothing else, it will definitely give the reader all the Christmas feels.

**Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.**

Kerry had recently been let go of her job so she moves back home to help with her family tree farm! Her Dad and Mom were divorced and her Dad had married a younger woman but it didn’t work out. So after he had a heart attack Kerry’s Mom takes care of him! Murphy is Kerry’s brother and he is a little grumpy but it was going to be those two who would travel to West Village in New York to sell trees!

Kerry happens to have an older gentleman that stops by the tree shop everyday and gives her advice on her drawing, then we have Austin who lives just down the block and he loves being with Kerry. Austin’s Dad Patrick is quite handsome and divorced and a friend of Murphy’s.

This book is all about family helping each other and friends making sure everyone is okay! When you read this you will feel like you are experiencing the scenes as well as the characters!

I received this ARC from Netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Andrews’ most recent books have been more in the mystery vein, but I think she really shines most with a rom-com, and this charming short holiday novel is an example of Andrews at her best.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh how I enjoyed reading this heartwarming Christmas novel! It’s summer here in Texas but I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday story set in New York. I loved the main character(s) and the charming Christmas tree stand smack dab in the middle of a bustling NYC neighborhood. Some books are hard to muster the energy to come back to reading, however, I felt the opposite with this one. I didn’t want to put it down!

Thanks for the lighthearted and cozy Christmas read.

Highly recommend!

I don't know what it is about Ms Andrews' Christmas stories but once I start reading one, I can't put it down. They are magical, charming, kind, romantic, and all those good things. They feature people with problems and issues, and people who help. Situations that draw out the best in people. People being true neighbors. It is a lovely world to inhabit while immersed in a story.

A great slow burn Christmas book. At times it was a bit too slow, for my liking. However I can see this being a Hallmark movie! I read this in the summer, but I can just imagine what it’d be like with snow outside, the crisp air and a fire burning. Cozy!

I am a big Mary Kay Andrews fan and Bright Lights, Big Christmas did not disappoint! This book centers around Kerry, whom through a series of events, is asked to go to New York City with her brother to set up and man their family's annual Christmas Tree stand. What follows is a sweet, funny, romantic story involving a host of interesting characters and happenings in NYC. I loved this book and loved imagining Kerry in hustle and bustle of New York at Christmastime as she reconnects with her family and finds her passions, her loves and new talents. I would highly recommend finding a cozy chair in a quiet corner and getting lost in this story!

🎄 🎄 🎄🎄🎄

Mary Kay Andrews’ Bright Lights Big Christmas was an absolute delight!

The story is so enchanting - two siblings from North Carolina head up to the big apple to sell their Christmas trees like the family has for many years. The story is so many things, it is about connection, friends, community and a bit of romance! It is just so sweet and an nice cosy read! I looked forward to reading a few of the short chapters each night because it put in such a great mood! It also got me excited for the holiday season!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital advanced readers copy!! I received a complimentary copy of this book. This novel will be published September 26, 2023! Add it to your holiday wish list!

Kerry Tolliver is struggling to find her place in the world when she’s enlisted to help her brother with their annual Christmas tree sale in New York City. This is a world away from their tree farm in the North Carolina mountains, and it’s not an easy transition, especially given a tumultuous relationship with her brother. But it turns out it might be just the change that Kerry needs. She feels a creative spark ignite, helping take the struggling business in a newer, better direction, and she also finds herself surrounded by a community into which she quickly, delightedly is welcomed.

Hijinks ensue, romance abounds, friends gather, family finds shared ground.

This is a light, wholesome Christmas story- and for me a great holiday-escape-in-August after a couple weightier reads.

Thank you Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Since I’m a big fan of Mary Kay Andrews, I just knew I had to read Bright Lights, Big Christmas. And I was not disappointed.

The book’s description pretty much hightlights the gist of the novel. But it’s primarily a friends and family story with a smidge of romance.

The characters are typical Mary Kay Andrews’ style — clean, wholesome, colorful and sometimes snarky. I loved everyone of them in this novel. And if you’ve also read The Santa Suit, there are a couple of other character mentions which was a nice surprise and a welcome nod to The Santa Suit novel.

A lot of heartfelt scenes dotted the novel’s landscape, which made for some tearful and joyous moments. Get the tissues ready for a heartwarming holiday story perfect for Christmastime or anytime of the year for a needed break from the daily grind. Five stars.

I received a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thank you for this ARC! I like reading holiday books and like reading books that take place in NYC so this was perfect. It was heartwarming and had lots of intersecting story lines. None of the characters were too well developed and it was fairly unbelievable (living in a trailer with no bathroom and depending on restaurants for toilets? Not realistic) but it was still fun. If you’re a fan of Christmas books it won’t disappoint.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS was a delight to read. I enjoyed Kerry's character the most, she was compassionate and caring of others and it showed throughout the story. I also liked that she took a leap of faith and decided to pursue her real passion. Of course, what else would make a holiday story better than a sweet romance added in. I thought Patrick and Kerry were just the cutest couple!! If you enjoy a story that makes you smile and laugh, you'll love this one. It's a perfect story for the holiday season.

Many thanks to NetGalley and ST .Martin's Press for my gifted ARC.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

Cute and cozy holiday read with entire cast of likable characters. I liked this book it was a short read and quick and definitely filled with holiday spirit. I would for sure recommend this one especially if you enjoy the idea of Christmas in New York City. I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Such a perfect holiday story with the best "Hallmark" vibes!
Kerry Tolliver learns the ropes of selling Christmas trees on the corner of a bustling street in NYC from her brother, by way of living in a beat up old camper without amenities! Learning her way through the season while meeting the regular neighborhood crew makes this story absolutely adorable. A touch of "bad guys", a smidge of romance, and a whole lot of community love!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this digital advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinions!