The Tollivers have a Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina in the holiday novella Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews due out September 26. Usually, Murphy and his father Jock haul the trees to New York City to sell starting a month before Christmas, but this year, Jock’s health is interfering with their usual plans so Murphy tells his sister Kerry that she has to step up.

Kerry moved back home to NC recently after being termed “redundant” in her art agency job. She is reluctant to haul the Tolliver’s small, dilapidated camper to New York to provide a place for her and Murphy to live while selling the trees. But when push comes to shove, Kerry musters up the energy to hall “Spammy” to New York with her father’s truck.

The Tolliver family has developed great relationships over the years with the business owners and residents in Greenwich Village where they set up a lot to sell their trees. When another tree company tries to undersell the Tollivers, arranging their business just across the street, Kerry ups their game using her artistic abilities. The competitors challenge back with theft and vandalism until Murphy stands up to them.

Embraced by their temporary neighbors, Kerry becomes close with Patrick and his son Austin along with an aging gentleman known as Heinz as well as the retail shop owners. Restaurant owner Claudia feeds the Tollivers and provides restroom facilities while the bakery next door to her provides plenty of coffee and pastries.

When Heinz goes missing, Kerry and Murphy make a wide search of the area looking for him. Turns out, there is much that the Tollivers and the residents in Greenwich Village do not know about the elderly man who they think may be homeless.

When Patrick wants to dial up the friendship to romance, Kerry is reluctant, although she isn’t immune to his charms nor those of his sweet son Austin. She and Murphy are supposed to be heading back to North Carolina to spend Christmas with their mother and father; however, a snowstorm along with icy roads threatens to delay their plans to return home for Christmas.

Mary Kay Andrews, the Queen of Summer Reads, has provided readers with another holiday novella following her last one, The Santa Suit. Andrews, a pseudonym for Kathy Hogan Trocheck, splits her time between Atlanta and a second home on Tybee Island.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting August 13, 2023.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

NYC, family-business, family, family-dynamics, siblings, romance, women's-fiction, friendship, pet-dog, situational-humor, novella*****

Another perfect holiday treat from this favorite author. The publisher's blurb is a good hook and the writing is always wonderful and full of truly engaging characters. Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank you

This is not the first book by author Mary Kay Andrews that I have read. I enjoyed the story of Murphy and Kerry Tolliver trying to keep their father’s tree farm afloat by going to New York City to sell Christmas trees. It has been a family tradition for decades but not one Kerry has assisted in a long time. Their father suffers some health issues and cannot make the month-long trip out of town so Kerry is roped into helping Murphy.

This is a great feel-good story. I enjoyed how quickly the author gets you involved with the characters, the sub-plots and all. The main characters, Patrick, his son Austin, the older artist, and the neighborhood residents.
I felt like I was in the middle of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Bring it on especially in the warm August month in which I read it.

I was given an advanced copy through Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review. I plan to add this book to my re-read list whenever I need a pick me up.

Thank you Netgalley & St. Martins press for giving me this arc in exchange for a honest review.

The perfectly balanced Christmas book. If you love hallmark movies, small town vibes with all the found family feelings this one’s for you.

Will have you wanting to light the fireplace, cozy up in a blanket with some hot coco. A super feel good story.

I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend.

Kerry Tolliver, out of a job and back home in Carolina, finds herself assigned to accompany her brother Murph to New York City to set up camp selling home-grown Christmas trees in Greenwich Village. Despite warm memories from past years before their parents divorced, she dreads the experience. Having only.a vintage trailer with neither cooking nor bathroom facilities to be her home for a month, she relies on the kindness of strangers to meet her needs. Her needs are met and new friends involve themselves in her life. A young boy and his dad and an elderly artist are the most important. This is my second Mary Kay Andrews Christmas novel and, as with last year’s, I loved it. It is a holiday treat anytime of year!

This is a cute story with a delightful cast of characters. It is set around a Christmas tree lot. A story about family, friends and a love story. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

📝 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐭 𝐔𝐩
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews tells the story of Kerry Tolliver and her adventure in New York City helping her older brother Murphy manage the Christmas tree stand that her family has set up in Greenwich Village for decades selling the finest Fraser Fir Christmas trees from their family tree farm in North Carolina. Along the way, Kerry forges special bonds with people who live in the village while experiencing the beauty of the Big City for the first time.


💭 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
This book was such a sweet, lighthearted, charming holiday story that gave me all the warm and cozy feels, reminding me of a Hallmark Christmas movie. The community and unlikely friendships Kerry finds within this city was a world I found myself wanting to be enveloped in as well. There was also a bit of holiday romance sprinkled in as well although it wasn’t the main focus of the story and I found myself wishing for more chemistry between Kerry and Patrick. I enjoyed all of the side characters, especially Patrick and his son Austin as well as the elderly Mr. Heinz and his story we got a glimpse of towards the end. Lastly, I love how the Tolliver’s family tree farm was in North Carolina which also happens to be my home state and the vintage little camper named Spammy that Kerry and her brother lived out of during their time in New York City. Overall this was a fun holiday read and I’d recommend it!

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

This is my first Christmas novel for this year, and it will be difficult to find a better one! I absolutely loved this book! For starters, my home state is NC, the home for the Tollivers and their tree farm. Although I don't live in the mountains, this book took me there, and I could see the hillsides covered in Christmas trees, all different sizes. A beauty to behold! I have traveled to NYC and could see Murphy and Kerry set up on a busy corner with a tree standing selling our beautiful NC trees! I will definitely be recommending this book to others and think it will make a great gift!

Kerry Tolliver has no idea that selling Christmas trees with her grumpy brother, Murphy, is just what she needs. After losing her job & living with her mom, Kerry needs to find a new direction. Kerry & Murphy set up the annual family tree lot stocked with trees from their North Carolina tree farm. But the New York City neighborhood & Murphy cause Kerry many challenges-the weather, living in an old beat up camper without running water, & another tree lot trying to steal their business. With the help of new friends , Kerry finds a new path she had only dreamed was possible along with a family of new friends.

Mary Kay Andrews once again draws us into a story of friendship, family & finding the courage to follow your dreams. This is a must read!

Great holiday romance novel! Loved the storyline and holiday theme throughout. Mary Kay Andrews does not disappoint again!

💭Thoughts:
This was a sweet story. I’m a sucker for a cute Christmas romance. I enjoyed the found family aspect of this story. Neighbors coming together to help neighbors. Every time I read a Christmas story I want to move to a snowy small town and never leave. This story had all the things I love- cute kids, cute dogs, grumpy old men, single dads, and a FMC wanting a fresh start.

This is a cute, quick read that will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit!

Mary Kay Andrews' books never disappoint, and Bright Lights, Big Christmas is no exception. Kerry Tolliver helps out her family's Christmas tree business by travelling with her brother from North Carolina to New York City to sell trees. Andrews paints a realistic picture of selling Christmas trees in New York. The cast of characters is varied but friendships develop with some of the long-time customers in the neighborhood. Kerry's soul searching, new friends, and helping her family all mesh together in a wonderful story.

You won't be able to put this one down. I read it in a little over a day!

Mary Kay Andrews has always delivered a great holiday read that I love. I knew when I saw this one, I immediately wanted to read it. Of course this one did not disappoint and I got a great Christmas read once again.

Kerry Tolliver lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her family on the Tolliver Christmas Tree farm. With the upcoming holiday season fast approaching, Kerry is going to have to pitch in for her dad unlike any year before. Her dad just had open heart surgery and is in no shape to be in the cold New York winter selling Christmas trees, even though he has a different opinion. Kerry's brother is already in New York setting up the Tolliver Christmas Tree stand and Kerry is going to drive Spammy, the tin box camper to New York and meet her brother and stay for the holiday season. Kerry is not happy about all of it but she knows that she can't let her dad down and if she doesn't go, her dad will try to. Kerry's mom is tasked with the job of taking care of Kerry's dad, even though they have long been divorced.

When Kerry gets Spammy to New York and tries to set up, there is a car that is parked in their place and so Kerry has to park a little ways from the stand and wait for them to move. The car seems to take forever and the owner just keeps coming out to get things out of the car, but never moves the vehicle. Kerry ends up confronting the owner in a heated discussion and meets Patrick. Patrick is a divorced dad that has a son, Austin. Austin is a pretty good kid and has helped Kerry's brother out on some days in the stand. Of course he is young so it is more just letting Austin be a part of what is going on instead of him working. Kerry soon connects with Austin and they hit it off pretty much immediately.

Kerry meets some of the nicest people in the neighborhood. She soon comes to feel that she has a great big family in the New York neighborhood. There is one exception to the people though and that is the brothers that set up across the street to sell their Christmas trees at a lower rate than the Tolliver's. The brother's will come to be a thorn in the Tolliver's side, but Kerry and her brother soon put an end to them being so mean and nasty.

Kerry also makes friends with an older man in the neighborhood that everyone thinks is homeless. He gives Kerry advice on some of her sketches she does with Austin. Austin and Kerry end up making a story and illustrating it together. The old man gives her advice and soon they have a great story going that Austin is excited about and can't wait to finish it.

This story will warm your heart and leave you longing for some Christmas weather and cheer. I fell in love with the characters and the storyline of this book. I am always sad when these books come to an end because I get so caught up in them and feel like these characters are part of my life. A great read that I am sure you will love as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. Such a great read.

Mary Kay Andrews's books are reliable for a readable Hallmark movie. A Christmas one is even better. This is the sort of book that reminds you that hope is never far away and good can come from anywhere. I enjoyed it, but wish it wasn't quite so predictable.

I really enjiyed this book and I fell in love with all of the characters. My all time favorite character was Austin. Everyone is going to LOVE him.. This small
is awesone. I lovr when everyone
pulled together and have the best Christmas . ever.. I don't want to give anything away. Definitely a fantastic read.

The Tolliver family has driven from their North Carolina tree farm to sell Christmas trees in New York City each year. This year, with Kerry's dad, Jock, out of commission she has to go with her brother, Murphy to sell trees. The neighbourhood knows the Tolliver family and welcomes Kerry, as they do the rest of the family. From the cantankerous old man, the swoony neighbour (and his young son) and to the overwhelmed mom of twins we are introduced to the many characters and the impact this tree stand has everyone. A truly heartwarming and lovely story.

This was a sweet and heartwarming story written like only Mary Kay Andrews can! It reminded me of a holiday movie with all sorts of characters that really shined throughout the book. This story doesn't focus on only the romance, but the relationships of all the people in this small pocket of New York City. Heinz was my favourite character, and I am sure you will have a favourite when you read this book this holiday season!

If you are looking for an uplifting holiday story, this is the book for you. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

A very cute Christmas romance - perfect if you are looking for something extremely light which provides no depth and requires no thought.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. It's a sweet Christmas story about family, love, and moving on. Kerry Tolliver, an unemployed designer who longs to be an artist, finds herself less than thrilled to have to help with her family's Christmas tree lot in New York City. This southern girl finds herself out of her element where she meets a whole crew of New Yorkers. A boy, his father, and Heinze, an elderly gentleman that she's not sure what to make of. Throw her lumberjack-like, taciturn brother and a precious pup into the mix and you have everything you need for a great Christmas novel. This book gave me "all the feels" with a lovely ending that had me crying tears of happiness.

Another wonderful book by Mary Kay Andrews, Bright Lights, big Christmas. Yes, the author has a new Christmas story already. I enjoyed this story from the first page until the last.

💭 𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:

🛻 New York at Christmas? Yes x 1000! This is probably my favorite place in the world at my favorite time of year so there was no way I was not going to like this book. Purely set on setting.

🌲 I actually wonder if people do this? Come from another state, sleep in a trailer in the middle of Manhattan and sell Christmas trees. If so, sign me up. What an awesome premise for a story. By setting up in the middle of the neighborhood, you immediately had a great atmosphere surrounding you.

✏️ The characters were on point. I loved them all, especially Heinz. This book was a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy day with a crackling fire and warm blanket.

❄️ I didn't love how their love story developed. I felt like it wasn't enough and I'd maybe want a bit more out of it. That is my only criticism.