Name of Book: Bright Lights, Big Christmas
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Genre: Holiday, Women’s Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: September 26, 2022
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages: 288

Regardless of the time of year, I love Christmas stories so although I am reading this in June - there is nothing wrong with some Christmas spirit all year long!

Kerry Tolliver, a now unemployed graphic artist, has moved back to her family's Christmas tree farm in western North Carolina. ~ This is the same setting as "The Santa Suit]"one of very favorite Andrews' stories.
Since Kerry is unemployed she agrees to help her brother, Murphy, sell Christmas trees in NYC. They will live in 'Spammy,' (the family’s ancient RV which resembles a can of Spam -

Kerry soon finds herself on a cold street corner, but it doesn’t take long for her to find the magic of Christmas with new friends:
• Austin, a six year old boy who helps Kerry illustrate about a book about an enchanted forest and dragons.
• Hunky Patrick, Austin, divorced father
• Queenie, a dog everyone loves
• Neighbors, who help with kitchen and bathroom use
• Heinz and Murphy. who are both grumpy and
• A mysterious older man

The promo stated:
Surrounded by warm childhood memories, sparkling possibility, and the magic of Christmas, will this
small-town girl surrender her heart to the bright lights of the big city?
I was fearful this sweet promise wasn’t going to be delivered. I loved "The Santa Suit" so my expectation was high but wasn't sure if bitter cold NYC would deliver.
Delighted I was wrong as the ending was beautiful and it did delivered.
(Personal Note: Not quite the ‘Santa Suit’ awesome feeling I experience but close!)

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 26, 2023.

I adored Mary Kay Andrews latest book, Bright Lights, Big Christmas!

Fans of Mary Kay Andrews will love unwrapping this early holiday tale. Kerry and Murphy are siblings who haven’t loved together since their parents divorced when they were young. Their dad owns a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina, and sells the trees each winter in New York City, at a lot in a neighborhood in Greenwich Village.

Kerry is newly “self-employed” after the firm she worked for is acquired and her job was deemed redundant; and, recently single as her boyfriend eased out of their life until he (and all of his items) are completely gone.

Kerry was very young the last time she made the trip to NY to sell trees, but, due to their dad’s recent health issue, she agrees to help her brother run the stand. Together, with Murphy’s dog, Queenie, they set up their corner stand (complete with their trusty trailer nicknamed Spammy) and learn to work together…

Kerry finds her footing and begins to meet their loyal customers in the neighborhood, especially those who help the siblings with showers, bathrooms and warm meals. One of those neighbors is Patrick, a recently divorced dad who shares custody of his son, Austin. Sparks fly between Kerry and Patrick, but Kerry needs to figure out where she wants to be in life (both literally and figuratively).

The real center of this sweet story is the family Kerry finds along the way in this neighborhood. And, when Heinz, an elderly neighbor who seems to have a few secrets up the sleeve of his wool coat, goes missing Kerry elicits the help of her new friend/family to try to find him.

Fans of Mary Kay Andrews will also enjoy the nod to her previous book, The Santa Suit.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for early access to the book in exchange for my honest review.

This is another sweet Christmas story by May Kay Andrews – who never disappoints. Kerry is heading to New York with her older brother Murphy to sell Christmas trees from their family Christmas farm. It is usually Murphy and their Dad who handle this, but Dad just got out of the hospital after a heart attack, so Kerry reluctantly fills in. The story centers on her interactions with the neighbors on the block in New York where they set up. Very sweet and heartwarming, I highly recommend #BrightLightsBigChristmas for reading any time of year, and am grateful to #NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.

I love Mary Kay Andrews! I finished this book in less than 24 hours, so yes that means I LOVED this book! I felt like I had been transported into a wintry snow globe of a NYC neighborhood instead of the reality of a June day in NJ! Mary Kay’s characters are strong and vivid as they are diverse. And I love Spammy! While this is not a sequel to The Santa Suit, there is an Easter Egg! Great job MKA!

Another great read by Mary Kay Andrews! I always look forward to her newest book. This time we get to follow The Tolliver's and their tree stand business and we meet new friends along the way. This was a really fun read and will bring on the Christmas mood!

I have loved everything Mary Kay Andrew had written and this is no exception. I also love reading Christmas themed books when it’s starting to get hot out.

I like the idea that this family has a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina and they take them to New York to sell. And that they have been doing this so long that they are known and loved in this Greenwich village. Kerry and Patrick are sweet as is just about everyone. It’s just a happy story to read.


Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for this ARC. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

Mary Kay Andrews has written a magical and heartwarming tale with her new book Bright Lights, Big Christmas, and I was hooked from the first chapter and didn't want to put it down until I reached the ending.
While the book is set at Christmas time, and features the business of Christmas tree sales, it is more a story of family, friends, and coming to terms with one's future and past on the part of the major characters of the book. The characters are portrayed with a depth of understanding that reaches through the page and makes you care about each of them, and the story progresses steadily towards a satisfying ending.
The book is well-written and engaging, and leaves the reader feeling better for having read it.
I highly recommend #BrightLightsBigChristmas for reading any time of year, and am grateful to #NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.

A wonderful title that just feels better with each and every word!
Mary Kay Andrews is definitely a favorite author of mine and this title cemented my feelings once again.
I enjoyed reading this title, loved the characters and am saddened only when the last page was read.
Thank you for the opportunity to receive and review this book--I loved it!

I’ll read ANY book by Mary Kay Andrews. This one is no exception. The story takes place in New York City in the month before Christmas. The story has likeable characters. This is a feel-good book that has a twist you won’t see coming.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!!! This book is the perfect Christmas story! It has it all. Christmas everything, friends, family and of course love! Looking for a holiday read this is a must on your TBR!

Totally enjoyed this book. Ms Andrews is one of my favorite authors. Loved the setting and story line. Great characters. Murphy and Kerry’s sibling relationship is so true to life. I didn’t really feel the relationship between Kerry and Patrick but it works. Heinz, Claudia and the rest of the neighborhood were just a delight. Great story for Christmas. Reminds us how lucky we are to have family and friends and friends that are family.

A little weird reading a Christmas novel when it’s currently 90 degrees outside. This book was fantastic! I will definitely be rereading this during the Christmas season. Love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc of this book!

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Bright Lights, Big Christmas releases September 26, 2023

4.5

This story starts out with Kerry and Murphy — two siblings — taking a road trip from North Carolina to New York to sell Christmas trees from their family farm.
Their father is recovering from surgery, so Kerry is accompanying Murphy for 3 weeks in his place.

I loved the neighbourly feel that this gave, and it was so cool to see that the Tollivers had built a community for themselves with the locals over the decades.
This year, another tree stand encroached upon their territory, leading for a competitive season, but Kerry’s countless fresh energy and ideas really pulled through for them.

I thought the side plot with Heinz was weaved in really well and made for such a sweet ending.

Honestly, this was so close to being a 5 star read for me, but I just couldn’t get past how comfortable Kerry and Patrick got in such a short amount of time.
Their first kiss on the lips felt like a scenario where a peck on the cheek would be more appropriate, and at just 3 weeks, he was already suggesting she move in!! They weren’t even dating, and you have to factor in his 6 year old kid whom he shares custody with his ex-wife.
Yes, they were cute together, but it would have made more sense had Kerry been selling Christmas trees in New York annually with her family, however this was her first year there and they were all strangers.

Read if you like:
- holiday season in New York
- family businesses + traditions
- a strong sense of community
- artists
- main characters in their 30’s

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC!

I have been a huge fan of everything Mary Kay Andrews has written since I was in high school and my mom introduced me to her books so I was thrilled when I was granted the eARC for her upcoming Christmas novel. I usually read Blue Christmas every year and added The Santa Suit to my holiday season rotation as well. Bright Lights, Big Christmas has proven to be a perfect addition to Andrews' Christmas novels. I quickly fell in love with Kerry, Murphy, Queenie, Heinz and the rest of the neighborhood and could easily picture the magic of the city in winter. Andrews' writing style and characterization makes for characters that quickly become friends and hold a place in your heart and this book was no exception. I loved how things fell into place and the hint of mystery surrounding Heinz with a solution that was perfectly done. These characters will live in my heart forever and I definitely teared up a bit at the end. I will be recommending this to my friends who love a good story, holiday or not. Bravo Mary Kay Andrews!

Cute and heartwarming story about a woman from North Carolina who goes to NYC to sell Christmas trees from her family’s farm. I loved the little NYC neighborhood and it’s characters and charm. The story unfolded a little too neatly but overall a light and quick read which is just what you want in a holiday book.

While I have only read a handful of Mary Kay Andrews' books, this one is my favorite. A wholesome story of family, love, and friendship tied up with pretty Christmas ribbon. A holiday winner!

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

LOVED this sweet story of Kerry and her brother, Murphy, as they embark on another year of selling their North Carolina Christmas trees in New York. They set up their tree lot on the usual corner, and meet some incredible neighbors, and also deal with some not-so-nice competitors. The old man, Heinz, comes by almost everyday, and Kerry meets a special guy and his son.

This story is very straightforward and easy to keep up with. The chapters are short, and there are just the right number of characters. I read it in record time, and was delighted by the ending. Highly recommend this book for pre-Christmas reading!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Bright Lights, Big Christmas.

No one puts the magic in the mundane quite like Mary Kay Andrews, and she's back with a sweet Christmas romance originating in western North Carolina. When her father has a heart attack, Kerry Tolliver gets drafted to go with her brother to New York City to sell the family farm's Christmas trees. Currently jobless and looking at her options, family duty and fond childhood memories win out over practicality.

After hour of white-knuckle driving, Kerry pulls up with their small travel trailer, Spammy, to their spot in the West Village her family has sold trees from every December for decades. She and her brother get busy with setup, and Kerry learns about counting on the kindness of strangers for basic necessities since the trailer has no water. It's not long before she begins meeting people in the neighborhood and making new friends.

Patrick and his six-year-old son, Austin, become fast friends with Kerry, and she dusts off her creative muse as she begins to sketch out a story Austin is creating. An elusive neighbor, Heinz, drops buy periodically, encouraging Austin's story and Kerry's talent, and adds his own special touches to the story. And as Kerry and Patrick spend more time together, the magic promised in the Christmas season becomes more and more a possibility.

A small-town gal through and through, even I was captivated by the charm of this little slice of the big city. The characters are so vivid and well done it felt like I knew them, and all of my senses were engaged as this setting came alive. Yes, there's romance, but the heart of this story is the community, the friends, and the found family. It's about letting go of the past, learning to trust oneself, and new beginnings. Just the thing to put you in the holiday spirit, you won’t want to miss wonderful Christmas read!

I enjoyed this! Thank you NetGalley for the arc. A light and fun story filled with a mish mosh of lovable characters. This book made me yearn for Christmas in New York. I really enjoyed the author and can’t wait to read more from her

I can always count on Mary Kay Andrews for a feel good Christmas book. What I loved about Bright Lights, Big Christmas is the setting. Christmas in New York sounds like a dream, and the characters really bring it to life. It is a must read to get you in the spirit, or get you out of a reading slump.