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.

I loved this book. I've not been writing professional reviews for a while now, but I strongly recommend this lovely, engaging story..

Book : Bright Lights, Big Christmas
Author : Mary Kay Andrews
Pub Date : 26 September 2023

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press & the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I love a good Mary Kay Andrews book. I love her books, her writing style, her storylines. I eat them up! 🤌🏻 I especially love a good Christmas story in the summertime.

The characters are very well developed and feel so real. I adored all of the characters in this book. The dynamics of the story hit close to home, relatable.

The story follows Kerry who ends up moving back home with her mother and starts selling with the family Christmas tree business. This is where she meets the handsome Patrick and his son and their story begins. I loved following their relationship throughout the book. I couldn’t stop page turning to see what was going to happen next. I am certain I felt all the feels you could feel through this entire book.

If you are looking for a cozy feel-good holiday story please do not hesitate to pick up this book! I cannot wait to own a physical copy and give it a re-read during the Christmas holiday as well.

Cutesy Christmas Story. A bit predictable but fun with relatable characters.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great feel good Christmas story. Kerry is adrift after losing her job and returns home to the family Christmas tree farm. She's burnt out and just wants to hide out. She has to go with her brother to New York City to run the tree lot because her father is recovering from an illness. She doesn't want to but her mother guilts her into it so she packs up the family camper, Spammy, and is off to the city. Once there she meets Patrick, a divorced single dad, and his son along with the people of the neighborhood. She becomes friends with the people and starts writing and illustrating a children's book along with Patrick's son. As Christmas draws nearer she realizes that she wants to stay but is afraid to follow her dreams. A talk with a wise old man soon sets her straight. Another winner from MKA.

This is a fun Christmas story. Kerry agrees, with a bit of guilting by her mom, to go with her brother Murphy to New York to sell the family Christmas trees. There she meets all kinds of people including Patrick and his son Austin. through Austin she starts to draw and paint again. Wasn't a big fan of Murphy in the beginning, but he grows on you. Fun read. thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy