The writing is solid, creating a vivid atmosphere, but the plot is a mix of captivating moments and predictability. Characters are well-developed, though some lack depth. Pacing fluctuates, making it a decent but not outstanding read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is not something I would have normally chosen for myself, but I knew it would be something my library patrons would love so I gave it a chance! I’m so glad I did! This book was like a big cozy hug, and the perfect slice of life Christmas story. I loved the relationships, both familial and romantic, the setting of New York during Christmas time, and the Hallmark movie vibes.

Another adorable Mary Kay Andrews Christmas book! Nothing is more magical than Christmas in New York City. A nice change of pace from the normal big city to small town Christmas plot. The perfect feel good Christmas book!

~~~ I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~~~

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a delightful, festive book. This book has a fun holiday plot and is full of great characters (I always enjoy MKA's characters). This is a charming story of a sister and brother (Murphy and Kerry) who are part of a family run Christmas tree farm from NC and travel to NYC to sell them, where their family has set up a tree lot for 30 years and have established many relationships on the block. Kerry doesn't usually go, but does this year, as she's in a stagnant part of her life and her dad's been ill, so she and her brother spend the season in NYC in an old rusty camper called "Spammy." During the time, she meets and falls for a father (Patrick) and his son (Austin)- oh, and an old man called Heinz. This is a story of family and healing. This is a must read to add to your Christmas book list!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an Advanced Reader Copy of Bright Lights, Big Christmas.

I was VERY excited when I got approved for this book as I am a huge fan of Mary Kay Andrews. This book follows the Tolliver siblings and their Christmas tree business to 'their' corner in NYC where they sell their trees every year. There is all kinds of stuff happening, from the meet cute of her and handsome single dad, Patrick, to her befriending an older gentleman. Lots of side stories that kept me engaged.

I guess I am used to MKA having more of a mystery aspect so I went in expecting that, and while there was a slight mystery, I wanted a little more! My favorite storyline was definitely the Heinz one.

This is great for anyone wanting a sweet, feel good holiday story!

Mary Kay Andrews is the queen of a feel good novel! This was the perfect holiday read. She has a way of pulling you right into the story and I can just imagine that NY street with the camper and tree stand. I love her books so much!

This was the perfect holiday read and a warm feel good story! Lots of cozy moments and there is just something about a Christmas tree farm that puts me right in the holiday feels

Once again, Mary Kay Andrews does what she does best and does not disappoint! She created another crew of characters I fell in love with and rooted for the whole story. I love how she defined NYC as the best place to be at this time of year! It’s magical!

Thank you, Mary Kay Andrews, St Martins Press & Netgalley for my copy. All opinions are my own!

I'm not one of those people who usually read seasonally, but this year I felt it was time to read a Christmas book (or two!) during the Christmas season. I always find Mary Kay Andrews' books fun to read, and this was no different. It was quick, entertaining, had an ending I was happy with.

I remember once watching a documentary about Christmas tree sellers, and finding it romantic and adventurous to live for a few weeks in a trailer, miles from home, to sell trees and Christmas items. It really isn't that romantic and adventurous, which I found out from this book.

It put me in the Christmas spirit and was a very fast read. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are mine and given freely.

Oh my gosh, I loved this book so much!! Whenever Mary Kay Andrews has a new book out, I can’t wait to read it! I usually end up loving all her books. This was the perfect book to put me into the holiday spirit!

This book is set in NYC, but still has the small town vibes that we know and love from MKA. This book is binge worthy, once I started, I didn’t want to put it down. This book takes place based on a Christmas tree farm, which is the absolute best. There is some romance in this book, but I wouldn’t classify it as a romance novel. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday romance, I highly recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas🎄

⭐️⭐️⭐️

More like a few fairy lights and a few reminders it’s Christmas. This book managed to suck the magic out of the season and turn a Christmas tree stand into a story about running a business. Lots of talk of shifts and making enough money and talking about being cold and needing a shower and trying to improve sales and blah blah blah. It was not magical. And the romance…an after thought at best. This wasn’t chemistry, the guy just came off as horny. There was more chemistry between her and the dying old man.

I contemplated not finishing it, because I read it riggggght before Christmas and wanted BIG CHRISTMAS like the title promised. I finished reading because I shifted perspective an decided to look at it as a contemporary fiction. Not a romance. Not a holiday book. It’s just a story about a woman trying to find where she belongs. In that respect it was fun. I liked the ending. All the mundane bits made it feel authentic and not some cookie cutter overly sweet rom com.

Thanks @netgalley for the ARC. I waited months to read it at Christmas and I wish I hadn’t. It really wasn’t a bad book, but the side characters far eclipsed the romance. You guys have to go into it with the right mindset.

Such a cute and cozy holiday romance book I loved the New York setting so much I love Mary Kay Andrews holiday books so much I discovered her last year when I read her other holiday book The Santa Suit! I really enjoyed that one so when I saw she was dropping a new holiday book I knew I had to read it

I absolutely love Mary Kay Andrews, and for the past couple of years, I have lived for her Christmas novellas the first of which being The Santa Suit which came out in 2021. Needless to say, I was exceptionally excited for Bright Lights, Big Christmas and it fully lived up to my high expectations! I loved the idea that it was about a family tree farm that just so happens to be selling its trees in New York City, and while I loved Kerry, her brother's dog Queenie really stole the show! This was a super quick read at just under 280 pages, and there was never a time when I wasn't completely engrossed in what was going on.

Reading it would be short, but I happened to listen to the audiobook which made it feel as though it was moving even faster. Kathleen McInerney made for an excellent narrator, and I was thrilled to have a narrator I have heard on other MKA audiobooks. She brought every aspect of the story to life, and she is just a pleasure to listen to in general. The single-dad romance was absolutely adorable, and of course, it wouldn't be an MKA book without some family drama! Bright Lights, Big Christmas would be the perfect choice to add to your holiday reading list, and I highly recommend it if you want something light, quick, and easy!

3.5☆ super cute and oh so sweet, but not my favorite MKA release - thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews.

Reading this book is like strolling through a winter wonderland! Kerry, the protagonist, is on duty helping her bro with their family business that has had a Christmas tree lot set up in New York for years. And let me tell you, New York is fantastic, but New York at Christmas? Pure magic! I couldn't get enough! This book will make you want to snuggle by the fire and read all night long. Totally loved it!

Big thanks to NetGalley for this early copy. You need to have this one – it's a really cute!

This was such a perfect holiday read! I love christmas so I was excited when I saw this book! I thought it was such a sweet read! This was my first book by the author and I was not disappointed! All the characters were very wholesome and it just reminded me of a hallmark movie! I definitley recommend!

This Christmas story was so charming and unique. I love the family business aspect and how they bring their Christmas trees to NYC every year, -and set up in the same spot. Kerry, the sister, hasn’t been since her folks divorced but this year she’s needed to help her brother. The people from the familiar neighborhood already feel like family. When an older gentleman hasn’t been seen in a few days, everyone starts to wonder where he even lives. Kerry, along with the whole neighborhood, nurse him back to health all while selling out trees and creating new relationships. This was a fun one but did get a tad repetitive at the end -I never knew you could write/read one persons name so many times so quickly. Oofda.

This was an enjoyable holiday read. The characters and their relationships made the neighborhood in New York City seem like a small town where the residents look after each other.

I’m a big fan of feel good Christmas stories and this story was exactly what I needed to get in the Christmas spirit! Thank you for this ARC.

Mary Kay Andrews returns with another charming Christmas novella in Bright Lights, Big Christmas. This is a made for Hallmark tale surrounding a Christmas tree farm and the protagonist's adventures selling trees in NYC. The story is brimming with Christmas spirit and quirky, lovable characters. There's mystery, and of course, there's romance with a lovable single dad. Andrews' novella is the perfect confection of a novel to kick-off your Christmas reading. Best enjoyed snuggled under a warm blanket, sipping hot chocolate, with carols playing in the background. You will not be sorry you picked up this book! Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for early access to this gem.