Although I liked it a little bit less than The Santa Suit, I still enjoyed this tale about estranged siblings Kerry and Murphy who has to work together to haul the trees from their family Christmas tree farm to NYC and somehow keep the business afloat while their father recuperates. The kindness between strangers-turned-found-family peppered throughout the novel makes this story worth a read especially during the Christmas season! Something will surely touch the reader's heart.

If you're looking for a warm & fun holiday read centered around family, friendships, Christmas trees, New York, art, co-parenting, and a bit of romance, you can't go wrong with this one.

This was a fun Christmas Book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and it kept me coming back to see what they would do next.

Delving into Mary Kay Andrews' book for the first time, I was captivated by her ability to craft a timely Christmas love story centered on New York City's holiday season. Through the vivid portrayal of an avenue and a few shop names, she built a setting that resonated with the festive cheer.

Kerry Tolliver found herself uprooted from her North Carolina hometown, compelled to sell Christmas trees from a family stand in bustling New York City. Struggling after a layoff and her father recovering from an illness, Kerry faced a challenging three weeks enduring the icy winter in a dysfunctional camper with her older brother, Murphy.

Unexpectedly, as the days dwindled and Christmas Eve approached, she formed deep connections with the neighborhood folks, particularly Patrick, a single dad, and his son, Austin. The question loomed: should she return to her hometown, where she felt out of place, or take a bold leap toward a fresh start in the city that never sleeps?

The book's standout features were its ease of reading and the effortless flow of words, depicting classic Christmas elements—trees, wintry weather, and the joyous holiday spirit exuded by the characters.

Witnessing Kerry's bond grow stronger with her brother was heartwarming, considering they grew physically apart due to their parents' divorce. The character evolution of Kerry and Murphy was beautifully portrayed—from initially distant to openly expressing sibling affection after spending time together.

However, I found myself questioning if this was indeed a holiday romance. I was reading Chapter 9 when I noticed the limited interaction between Kerry and Patrick. A couple of chapters after, Patrick's spontaneous peck on Kerry's lips left me baffled. It felt abrupt and rushed, lacking the buildup their relationship deserved.

The secondary characters, particularly Mr. Heinz and Austin, brought a certain charm to the narrative. Mr. Heinz, like a grumpy yet endearing grandpa, rediscovered the joy of Christmas, while Austin's quirky demeanor added brightness to the story.

"Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is a decent holiday read. While it may not stand out as exceptional or make it to the top of my list of recommended holiday books, it's certainly not a book I'd dissuade others from picking up.

[3.5]

This book serves up a cozy and endearing holiday romance in the most quaint fashion! Following heroine Kerry and her family's Christmas tree farm business, the reader is led to the Big Apple as the season calls for their annual Christmas tree stand. As Kerry grows accustomed to the camper life in the big city, learning about the locals and their lives, she just so happens to find a place for herself in the bustle of the city.

This book was a page-turner and gave me all the holiday vibes. Like many of this author's books, there is a good deal of storytelling and world-building outside of the romance which helps to immerse yourself in the book. I love this as it paints a bigger picture, a story where the romance is not void of real-life scenarios, struggles, and unrelated, non-romantic joy. I love the layers of dynamics within the story and the side characters' quirks and presence.

The only reason I did not rate this book higher is that I do not feel like it is my perfect romance and is generally suited for an audience a bit older than me, but it truly did not do much wrong!

Thanks for the arc in exchange for my honest review!
It's a fun reading for the holidays season. I really enjoy reading it.

A fun light read to get in the holiday spirit. Kerry helps her family sell Christmas trees in New York and is able to help the business and find a new start for herself.

Received as an ARC from NetGalley and was my first holiday read of the season. Very cute, feel good story that had me rooting for everyone’s happy ending. Brought together family nuances and history/loyalty with not knowing what’s next or best for you. Loved the ending and the reminder that most times we have to just figure out what we really want and do what’s best for us ❤️

Kerry Tolliver is currently unemployed and living with her mother in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Each year, Kerry’s father and brother sell trees from their Christmas tree farm in NYC. This year, however, Jock Tolliver is not healthy enough so Kerry must take her father’s place. She’s transported back to her childhood memories as they spend a month in the family’s ancient camper selling trees in the city. Kerry soon finds community connections at a time when she feels lost in her own life.

This was just the holiday read that I was hoping to find! The author created a great mix of characters with interesting back stories. I loved the found family theme as well; especially the friendship that formed between Kerry and Heinz.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a gifted copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. Check it out! It is worth picking up and keeping on your shelf after reading for reference! #NetGalley #Edelweiss

Thank you to Net Galley and Good Reads for a copy of Bright Lights, Big Christmas.

MKA does Christmas right! I waited until today, Christmas Eve, to read this book as I have read sooo many amazing reviews for this book and i know it was going to be a great way to spend the day. I read it in 4 hours

Kerry Tolliver is driving Spammy, (the family trailer) to NY City to help her brother Murphy sell Christmas Trees. Kerry hasn't made the trek in a few years and was not happy she had to help this year while her father stays home recovering from a health scare. During her stay she meets and falls in love with a cluster of the city residents and starts to question her return to North Carolina. When the elderly gentlemen suddenly disappears Kerry helps the young neighbor, Austin, search for him.

Loved this warm and fuzzy feeling this books gives you. MKA even referenced last year's Christmas book, The Santa Suit. It was a fun Easter Egg to find!

Merry Christmas and be sure to add this to your list, stat!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas was such a great cozy Christmas Novel. As I read I fell in love with all the characters I met along with Kerry. I don't think there was one character spoken about, that I didn't love! It was definitely a novel I did not want to put down and completely reminded me of a hallmark movie!!!

Mary Kay Andrews has perfected the happy holiday feeling book. Perfect little Christmas story. Total Hallmark type book. Felt like I was at a tree farm. Anyone looking for a feel good romance this is for you. I had to get a signed copy for my shelf.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful Christmas read full of wonderful characters and heart. It was cozy and exactly what I wanted to read on Christmas eve, eve. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

It feels like there are so many Christmas stories coming out lately about Christmas tree farms! Generally, I liked this one, but didn't feel like it was a very original idea and could be replaced with any other holiday tale involving a Christmas tree farm.

What's more Christmassy than a tree lot in New York City? This story is full of the Christmas sights and sounds, it is very atmospheric. I loved the atmospheric quality but unfortunately didn't love any of the characters and found that it lacked a plot. The story seemed to resolve and then another subplot formed (which I found boring). I didn't believe the romance, the chemistry was lacking. I wanted so much more from this, my first miss from Mary Kay Andrews.

I received this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable holiday book. I loved the NYC setting at Christmas time. The plot and humor were delightful. MKA never disappoints!

This was a fun Christmas book that didn't feel like all the other Hallmark type Christmas romances I've been reading. There is a romance in the book but it's not center stage to the story and it was nice not to have all the angst and slow burn that a romance book has!

The real theme of this book was found family- which I think is becoming one of my favorite tropes! While most of the book will be forgettable the ending gave me all the feels and Heinz has my heart!

If you are struggling to get into this festive season and need a quick infusion of Christmas spirit, grab a copy of Bright Lights, Big Christmas and settle in for a sweet escapist read.
Kerry Tolliver and her brother travel from their family tree farm in North Carolina to set up shop at their usual spot in a quaint corner of New York City. Living out of a vintage trailer with her ornery brother and his dog is no bed of roses but the locals are friendly and a chance at romance, as impossible as that might be when you are relying on the kindness of strangers for the occasional shower, helps add some cheer to Kerry’s life. There are mysteries to solve and bylaw officers to dodge along with hot chocolate, a cute kid and his single dad and a trailer full of dirty laundry. Every cliche you have come to expect in a seasonal Hallmark movie is here and that is fine with this reader. Fans of Mary Kay Andrews will love this funny, gentle romance.

A copy of this book was received with thanks from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for review.

Kerry Tolliver is an artist who is currently unemployed and ends up going to New York City to help her older brother Murphy run the family Christmas tree stand while living in an old trailer affectionately known as Spammy. There she gets to know a variety of characters in the neighborhood, including divorced single dad Patrick and his son Austin, Claudia who loves her brother, and Heinz who is an older gentleman who takes Kerry under his wing as an artist. This was more of a Christmas book than a true romance novel, but it was an entertaining read. I enjoyed it very much.

Maybe I’m the problem but ??? This was not great??? The Santa suit was AMAZING so I was expecting that same kind of story. This was a bit too long and mundane. The premise was cute and fun but we needed something more magical or something. It was just like the day to day of selling these trees and the people in NY. Kind of just a whole lot of nothing until Heinz was missing but at that point I was over the book