Absolutely MAGICAL. Mary Kay Andrews never fails for me. Her charm and witt she brings to the strong female main characters brings me back every time. In this festive book, the side characters definitely made the story. I loved getting to know all the different people who lived in the neighborhood as the tree stand. I loved reading about the main character making wreaths. I didn't totally buy into the romance but the magic of the story made up for that for me. Would 10/10 recommend!

This was a super sweet and festive story. The author describes it as a hot cocoa hug of a book, which I love! I really enjoyed the characters and the backdrop of the Christmas tree stand in New York City. There wasn’t a whole lot of plot going on though, so I did find it slow at times, but still an enjoyable holiday read! 🌲🌆🎅🏼

<i> Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review. </i>

No one does Christmas like Mary Kay Andrews. I greatly loved The Santa Suit last year and this was no exception. It was funny and heartwarming. A quick and satisfying read.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect for the holiday season!! As I was reading it... I just kept thinking I have watched this Hallmark Christmas Movie before. It's why I'm giving it a 4 because it wasn't very original. Perfect cozy Christmas romance and my first Christmas story of the season.

The Tolliver Christmas tree stand has been a staple in NYC's Greenwich Village for decades. Every year the Tolliver family patriarch, Jock, and his gruff son, Murphy, make the trek to the city from their North Carolina tree farm, and the month they spend selling trees to city folks accounts for most of the year's profits. But this year, Jock is recovering from surgery, and it's up to his daughter Kerry to accompany her brother Murphy to the Big Apple. It's not like Kerry has much else to occupy her time, since she's living at home again after being laid off from her job as a graphic designer -- so she reluctantly agrees to haul their retro trailer, Spammy, to the Greenwich Village corner where it will serve as her and Murphy's home for the Christmas season.

When she arrives, Kerry is immediately charmed by the Village's residents, including a handsome single dad named Patrick and his son, Austin, and a mysterious elderly gentleman named Heinz. As the month passes, Kerry finds herself doing more than just selling Christmas trees. She's bonding with her brother for the first time in her adult life, pushing the bounds of her creativity and ingenuity, forging unexpected new friendships, and opening herself up to the possibility of a future -- and a love -- she never could have imagined.

First, two caveats: One, I do not personally enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies; and two, I have never read anything else by Mary Kay Andrews, who I understand to be a writer of fluffy, feel-good stories which are not typically my "thing." However, something in me really craves a cheesy, magical, seasonal romance novel during the holiday season, so Bright Lights, Big Christmas seemed like it would fit that bill perfectly. And in some aspects, it did. I really enjoyed the found family narrative and the idea of bringing a small-town sensibility to a big-city neighborhood. I liked the feeling of fellowship that existed among the neighborhood residents, their inherent goodness as people that felt like a balm to the soul.

However, I did feel like the plot of this book was lacking. It's pretty repetitive and meandering for the first half, until the romance aspect comes into play -- and that romance is as instalove as it gets. There's no banter, no backstory, no chemistry, and no spice except for one very cringey scene that takes place in Spammy and is thankfully cut short. I wasn't invested in the romance because it just kind of...happened, with no context and no authenticity. You can't just tell us these people are in love, you have to show us -- and Andrews didn't. All of the characters are pretty one-dimensional, and although there is some LGBTQIA+ representation that I appreciated, it was of the very stereotypical sort.

Bright Lights, Big City is a wholesome holiday read with moments of charm, but overall is a bit messy and lackluster in its execution. 2.5 stars rounded up. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the complimentary reading opportunity.

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.