After small town girl Kerry’s father has a heart attack, she must travel to New York City with her grumpy brother to sell family grown Christmas trees and live in a tiny dilapidated travel trailer. Kerry befriends many people throughout the neighborhood and has the experience she least expects, which changes the projection of her life.

Overall Bright Lights Big Christmas was a heartwarming Christmas romcom, but I found it a tad predictable and uneventful. I think it would be better as a Hallmark movie. Hopefully that happens! 🤩

Favorite quote: “Sometimes even the best ideas don’t work out.” ✨

Favorite character: Kerry 🤶
Steamy rating: Mild 💙
Profanity: None 😇
How I discovered: Mary Kay Andrew’s Newsletter 💌
Method: Hybrid read & listen through NetGalley 💚

Super cute! I loved the voice actor on this novel. I did find the voice for the child to be annoying at times, but aren’t all children annoying at times :p the plot overall was very cute. Despite them being Christmas tree sellers, it wasn’t overly Christmas, which I’m sure could be a pro or con depending on the reader. Also, even though it took place in NYC I never got the *magical New York christmas* setting vibes and I think it could’ve taken place in any mid size city which was a bummer because nyc at Christmas is really the best.

2.5 ⭐️ A cute, clean, Christmas romance. Small town girl meets big city single dad and they fall in love (even though they seemingly know basically nothing about each other, even by the end of the story).

There was nothing inherently wrong with this book, in fact it was a nice little tale with a sweet cast of characters, but I just felt like nothing really happened? This could have been condensed into 1/3 the words, and I wouldn’t have felt like I missed anything. I was much more invested in the side stories involving Heinz and Austin than I was in the actual romance focus of this book.

A cute Christmas tale that I don’t think you would regret reading, but also not something I would say you would miss if you didn’t get to it.

Thanks to Mary Kay Andrews, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copy and opportunity to review before publication.

Mary Kay Andrews is my best friend. Okay seriously I love everything MKA writes and this novel doesn’t disappoint. Keri is 30 something and out of job or freelancing from time time; when her father has a heart attack she is called to take his place on the job. The task? Selling Christmas trees in New York City! Her family’s business “Tolivers Christmas tree farm” is desperate for a helping hand. She sets off in an older camper and heads to the big city. She’s helping a grumpy older brother named Murphy and his dog queenie. Broke and freezing to death she manages to find the good in everything. Filled with Christmas miracles. There’s a little bit of love and laughter on every page. It goes a long way! Naturally you are rooting for the Tolivers Christmas Tree business just as your are rooting for Keri. Such a fabulous read for the holidays. Absolutely recommended I just reviewed Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. #NetGalley A huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews is holiday sweetness and fun all tied up with a big red bow. When Kerry Tolliver is tasked with accompanying her brother on the annual family expedition to sell their family farm’s Christmas trees in New York City, she’s less than pleased. NYC, however, proves to be much more merry and bright than she expected. Greenwich Village finds her awakening her creativity, making all sorts of new friends, and realizing the path she wants to take in life. As one would expect from Ms. Andrews, this story leaves you all warm and fuzzy. It’s the perfect holiday read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan audio and the author for this amazing ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5

Mary Kay Andrews does it again in this holiday treasure. Down home North Carolina meets big city New York when Kerry, her brother Murphy and dog, Queenie set up a Christmas tree stand with trees from their family farm at their annual New York neighborhood spot.

Kerry and her brother haven’t spent much time together after their parents divorce. Kerry lived with her mother while Murphy stayed with his father operating the family farm. Now they’re forced to cohabitate in a small trailer aptly dubbed spammy while trying to ensure a profitable season as the business is at stake after their father suffers a heart attack and their mother stays behind to play nursemaid.

Kerry an artist is at a crossroads.; she’s been laid off from her job and is indecisive about what’s next for her. Soon, the eclectic neighborhood absorbs her as its own. An irascible man, helpful neighbors, a determined boy with a divorced father all share in the whimsy of Christmas. A chance encounter with a social influencer could make or break their Christmas tree business.

Step into the chaotic holiday season and enjoy the carols, camaraderie and friendships. Excellent character development and plot movement is pleasant.

Blurb:
When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself.

In the weeks leading into Christmas, Kerry quickly becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. When an elderly neighbor goes missing, Kerry will need to combine her country know-how with her newly acquired New York knowledge to protect the new friends she’s come to think of as family,

And complicating everything is Patrick, a single dad raising his adorable, dragon-loving son Austin on this quirky block. Kerry and Patrick’s chemistry is undeniable, but what chance does this holiday romance really have?

My thoughts:
Surprise for me that this was my first Mary Kay Andrews book and it did not disappoint! My mother always loved to read her books so I was so happy when I got chosen for the ARC! I adored this book, even though Christmas is a few months away it still made me look forward to Christmas trees/lights/togetherness and just pure happiness. It was such a light/fluffy/wholesome Christmas book that you don’t want to miss out on!
I highly recommend anyone that’s looking for a Christmas book to read to pick up a copy of this book when it comes out!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early release ARC!

I seriously couldn't get enough of this book. The characters are all so amazing and some are even relatable. This is the perfect story to get into a Christmas mood.

Kerry Tolliver goes to New York with her brother Murphy to sell their family Christmas trees. As Kerry starts to get a feel for the neighborhood, she realizes that she could stay there full time. She starts to grow relationships with shop owners and even local neighbors. Her brother seems to lose his grumpy side the more he hangs out with his sister and I love to see that relationship between a brother and sister. My favorite character is Austin. I listened to the audio book and the narrator did an amazing job with all her voices for the characters.

If you're looking for a cozy, low- conflict story to help you get into the Christmas season I would recommend this book to you.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this book.

This was the best book. I loved it so much! It's one of my first Christmas books this year, but I have no doubt that it will be one of my favorites, if not my very favorite.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is not your average Christmas romance/novel. The story revolves around Kerry, who has had to go to New York to help her brother sell Christmas trees from their farm back home. Conditions in their little trailer are far from ideal, but they have deals with locals for things like using their toilets, their showers and places to get food. The real upswing for Kerry is meeting the people. There are so many fantastic characters that she develops relationships with. There is man with his young son, an older man that is all alone, the owners of the shops and the people who stop to buy trees.

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Kathleen McInerney. The narration was incredible. The very distinct and different voices for the characters really added to the experience. I really loved it!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
If you take a curmudgeonly old man, a family-like neighborhood, a Christmas tree stand, and a canned ham shaped camper, what do you get? BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS!!! Mary Kay Andrews has long been known as a queen of the beach read, as in "Summer begins with MKA!" With this novel, along with a couple other holiday-themed pieces, including last year's hit, The Santa Suit, we can add another moniker to the crown of Mary Kay Andrews..."Holidays begin with MKA!" Like all MKA novels, this one does not disappoint. A must read this holiday season.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a charming, witty, and sweet romance set in New York City during the Christmas season.

The Tolliver family owns and operates a Christmas Tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina. Every year, their trees are cut, loaded up, and sold at their pop-up family tree stand in Greenwich Village (New York City). This year, it falls to Kerry to help her brother sell the trees because of their father’s health. Life in the camper isn’t ideal and Kerry and her gruff brother have completely different styles. This is a story of running a small family business, a brother/sister relationship, and a close-knit community with a side of romance and HEA.

Engaging, Cozy, and Witty “UpLit” Some stories lend themselves to curling up in front of a cheerful fire with hot chocolate. Save Bright Lights, Big Christmas for such an occasion. It’s light and witty (without the dialogue dominating) with likable and relatable characters. I especially enjoyed the multilayered storyline, the colorful cast of characters, and the variety of relationships (siblings, mother/daughter, family, supportive community, and friends). This book came to me at just the right time when I needed something light after a heavy read.

Enjoyable tropes include slow-burn sweet romance (closed door), multigenerational friendship, community spirit, sunshine sister + grumpy brother, helping others, and found family. Of course, we also have a sweet HEA , fitting for the genre.

I love a light women’s fiction read that is more than a romance. In Bright Lights, Big Christmas, romance is only one of the storylines. There is a complicated brother-sister relationship in which different personalities and approaches cause friction. In addition, we meet members of the community who become friends. The multigenerational storyline adds poignancy. I can’t forget about the precocious kid and the adorable dog. The budding romance is a slowburn in the background until the very end.

I warmly recommend Bright Lights, Big Christmas for your December TBR if you enjoy light women’s fiction with a side of sweet romance. Fans of Mary Kay Adrews will definitely want to read this new release, and book clubs might enjoy it as their December selection.

I listened to this via audio and enjoyed the narrator.

Thanks #NetGalley @MacmillanAudio for a complimentary eARC of #BrightLightsBigChristmas upon my request. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute holiday read set in NYC! Kerry and her brother live in North Carolina but when late fall comes they head to NYC to sell Christmas trees they bring from their tree farm. Their dad usually makes the trip with her brother, but he is sick and can't make it so Kerry is there to help! They stay in this old camper trailer parked in a cute neighborhood with the best neighbors. They rely A LOT on these neighbors as they don't have a bathroom, running water, or really anything besides beds in their camper. When the trees start to sell out it will be time to leave but Kerry is really connecting with everyone she has met.

I really liked how the community they sell the trees in really helps them out. They provide food, showers, and bathrooms, and include them as one of their own. They really seemed to be struggling financially and being surrounded by the wealthiest of NYC was such a huge contrast! It was really interesting to see two sides of the income spectrum in this one.

The connection Kerry made with Patrick seemed to just happen, like there wasn't really a lead-up to it, and all of a sudden it was happening. I liked the mention of The Santa Suit in this one! I wish there was an epilogue to see how everyone was doing at the end, but I am just an epilogue girl so it didn't take anything away from the story :)

I have been a fan of MKA for many years because she does heartwarming family stories like nobody else and this book was no exception. This one is about family both blood and found, friendship and lots of holiday spirit. Perfect to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and settle in for the afternoon.
When Kerry lost her job she was forced to go back home to the small mountain town in NC where she grew up on a charter farm with her family where every year her brother and father would take the trees they grew to NYC to sell during the month of December. This year as luck would have it, her father is sick and he can’t make the trip, so she is forced to make the trip with her brother, who she is estranged from, so she is forced to drive their camper, which is adorably nicknamed Spammy, while he drives the truck full of trees to the city to set up their stand.
Once they get to their usual spot in the Village, Kerry gets to know a lot of the neighbors that have gotten to know her brother Murphy over the many years he’s been coming. One particular neighbor, Patrick, and his son, Austin, quickly win over Kerry’s heart. While there is downtime at the stand, Kerry practices her art by sketching the people and animals she sees on the street and one of the neighbors, an elderly man, stops and comments on how she can make her sketches better. She gets to know him over time until he suddenly stops coming by so she and the neighbors go on a hunt to find him to make sure he’s ok. Once they do, life changes for all of them, as he isn’t who they thought he was, and can change all of their lives forever.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.

This was my first read by this author and honestly, it wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I can see how it would be appealing to lovers of Hallmark movies with simple plots and quick love. It has all the cute neighborhood charm and camaraderie that you expect out of those plots with some Christmas cheer, a problem to be solved collectively and of course, a romance. I loved the southern goes to the City connection and the basic premise of the book. The narrator also did a great job with a fairly large cast of characters in dialogue including the kid voicing which is very hard to do in my opinion.

I liked Kerry and Patrick as characters and am usually a sucker for a single dad trope but the romance of this one was just too quick for my taste. The first kiss came out of nowhere and then the next thing you know, they almost sleep together but keep getting interrupted by his son. Don’t get me wrong, I love closed door romance and really appreciate when an author can bring all the tension and chemistry but still keep the door closed without sharing all the details. This one just didn’t give the build-up of the emotional connection between them at all and I think it tried to fit into an “almost spicy” niche but didn’t quite get there. I think it would be too much for some strict kisses-only, sweet romance readers but not enough for readers that want all the detail. I personally would have been fine with what was shown in that regard but only if there had been some build-up of the relationship prior to those moments.

Murphy was also horrible - I think the goal was gruff, mountain man but he was just a jerk for most of the book.

I received an advanced copy of this audiobook via NetGalley from Macmillan Audio. All opinions shared in this review are my own.

Content Notes: Kisses to interrupted intimacy scenes

3.5 stars. This was a very easy to listen to audiobook that I would recommend if you're looking for a Hallmark movie type read. It's a very light and heart-warming holiday book that would be fun to listen to while doing other holiday things, such as decorating, wrapping presents, making cookies etc. I found that the narrator did a great job and had a pleasant voice.

The story follows Kerry and her rough around the edges brother, Murphy, who travel to New York to sell Christmas Trees that were grown on their family farm. They stay in a trailer on a corner in Greenich Village while selling their trees onsite. They mingle with a variety of neighborhood residents. There is some romance involved with very little spice. At times I did feel that the story was a bit long and I think the romance could have been expanded on to help make it more believable.

Overall, I enjoyed this audio book, as I really loved the atmosphere created by the Christmas Tree business and the small RV/Trailer named Spammy.

Thank you to Netgalley, Mary Kay Andrews and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.

3.5 stars | 0 spice | 5/5 audiobook

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors for light summery reads - and now has become a favorite for cute Christmasy reads! Bright Lights, Big Christmas follows the story of Kerry and her brother Murphy as they travel to New York to sell Christmas trees from their family business. In her usual style, Andrews introduces us to a wide variety of people in this neighborhood of New York and there's even a little romance and suspense.

Kerry meets the various people around town and quickly helps her brother turn their Christmas tree business into a quick seller. I enjoyed the aspects of the Christmas tree business and Spammy, the RV they traveled and slept in. I will say the Christmas tree stuff does get old quickly, there's only so much I can listen to about selling trees, delivery issues, and the different customers buying the trees.

This is a zero-spice romance book, there are some hints but (sorry spicy romance readers) it's a fade-to-black. Kerry meets local single dad, Patrick, and quickly falls in love with him and his son, Austin (she also meets the ex and the ex actually LIKES her). I liked Kerry and Patrick together but I did not like the way he seemed a little pushy when it came to taking their relationship to the next level. Kerry was clearly uncomfortable doing anything with his small child in the house and yet he was like "WHAT IF WE JUST CUDDLE, BUT NAKED." Like chill dude.

The audiobook was fantastic for this story. The narrator had a great voice and it was easy to listen to. It would make a great tale to listen to while doing some Christmas baking or even wrapping some Christmas presents. It isn't overly Christmasy - but I did really love the character references from Andrew's other book, The Santa Suit.

A 3.5-star read for me that I would recommend for a holiday read! It was a little on the long side and lost me at times, but overall it was an easy and fun read!

When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself.

In the weeks leading into Christmas, Kerry quickly becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. When an elderly neighbor goes missing, Kerry will need to combine her country know-how with her newly acquired New York knowledge to protect the new friends she’s come to think of as family,

And complicating everything is Patrick, a single dad raising his adorable, dragon-loving son Austin on this quirky block. Kerry and Patrick’s chemistry is undeniable, but what chance does this holiday romance really have?

Filled with family ties, both rekindled and new, and sparkling with Christmas magic, Bright Lights, Big Christmas delivers everything Mary Kay Andrews fans adore, all tied up in a hilarious, romantic gem of a novel.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the advanced audio arc! This is a perfect, heartwarming Christmas read!

𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑳𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔, 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞: Christmas in NY, saving a Christmas tree farm business, holiday reads, found family, single dad love interest
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Sept 26, 2023

“New York at Christmas is magical. Walking down Fifth Avenue to see all the store windows decorated. Getting hot chocolate at the market at Union Square ..?”

Alright friends, grab your hot cocoas because the Christmas books are coming!

This new Mary Kay Andrews holiday read is a quick, short story that will help you get in a festive mood.

It’s Kerry first time in NYC! Having just moved back home in North Carolina, she was guilt tripped into helping her brother sell their Christmas trees in their little stand around Greenwich Village. Aaand this is how our story basically starts.

I adored this one so much! It gave you that small town vibe while being in NYC! This has romance, a cute little kid, a grumpy old man, charming neighbors, a quirky camper van, saving a family business story, and a found family trope! Pretty much everything you need to kickstart your holiday reading needs!

I loved this author’s The Santa Suit from two years ago and you’ve enjoyed that, you’d definitely want to pick this up too!

Thank you so much, @stmartinspress for sending me a copy!

3.5 stars

A fun, light read interspersed with holiday cheer, good deeds, love, compassion, friendships, and a quirky unforeseen character, Spammy! This audio book warmed my heart and the narration was easy to listen to.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are solely my own and are a honest review.

Four generations of Tollivers have grown Fraser fir trees on their western North Carolina tree farm and transported them to a stand in the West Village, NY to sell over the holiday season. When Kerry was young, the whole family drove up and stayed in a small trailer. Kerry has wonderful memories of this time. Now 34 and living with her mother, she is between jobs. Her father, Jock Tolliver had heart surgery and can't make the trip, so Kerry is convinced to go and help her older, curmudgeon and taciturn brother, Murphy. They head up but "Spammy" is not the same. There is no plumbing and the kitchen doesn't work, so they depend on neighbors and business owners to use their washrooms and get food. Things do not go smoothly and Kerry and Murphy have issues, but this is a Christmas story, so you know things will work out with a bit of Christmas Magic. When a discount tree seller sets up shop across the street, they have to do something, or the tree farm could be in danger. With social media, a handsome single father and great neighbors, this story made me smile and feel all Christmasy, even though it is only September.

The big city of New York is always one that makes me think of impersonal neighbours and non-stop action, but this book shows a neighborhood that is a community, not unlike the small town romances I have read. The characters were wonderful from Kerry, Patrick, his son and the older artist "homeless" man who disappears for several days. I love how they all rallied around to help and what they find out about him. I am not always a fan of social media and influencers, but in this book, I loved how it helped Tolliver Farms and their sales. If you want a Christmas book that is a romance, but much more, then I recommend you pick up Bright Lights, Big Christmas. With themes of family, dreams, small town vs Big City, community, supporting others, romance, grief, friendship and new beginnings, this was a great start to my Christmas reading. I did a read/listen and enjoyed Kathleen McInerney's narration. She always does a great job and this was no exception. I highly recommend this one in whatever format you prefer.