Bright Lights, Big Christmas was like a warm hug in a chilly night and a perfect Christmastime read. This was my first Mary Kay Andrews on audio and I appreciated how the story was brief but I felt very connected to the characters (especially Heinz!). I also liked the nod to Andrews' other popular Christmas novella, The Santa Suit. I will definitely read that one come Christmastime. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the free advanced listening copy for review.

I’m a big fan of MKA and Bright Lights Big Christmas 🎄 doesn’t disappoint! This small town North Carolina meets Big City New York delivers a fun and cozy Christmas story. I found the story of the Tolliver Tree Farm totally charming.

You could smell the fir trees, hear the crackling of the fire pit, taste the marshmallow hot chocolate and see the twinkle lights lighting up the tree yard. You’ll want to spend the night in “spammie”.

Love the narrator!

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins press for this early digital read and McMillan audio for the audiobook. All opinions are my own.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Well this was 💎! I tend to not be the biggest holiday book person but whenever Mary Kay Andrews writes a holiday book, I’m always a super fan.

Basically, Kerry leaves her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for New York City to help her grumpy older brother and his dog, Queenie (at the very least the selling point of the book 👑 🐕), sell trees at their family stand in Greenwich Village.

Kerry is experiencing Manhattan for the first time, and she’s staying in a little camper. While there are a few things that may not be 💯 realistic to New York, I found there to be charm to the whole story. I also loved Kerry’s experience going into all the local New York spots. AND of course Kerry carves a spot for herself in New York City too.

With a hint of romance, and a lot of local LOVE 💕This was the perfect holiday book! 🎄🎅🏼

It's Christmas time. It's Time to sell some trees. Claire must go with her brother to run the family business. Normally, her father would go, but he had a heart attack.
Claire meets all the neighbors on the block that run the various stores.
She meets Patrick and his son Austin and instantly feels like this may be a place that she belongs

When a North Carolina tree farming family meets the bright lights of the big city of New York at Christmas time, you know it's going to be magical!

For generations, the Tolliver family have been growing Christmas trees and bringing them to their tree stand in New York every December. The only difference this year is that Jock, the Tolliver patriarch, has suffered a heart attack and his daughter Kerry is going to join her brother Murray in New York to try to keep their family-run business afloat.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Kerry meets a number of lovable neighbors as she works alongside her grumpy brother and works her way into the hearts of everyone along the way.

This story was everything you want in a light, cozy Christmas book. The characters were relatable and fun, making you feel like you are reading about friends. There is a bit of romance in the book, but I feel it was more driven by the friendships and relationships forming with each of the characters that Kerry meets rather than just the romance.

While I felt that the picturesque New York shown in the book was a tad unbelievable, the story and characters were enough to make you forget any unrealistic aspects and just enjoy the story. It was fun, it was cute, it was heart warming and I definitely think this should be added to your holiday reading list!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audio of this book for my honest review.

Bright Lights Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 9/26

This was such a great way to kick off my holiday reading! With a heartwarming storyline and endearing characters, this book is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.

The story follows Kerry Tolliver, who leaves her family's Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to help her brother sell trees in the bustling streets of New York City. The fate of their farm hinges on their ability to sell enough trees, and Kerry's determination shines through as she embarks on this adventure. Set against the backdrop of Manhattan's iconic Greenwich Village, the novella beautifully captures the magic of the holiday season in the city that never sleeps.

Kerry has a lot of interaction with her charming neighbors, including an endearing elderly recluse and an adorable dog. And then there's Patrick, a single dad with an adorable dragon-loving son, who ignites an undeniable spark of romance.

Andrews' writing is full of festive spirit, and her vivid descriptions made me feel like I was in NYC at Christmas. It's a feel-good read that captures the essence of Christmas traditions, from tree decorating to the joy of giving.

If you're looking for an easy, heartwarming, and festive read, this novella will put you in a cheerful mood. Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my digital copy, and to Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook.

This was a fun, light Christmas read filled with Christmas trees, family, friends, and plenty of Christmas magic. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A totally heart warm sweet Christmas story. It will make you want to get a blanket and read on till you have finished it.
You will love the characters & the family dynamics. Along with the surprises. Especially the feel good ending. I loved this book. You will find yourself wanting Christmas to be here soon.
Thank you Netgallery for the opportunity and great gift to read this book. It was so much FUN!

I loved this read! Thank you netgalley and MacMillan Audio for sending me this cute holiday read. This book was filled with the true meaning of Christmas, shared with family, friends and love. A great read that gave me all the holiday feels.

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.