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.

As expected, not challenging but not boring either. Solid romance read and a well read audiobook. Somewhat predictable.

This book will make you feel the warmth of the holiday season! I really loved this story of Kerry and her brother, who travel to NYC one December to sell Christmas trees harvested on their family’s North Carolina farm. While this is a family business and Murphy comes here every year, this year Kerry accompanies him for the first time in many years, in place of their father who is recovering from a heart attack. She falls in love with the neighborhood and quickly makes friends. The book is filled with interesting characters, from a young boy who loves the trailer in which Kerry and Murphy live for the month, to a grumpy old man who helps Kerry rediscover her love of art. And the Christmas-in-New York setting is fabulous. The audiobook is wonderfully narrated and I hated that it had to come to an end. I’m hoping for a sequel! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors.

I love the way that in this holiday book MKA has brought the south to New York City for an uplifting book of family, friendship, and romance.

I think the characters and the setting and even the tiny camper makes this book perfect.

Solid 4.5 stars! I love nothing more that reading/listening to holiday books outside of holiday time! There's something about Christmas stories that are light and heart-warming. That is definitely Bright Lights, Big Christmas! This book would play out exceptionally well as a Hallmark or Lifetime movie. The characters are likeable, and all ages/personalities are included, as well as a lovable dog. And no holiday book would be complete without a love interest.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is an endearing story which delivers holiday spirit!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for an advanced listening copy.

Lovely Christmas story about family, friends, and romance. Kerry's father is ill and unable to help her brother run the Christmas Tree stand. She leaves the family tree farm in North Carolina and drives to New York City to help her brother. She quickly becomes friends with the community and finds a love interest in Patrick and his young son Austin. This is a great seasonal read or listen.

A sweet holiday story. I don’t normally read Christmas novels until November, but I snagged an audio ARC from the lovely folks at NetGalley. This was definitely a snuggle up with hot chocolate kinda tale. I did enjoy it, but I love when MKA’s sweetness comes with a little bite. I’d kill for another Weezie and Bebe Christmas or any Weezie and Bebe story, actually.

Kerry Tolliver is a graphic designer that was recently let go after the company she worked for merged with another. With her dad recently having a heart attack, Kerry's mother ropes her into traveling from North Carolina to New York with her brother Murphy to work on the Tolliver Tree Lot. She has to drive up to New York hauling the family's old camper Spammy.

While working on the tree lot, Kerry gets to know Murphy again. He lived with their father after the divorce and she lived with their mother. Kerry also gets to know the regulars of the tree lot and the locals who help with food, place to shower and use the bathroom, and do laundry. She also gets to know Patrick and his son Austin. Kerry and Austin with the help of another local named Hienz start to work on a story. Hienz and Kerry draw the illustrations as Austin changes what happens next.

When Hienz becomes sick, Kerry forces him to allow her to help him. She realizes he is a famous artist that suddenly stopped make art in the 1990s. They end up help each other in the end and Kerry agrees to stay in New York to be his assistant and create her own art. It also makes Patrick and Austin happy that she is stays.

I yet again loved a Mary Kay Andrews book. This is my eleventh book by her. Kathleen McInerney did an amazing job with the narration.

A (very) sweet holiday story. Cute clean romance and lots of holiday vibes. If you like the author and are looking for a holiday read thisbm year, you will enjoy. Narrator did a great job of voicing all the different characters!

This was a very sweet, zero spice, Christmas story. I loved the framily aspect of the story. For me, the book was slow and fairly uneventful. Its worth the read if you're looking for a sweet Christmas story. I just reviewed Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. #NetGalley

Put down that remote and grab yourself the perfect holiday Rom-Com on paper (or in audio). Bright Lights, Big Christmas was a great story perfect for getting readers in the holiday spirit! This book fills you with the same joy as finding that perfect tree and getting to enjoy its sparkle in the weeks that follow. Definitely recommend!

A storyline I've never heard before - check. Likeable characters that you are rooting for - check. What seems like the opportunity to expand on those characters in more books - check, check, check. AND as a bonus - some non in your face "Gift of the Magi" level reminders about the impact of kindness and humanity - CHECK!

As is typical for Mary Kay Andrews books (and the reason I keep reading them) this book feels mostly like a big comfortable blanket that is easy to snuggle in. It's festive, sweet, pretty corny, and very easy to read. As I have also noticed with her books, the story is an extremely slow burn until about the last quarter of the book when it gets quite a bit deeper quickly. I did feel like this book required a little suspension of reality - the neighborhood taking in itinerant Christmas tree salesmen so completely felt strange, for example. The romance portion moved so slowly I questioned where it ended up. Overall - if you are looking for a feel good Christmas season tale, this could be just the ticket.

This book is perfect to get you in the holiday spirit. Bright Lights, Big Christmas is such a heartfelt story that will make you feel good, what more can you want for Christmas than that?

Kerry's family has a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina. Her brother Murphy and her dad go to Manhattan yearly to sell their trees. This year Kerry's dad is recovering from a heart attack so Kerry goes in his place to help Murphey with the tree stand.

Everyone Kerry talks to are all so nice. The connections she makes all felt so special. She starts to develop feelings for Patrick. Patrick lives in the neighborhood and has a young son Austin. Austin was such a great kid character and the way he drove some of the story was just heartwarming.

This book needs to be on everyone's holiday reading list.

As with all MKA books, this was an absolute delight! A perfect, hearts warning, cosy read…in this case, listen. The narrator for this book was excellent.

Release Date: September 26, 2023
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When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. In the weeks leading into Christmas, Kerry becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. When one of the 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.
This includes 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?

#brightlightsbigchristmas is exactly what I wanted it to be. Hallmark with a flair of mystery. This book is filled with big feels; from family ties, both rekindled and new, to sparkling with Christmas magic. I highly recommend this book as we go into the holiday season!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

#brightlightsbigchristmas #marykayandrews #newyorkcity
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bright lights, big Christmas was pure pre-Christmas bliss.

i felt it showcased the heartwarming story of the Tolliver family perfectly. Kerry Tolliver leaving her home state of North Carolina to travel all the way to New York City to help the family business; Christmas trees! I love the plot, characters and truly the overall whole book.

It’s the perfect time for Kerry to spread her swings and “carve out a new corner for herself”. In the beauty (and blistering cold) of Manhattan she discovers new friends, challenges, drama, and a new love. But most importantly, Kerry discovers herself and a new path for her life to take ❤️

This book was easy to love and I wouldn’t change anything. Truly enjoyed it

bright lights, big christmas was such a cute, lighthearted, truly enjoyable listen. There was a dash of drama, family dynamics and romance.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and the author Mary Kay Andrews for the opportunity to review this audiobook prior to it's release for an honest review. This was my first book by Ms. Andrews and I absolutely wholeheartedly adored it. The setting of New York City at Christmastime made my heart so happy and gave me all the feels. The main characters as well as the secondary characters are so easy to fall in love with and you can't help but want the world for them. This book was lighthearted and whimsical, and the ending was perfection. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Andrews! (Review also posted on Goodreads.)

I received an advanced copy of this audiobook from Net Galley and MacMillan Audio. The release date is September 26, 2023.

Mary Kay Andrew's books set in the South are my go-to for beach reads, so what could be better than a Southern brother-sister combo that heads to NYC to sell North Carolina Christmas trees in the West Village during the Christmas season?

I loved the eclectic characters and the friendships made, plus there is a mystery to be solved! This will really get you in the Christmas spirit!

Also, Kathleen McInerney is fabulous as the narrator.

Another charming Christmas story by Mary Kay Andrews.
Kerry Tolliver’s family owns a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina. A few weeks before Christmas her brother Murphy and her dad go to NYC to sell trees. This year Kerry has to take the trip since her dad is sick.
While in New York, Kerry, Murphy, and Murphy’s dog Queenie live in a tiny, but cute camper. She meets all kinds of people from the little neighborhood where their stand is located.
This is a very heartwarming story about family, kind neighbors, helpful friends, not so nice people, and, of course, love.
I love Mary Kay Andrews’ Christmas books and read them every year. Last year my book club read The Santa Suit, and I loved how both books were connected by the little town of Tarburton.
I listened to the audio version of the book. Kathleen McInerney always does a fabulous job with the narrations. I highly recommend this book.

Warm fuzzy hallmark feel book! If you need something to brighten your spirits, light on the heart, and give that warm cozy holiday feel, this is the book for you! Not my typical genre but was just what I needed right now. Sweet characters, and storyline!