I picked this one up for a dose of holiday cheer. It has the makings of a tale sure to make your spirits bright: a small-town, Southern girl travels to New York City to stay in a camper affectionately—or not so affectionately—named Spammy to sell Christmas trees with her older brother and his dog on the streets of Manhattan.

There are Christmas trees and lights, snow and holiday music, and even a Christmas party. I should have been feeling festive, but the book ended up feeling a bit long to me.

It is sweet in a Hallmark way with an instalove scenario between our FMC, Kerry, and a recent divorcé who lives on the block part-time with his young son, but I had a tough time becoming invested in the connection or chemistry between the two. I do love found family elements in stories but am not sure I was truly sold on those elements in this one. And I struggled with the way the brother spoke to and treated Kerry. I understand that he is supposed to come off as gruff or grumpy, but at some points, he comes across as mean to a sibling who is there to help him out.

Kathleen McInerney does a good job with the audiobook narration. Her tone for Kerry is sweet. She uses easily distinguishable voices for each of the characters. Her pacing is easy to follow.

Be aware that due to the way some of the chapter endings are written, though, parts of the audiobook feel a bit choppy. Those abrupt changes can be attributed to the writing style, though, instead of the narration.

Overall, this wasn’t a huge hit for me but may be one for fans of this author.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley.com for free advanced copy of this. I loved this book! It's a light romance book in the sense that isn't cheesy. Th author really makes you feel like you are there selling trees in a small space in NYC. The narrator was good in this audiobook. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a light holiday winter book.

Cue the Christmas music (but not the snow 😂) It’s a little early to start in on the holiday season, but I could pass up the chance to read this book early. I’m a fan of Mary Kay Andrew’s and love Christmas books so it was a no brainer. This story is about a family that runs a Christmas tree farm and brings their trees to NY for the holiday season. The warmth and friendships of the neighborhood where they sell trees is endearing and makes you want to stroll through. Throw in a little love interest and you’ve got Christmas magic.

I have read many of MKA's book and love them all.
I loved the characters in this one.
I adored Austin and the writing of the book.
This is a fast holiday read.

I loved this heartwarming holiday story about siblings Kerry and Murphy. Murphy and his dad normally bring their Christmas trees from the family tree farm in North Carolina to sell in NYC every holiday season, and have built up a community of friends that they depend on every year to help them while they are there. This year however sister Kerry has to substitute for dad when his health keeps him from coming, and her recent job loss allows her to be guilted into helping the family business even though she hasn't spent time with her brother in many years.

Even though this novel takes place in NYC vs. the authors usual small town scene, she makes this corner of the city feel like a close neighborhood, and although this still is a trademark MKA romance, it also has a wonderful found family element which was the most important part of the story for me. I highly recommend you adding this novel when you are ready for that holiday story to give you some joy and happy tears.

Another great cozy Christmas book from Mary Kay! If you’re a hallmark fan, this is a great holiday read to dive into for feel good reads. I loved this one! Great narrator!

This is the first time I’ve listened to anything by Mary Kay Andrews. It was such a delight to be able to listen to Bright Lights, Big Christmas. I loved the holiday feeling the story gave as well as the character of Birdie! We all have a Birdie in our lives 😊 .

This was such a sweet & heartwarming story. I thought the narrator Kathleen McInerney did a wonderful job & it was just magical listening to this seasonal audio.

I want to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audio book.
Publication date : September 26, 2023

Mary Kay Andreas does it again. This is only the 2nd book I’ve read of hers and I loved it. Cute Christmas story not filled with fluff.

Tropes/themes
Second chance love
Blended families
Divorce
Family business

I love to listen to audiobooks of books I've already read and enjoyed. I get to revisit the characters I grew to love and pick up nuances I missed the first time through. This was no exception - narrator Kathleen McInerney brought all the characters to life - from young Austin to elderly Heinz. Makes me want to plan a Christmas trip to NYC!

Charming. Cozy. Heartwarming.

I LOVE this book. It should be on everyone’s holiday TBR. I also need a NYC Christmas.

Such a sweet read as we close out the summer season! Kerry moves to the sweet neighborhood of Abington Square to sell Christmas trees with her brother. I absolutely love the story of these pop up tree sellers and how they are such a beloved tradition in the community- who take them in to shower, do laundry, etc. This heartwarming story is about chosen family, and how a neighborhood can be as cozy as a small country town.

It was a simple story without much deviation from the romance angle. A bit hard to believe the NYC angle, and despite being set on a Christmas tree lot, not a whole lot of feel-good holiday elements for me. Characters were fine. Narration was fine. It was just a wholly forgettable story overall.

Overall: 3 stars

I'll tell my students about: alcohol, language

**Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Kerry Tolliver, drives to NYC from her family's Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to set up their long time annual Christmas Tree stand. Living in a camper van with her gruff lumberjack brother Murphy, Kerry is shown love and community by the surrounding neighbors as they sell through the trees from Tolliver's Farm. The community consists of a hunky neighbor, his charming son, his cranky ex-wife, a loving family that owns the restaurant near the Christmas tree stand, and then the mysterious old man that walks the streets- the book has something for every reader in there.
This was a sweet Christmas read but not one of my favorites!
Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the arc!

I had the good fortune of receiving both the ebook and the audiobook versions of Bright Lights, Big Christmas. I alternated between listening and reading.
I was immediately drawn into the storyline. Bright Lights, Big Christmas is well written and the characters are well developed. I very quickly became attached to all of them, albeit for different reasons. I loved the descriptions of the New York neighbourhood - its quaint eateries, shops and diversity of people I highly recommend Bright Lights, Big Christmas. Truly a feel good story of an unlikely community coming together.
The narration, by Kathleen McInerney, is well done. It’s well paced and very easy to follow. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook version of this ARC.

Very cute, Hallmark-movie-ish Christmas story set in NYC. I liked the twist of taking the Christmas tree farm to the big city!

I liked the neighborhood and the people who lived there. However, I often felt bogged down by repetitive and mundane details. So much about showering (or the lack of), specific trees sold, going to the wholesale flower supplier, etc...

Another thing, the timeline was kind of a mess. It was very specific at times (today is Tuesday), but the next thing you knew, several days passed and it felt discombobulated. Either be specific and keep track of the calendar, or keep it vague. They had the stand set up only 3-4 weeks, but I swear there were way more weekends than three or so.

The audiobook is narrated by Kathleen McInerney, who never disappoints.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a review of an Advanced Readers Copy of Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

🎄About🎄
Kerry Tolliver’s family owns a tree farm in North Carolina where they grow trees that they sell in New York before Christmas. This year, her brother needs her to help him with the tree stand, filling in for her dad. She must stay with her gruff, grumpy brother for a month in an old camper with no bathroom or kitchen, while they try to keep their family’s business afloat.

During their stay, they rely on the neighborhood families and business owners for assistance. Kerry meets Patrick and his son, Austin, whom she develops a connection with. Also, there is a fun older gentleman who likes to help Kerry with her drawings. Everyone looks out for one another in this little part of the big city, and is willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed!

🎄Thoughts🎄
I really thing the side characters made this story the most interesting. Kerry and her brother are where the story is centered, but without the lovable neighbors and business owners, they wouldn’t be able to thrive. This gives the book that holiday feel - people loving their neighbors and helping in times of need, even when people do not want help at all.

Kerry has her own internal life struggles, she isn’t sure where life is leading her next, job wise and living wise. She develops a romance, which was a small part of the story, but I don’t think it’s what made the story. Kerry had to learn that she needs to step out of her comfort zone if she really wants something great in life. And she gets taught that lesson by the grumpiest of people!

You will like this book if you like:
🎄New York Christmas Stories
🎄Found Family
🎄Self-Discovery
🎄Animated Side Characters
🎄Single Dad Romance

Mary Kay Andrews does it again with another sweet, heart warming, and lovely Christmas story! I wanted to hang out with Kerry at the family Christmas tree stand in NYC. The cast of supporting characters felt like friends by the end and I was sad to see them go.
I typically won’t read or listen to Christmas books before December, but for MKA I made an exception and I’m so glad that I did!

MARY KAY ANDREWS never disappoints! I have been a fan since day one and I have a large collection of her books! This one was no different! I fell in love with the characters and the plot, such a lighthearted feeling every time I read her books, there's always a connection to the characters and what they are going through. Tis the season this will be a hit!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I thought this would be like every other Christmas Tree lot story I have read over the years, but I was wrong. This story had so much depth to it, and the multiple storylines and well-written characters made me want to keep reading long into the evening.

🎧 3/5 ⭐️

I LOVE hallmark type Christmas stories, especially clean romance. Add the tie back to the previous books and it’s set up to be the perfect Christmas read.

I could have done without the main character love story. The relationship felt thrown together and when they were finally alone it was cringy and condescending, which the main character didn’t seem bothered by. If someone pushed me for sex after I said no and then stated “Yeah, it’s called adulting” in a later conversation they would never see me again. After that point I was just irritated when he appeared.

It’s the neighbors made this story. The true Christmas story wasn’t the romance story (that was cringy at time) but the community that took care of each other. The experience of real Christmas in New York and the way they come together to support each other.

Cut out the main character romance to shorten the story which puts the focus back on the community and it would have been the perfect Christmas read. For me this would have been a 5 star read with these changes.

Overall easy Christmas read.

This has been posted to Goodreads already.