When I started this book I was worried I would not be able to channel the necessary Christmas Vibe I needed to read this book in August, but no no no Mrs Mary Kay Andrew delivered all the feels! The only thing that would have made this better would have been if I could have been wearing my Christmas Pajamas (all family members in matching ones of course) sipping hot chocolate with a Christmas Tree next to a crackling fire. (Side note, I mainly listened to this book on my walks in 100 degree hot steamy, humid August North Carolina weather, in nike tempos, a t shirt and SPF 50 slopped on my face--not too Christmasy)--despite all that I got all the Christmas Cheer!!

Kerry and her gruffy older brother make the annual trip up to NYC to sell the family's Christmas Trees , however Kerry takes the place of Jock their father because he has recently had a heart attack. In NYC they live out of the family trailer, Spammy. The story chronicles the comings and goings of the Tree stand in busy New York City, I think it does a little bit of "un truth" as the block where they set up camp feels more like a small southern tow (very kind friendly people, letting them bathe, wash clothes and warm up in their apartments) No offense to northerners but it felt more like they were in the South. But whatever, maybe it was just the characters were in the Christmas spirit.
There was nothing "major" or "dramatic" that happened in this book, except for the developing relationships amongst the characters. I enjoyed watching Kerry grow more confident in her abilities, spread her charm and fall in love. The little boy in this book was precious-I Loved him!!
But my most favorite character of all was...get this....the Tin Can Trailer, SPAMMY! AH! That little trailer had so much personality, I almost *almost* cried over Spammy at one point.
Great easy quick read that will set in motion your Christmas excitement! Warning if you are a big Christmas person, wait to read until Thanksgiving so you don't go out and buy your Christmas treee...tomorrow, because I was tempted........
Great Job MKA!

Thank you Net Galley for this advanced copy read/listen. I was not influenced or paid for this honest review.
(I would like some Spammy T shirts, key chains......any kind of paraphanelia)

Loved the story. It was engaging, taking you through the story and making you wonder what would be coming next. Had you celebrating with the heroine and hoping that everyone came together. Loved the happy ending and the feel good feeling at the end. Great story. We will be adding it to our collection.

Exactly what I come to expect from Mary Kay Andrew's, sweet, simple, and hopeful. This was essentially a Hallmark movie come to life, and I say that in the most positive way possible

This was such a sweet and cute story! I loved that it wasn’t a typical love story and had a complex storyline that was more than just a love story. Definitely a great Christmas read ❤️

Even though it’s only August- I am totally in the Christmas spirit after reading this book! I would love to be transported to NYC and spend time at the Tolliver Christmas Tree farm. This is a sweet story and I loved the small tie in to the Santa Suit. Thank you for the advanced copy!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a great book to get in the 2023 holiday season spirit! I loved this book. Mary Kay Andrews is amazing at setting the scene of both New York City and the North Carolina mountains where the Christmas trees of Tolliver Christmas Tree Stand are grown. This heartfelt story with intergenerational characters is charming and festive and the plot is uplifiting. Definitely pick this one up when it is out 9/26!

I think the audiobook narrator had great energy and I like the different tones she used to represent the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

After getting a late start, Kerry and her gruff brother set off for New York City from their family’s Christmas tree farm in North Carolina. In the span of a few weeks, Kerry finds a chosen family that she shows she’ll do anything to protect when and elderly member of the neighborhood seemingly goes missing.

It took me awhile to really start enjoying this book. I didn’t click with anyone right away. Kerry wasn’t very likable in the beginning, her brother felt underdeveloped, and the surrounding characters were just there.

This really found its footing about half way through though, and then I got hooked. It’s a sweet Christmas-y tale of found family, friendship, and purpose.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

Such an inspirational Christmas story about starting over and believing in yourself. Kerry Tolliver is in a rut, both personally and professionally. With her career on hold she agrees to go with her brother to New York and help at the family Christmas tree stand. She discovers an eclectic group of people that quickly become like family. Together they give her the inspiration to believe in her talent, take a chance on herself and a chance at love. Kathleen McInerney does an excellent job of narrating.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This is my first book by Andrews and was a wonderful palate cleanser after some heavy historical fiction and thrillers. I loved the charismatic characters, the adorable dog, and the lovely inter generational relationships. It was quite the cute read that would be great in the winter wrapped up in a blanket next to a cozy fire.

And if, like me, you don’t need crazy spice levels in a romance then this very G rated book is for you!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the alc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Mary Kay Andrews, and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of Bight Lights, Big Christmas in exchange for an honest review. The narrator did an amazing job bringing this story to life.

To start, I love Christmas novels and I am a Mary Kay Andrews stan. I absolutely devoured and loved everything about this book. It made me smile throughout the whole story while we met a whole neighborhood of fun and eclectic characters! The bonds that The Tollivers made with this neighborhood was magical too! This novella rings in around 280 pages and is the perfect addition to your Christmas reading! This one is available on September 26th!

In the middle of all the twinkling lights and cozy holiday excitement, this book brings up the idea of second chances. Just like Christmas, it's about getting another opportunity to make things better. The characters? They're like decorations on a Christmas tree, each with their own story hanging next to the shiny ornaments.

Imagine this: while the snow falls and people sing carols, the characters are going through their own ups and downs. They're showing us that, kind of like the holiday magic, life gives us a chance for a fresh start. The story unfolds like unwrapping a gift, revealing moments of strength and a chance to make things right.

It's like sitting by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa—it warms you up and makes you feel cozy inside. It's a reminder that even when life throws a challenge at you, you can turn it into something positive. So, if you're up for a story as hopeful as a Christmas morning, this book could be a great choice for you.

This book was adorable. It was a hallmark movie in writing. It was a feel good, happy ending, cheesy Christmas story that was easy to read and with many lovable characters. The way that New York and the neighborhood is portrayed is slightly comical, it is more like a fantasy novel with how kind and helpful people are! You just need to suspend reality a bit and let the charm and Christmas spirit wash over you. I am now totally ready for a cozy snowy winter day!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for a sneak peek of this new audiobook!

I listened to this audiobook after reading a pretty heavy book and this was just what I needed! I have only read a few of this author's books but I really like her character development, this book was no exception!

Kerry Tolliver returned to her hometown in the mountains of North Carolina after losing her job. She grew up on this Christmas tree farm and every year her dad and brother Murphy would drive hundreds of Christmas trees to New York City. They knew it was there that they would get a good price for the beautiful trees.

This year her father isn’t able to accompany Murphy and so Kerry has to take his place. Her brother drives the tree truck and Kerry drives their small camper (fondly named Spammy because the shape reminded her mother of a canned ham!).

Once set up in Greenwich Village Kerry gets to know a lot of the neighbors. They have been buying their trees from Toliver’s stand for years. One customer and new friend is Patrick, a newly divorced man with a young son who quickly wins over Kerry’s heart. There is obviously chemistry between Patrick and Kerry too!

Kerry is an artist and finds herself sketching scenes around the tree stand. An elderly man stops by occasionally and comments on her art - he knows just the right “tweaks” to make the sketches better.

When this neighbor disappears for a few days, it takes Kerry and her new found friends some time to find him.

This book is about families, both old and new found, trust, love, friendship and a lot of holiday heart. Definitely a great book for holiday gifting!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and look forward to more books from this talented author.

I received the audiobook from the publisher and MacMillan audio through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to listen to and review this title.

This was sweet romantic listen that takes place at Christmas time, but isn’t religious based. Siblings, Kerry and Murphy haven’t been close for many years. She lived with her mom and he lived with his dad when their parents divorced, plus they are truly very different people. When their dad has a health scare Kerry joins her curmudgeon-like brother to leave North Carolina and head to NYC to work their Christmas tree stand that Murphy and his dad manned for years. It was a wonderful story of the siblings reestablishing their relationship as adults, each of them figuring out what they want out of life, discovering their capacity for love and what they truly want during their month long stay in a lovely Manhattan neighborhood and yes they do exist! I truly enjoyed this listen. Great characters and a wonderful storyline. Particularly loved listening to a winter story in the midst of a blistering hot summer. Oh and a seriously great little boy and dog. Who can resist that?

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS is the latest romance by Mary Kay Andrews.

It's a candy-cane sweet, heartfelt story about a brother and sister from North Carolina who end up building a community of friends (and lovers) while they set up temp digs, selling Christmas trees in NYC.

What I loved:
--Great story with good vibes... likeable characters doing good for others.
--How the NYC community came together at the end.
--Short and sweet and easy to follow along. Only 8 hours, so 4-5 if you speed up the audio.

What I didn't love:
--parts of the narration (at times) was just a bit too over-the-top sticky sweet, especially for the character of young Austin


Special thanks for the advanced listener copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via the NetGalley app.

Publishes on September 26 2023

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is putting me in the holiday mood in August, and I can see it being a perfect read or listen this holiday season!

Kerry Tolliver's family sells Christmas trees from their farm every year in New York City. This year, her father is unable to go on the trip due to a heart attack, so she goes to help her brother Murphy. They park a camper along the street and sell their trees in a charming neighborhood full of interesting characters.

The story is charming, lighthearted, and tells of the good in people around the holidays as neighbors help one another out. I loved the descriptions of the wreaths Kerry made, the bitter chill in the air, and the holiday hijinks.

I had access to both the eARC and the audio, and found myself preferring the audio due to the fantastic narrator, Katherine McInerney. She handles the various accents and character voices with aplomb, making for a delightful listening experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bright Lights, Big City
By: Mary Kay Andrews
5🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

This novel is absolutely charming. Just like her last Christmas novel The Santa Suit I could see this as a Hallmark movie. There is even a mention about that in this Novel.

Kerry Tolliver and her brother head to NYC to sell Christmas Trees from their farm. Every year they have the same spot and bring in much needed money. This year everything is on the line since their dads medical bills are racking up.

Kerry quickly becomes friends with several of the neighbors. This novel is full of charm, hope, family, friends and so much more wrapped up in the perfect bow. This would make the perfect Christmas gift for the readers in your life.

Available Sept 26, 2023 by Mary Kay Andrews. Thank you Netgalley and MacMillian Audio for this advanced audio.

#brightlightsbigcity, #marykayandrews, #macmillanaudio, #netgalley, #friendsandfiction, #audioreview, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50, #stmartinspress

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a charming Christmas book with the potential to be a Hallmark Christmas movie. The story was heartwarming and a great way to start the holiday season. I loved that a small Christmas tree shop from the south would bring people together for the holidays. The amount of compassion and love they had for their neighborhood was heartwarming. The slow-burn romance between Kerry and Patrick was a great addition to the story, and their chemistry felt very natural. Patrick’s son Austin was hands down my favorite character. I did not care for Kerry’s brother. He was a massive ass throughout the book, and I do not think he ever redeemed himself. This book will make you believe in Christmas cheer and uplift your spirits.

I had access to both the kindle and audiobook versions but I loved listening to the audiobook more. Kathleen McIneray did an amazing job at narrating and incorporating all of the different characters.

Thank you to NetGallery and to both St. Martin Press and Macmillan for giving me a copy of the book.

Mary Kay Andrews' newest Chritmas book, Bright Lights, Big Christmas is an absolute delight. It definitely puts you in the holiday spirit by being filled with such a lovely sense of community and wonderful acts of kindness. I highly recommend this go on your Christmas reading list.
Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan audio for the advanced listener copy. Kathleen McIneray does a wonderful job narrating.

Quick Summary: An enchanting general fiction/women's fiction story

My Review: Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews was a standalone novel all about family and community. The story featured two siblings, a sweet six-year old boy and his dad, a darling dog named Queenie, a neighborhood of colorful characters, and a cantankerous, old man with a secret and a heart of gold.

About the Book: The ups and downs of life often have a way of bringing people together. Such was the case with this ragtag group of people.

Favorite Quote: "Friends are the family you choose."

My Final Say: This sweet story took a ba-hum-bug situation, added some Christmas magic, and birthed life into the hearts of some very special people.

Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 🍬💬

Thanks to the author, to the publisher (Macmillan Audio), and to NetGalley for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review.