Each fall, Jock Tolliver and his son, Murphy, leave their family’s Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to sell trees at their family stand on a corner in New York City. When Jock becomes ill, his daughter, Kerry, agrees to help her gruff older brother sell trees. After losing her job and moving back home, Kerry is ready for a fresh start. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Kerry becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near the stand, including Patrick, a single dad, and his adorable 6-year-old son, Austin.


This was such a cute, feel-good Christmas story! So lightheaded and wholesome. I loved every single character, and by the end of this book they felt like old friends. There were so many heartwarming and humorous moments. This was a quick read that you could easily binge in a day. I can see myself reading this over the holidays with a big mug of hot cocoa.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kathleen McInerney. Her performance was delightful, and she did a fantastic job voicing the full cast of characters, with a wide range of adults and children.

Overall, a fun and unique romance story that I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh how I love Mary Kay Andrews novels! Bright Lights Big Christmas is another wonderful Christmas story from this author. The storyline is original and I especially enjoyed the captivating New York City characters who were authentic and right on the money.

Even in August, in 100 degree temperatures, it’s a delight to be transported to the mountains of North Carolina &
New York City for a couple of weeks. This is a lovely story of hope and renewal, friends who become family
and the goodwill of pretty much everyone. I highly recommend this story to everyone, but especially to the long
loyal fans of Author Mary Kay Andrews. Also, the Narration by Kathleen McInerney is delightful.
My thanks to St Martin Press and Net Galley for this audiobook copy, in exchange for this honest review..

A new Mary Kay Andrews Christmas novel always means the holidays will be here before you know it. I enjoyed the sweet story of Kerry, who recently lost her job and reluctantly agrees to travel to NYC to help her brother sell Christmas trees from the family Christmas tree farm. Kerry quickly makes friends with those in their neighborhood as the chaos of the holiday season unfolds. Fans of MKA will love this heartwarming story, which is a quick read that is also festive and fun. Many thanks to NetGalley for early access to both the audio book and e-book in exchange for my honest feedback.

What better way to escape a summer heat wave than reading a cozy romance about snowy NYC at Christmastime?
The story follows Kerry Tolliver, coming to the big city from North Carolina to run her family’s Christmas tree stand with her curmudgeon of a brother. Things get off to a rough start, staying in an old camper in the middle of Manhattan and trying to compete with a wholesale corporate tree seller across the street, but some hijinks won’t stop them from making a permanent impact on the local neighborhood. As Kerry adapts to New York, love is not far to follow. This is a sweet story of family (and chosen family) as well as new beginnings, wrapped up in a perfect cozy holiday read. And from kids to adults to an old man, the narrator brings a dynamic performance to all characters.
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This comes out 9/26!

Kerry Tolliver is struggling to find her place in the world when she’s enlisted to help her brother with their annual Christmas tree sale in New York City. This is a world away from their tree farm in the North Carolina mountains, and it’s not an easy transition, especially given a tumultuous relationship with her brother. But it turns out it might be just the change that Kerry needs. She feels a creative spark ignite, helping take the struggling business in a newer, better direction, and she also finds herself surrounded by a community into which she quickly, delightedly is welcomed.

Hijinks ensue, romance abounds, friends gather, family finds shared ground.

This is a light, wholesome Christmas story- and for me a great holiday-escape-in-August after a couple weightier reads.

Thank you Mary Kay Andrews, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS was a delight to listen to. I enjoyed Kerry's character the most, she was compassionate and caring of others and it showed throughout the story. I also liked that she took a leap of faith and decided to pursue her real passion. Of course, what else would make a holiday story better than a sweet romance added in. I thought Patrick and Kerry were just the cutest couple!! If you enjoy a story that makes you smile and laugh, you'll love this one. It's a perfect story for the holiday season.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for my gifted ALC.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

Kerry recently lost her job where she was an Art Director so this winter season, she is going off to New York City with her older brother, Murphy, to see Christmas Trees from their family farm. They share a tiny camper that the kitchen and bathroom do not work on, and there is very little space. Leading up to the Christmas holiday, Kerry gets to know the people in the neighborhood and really forms a bond with them. Specifically, with a single dad, Patrick, and his son, Austin, who she will be really sad to leave behind. Will she make strong enough connections to want to stay forever?

I loveeee Mary Kay Andrews and Big Lights, Big Christmas was excellent. The character development was great and I loved seeing the friendship between the two siblings grow and improve. The romance side stories were small but Kerry and Murphy both had the love story with more focus on Kerry’s. I also loved how Kerry cared about the old man, Heinz, and how he loosened up to let her in and care for him.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Narrated by Kathleen McInerney
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Women's Fiction
Expected Publication Date: September 26, 2023

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a standalone Christmas romance by Mary Kay Andrews and is a must read for 2023!

I absolutely loved this book! The characters were interesting, the story was fascinating and I felt like I was a part of the neighborhood in New York! I was captivated by this book! It's a fun Christmas story and I look forward to re-reading it this holiday season! This is a heartwarming book that I didn't want to put down!

I loved the narration by Kathleen McInerney. She did a great job bringing the story to life!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Another delightful read from Mary Kay Andrews! I absolutely loved Bright Lights, Big Christmas. What is there not to love about Christmas in New York City?! Such a captivating and heartfelt novel, full of relationships, romance, family traditions, and of course lots of humor and laughs. Highly recommend this charming book as well as the audio version!

As always, Andrews delivers a story that’s part comedy and part love story. The only problem I had with this Christmas story was that it was too short

I love Mary Kay Andrews Holiday books. I was excited to see a new one and listened to it in one day. . The friendly characters and the Christmas atmosphere create a delightful feel-good Christmas story. It makes you want to go visit their tree lot and get to know the people in the neighborhood. It is a sweet and heartwarming story.

💭Thoughts:
This was a sweet story. I’m a sucker for a cute Christmas romance. I enjoyed the found family aspect of this story. Neighbors coming together to help neighbors. Every time I read a Christmas story I want to move to a snowy small town and never leave. This story had all the things I love- cute kids, cute dogs, grumpy old men, single dads, and a FMC wanting a fresh start.

I really enjoyed the narration. She did a great job bringing the characters to life.

This is a cute, quick read that will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit!