I generally enjoy the books by Mary Kay Andrews, especially her Christmas stories! Bright Lights, Big Christmas, however, wasn't my favorite. I did really enjoy the setting. Who doesn't want to read about a Christmas romance set at a Christmas Tree Farm. It's the perfect Hallmark-esque setting! I just really had a hard time with the romance in the story. I didn't feel their chemistry and there wasn't enough buildup. I wasn't buying their romance. There are other Christmas stories by Mary Kay Andrews that I would read before this one, unfortunately.

This one was just okay for me. It was a decently cute story but there were pieces I just didn’t love. The vandalism with the other tree people just felt like a bit much. I do love the connections she made and how she was able to use her art skills to help her find a new life. Christmas is such a special season that I’m particular about my books for this season and I often have a slightly harsher rating system for them. This one is well worth the read, just not my favorite.

This was a cute little Christmas romance with a little mystery, I could see it being Hallmark movie! So many fun characters.


Narrated by Kathleen McInerney who as always does a great job at the narration.

I have bought this one for the library!

3 1/2 stars

I received this audiobook from the publisher Macmillan Audio for a fair and honest review.

As usual, an excellent novel by MKA!!
I loved this book so much!
Thanks for the opportunity to experience it!
Highly recommended!

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

I’m a sucker for a holiday rom-com, whether it’s a movie (especially my not-so-guilty-pleasure Hallmark Christmas movies) or in book form, so I was thrilled to be able to listen to the audiobook version of BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS by the fabulous Mary Kay Andrews. Bright Lights, Big Christmas tells the story of Kerry Tolliver, a southern girl who leaves her family’s Christmas tree farm to help her moody older brother sell the trees in New York City. The Christmassy feelings serve as a backdrop to what is ultimately a story about family, a sweet dog, new friends, a mysterious elderly man, and, of course, a handsome single dad and his adorable kid.

This book isn’t just a romantic love story. It’s a story about siblings reconnecting, and about a small-town woman figuring out what she really wants out of life. It’s about learning when to stick up for yourself, when to ask for help, and when to lend a hand. It’s about learning to love yourself and to get to know others without judgment or preconceived notions. It’s basically everything I was hoping for from a holiday story. And, as an added bonus, the ending wasn’t entirely predictable (aside from being a happy one), which was a pleasant surprise.

If you’re looking for a quick, funny, and heartwarming holiday romance, I highly recommend this one. That being said, the audiobook version wasn’t my favorite. The voices used by the narrator were great, but something was a little off about the cadence. If you’re not too fussed about the narration, this might be a good audiobook choice. If you’re a bit pickier, though, I’d say stick with the physical copy or eBook for the best experience.

This book was too slow paced for my liking. The plot was fine, it was just such a slow pace for a Christmas romance. I feel like a few characters acted weird. Like it didn't feel authentic to how people would actually act, which made me dislike mostly everyone in the story. Grouchy men and whiny-get-everything-they-want children bother me to no end.

I enjoyed the narrator, who I think did a good job as all the voices of the characters in the story.

I was really excited about this book but it fell flat for me.

It was lacking characters development and found myself frustrated with Kerry for her lack of self confidence and understanding her worth. I got the impression that Murphy was supposed to be a grumpy brother that really was soft family guy on the inside, but he mostly just came across as a jerk. I wanted to know more about Claudia and their relationship as I feel that could have softened him a little. Patrick came across as manipulative and at times passive aggressive.

My favourite character was Gretchen because she was awful and her character stayed true to that throughout.
Austin was also pretty cool. I liked his imagination and determination. Especially to write his story and find Murphy's bike.

I would have loved to learn more about Heinz early on. The way he weaved through the book felt like I was reading two separate books. One where he was a focal point and another where he passed by.

I listened to the audio version, and thought the narration was good with the exception of Kerry's voice. I found her narration squeaky and made me feel like she was a damsel in distress that lacked self confidence, and the ability to stand up for herself. I would have loved to hear more confidence in her voice when she did make decisions.

Kerry’s family owns a Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina. Each winter, her father and brother make the trek to NYC to set up a stand and sell some of their trees. This year, health problems prevent Kerry’s father from making the trip so she is taking his place. In the weeks the stand is up. Kerry becomes close with the neighborhood locals, makes friends, and even develops a slight crush on a single dad with the sweetest son.

No author writes small town Hallmark vibe Christmas stories quite like Mary Kay Andrews. This story warmed my heart and brought me so much joy. While this story was much more focused on the friendships formed and the small found family Kerry managed to create in just a few short weeks, there also was a subplot of romance. There was also a bit of drama, especially centered around the Christmas tree business and the rivalry with another tree stand across the street. This charming book left me with a smile.

This was the perfect audiobook to listen to while putting up my Christmas tree. Kathleen McInerney did a great job narrating, even including unique voices for various characters. Her narration kept me engaged in the story and it was quite fitting to listen to a story centered around a Christmas tree business while decorating my own! I loved the audiobook and the time fellow by while listening.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copies.

This is a fun one, because not only did I get an ARC of Bright Lights, Big Christmas as an audiobook . . . I got to met Mary Kay Andrews and get an autographed copy of the hardback! She was absolutely delightful, and so was this book.

In this fun Christmas tale, Kerry Tolliver embarks on a festive adventure from her family’s Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to the bustling streets of New York City. Every year, her family sets up in the same neighborhood to sell Christmas trees, developing friendship with the neighbors. Kerry hasn’t been since she was a kid, but this year she’s filling in for her dad, forced to live in Spammy, a tiny rustic camper, with her cranky brother, Murphy.

Kerry starts to develop a friendship with one of the neighbors, single dad Patrick. Both Kerry and Patrick’s son Austin enjoy drawing, and they begin draw pictures together that start to become a story. An elderly neighbor stops by to critique their work, and it’s not long before Kerry remembers her passion for art.

When the elderly neighbor goes missing, Austin begs Kerry to help find him. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say that what they find is a little different than they expected.

I’ve always loved visiting New York City at Christmastime, and I could just picture this little stand and the quirky neighborhood of friends. You’ll fall in love with Kerry, Murphy, Patrick, Austin and even Spammy! I highly recommend this festive and funny holiday tale.

This is the first book by Mary Kay Andrews that I have read. I enjoyed the story although I felt it was a tad predictable. But an enjoyable read for anyone wanting a feel-good romance about the holidays.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of Mary Kay Andrews will enjoy this latest book form the author. I will admit this isn't my favorite of her novels, but that's why only one can be the favorite. "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" makes the reader feel like they're right there alongside the characters in this story that's right with holiday imagery. If you want a nice, light read over Christmas break, keep this one in consideration.

A beautiful and exciting story! I loved the characters and was rooting for them the whole time. A must read!

Sometimes Mary Kay Andrews books are a little long for me, but this one was the perfect length. Long enough for me to grow to like all of the characters, but not too long for me to want the end. And you throw in Christmas and a dog and I was happy.

A little bit of romance and a lot of finding your community are what drives this one. A southern woman forced to come to NYC and sell Christmas trees for the family business. She is down on her luck after having lost her job and trying to figure out what is next. I liked Kerry’s spunk and creativity. I loved her compassion and ingenuity. And I really rooted for her to find her place and people and for her and Patrick to make it work. And the sleeper character in this one is Patrick’s son Austin. I wanted to give him a hug.

I listened to this one and Kathleen McInerney does a great job narrating the book. Her voice and narration fit with the character the author wrote.

If you are looking for your Christmas spirit and love to read about friendship and family, you need to pick this book up.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for this advance ebook and audio #gifted - the review contains my own thoughts, of course !
The Tolliver Christmas Tree Farm's stand in Greenwich Village is a holiday fixture- has been for over 30years.
But this year instead of her father who is recovering from surgery Kerry Tolliver is hitching up Spammy, an old tin can of a trailer, and heading up to NYC from the North Carolina mountains to help her brother Murphy run the stand. Along with bringing new ideas to breathe life into the business, Kerry befriends a whole cast of characters from the neighborhood, including a reclusive elderly man, a dragon-loving young boy, and his handsome single dad Patrick as well as lots of other neighbors and shopkeepers.
This was a heartwarming holiday read - MKA writes holiday charm like no other and this book oozes it!
Kerry is relatable in her anxieties after loosing a job and moving back home and the supporting cast is charming. The romance that develops between Kerry and Patrick is sweet without being saccharine, and I was hoping they would be able to find a future to their holiday romance without the story getting ahead of itself and her moving in after one date, let me just say the ending was very satisfactory. There's a little more to it - Kerry had regain her trust in her abilities and she the little push she needed came from an unexpected source. Neighbors coming together for someone in need added to the charm. But this book has all the Christmas joy right on a NYC street corner - there was holiday music, holiday food, snow, twinkle lights and fir garlands and wreaths. This Christmas book is sure to put you in a festive spirit!

Even though this might be the most cliché Christmas love story (two single siblings from NC sell Christmas trees in New York and the sister falls in love with a single dad), I still really enjoyed it!

This was very sweet and wholesome! I enjoyed almost all of the characters and New York is a perfect setting for a Christmas story.

I will definitely be reading more books by Mary Kay Andrews!

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Mary Kay Andrews brings us a fun book to get us into the holiday spirit.

A cute little camper, a Christmas tree lot in the middle of New York City, and siblings trying to keep their family business alive. Throw in a little holiday love and put a star on top.

It would be a super cute holiday movie.

I got this audio book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I give Bright Lights, Big Christmas 4/5 stars.

This was a delightful Christmas read of the Hallmark movie-esque variety. Kerry Tolliver finds herself reluctantly taking her dad's place in New York City to sell trees for the family's Christmas Tree business. On her adventures, she discovers some things about herself, bonds with her family, meets some new friends, and teaches us all a lesson about judging others. It was a fun holiday read with all the Christmas feels.

I switched back and forth between the Kindle version and the audiobook of this one. The audiobook is narrated by Kathleen McInerney. She did a fantastic job.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for the advanced review copies.

I adore Mary Kay Andrew's Holiday books and this was no exception. The narration was well done and the story was delightful. Perfect if you want a cozy read for the winter & love a good Hallmark movie! Cozy, Sweet, the perfect amount of romance, and a cast of characters you'll love.

Thank you to Netgalley & Macmillan audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas has it all - Christmas, NYC, and Mary Kay Andrews! As a loyal MKA reader, I look forward to her Christmas stories every year.

Kerry Tolliver has recently moved home after being laid off. She doesn't want to be living with her mom in a small mountain town and she definitely doesn't want to have tow a trailer from NC to NYC to help her brother sell Christmas trees. But it is her family's Christmas tree farm and what else would she be doing instead anyway.

Things are a little strained at first, Kerry is sleeping in a tiny trailer with a gruff brother that she hardly knows. But as Kerry get acclimated to her new digs and manning the tree lot, she is soon enjoying herself. Tolliver's tree lot is always in the same neighborhood spot and the neighbors treat them as one of their own. Kerry finds herself not wanting to leave her new friends and love interest. But she still has no job and no place to live - it will take a Christmas miracle to make Kerry's wish come true.

If you like heartwarming Christmas stories, you will love this book! The narration was very good. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Oh I just ate this sweet little cozy Christmas novel up!

I loved the little nod to last year’s book, The Santa Suit, with this one’s internal story- so cute!

The story line is a North Carolina tree farm family always tows a trailer of trees to NYC and sets up in a particular neighborhood- one they’ve been at for years. Only this year Kerry has to go and help her brother, since their father is sick.

Kerry brings her own artistic flare and update to the booth, and drives sales like a boss. There were times her brother really irritated me, full disclosure. I felt like he literally slept through half of the novel. Kerry owned that stand though!

In the midst of the storyline, Kerry meets neighbors Patrick and his son, as well as an artistic friend, Heinz. This turns out to be one of my favorite internal storylines!

I recommend you add this to your Christmas reads this year, it is cute, and you will love that it melds both the North Carolina mountain vibes with the heart of NYC.