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.

Sweet and cozy Christmas "hallmark" story.
Great setting with lovely characters. Predictable but cute love story.
Nothing to dislike but also not something I will remember.
Definitely a good read when you are just looking to sit back and enjoy a story without thinking.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

I have said to before and I will say it again.. I take every opportunity to listen to a Mary Kay Andrews book. It is always a pleasure to listen and review. They are the types of books, I always go back to. Whether set in the south or in NY like Bright lights, Big Christmas.. you know there will be family, good values and a great story. A story that will end in love and I feel we absolutely need more of that in this crazy world. Kerry Tolliver, has to head to NY with her brother to sell their family’s Christmas trees. Her dad and her brother usually go but her dad is sick and has to stay home this year. Everybody pitches in, even her mother, who has to help her ex, back to help. Kerry is not looking forward to the time spent in NY. Her brother isn’t the easiest would to get along with and to be away and living in a trailer.. isn’t really her thing. But she goes and falls in love with Manhattan. The city is filled with the Christmas spirit and she can’t help but feel it. Selling the trees is slow at first but Kerry puts her touch on the “stand”, and they help so much. It’s the little things. She can’t believe the generous spirit of the locals who have taken such good care of her brother and father over the years. They offer meals, bathrooms and even the occasional shower. The neighbors fall in love with Kerry too. They can’t help but love her kindness and compassion. While in NY Kerry has her troubles. Conflicts with her brother, considerable doubt about her future and a possible love connection, that comes at the worst time. She even finds a person who needs her help but doesn’t want to take it. This story is all wrapped up in a Christmas bow.. people come together and rally to get to the finish line of selling trees, getting back home and enjoying the season. I really liked this story so much. Katheleen McInerney did an excellent job narrating. Can’t wait to listen to the next Mary Kay Andrews book. Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for my copy for an honest review.

Mary Kay Andrews knows how to write Christmas!! I really enjoyed listening to this book. I thought Kathleen McInerney did a great job narrating this book. I devoured this book and fell in love with the characters. This book is like a warm hug. Grab yourself some hot cocoa, sit by the fire and read or listen to this wonderful holiday book. I highly recommend this book.


Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC for my honest opinion.

This was so sweet! This the story of a woman named Kerry who has to go to NYC with her brother to sell their family's Christmas trees. Normally her brother and her dad go, but her dad is sick and can't so she is obligated to go stay in the run down camper and help her grumpy brother. At first, the camper is gross, the brother is a huge grouch, and she's ready to go home and have some of her creature comforts back. But as the season goes on, she starts to fall in love with so many aspects of this life. There is a man named Patrick and his young son who live near by, a couple businesses that help them out, and a sweet old man that comes by all the time. The man goes missing and Kerry, Patrick and his son go on a venture to find him. Kerry also starts making custom wreaths and meets people that way. This has a ton of Christmas in NYC vibes. I probably won't remember it forever, but it was really sweet and enjoyable at the time.

This novel is a cute Christmas book. I like all the characters, Austin is my favorite. I like how he wanted to help and made friends so easily. I also like the developing relationship between Kerry and Pat. It was great how close Kerry became with the whole neighborhood. The little mystery surrounding Heinz is interesting. I wanna live in that neighborhood. Mary Kay Andrews has made another great book.

***A big thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.***

New York City's Christmas tree farms evoke a special charm during the holiday season, and when blended with the enchanting spirit of the city, it creates an irresistible festive holiday romance within the pages of Mary Kay Andrews' latest book, "Bright Lights, Big Christmas!"

Nestled in the heart of western North Carolina, the Tolliver Family has been tending to their Fraser fir tree farm in Tarburton for nearly four decades. Every year, after Thanksgiving, they embark on an annual journey to West Village, New York, transporting their freshly cut trees.

In a twist of fate, Kerry, an artist, steps in to assist her family when their father returns from the hospital. Accompanied by their endearing 1963 Shasta trailer, Kerry embarks on the 700-mile trek to their customary tree stand. There, she'll stay with her brother Murphy and his loyal English Setter, until Christmas Eve.

This heartwarming holiday tale offers a wholesome and captivating romance. What makes it truly special is the way Kerry and her brother are warmly embraced and become an integral part of the neighborhood during the holiday season. The community's kindness and hospitality make them feel like cherished family members. To add an extra layer of intrigue, the story also features a subtle mystery element that adds depth to the narrative.

Having enjoyed novels by Mary Kay Andrews, I can confidently say that her holiday books are a must-read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 Stars
Happy publication day to @marykayandrews and Bright Lights, Big Christmas! Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, @macmillan.audio and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read an ALC (Advanced Listener 🎧 Copy) for an honest review!

📅 Tuesday, September 26, 2023 was the pub date for Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. The narrator🎙️for this audiobook 🎧 is Kathleen McInerney. 📅

This book oozes with Christmas joy at every turn. It’s feels cozy and warm just like drinking a mug of hot chocolate or your favorite hot tea. There’s always something so magical about Christmas in the Big Apple. And, there is something so charming about a small town, family owned, tree farm setting up their stand complete with tin camper for holiday sales. I really appreciated the nod to the small North Carolina town that was also served as the setting for The Santa Suit.

The deep and genuine connections made between characters was my favorite part of the book. I really enjoyed the unconditional love shown to Heinz from Kerry, Austin, and Patrick.

This book is a reminder that sometimes the best stories are the ones that we create and write together. This book is perfect for the Christmas lover and anyone that enjoys a heartwarming holiday read. Hallmark, please pick up this book and turn it into a movie!

Kerry Tolliver, her older brother, Murphy, and his dog, Queenie leave their North Caroline farm to sell Christmas trees at their family stand in NYC. Kerry becomes close with the charming neighbors close to the stand including Patric, a single dad raising his son, Austin.

This is a very, very Christmas heavy story - the family owns a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina and drives up and sells their trees in NYC every year. I loved seeing how creative Kerry was in her wreaths and helping to support her family's business. I loved the relationship with Patrick's son, Austin, and the book they were writing and illustrating together was so heartwarming.

Recommend if you enjoy
🎄Christmas tree stands
🎄Sweet meddling little boys
🎄Found family
🎄Sibling dynamics
🎄Lots of Christmas references

I really loved this one!! 5 stars! If you want to get in the holiday mood, just read this book! This is a sweet story of family, friendship, and love! I enjoyed every minute of reading it!

Mary Kay Andrew’s does it again! I have not been disappointed by a single book I have picked up from this author. She makes the characters feel like family members. I love how she has romance in her plots,but they are still about the people in general. She shows how you can find your family in so many different ways and her newest release is not a disappointment.