Bright Lights, Big Christmas is yet another perfectly delightful holiday story from the prolific southern author, Mary Kay Andrews. With ties to Tarburton, NC, as did her holiday story The Santa Suit, this tale tells of siblings Kerry and Murphy Tolliver as they load up a special cargo of their top of the line Fraser firs on a flatbed that Murphy will pull while his sister has the old family travel trailer, Spammy, hooked to the back of their dad’s truck to make their way to a special corner in Greenwich Village where they have set up the Tolliver Family Tree lot for decades.

It is usually Murphy and their dad, Jock, that make the trip but this year Kerry is helping out in the wake of their dad’s heart attack and bypass surgery. Since Kerry was downsized when her company was taken over by another, she has been home and at loose ends. This trip just might point her in the right direction.

As they set up in the super cold weather, Kerry begins making neighborhood friends, including those that feed them, those that allow them to use their shower, and those that allow them to do their laundry. But the most important friends Kerry makes are a young boy named Austin, his single dad Patrick, and the elusive elderly man, Heinz, who frequents their stand regularly and shares stories and artwork with Kerry and Austin.

This is just a thumbnail sketch of this well woven story. A little mystery, a bit of romance, and self discovery for Kerry make this an excellent read. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Mary Kay Andrews is an AUTOBUY AUTHOR FOR ME!!! After reading the Santa Suit, I was thrilled to see another holiday read/listen by MKA!

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I found this one adorable! Quick, easy listen with fun, loveable characters. The narrator was perfect.

Kerry Tolliver and her older brother, Murphy are headed to Greenwich Village to sell their Christmas trees since their father suffered a heart attack. It’s a Christmas tradition, going on for over thirty years and one that keeps the family farm afloat. She isn’t looking forward to living out of their rustic camper with no working bathroom, but she wants to help the family while she’s in between jobs. Kerry doesn’t count on becoming attached to the little, tight-knit community or falling in love, but these things happen when you least expect it.

This little corner of New York city came to life, bustling and charming. The Tolliver’s Christmas Tree stand sounded like a lovely oasis of pine and all things Christmassy in the middle of their little neighborhood. Kerry’s artistic knack stepped things up with twinkling lights and her handmade wreaths, which sounded gorgeous!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas was a heartwarming, low drama holiday story! Found family and choosing a life that makes you happy was at its center. This is the perfect must add read for the TBR for the winter/holiday season!

I alternately read and listened to Bright Lights, Big Christmas and I recommend either version. Kathleen McInerny brought the characters to life, her southern and New York accents sounded authentic, and her performance enhanced this lovely story immensely! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

Perfect prelude to Christmas. Mary Kay Andrews captures the essence of Christmas in New York through the eyes of a working family who are proud of the business they created selling Christmas trees. We meet two siblings from North Carolina, Carrie and Murphy who have been estranged as a result of their parents' divorce when they were kids. Both siblings have very distinct ideas and personalities, each charming in their own way. This lighthearted, whimsical storyline gives glimpses of life in New York in an upscale neighborhood over the holidays. Enjoyed both storyline and wonderful audiobook version. The narrator gives a 5 star performance. Absolutely fun listening to as I walked, drove my car, was like having a front row seat to a performance. Book is fun, actually sad when it ended as I became attached to the lead characters and wanted more. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful audio presentation & story.

This was such a fun and heartwarming story!! Perfect for the cozy season!! Makes me want to curl up on the couch with hot cocoa and watch Christmas movies with my significant others! So much love and life and happiness! Such an adorable little romance for the holiday season and I cannot wait to read it again this Christmas!!

I absolutely love the choice of narrator for this audiobook. She is such an energetic, expressive reader that it’s hard to lose focus. I especially like that she creates a variety of character voices. That definitely adds to the listener’s experience.

I enjoyed the setting of the book very much. Even though it takes place in NYC, it somehow has a small town feel. I’m not sure how realistic it is to believe that the entire neighborhood knows and loves the Christmas tree salesman who is in town 3 weeks out of the year, but it seems to work for the story anyway. The biggest thing I didn’t like about the book was the way that Kerry’s brother talks to her/treats her. He is so rude to her!

The storyline is pretty basic and the characters aren’t especially deep, but I’m okay with that when I’m looking for a light Christmasy read, which is exactly how I’d describe this book.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read/listen to an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to read this heartwarming novel!

Since she has moved home after losing her job, Kerry Tolliver is joining her older brother, Murphy and his dog, Queenie to New York City to help sell Christmas Trees at their annual stand. Not having been back to the city since a child, Kerry now has to share their beloved vintage camper, Spammy, with her brother and learn the ropes of selling trees leading up to Christmas Eve.

Along the way, Kerry becomes close with all of the neighbors in the area, including single dad, Patrick and his son, Austin. Kerry and the elderly neighbor, Heinz, helps Austin create a story throughout the holiday season. From her time spent in the city, Kerry rediscovers her love of art. What will she decide to do with her life once all the trees are sold?

This was such a heartwarming, wholesome Christmas story. I enjoyed The Santa Suit by the same author so I was excited to see a new story. Austin was my favorite character with his excitement and kind heart, despite a set of parents who are divorced. It was intriguing to see Kerry take an unwanted situation and make the very most of it. She helped change the dynamics of their tree stand and made many friends along the way. It was just like a sweet Christmas movie that puts a smile on your face.

The audiobook was a fantastic way to experience this story. Kathleen McInerney brought each of the characters to life with her voice inflections and changes. If you don't have a lot of extra time this holiday season, consider listening to this book!

I really loved listening to the audiobook. It made it easier to do chores and travel. I think that the narrator was great for this book. I really loved the plot and found myself smiling at times.

Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy.

whomp whomp whomp

I was so excited for this after reading The Santa Suit last year and absolutely eating that shit up, but this lacked everything that book had. The writing felt extremely choppy, the characters were relatively unlikeable, and it just didn't have that in-your-face CHRISTMAS vibe I was looking for and expecting. A lot of things didn't make sense and were never expanded upon as well, which, along with the already choppy writing, caused the book to feel a bit... messy?

There were some really cute moments and a lot I also enjoyed about the story, but the bad outweighed the good in this one, unfortunately. I truly wish I enjoyed this more, but it was just a huge miss for me.

I do have to give props for adding in I believe TWO gay characters though. You really don't see that often with Hallmark-style books and movies, so it was a pleasant surprise to see something other than white heterosexuals.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy. All thoughts and opinions are, as always, my very own.

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reading thoughts

10%: idc idc idc idc that it JUST became spooky szn, i felt like a christmas book, OKAY???? and NO ONE writes hallmark-esque christmas stories like mary kay andrews. i'm already eating this up.

74%: "I hope this doesn't make me sound too slutty, but i want this as badly as you do." yes. you are such a WHORE for wanting consensual sex as an adult woman 🤬😤

When Mary Kay Andrews says, “Bright Lights, Big Christmas is me, offering my readers a hot cocoa hug of a happy holiday story”, she is not wrong! This book was definitely a hot cocoa hug and a Christmas Hallmark movie wrap up in one big Christmas bow. This was such a delightful book and now I am ready to skip Halloween and Thanksgiving and move right into Christmas. This gave me all the warm fuzzy feelings of Christmas. If you are a fan of Mary Kay Andrews, you will love this for the holiday season. Bright Lights, Big Christmas is already on the shelves so go grab a copy, pour a cup of hot cocoa and put on your Christmas jammies and enjoy!

Synopsis: “When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself.

In the weeks leading into Christmas, Kerry quickly becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. When an elderly neighbor goes missing, Kerry will need to combine her country know-how with her newly acquired New York knowledge to protect the new friends she’s come to think of as family,

And complicating everything is Patrick, a single dad raising his adorable, dragon-loving son Austin on this quirky block. Kerry and Patrick’s chemistry is undeniable, but what chance does this holiday romance really have?”

Solid 4.5 stars!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the ALC

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Mary Kay Andrews delivers a timely holiday romance story with Bright Lights, Big Christmas. The Tolliver family has owned a christmas tree farm in North Carolina for years and deliver trees to New York City annually. This year is different. Kerry is helping deliver trees this year while her father recovers from a heart attack. This is the story of Kerry and her journey there.

If you’re looking for a fun, Hallmark-vibes holiday read, this is a perfect choice! I loved the banter between the characters in this story, and the Christmas tree stand was such a festive setting throughout the book!

Fluffy, closed door, cozy Christmas romance. Struggled with the FMC the most. I had a hard time believing she was this country bumpkin when she had previous success in her life before this. Just not for me.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a heart-warming and charming women’s fiction with a budding romance set in New York City during the Christmas season.

A brother and sister with cute dog in tow leave the Christmas tree farm in North Carolina for the lot in NYC where they have sold their trees for years. Enter a handsome single father with a precocious son and some competitors that aren’t above some shenanigans.

This is a cozy Christmas HEA that is engaging and fun from beginning to end. There are multiple storylines with mostly likable characters, a variety of relationship dynamics including sibling tensions, growing romance (closed door), community working together, and a bit of mystery.

I always look forward to Mary Kay Andrews newest books, and she never disappoints.

I listened to this ALC from #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio. Narrator Kathleen McInerney did a great job bringing the characters to life.

Thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. My review expresses my own opinion.

#brightlightsbigchristmas #marykayandrews #macmillanaudio #netgalley #christmas #nyc #hea #romance #bookstagram

Thanks to net galley and the publisher for this early copy of the book. Bright lights, big christmas was such a sweet and cute story. It has heart, warmth and joy. Everything a Christmas time story should have. As well as romance. I loved this story soo much. I almost didn’t want it to end. Makes me wish there was an epilogue. And I’m really glad spammy got a second chance at life. This book put me in the mood for Christmas! I want to put up my decorations! Off to make cookies!

A heartwarming romance full of charm. I loved how the Tolliver Family Tree Farm created a cozy village in the middle of New York City. The characters were well-rounded and wonderful. It is a lighthearted read, with the perfect amount of tension, mystery, and a dash of romance.

This is a story about family, friendship, self-discovery, and romance. It is sweet and cheerful without feeling sappy. This is a standalone with a bonus reference and connection to The Santa Suit.

This is my first audiobook narrated by Kathleen McInerney. Her performance was fantastic. Her voice was smooth and she brought the story to life.

In this holiday tale, Kerry finds herself selling Christmas trees in Greenwich Village, living in a vintage camper with her brother and his dog. As she embraces the charm of the city and falls for a single dad and his adorable son, Kerry’s Christmas takes an unexpected turn when she becomes entangled in the search for a missing neighbor.

I fell in love with the little street Kerry finds herself on at Christmas, as well as her love interest, the rivalry with the tree yard across the street, and her cute little camper van. I was swept away by this magical Christmas book for 2023. #gifted

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish this book, but the part that I read earned three stars. I found the beginning of the story to be a bit slow, and it wasn't holding my interest. However, part of the reason could have been that I just wasn't ready to read a Christmas story in September.

I have always enjoyed Mary Kay Andrews’ books. Especially the audios. The narrators have been all the same for her books and she does an amazing job! I love the voice changes and the emotion in the voices for each character. The story was super cute. It was a romance but I also felt like it was a book on becoming and understanding who Kerry is and watching her grow.