Madison McDowell returns home from teaching in Mongolia to her late grandparents' Christmas tree farm only to discover that her now-widowed high school boyfriend is living next door and her younger sister has staked her claim on him. If this sounds like a soap opera to you, you wouldn't be far off the mark. While the story is a clean read, it has its share of jealousy, family conflict, manipulation, and drama. Being a novella does not provide ample opportunity for realistic conflict resolution, but as is true for many stories set at Christmastime, it does have a happily ever after evening. You will just have to read the book to see who gets to live happily ever after and who, if anyone, gets left out in the cold.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Christmas Tree Farm from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Melody Carlson always writes such enjoyable stories. Her characters are light hearted but very relatable. Madison McDowell returns to the one place she can really relax and regroup. After years away teaching overseas, Madison returns to the Christmas tree farm that shaped her childhood. However, years of neglect and a out of control wildfire has left the farm in a sad state. What has Addie, her sister, been doing or not doing at the farm? Madison plans to roll up her sleeves and make the farm profitable again. Only one more thing may stop her plans. Her former high school flame owns the land next door. Now widowed, his plans to turn the property into a noisy dirt bike track. Can she stop this plan and bring the farm back to life? With the help from an unlikely source, she just might find two dreams. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

CW for readers: reference to death of a spouse, wildfires, religion.

After a couple of years away teaching in Mongolia, Madison McDowell has returned to her family Chrismas Tree farm. While she has been away, the farm has been ravaged by wildfires, and her father and grandparents have passed away, leaving the farm in the hands of Madison's little sister Addie . But Addie has had enough of farming and plans to sell if this last Christmas season doesn't turn a profit.

As Madison throws herself in to resurrecting her family's livelihood, matters are complicated by a widower old flame living next door - and who Addie has her eye on.

And so begins a take of complicated relationships - between Madison and Addie; between Madison and Gavin and his children and so on.

I wanted to like this, but Ifeel this novella was a part of a larger story of the farm and the going-on there, but being dropped into the middle left little room for character growth. The only character with any real substance was Lily, Gavin's 11year old daughter, and other characters were brought in and dropped without any impact on the story. Neither Madison nor Addie were particularly likeable, there was zero communication between any of them, and the ending felt rushed.

The tale of the farm and the Christmassy vibe was nice though - this author does the Christmas/seasonal flare well. The story has a real hallmark holiday movie feel.

This is a zero spice novella, and there are many mentions of the Christian religion (outside of seasonal references) in the characters interactions.

Fans of hallmark movies ans light conservative romance may enjoy this, but it was not for me.

~Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~

Madison McDowell returns to the Christmas tree farm, after teaching in Mongolia for five years. Her younger sister and herself inherited the farm, and Madison decided to go home and carry on the traditions that her grandparents had.
She tried, but her sister made it difficult, but she kept plugging away, when you read the book you will understand my choice of word, away. A wildfire burnt most of the trees, and Madison was determined to plant new trees. She met the neighbor who was someone she knew when she was younger and his daughter.
Melody Carlson takes us on their journey, through everything that is going on. It is a Christmas story, and you have to have hope and faith, There are a lot of emotional feelings, a tad bit of stubbornness, and I did take sides a few time, which made it exciting, but like life I had to ride it out to see where they all come out. It was a story that makes you feel like you are stepping right into the Christmas tree farm and the people there.
I received an ARC from Revell through NetGalley.

The Christmas Tree Farm is a cozy Christmas novella by Melody Carlson.
Carlson doesn't disappoint in this sweet Christmas romance.
This story drew me in so deeply I could see a scene play out in my mind as I flipped the pages.
The book was so engaging from page one. And I really enjoyed the characters.

3⭐️ The whole premise of this book sounded cute. Ya know, a Christmas tree farm where two people fall in love. But it just wasn't that, so here we go.

The romance felt forced and rushed. It's a novella yes, but you'll understand why I say that if you make it to the end of this book (literally the last page)

The sisters' relationship bothered me soooo much. Addie was INSUFFERABLE. And her attitude toward Madison doesn't change until the very last chapter. I was so frustrated!

I really loved Lily. She was adorable and not your typical annoying child that you sometimes get in books. I liked Madison and Gavin too but not together. Like I wanted them together, but they didn't make sense. They had no chemistry and their conversations were so robotic.

With all of that said, it's still a 3 star because it wasn't the worst book l've ever read. The setting was cute, the premise of it all was admirable, in Madison's case, and it takes place around Christmas. It's cozy. So give it a try if you're okay with all the negative things I said lol and want a quick, cozy read.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Revell, and Melody Carlson for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read if you enjoy:
- Cozy Oregon setting
- Christmas tree farm
- Second chance romance
- Clean romance

This is a cute, quick read about a woman returning to her family Christmas tree farm after living abroad as a teacher and the widower who broke her heart and lives next door. Her sister, who is quite the brat for most of the book, has been holding down the fort and is ready to move on.

There's a lot here about forgiveness, faith and family. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

This is Christian fiction so expect discussions of faith.

Family friendly.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good cozy holiday read. You don't get too many plots involving a Christmas tree farm! Great read for holiday spirit.

I enjoyed reading The Christmas Tree Farm, a delightful novella set in a small Oregon town. Madison has always considered her paternal grandparents’ Christmas tree farm her true home. After her parents split, Madison spent nearly all of her school vacations at the farm and she fell for the charming boy next door. He broke her heart and Madison spread her wings, determined to explore the world.

Fast forward a few decades and Madison is ready to return home. Her expectations are blown up by the changes that have taken place, including wild fire damage to farms in the region and her younger sister’s negative attitude. Madison isn’t afraid of hard work and she’ll do whatever she can to save the farm.

Sibling rivalry and an unexpected romance challenge Madison to consider her life priorities and future plans. I recommend The Christmas Tree Farm to contemporary fiction readers who like Christmas novellas with second chance romance story elements and a light faith thread in the story.

Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

QUICK GLANCE-
My format- ebook 📱
Other Lengths- Physical 📖 (170 pages)/ Audio🎧 (5 hrs 28 min)
Spice: None🚫 / Just kissing
Language: None 🚫
TW: loss of a spouse

MY THOUGHTS-
The Christmas Tree Farm was a short, sweet romance novella with major Hallmark vibes. It made me long for sweater weather and to be curled up next to a warm cozy fire with cocoa in my hands. There were some chapters that sucked me in and then others that just didn’t hold my attention. The ending was a bit rushed as well but fit the mold for a Hallmark read.

💕 Second Chances
🧑‍🧒‍🧒Family Drama
🎄Christmas Tree Farm
👨 Single Dad

Thank you to Netgalley for an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

✨ QOTD: When do you start decorating for Christmas? ✨

Curl up with a blanket and some hot chocolate to enjoy this perfect holiday read.

Madison McDowell has spent the last few years teaching overseas and when she returns home tired from it all, she has plans to work at her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. While she was gone, the farm fell into disrepair and her hopes of a future with the trees and her family is in question. Her sister wants to sell the farm, and the buyer turns out to be Madison’s old flame. With tensions high between her and her sister and the farm about to be sold, she has the cards stacked against her, but the challenge proves to be just what she needs after arriving back home.

Melody Carlson can always be counted on to craft a fun and endearing holiday romance that will get readers in the holiday spirit. Madison is a fun and quirky protagonist that put a smile on my face. I enjoyed the interactions between her and Gavin as she worked to try and save the farm. I always enjoy this time of year when I get these fun holiday books, they are quick and fun to get me in the holiday spirit. I can pretty much sit down and read this in a day. Readers that are looking to get in the holiday spirit will not want to miss this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Cozy Christmas Novella. Madison returns to her family Christmas Tree Farm after teaching abroad for years. Her sister Addie wants to sell the struggling business, but Madison thinks they can save it and starts working on making it successful. To her surprise, her high school boyfriend Gavin and his daughter are her neighbors. And to make things worse, Addie has a crush on Gavin. There’s a lot of story packed into 100 pages and it moves quickly. Definitely an enjoyable read.

I know it’s not the holiday season yet but this cover was definitely giving me those winter vibes that I love so much!

Unfortunately I found this story to be kinda lacking, kinda choppy + kinda needing some development. It has everything for the making of a great winter holiday read with great descriptions and a setting on Christmas tree farm but I found the writing to be somewhat of an issue personally. I also found the romance to be a bit problematic. I didn’t feel like the Madison + Gavin dates enough or had enough moments of dating and falling in love. & I won’t even get started on Madison’s sister— Addie— it wasn’t giving sisters whatsoever. I couldn’t stand Addie at all. 😒

Anyway— like I said, I loved the cover, setting & descriptions but the writing was meh. It’s a short novella so about 3-3.5 hours of reading with my eyeballs on my kindle.

2.5 ⭐️

I'll tell you right up front, I love Melody Carlson books. I have made it my tradition for several years to read one of her Christmas themed stories during the holiday season.
I want to thank the publisher, Revell and NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy of this second chance romance. This is my own unsolicited opinion of the novella.
This is an excellent story to put a reader in the mood for the holiday. Madison has returned home to her grandparent's farm which has been left to her and her sister, Addie. After spending years teaching in Mongolia hearing of a devastating fire in the countryside of her farm, she realizes it is important to help as best she can. Things aren't quite what she expected. Damage to the neighboring area is terrible. Her sister doesn't seem pleased that she is home and preparing to ready things for the busiest season and future of the farm. Worst of all, her first true love, Gavin, is back next door and has promised his young daughter Lily that they will operate a dirt bike track with trails and activity.
Will everything be ruined? How can she stand being next door to a noisy dirt bike business, especially with Gavin and his family running it? This is supposed to be a joyful Christmas place for families.
I enjoyed this story very much. I felt like I was 'reading' a holiday movie. The characters interactions, particularly Addie's secretive attitude, the cautious romance and the interesting process of the tree farm makes for a sweet, intriguing story.
I recommend this for second chance romance fans or anyone who loves having a Christmas themed book in hand during the season.

I loved this cute holiday romance it was so cute, i can’t wait to read more by this author it was very enjoyable! :)

The Christmas Tree Farm is a charming, sweet, uplifting holiday story straight out of a Hallmark movie. Christmas tree stories are among my favorite holiday tropes and this one didn't disappoint, full of likeable, if flawed, characters and second chances. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eArc. 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book reads like a Hallmark movie. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it become one. The story of two sisters who own a Christmas tree farm, they really have no understanding of each other’s hopes for their lives and are in conflict because of it. It is a nice light holiday read as everything works toward Christmas. I was given this book to review.

After being away for years in Mongolia, Madison returns home to her family's Christmas Tree Farm. Her sister, Addie, has been taking care of things, along with caring for her grandmother before she passed away. Now, with different ideas on managing the farm, can they find a solution they can agree on?

I loved how the family united and Madison tried to hold onto holiday traditions. All the characters were well-developed with lots of layers. They were relatable and made it the story come alive. There are beautiful moments of tenderness, empathy, and a second chance at love.

There are many unexpected situations, joy, and the true meaning of happiness. I loved the ending.

I received a complimentary ARC from Revell and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Carlson’s latest Christmas novella was a sweet read, but not just full of tropes and predictability. I thought the main characters were flawed in their own ways, and yet came together in the spirit of the season to mend old wounds. Madison and Gavin were old sweethearts who are unexpectedly brought into each others’ lives again, only now they have family members having to adjust to living near the tree farm again…and all that entails. Secrets and misunderstandings are brought to light, and we are left with hope for the future.
Is it ever too early in the year to start reading uplifting Christmas stories? I think not! This was a great place to start.
Thanks to NetGalley and Baker Book House for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

A story of second chances, family memories, and good neighbors, Melody Carlson weaves in a good, old-fashioned Christmas. Maddie had been overseas teaching when the wildfires hit the area near the family farm. She is ready to come and help rebuild her life, and hopefully the family Christmas tree farm. Her sister, Addy, has other ideas. She wants to sell and get out of there. Maddie decides to invest her own money into the farm and try to give it a go. With a widowed neighbor, Gavin, and his daughter, Lily. They work hard to get to Christmas past. Not only with the trees. Addy and Maddie are at odds, add in their mother, and then Gavin's other daughter, Lucy, things become strained. Will everyone be able to pitch together to make this Christmas, the best old-fashioned Christmas? Love, love, love, me some Christmas stories any time of the year. This one really put me in the Christmas spirit. Thanks to Ms. Carlson, Revell Publishing, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book. Loved it!