I loved this story about the Christmas tree farm. I was captivated from the beginning especially keen to know how the relationship between the two sisters would pan out. A lovely story of family interactions and heartwarming so read of neighbours supporting each other. A real page turner.

I really liked this book. It was so sweet and I loved getting to know the characters. I feel like the ending was a bit rushed for me and I wanted some more development with the love story. The main character's sister was a bit of a caricature for me.

It is easy to see why Melody Carlson is a bestselling author. The Christmas Tree Farm - A Christmas Novella is a deep dive into family relationships. Clearly showing how one family member decisions can affect the others in both good and bad ways. Tied with this is the true meaning of Christmas, which makes it a wonderful holiday read anytime of the year.


Madison McDowell, her sister and Gavin Thompson are likeable while still being complex characters. It is easy to see why the disagreement between sisters happened, but it is not to late to save the Christmas tree farm and their relationship, what does God have planned for these sisters. Read this heartfelt story today.

Lovely Christmas story can’t beat a good read like this in August when it’s cold, well written love the friendship of Maddison and lily just when then both needed a friend to help out

Madison McDowell returns home after a lengthy teaching job overseas. She comes home to Oregon, hopefully to help on the Christmas Tree Farm after a fire destroys her family's property. Her sister Addie, was left to run the farm after her Dad and Grandma had passed on. Needless to says, she had no interest in running the farm. So it went downhill, so much needed to be done to bring it back to what it once was. She discovered her high school boyfriend was back living next on his family tree nut farm. But their farm was a total loss, at least some of the pine trees were left for Madison to sell the coming Christmas Season. Gavin had his youngest daughter, Lily, living with him. As Gavin is a widower now trying to start a new life.

Madison decides she must bring the farm back to what it once was. She bought 6,000 tree plugs to replant. Although her sister has no interest in doing so. But this was important to Madison, with the help of Lily and Gavin the tree plugs were planted. She learned the art of running the farm from her Dad and Grandpa. There were trees still left to sell for the coming season. Again, with the help of Gavin and Lily she made it happen. It was a lot of work and many hours, but all the trees sold for the season. Along with wreaths she and Lily made for customers to buy. This has a very happy ending even though getting her relationship back with her sister was tough.

I wanted to read this book, as Christmas is a happy season. And I wanted to learn how a tree farm was run. Thank you to Net Galley and Revell for allowing me the pleasure of reading Melody Carlson's Christmas Story.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Madison returns home to the family farm after being away for years. She is hoping to reconnect with her sister. The farm is going to need everything she has to survive. A nice holiday read.

Overall, I like this story. It had Hallmark feels in a little package and would be great for a quick, get-in-the-mood for Christmas read. It is also a very clean romance, if you like that kind of romance. And I loved the book cover!

I get that this is a novella and that "things" move faster in a novella but this was just too fast. There were so many points that were left unexplained. There were too many issues that were apologized and forgiven too fast. There was a "romance" that moved from re-kindling to proposals faster than realistic. The characters could have used more development.
I also did not like that the two sister's names were so close - Madison (Maddy) and Addie, or the weirdly placed christian references.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell for the opportunity!

I love reading Carlson's Christmas books each year. Her latest, The Christmas Tree Farm, follows Madison back home to her family's tree farm where her sister, Addie, has held down the fort since their grandmother passed. Madison loves the farm, but Addie doesn't. To complicate matters, Addie has fallen for their neighbor, who returned to his family's land after a major fire. One problem-he's Madison's old flame. Sibling rivalry, holiday memories, and Christmas trees make for an enjoyable read. The story is fun and poignant at times. Carlson's portrayal of the sisters was quite entertaining. I received a free copy, and opinions are my own..

I received an ARC from Net Galley to honestly read and review.
The Christmas Tree Farm is a cute little story of family bonds and renewed friendships. I enjoyed this story for the most part. However the lack of communication between the adults got to be a little tiring and the speed of the romance was a little quick for my taste. My favorite part of this book was the friendship formed between Madison and Lilly. If all the relationships could have been that sweet and heartfelt this book would have been perfection.

I enjoyed learning about what running a Christmas tree farm entails, and the nature aspects. However, even though this is a novella, I felt that the romance was rushed -- especially the proposal! -- and that the Addie character was really Grinchy and over-the-top nasty.

I have always had a love for our christmas tree farm, but this book just took all the feel good feels and heightened them. It was adorable!

I believe I would be an outlier here, I didn't enjoy it personally and it may not be to my taste, but it could appeal to others.

When Maddison returns from several years of teaching overseas to her family's Christmas tree farm, she finds that her sister wants to sell the farm and has no interest in running the business. To make matters worse, her ex-boyfriend returns and lives next door — the man she still has feelings for, the one who left her without any explanation and married someone else. And to top it off, he wants to open a dirt bike track for her daughter, bringing lots of noise and dirt to her once peaceful agricultural land.

I didn't like any of the characters. Her sister is selfish and immature, and her ex's daughters are rude and spoiled. I had a hard time finding anything relatable in the story; everything seemed very unrealistic.

The romance and the ending were rushed. Gavin never apologized for why he married another woman or explained what happened and why he hurt Maddie, even though he had said that Maddison was the only woman he ever loved.

I loved the cover and Christmas stories, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy this particular one...Releases Sep 03.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC.

The Christmas Tree Farm (A Christmas Novella) by Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian, Romance, Women's Fiction
Expected Publication Date: September 3, 2024

The Christmas Tree Farm is a wonderful Christmas novella by Melody Carlson. This short story has so much heart and truly captures the struggle of family dynamics and trying to continue a family business.

This sweet, second chance romance was wonderful!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was such a nice addition to my Christmas in July reading, and I look forward to revisiting it during the holidays this year! I definitely recommend reading The Christmas Tree Farm!

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

I always look forward to Melody Carlson's Christmas novel, and The Christmas Tree Farm did not disappoint me. It was great! Sisters Madison and Addie seem to have grown apart, but taking over the grandparents' Christmas tree farm brings them back together. Add in a little romance with Gavin, and the story is perfect! I will definitely be recommending this book to others, and it may even be a Christmas gift for some reader friends!

Such a cute read. Just what's needed to get you into the Christmas spirit. I loved the story - loved the characters. The idea of framing it all around a family Christmas Tree farm was fantastic. The characters were believable and the story just makes you happy. I would definitely recommend and its a quick and breezy read.

A cute Christmas story! A feel good and heart warming tale! I love a good Christmas love story! This short tale was incredible

I enjoyed reading this Christmas novella. It was easy to follow along and read in one sitting. A cute read about second chances, family roots, and Christmas traditions. Perfect for getting you into the Christmas spirit.

Thank you NetGalley and Revell for the ARC of The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson.

Madison returns home to her family’s Christmas tree farm following the passing of her grandmother. After spending years in Mongolia teaching with who she thought was the man of her dreams. Madison and Addie have inherited the farm bringing Madison home after wild fires ripped through the town but spare the farm.

Addison does not share the same affinity for the farm as her sister and they are at odds. Maybe if Madison can restore the farm and the memories Addison will come around.

With the challenge of reviving her history and memories also comes the first boy she’s ever loved. Coming back to shift through the burn zone and rebuild his family following the loss of his wife. When Gavin sees Madison the sparks are still there. Addison also feels the sparks but not between Madison and Gavin; she’s been pining for Gavin since she was a preteen. Madison’s homecoming has proven to be a barrier and not well received.

This was a cute quick holiday read. A good way to start the holiday season. I can honestly say I have never disliked a character as much as I disliked Addison. The entire book her bratty attitude had me hoping Madison would grab her and shake her. Her snotty entitled attitude really got to me. Overall I really liked the book however, I feel like the end was extremely rushed and almost incomplete. I wish there were a couple of more chapters to work through the ending.
Pub Date: September 3, 2024
🌟🌟🌟.5

Man, this book was such a bummer. The story starts off so wonderful and pleasantly dramatic. The story is laid out and the journey for the main character begins, and it's a great ride. Some great conflict occurs and the reader experiences the tension and stress, all while anticipating a climax followed by resolution.

But there isn't a climax or resolution. It just ends.

I received an e-arc from NetGalley and Revell to read and review honestly and voluntarily.

SPOILER BELOW:




The sisters have intense drama and no connection, which was so awesome to read, especially as I have a similar experience with my own sister--we're so fundamentally different even though we're related! But on top of their personality differences, they fight over the same guy. THE AUTHOR NEVER RESOLVES THIS. The main character LIES to her and she NEVER fixes it! It's swept under the rug!!! WHYYYYYY

Cute little novella. At times, I found some of the characters slightly awkward but it’s still such a cute Christmas story.