Member Reviews
Another fantastic book written by Laurie Gilmore. Number 3 in the Dream Harbor Series and I love that we got to go back there. All the hallmark Christmas vibes with the grumpy sunshine trope and some spice! I absolutely loved that our FMC Kira was the grump in the beginning but underneath it all she has a heart of gold. MMC Bennett was our sunshine, total cinnamon roll guy who is willing to do anything for those he cares about. Their story was cozy, funny, and the chemistry was all there. They were both healing from situations of their past and together they were able to heal find a love so genuine and true. The perfect holiday read that will leave you eager for more from Dream Harbor!
The Christmas Tree Farm is out now! 🎄
Thank you Laurie Gilmore, HarperCollins360 & NetGalley for this ARC
It is very difficult not to like any of Gilmore’s books especially this one that revolves around Christmas, the happiest of holidays. Everything about the book is lighthearted and entertaining. There is some mild steaminess in the book. Overall, this is a good book to read as the holidays are approaching!
Gilmore’s use of the small town setting allows her to connect this book with the ones before it. Thus, there are characters that are already familiar to any reader having read the previous books. Even so, this book can be read on its own.
A few other things: Grumpy Kira is not a nice Kira. Kira does not like Christmas?!?!? How is this possible when she owns a Christmas Tree Farm! And Bennet - his love language is helping people he cares about (swooning here!); the littlest things he does made me smile.
Obviously there is snow; there is SOOOOOOO much snow however there are advantages to a snowstorm & a snowball fight with a hot guy. And the ending is so romantic - just be ready. I can say no more.
If you are ready for the holiday magic to begin then start by reading this book.
I feel like these books just get better and better! This has definitely been my favorite in the series so far and was so much like a Hallmark Christmas movie (with a sprinkle of spice) and I devoured it! I really liked Kira's story and how she really wanted to prove to herself that she could do something on her own. Bennett was such a cinnamon roll, even though I really liked that this was something he struggled with, wanting to be kind but also not wanting to be taken advantage of anymore and setting boundaries. These are topics that I feel should be talked about more in adult books Nd I think they really paired well together. I also just loved picturing Dream Harbor at Christmastime! This one gets all the stars for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, one more chapter for providing me with this copy of the Christmas tree farm for an honest review!
The Christmas tree farm is the perfect Christmas read with Kira the grumpy Christmas tree farm owner who hates Christmas and Bennett the handsome newcomer in Dream Harbour with his 3 totally adorable dogs. Kira is stubborn and does not want help in her new business.
Bennett, Despite promising himself he won't get involved with the town drama and the hot tree farm owner, can't help himself when Kira clearly has no idea what she is doing.
5/5
When I say I opened this book and did not put it down… I mean it. This had me captivated from the get go. The cosy town and all its inhabitants are so easy to read about and I find myself wanting to know about each and everyone of them (thank god for this being a series!). Sometimes I find ‘Christmas’ books to be a bit lacklustre but this was perfectly festive and even made me put on my Christmas playlist in October whilst i was reading it.
Sometimes grumpy characters can be annoying but Kira was written well with character depth that made you realise why she had grumpy behaviours and so much so you could see the growth throughout the book of her coming to life in her new business and even embracing the ‘overwhelming’ love of the town. Bennett is perfect in every way, an I.T. worker who can't help but fix Kira’s very broken farm and his adorable dogs! Ugh! What's not to love?
The book was filled with tropes, from grumpy x sunshine to one bed and forced proximity which helped the flow and constantly made me read on! With no spoilers, one of my favourite moments was Kira inviting Bennett into her lodge during a snowstorm and not to do a ‘dot dot dot’ but you can guess what happens next and it was perfect in every way!
I adore Laurie Gilmores writing and her character dynamics in the small town what really makes me as a reader visualise everything and feel like i'm there too.
Thank you to netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advance copy to read.
I love the Dream Harbor series. It's such a cosy series to read especially in autumn.
This book follows the love story of Kira and Bennett, after Kira purchases an old Christmas tree farm. It's a grumpy sunshine trope with a little bit of spice.
It's lovely to also catch up with other characters from previous books. You get a real sense of small town community in these books.
It is predictable and sweet but entertaining nonetheless. A great romance choice for anyone who wants a little Christmas escapism.
Such a good book and as I love a series and a hygge one like this it was a perfect book to read.
I read this in a hot tub on a gorgeous autumn day with the play list on too. It had the perfect amount of raunchy too. Who wouldn’t want to buy a Christmas tree farm and Kira has certainly done that, she’s brought a tree farm and although at the beginning she is more grinch like than festive feels she certainly gets into the spirit of it when she realises money is needed and also that the farm means so much to the small town she lives in. Bennett takes her breath away with his good looks and charm and his dogs too. He infiltrates her and his care for her health and well being is attractive but annoying and she has to get over this.
This is a great series of books. Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
★ BOOK REVIEW ★
🎄 The Christmas Tree Farm - Laurie Gilmore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
SYNOPSIS
Kira hates Christmas but finds herself buying a Christmas tree farm, without realising, when she was inspired by the homestead influencers. Bennett is taking a break from his life in California, and has no intention of helping the grumpy owner set up her tree farm after their initial meet. However, fate has him returning to her farm and offering help. Kira doesn’t want to accept his help, but soon after, she starts questioning why she ever refused his help in the first place…
REVIEW
I really enjoy going back to Dream Harbor, the vibes are immaculate as always 🤭 I think this was a really wholesome story - both Kira and Bennet are likeable characters and it was great to see them both grow individually and become more comfortable with eachother. I was intrigued from the start with the mention of a secret treasure - however there wasn’t as much of a focus on the farm mystery (I kind of forgot about it tbh 😅) - but it wrapped up nicely at the end. This book definitely gives off very cozy vibes, which is so nice to read in the lead up to the holidays! ☃️
I was glad I read this and I’m looking forward to the next! 🫶🏻
Kira has left her old life behind, tired of always being the one who fails when her twin gets married and leaves the country. Kira leaves Georgia for New England and a rundown Christmas Tree Farm, which is surprising because she doesn't like Christmas. Refusing all acts of community and friendship, Kira meets Bennett and his lovable dogs, and the ice around her heart melts. It's hard to empathise with Kira initially, but as we get to know her, we realise she is not what she initially seems. Bennett is lovely and soon breaks down Kira's emotional barriers. I like the festive setting, the gentle and then passionate romance between Kira and Bennett and their lack of emotional insight until it appears that they will both remain brokenhearted. I love a happy ending, and this one is perfect.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Bennett, the good man who needs to stop letting everyone take advantage of his desire to help and fix things for people. And Kira, the lonely rich girl who wants to prove she can stand on her own two feet. Of course despite their best efforts, they’re perfect for each other!
Another great addition to this small town series! For those of us who love Hallmark movies but wish they didn’t just fade to black… ;-)
I absolutely love the Dream Harbour series, catching up with all the characters from previous novels and this one we meet Kira who takes on The Christmas Tree Farm, even though she hates Christmas, and hasn’t got a clue what she’s doing!
Clashes with Bennett whilst walking his dogs on her farm. whilst chemistry is evident both are reluctant.
Sizzling sparks fly in this idyllic small town, HEA, and being the festive season the whole town gather to celebrate.
I can not wait to read The Strawberry Patch Pancake House
Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter and author Laurie Gilmore for this eARC
Another fantastic addition to the Dream Harbor series.
As always I thoroughly loved this third book in the series.
I admit it took me a bit longer to warm up to Kira but by the end I loved her just as much as Jeanie and Hazel. Bennett was the perfect, adorable cinnamon roll from the very beginning and I just wanted the best for him!
Their love story was so cute and with the Christmas Tree Farm setting it gave the perfect Hallmark Christmas movie vibes!
I am in love with the world Gilmore has created in this series and can't wait for the next one!
This series is slowly getting a little bit more better by the book and characters, really loved Kira’s and Ben’s character development by the end of the book
This festive book is sure to bring christmas cheer to many readers, but I have to admit that this one fell flat for me.
For some reason, I just couldn't connect to the characters and had a hard time really immersing myself into the story.
However, I loved the previous two books, so I'll be sure to recommend this book to my friends anyway!
I enjoyed reading The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!
I had to dnf this one. I just couldn’t get past the writing and silly acting characters. It looks like it’s a me thing rather than the book.
This might be my favourite book of the series! Maybe that's because it's Christmas in Dream Harbor. Ben is my favourite guy so far and I thought I wouldn't like Kira, but I really did. The spice level is high. But the cozy vibes are definitely here and I am looking forward to more in the series, and about these characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
This is the third book in the Dream Harbor series.
Bennett is visiting his sister Jeanie. Walking the dogs, he meets Kira, who has bought Christmas Tree farm,
Kira has no idea how to run a farm or live with the cold weather, she used to live in Georgia.
The residents of Dream Harbor believe that the previous owner left something at the farm, which could be hidden, treasure or a body, and they ask Bennett to visit the farm to find either or anything that will help them in ascertaining what was left.
The characters were lovely and we read about what’s happening in the lives of the ones from the previous books.
I recommend this book.
The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore, is the third book in the Dream Harbor series, and offers a delightful and heartwarming continuation of the small-town charm that has enchanted readers throughout the series.
This instalment shifts the focus to Bennett, Jeanie's brother, who comes to Dream Harbor for a holiday visit.
Bennett’s holiday stay quickly becomes eventful when he crosses paths with Kira, the newest and rather unwelcoming resident of the town.
What begins as a simple walk with his dogs turns into an intriguing tale involving a buried treasure (or body!) on Kira's Christmas tree farm, and a simmering tension between Bennett and Kira.
Gilmore’s skill in character development shines through as Kira, initially aloof, reveals layers of vulnerability that soften her interactions with Bennett and the group of friends she gradually warms to.
The transformation of Kira from standoffish to open-hearted is well-paced, as the tension between her and Bennett evolves into a fiery romance.
The treasure-hunt subplot adds an element of suspense, while the interactions between characters are filled with humor, warmth, and a dash of drama. Gilmore also delivers on the steamy romance, adding a touch of heat to the festive backdrop.
Fans of the series will feel like they’re reconnecting with old friends while enjoying the dynamic between Bennett and Kira.
New readers will appreciate the standalone appeal of the story, though they might be tempted to explore the earlier books for a fuller immersion into Dream Harbor.
Overall, The Christmas Tree Farm is a perfect seasonal read, brimming with humour, heart, and romance. It’s the kind of story that will leave readers cosy and eager for more from Dream Harbor.
I'm so excited that I got to read the next book in the dream harbour series and what was even better is the story is set at Christmas.
Kira buys a Christmas tree farm on a whim and soon finds its harder work than she had anticipated, Meanwhile Bennett Is staying with his sister at the pumpkin spice café and after a run in with Kira he realises she hasn't a clue what she is doing. He decides to help her out, because he's just a great guy!
So begins a wonderful Hallmark style romance story with added spice of course!
I adored this story and actually thought it was very close to overtaking my love for the pumpkin spice café!
Spoilt rich kid Kira buys a Christmas tree farm on a whim, determined to make a go of it, however is struggling. Enter Bennet, who is staying at his sister's Pumpkin Spice Cafe, who has a compulsion to help anyone who needs it. Can these two two make a grumpy v sunshine relationship work?
This is definitely a Hallmark movie with added spice, which depending upon you may be a good or bad thing. I started off not liking Kira, a very prickly character who sounded like a typically spoilt rich kid, however this did change as the story developed and her vulnerabilities became apparent. I can see a touch of myself in Bennet, trying to help people all the time, but maybe not so extreme. There are some very spicy bits whilst they work on their relationship and Kira tries to make a go of the farm. The supportive local community helps with the farm and starting to thaw Kira's grumpy character and determination to do everything herself. An ideal read if you want a Christmas read, but with added spice.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.