
Member Reviews

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore is pure holiday magic! Dream Harbor comes alive with cozy charm, heartfelt romance, and festive joy. The characters are lovable, the setting is enchanting, and the romance is the perfect mix of sweet and swoon-worthy. A must-read for anyone who loves small-town holiday romances!

I absolutely adored this. I can't decide if this or Pumpkin Spice is my favorite book in the series so far! I liked Kira too, especially once she started letting her guard down a little and we saw more of her personality shine through, but Bennett really stole the show for me. I related SO much to his need to feel useful and his tendency to let the people he cares about stomp all over his boundaries (or, more accurately, his tendency not to establish boundaries at all because he just wants everyone to be happy and doesn't always even realize he's put himself last again).
Also, the doggo love? Everything! I can't even tell you how many times I had to go find my Echo and give her some cuddles while listening to this because Laurie Gilmore is just so good at putting those pet-loving feels into words. ♥️

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gillmore is a charming and festive holiday romance that perfectly captures the magic of the season. Set against the cozy backdrop of a picturesque tree farm, the story is filled with warmth, nostalgia, and just the right amount of small-town charm. The characters are endearing, and their slow-burn romance is both sweet and satisfying, making it easy to root for their happily-ever-after.
While the plot is somewhat predictable, the heartwarming moments and holiday spirit more than make up for it. Gillmore’s vivid descriptions of twinkling lights, snowy landscapes, and family traditions create a wonderfully cozy atmosphere, making this book a perfect companion for a winter evening. The Christmas Tree Farm is a delightful, feel-good read that will leave you craving hot cocoa and a fresh-cut pine.

Kira recently moved to the old Christmas tree farm in the Dream Harbor community. SHE HATES CHRISTMAS and had no intention of reopening the Christmas tree farm, but she had to because of financial constraints.
Bennett walks his dogs on the tree farm and that's how him and Kira meet. I love the Grumpy x Sunshine trope and I love it even more that Kira was our grumpy character and Bennett was our sunshine character. Overall this book is like a Hallmark Christmas movie, but with a little more gruff and added spice.
My current Dream Harbor rankings:
1. The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore
2. The Christmas Tree Farm
3. The Pumpkin Spice Cafe
I can't wait to see where The Strawberry Patch Pancake House falls next.

This book was my favorite book of the series so far, I enjoyed reading as Kira’s character develops from a grumpy newbie in town to a loving member of the community. I felt like the book wasn’t completely drawn out like the other ones. I also love how the characters are the same in the whole series, so even though this book isn’t directly about them, you still get to see them develop on the sidelines. I recommend this book!
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper360 for an early preview of this book, though I received a complementary copy of the book, my opinion and review are completely my own.

Laurie Gilmore’s The Christmas Tree Farm is a heartwarming and delightful holiday novel that captures the essence of the season with its charming setting and relatable characters. Set on a picturesque Christmas tree farm, the story follows the protagonist as she returns to her family’s farm for the holidays and finds herself reconnecting with her past, her family, and, of course, the magic of Christmas.
Gilmore’s writing is warm and inviting, bringing the sights, sounds, and smells of the Christmas season to life. The descriptions of the farm and the holiday atmosphere are vivid, making it easy for readers to get lost in the festive world she creates. The pacing is steady, with just the right amount of seasonal cheer and personal reflection to keep the reader engaged throughout.
The characters are well-developed, with the protagonist being both relatable and endearing as she navigates her journey of self-discovery. The family dynamics on the farm add emotional depth to the story, and the relationships—both old and new—are explored with sincerity. While the romance angle is fairly predictable, it adds a nice touch of sweetness to the overall narrative without overshadowing the story’s heartwarming themes of family, forgiveness, and community.
What really stands out about The Christmas Tree Farm is its ability to capture the spirit of Christmas without being overly sentimental. Gilmore strikes a perfect balance between festive cheer and emotional depth, creating a story that feels both joyful and meaningful. It’s a feel-good read that will leave readers with a smile on their face and a sense of warmth in their hearts.
The only minor drawback is that some parts of the plot may feel a bit familiar or formulaic for fans of holiday romances, but the overall charm and heart of the story more than make up for it. The Christmas Tree Farm is a delightful read for anyone looking for a cozy, festive escape during the holiday season.
In conclusion, The Christmas Tree Farm is a perfect choice for fans of heartwarming Christmas stories. Laurie Gilmore’s beautiful writing and engaging characters make this a lovely holiday read that will warm your heart and put you in the Christmas spirit.

My last Holiday read of 2024 - The Christmas Tree Farm.
This was a spicy romantic story which was listed as mystery, which I don’t know why.
It was surely romantic but definitely not mystery to me.
It was a quick fun Holiday read.

Finally was able to read this one! Such a cute and sometimes spicy romance! Love the small town feel and cutesy moments! Caught myself laughing at some parts! It was a nice pallet cleanser ❤️

A lovely and cosy holiday read,all the things I love in a Christmas book, small town romance, a grumpy festivity hating character, fuzzy warm feelings, this is a fantastic series and one I completely adore, so give it a go, you know you want to !

Title: The Christmas Tree Farm
Author: Laurie Gilmore
Genre: Romantic Mystery
Tropes: Grumpy X Sunshine, small town, one bed, forced proximity
Format: eARC
Rating: 4 Stars
Summary:
Kira, the grumpy new owner of Dream Harbor’s Christmas tree farm, hates Christmas. Bennett is on vacation is Dream Harbor visiting his sister when he accidentally walks his dogs on Kira property. Bennett is sent to the farm to nose around and see if anything suspicious was left by the previous owner. Bennett has a compulsive desire to fix things and when he sees the state of the farm buildings, he is compelled to help. Kira is fiercely independent and is determined to do it on her own. Can Bennett and his dogs wear down the grumpy Christmas tree farm owner? Can Kira accept the help and open herself up to this town and its people?
Thoughts:
I loved the reverse grumpy/sunshine trope in this book. Kira didn’t stand a chance against Bennet once he realized his secret weapon was his dogs/ animals. I really enjoyed Kira’s character arc and how she learned to accept the town and found family within it.
Great for readers who love a reverse grumpy x sunshine, small town vibes, and SPICE!
Thank you to the Harper Collins (Harper360) and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Reviews posted to NetGalley, Amazon, and GoodReads.

I enjoyed this more than Pumpkin Spice Cafe, but I think maybe “cozy reads” aren’t for me. It felt really slow paced and didn’t hold my interest. If cozy romantic reads are your thing though, this might be a good one for you!

Cozy , Christmas themed Rom-Com
Grumpy Sunshine
Small Town Romance
Second Chance
Forced Proximity
Another wonderful story from Laurie Gilmore in the Dream Harbor series. This is a stand-alone book but characters from earlier books in the series do make appearances so I think it's best to read them in order.
The characters are delightful and quirky and the main characters are especially charming and dreamy. The main female character is grumpy and not a fan of Christmas, yet she recently bought an abandoned Christmas tree farm. Bennett is visiting his sister who lives in this small town. He's looking for some down time but can't seem to get Kira off his mind after a chance encounter at her tree farm. Can Bennett warm Kira's heart in time for Christmas? Will some Christmas magic bring them love ?
Cozy and wonderful. Gilmore writes another special, delightful romance . Don't miss this one! Thanks Net Galley for the ARC . Opinions are my own.

Wouldn't recommend to my class only because they are first grade and kinder ! haha
I really enjoyed the book it was fun and sweet and had all the cozy vibes!

**5-Star Review:**
I just finished *The Christmas Tree Farm* by Laurie Gilmore, and wow, what a read! This book was absolutely perfect for a day by the pool — I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting. The romance? Spicy and full of heat! The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, and their story will keep you hooked from the very first page. I loved the way Laurie Gilmore blends the magic of the holidays with steamy, passionate moments. If you're looking for a fun, indulgent, and heartwarming escape, this book is everything you need. Definitely a five-star read!

While I thought the first book in this series was a cute, cozy small town romance I have to admit that as the series continues it just keeps getting better and better. The emotional depth and character development was just absolute perfection through books 2 and 3 now. Bennet and Kira stole my heart with their tense give and take, and as cheesy as I thought the Christmas tree farm setting would be - it was not, it was perfect.

This was not my favorite in the series. I tried really hard to like the female main character but her negative attitude kept rubbing me the wrong way. I love the appearances from the other characters in this series. I can’t wait for the next book in this series however.

I enjoyed this book and the banter and how it was connected with the previous books. I want my own Christmas romance :)

A great cozy holiday read. I really enjoyed reading the first book so I knew I really wanted to read this one and it didn't disappoint! I was immediately excited for the next books and can't wait to read more!!

This was a great edition to the Dream Harbor series. Bennett was my favorite character, he was so wholesome and you could really tell how much he loved Kira. Kira was pretty frustrating, but seeing her growth was satisfying. And of course, the good old small town vibe- complete with nosy neighbors- was perfect.

This is a cozy holiday read that I am not mad at at all. Had a good time reading this book and falling for these characters! This was another great book from Laurie Gilmore!