Real or fake Christmas tree? We did a real tree a couple of years with the kids which was fun, but otherwise, I have had a fake tree my entire life.
Kira North has bought an old Christmas tree farm in a small town in the Northeast. She is trying to determine where to go with life. Even though she hates Christmas, she decides to sell Christmas trees to make enough money to fix up her house. Bennett (Ben) Ellis meets grumpy Kira while walking his three dogs on her farm. Ben helps Kira with fixing things up on her farm. Will the two be able to move beyond their broken pasts to start a new romance?

My thoughts on this novel:
• It reminded me of a spicy Hallmark Christmas romcom movie.

• It was a cozy Christmas read that I enjoyed at the beginning of January.

• Kira was grump at first, but she really grew on me.

• Grumpy x Sunshine romance, forced proximity, slight enemies to lovers.

• This was a steamy romance with a lot of sweet romance and basically one really steamy scene.

• This was the third novel in the Dream Harbor series. I haven’t read the previous two books, but they are on my list. This worked as a standalone, but I think I would have enjoyed the side characters even more if I knew their back stories.

Overall, The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore was a good romance with great characters, and it was a quick read.

Dream Harbor was my favorite series of 2024! I enjoyed spending time in this cozy, small town, it feels like home! I liked that Ben was introduced to us in a previous book, he is Jeanie's brother and came to Dream Harbor for a visit during the holiday. He meets Kira, a new girl in town who has isolated herself from the town, she has any icy personality, bought a dilapidated cabin that she is struggling to repair, and owns a run down Christmas Tree Farm that she originally insisted that she wouldn't be re-opening, but with much encouragement from Ben (a fix it hero) she opens the farm, and the town is overjoyed. There's a snow storm (forced proximity) that allows Ben and Kira to explore their feelings for each other, they are both guarding their hearts, not expecting to fall in love. It's a cute, quick romance full of banter, spice, sweetness, a treasure hunt, adorable dogs, lovable characters, and a very joyful ending (the best ending of the series). I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This was easily a five star read, very festive and Hallmark vibes, highly recommended. I can't wait to go back to Dream Harbor!

3.5 🌟 This is the 3rd book in the Dream Harbor series and I probably liked this 1 the most. I like Christmas setting and this crazy town. I always enjoy reading series because I like that we get continuations of the characters' stories we read earlier. It makes the world and series feel more familiar and makes it fun to read. Another easy, seasonal read!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

This is my 2nd read in this series. I love the characters, the humor and just the right amount of "spice" Looking forward to more...

If you’re a big dog lover like me and are considering reading this book, please know at 87% in the MMC mentions stowing his dog beneath the plane in cargo containers (that he also makes them be in for the drive to the airport). That immediately ruined the book for me. Especially since the MMC is described as a golden retriever and I know a REAL golden retriever wouldn’t let his fellow men down like that 🙅🏻‍♀️🐶

It was a cute story line, overall, but it took me two weeks to read it because I wasn’t totally hooked on it. Very Hallmarky.

I was looking forward to Kira and Becketts story! I loved their cameos leading up to this book! Of course like the others, has the small town hallmark feel. Cute little Christmas read! It’s by far my favorite of the series so far!

Sweet little holiday romance novel with some spicy scenes; exactly what you would expect from this book and maybe hope for as a holiday read. This one is great if you have not read the previous books also as it could be a stand alone.

This is a great time and everything you could want from a small town spicy holiday romance.

# The Christmas Tree Farm
# 12/30/2024 ~ 12/31/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

Thank you for the ARC! This was cute. I enjoyed it more than the second book in the series. I love this little town, especially the town meetings.

Laurie Gilmore's cute little town of Dream Harbor has become such a staple for me and my seasonal reading. I loved the first two in the series and my love continued for The Christmas Tree Farm. I hope this series can just keep on continuing. I couldn't put this one down just like the others. Perfect mix of cozy, cute, and spice that I love to see in romance books. Highly recommend to anyone who hasn't read this series yet.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title and thank you to Harper360 for providing me with an eARC, however I was unable to get it read during the holiday season and I ended up purchasing the book. I will plan to update my review when I read it in the future.

I absolutely devoured Laurie’s other works, but this one was not my favorite. I liked it, but I couldn’t immerse myself in it fully at times. I think it is a great read for the winter/Christmas just for the vibes.

I loved this book. I totally fell in love with the characters and was rooting for them from the beginning. The cutest winter romance book I read all December. Make this a top pick at Christmas time!

Loved it!! Cute story and easy to read. A perfect palate cleanser. Love the small town romance vibe and can’t wait to read the next dream harbor book.

I had such a fun and festive time with this book! I have loved all of the books in this series by Laurie Gilmore.
If you are looking for a feel good book with a small town setting, a fun group of characters, and some steamy romance then this series just might do it for you!
I love how Laurie Gilmore has become a seasonal author. I have found myself looking forward to every new release.
Thank you NetGalley, Laurie Gilmore, and the publishers for this ARC.

Get ready to dive into a heartwarming, festive tale that sparkles with holiday magic! The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore is a delightful blend of romance, family bonds, and the charm of small-town living, all wrapped up in a winter wonderland setting.

When city girl Ella unexpectedly inherits her late grandfather’s Christmas tree farm, she’s thrust into a world of cozy flannel shirts, snow-dusted evergreens, and the tight-knit community of Pine Hollow. But it’s not all mistletoe and hot cocoa—Ella quickly discovers the farm is struggling, and she must find a way to save it before the season ends. Enter Jack, the ruggedly handsome local handyman with a mysterious past and a heart of gold, who steps in to help. Sparks fly, snowflakes fall, and the two must navigate more than just icy paths as they uncover secrets about the farm and themselves.

Laurie Gilmore paints a vivid picture of holiday cheer, complete with crackling fireplaces, twinkling lights, and festive markets that leap off the page. The characters are endearing, their relationships layered with emotion and humor, and the romance is as sweet and satisfying as a Christmas cookie.

The story's charm lies in its perfect balance of lighthearted fun and meaningful moments, reminding readers of the importance of community, resilience, and finding joy in unexpected places. With plenty of laughs, a few tears, and a swoon-worthy romance, The Christmas Tree Farm is a holiday treat you won’t want to miss.

A must-read for fans of Hallmark-worthy stories and anyone who believes in the magic of Christmas!

Huge thank you to Laurie Gilmore, Harper 360, and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚖𝚊𝚜 𝚃𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝙵𝚊𝚛𝚖 by Laurie Gilmore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ever feel like you have something to prove? That you’re worried that you cannot succeed on your own? Yet you have a big idea and decide to really go for it? This is how Kira North feels when she moves into town and purchases the old Christmas Tree Farm. Grumpy as a grinch, nothing seems to be going right after she moves in, until she meets cinnamon roll Ben Ellis and reluctantly accepts his help.

Bennett Ellis is on vacation, visiting his family in Dream Harbor for the holidays. When he meets Kira, and learns of how dilapidated her home is, he cannot help himself. He is determined to help her get on her feet, as much as he second guesses himself and his motives.

If you like a small town romance where everyone knows everybody, a grumpy sunshine combo where she’s the grump, and a slow burn that leads to hot spice, pick this up. Fans of Dream Harbor will gladly want step back into this whimsical town. This is book three of the Dream Harbor Series.

I enjoyed the dynamics between Kira and Ben, and especially loved how they kept her home warm once the snowstorm hit. Because you can’t have a holiday novel without a snowstorm!

#review #arcreview #book #bookrecs #romance #dreamharbor #bookstagram #christmas #christmastree #holidays #grumpy #sunshine #busybodies #mystery #treasure

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I haven't read the others in the series, but I am now.

The characters felt authentic, and I liked each one's conflict and growth. Thank you for the copy. I look forward to reading the other books in this series!

Kira North isn’t just “grumpy” about Christmas—she actively hates it. Unfortunately for her, she’s just bought a Christmas tree farm in the town of Dream Harbor, a place that oozes holiday cheer at every corner. Not exactly the kind of place for someone who’d rather avoid tinsel and Christmas carols altogether.

Ben Ellis, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Taking a break from his chaotic life in California, he’s spending some time in Dream Harbor, hoping to escape his string of disastrous dates and emotional burnout. His first encounter with Kira is anything but smooth—she’s prickly, standoffish, and completely uninterested in any help he might offer. However, Ben’s good nature and his unshakable positivity eventually lead him back to her farm, where the sparks between them start flying in unexpected ways.

The farm, however, is a different beast than Kira had anticipated. It’s falling apart in places, it’s freezing cold, and—let’s be honest—it’s not nearly as “cute and cozy” as the glossy Instagram posts of picturesque tree farms would have you believe. Still, Ben is determined to help Kira, even if she keeps insisting she doesn’t need it. Forced proximity and a shared desire to make the farm work, not to mention a compelling attraction, leads the two into a situation where neither can deny their chemistry.

The Christmas Tree Farm is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and small-town charm. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic works beautifully, and the "forced proximity" trope creates the perfect backdrop for Kira and Ben’s slow-burn romance. With the added spice of their steamy chemistry and a touch of holiday magic, this book will appeal to readers looking for a festive escape.

Tropes:
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Small Town Charm
- Forced Proximity

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore was a cute cozy read. Perfect to read during a winter storm. I thought it was super cute and there were several side characters that added a lot of charm to the story. If you like a cutesy cozy read with spice then this winter rom-com is the perfect read!

Thank you NetGalley, Laurie Gilmore, and One more Day publishing for the free advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.