Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc.

This series is so cute. Its delightful and cozy! I'm reading them in order but they can be enjoyed in any order.

I wanted to love this installment of the Dream Harbor series, but unfortunately it just didn't hold the same spark as the first two books. This story focuses on Kira and Bennett. Kira is unlikable from the start. She hates Christmas yet recently purchased a tree farm in Dream Harbor (the backstory on the purchase doesn't make sense, but I digress.) Bennett, who lives in California, is taking respite in Dream Harbor, where his sister resides (Pumpkin Spice Cafe.)

When Kira and Bennett encounter one another at the farm, it is dislike at first sight. Alas, our grinch has a change of heart when she notices his prowess with an axe one afternoon. Meanwhile, Bennett is a total pushover who continues to punish himself at the hands of Kira the curmudgeon.

The back and forth continues between these two until their mutual interest / dislike / attraction finally brings them together.

Will I continue reading the Dream Harbor books? Absolutely. Was this one just an unfortunate bump in the road? I hope so.

Huge thanks to Harper 360, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my opinion.

I loved this one so much more than Pumpkin Spice Cafe and that's probably because I like my books on the spicier side. While the PSC had spice, the spice in The Christmas Tree Farm was much more intense and more vividly relatable. I loved how sarcastic Kira was at the beginning and didn't lose her spunk throughout the whole book. I also loved how Bennett pursued her but also gave her space to come into her own and realize her own strength away from her parents money. I rated this book 4.5 stars and highly recommend!

I have read the other 2 novels in this series and personally I preferred them. I still loved the plot, and I hope that with my second reread I could change my mind! Overall great writing, easy to understand characters and HEA!

Thank you Harper 360 for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

When the Dream Harbor series started going viral on TikTok, I wasn’t sure it would be for me. I haven’t had the best track record with a number of the books people claim to love after virality, and I think it’s because my expectations are too high. But after a difficult year, all I want are low stakes, cozy, delightful romances. And this book delivered, with some spice to boot. I think this is my favorite in the series so far!

Synopsis:

“Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates.

After a run in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intention of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she’s clearly got no idea what she’s doing.

Kira knows she should stop being so stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it’s borderline dangerous with no heating, and she’d rather no one saw it.

But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira’s farm once more, and as Kira watches him swing an ax at the first tree, she finds herself appreciating his strength and questionning why she refused help in the first place..” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Cozy Mystery—The “mystery” elements of this series can almost hardly be called that, but they do add some fun mystique to the story.

The Holiday Vibes—A cozy, charming, woman own Christmas tree farm setting.

The Low Stakes Comfort—These characters are immediately are intrigued by each other, have open communication, and allow their chemistry to flourish.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

Some of the Dialogue—Some of the dialogue was a little Hallmarky/Cheesy for me but I think it was enhanced when I switched to the audiobook, so these may be a better eyeball read!

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Content Warnings:

toxic relationship (past), abandonment

Absolutely my favorite book of the entire series hands down! This was such an adorable holiday romance and the vibes were vibing the entire time!

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this story, but didn't enjoy it as much as the first two novels. I felt that the characters didn't really have any ties to the town, and just spent most of their time alone on the Christmas Tree Farm. I wish they had tied into the town we know and love a bit more. But, the parts we did get with others were great. And the dogs were great.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded down

This is the first Dream Harbor series book that I have finished and I DNF'ed the first one. They are just okay. The Christmas tree farm vibes is nice for the season but Kira is just way too grumpy for my taste (and I love a grumpy character). The spice, while spicy, really threw me off from the whole Hallmark movie vibes, putting both together just seemed a little out of place.

This is the third book in this fun and festive series. Kira buys a Christmas tree farm with fanciful ideas but without experience running one. She is out of money and pretty glum when she meets Bennett, who is kind and definitely a people pleaser. Their story is important because it introduces Kira to the town and opens her up to the community spirit. I've enjoyed each book and this one is no exception.

I liked the first two in this series but this one was kind of a miss for me. I personally couldn’t connect with the female main character and it was hard to be invested in her growth. Idk if she even has much character development-- I don’t feel like her character was fully fleshed out. I did like the male main character a lot especially his dogs!

If you’re looking for a grumpy-sunshine, small-town, Christmas romance this might be for you. 3.5 out of 5 on the chili pepper spice rating!

I really enjoyed this book! I liked how similar yet different it was in comparison to the first two. It gave all the Christmas vibes I was wanting.

I do think when it came to the writing, this one was the best. You could tell the author has grown with her writing!

Overall, I loved this book. I think it might have been my favorite of the three so far!!

Loved this book. Laurie’s books only get better and better.
Kira and Bennett are my favorite characters so far.
I want to see more of these characters and how Kira grows the farm.
I think it would have been fun if there was more hidden treasures and notes that Edwin had hidden around the house/farm to have been found.
I seriously cannot wait for book four.

I was fortunate enough to receive The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore as an ARC from Net Galley.
Love Hallmark Movies? But wish they had a bit more “spice”? This is the book/author for you.
Kira, wanting to escape her rich parents, buys the Christmas Tree farm in Dream Harbor. Mind you she knows nothing about running a Christmas Tree farm. That’s where handsome Bennett comes into the picture.
Their first meeting is not ideal to say the least, but a few more chance encounters and things begin to heat up. When a snow storm traps them at Kira’s house, where the heat doesn’t work, the two find others ways to keep warm.
I highly recommend you check out this book as well as the entire series.

What a lovely feel-good story that gives you all the Christmas feels. It has humor, it has heart, it has dogs. I am not sure how this author can convey the season so well but The Pumpkin Spice Cafe was perfect for fall and this was perfect for Christmas season. I love how the set up for these characters, the grumpy recluses kinda of clueless Kira trying to be independent and make her way without help and she is paired up with the ultimate Mr. Fix it cinnamon roll darling in Bennet.. They are so cute together.
I love how Kira loved dogs so much but she is a little put off by people. I love seeing her become apart of this wonderful little town and really learn how to be independent while understanding that help is needed and knowing when to ask for and accept it is very important.
I love the town and all the kookie side characters, the wacky sex crazed book club that is always up to trouble. This town is the perfect back drop for such lovely stories and gives me such Gilmore Girl feels. I love all the festivals, all the reasons that the towns people get into peoples business but they are also always there to welcome a new comer and make them part of their world.
I love the setting of the old farm house, the snow storm that forces them together. I can totally see them making a huge success of this beautiful little farm together.
These book and this series are just so perfect. Witty and sweet, a little sexy and with easy lovely story. Highly Recommend to all that love a grumpy sunshine, small town with lovely side characters, all the wonderful Christmas season shenanigans you could want.

I read the first book in this series and, while it was entertaining, it didn’t really hook me, so I skipped book two. However, I’m so glad my book club picked up book three because I genuinely enjoyed it! The characters felt so raw and vulnerable, their fears driving much of the conflict, but that honesty made them incredibly relatable. It felt real, and that connection made all the difference for me. Highly recommend giving this one a chance!

Love this series and can't wait to find out more about everyone!

I always love a good romcom set around Christmas time. I felt like I was apart of the story with how the author writes!

I love this book! Laurie Gilmore always paints liveable characters and such dreamy settings for these books! I enjoy watching these characters evolve, and that the storyline is easy going and makes it an enjoyable, quick read! Looking forward to her two new books coming soon!

The Christmas Tree Farm is the third book in Gilmore's Dream Harbor series. Dream Harbor is, for lack of a better word, a dreamy place to visit. It'll have you wanting to pick up and move to an idyllic small town. All three books in the series are cozy reads with The Christmas Tree Farm revolving around, you guessed it, Christmas.

Kira is the new curmudgeonly Christmas tree farm owner with a heart of gold. Bennet is the Pumpkin Spice Cafe owner's (main character from book 1) brother who is visiting town for Christmas. The town wants Kira to re-open the Christmas tree farm and sends Bennet, as the newcomer, to connect with her.,. and boy do they connect.

Overall, The Christmas Tree Farm is an entertaining and spicy holiday read for those looking to escape. It is easy to read with an elementary plot and likable characters. A perfect book to relieve some of the holiday stress.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC of this recent release!

this was a cute, cozy christmas read! i enjoyed the setting of the book, and i’m sure if i had read the two books before this one i would’ve understood some of the references better. it was interesting to see the fmc be grumpy instead of sunshine. thank you to netgalley and the author for this ARC!

I really liked The Christmas Tree Farm, #3 in Laurie Gilmore's Dream Harbor series. In the small town of Dream Harbor, some one bought the old Christmas Tree Farm, and everyone in town wants to know if they can 1)buy Christmas trees there again, and 2)if it's true that there is something buried out at the farm, if so, is it a treasure, or a body? Enter Bennett Ellis, in town to visit his sister Jeanie for the holidays. He goes to a town meeting, and somehow gets talked into going out to the tree farm, befriending the new owner, Kira North, and getting the answers to all the townsfolks' questions. Kira purchased the farm to change her life because her twin sister married a Danish man and moved to Denmark. Kira misses her horribly, and wants to get as far away from her high society parents as possible. Inspired by internet influencers who are going off the grid and living an "authentic life", she buys the farm to maybe grow some vegetables and sell some pickles, or something,. but faced with a very ancient boiler in her new farm house, she needs money fast, so she does open the tree farm, as a first step to achieving her dream. Bennett is trying to escape his past romantic habit of fixing and taking care of everyone he dates, because they take advantage of him and eventually break his heart.
He's having trouble not stepping in the help Kira, who he finds very attractive, and freezing in her new home. Can Bennett let Kira solve her problems on her own? Can Kira resist the handsome Bennett, who's visit has an expiration date? This is my favorite of the Dream Harbor books so far, and the steamiest. I also like Kira's observation that these influencers who are living authentically off the grid, seem to have access to a good internet connection, since they're constantly posting about their activities. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins360 for an advance readers ebook to review.