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!

This was my favorite book out of the series. The chemistry between Kira and Bennett was amazing. The mattress on the floor spice was epic!! I cannot wait to keep reading more about Dream Harbor.

I have not read the other books in this series so I am not sure how this one compares. For the most part this was really cute!! It was a hallmark movie in a book.

We have the FMC who is like the grinch. She hates christmas and is a bit rude to the people of the town. She buys a christmas tree farm which I wasn't completely sold on at first. I think I should have read the first two books first just for the most enjoyment. I didn't like some of Kira the FMCs actions. I always struggle to get into books that are holiday centered but take forever to get to the story. Overall, if you are into holiday romance, you will like this.

A good holiday read that reminded me a lot of hallmark movies. They are easy to critique but still enjoyable.

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore is the third book in the Dream Harbor Series. This is Kira and Bennett‘s story.
 
Kira has spent her whole life by the side of her twin sister, but when her twin finds the love of her life and moves to Europa, Kira needs to create her own home. She moves across the country and buys a Christmas tree farm at the other end of the country and embraces herself. I liked how Kira pushed her comfort zone and discovered more of herself in this book. I also adored her love of animals.
 
Bennett needs a little break from his life, and he goes to Dream Harbor to visit his sister. He has a heart of gold and loves fiercely and with his whole being and truly attends to other people. But a lot of people take advantage of him and that was so heartbreaking, and I could totally feel this. Bennett is such a bookboyfriend and he is sweet, charming and has a sexy side to him and that was the perfect combination. I’m beyond in love with him and his dogs.
 
Kira and Bennett‘s story was just amazing and I loved how Bennett tried helping Kira and how he brought the Christmas spirit to her. I loved their morning walk meetings and the snowstorm scene, and they get so comfortable with each other. They didn’t expect to become more but it was beautiful to follow, and they are such an amazing couple. I also loved how they created their own Christmas traditions and especially the letters were incredible.
 
The Christmas Tree Farm is a hallmark but make it spicy romance and exactly what I need in a Christmas romance. Completely in love with Kira and Bennett‘s story and I can’t wait to reread this book on Christmas. 5 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

After binging all three of these Dream Harbor (series) books, I can say 3 things with certainty.
1. They’re absolutely Hallmark movies in book form with a sprinkle of spice.
2. They’re get better in terms of writing and character development, plot, etc. as they go.
3. They’re not for me. Much like when I watch a hallmark movie, I complain the entire time about how bad it is. It’s so cheesy, the acting is cringy, everything happens too easily etc. And yet, I keep watching only to cry at the end and then feel like I wasted my time but also somewhat maybe briefly enjoyed myself. What can I say?! It’s a duality so many of us share. And so, I present to you, The Christmas Tree Farm.

We follow Kira, an internally conflicted woman, who just bought herself a charming, rustic old house in a charming small town. She somehow didn’t do any research and didn’t know it’s been a Christmas tree farm for the last few decades. Now she must push through all her baggage to make the townsfolk happy and open the farm up against all odds in a short amount of time, despite having absolutely no idea what/how to do it. And of course, she’s super independent and doesn’t want any help. Even though she takes tons of it all the time. But don’t worry- she’s mad about it. *Dang, I wish my biggest problem in life was that too many people want to help me through it* OK, saltiness aside, I understand what the vibe is and that Kira is just trying to stand on her own two feet for the first time in her life. It’s maybe just a storyline that doesn’t work for me in this magical HEA environment. This girl really has everything fall into her lap easily, including hunky Bennet. Broody, but also a cinnamon roll. Handy man, golden retriever, but also emotionally wounded-but like, just enough that Kira’s pampered but now newly super independent(?) vibe is exactly what the doctor ordered to fix him. He’s done being used. A woman who can stand on her own two feet is what he needs. 🫠🫠🫠

Despite my rant, I pushed through this book in a day. It’s an easy read. An even easier listen if you like audiobooks, and scratches the itch if you love to hate to love Hallmark movies, like me. Now rating wise- idk. If you’ve read the other books in this series, this is definitely the best yet, and as far as the style goes- it’s weird. It reads like Christian clean romance but then has graphic sec scenes sprinkled in- not many- but it’s there. For a HOLIDAY ROMCOM (because yes, they are in their own bubble of special nonsense cheesy goodness) it’s a 3.75. Compared to other contemporary romance it’s 2 ⭐️

Ultimately, should you read it? If you love holiday books, absolutely. If not, fall back on the rule that TikTok books typically aren’t worth it 😬

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for this arc, in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Noved reading Bennet and Kira's story. It's grumpy sunshine and there is good character growth. There is open door scenes but it was tasteful and not overdone. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

Absolutely loved this small town Hallmark vibe Christmas romance. What could be more Holiday than a Christmas Tree Farm? I loved how the devastation of being separated from her twin pushed Kira to do something irrational in purchasing a debilitated tree farm.
Loved the plot twist with the new Christmas tree farm owner being a “Grinch” of sorts. Close proximity bringing in Bennett, how could Kira resist his charm, good looks and 3 adorable dogs!
Made me feel full of Holiday spirit, hope and happiness as these family and friends intertwine in the sweet town of Dream Harbor.

Highly recommend this 5 star read! A perfect storyline to give you all the Holiday feels.
Thank you to @Harper360 @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All comments and opinions are my own.

This author has done it again!!!!

This was truly the perfect book to get into the Christmas spirit. I loved the characters and they seemed to have the most character growth in this series do far. They both had issues/baggage that they had to work through and through their time together they realized these loose endings they had to finally let go/move on from. I honestly really appreciated that this book was more in-depth with the characters and not so much about the plot (the plot wasn’t overwhelming the characters like the other books). All books have been amazing but this one was different. It was a nice change of pace since I read all of them back to bad.

And the spice!!!! You’re joking. I was not expecting that level of spice but it was VERY well done. Jaw on the floor.

Eeek this was such a cozy read! If you like a good Christmas hallmark movie, but like a little spice on the side, this is definitely the book for you. Kira is such an amazing character. She knows her flaws and she does whatever she can to start over and she does it and she succeeds. Bennett is such a great cinnamon roll hero. Everything in him instantly wants to help and protect Keira. He sees that she needs to do it on her own to believe in herself and he lets her, but doesn’t let her fall or fail. It’s a great book.

This is the perfect cosy and a bit spicy holiday read! So cute! But also so inspiring and so beautiful!

You can be independent but also share your life with someone else and be surrounded by a wonderful community.

I really loved this and see myself re-reading around Christmastime every year.

THANK YOU Netgalley, Laurie Gilmore and Harper 360 for giving me an ARC of this delightful holiday read.

This was such a fun read. Kira and Bennett were so cute together. I loved the drama and spice! It's a great holiday read and I can’t wait to read the next one in this series!

She owns a tree farm but hates Christmas and he's new in town and looking to get over his latest string of bad dates. Kira North hates Christmas and can't stand the too cute town she lives in... yet she owns a Christmas tree farm. Bennett Ellis is new in town to visit his sister and take a break from some bad dates. When Ben runs into Kira, they do not have a great first meeting but they keep running into one another and just can't stop thinking about each other. But can a relationship work between two people who are completely different... and the fact that Ben has an entire life back in California while Kira lives in Dream Harbor? When this was advertised as a steamier Hallmark movie, I was hooked. As a lover of Hallmark movies I can't resist a holiday romance book. I just felt like this book was missing something, some holiday romance magic. I didn't really feel the chemistry between Ben and Kira and it just didn't feel like it really worked for me while I was reading it. I just didn't find myself falling in love with the characters or the romance despite this book having so many elements I would normally love. If you like small town romance with a touch of heat, definitely give this a go though, maybe you'll have a better time with it than I did.

Release Date: October 22,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Harper 360 for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Another exceptional story inside Dream Harbor! This Christmas story was super cute and I loved the reverse grumpy/sunshine trope. The FMC Kira was so much fun and I loved everything about her. The connection between Kira and the MMC Bennett was adorable. I enjoyed all the Christmas vibes from the Christmas tree farm to the holiday festival and the snowed-in scene. A perfect cozy Christmas rom-com!

My Thoughts💭

If you know me well I’m a sucker for hallmark movies during Christmas and this was exactly it! It’s cute, heartwarming and of course spicy 🔥 Absolutely loved this book. I loved that this story the FMC was the grumpy one about Christmas! I swear each book comes out gets better and better! The character development was perfect. The forced proximity between Kira and Bennett is executed perfectly, leading to some great spicy scenes in this series. Thankyou to @harpercollins360 for this arc!


If you’re looking for
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Small Town
-Forced Proximity
-One Bed
-Hallmark vibes

Then this is the book for you!

Kira North! Talk about grumpy. I thought when Kira made her debut in The Pumpkin Spice Cafe I was going to dislike her in The Christmas Tree Farm. Who hates Christmas, right!? 🤣 I thought wrong? I absolutely loved her grumpy character. I have to say, so far so good, in Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series. Can’t wait to read the next one! 🍓

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. But throw in a grumpy FMC, cinnamon roll MMC, and some rescue dogs during Christmas time - and you’ve sold me on a great ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ novel.

This book had a bit of mystery, some struggles, finding oneself, and of course love. Kira and Bennet’s meet cute was top notch. The town get togethers are very reminiscent of Stars Hallow. Connecting with the rest of the town and the other books was a cherry on top.

This is a must read this Christmas season!

Kira and Bennett are the perfect duo in this next installment of this small town series. I loved the way Ben was a fixer and Kira was determined to make it on her own. The doggies were adorable. The friendships blossomed, the mystery was delightful. I enjoy seeing past characters it really rounds out the series. Might be my favorite yet!

Better and better.... this series is addictive! Halfway through this book I was considering skipping Halloween & Thanksgiving and putting up my Christmas tree three months early. I was also googling local tree farms, making cocoa and considering a real tree for the first time. It got me in the Christmas SPIRIT - Lord Hallelujah! And the love story was "Snowed-In-Together-In-Front-Of-A-Fire- CRACKLIN'-HOT!

Jeanie's brother Bennett (in town for a holiday visit) and the new owner of the local Christmas tree farm, Kira, have a grumpy-sunshine co-dependent fling going on. She's trying to be an independent bawse lady and he's trying not to be a doormat. There are dogs, the sweetest romantic gestures, all the zany town characters you love, a check-up on Jeanie & Logan and Noah & Hazel and so much cozy-ness I didn't leave my couch all day. It's the perfect read for your spicy holiday TBR. Gilmore continues to tease the enemies-to-lovers romance of Mac & Annie (which I hope is coming SOON)!

Seasonal romances have started becoming some of my favorite books to read around the holidays. The first book in this series, ‘The Pumpkin Spice Café,’ gave me all the fall feels, and this third book definitely gets you in the Christmas spirit!

‘The Christmas Tree Farm’ expands on the newcomer Kira’s story, whose character was briefly set up in the second book. She has moved into town after purchasing the local tree farm, but unfortunately, she has no plans to continue selling trees. Honestly, she just wants the entire town of Dream Harbor to leave her and her new house alone — until a handsome out-of-towner passes by her property and changes her perspective.

I’ve got to say, Jeanie and Logan’s story from the first book will always be my favorite, but Kira and Bennett’s love story is is now a close second. It’s such a cozy romance that’s sure to get anyone (including Kira) excited about Christmas. It even sets itself up nicely to continue another local’s love story in a fourth installment (coming in March).

Fair warning: The author dedicates this book to Hallmark movie fans who wish these stories had a bit more spice, and she truly delivers that in this one. Each book in this series seems to get spicier and spicier! I felt like some of these scenes overshadowed the sweeter ones, but I still find myself invested in this series about an adorable small town and am eager to read the fourth book when it arrives next year.

Once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down. This is such a cute read for Christmas. Has all the feels of a cozy Hallmark movie. If you love Christmas, dogs, grumpy sunshine, and Mr. Fix it vibes then this is the book for you! It’s the perfect small town love story.

This book follows Kira, the grumpy new Christmas tree farm owner and Mr. Fix it, Bennett. Kira doesn’t plan on reopening the Christmas tree farm, but when funds run low and she has no heat, she has no other choice. Bennett starts coming by the farm more often at the behest of the town because they think a dead body or treasure is buried at the farm. Bennett can’t help but want to help Kira and fix all her problems. She is very closed off to this idea at first because she wants to prove she can do it on her own. The longer the spend together, the more they’re both willing to work together and start to fall each other along the way. The perfect mix of romance, spice, and a bit of a mystery thrown in as well.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. I just love the cozy feeling all of Laurie Gilmore’s books have. They’re quickly, fun reads. I will always recommend them to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.