Such a great feel good Christmas story! From the setting to the characters and the whole plot this is the epitome of a Christmas novel. Quick easy read from beginning to end.

Thanks NetGalley for the complimentary ebook.

A nice holiday story with lots of feel-good moments. The cozy corner neighborhood atmosphere set smack-dab in the middle of a large metropolitan city lends a certain charm and comfortable appeal. The characters have an everyday folksy feel, like they're just people going about their lives and being kind to those around them simply because that's who they are. There's no ulterior motive, and genuine friendships are formed and cemented, bringing these temporary neighbors together as family year-round. An easy and contenting read, perfect for a casual Saturday at home in those weeks just before the busy holiday season starts.

Mary Kay Andrews's "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" captures the essence of what makes "cheesy" Christmas movies so irresistible and charming: Christmas tree farms, the bustling holiday spirit of New York City, a small town family-owned Christmas tree farm, and a festive romance plot that weaves together heartwarming traditions and unexpected adventures.

For nearly four decades, the Tolliver Family has journeyed to New York's West Village after Thanksgiving, bringing their fresh trees to eager customers. However, when Kerry, an artist, steps in to help her family after their father's hospitalization, she finds herself embarking on the annual trip in their beloved 1963 Shasta trailer, "Spammy." Joined by her brother Murphy and his faithful dog, Kerry immerses herself in the holiday hustle and bustle of NYC. As she navigates the busy streets and forms connections with the welcoming neighborhood residents, Kerry discovers the magic of being embraced as part of a community during the festive season.

This delightful tale is a sweet blend of romance and cozy mystery, offering readers a captivating escape into the joys of the holiday season. With endearing characters and a charming setting, "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is sure to warm hearts and leave readers feeling uplifted and inspired.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a very lighthearted holiday read. I wish I get to read it during, actually before, Christmas. I learned a little more about the Christmas tree business after reading the book. Since my family uses the same tree every year, I did not know much about Christmas trees. Kerry's journey to NYC is very interesting. She gets to know her family better, and the most lucky thing is get to meet the right people. I recommend this book to those who want more holiday spirit.

4.5 out of 5 stars
Received a free e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

Per the calendar, it's approaching summer. However, when in need of a good pick-me-up, my brain clings to Christmas. Digging into this novel was exactly what I was looking for. I've read another Mary Kay Andrews Christmas story titled The Santa Suit, and wasn't huge on it. That being said, I'm not looking for Shakespeare, so I was eager to dig into this one. Happy to say it was better than TSS. Not sure if it was the overall story, or the NYC location, but this felt like a cup of warm cocoa on a cold winter's night. MKA's writing style is all warmth and the easiness of it makes the story flow that before you know it, you're in the final chapters. Similar to a Debbie Macomber Christmas novel, but not as sappy, I was happy enough to spend the day pretending the temperature was cold instead of warm. Looking forward to other Christmas stories MKA has up her sleeve (not sure if she has one slated for 2024), and now I'm eager for Christmas. Only 7 more months and counting!

such a cute title! thank you to NetGalley for providing us the title ahead of the release date. We had an event with the author and having early access to this title was so helpful. The event was a huge success!

As always, Mary Kay Andrews manages to steal my heart with every single release of her novels!
Kerry is an artist and she is traveling to NYC to the same neighborhood as her family is always welcome to year after year, to stay with her brother and help run the family tree farm this Christmas.
I have NEVER been disappointed in a Mary Kay Andrews novel and this was no exception! This had the perfect setting, the perfect relationship dynamic between brother and sister, and there's even a dog in this one that just lights my soul on fire in the best way!

This was a cute, quick read. The camper, the setting, the wintery/Christmas theme--all *chefs kiss* great for a winter/cold weather read.

Loved this one! I always enjoy a good winter/Christmas book! I would recommend this book to others as it kept me reading till the end.

I’m a big fan of Mary Kay Andrews. I found this book to be cute, and a typical Hallmark type story. I immediately suggested it to my mother and sister knowing they would enjoy it. It was a quick, easy read.

It’s a great Christmas story. Kerry gets suckered into helping her brother Murphy sell Christmas trees in NYC. Her brother has his own little community there, after years of selling trees in the same location. The same people buy from him, he has his own group of holiday friends, and the people in the building always stop by the tree stand. Kerry makes a connection with Patrick and his son, and even though she doesn’t live in the city, maybe they can have more.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC of this book.

"Bright Lights, Big Christmas" by Mary Kay Andrews invites readers into the heartwarming holiday tale of Kerry Tolliver, who leaves her family's Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina to embark on an adventure in New York City.

As fall arrives, Kerry heads to Manhattan with her brother and their dog, Queenie, to help sell Christmas trees at their family stand in Greenwich Village. Living in a cozy vintage camper, Kerry immerses herself in the vibrant city atmosphere, eager to explore and make new memories.

In the bustling weeks leading up to Christmas, Kerry forms close bonds with her charming neighbors, finding a sense of community and friendship in the city. However, when an elderly neighbor disappears, Kerry must use her resourcefulness and country know-how to protect her newfound friends and unravel the mystery.

Amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, Kerry finds herself drawn to Patrick, a single father raising his son, Austin, on their quirky block. Despite the challenges they face, Kerry and Patrick's undeniable chemistry sparks a festive romance. But as Christmas approaches, they must navigate their feelings and the uncertainties of their budding relationship.

With themes of family, friendship, and the magic of Christmas, "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" delivers a heartwarming story filled with laughter, romance, and holiday cheer. Mary Kay Andrews delights readers with her signature blend of humor, warmth, and enchanting storytelling, making this novel a perfect festive read for fans of feel-good holiday fiction.

What a charming, small town girl meets big city Christmas novella! Mary Kay Andrews always knows how to bring the Christmas spirit, and boy did she bring it this year with a couple Christmas tree farmers heading to NYC! This was a quick one day read for me, and while the characters and parts of the story felt slightly exaggerated, this book will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit. With it being a novella I would also say expect a bit of a faster paced story. But I really enjoyed the close knit neighborhood, cast of characters, and nod to her previous holiday book!

[thank you @smpromance for the complimentary copy, all opinions are my own]

Want a Christmas in a book?! This is it! You can not go wrong with Mary Kay Andrew’s! She brings comfort and joy in this heartwarming novel about romance and Christmas tree farms! Not only did I laugh but I had butterflies for the couple! Loved it and can’t wait for her next novel!

Kerry Tolliver is back in her hometown licking her wounds. She lost her job after a merger, and soon after her long term boyfriend. Stalled and not knowing what to do next she moved in with her mother. When her estranged father has a heart attack, he and her brother, Murphy need help. The family Christmas tree farm is in dire straights after a few setbacks this year. Usually Kerry's dad, Jacques, and brother set up a neighborhood tree stand in New York City and have been selling trees on the same block for decades. This year Jacques' doctor won't let him go and Murph needs another person to run the stand while he does deliveries. Kerry is enlisted against her will. She doesn't want to set foot in the ancient trailer nicknamed Spammy but familial guilt prevails.

This is not Kerry's ideal Christmas. Living in a tin can trailer with not working bathroom or kitchen with a brother she barely knows freezing her butt off in a city where she knows no one. But the cute neighborhood in New York comes with some surprises for Kerry. She finds inspiration to draw again and a grumpy old character gives her plenty of unasked for advice. Plus the cute kid named, Austin who is fascinated by the tree stand has a hunky dad.

Can Kerry break out of her rut this Christmas and find the courage to pursue new dreams? Of course she can, New York is famous for dreaming big!

This is a feel good, easy reading Christmas story. Highly recommend. Loved the characters and plot line. Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Review of Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

I am such a huge fan of this author. Her books are always an auto buy for me. I didn’t have to buy this one though because my good friend @groundedinreads actually got me an auto sent it to me. Thank you so much Cindy. I will treasure this forever and it will always have a spot on my shelf. I listened to this one while I read my autographed copy. It was a very quick read for me and I did read it a week or two before Christmas. Yes I am that far behind on my reviews. I loved this book. The characters were amazing. I loved the setting of New York City and the season which was Christmas. The author has a way of making you fall in love with the characters and you can’t wait to happen find out what happens with their stories. I probably will read this one every few Christmases.

Quick synopsis:

When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself.

In the weeks leading into Christmas, Kerry quickly becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. When an elderly neighbor goes missing, Kerry will need to combine her country know-how with her newly acquired New York knowledge to protect the new friends she’s come to think of as family, 

And complicating everything is Patrick, a single dad raising his adorable, dragon-loving son Austin on this quirky block. Kerry and Patrick’s chemistry is undeniable, but what chance does this holiday romance really have?

Synopsis: Kerry must journey to NYC to man her family’s Christmas tree stand with her grumpy brother due to her fathers recent heart attack. Recently without a graphic design job, she’s been living at home in North Carolina and now has to venture even further out of her comfort zone, staying in the family trailer, Spammy. She meets a whole cast of characters who live in the neighborhood that her dad and brother visit every year, has to compete with a rival tree family trying to undercut them, and maybe finds love along the way!

Review: thank you to @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was a short and sweet Christmas story. However my biggest qualm with it (and it’s a big one!) is that it’s advertised as a romance and I feel the story would be much better told as a love story with NYC instead of a person. The romance is kind of crammed on in, not quite fulfilling love story expectations.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas + a trailer named Spammy! 🎄
Thank you St Martins Press, for the gifted book! {partner}

Genre: Romance
Trope: Holiday
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 9.26.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Last year, @marykayandrews wrote my favorite holiday read - The Santa Suit. So, when I saw that she had another holiday book coming out, I immediately added it to my list and saved it for just the right time. I should’ve waited a tiiiiny bit longer but oh well, it still put me in the holiday spirit. Bright Lights, Big Christmas lived up to my expectations and then some; it’s the first book I’ve finished in less than a day in a long time.

For all of you MKA fans out there who were *shocked* that the setting for this holiday romance is New York City - don’t y’all worry because the same southern charm that we’ve all come to know and love from her is still present. I loved how she portrayed all the characters throughout the story - for some reason, authors like to make their NYC characters cranky and unwelcoming. But MKA did the exact opposite, and it was a delight!

💨 Bing-able (finished in one day)
🗽 NYC Setting
🤍 Same Southern Charm from MKA
🫶🏼 Found family
💞 Heinz

If you’re looking for a book to get you in the holiday spirit, I highly recommend reading Bright Lights, Big Christmas (and while you’re at it, The Santa Suit).

This was cute, but not the best Mary Kay Andrews book I've read. I like it better when it's set in the South.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

From Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of The Homewreckers and The Santa Suit, comes a novella celebrating love and the warm, glittering charm of the holiday season.

When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself.

In the weeks leading into Christmas, Kerry quickly becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. When an elderly neighbor goes missing, Kerry will need to combine her country know-how with her newly acquired New York knowledge to protect the new friends she’s come to think of as family,

And complicating everything is Patrick, a single dad raising his adorable, dragon-loving son Austin on this quirky block. Kerry and Patrick’s chemistry is undeniable, but what chance does this holiday romance really have?

Filled with family ties, both rekindled and new, and sparkling with Christmas magic, Bright Lights, Big Christmas delivers everything Mary Kay Andrews fans adore, all tied up in a hilarious, romantic gem of a novel.
----------
Mary Kay Andrews is a can't-miss author for me, so whenever I get a chance to read one of her offerings ahead of publication, I do a little happy dance. I don't read a lot of holiday books, but I read this one in one day. I love New York City at the holidays, but I had never really considered how the Christmas tree vendors made their way to the big city until I read this book. That was a main element of the story and one that I really enjoyed. Although the blurb from the publisher calls it a novella (at 288 pages, I think that's debatable), it really does not read as one. The characters are well-developed and so much fun to get to know. Seeing the season through Kerry's eyes and exploring the layers of her brother's personality, all with the added bonus of his faithful canine companion, were both delightful, and the romance elements woven throughout culminated in a very satisfying HEA, which is just what I am looking for when I read this kind of book.