This was a sweet holiday read. I love the feel of a New York Christmas and following Kerry through the twists and turns of helping her brother with their family's Christmas Tree business made me feel all of the warm fuzzies that come along with the holiday season. The growth that Kerry was able to make in her relationships through the story highlighted the idea of making amends and finding joy in the small moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had to DNF this one. I'm finding I'm really not a fan of this authors writing. I found it way too boring to continue.

Mary Kay Andrews did not disappoint me with this book! I loved this sweet Christmas book. The characters were great and I felt like I was right there with them. I definitely would recommend this book!

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. Pub Date: September 26, 2023. Rating: 4 stars. In this novella, the author takes us on a journey from North Carolina to NYC to sell Christmas trees. Trees are produced on a family farm in North Carolina and Kerry Tolliver travels to NYC to sell them with her brother and his cute dog. Kerry quickly becomes charmed by the city, the surrounding neighbors and a cute single dad who makes an appearance in her life. This is a heartwarming story of following your heart, taking chances, family and all the good things of Christmas. I really enjoyed this sweet story. Perfect for the holidays! Thanks to #stmartinspress and #netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Mary Kay Andrews delivers another charming holiday tale with "Bright Lights, Big Christmas", a heartwarming story set against the bustling backdrop of New York City during the holiday season. The novel follows Kerry Tolliver, who leaves her family’s Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to help her brother sell trees in Manhattan. What begins as a temporary escape from her own troubles quickly becomes a journey of self-discovery as Kerry forms deep connections with the quirky and warm-hearted community around the tree stand.

The magic of Christmas comes alive through Andrews’ vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters. The novel skillfully blends romance, family dynamics, and the spirit of community, making it an engaging and feel-good read. The only downside is that the ending feels a bit rushed, leaving me wishing for a little more closure. However, this doesn’t detract much from the overall warmth and joy that the story brings.

This book is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit with a story that celebrates love, family, and the unexpected gifts of life.

This was a cute Christmas story. I loved all of the characters and the found family aspect. The perfect book to pick up in December!

I really enjoyed Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. I am a fan of Ms. Andrews's writing style and loved that she included a nod to a previous Christmas book of hers in this one. The characters she creates are believable and well developed. I adored how she built a strong community within New York City which gave the story a very warm and caring vibe and helped to enhance the neighborly love and Christmas spirit. If you are looking for a feel good story set at Christmastime, this is a strong contender! Thank you to Ms. Andrews, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this wonderful tale.

Many loved this book... I was not one of them. First, I'm not a fan of Hallmark movies. I also read this in the summer and maybe it would be better read in December.

The premise is a little bizarre. Kerry is forced to drive up from North Carolina (even though she's jobless, homeless and single, she makes it seem like such a burden to have to help out her family) and help her brother in New York City. They are selling the family Xmas trees from a trailer on the streets of New York. Really? They just live in a trailer with no heat or electricity for a month in New York with no issues? Okay.

Enter the instalove story with Kerry and Patrick. It didn't work for me at all. Kerry was stubborn, annoying and made poor choices. I definitely prefer Andrews' summer stories better!

Cute. Cozy. The perfect addition to anyone’s holiday TBR stack. “Bright Lights, Big Christmas” will leave readers with all the holiday feels.

Bright Lights Big Christmas was another solid effort by Mary Kay Andrews. It's cute, it's fun, and it's Christmas-y, what's not to like?

This book was a home-run - one of my favorite Christmas books ever!

It was a unique story and setting - an overall great holiday pick!

Mary Kay Andrews’ "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is a charming and festive read that perfectly captures the holiday spirit. The story follows Kerry Tolliver as she trades her family’s Christmas tree farm for a bustling New York City corner, where she helps her brother sell trees and discovers the magic of Manhattan. Her adventures in a tiny vintage camper and her interactions with the quirky locals add a delightful touch of humor and warmth to the narrative.

The heart of the novel lies in Kerry’s growing connections with her new neighbors and the charming romance that blossoms with Patrick, a single dad on the block. The blend of small-town sensibilities with the vibrancy of NYC creates a cozy and engaging backdrop. Andrews’ writing shines through with its witty dialogue and heartfelt moments, making the characters' journey both entertaining and endearing. The mystery surrounding the missing elderly neighbor adds an extra layer of intrigue, though it remains secondary to the story’s romantic and festive elements. Overall, "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is a delightful holiday read that delivers Mary Kay Andrews’ signature blend of humor, romance, and Christmas cheer.

Rating: 4.5

When I saw this story on NetGalley's Read Now section, I was excited to read it as Mary Kay Andrews is one of my Automatically Read & Buy Authors – and you're telling me I can read one before it comes out?! While Romance isn't my go-to genre, when it's done as tastefully as this, you can't help but love it. Now don't get me wrong, I thought I would read this months ago during Christmas, but life just got too hectic, so what's wrong with a little "Christmas in July" reading!

The Tolliver Family Tree Stand is a staple in the NYC neighborhood every year when the family brings their Christmas trees all the way from North Carolina. Murphy Tolliver and his dog Queenie have been going for years with his father, but this year, when his father falls ill, his sister Kerry joins to help make this year fruitful for them. If they can't sell all the trees they need to, this may be their last Christmas in the city. Armed with their beautiful trees, Kerry's masterful skills at creating and decorating wreaths, and their classic camper Spammy in tow, these two siblings head off to the city.

As the weeks to Christmas pass by, the local neighborhood really becomes their home. Heinz is their wonderful older neighbor who has more to his story than anyone quite knows (and shares in Kerry's creativity in crafting a kids' book), Patrick is the divorced father to little 6-year-old Austin (this is a romance novel, after all!), and the local shop owners all take care of this family and truly are a small town. The question becomes, though, will the Tolliver family be able to continue doing what they do best in the next holiday season? Can they survive this year and make enough profit to save the family farm? Will Kerry find love and friendship (p.s. this is obviously a yes!)?

I will ALWAYS pick up Mary Kay Andrews books because they never fail to put smiles on my face, and this was no exception. This book was like a Hallmark movie in waiting, and I could picture this being picked up and made into a movie if Hallmark knew what was good for them! Honestly, I want to see it, and I'm not a big Hallmark movie person. I was able to picture everything from the family camper to the children's book Kerry and Heinz create, to sweet little Queenie becoming friends with everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mary Kay Andrews, in collaboration with St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a copy so that I could provide an honest review prior to the publish date (despite my inability to publish this review prior to release)!

Thanks to Netgalley for the E-ARC. Nothing better than Christmas in July. I loved the story of Kerry and Patrick but this was much more than that it was about family and found family and a what happens when a whole community comes together. This was short and sweet and took a few hours to read and I enjoyed every minute of it.

This book was a perfect holiday story! I loved the characters and there was a great immersive experience. The writing was engaging and this was a perfect holiday romance.

"Bright Lights, Big Christmas" by Mary Kay Andrews is a delightful and heartwarming holiday read that blends the charm of small-town life with the hustle and bustle of New York City. Mary Kay Andrews' vivid descriptions bring both the cozy farm and the vibrant city to life, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. The novel’s humor and romance are perfectly balanced, creating a feel-good read that is both hilarious and heartwarming. However, some readers might find the plot predictable, with familiar holiday romance tropes. Despite this, the book’s charm and engaging characters make it a delightful read that captures the spirit of Christmas. In conclusion, "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" is a sparkling gem of a novel that delivers everything fans of Mary Kay Andrews adore. It’s the perfect read to get into the festive spirit!

This is a fun, quirky book that brings a small-town feel to New York City. You will love getting to know these characters!

Everything you need and want in a holiday story! Lovable characters, unforgettable emotions and settings that are perfect to experiencing all that the Christmas holiday has to offer. This author's engaging writing style did not disappoint. Loved it.

What a delightful Christmas book! I love Mary Kay Andrews books and this one is no exception. I really rooted for the main character and wanted things to work out for her. I love all the side characters too (especially between Kerry and her brother) and the "character" of the camper. Loved this short but wonderful book!

Loved this one especially since it takes place at a Christmas tree farm in the NC mountains and the big city of New York! Really great and likable characters and the story was original to me! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.