
Member Reviews

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.

I really enjoyed this story and I think it should be a success for the right audience. I went into this book expecting a cheesy festive romance and that is exactly what I got. I was hoping for a fun and easy read and I think this book fits that description. I try to read at least one festive book every holiday season, so I will be sure to recommend this one during future Christmas seasons too!

The Christmas Tree Farm was a fun addition to the Dream Harbor series. I appreciated the holiday and seasonal aesthetic and atmosphere -- the setting of the tree farm, a snow storm, talks of hot chocolate and fireplaces, and holiday festivals were all cozy and romantic. This was one of the best and standout elements of the book to me. However, these characters -- Kira and Bennet didn't feel as compelling to me as the leads in the other books in this series. I also found it odd that Kira and Bennett didn't seem to have much of a connection even though he was staying with her and she came back to take over her aunt's business which he didn't reflect on or connect to at all. It was nice to see the other couples in the series again but all of the characters felt under developed. Though we did start to get a sense of why Kira was so stand-off-ish at the beginning, a lot of her motivations didn't make sense and felt more like trying to tie up loose ends than any authentic character development. Overall, I enjoyed this one but I wish there had been more time taken to really develop these characters before diving into this book. I"m looking forward to the next one!

Thank you to Laurie Gilmore and Harper 360 for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars ⭐️
This was such a cute, cozy book to read at Christmas time. It felt like a holiday episode of Gilmore Girls. I found Kira annoying at times but I overall enjoyed her and Bennett’s relationship. I’m excited to read more from Laurie!

Thank you to Laurie Gilmore and Harper 360 for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book! This was a delightful 4 read for me, and I’m excited to share my thoughts.
If you’re looking for a charming story to help you get into the Christmas spirit, *The Christmas Tree Farm* delivers the cozy, festive vibes you’d hope for when picking up a holiday-themed book. From twinkling lights to snow-covered evergreens, the setting practically bursts with holiday cheer, making it perfect for seasonal readers who want to fully embrace the magic of winter.
One of the standout aspects of this book is Laurie Gilmore’s knack for writing stories that match the mood of the season. As someone who adores fall and winter books that evoke the essence of their respective times of year, I truly appreciated how she captured the warmth and nostalgia of the holidays. It felt like sipping a hot cup of cocoa while wrapped in a cozy blanket next to a roaring fire.
That said, while I enjoyed the story and found it cute, it didn’t quite grip me in the way some other seasonal reads have. The plot was heartwarming but predictable, and I occasionally wished for a bit more depth in the character development. However, the cozy Christmas vibes were strong enough to carry the story, and it left me with a smile on my face by the end.
I would definitely recommend *The Christmas Tree Farm* to my fellow vibe/mood/seasonal readers. If you’re someone who plans their TBR around the time of year and loves books that feel like stepping into a Hallmark movie, this one is worth picking up.

I DNF'd around the 15% ish mark. There is no way I was going to end up liking this book.
I was willing to overlook Kira's ridiculousness (rich girl dumps her trustfund into a dilapidated farm she’s going to fix up herself to live a homestead life like her favorite influencers) but the instalust/love was where I had to draw the line. Kira and Ben have mostly had hostile interactions but yet her mind is suddenly jumping to marrying the guy? It cam out of no where and they definitely haven't had enough bonding interactions to be thinking that way, especially with her "I don't need anyone" attitude. That thought and her persona don't really match. If she had been the hopeless romantic type then maybe.
I'm choosing not to share this review publicly since I didn't actually finish the book and that feels unfair for the author.

This is another fantastic title by Laurie Gilmore! It is a perfect read for the holiday season. I love the enemies to lovers trope! One of my favorites! Gilmore really knows how to pull you in to the wonderful town of Dream Harbor. She makes you want to live there. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

A grumpy x sunshine holiday romance that blends festive charm, wit, and a touch of spice!
Kira North, the reluctant owner of a struggling Christmas tree farm, and Bennett Ellis, a vacationer escaping California for a month, collide in the most endearing way. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, even as Kira’s stubborn independence and Ben’s initial hesitation spark tension—and humor between them. Set in the quaint town of Dream Harbor, this story isn’t just about cozy nights and holiday cheer. Think Stars Hollow meets Hallmark Christmas movie mashup! This book is a must-read for fans of holiday romcoms. While this is my first Laurie Gilmore book, I'll be checking out all her other seasonal reads next!

I just love the Dream Harbor series! They are some of my favorite cozy, smutty, small town romances (and we get two more in 2025!) In book three, we get to know Kira who recently picked up her life in Georgia to buy a Christmas tree farm in Dream Harbor even though she doesn’t really like Christmas. Determined to be independent and prove to herself she can do it, she is initially annoyed when Bennet Ellis, visiting from San Francisco for the holidays, swoops in to try to be her small town fix-it hero. That is until she realizes she may want to keep Ben around for *other* uses. This one is a cute, quick romance. Ben is Jeanie’s brother so it was important to have read the first two books to really get the full story; our side characters play some pretty big roles. I really liked learning about Ben and Kira’s backgrounds and why they are both somewhat resistant to falling for each other. But, they did lack the same amount of chemistry we are used to in the DH series - but I’m also biased bc I adored Hazel and Noah in book two.
Read if you like:
🌶️ Hallmark holiday romance with spice
😒 Grinchy FMC
❤️ He falls first
💪 Strong independent FMC
🥮 Cinnamon roll MMC (we need a cinnamon roll emoji…)