Bright Lights, Big Christmas
By Mary Kay Andrews
- Release Date: 2023-09-26
- Genre: Fiction & Literature
Description
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.
"Nobody does Christmas like Mary Kay Andrews." ―Debbie Macomber
"Cozy up with Santa's favorite novelist!” ―Adriana Trigiani
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.
Reviews
A loooong boring road to a pretty sweet ending
2By uhhhuhuhFor the first 3/4 of the book She seems to totally miss the magic of NYC around the holidays. Never really grasps describing the exuberance of NYC personalities and while there seems to be a romance subplot in the story, you never really feel any kind of chemistry between the two. Everything fell flat for me. Another thing that really threw me off is that the only person described by their race in the book was a Black woman. The person’s race wasn’t important enough in the story to justify this. Am I to assume everyone else is white? This makes no sense. And on the flip side, there were an unlikely amount of red heads described as well, only like 1% of the world has red hair. Another thing that bothered me was that one of the characters described the pizza as “authentic” and I’ve never known a NYer to call pizza authentic. Idk maybe you’d like this book if you’re from the south and have never been to NY. But it lacked character depth and personality. It never left me needing to know what happened next or caring about any of the characters until the very end. I almost didn’t finish it, but the ending was pretty cute so I guess if you can bear the soulless beginning it’s an okay Christmas story.Heartwarming!
5By a fan of MKAWhat a wonderful holiday read. The characters have a way of making you love and care for them. The story embraces the power of being caring and showing empathy for others.Wonderful!
5By FoodnuttLoved it!Everyone Loves a Christmas Romance Mary Kay Andrews Style
4By asildroffopsBright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews was a fantastic Christmas story. Carrie was fired from her job and back living with her mother in the little western North Carolina town where she grew up. Her father had a heart attack and her divorced mother needed to move in and take care of him. However, someone had to go to New York City to help Carrie’s brother sell the family’s Christmas trees from the family’s farm. In typical May Kay Andrews fashion, she created a story full of romance, comedy, friendship, a closer sibling connection, community, and a journey of self discovery all within the backdrop of a ratty old camping trailer, a Christmas tree stand, and the cold winter weather in Manhattan at Christmastime. There were definitely times when I found myself laughing out loud, and I always love the happy ending. What a wonderful book to get the reader into the spirit for a Christmas romance! I definitely recommend this book, which I give 4.5 stars. Readers of romantic comedy will love this single dad romance. I am voluntarily writing this honest review after reading an advanced complementary copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press.Heartwarming
5By Va.MooreI just could not put it down. Beautifully written starting on a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina and a snowy,cozy ending in New York City?A magical holiday romance!!
5By Romance213“Bright Lights, Big Christmas” is a touching story of new friendships, new beginnings and helping those in need. Kerry Tolliver is back in New York City where she had spent many fun holiday seasons with her family when she was a child. The magic of Christmas had been absent from her life for a long time but now that she was back, she jumped into the holiday season with child-like exuberance. She sold her family's Christmas trees, played joyful holiday music and created beautiful and sought after Christmas wreaths that soon would be gracing fashionable doors around the city. Kerry made many new friends and began dabbling in her artwork again which got her thinking about where her life was going. Kerry was at a loss of what to do until she met an old and wise man who needed her as much as she needed him. Kerry had many decisions to make and among them was what to do about her “relationship” with Patrick and his adorable son, Austin. She wondered if the spirit of the season was making her fall in love with the idea of a life with Austin, or was she just being overly dramatic? Kerry is a kind person with a loving heart who brought everyone together as they shared in the joy of the season and I am sure she will find the perfect present waiting for her under the tree!CHRISTMAS FILLED WITH SECOND CHANCES
5By LGHudsonMary Kay Andrews has given readers a delightful gift in the form of this story of a Christmas filled with second chances. Andrews introduces us to unforgettable characters, each needing a second chance. Kerry has driven one of the trucks and trailers loaded with Christmas trees from NC to NY where her brother and father always run a Christmas tree lot. This is a “make it or break it” year for them. Kerry needs a career jump-start and a love interest. Her brother needs a new attitude and a girlfriend. Patrick (the gorgeous guy who parked where they always put their lot and didn't move his car for days) needs a second chance at building a family for his precious son, Austin. Then, there is the elderly neighbor who comes by and offers advice on all things. When Kerry notices he is missing, she pulls out all the stops to find him. Everyone is stunned to learn the true identity of their friend! He was ready to give up on life, but Kerry convinced him to take a second chance. Andrews concludes this book on a high note with a small-town NC girl, Kerry, deciding that the bright lights and big Christmas she enjoyed in NY were the best and her future never looked brighter! This was a delightful Christmas book! #BrightLightsBigChristmas #MaryKayAndrews #StMartinsPressThe magic of Christmas !
5By Oma 3Oh how I hope this will become a Christmas movie.! Once again as only Mary Kay Andrews can do, she has written a wonderful Christmas story filled with love and hope. Kerry is guilted into helping sell Christmas trees along with her grumpy older brother in New York City. They drive a trailer of trees from their father’s tree farm in North Carolina and also Spammy a relict of an old broken down camper. Being in their usual neighborhood spot as several problems to overcome. But finding new friends, that became a family to Kerry helps her find herself again after losing her job and having to economize by moving in with her mom. Wonderful characters, just love little Austin and the recluse Heinz. I did read the book and listened to the audiobook, both are winners! This definitely has the Christmas spirit written throughout. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #BrightLightsBigChristmas #MaryKayAndrewsHighly Recommend!
5By akbairdKerry Tolliver was forced to move back home after being made redundant at work. Her family owns and operates a Christmas Tree farm in NC. Since her dad was hospitalized with a heart attack, she is expected to go to New York City to help sell Christmas Trees with her older brother, Murphy. Although she is not thrilled, she knows it’s important for business. By working the Christmas tree stand, she realizes how much her family means and is supported by the locals. Will this be the experience Kerry needs to figure out her life? Mary Kay Andrews Christmas Novellas are so much fun to read, since they are entertaining, heartfelt, and have happy endings! I love how Mary Kay Andrews made a connection to The Santa Suit in this book! Definitely a page turner that should be added to your TBR list!
