Bright lights, big Christmas A novel

Queen of the Beach Reads Andrews brings the feel-good to Christmastime in her latest (after The Homewreckers, 2022). The Tollivers have sold their Carolina Christmas trees in New York every December for years, but this year, Kerry is joining her brother Murphy for the first time since she was a kid. New York at Christmas is everything she remembers, and even having to sleep in an old trailer fondly referred to as Spammy can't take away from the magic Kerry finds there. Having recently lost her job, the welcoming neighborhood in which they've set up their tree stand inspires her to make new friends and find joy in her drawing again. Soon, Kerry realizes she has found a new kind of family. Will a potential new romance convince her to stay when the season's over? Andrews draws marvelously likable characters, and here, she expands that to describe a warm, picturesque New York community that will remind her fans of the small towns often found in her novels. Put this in the hands of both regular Andrews readers and anyone looking for cozy, Christmas-themed cheer.

Andrews (The Santa Suit) serves up a Christmas treat in this sparkling tale. Kerry Tolliver has just been laid off from her advertising job in Charlotte, N.C., when she hears that her father, Jock, has suffered a heart attack. She joins her brother, Murphy, in New York City to pick up their family business selling Christmas trees. Camped out for the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas in their vintage trailer--dubbed "Spammy" for its resemblance to the canned meat tins--the siblings hawk their family's trees to upscale New Yorkers on a corner in Greenwich Village. Despite a less-than-ideal first meeting, Kerry falls for divorced father Patrick McCaleb and his sweet six-year-old son, Austin. Soon, she's making new friends in the neighborhood--including a mysterious elderly man, Heinz, who is hiding a significant secret. When the trees are gone, Kerry and Murphy are supposed to head back to North Carolina--but will they? Andrews is skillful at plotting and characterization, and here demonstrates that even major cities can have a small-town neighborhood feel. Exemplary supporting characters--especially the prickly Heinz, gruff but lovable Murphy, and sweet six-year-old Austin--round out the novel. Those looking for sweet and clean holiday stories will be delighted. (Sept.)