A review by tessa_talks_books
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

5.0

Bright Lights Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews is the perfect holiday story for me because it’s full of authentic relationships and relatable characters. It’s a closed-door romance, but the story is more about Kerry finding herself and getting back on her feet after she unexpectedly lost her job than it is about a romance. Kerry feels she needs to reinvent herself professionally, but she’s unsure what that will look like.

I loved the found family themes, too. Is there anything more heartwarming and Christmas-like than a found family? Not to me, and the one that develops in this story is just right because all the characters are developed so well that it is easy to believe they would come together in fellowship and love. I could relate to the main character and narrator of the story - Kerry, but Heinz and Austin grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let go. Heinz is an older gentleman whom everyone thinks is homeless, and Austin is a seven-year-old boy with an old soul. And when those two come together with Kerry and create a story, I could easily believe all would be right with their world.

Also, the setting is sublime (NYC in December), with a bit of quirkiness provided by Spammy the camper. An adult brother and sister who haven’t spent much time together since their parents divorced when they were young, living in such close quarters is a situation just made for some well-timed laughs. And NYC at Christmas is just magical, so what a fantastic backdrop for the Christmas tree stand. This story made me feel like Christmas, and for that, I am grateful.