I received an ARC from Net Galley to honestly read and review.
The Christmas Tree Farm is a cute little story of family bonds and renewed friendships. I enjoyed this story for the most part. However the lack of communication between the adults got to be a little tiring and the speed of the romance was a little quick for my taste. My favorite part of this book was the friendship formed between Madison and Lilly. If all the relationships could have been that sweet and heartfelt this book would have been perfection.

I enjoyed learning about what running a Christmas tree farm entails, and the nature aspects. However, even though this is a novella, I felt that the romance was rushed -- especially the proposal! -- and that the Addie character was really Grinchy and over-the-top nasty.

I have always had a love for our christmas tree farm, but this book just took all the feel good feels and heightened them. It was adorable!

I believe I would be an outlier here, I didn't enjoy it personally and it may not be to my taste, but it could appeal to others.

When Maddison returns from several years of teaching overseas to her family's Christmas tree farm, she finds that her sister wants to sell the farm and has no interest in running the business. To make matters worse, her ex-boyfriend returns and lives next door — the man she still has feelings for, the one who left her without any explanation and married someone else. And to top it off, he wants to open a dirt bike track for her daughter, bringing lots of noise and dirt to her once peaceful agricultural land.

I didn't like any of the characters. Her sister is selfish and immature, and her ex's daughters are rude and spoiled. I had a hard time finding anything relatable in the story; everything seemed very unrealistic.

The romance and the ending were rushed. Gavin never apologized for why he married another woman or explained what happened and why he hurt Maddie, even though he had said that Maddison was the only woman he ever loved.

I loved the cover and Christmas stories, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy this particular one...Releases Sep 03.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC.

The Christmas Tree Farm (A Christmas Novella) by Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian, Romance, Women's Fiction
Expected Publication Date: September 3, 2024

The Christmas Tree Farm is a wonderful Christmas novella by Melody Carlson. This short story has so much heart and truly captures the struggle of family dynamics and trying to continue a family business.

This sweet, second chance romance was wonderful!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was such a nice addition to my Christmas in July reading, and I look forward to revisiting it during the holidays this year! I definitely recommend reading The Christmas Tree Farm!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I always look forward to Melody Carlson's Christmas novel, and The Christmas Tree Farm did not disappoint me. It was great! Sisters Madison and Addie seem to have grown apart, but taking over the grandparents' Christmas tree farm brings them back together. Add in a little romance with Gavin, and the story is perfect! I will definitely be recommending this book to others, and it may even be a Christmas gift for some reader friends!

Such a cute read. Just what's needed to get you into the Christmas spirit. I loved the story - loved the characters. The idea of framing it all around a family Christmas Tree farm was fantastic. The characters were believable and the story just makes you happy. I would definitely recommend and its a quick and breezy read.

A cute Christmas story! A feel good and heart warming tale! I love a good Christmas love story! This short tale was incredible

I enjoyed reading this Christmas novella. It was easy to follow along and read in one sitting. A cute read about second chances, family roots, and Christmas traditions. Perfect for getting you into the Christmas spirit.

Thank you NetGalley and Revell for the ARC of The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson.

Madison returns home to her family’s Christmas tree farm following the passing of her grandmother. After spending years in Mongolia teaching with who she thought was the man of her dreams. Madison and Addie have inherited the farm bringing Madison home after wild fires ripped through the town but spare the farm.

Addison does not share the same affinity for the farm as her sister and they are at odds. Maybe if Madison can restore the farm and the memories Addison will come around.

With the challenge of reviving her history and memories also comes the first boy she’s ever loved. Coming back to shift through the burn zone and rebuild his family following the loss of his wife. When Gavin sees Madison the sparks are still there. Addison also feels the sparks but not between Madison and Gavin; she’s been pining for Gavin since she was a preteen. Madison’s homecoming has proven to be a barrier and not well received.

This was a cute quick holiday read. A good way to start the holiday season. I can honestly say I have never disliked a character as much as I disliked Addison. The entire book her bratty attitude had me hoping Madison would grab her and shake her. Her snotty entitled attitude really got to me. Overall I really liked the book however, I feel like the end was extremely rushed and almost incomplete. I wish there were a couple of more chapters to work through the ending.
Pub Date: September 3, 2024
🌟🌟🌟.5

Man, this book was such a bummer. The story starts off so wonderful and pleasantly dramatic. The story is laid out and the journey for the main character begins, and it's a great ride. Some great conflict occurs and the reader experiences the tension and stress, all while anticipating a climax followed by resolution.

But there isn't a climax or resolution. It just ends.

I received an e-arc from NetGalley and Revell to read and review honestly and voluntarily.

SPOILER BELOW:




The sisters have intense drama and no connection, which was so awesome to read, especially as I have a similar experience with my own sister--we're so fundamentally different even though we're related! But on top of their personality differences, they fight over the same guy. THE AUTHOR NEVER RESOLVES THIS. The main character LIES to her and she NEVER fixes it! It's swept under the rug!!! WHYYYYYY

Cute little novella. At times, I found some of the characters slightly awkward but it’s still such a cute Christmas story.

This is a novella, so a quick read. It was cute little story. I thought some of the conversations were a bit strange…lots of relationships were awkward and the sister acted like she was twelve (strange considering she supposed to be a divorced adult). I did like the main character’s relationship with the neighbor girl and how that developed. If you want a quick Christmas read this is a good one.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love a good Christmas story even in the heat of the summer. Madison returns home from an overseas teaching assignment to the family Christmas tree farm. She finds her sister Addie has done nothing with it since her grandmother passed away and things are in desperate need of loving care. Addie tells her the farm is in the red and they need to sell but Madison is determined to make things better. When she learns that Gavin, her high school love is living next door with his daughter, the old feelings come back. Addie however is trying to win his heart and is angry when he has eyes for Madison. Gavin's daughter Lily becomes close with Madison and works with her to plant 600 tree plugs to help the farm. As Christmas draws close, things get strained with family and working it out looks difficult. I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. My honest opinion is to read it!!

Melody Carlson has a new Christmas novella every year. I’ve read many of her Christmas novellas and enjoyed them. It is always a treat to read another one by her.

This book follows Madison, who has returned to the Christmas tree farm that she inherited (and now co-owns) with her sister after devastating wildfires have hurt much of their community.

This story was so cute. I loved the Christmas tree farm setting. I will say, this is a perfect Christmas book to read early in the season, as it actually begins in September and goes forward to Christmas. Thanksgiving was around the 60 percent or 2/3rds mark if I’m remembering correctly. Normally, I like my Christmas books to be more Christmas focused, but this was about life on the Christmas tree farm so it focused on planting, wreath-making, and other things to get ready for the Black Friday rush to get a tree.

Madison was constantly butting heads with her sister Addie, to the point where I looked at my Kindle and saw I was almost done with the book and had no idea how all that conflict would resolve. Being a novella, it definitely happened quickly (almost too quickly, especially given how prickly Addie was).

This novella also has a small subplot of Madison getting reacquainted with Gavin, a guy she had a major crush on as a teenager, and his preteen daughter Lily. I really liked the relationship that developed between Madison and Lily. They had many sweet scenes together. I was fairly meh about the romance though. If Gavin was supposedly so ~~in love~~ with Madison back then, why did he sleep with the other girl (who became pregnant and he married her at age 18)? Yes, it was explained that the other girl was “out to get him” but he still could have said no, especially if he was as enamored with Madison as he claimed to be.

His proposal to Madison at the end came out of nowhere as well.

Overall, though, this was a cute Christmas read that would be perfect to read early in the season.

I really enjoyed reading this book! There's so much going on. A devastating fire, a sister's feud, new friends, and reconnecting with old friends. The themes of second chances and forgiveness resonated with me. There's even a cute, little romance!

The characters are written brilliantly! The three main characters are relatable and easy to like! Madison, wow! She's strong, determined, and a hard worker. What I like best about her is that she perseveres in fixing her broken relationship with her sister and rebuilding the Christmas tree farm. Lily touched my heart the most. She's a rough and tumble 11 year old with the soul of a 30 year old! She softens as her relationship with Madison grows.

My favorite parts of the story are when customers come to cut down their Christmas trees! It brought back many childhood memories to my mind! I always enjoy books by Melody Carlson, and I eagerly look forward to the next one!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Revell via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed The Christmas tree farm by Melody Carlson, it was the perfect festive book, but can be enjoyed at any time of year.
The story centres on a woman called Madison, and her efforts on her families Christmas tree farm to turn it around from neglect.
I liked the way the story developed, and the meanings within, such as seconds chances. I would love to see a sequel to this book.

I read Christmas books year round, so I couldn't wait to read The Christmas Tree Farm. Melody Carlson's stories have become a tradition.

The story is more angsty then most of Carlson's Christmas stories with managing tree farm sister Addie on the defense against returning travel teacher sister Madison. Addie wants to sell the tree farm, but Maddison wants to save it. Next door neighbor Gavin's a second chance love interest for Madison but Addie's calling dibs, oh boy. I really enjoyed the couple's memories of their high school relationship, what went wrong and what was right. Gavin's eleven going on twenty-five year old daughter Lily all but steals the show. She's the cutest little matchmaker.

With Christmas being a season of miracles, Madison's praying she gets a few, with the farm, her sister and Gavin. A favorite quote,
"I've learned that the only constant about life is that it constantly changes. We have to adapt. Make the best of it..."

I really enjoyed The Christmas Tree Farm, and the last chapter was the icing on the cake. I appreciate Revell Publishers making a copy available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Christmas in July!! This was the absolute sweetest story ❤️❤️ It featured second chance romance and read just like a Hallmark movie. I loved the focus on family.

Along with reading like a Hallmark movie, there were moments that were a little unrealistic and prompted a slight eye roll, but, overall, it was the perfect story to put me in the Christmas mood (I’m a Christmas fanatic!).

I’m definitely going to check out Melody Carlson’s yearly Christmas stories to start the season. This novella was a very quick read and I read it in a half a day after spending 5 hours at the DMV 😂

This was a really good book and a fast read. This was my first book by Melody Carlson and it won't be my last. I always love to read Christmas books. This was an uplifting story about reconnecting with a first love from childhood. Madison McDowell spent five years in Mongolia and returns to the Christmas tree Farm where she spent her summers with her grandparents growing up. Her and her sister are now the co-owners of this farm and Madison is determined to transform it back to what she remembers from her childhood. Addie her sister wants to sell the farm and move back to the city. Needless to say, the two sisters don't see eye to eye. Then Madison finds out her neighbor is none other than her old high school flame. The book takes you through the journey of two sisters, her old high school flame and trying to rebuild the farm that she loves.
I will recommend this book to all my friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell Publishing for the advanced copy. This will definitely not be my last Melody Carlson book.