The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson is such a great read! So who says you can't go home? Well Madison is really re-thinking her plans by coming back home. Nothing is what she expected, her sister is being unreasonable, the tree farm is in terrible share and then there's Gavin. Can Madison turn things around and save The Christmas Tree Farm? Read and find out for yourself!

This is a story of family, of sisters with different agendas, but with a sprinkling of romance as the story progresses.

When Madison returns home from overseas she finds that the farm has changed due to a wildfire that has damaged or destroyed much of the woods surrounding their Christmas Tree farm. Madison is determined to bring their Christmas Tree farm back to life, while her sister wants nothing to do with it, but Madison goes forward with her plan, with no help from her sister.

There’s a bit of jealousy, as well, as Madison reconnects with Gavin, a man who she had feelings for before she left to go overseas. Her sister also has plans for pulling him into her life. Madison spends more time with his daughter, who wants to help Madison with her plans for the Christmas Tree farm, and they form a bond.

A sweet story with a sprinkling of romance, family and love.


Pub Date: 03 Sep 2024


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Revell

I love Melody Carlson's annual Christmas stories and always look forward to the new one each year, and this one did not disappoint. Madison returns back to the family Christmas tree farm after being overseas for several years. Her sister Addie is less than excited having her back on the farm. There was a wildfire earlier that did lots of damage in the areas but spared most of the farm, and Madison wants to replant and revitalize the tree farm. Addie wants to sell. Then throw in the handsome neighbor and his young daughter and of course there are going to be fireworks between the sisters. Madison decides to replant a section of the farm and will do it by herself if she has to. But she finds a shocking ally in the planting department. I think you will enjoy this holiday story.

Maddison returns home from teaching overseas after a fire and death of her grandmother to try to save her family’s Christmas tree farm. The farm was left to Maddison and her sister Addison but she doesn’t have any desire to put any work into trying to fix it up and just wants to sell it. Maddison really wants to try to turn a profit this year and make a go at saving the farm. Her former high school flame also moves back to the adjoining property after his wife has passed away and he too is trying to reinvent his property with the help of his 9 year old daughter Lilly.

Melody Carlson knows how to write a Christmas Story! I always look forward to reading her books and I search them out! The cover of this one is just so cute!

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

Melody Carlson is the queen of the Christmas novella, and this year's book is a cozy delight. Part family story, part romance, the plot follows Madison on her return home to the family Christmas tree farm, which is failing. Her sister has given up, but Madison is determined to revive the business even if it means planting trees herself with no help. She also reconnects with her former flame, Gavin, now a single dad, whose plans to build a dirt bike track for his daughter on the property next door might impact Madison's plans.

Though this is eventually a Christmas book, it starts early enough in the season that it also makes a nice, cozy fall read. Madison and Gavin have great chemistry on the page, and the conflict between the sisters is very belivable. A feel-good story with a happy ending, this is a great addition to Melody Carlson's canon of Christmas books.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

This story was a Hallmark Christmas movie brought to life. It was fun and sweet and predicable. Which is what I want from my Christmas stories so it definitely did it's job. It was cozy and cute and such a quick read. I liked the characters and thought the overall message and ending was perfect!

When Madison McDowell returns from several years teaching overseas, she has high hopes of picking up where she left off at her family's Christmas tree farm in Oregon. But between damage from a recent wildfire and the neglect due to her sister Addie's unwillingness to invest, the farm is in sad shape. In fact, Addie is intent on selling the property. And to top it off, her former high school flame, the now-widowed Gavin Thompson, has plans to break Madison's heart again by turning his neighboring property into a dusty, noisy dirt bike track for his daughter.
With the odds stacked against her, Madison decides there's only one thing to do: double down on her dreams. It will take a ton of hard work--and some help from an unlikely ally--to save the farm she so dearly loves. But it may take a miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.

Madison finds herself part owner of the family Christmas tree farm. Sadly, a wildfire has destroyed part of the farm, as well as others. Her sister, Addie, isn't very thrilled to see Madison. She just wants to sell the place and the farm.
As luck (or fate) would have it, who has the farm next to theirs but Madison's old high school flame, Gavin. His hazelnut farm has been destroyed by the fire. Oh, but he has plans! What he wants to build there is definitely not something Madison wants next to her Christmas tree farm.
Can Madison save the family farm and restore her relationship with her sister? And, what about Gavin in the next farm over? Hmmmmm...
Lots packed into this novella. Sweet, sweet story.
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Revell, through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

The Christmas Tree Farm Book Review
Thanks to NetGalley for offering me this book in exchange for my opinion. All opinions are my own.

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson.
When Madison McDowell returns from several years of teaching overseas, she has high hopes of picking up where she left off at her family's Christmas tree farm in Oregon. But the farm is in sad shape between damage from a recent wildfire and the neglect due to her sister Addie's unwillingness to invest. In fact, Addie intends to sell the property. And to top it off, her former high school flame, the now-widowed Gavin Thompson, has plans to break Madison's heart again by turning his neighboring property into a dusty, noisy dirt bike track for his daughter.






With the odds stacked against her, Madison decides there's only one thing to do: double down on her dreams. It will take a ton of hard work--and some help from an unlikely ally--to save the farm she so dearly loves. But it may take a miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson charms and delights with this uplifting Christmas story full of old memories and new beginnings.

My Take:

My favorite genre of books is Christmas holiday fiction. This novella has a lot packed into this story. Set in modern times, two sisters are owners of a family farm. One wants to see it succeed, the other not so much. The emotional relationships in the book are easy to believe and follow. Lily, one of the younger characters, is someone that I would like to watch grow up in future books by Melody Carlson. The author does a wonderful job of describing Christmas in a farm setting. A cup of cocoa, a few cookies and I was in my favorite place: Christmas.



About the Author:


Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including Romantic Time's Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carter is a delightful and predictable story of love conquering all. When Madison McDowell returns from several years teaching overseas she is disappointed to find that the Christmas Tree farm left to Madison and her sister, Addie is run down and her sister Addie wants to sell it and move on.
Madison needs to convince Addie that the farm could be viable again with some hard work.
Unfortunately the farm next to theirs is going to be used as a bike dirt track for racing, which the widowed owner has promised his daughter he will build.
Will Madison get her way or will Addie?
A pleasant romantic story with an interesting storyline.
Recommended

I thought this was such a cute read and It really got me into the festive mood. Perfect holiday read!

If you’re looking for a Christmas in July book to read or perhaps just browsing through Christmas books before the holiday this cute novella might be just what you’re looking for. Melody Carlson is one of my favorite authors and it’s become a favorite tradition for me to read her new Christmas novella each year. This story is an uplifting novella about a second chance romance. I thought it was romantic and Christmassy. It was an easy and quick read and it didn’t disappoint this reader.

I received this book from Melody Carlson and NetGalley in return for my review.

I feel this book was a great Christmas read. It relays a heartfelt family story. Christmas is my favorite holiday so I had no doubts I would enjoy this book.

I was hoping for more early Christmas cheer from this book. Madison McDowell returns home from teaching in Mongolia to her late grandparents' Christmas tree farm only to discover that her now-widowed high school boyfriend is living next door and her younger sister has staked her claim on him. If this sounds like drama, it surely is, and all the fighting while also being a Christian romance, so it was praying and fighting and praying and fightung just did not work so well for me. There's quite a bit of jealousy, family conflict, manipulation, and drama until we get to the very merry christmassy happy end.

The Christmas Tree Farm
A Christmas Novella
by Melody Carlson
Pub DateSep 03 2024
Revell
Christian| Romance| Women's Fiction


Revell and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Christmas Tree Farm for review:



Christmas is the perfect time to make new memories, start afresh, and take a second chance on life.



Madison McDowell hopes to continue working at her family's Christmas tree farm in Oregon when she returns from overseas teaching. However, the farm is in sad shape due to damages caused by a recent wildfire and neglect caused by Addie's lack of investment. Madison's former high school flame, Gavin Thompson, has plans to break her heart again by converting his neighboring property into a dusty, noisy dirt bike track for his daughter.




After realizing the odds are stacked against her, Madison decides to put all her efforts into pursuing her dreams. She will need to work hard--and some help from an unlikely ally--to save the farm she so dearly loves. It may take a miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.


I Give The Christmas Tree Farm five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

What a cute seasonal sweet story with a hint of romance. I really enjoyed this short novel about loss and regret and making up for lost time. It's a good read to get you in the holiday spirit.

This was quick holiday book about two sisters attempting to find common ground regarding their inherited Christmas tree farm. The ending was a bit quick but over all a nice afternoon read.

I found this touching story grew on me, just like the trees on the farm grew in this second chances story. I appreciated the growth of the characters too as they deal with loss and pain and struggle with relationships. I also like the setting and the attempt to revive the area plus the leadup to Christmas—my favorite time of year. All this makes for a satisfying tale to read any time, but by a fire on a cool day sounds great right now. I would also recommend this for a fun book club discussion. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #TheChristmasTreeFarm #NetGalley

Madison McDowell comes home from teaching abroad to work on her family's Christmas tree farm in Oregon. She is part owner of the farm with her sister Addie. She doesn't count on Addie wanting to sell the farm, or her first love, Gavin, being widowed and living next door with his youngest daughter.

I wanted to read The Christmas Tree Farm because I love Melody Carlson's Christmas novels. I try to read them each year.

This novel was one of my favorite of Ms. Carlson's recent Christmas books. I loved the setting of the Christmas tree farm and the old fashioned house there.

I also really liked the cast of characters - especially Madison, who loves working outdoors and is determined to make the Christmas tree farm a community fixture again. I also liked Gavin, who is sweet and a bit eccentric (he lives in a trailer by the lake while building a house). His daughter Lily, an 11 year old dirt bike enthusiast, is delightful. Part of the conflict early on is based on Gavin and Lily building a dirt bike track on their property - right next door to the Christmas tree farm.

I highly recommend The Christmas Tree Farm for fans of Christmas reads, picturesque holiday settings, and heartwarming storytelling!

Homecomings can be hard. This is what Maddison learns when she returns to her grandparents’ Christmas tree farm after several years away. Her younger sister, Addie, is not exactly excited to see her. The acreage burned in the wildfire has not been replanted to prepare for future seasons. And the people who have settled over on the Thompson place kick up a lot of noise and dust with their dirt bikes. Coming home is particularly complicated when the noisy, dusty people next door are Maddison’s first love and his daughter. Factoring in Addie’s insistence that Maddison may not interfere with her efforts to catch Gavin’s heart and the way he keeps looking at her, nothing is going to come easily this Christmas. What at first looks like a love triangle turns into a heaping pile of love spaghetti when Addie and Maddison’s mom arrives, then Gavin’s oldest daughter arrives with opinions about her father’s love life, and his younger daughter has an opinion of her own. Saving the tree farm and making up her own mind about the one who got away are all Maddison wants to do. In true Melody Carlson style, this complicated dish turns into a delightful Christmas dinner just in time for our favorite holiday season. Don’t miss your chance to cozy up with The Christmas Tree Farm and its complicated, but mostly lovable characters.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Overall, this is a cosy Christmas read, with comforting predictability. We know exactly how it's going to end, and we're rooting for that ending. However, to get to the ending, the story doesn't really give us the emotional depth we're hoping for - the sisters' relationship feels very surface level, and unrealistic. Our protagonist Madison is treated poorly, but moves on SO quickly each time, and does no confronting whatsoever. We don't know why Addie wants to sell the farm, and in the end the conflict between the sisters is resolved to quickly to feel any kind of satisfaction! Also, the family dynamics, particularly between Madison and her mother could have been explored a bit more.

I did love the Oregon setting, and the premise of saving the family Christmas Tree Farm is so sweet, especially with the cute man next door (who used to be her teen crush!) and made it a lovely light hearted holiday novella.