This is a beautiful book and it is so amazing, the story is so lovely and very enjoyable to read. i loved everything about this book and i would recommend to anyone who loves reading to give this book a go. it is a lovely book and i will read other books from this author.

The Christmas Tree Farm
Melody Carlson
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Madison McDowell has spent the last several years teaching overseas. When she returns home to Oregon, it is with plans to continue the legacy of her family's Christmas tree farm. Unprepared for the damage from a recent wildfire and her sister's unwillingness to help, Madison decides to work the farm herself with the help of her neighbor and his dirt bike riding daughter.

What could go wrong with the setting of a Christmas tree farm, celebrating the holidays, and creating wreaths to sell for the season? Unfortunately, the characters in Carlson’s story did not live up to what we would hope for and instead are flat with plenty of negativity to fill the pages. The high school flame next door was the only character who seemed to have any joy and was undeterred by his environment. One bright spot was the community coming together for a Harvest Dance with all the sights and tastes of the fall season. We had high hopes for this story but it lacked the depth and complexity we enjoy.

We received an advance copy from the publisher. This is our honest review.

I love Christmas and holiday books but I can’t love them all right? I think this novella suffered a bit from my book hanger after reading one of my favorite books of the year. As a bonus, this book is a novella and anyone who is looking for a sweet holiday love story to devour over a weekend, you’ve got a good fit right here.

I think I just didn’t love the drama between the sisters. Madison and her sister Addie are co-owners of a Christmas tree lot inherited from their dad’s side of the family.
When Madison arrives back home after several years away she gets a very icy reception from her sister Addie.
I didn’t understand Addie’s attitude towards Madison. Addie told Madison it was ok to stay away and let Addie run the farm yet when Madison came back she was treated as though Madison dumped all the responsibility on her and ran off to have fun.

As far as Madison is concerned, I don’t understand how kept forgetting her sister was a vegetarian.

Also, Madison is surprised to find her first love Gavin living next door with his daughter. She’s also surprised to find out that he wants to open a dirt bike track next to their tree farm. And, even worse, Addie is interested in him.
Here is where I don’t understand Madison yet again. She doesn’t tell her sister she has history with Gavin.

Then when you get to the end, there’s a twist and then everything is just resolved super quickly.

Pros:
Gavin
The Christmas tree farm
The holiday vibes

Cons:
The sisters’ relationship

I also think this is a Christian fiction book which is a big pro for some readers.

I got to read an early ebook edition on NetGalley. Thank you!

I liked this Christmas story about coming home. I liked how Madison wanted to do anything she could to save the Christmas tree farm and how she was able to get the community involved. I also liked how she found love with an old flame as they worked together to save the farm. I also liked how she was willing to try new things and was able to connect with a little girl who needed someone to connect with. I loved how this story brought the magic of Christmas to life. I thought the story was well told and engaging. I would recommend this story.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

A fun Christmas read that I totally enjoyed it. Enjoyable characters and enjoyable plot. Just a fun read for me right now

In The Christmas tree Farm by Melody Carlson two sisters butt heads over how to save the family farm. Madison also butts heads with her neighbor and former boyfriend. What Madison and her sister Addie are going to need is a Christmas Miracle. I didn’t know how I would feel about this one as I was worried about the sisters’ relationship. But I did end up enjoying this one. Melody has quickly become a favorite author for Chris novella’s to read every year and The Christmas Tree will be no different. I enjoyed the unique twist that she put on the story. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Christmas story quite like it. It was like a warm hug without having the over the top hallmark feel. I can’t wait to pick this one back up in December.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Melody Carlson’s Christmas novellas are always a welcome sign that the holiday/Hallmarky reading season has officially begun! And what better place to set this kind of story than a Christmas tree farm! It’s everything cozy and hot chocolate and twinkle lights and pine scented, and it made me want to visit one this season.

I really enjoyed Madison’s character in The Christmas Tree Farm. She’s warm, friendly, and big-hearted, not afraid of hard work, and she treats the less-than-gracious people in her household with heaping amounts of grace that they don’t deserve. But then again, who does deserve grace? And isn’t that one of the key takeaways of Christmas? The gift of grace is made possible through Jesus to a world who deserved instead to be condemned. Don’t misunderstand – Madison experiences all the same feelings we would if we had to deal with her bitter sister Addie, their difficult mother, and a disgruntled young adult guest for the season; she’s not unrealistically perfect. But Madison also shows us that it’s possible to redeem the situation and heal old wounds if we’re willing… and isn’t that another key takeaway of Christmas?

Another favorite character of mine is Lily, the spunky tween daughter of the McDowell’s neighbor (and Madison’s first love) Gavin. While she definitely has the tween attitude down pat (especially at first) Lily ends up bringing delightful energy & warmth to the mix as well as help for Madison when Addie leaves the latter to operate the farm mostly on her own. Plus, she serves as a realistic catalyst to bring Gavin and Madison back into close proximity again after all these years – and feelings – apart, and I’m all for adorable characters who end up doing a little matchmaking even if it’s unintentional. Which brings us to swoony Gavin who Carlson writes as down-to-earth and amiable, a good dad and a steady personality. I liked him too as well as the romance that re-blossoms between him and Madison… even if I had a difficult time reconciling his clearly still-there feelings for her with how he let it all fall apart when they were teenagers.

Bottom Line: Fans of Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas” will love getting into the seasonal spirit with Melody Carlson’s The Christmas Tree Farm! This relatively quick read is the perfect length for the busy months ahead, and the cozy setting (despite the family drama) beckons you to pull out your holiday playlist, light a Christmasy candle and/or a roaring fire, and hang up some twinkle lights! I enjoyed this sweet, second chance romance as well as the underlying message of restoration and the layered characters. It would make the perfect movie too, and I hope one day to see it on my holiday line-up!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I have read quite a few of Melody Carlson's books over the years. They have all been quick, entertaining reads. This one proved the same. While the plot was definitely predictable and the characters somewhat annoying but relatable, the story was heartwarming and exactly what you want from a Christmas novella. I enjoyed it and would recommend this for younger readers looking for a clean HEA Christmas story.

When Madison McDowell has returned home after several years teaching overseas, She and her sister are co-owners of the family Christmas Tree farm, and she plans on moving forward with the business. With damage from a recent wildfire and her sister's refusal to invest or do anything with the farm, this might not work. Addie has plans on selling the farm and splitting the money. Addie refuses to give up and purchases seedlings to reforest the damaged area. Meanwhile, her former boyfriend/crush has returned home to his family's filbert farm that was totally destroyed by the wildfire. His wife has died and he has returned with his two girls. His plan is to turn his property into a dirt bike track, campground and activity center. As Madison gets to know his daughter, she recruits her to help plant the seedlings, and in turn she and Gavin get to know each other again, and some of that old chemistry is back. Can she make a go of the Christmas Tree farm, and not alienate her sister at the same time?

This is a novella that deals with family, anger, forgiveness, co-operation, communication and a little Christmas Magic. I liked Madison, but after being gone for so long, she doesn't hear Addy out to find out what has really been going on. She is a hard worker, and doesn't give up, definitely something needed to run a farm of any kind. Addy is a bit selfish. She is jealous of Madison and really doesn't seem to want to work. She also doesn't communicate well and tries to make Madison feel guilty. Gavin's daughter, Lily, was my favourite character. She was smart, savvy, sarcastic, angry and full of grief, but she comes around and her dialogue is a hoot. Overall this was a good story about what is important in life, family!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this fun, and clean romance from best-selling author Melody Carlson. Her writing style reminds me of Debbie Macomber and Fern Michaels, and I think this book would be a great candidate to be adapted into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. If you love romance, and you love Christmas (as I do), this book is sure to entertain you this upcoming holiday season.

Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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Melody Carlson has done it again with a heartwarming, feel-good Christmas story. Madison has come home to her grandparents Christmas tree farm after years abroad. Her grandparents are gone now, but her younger sister has been trying to keep the farm running. After attempting to save the farm on her own, and reconnecting with a former boyfriend, who is now a widowed father and next door neighbor, things seem to fall into place.

I really enjoyed this story!

A cute, cozy romance with no spice, and a warm heart.
I enjoyed reading this and found it just what I needed to relax in the evening. The characters are wholesome and kind, and the story had good conflicts along the way. I like that the author didn't feel the need to solve every problem over the course of the novella. The end did feel a little rushed, but I think that's common in novellas, and it did produce a good ending for the two main characters.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

A heartwarming story of family, faith, and new beginnings.

Madison McDowell comes home after years of teaching in Mongolia to her family's Christmas tree farm, to find that it isn't how she left it. Fighting back against fire damage, a race track next door, and her sister wanting to sell the business, Madison decides to go all in to save the farm.

A heartwarming story about family, starting over, and faith. I admired Madison's determination to make a go of the Christmas tree farm, and I liked her friendship with the neighbor girl, Lily, who likes to comes over and help out. There are strong themes of reconciliation, and faith, in this feel-good romance, about rebuilding a farm, and relationships.

An easy read, with great characters, perfect for when you are looking for something more relaxing and fun to read. Highly entertaining and enjoyable, perfect for the holiday season!


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

Madison returns to the family Christmas tree farm and finds in not exactly how she remembers it. Her sister, Addie, is planning on selling it so Madison takes it upon herself to give it one last try. To make matters worse, Gavin, her high school sweetheart is living next door and plans to put in a dirt bike track for his daughter. Sparks fly between the former sweethearts and that makes Addie mad as she had designs on him too. Madison has her work cut out for her and with the help of Gavin's daughter, manages to pull off a great holiday season and even her sister helps. Heartwarming story holiday story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The problem, or rather, one of several problems, with this novella, is that it is a novella. 🫠

But let's start with what I liked about it: I love the behind-the-scenes of a Christmas tree farm, the problems of meeting deadlines, the care of the plants and the cosy atmosphere that goes with it. And this little book satisfies all my curiosities. 🥰

That's it. This is the only thing I liked and it breaks my heart to say it. 😭

There's just too much: the (immature, in my opinion) conflict between the two sisters, which is resolved in a few lines at the end without the slightest insight; the one between Madison and her neighbour, which starts with a disagreement over the use of the neighbouring land as a motocross track, but turns out to be rooted in the past, because he is her ex, now widowed and with two daughters, who was her first and only teenage love, of which NO ONE knew anything about (including Madison's sister, a despicable character in her jealousy and immaturity from start to finish), which ended in a way that is not clear why, and which, of course, is resolved with the typical marriage proposal that comes out of nowhere. Miscommunication at its worst, indeed.

[No, that's not a spoiler: Hallmark Christmas Movie-style books like this one all end this way. 😅]

Now, if this had been a 300-350 page novel, there would have been plenty of time to deepen things and maybe make them a bit more mature in their development - in the sense that the characters, as adults, should behave as such, but no, they're stuck in high school days (except for his youngest daughter, who I think is nine or so, and who talks like she's 30 💀). Characters who, by the way, are not only stereotyped, but remain flat throughout the novel: they do not change. Nada, nisba, nothing. And I hear you say: "Of course, there is no room for them to grow". Well, then a novella is not the right format for this particular story, because then it becomes frustrating for the reader. It lacks a natural and satisfying closure, it lacks depth, it lacks everything.

And I'm really sorry, because I wanted to love it. I really did.

I adore Carlson's stories.
This story brings home long forgotten Christmas memories that made me feel like I was there with them
I really didn't like Addie at all. I thought her rather spoiled and selfish at times towards Madison. I also didn't think it fair for her family to treat Madison that way either. Almost reminds me of a Cinderella story.
I like Madison immediately. She's sort of like me so I really connected to her. Lily's kind of fun too.
I did laugh out loud reading the turkey scene but yet at the same time it really wasn't funny.
Carlson has added just the right amount of everything to make a wonderful story.
This is a fun old fashioned family Christmas story that I couldn't put down. I just really enjoyed it.
Poor Gavin was the one whom I felt sorry for.
Caught in the middle can he help pull this awesome family Christmas off? Or will it all come crashing down around him?
You will just have to read this one to find out!
This book definitely got me into the Christmas spirit.
Just don't eat the turkey! lol.
5 stars from me. I highly recommend! It will make you laugh and want to get mad sometimes throughout. Yes, and even shake your head too.
My thanks for a copy of this beautiful story. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine

Delightful Christmas story about family and romance, well worth reading. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I truly enjoyed this book. In a way, it reminded me of the prodigal son but between sisters. One sister returning home and the other is not sure she wants her. The tale weaves through both sisters' fears and problems and comes to an not totally unexpected conclusion.

The story flows well. The characters are quite well flushed out. The editing was also done well.

This is a Christian genre book and it just barely makes that in my opinion. That said, it is definitely not a preachy book.

I give this a solid 4 out of 5-star rating and would recommend it to my friends. I was given a copy of this book through Revell Reads blogger program via Netgalley. The review is totally my own and freely given.

Growing up with a family Christmas tree farm myself, I was drawn to The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson, and it didn’t disappoint! The story of a young woman inheriting her family’s tree farm and trying to restore it while navigating her own personal challenges felt very close to home. The details about farm life, from planting to selling, were authentic and felt like my own memories and experiences.

I appreciated how Carlson captured the hard work, sense of tradition, and community spirit that comes with running a farm. It was easy to relate to the main character’s love for the land and her desire to preserve her family’s legacy. The romance element added a nice touch without overpowering the heart of the story.

While some plot points were a bit predictable, the warm, cozy atmosphere and genuine depiction of small-town life more than made up for it. Overall, this is a heartfelt read that captures the magic of the season, especially for those of us who live and breathe Christmas trees year-round!