I enjoyed reading The Christmas Tree Farm, a delightful novella set in a small Oregon town. Madison has always considered her paternal grandparents’ Christmas tree farm her true home. After her parents split, Madison spent nearly all of her school vacations at the farm and she fell for the charming boy next door. He broke her heart and Madison spread her wings, determined to explore the world.

Fast forward a few decades and Madison is ready to return home. Her expectations are blown up by the changes that have taken place, including wild fire damage to farms in the region and her younger sister’s negative attitude. Madison isn’t afraid of hard work and she’ll do whatever she can to save the farm.

Sibling rivalry and an unexpected romance challenge Madison to consider her life priorities and future plans. I recommend The Christmas Tree Farm to contemporary fiction readers who like Christmas novellas with second chance romance story elements and a light faith thread in the story.

Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

QUICK GLANCE-
My format- ebook 📱
Other Lengths- Physical 📖 (170 pages)/ Audio🎧 (5 hrs 28 min)
Spice: None🚫 / Just kissing
Language: None 🚫
TW: loss of a spouse

MY THOUGHTS-
The Christmas Tree Farm was a short, sweet romance novella with major Hallmark vibes. It made me long for sweater weather and to be curled up next to a warm cozy fire with cocoa in my hands. There were some chapters that sucked me in and then others that just didn’t hold my attention. The ending was a bit rushed as well but fit the mold for a Hallmark read.

💕 Second Chances
🧑‍🧒‍🧒Family Drama
🎄Christmas Tree Farm
👨 Single Dad

Thank you to Netgalley for an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

✨ QOTD: When do you start decorating for Christmas? ✨

Curl up with a blanket and some hot chocolate to enjoy this perfect holiday read.

Madison McDowell has spent the last few years teaching overseas and when she returns home tired from it all, she has plans to work at her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. While she was gone, the farm fell into disrepair and her hopes of a future with the trees and her family is in question. Her sister wants to sell the farm, and the buyer turns out to be Madison’s old flame. With tensions high between her and her sister and the farm about to be sold, she has the cards stacked against her, but the challenge proves to be just what she needs after arriving back home.

Melody Carlson can always be counted on to craft a fun and endearing holiday romance that will get readers in the holiday spirit. Madison is a fun and quirky protagonist that put a smile on my face. I enjoyed the interactions between her and Gavin as she worked to try and save the farm. I always enjoy this time of year when I get these fun holiday books, they are quick and fun to get me in the holiday spirit. I can pretty much sit down and read this in a day. Readers that are looking to get in the holiday spirit will not want to miss this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Cozy Christmas Novella. Madison returns to her family Christmas Tree Farm after teaching abroad for years. Her sister Addie wants to sell the struggling business, but Madison thinks they can save it and starts working on making it successful. To her surprise, her high school boyfriend Gavin and his daughter are her neighbors. And to make things worse, Addie has a crush on Gavin. There’s a lot of story packed into 100 pages and it moves quickly. Definitely an enjoyable read.

I know it’s not the holiday season yet but this cover was definitely giving me those winter vibes that I love so much!

Unfortunately I found this story to be kinda lacking, kinda choppy + kinda needing some development. It has everything for the making of a great winter holiday read with great descriptions and a setting on Christmas tree farm but I found the writing to be somewhat of an issue personally. I also found the romance to be a bit problematic. I didn’t feel like the Madison + Gavin dates enough or had enough moments of dating and falling in love. & I won’t even get started on Madison’s sister— Addie— it wasn’t giving sisters whatsoever. I couldn’t stand Addie at all. 😒

Anyway— like I said, I loved the cover, setting & descriptions but the writing was meh. It’s a short novella so about 3-3.5 hours of reading with my eyeballs on my kindle.

2.5 ⭐️

I'll tell you right up front, I love Melody Carlson books. I have made it my tradition for several years to read one of her Christmas themed stories during the holiday season.
I want to thank the publisher, Revell and NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy of this second chance romance. This is my own unsolicited opinion of the novella.
This is an excellent story to put a reader in the mood for the holiday. Madison has returned home to her grandparent's farm which has been left to her and her sister, Addie. After spending years teaching in Mongolia hearing of a devastating fire in the countryside of her farm, she realizes it is important to help as best she can. Things aren't quite what she expected. Damage to the neighboring area is terrible. Her sister doesn't seem pleased that she is home and preparing to ready things for the busiest season and future of the farm. Worst of all, her first true love, Gavin, is back next door and has promised his young daughter Lily that they will operate a dirt bike track with trails and activity.
Will everything be ruined? How can she stand being next door to a noisy dirt bike business, especially with Gavin and his family running it? This is supposed to be a joyful Christmas place for families.
I enjoyed this story very much. I felt like I was 'reading' a holiday movie. The characters interactions, particularly Addie's secretive attitude, the cautious romance and the interesting process of the tree farm makes for a sweet, intriguing story.
I recommend this for second chance romance fans or anyone who loves having a Christmas themed book in hand during the season.

I loved this cute holiday romance it was so cute, i can’t wait to read more by this author it was very enjoyable! :)

The Christmas Tree Farm is a charming, sweet, uplifting holiday story straight out of a Hallmark movie. Christmas tree stories are among my favorite holiday tropes and this one didn't disappoint, full of likeable, if flawed, characters and second chances. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eArc. 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book reads like a Hallmark movie. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it become one. The story of two sisters who own a Christmas tree farm, they really have no understanding of each other’s hopes for their lives and are in conflict because of it. It is a nice light holiday read as everything works toward Christmas. I was given this book to review.

After being away for years in Mongolia, Madison returns home to her family's Christmas Tree Farm. Her sister, Addie, has been taking care of things, along with caring for her grandmother before she passed away. Now, with different ideas on managing the farm, can they find a solution they can agree on?

I loved how the family united and Madison tried to hold onto holiday traditions. All the characters were well-developed with lots of layers. They were relatable and made it the story come alive. There are beautiful moments of tenderness, empathy, and a second chance at love.

There are many unexpected situations, joy, and the true meaning of happiness. I loved the ending.

I received a complimentary ARC from Revell and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Carlson’s latest Christmas novella was a sweet read, but not just full of tropes and predictability. I thought the main characters were flawed in their own ways, and yet came together in the spirit of the season to mend old wounds. Madison and Gavin were old sweethearts who are unexpectedly brought into each others’ lives again, only now they have family members having to adjust to living near the tree farm again…and all that entails. Secrets and misunderstandings are brought to light, and we are left with hope for the future.
Is it ever too early in the year to start reading uplifting Christmas stories? I think not! This was a great place to start.
Thanks to NetGalley and Baker Book House for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

A story of second chances, family memories, and good neighbors, Melody Carlson weaves in a good, old-fashioned Christmas. Maddie had been overseas teaching when the wildfires hit the area near the family farm. She is ready to come and help rebuild her life, and hopefully the family Christmas tree farm. Her sister, Addy, has other ideas. She wants to sell and get out of there. Maddie decides to invest her own money into the farm and try to give it a go. With a widowed neighbor, Gavin, and his daughter, Lily. They work hard to get to Christmas past. Not only with the trees. Addy and Maddie are at odds, add in their mother, and then Gavin's other daughter, Lucy, things become strained. Will everyone be able to pitch together to make this Christmas, the best old-fashioned Christmas? Love, love, love, me some Christmas stories any time of the year. This one really put me in the Christmas spirit. Thanks to Ms. Carlson, Revell Publishing, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book. Loved it!

🎄🛻🎄
📖Review
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
📖Book 48/100
📚The Christmas Tree Farm
💫Genre:
Fiction/Romance
✍️Author:
Melody Carlson

📝Synopsis 📝
Madison returns back to her family’s Christmas Tree Farm after teaching overseas for a few years. Her grandmother & father have passed leaving her and her sister Addie the family business, but a fire nearly destroyed their farm. Addie has been picking up the slack while Madison was living her life, but Madison is set on staying and seeing the farm succeed. There’s just one thing coming between them, Gavin her childhood crush.

My thoughts 💭
This was such a cute Hallmark Movie type of vibe and the perfect Christmastime read. It was clean (no smut), cozy, and a fast paced holiday read. I really enjoyed the plot and all the characters. I love family drama and the dynamics on this one was perfect! I loved Madison and Lily's relationship the most, and loved how they were able to be there for each other. Add this one to your December tbr list and thank me later 🫶🏻

🎄QOTD🎄
What is your most anticipated September read?

✨Thank you @netgalley and @revell
for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📌Publication Date:
September 3, 2024
✨✨✨✨

🏷️🏷️🏷️🏷️
#fictionbooks
#bookstagrammer
#bibliophile #netgalleyreviewer #qotd🌸 #readersofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #netgalley #bookstacommunity #givenourhistory
#bookrecommendation
#romancebooks

Melody Carlson can always be counted on to provide readers with a feel-good story, and the Christmas Tree Farm is no exception.

Just look at that cover! A Christmas tree looks so good on that top of a red jeep (also in the back of a red truck). I really enjoyed this inspirational, wholesome, holiday read. Here are four things I liked:

🎄The McDowell Christmas Tree Farm has been around for 75 years. Love the many family traditions that have become a part of the farm's yearly practice. Can Madison reinstitute some of her favorites after years of family tragedies?
👯 Madison and sister Addie are quite different. One wants to keep the farm in the family and the other wants to sell after several rough years. What will happen to the farm?
👩‍❤‍👨There is a second-chance romance, but it is not the primary part of the plot. The biggest conflicts will be Madison regaining her confidence in her work on the farm and repairing her relationship with her sister.
📚It is short and sweet. I was able to read it in one day. That is one thing I love about many of the holiday reads coming out in novella size. Gives the opportunity to read more!

So, looks like it's Christmas in September with this book set to publish on the 1st of the month. Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas tree farm is a e-arc and it’s also my first read by Melody Carson.

I’m a HUGE Christmas lover so getting an advanced copy to read this summer before it’s released in September is perfect!

This was a very quick and easy read! The way Melody writes it just flows. This made me feel all the “feels”. Just like watching a Hallmark movie! It gave me all the cozy feelings. A breathe of fresh air. Please tell me this will be a movie?!?!

I will be reading more from Melody and can I say I hope there’s a follow up to this book???

This is out for publication in September of 2024, this is a must read if you love a good Christmas story.

I received a free copy of, The Christmas Tree Farm, by Melody Carlson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When Madison McDowell returns home from Mongolia, a lot had changed, fire has damaged the town, and their tree farm. Madison wants to help her sister with the farm, but Addie wants to sell, they both also like the same man. This was a really good, read, short though.

Another great novel by Melody Carlson and I hope this one is turned into a made for TV movie as well. This heart warming Christmas story begins when Madison returns to her Grandparents' farm to help her sister Addie after a fire that destroyed part of their Christmas tree farm. Addie leads Madison to believe that they need to sell the farm. However, Madison isn't willing to give up that easily and decided to replant a huge area that was lost to the fire. Before too long, Madison discovers that a former crush/boyfriend, Gavin, is living next door with his daughter Lily. As the holidays approach, Madison is working to save the Christmas Tree farm and dealing with her sister, mother and Gavin's older daughter. I read this in one sitting because I had to see if Madison and Gavin would rekindle their teen-age love and if the Christmas Tree farm would survive. I highly recommend this book.

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson is her Christmas novella for 2024, and it's such a sweet story!

After working in Mongolia for about five years, Madison returns to the McDowell Family Christmas Tree Farm where she and her sister, Addie, spent their summers and holidays with their father and grandparents. Addie and Madison have inherited the farm, but a fire has destroyed a lot of their trees. While Madison wants to keep the farm and try to make a go of it, Addie wants to sell it and move on. How will the sisters be able to resolve their differences? And what about their next door neighbor, Gavin, who had Madison's heart during high school and is now a widower?

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Revell for an advanced e-pub of this book.

All opinions herein are strictly my own.

#TheChristmasTreeFarm #NetGalley

Melody Carlson hits all the right notes in this story about a family Christmas tree farm and the daughter who wants to keep it running and in the family. Madison returns home from teaching in Mongolia and finds that her younger sister Addie just wants to sell the family farm, and the books look so bad that it may have to become a reality. Madison works hard to try to make the farm profitable, hoping to change Addie’s mind. In the process, Madison meets her boyfriend Gavin from her high school years and his rambunctious daughter Lily. With a dirt bike trail imminent for Lily and Addie’s determination to sell the farm, Madison’s plans to snuggle into her old home and relax are definitely put on a back burner. I really enjoyed the story, the family drama, the developing romance, the relationships between the sisters and the relationship that Lily and Gavin had. There are some really heartwarming scenes, like dinner outside by the fire pit and siting on a bench by the river. This book is one with a lesson in forgiveness and letting go of the past as well as moving forward. Faith is a part of the story but it doesn’t take over the plot but is woven into it as the families attend church and talk about their Christmas plans. I enjoyed getting to know each of the believable characters, but mostly I enjoyed visiting the Christmas tree farm where dreams can come true if you want to work for it.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”