What an amazing Christmas story. Kept me turning pages to see how the author was going to get to the outcome suggested. A reminder of God's love and plans for our lives.

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.

Madison McDowell has spent the last five years on a teaching mission in Mongolia. She returns to the Christmas tree Farm where she had spent her summers with her grandparents and Dad when she was growing up. Now Madison is a co-owner of the tree farm with her younger sister Addie. Madison hopes to surprise her sister with her unannounced arrival but Addie is not happy to see her. Addie wants to sell the Christmas tree farm but Madison wishes to fix up the neglected farm and build the business back up to what it was when her grandparents ran it. The two don’t see eye to eye and things become stressful at times. To make matters worse Madison’s old high school flame lives next to the tree farm. Addie has her eyes on Gavin Thompson for herself but Gavin has his eyes on Madison. Can anything good come out of this unhappy reunion between the McDowell sisters?

I recommend this novella to readers of Christian Fiction, contemporary romance and Christmassy books.This is a standalone Novella . It is scheduled for release on 9/3/24.

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.

🎄The Christmas Tree Farm 🎄

Christmas in July finale! 🎅🏻

How in the world is it the last week of July?!

3⭐️

Out 9/3

Thank you for my early copy, Revell!

This was my first book my Melody Carlson and it felt like a Christmas hug!

It was a cute little Novella about a teacher going home to try to save her family’s Christmas Tree Farm. 🎄

The Christmas Tree Farm was the latest Christmas read that I’ve read. It was a very heartwarming romance perfect for the holiday season.

The story was just "OK." The writing is capable and the characters are well developed, but there were too many unlikable characters. Having so many really hurt the story and cast a negative pallor over the entire plot.

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson is one of my favorite Christmas books this season. Can a Christmas Tree Farms owner and a dirt racing farm owner fall in love? I loved the story. Read it you will fall in love with them too.

When I see Melody Carlson’s name on a book, I know immediately, without reading the description of the story that I’ll love it. Her stories tug at my heart, bring a smile to my face, and the well-developed, loveable characters become real.
This book fits all of that and more since it is a delightful, heartwarming story that takes place on a Christmas tree farm, leading up to Christmas.
Upon the death of their grandmother, sisters, Madison and Addie inherit the families’ Christmas tree farm. Madison has been away for several years in Mongolia teaching school, and has come home, hoping to surprise her sister. Addie, however, was surprised but also not so happy to see Madison. The sisters are very different, Madison more of a risk-taker and fun-loving and Addie responsible and dependable. Addie isn’t interested in the farm at all, and wants to sell it, and Madison is anxious to restore it, planting 6,000 new trees, at her own expense. With the Christmas season upon them, Madison wants to re-open the farm, selling the trees they have, and make wreaths like their grandma once did. Addie is opposed to it all.
To complicate matters, it is obvious Addie has set her sight on their neighbor Gavin, who as a widower has moved back home with his 11-year-old daughter Lily. Gavin had been Madison’s teenage boyfriend. Lily becomes Madison’s helper in planting the 6,000 new trees. As the holiday draws near, the tree farm is opened once again to the public. However, when a startling fact is discovered about the financial state of the farm, it has the potential to change the direction of many lives.
This is a delightful, fun story of family, acceptance, and starting over.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

“As soon as McDowell’s Family Christmas Tree Farm runs out of Christmas spirit, we’ll be out of business.”

With Madison in Mongolia teaching, her sister Addie was left managing the family’s farm in Oregon for the past five years. Weary at dealing with wildfire damage and resentful at Madison’s globetrotting, Addie has failed to do what it takes to keep the Christmas tree farm viable. She wants to sell and move on with her life. When Madison returns and makes changes to the way it’s run, hoping to resuscitate the business, the sisters find themselves at a standoff. It doesn’t help that Madison’s first love, Gavin Thompson, has moved in next door and has plans for his property that Madison finds irksome. Can they put their past behind them to move forward? Can they coexist? What about Addie?

I loved this immersive story full of the true meaning of Christmas highlighting peace, forgiveness, unity, and second chances. I appreciated learning about the tree planting business (plugs, etc) as I read and found the delicate balance between sibling drama and percolating romance enjoyable. It was refreshing to read about a character who was willing to take a risk to keep her heritage and one who realized the value of community spirit and working together.

I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

i love a good christmas tree storyline and this book hit it in spades....

madison was finally home after spending the last 5 years teaching in mongolia. she was ready to help bring the christmas tree farm back from the brink after the raging fire took out several places around them... lucking the christmas tree farm had minimal damage

though her sister addie wasnt that pleased to see her.....

so maddie did what she did best and ordered 6000 plug christmas tree plants and set about planting them.... and though she needed help she didnt really get it from her sister but from her neighbours who happened to be her long lost love from her teenage years...

this is a charming storyline filled with all the things that make a good christmas tree farm enjoyable and it makes me want to go order some christmas tree plug plants now....

will be keeping an eye out for more by this author

This is my fist Melody Carlson book and I have to say, I had just a great time. Reading a book in July like Christmas in July. Only thing I forgot was to put a Hallmark Christmas movie on in the background.

Madison has spent the past five years in Mongolia teaching English but with a change in her relationship she has finally moved back to the place she grew up on. A Christmas tree farm that her grandparents had built.

When she gets home to her sister, who has been handling the farm, he gets a bit of resistance and the sister wants to sell. Madison is determined to prove that the Christmas Tree farm is in fact profitable and worth keeping. Plus, her old crush from when she was a teenager is back living on the neighboring land.

I really did have fund with it. It was like a cozy, comfortable and down home story. I also loved that it wasn't just Christmas. We got to experience Autumn and Thanksgiving as well and Madison did a lot of things that remind you of small town events in a Hallmark movie.

This is a novella so it's super quick to read and just wholesome! Start your Holiday reading now! You won't regret it!

*Copy provided by Netgalley for an honest review*

A cosy Christmas read. Characters were for the most part easygoing, willing to help each other to make Christmas special. Worth reading.

This story gave Hallmark vibes. The Christmas Tree Farm is a cute second chance romance that focuses on Madison and Gavin, as well as Gavin's youngest daughter Lily. I really enjoyed the motherly relationship that was formed between Madison and Lily. It was really endearing.

The only thing that that annoyed me was the constant reminder from Addie that she took care of the farm while Madison was away. It was shoved down our throat in each chapter, several times. I also feel that the ending was rushed.

But overall, a very cute Christmas story.

Thank you to NetGalley & Revell for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My thoughts: the Christmas tree farm is a really adorable romance. I had to admire the heroines strong personality. She really handled adversity really well. There is a second chance romance and a lot of family drama going on. I like the way the heroine stepped up to challenge she faced and even learned a few things along the way. I recommend this story. I was going to copy free and all opinions on my own.

I loved this story, from beginning to in I was drawn in. A novella, and can even be read in one sitting.

Madison has come home, her sister Addie has been taking care of everything, but you get the feeling rather quickly see doesn't have her heart on the farm.

I loved Madison trying to replant all of those trees, and what happens, who comes to her aid.

This is a story of family relationships, lost relationships, and new family. Also throw in a bit of sweet romance and one sister calling "dibs". Really?

When this read ended, I really wanted more, I got so involved in McDowell and Thompson families!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

From Amazon's description

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.

It seems that many Melody Carlson novels and Rom-Com movies have one thing in common. Someone is about to lose a farm and there's a hunky neighbor ready to save the day or at least lend an ear. The same is true with this offering. It's a fully enjoyable read that will fill an afternoon when the reader needs a break from the cares of daily life.

Four Stars

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I did enjoy this book as much as I have past Melody Carlson Christmas books. It was easy to get into and moved along nicely. I liked Madison, Lily & Gavin but Addie, their mom & Lucy not so much.

All in all it was a great feel good story in the end however predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley & Revell for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a light, feel good Christmasy read, heavy on the Hallmark vibes.

Being a novella there isn’t a lot of character development and it would be great to explore the motivations of some of the characters more, especially the MC’s sister Addie.

This Christmas vibes of this one are next level, with wreath making, tree cutting, parties in barns and all the twinkle lights! Swoon!

I did find the lack of direct communication between the two sisters in the story frustrating and would have loved them to just have a straight forward conversation earlier in the story.

An atmospheric, fun, quick read perfect for the holiday season or any time of year really!

After being away for several years, Melody returns home to her family’s Christmas tree farm. She is shocked to learn from her sister, Addie, that they are struggling and may have to sell. Determined to turn things around, Melody sets out in planting new trees and doing everything she can to save the farm.

This novella delivers those feel-good, Hallmark vibes in a small package—great for a quick Christmas read this holiday season. Melody’s sister Addie was incredibly unlikable, and I would have loved to see all of the characters developed a bit more, but the author did a decent job developing the plot given the nature of the book being a novella. Overall, it was an okay read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell Fiction for my gifted e-ARC!

The Christmas Tree Farm
by Melody Carlson
Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
Thanks to the author, pulbisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was so exited to get this book because Carlson is one of my favorite authors.

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson charms and delights with this uplifting Christmas story full of old memories and new beginnings. 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 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.
A cute, heartwarming Christmas novella from Melody Carlson! If you love Melody Carlson's other Christmas novellas, this one is definitely for you.

It was quick read! But I really didn’t like her sister brought down the story along with her mom. I just felt like a lot unresolved problems.