The Christmas Tree Farm

A nice little Christmas book! The plot was quite predictable but I didn’t really mind because all I wanted was this exact vibe. ‘The Christmas Tree Farm’ was my first introduction to Dream Harbor, and the other characters in the town have made me want to read their stories. I enjoyed the main character, Kira, being from a richer background and actually wanting to grow beyond her privilege. Also if you love dogs, you will definitely appreciate the amount of them in this book! My main plight with this book is that the author repeats herself a lot - almost as though she doesn’t trust her reader to remember key information (even though it’s a relatively quick read) or read between the lines. I am curious to see if that is a feature of Gilmore’s writing in general or if it is just in this book. Looking forward to finding out, as I am going to read ‘The Cinnamon Bun Book Store’ (also by Laurie Gilmore) next.

Book Review: The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore 🎄✨

Rating: 3 Stars

So, I just finished reading The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore, and I’ve got a few things to say about it. First off, can we talk about how absolutely adorable the cover is? I mean, it screams festive vibes and makes you want to dive right into the holiday spirit. But let’s break it down a bit. 🎁❤️

The story follows Kira North, who is not exactly the biggest fan of Christmas. I mean, what are the chances she ends up buying a Christmas tree farm in this super cute little town called Dream Harbor? Talk about ironic! Then there's Bennett Ellis, who is taking a much-needed vacation from California and his string of awful dates. He stumbles into Kira’s world after a rather awkward run-in while she’s trying to get her tree farm up and running—though let’s be real, she’s kind of a hot mess about it. 🌲😂

As the story unfolds, you see Kira’s stubbornness clash with Ben's willingness to help, even when she insists she doesn’t need it. And honestly, watching her go from grumpy tree farmer to someone who starts to appreciate Ben's strength is kind of entertaining. There’s a bit of that spicy romance intertwined with some mystery elements—like, is there really a body buried on with Kira’s farm? 😂🔍

Now, I have to say, while the book was undeniably cute and festive, my overall feelings are a bit mixed. The romance felt kind of forced at times, and Kira was, well, not the most likable character in the world. It made it tough to fully root for her and Ben as a couple. Still, I can't deny that I was entertained throughout the read. 🤷‍♀️💕

So, if you’re looking for something light and seasonal to get you in the mood for the holidays, The Christmas Tree Farm might just do the trick. Just go into it knowing that Kira might test your patience a bit. Overall, I’d give it a solid three stars! 🌟🎅

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️