Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore

Where romance meets mystery under the twinkling lights of Dream Harbor

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"The Christmas Tree Farm" is a heartwarming, sexy, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny addition to the holiday romance genre. Laurie Gilmore has crafted a story that's perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's night.

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Unwrapping the Magic of Dream Harbor’s Latest Tale

Picture this: A chilly winter evening, a crackling fire, and a mug of hot cocoa in your hands. Now, add a dash of romance, a sprinkle of mystery, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit. That’s exactly what Laurie Gilmore serves up in her latest offering, “The Christmas Tree Farm,” the third installment in her beloved Dream Harbor series.

If you’ve been following the charming tales of this quaint New England town, you’re in for a treat. And if you’re new to Dream Harbor? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because you’re about to fall head over heels for this cozy little corner of the world.

The Story: More Than Just Tinsel and Mistletoe

Meet Kira North, our delightfully grumpy heroine who’s about as fond of Christmas as a cat is of water. In a twist of fate (or perhaps a moment of impulsive decision-making), she finds herself the proud owner of a Christmas tree farm in the sickeningly sweet town of Dream Harbor. Talk about a fish out of water!

Enter Bennett Ellis, our sunshine to Kira’s storm cloud. He’s taking a break from his life in California, hoping to escape a string of disastrous dates. Little does he know, he’s about to stumble into the most unexpected romance of his life.

When these two polar opposites collide, sparks fly faster than ornaments off a poorly decorated tree. But there’s more to this story than just a will-they-won’t-they romance. Gilmore weaves in a delicious thread of mystery that’ll keep you guessing until the very end. Is there really buried treasure on Kira’s farm? Or is it just small-town gossip run amok?

Characters: As Colorful as Christmas Lights

Gilmore has a knack for creating characters that feel like old friends from the moment you meet them. Kira, with her prickly exterior and secret soft heart, is a refreshing change from the typical Hallmark-esque heroine. She’s messy, she’s complicated, and she’s utterly relatable. Who hasn’t felt like a square peg in a round hole at some point?

Bennett, on the other hand, is the human equivalent of a golden retriever – loyal, kind, and always ready to lend a helping hand. But don’t mistake his sunny disposition for simplicity. This man’s got layers, folks, and watching Kira peel them back is half the fun.

The supporting cast is equally delightful. From the meddling but well-meaning townsfolk to Bennett’s adorable pack of dogs, each character adds their own special flavor to this Christmas pudding of a story.

Setting: Dream Harbor – Where Every Day Feels Like Christmas

If you’ve read the previous books in the series (“The Pumpkin Spice Café” and “The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore“), you’ll already be familiar with the charm of Dream Harbor. For the uninitiated, imagine Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, but with a hefty dose of New England coastal charm.

Gilmore’s descriptions of the town, from the twinkling lights on Main Street to the snow-covered Christmas tree farm, are so vivid you can almost smell the pine needles and freshly baked cookies. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to pack up your life and move to a small town… until you remember how much you value your anonymity and high-speed internet.

What Sets “The Christmas Tree Farm” Apart

A Perfect Blend of Sweet and Spicy

One of the things I absolutely adore about this book is how Gilmore manages to strike the perfect balance between cozy sweetness and steamy romance. If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark Christmas movie and thought, “This is cute, but where’s the heat?”, then this book is your answer.

The chemistry between Kira and Bennett is off the charts, folks. Their banter crackles with tension, and when they finally get together… let’s just say you might need to crack a window, even in the dead of winter.

Mystery with a Side of Laughs

The mystery element adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story. Is there really treasure buried on Kira’s farm? The town’s obsession with this rumor leads to some hilarious situations and misunderstandings. It’s like “National Treasure” meets “Schitt’s Creek,” and I am here for it.

Character Growth That Feels Authentic

Both Kira and Bennett go through significant character arcs that feel genuine and earned. Kira’s journey from Christmas-hating hermit to community member is particularly satisfying. And Bennett’s realization that he needs to stop trying to fix everyone else and focus on his own happiness? Heart warming

A Few Nitpicks (Because Nothing’s Perfect, Not Even Christmas)

While I thoroughly enjoyed “The Christmas Tree Farm,” there were a couple of small issues that might bother some readers:

  • The pacing in the middle section drags a bit. There’s a lot of back-and-forth between Kira and Bennett that, while cute, could have been tightened up.
  • Some readers might find the small-town quirkiness a bit over-the-top. If you’re not a fan of meddling neighbors and town-wide obsessions with local legends, this might not be the book for you.
  • The mystery element, while fun, doesn’t get as much attention as it could. I would have loved to see more clue-hunting and puzzle-solving.

Final Thoughts: A Christmas Treat Worth Savoring

Despite these minor quibbles, “The Christmas Tree Farm” is a delightful addition to the Dream Harbor series. It’s the literary equivalent of a warm hug on a cold day—comforting, familiar, but with enough spice to keep things interesting.

If you’re a fan of:

  • Grumpy x sunshine romances
  • Small-town settings
  • Forced proximity tropes
  • A dash of mystery with your romance

…then this book should be at the top of your Christmas list.

How It Stacks Up in the Series

While “The Christmas Tree Farm” can be read as a standalone, I’d recommend starting with “The Pumpkin Spice Café” to get the full Dream Harbor experience. Each book in the series builds on the last, creating a rich tapestry of small-town life that’s utterly addictive.

That said, I think “The Christmas Tree Farm” might be my favorite of the bunch. The combination of holiday cheer, steamy romance, and light mystery hits all the right notes for me.

Similar Books You Might Enjoy

If you love “The Christmas Tree Farm,” you might also enjoy:

  • “In a Holidaze” by Christina Lauren
  • “Window Shopping” by Tessa Bailey
  • “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” by Jenny Bayliss

The Verdict: A Five-Star Christmas Miracle

In conclusion, “The Christmas Tree Farm” is a heartwarming, sexy, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny addition to the holiday romance genre. Laurie Gilmore has crafted a story that’s perfect for curling up with on a cold winter’s night.

So grab your coziest blanket, pour yourself a mug of hot chocolate (or mulled wine, we don’t judge), and prepare to be transported to Dream Harbor. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself googling “Christmas tree farms for sale” after you finish.

After all, if Kira can turn her life around in one snowy season, who’s to say you can’t?

A Little Christmas Gift for You

Before we wrap this up (pun absolutely intended), here’s a little tidbit that might make you smile. Remember how I mentioned Gilmore’s knack for creating vivid characters? Well, I have it on good authority that she names some of her characters after her pets. So the next time you’re reading one of her books and come across a particularly adorable animal character, you might just be meeting a furry friend from Gilmore’s real life. How’s that for a heartwarming holiday fact?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a sudden urge to string up some Christmas lights and practice my tree-chopping skills. Who knows? Maybe I’ll find my own Bennett Ellis in the process. A girl can dream, right?

Happy reading, and may your holidays be as magical as a Dream Harbor Christmas!

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"The Christmas Tree Farm" is a heartwarming, sexy, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny addition to the holiday romance genre. Laurie Gilmore has crafted a story that's perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's night.The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore