The Christmas Tree Farm
By: Melody Carlson
Published Year: 2024
Publisher: Revell
Pages: 176
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this novel.
Summary (Provided by Goodreads): 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.Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson charms and delights with this uplifting Christmas story full of old memories and new beginnings.
First Impressions
I saw this book on Netgalley and was immediately taken in by the cover. I’m a sucker for a good Christmas romance so I requested it and was excited when I got approved. I haven’t read any of Carlson’s other books but she writes a lot of Christmas novels.
What I thought
I didn’t like this book at all.
Maddie has moved back to her grandparents’ Christmas Tree Farm after years in Mongolia. She has been teaching abroad while her sister Addie has been taking care of the farm as well as her grandparents when they were sick and dying. When Maddie moves back, she’s surprised to not be welcomed back by her sister and is also surprised her childhood crush is back at the farm next door. She decides that it’s her job to save the Christmas tree farm even if she has to do it herself.
I hated all of these characters. I also disliked the writing. I found it cliché and lazy. At one point Gavin, the neighbor, even pulls out the “the fact you don’t know you’re beautiful makes you even more beautiful” line. Gross. Maddie and Gavin had zero chemistry. She had more chemistry with his 11 year old daughter Lily, who essentially becomes her best friend and laborer. Weird.
Addie is also a major bitch. These women are in their mid to late 20s and she claims dibs on Gavin on the basis that she had a crush on him when she was like 13? And then she starts being territorial towards him. Like legit starts throwing a fit when Maddie even talks to Gavin even though Maddie isn’t flirting. Then when his older daughter comes home for break, she starts harassing Maddie about potentially like Gavin too. It all makes zero sense.
In terms of the romance, not only do they have zero chemistry, but they don’ get together until the novel is almost over. Then after one date, he proposes to her at Christmas. This made zero sense.
I will not be adding Carlson to my list of authors. I found this book to be poorly written and not entertaining at all. I didn’t feel any of the Christmas spirit. In fact, most of this book took place before Thanksgiving. A lot of people seemingly enjoy this book, unfortunately I am just not one of them.