The Magic of Christmas Tree Farm

by Erin Green

The scent of pine fills the crisp air as local villagers select their perfect tree. Picking the tree is the easy bit, creating a perfect Christmas is a bit trickier...

Nina has the most magical job in the world, matching customers with their perfect Christmas tree. Working at Christmas Tree Farm is always fun and full of laughter but the weight of past tragedy bears down on her. Her admirer is a great distraction, but is he the right man for her?

Holly is just trying to be a normal teenager, having to deal with the mean girls in her class. But then the most handsome boy at school takes an interest in her. Have all her Christmases come at once?

Angie is trying to bring her family together and save her broken marriage. It's not something she can force, but it's the only gift she craves. Will her Christmas wish come true?

It's the season of goodwill, and at Christmas Tree Farm anything could happen...

Genres: Christmas, Chick Lit, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Contemporary Romance

453 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2018

About the author

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Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ Enchanting, Feel Good, Perfect Christmas Read

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS TREE FARM is my first Christmas book this year and wow what a book!

It was such an enchanting & addictive read that had a little bit of everything.
First loves, school bullying, dealing with grief, reconnecting, starting over, new beginnings, Christmas, relationships, divorce, Dating, love, heartbreak, humour and some gorgeous Christmas Trees & a few animals.

That pretty much sums up Just how fantastic this book is.
Ok so I'm not going to discuss the plot as I know I'll probably give something away.
But what I will say is.... the story is told in 3 points of view, Angie, Holly and Nina.

Angie, recently divorced from her husband, but now they are trying to rekindle their relationship.
Holly, gets bullied at school by 'The Mean Girls' she is experiencing Love for the first time as the popular lad asks her out.
Nina, works at The Christmas Tree Farm. Been there a few years. Best friends with Twins Zach and Bram. Lost her father a year ago but still grieving.

I loved all three characters they are so well written and very relatable characters.
But Holly stole my heart, I wish she had more storyline. Lots of young girls/women will be able to relate to her story.

I also loved Nina, she intrigued me, she comes across as strong but she has a vulnerable side that she eventually lets people see as she asks for help.

I didn't warm to Angie straight away, she annoyed me. Trying to win her husband back, but still pushing him away, confused me let alone him lol

This is a story of three very different women and their struggles, challenges and triumphs in the lead up to Christmas as they face the prospect of Christmas alone.
It's about relationships, connections, starting over, friendship, romance and humour.

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS TREE FARM  is such a compelling and addictive read I devoured it in one day.
If you are looking for an enchanting, warm, Feel Good Read, with the essence of Christmas, love and humour then you won't want to miss out on reading this Fabulous book!
I highly recommend it!!

Thank you to Aria books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

For more Reviews visit my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

They’re about as funny as chlamydia, as my best friend, Demi, would say.

I’m dressed from top to toe in green Lycra, complete with a pointy hat adorned with a pair of pixie ears, freezing my ass off, in the company of twenty-four children aged four and below. I want to die. The screaming, whining and wailing is on a par with the soothing decibels created by a pneumatic drill.

I gather that’s most of what being an adult is about – pretending you have the answer when really you’re bricking it inside and hoping it doesn’t show on your face.

Bloody hell, we all want true love but Cupid’s arrow doesn’t happen for everyone…Twittering blue birds, cherubs and stomach flips aren’t guaranteed unless you’re watching Disney.


My Review:

This is only the second book I’ve read by the delightfully talented and ever appealing Erin Green, and I am proud to proclaim myself her newest fangirl. She is a master storyteller and I am totally enamored with her poignant yet insightfully observant, deftly executed, and wryly humorous writing style. The storylines were entertaining, well-paced, thoughtfully written, intriguing, and laced with clever levity. Her characters are realistically flawed and struggling with real-world issues, while indelibly human and eventually endearing, although, like most people I know, they were not always likable. I adored this engaging tale that alternated between smirk-worthy levity and squeezing my heart. The Presents for Heaven idea of buying gifts in honor of departed loved ones was ingenious.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This put me right in the holiday spirit a few months early.

Three different women. Three different stages in their relationships. Annie is hoping to rekindle her former marriage, Nina wants to avoid the holidays and men after the recent death of her father, and Holly, still in school, is just starting with her first boyfriend. Love is certainly in the air as these women’s lives buck and weave against the backdrop of a winter wedding at the magical Christmas Tree Farm.

What I love about this book is how deeply complicated each of these characters are. Angie and her son have a rocky relationship after her divorce, and their scenes together are some of the most effective. Similarly, Nina’s response to the one year anniversary to her father’s death is effective because of how realistically it’s treated. And that’s a common theme in this book. Author Erin Green had me totally immersed in each of these three worlds.

This isn’t to suggest this book is all sad situations. It’s endearing and a little heartbreaking, but it’s also a lot of fun. I found myself chuckling a lot, particularly at a scene involving Angie and a misplaced blouse.

Overall, this is a really strong romance with a lot of great characters and an enchanting setting.

Note: I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley.

Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, go to,make you happy kind of Christmas story. There are several stories going on at once but it all revolves around a big Christmas tree farm. The characters are all treated very well there and have worked together for years, kinda like family ya know? It follows 3 women in different stages in life having to make bittersweet decisions and how these decisions will affect their lives. In the end they discover things about themselves,life,love and the happily ever after of Christmas. Fun!
Pub Date 04 Sep 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Aria through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard of this author but not read any of her books but now want to read her others as so well written with great characters and you really get into the Christmas spirit. It's based around three main characters and can they all create the perfect Christmas or is it harder than they thought. They all select there wonderful Christmas trees from the perfect Christmas tree farm and want the perfect tree but can they have the perfect lives. Funny and heartwarming as well. Has romance in it to well worth reading.
You have three main characters which are;

Nina who works at the Christmas tree farm and loves choosing the perfect tree for each person that wants a tree. She has great fun and sadly her past isn't as easy and she has an admirer but is he the rest hot guy for her and can she move forward from loosing her father a year ago.

Angie left her husband and son but now wants them back and can she won them over or not and all she wants is her family t Berger does her wish come true.

Holly is only a teenager but hits at school aren't nice to her she has a handsome boy takes interest in her will her family be happy and can she be happy or not.

Love how the Christmas tree farm starts having weddings there to but can this go well or does distaste strike and out the farm in danger.

Great read and so warm and wondering if they get want they want it not.

[Aylin Kuhls · Rating 2 out of 5]

Das war alles zu fadenscheinigen, seltsam konstruiert und holprig erzählt. Dazu noch so eine schlechte Sprache (oder plumpe Übersetzung).

Ich wollte doch nur etwas Weihnachtsgefühl und nicht so eine platte, übers Knie gebrochene Love-Story mit drei Protagonistinnen, die alle schlecht ausgearbeitet sind.

[Bookwormandtheatremouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly beautiful book! The story of Nina, Angie and Holly will whisk you away to crisp, winter days and embracing the magic Christmas before you know it. We follow the 3 lovely ladies as their lives take them down paths they were never sure that they would travel but that teaches them so much about themselves, love and life. I would recommend this book to anyone - and always remember to follow your heart!

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small tree-growing operation, just named the “Best of Britain’ is the centerpoint of this story, and our three characters, Nina, Angie and Holly all have moments at the farm that will be pivotal in their lives moving forward. Starting with Nina, at 25 she’s been working at the farm since leaving school. Mired in grief after the loss of her father to MS a year ago, she’s stagnated and separated herself (even more than before) spending her days trudging to work and coming home to a house that hasn’t been changed (or cleaned) since her father left for hospice care. Moving to the little village as a child after her mother left, it was only Nina and her father against the world, and if it weren’t for her friends – and the constant admiration of Bram and Zach, the farm owner’s twin sons, one could easily see her as anti-social and reclusive. But she is holding her grief and anger tightly to her chest – using her work at the farm to stay busy and avoid the circling drain of her grief for her father.

Angie decided a year ago that her marriage of 18 years was stagnant and it was time to go. Packing two bags, moving out and essentially leaving her husband and now 17 year old son behind, all in an effort to ‘find herself’. Of the three characters, Angie at 40 something was my least favorite – she’s selfish, demanding and stroppy – and utterly unable to process the hurt and anger her actions caused, expecting that now she wants back home – her son and ex-husband will just welcome her with open arms. Uncoincidentally, Angie works with Nina’s long-disappeared mother – who has never made an attempt even some 20-ish years later to find her.

Lastly is Holly – the eldest of 6 girls, she’s being harassed by the ‘mean girls’ at school, and considers only one person truly a friend. Even though this friend, Demi, is fast and self-centered, prone to dropping Holly when a boy, or someone ‘better’ comes along. She’s trying to navigate her life at school, work a shift at the chemist’s and avoid situations that leave her no option but to go home and cry. When the cutest boy in school shows interest, and the two discover that they can talk to one another, a budding romance is started.

Using the season and a search for a ‘tree’ and holiday spirit, with three women who all want to find that one person who makes their stomach flip – these three move through the season incorporating minor and major changes, see growth and backsliding happen, and start to find a new way to face the world and their own choices as they move through the holiday. All three come into contact, as Holly is dating Angie’s son, and helping out at Christmas Tree Farm for extra pocket money – where she encounters Nina. I’m of two minds about this story – I disliked Angie intensely and completely understood Alfie’s frustration and anger with his mother. And Nina’s grief (and her slow realization that it was not healthy for her to stagnate, with a helping hand from the twins in clearing out her house – also helped to clear out, in small ways, her own path. And Holly, perhaps the most mature of the three – even with her age – observant and caring, she’s got most of the usual ‘teen’ angst, but her own experience with a houseful of sisters and two dedicated (if often run in 6 different directions) parents who obviously love and care for one another – she’s got the most solid view of relationships and the possibilities, helping to curb the worst of Alfie’s cynicism and hopelessness where love and relationships are concerned. There’s a ton going on here, and Green does a lovely job trying to build characters as they are and as they change and grow, opening themselves to revelations and possibilities – perhaps even to reach for their dreams.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[Justkeepreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

The magic of the Christmas tree farm. Is a lovely romantic, Christmas tale. Full of magic, romance, fabulous characters, a great storyline and it made me smile. What more could you possibly want it in a book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a charming, sometimes bittersweet holiday tale set in a small town in England. It follows 3 women in different stages of their lives, and the challenging situations and decisions they face over the course of this Christmas season.

I appreciated that all the main characters were so real, with depth, even though I didn't really like one of them too much. Though they are all connected in some way, they don't know each other at the start of the book. And they aren't all actively looking for romance, but it ends up finding each one, in one way or another. It's wonderful how each story runs parallel with the others, and they sometimes intertwine.

The story came to a satisfying conclusion, wrapping up all loose ends, without being rushed or over-explained.

I received an advance copy of this book. This review is my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Silke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic Of Christmas Tree Farm was the first festive book I read this year that brought something extra into the game. Most festive reads are all about that warm, fuzzy feeling you get around the holidays. You could easily compare them to a mug of hot chocolate milk. Warm, sweet and comforting. But The Magic Of Christmas Tree Farm is something different. It is still warm, sweet and comforting. But with a little extra pinch of cayenne pepper into the mix.
It might sound pretty heavy but the book is a little darker than normal festive reads. Don’t let that scare you! Because in my humble opinion it is without any doubt an extra reason why you should read this book. The story contains divorce, dating, heartbreak, grieve, sickness, family, falling in love, fighting for what you believe in and of course Christmas. The story of Holly, Nina and Angie feels real and that made it so compelling for me.
The story is told from 3 different perspective. The ladies all in a different part of their lives. Holly is de youngest of the three. She is a teenager and still in high school. She is struggling with some problems at school and at home. I actually quite liked her chapters. Followers of my blog now I read quite a lot of YA and I must say that the voice of Holly is very well written. Her character is well developed and she can stand her own between the other two ladies. Nina is a twenty something who is grieving after the loss of her father. Her story touched me the most on a very personal level, because (and this is not a spoiler) her father was struggling with MS. A diagnosis I have had for almost over a decade now. So I have to admit that Nina’s storyline sometimes really hit home. Angie is the oldest of the trio and I just couldn’t stand her as a character. But that didn’t take away any of my reading enjoyment. I disliked Angies character and her actions, I really enjoyed her overall storyline. Although I have to admit that I kept on wishing she wouldn’t get a happy ending. Is that really awful of me?

Over the course of the story the tree ladies cross paths and their stories intertwine on more levels then first meets the eye. I really enjoyed the complicated bonds between all of the characters. At first you explore the very obvious connection, but as you dig deeper into the story more and more connections are made. This kept the story surprising and really well thought through.

The Magic of Christmas Tree Farm is a refreshing breath of air between the overly sticky Christmas reads. (Which I love also, don’t get me wrong.) But if you want something more complicated with rocky relationships and some heart-breaking situations , this is absolutely the festive read for you!

Thank you for the ARC netgally.

[Charanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really really loved the Single Girl's Calendar. Guess I walked in with way too much expectations for this. The book has multiple characters' POV (not my favorite genre) but the warm Christmass-y feeling of the book never leaves you. This is a well written book, just fell a bit short for me.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic of Christmas Tree Farm is the second ARC I have reviewed by Erin Green (the first being The Single Girl's Calendar which I LOVED) so I was familiar with Erin's fun writing style and ability to create wonderful characters and atmosphere.

The Magic of Christnas Tree Farm is a different type of story, being set during the Christnas season but is not less of a book. It focuses on the takes of 3 wonen who are strabgers to one another at first, We have 25 year old Nina, an employee at the the Christmas tree farm during the past 9 years. She and her dad lived together but he passed away a year before. She still lives in the house.
She thinks she will never celebrate Christmas again and keeps herself to herself much of the time. Despite being quite introverted, she has made friends with Bram and Zach, the twin sons of the owner of Christmas Tree Farm.

Holly is a 16 year old trying her best to to avoid the bullies at school. Luckily she has her best friend Demi for support. Alfie, a very popular boy at school has his eye on her. Will romance be on the cards? Holly's side of the story bought me back to my school days and she is a typical teen, but knows what she wants. She has a strong character.

Angie, Alfie's mum, left the family home at the beginning of the year.She was not happy with her husband Nick and wanted more. After she and Nick divorce, her change of heart will affect her faily in ways they never expected....... She was my least favourite character.

I liked the alternating POVs of the chapters as that allowed me to focus in on the different aspects of each character's "voice" and backstory.

Very festive and romantic but the characters' lives also had their ups and downs so it was also realistic. 4 stars. A recommended page turner.

Thanks to Erin Green and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review and an opportunity to take part in the blog tour for this title.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I have read both of the author's previous books so I was delighted to see that she had released a second Christmas book and couldn't wait to get stuck in, I had read the book from cover to cover within hours of getting my hands on a copy!

I really enjoyed this story, it had a lovely setting and really enjoyed that it was told from the perspective of three main characters - Nina, Holly and Angie - who all had very different backgrounds, very different personalities and I loved how everything was brought together.

The writing style is very good and it has a great flow - the story is very easy to read and follow. It is another lovely Christmas story from Erin Green - a magical setting with some great characters!

It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon - a really enjoyable story and the perfect Christmas read! Very highly recommended!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession to make. Although I have Erin’s other books on my ever increasing ‘TBR’ (to be read) pile, ‘The Magic Of Christmas Tree Farm’ is the first one I have actually read. Oops sorry Erin. I can safely guarantee that her other books will not be on my TBR pile for much longer. I absolutely loved reading ‘The Magic Of Christmas Tree Farm’ but more about that in a bit.
I couldn’t help but take to the 3 main female characters and I ended up feeling as though they were my friends. Nina is a woman, who loves to be kept busy in her work at Christmas Tree Farm. You don’t initially learn too much about what happened in her past that means she has to keep herself busy. As the story continues you learn a bit more about her and her history. She also has a not so secret admirer who works with her but she keeps giving him the brush off. Nina nearly had me pulling my hair out because she had a chance to be happy but she just didn’t want to take the risk. Holly is the woman I took to most of all. She is having problems with the mean and bitchy girls at school. This I could empathise with because I suffered similar problems at the school I had the misfortune of attending. The saying ‘kids can be cruel’ is certainly apt. However Holly’s spirits are lifted by the fact that the class hunk not only knows her name but he seems to be taking an interest in her. I silently crossed my fingers that the class hunk wasn’t taking an interest in her as part of a practical joke. Angie is the last of the three main characters. Her problem is slightly different to the other two ladies. Angie is married but the marriage is on its last legs. All she wants is to repair the damage that has been done to her marriage and to pull the family together. All three women are real women with real problems that I am sure we could all relate to in one way or another.
I picked this book up at the right time for me. I was suffering a pain flare up in my back and I needed a distraction. This book was most certainly a distraction and then some. I was so immersed in the story and I liked the female characters so much that I was able to focus on the book and the book alone. The author’s writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn into the story and before you know it you are addicted. That’s what happened to me anyway. I just couldn’t get enough of the story and I found it extremely hard to put the book down. If I had to put it down then I was mentally looking forward to picking it back up again. The author uses such vivid descriptions of the wintry weather that if I closed my eyes, I could visualise the snow falling all around me and the line of Christmas trees waiting to go to new homes. After the hot weather we have had later, the thought of snow was a welcome relief. Reading this book felt a bit like having a huge, comforting hug. This book had drama, laughs aplenty, lots of hope and a feel good factor that will leave you with a smile on your face.
I absolutely loved reading ‘The Magic Of Christmas Tree Farm’ and I wholeheartedly recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading Erin’s other books and I most certainly can’t wait for her to release her next book. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Book-addicted · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Inhalt*
Nina hat den wohl schönsten Job der Welt: Sie kümmert sich darum, dass jeder, der den perfekten Weihnachtsbaum sucht, diesen auch bekommt, denn sie arbeitet auf der Weihnachtsbaumfarm. Doch nicht alles ist immer Jubel, Trubel, Glückseligkeit und Besinnlichkeit, denn Nina trauert um ihren Vater, der im letzten Jahr verstorben ist.

Holly ist ein ganz normales Mädchen, hat aber eine riesige Familie und viele Geschwister. Von ihren Mitschülern wird Holly gehänselt und schikaniert, sodass sie es kaum glauben kann, dass sich der attraktivste und interessanteste Junge für sie interessiert. Spielt er ein falsches Spiel mit ihr, oder meint er es tatsächlich ernst?

Angie hat zu Weihnachten nur einen Wunsch: sie will ihre Familie wieder zusammenbringen. Doch das gestaltet sich schwieriger als gedacht, denn sie und ihr Mann sind geschieden und Teenagersohn Alfie ist von einer Versöhnung ganz und gar nicht begeistert.

3 Frauen verschiedener Generationen, 3 Leben, bei denen es zu Weihnachten ganz und gar nicht rosig aussieht…

*Erster Satz des Buches*
"Die Weihnachtsbäume ragen weit hinauf in den tintenschwarzen Morgenhimmel, als ich auf dem schlammigen Weg zur Farm stapfe, einer arbeitsreichen Elf-Stunden-Schicht entgegen.“
-Erin Green (2021) - Das Weihnachtsbaumwunder, Pos. 32 (1%) -

*Meine Meinung*
"Das Weihnachtsbaumwunder" ist ein Roman, den man nicht nur zur Weihnachtszeit wunderbar lesen kann, sondern immer dann, wenn man eine kleine Auszeit vom Leben und vom Alltag benötigt.

Die Geschichte wird jeweils von Nina, Angie und Holly erzählt und wir begleiten die 3 Frauen auf ihrem Gang durchs Leben und obwohl sich dieser bei allen dreien völlig unterschiedlich gestaltet, fand ich sie jedoch alle sehr sympathisch. Dennoch empfand ich Angie und ihre Verhaltensweisen stellenweise etwas schwierig und gerade ihre Ansprüche an Ex-Ehemann und Sohn etwas überzogen.

Die Geschichten beginnen als drei eigenständige Geschichten, die erst einmal nicht besonders viel gemeinsam haben, am Ende jedoch zu einem schlüssigen Gesamtbild zusammenwachsen und sich gegenseitig ergänzen. Nina, Holly und Angie haben alle auf ihre Weise Probleme mit der Liebe und unterschiedlichen Lebenssituationen doch gerade in Anbetracht der Tatsache, dass es sich bei den dreien um verschiedene Generationen handelte, fand ich dies besonders spannend, denn jede geht ihre Probleme anders an.

Die ganze verschneite und weihnachtliche Atmosphäre fand ich wahnsinnig angenehm und entspannt und ich gebe zu: ich habe es im Januarurlaub bei 32 Grad am Strand (fertig) gelesen und konnte es genauso genießen, wie im kalten Deutschland.

Das Ende ist herzerwärmend und gefiel mir wirklich gut, einziger Kritikpunkt ist tatsächlich Angies etwas überzogenes Verhalten.

*Infos zum Buch*
Seitenzahl: 448 Seiten
Verlag: Dumont Verlag
ISBN: 978-3-8321-6568-0
Erscheinungsdatum: 21.09.2021
Preis: 12,99 € (Taschenbuch) / 9,99 € (Ebook)

*Infos zur Autorin*
"Erin Green schreibt zeitgenössische Unterhaltungsromane voller Leben, Liebe und Lachen. Sie lebt mit ihrem Ehemann in der Grafschaft Warwickshire." (Quelle: Verlagshomepage)

*Fazit*
Auch wenn es sich hierbei um ein eher seichtes Werk ohne wirklichen Tiefgang handelt, konnte es mich begeistern und auf eine verschneite Weihnachtsbaumplantage entführen. Ich mochte es sehr.

Ein wunderschönes Weihnachtsbuch, auch zu jeder anderen Jahreszeit!


Wertung: 5 von 5 Sterne!

[Helyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off really rough for me. It felt fragmented, and choppy and I didn’t realize it took place in Europe (England I think) so word use and slang took me a little while to get into. Told from the POV of three women, the chapters alternate throughout the whole book. It took me a little while to fall into the rhythm of the story, but once I did I enjoyed it.

Nina is in her late 20’s or so and works at Christmas Tree farm-a family owned business. She’s worked there for several years so is pretty close with the owner’s twin sons Zach and Bram. Bram is constantly bugging her for a date, but she is not interested, seeing Bram as just a friend. I got the feeling Zach also was interested and there might be some interest on Nina’s part as well, but for most of the book we are left hanging on that front. As Christmas approaches, Nina’s begins to struggle a bit as she is constantly reminded that a year ago Christmas Eve she lost her dad.

Holly is 16, the eldest of 7 girls in her family. She’s gets the brunt of teasing and jokes and general mean girl crap by the popular Paris and her crew on a daily basis. It gets worse when handsome and popular Alfie shows interest in Holly and they begin dating.

Angie left her husband and teenage son to find herself after 18 years of marriage. Though her husband had made attempts to get back together, Angie declines and eventually they divorce. She joins a dating service and she dates, something she’d never really done before having met her ex at university. She also explores her sexuality and for the most part is enjoying her independence. But something is missing and she realizes that it’s the man she left behind.

This is a story about 3 women at different stages of life. Holly, the youngest, is experiencing love for the first time and can’t believe the most popular boy at school is interested in her. Nina isn’t really interested in a relationship though it’s clear both Zach and Bram are interested in her. She just wants to work, get through the season and grieve in peace. Then there is Angie, who after 11 months of freedom has decided that maybe leaving her husband wasn’t the smartest move and she attempts to win him back.

I enjoyed this story once I got into it and I was anxious to see how it would play out. There are interesting connections between all the players as their individual lives begin to intersect here and there. There’s a lot of emotion and some sadness but it’s balanced out well with humor. Throughout Nina and Holly’s journey, I was excited for them and couldn’t wait to see what was to come. While I could relate to Angie and her sense of losing herself and wanting to find some independence, she basically abandoned her family, lived her life for 11 months including divorcing her husband Nick, yet was shocked that her teen son didn’t want anything to do with her. I found her to be selfish and her expectations of her husband and son to just welcome her back, unrealistic.

There is a well done epilogue that takes us about 4 months into the future to see how all our couples faired.

[Claire Mc Partlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story about a group of people and centred around a Christmas tree farm. I liked the way the story was split into each person's part and clearly labelled so you knew where you were. It did take me a little while to get the characters straight, and who linked to who, but I once I'd got that sorted out in my head it was very clear.

The main characters are Nina, Holly and Angie.

Nina is 25 and works on the Christmas tree farm, and has done for the last 9 years. She very sadly lost her Father just before Christmas last year and now lives on her own in their house, as it was just her and her Dad. In her mind she is never going to celebrate Christmas again and is quite a sad character, although she is very good friends with Bram and Zach, the twin sons of the owner of the Christmas tree farm, and they are always trying to keep an eye out for her.

Holly is a 16 year old trying to avoid the 'mean girls' at school who always taunt her. She has a best friend, Demi, and then gets involved with one of the most popular boys in school, Alfie, when he unexpectedly asks her out. I really liked Holly, she was a typical teenager but with a good head on her shoulders.

Angie, as it turned out, is Alfie's Mum and left the family home (Angie, husband Nick and Alfie) at the beginning of the year as she wasn't happy in her relationship and looking for something 'more'. Angie and Nick have since got divorced, but now Angie has finally 'found herself' and wants to get back to her husband and family. Alfie definitely has feelings of resentment towards her, and very understandably so. I didn't like her at all, she ran off then expected everything to go back to normal when she decided she wanted to come back, taking control of her son's life and telling him what he should be doing, when she had hardly contacted him at all in months. A very selfish person that I really couldn't warm to at all.

There were some interesting side characters too as the book progresses and we learn that one of Angie's friends is actually Nina's estranged Mother, so the characters and story starts to merge as the book goes on, and it all culminates in a Christmas Eve wedding at the Christmas tree farm which all the characters attend, either as guests or workers. Very clever ending bringing all the strands of the story together. And the additional epilogue was a nice touch. There were a couple of loose ends that I would have liked to know more about, what happened to the nasty teenagers causing major hassle at the Christmas tree farm, and more about Nina and her Mum, but I suppose it does always leave things open for a sequel.

Very enjoyable book. I look forward to reading more by Erin Green.

[Lisa M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got caught up in this book - it was a page-turner and right in time for the festive season which, let's face it, is fast-approaching.

The book was split into viewpoints from 3 main characters - Nina, Holly and Angie - but it still flowed very well as a whole.

Nina's story had such a sad undertone to it which despite not having suffered the loss she has, I still resonated with. Her story was sympathetically written and I thought her idea towards the very end of the book (no spoilers!) was truly fantastic and so well imagined from Erin Green.

Holly's character may well have been my favourite, it was nice to see someone put a younger (16) character into a lead role and show just how sensible they can be. Her relationship was sweet and did not feel fake or rushed and much like for so many teenagers in real life she has to contend with issues such as sex and bullying (unrelated).

When there is a favourite character, there has to be a least favourite and sorry Angie but it's you! I hasten to add I did not dislike her! Perhaps as a child of divorce and with no children of my own it is easy to judge her as a bit selfish - not necessarily in her decision that took place prior to the book but in her relationship at times with her son and partner afterwards.

It was enjoyable and a bit different to have 3 main characters of varying age ranges; their stories link together loosely but that in no way takes anything away from the enjoyment factor and to top it all I may just need to buy a real Christmas tree this year - who knows who I'll meet at my very own Christmas Tree Farm!

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous read! Christmas, romance - and a timely reminder that it's not a holiday everyone looks forward to.

We meet three women in Erin Green's new book - Nina, who works at Christmas Tree Farm full time and is struggling with the happy fun-filled festive season after what happened last year; Holly, a sixteen year old with a large family at home and a bunch of bullying mean girls to cope with at school; and finally, Angie, for whom the single life isn't quite as she imagined it and wants to revive her marriage again.

This is a fantastic festive read - everyone struggles to a certain degree at this time of year and the author has taken three women of different ages and circumstances and proved what an excellent understanding she has of human nature. Each individual's tale stands on it's own but there are invisible threads linking them to each other. With plenty of supporting characters, all different and all so entertaining in their own way, this is a fun read and well as a very tempting one. With an understanding of each dilemma, the writing is both attentive and attractive and the result is a very readable and uplifting novel. A gorgeous addition to anyone's Christmas list, and one I have no hesitation in recommending to every reader who enjoys a feel-good festive story.

My thanks to publisher Aria for providing my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

[Shanoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ein netter Roman in einem bezaubernden Setting: Einer Weihnachtsbaumfarm! Die Geschichte wird aus drei Perspektiven erzählt, Holly, Nina und Angie. Leider hat mich nur eine Perspektive komplett überzeugt, nämlich Holly. Sie ist für mich ein durch und durch liebenswerter Charakter und ich habe sie gern auf ihrem Weg begleitet. Angie konnte ich leider überhaupt nicht ausstehen, weil sie bis zum Ende nicht versteht, dass sie sich falsch verhalten hat, dass zumindest eine Entschuldigung angebracht wäre. Sie verhält sich, als wäre sie 14 und nicht als hätte sie einen Sohn, der im Teenager-Alter ist. Nina lag für mich dazwischen - sie ist mir auch manchmal deutlich jünger vorgekommen als ihr angebliches Alter und obwohl ich weiß, wie es zu Weihnachten ist, wenn man ein Elternteil frisch verloren hat, habe ich keinen richtigen Zugang zu ihr gefunden. Alles in allem gibts aber trotzdem drei Sterne, weil ich die Idee sehr nett fand, ich es mochte, wie die Erzählstränge dann miteinander verwoben wurden und ich das Setting schön weihnachtlich fand.

[Taryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a little early for Christmas reading, but I got an ARC thanks to NetGalley of this one, so I decided to have a little Christmas in August.

On the whole, it was an enjoyable book. The book contains the stories of three women going through different things at Christmas time—Angie who divorced her husband earlier that year and is having second thoughts, Nina who experienced the loss of her father the previous Christmas, and Holly who is dealing with high school love and drama. They all interweave and of course involve the Christmas Tree Farm.

I liked Angie's story the best as she and her husband navigated their relationship over the past 18 years, the toll that the split took on all members of their family (they have a 16 year old son), what went wrong in their marriage, and if getting back together could even really work.

Holly's story was cute, even if a little small on substance. She dealt with stereotypical mean girls at school and had her first relationship.

Nina's story was the one that really missed the mark for me. I don't want to give anything away because I write spoiler-free reviews, but her love story was just not interesting and felt really weird to me. I was interested in her story from the beginning because here is a woman who has experienced a terrible loss in her life and is trying to figure out how to keep living. She ends up getting her Christmas spirit back (that also felt a little funky), but the love story came about in a strange way.

Content-wise, there are a couple non-explicit sex scenes and some (as far as I can remember) very mild language.

All in all, if this gets adapted into a Hallmark movie, I'll watch it. But there are plenty of other Christmas books I would recommend to read over this one.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of three women, Nina is 25 and working at Christmas Tree Farm, loving her job but still grieving from the loss of her father. Holly is still at school and struggling as she is being bullied by some other girls, but then the school heartthrob takes an interest... could that change everything..... and Angie who walked or on her husband and son and now regrets her decision and wants them back

A lovely Christmas read that works well with the change of characters telling the story, a book that leaves you with a happy warm feeling

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good holiday romance. This book is based on three females Nina, Holly, and Angie they each have their own problems and stories within this book. Nina works at the Christmas Tree Farm but is struggling this year as she is grieving the loss of her dad. Holly just wants to be left alone and for the bullying at school to stop she does not understand why the girls at school won't leave her alone, last but not least there is Angie after getting divorced she realises she wants her family back but can she get her ex and son to forgive her for leaving them. This was a pretty good read I enjoyed it.

[Connie J Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magic

Wonderful story. Great characters.
Nina and I both share the loss. There was some sad reading for me. You truly never get over the death of the first man who loved you unconditionally. Dad's are an amazing gift from God.

There was an enormous amount of characters. I wasn't sure in the beginning of reading this book if I was going to be able to commit to the story. And, somewhere, early in the novel, she captured me!
Thank you Erin Green

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

The Magic Of Christmas Tree Farm is about three woman looking for that stomach flip when they meet their perfect man. The story is told from the POV of Nina, Angie and Holly. Twenty Five year old Nina works at Christmas Tree Farm. She previously cared for her father who had MS until he died a year earlier on Christmas Eve. This year she is determined not to celebrate despite being surrounded by Christmas spirit all around her. She does not have a boyfriend but her boss's sons Bram and Zach look out for her.

A year earlier Angie divorced her husband Nick after suffering from a midlife crisis. Nine months on she decides Nick was her perfect man after all and wants to start again. However her son fifteen year old Alfie was devastated when she left and is finding it hard to forgive her. Angie goes to work Nina`s mum Jilly who left Nina and her father for another man when she was a child.

Fifteen year Hollie comes from a big family with 6 younger sisters. At school she is bullied by a group of girls she calls the mean girls. She is excited when Alfie (the most popular boy in school) asks her out on a date to their local youth club. Her best friend Demi goes to the Christmas Tree Farm at night with her boyfriend and his friend to drink.

I loved the different description of Christmas Tree Farm surrounded by Christmas trees and Christmas music, I could visualise the midnight choir with walking through the trees it in my mind I liked Nina but I felt she strung Bram along by accepting a date when she was not interested. My favourite character was Holly and her romance with Alifie. I thought she was a loyal girl who knew when to do the right thing. I disliked Angie who left her husband and son and then decided to come back when she couldn't find anyone better. She expected Nick to change when maybe the problem was her attitude.

I enjoyed this book and it did leave me with a rosy glow. However I would of liked Nina and Jilly reunited at Christmas rather then just a sentence in the epilogue. I will definitely read more from Erin Green in the future.

[Karschtl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es ist zwar ein bisschen ungewöhnlich, ein Buch über die Weihnachtszeit ausgerechnet an den ersten richtig heißen Tagen des Jahres zu lesen, aber ich hab mich dennoch ganz gut in die vorweihnachtliche Zeit einfinden können und fand das Geschehen rund um die Weihnachtsbaumfarm sehr lesenswert.

Erin Green erzählt hier die Geschichten von gleich drei Mädchen bzw. Frauen parallel (und irgendwann 'treffen' sie sich natürlich auch alle mal), wobei mir Angie teilweise etwas unsympathisch rüberkam. Auch gingen mir manche Dinge viel zu glatt. Der beliebteste Junge der Schule spricht ganz plötzlich das Außenseiter-Mädchen an? Ich hab da lange Zeit noch irgendeinen Hinterhalt vermutet, dass Holly nur veralbert werden soll oder so. Weil es auch nie wirklich 'erklärt' wird, wieso Alfie denn eigentlich auf Holly steht. Genauso glatt ging es mir am Ende mit einer anderen Liebesgeschichte, von der ich aber hier nicht zu viel verraten will.

Dennoch ist es eine liebe Geschichte für und über die Vorweihnachtszeit. Besonders gut fand ich dabei, wie das Arbeiten auf so einer Weihnachtsbaumfarm (die es bei uns in dieser Form ja gar nicht gibt) beschrieben wird, das war immerhin mal ein frischer Input wenn es schon die Charaktere und ihre Geschichten nicht wirklich waren.

[Tina Slotty · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Das Weihnachtsbaumwunder" von
Erin Green

Zum Inhalt:
Nina hat den wohl schönsten Job der Welt: für ihre Kunden die perfekte Weihnachtstanne zu finden. Die Arbeit auf der Weihnachtsbaumfarm war immer voller Freude und Glück, doch nach dem Verlust ihres Vaters vor einem Jahr ist die junge Frau in ihrer Trauer gefangen. Ein Verehrer bietet da willkommene Ablenkung ? Aber ist er der Richtige?
Holly versucht nur, ein normaler Teenager zu sein, und doch wird sie von ihren Mitschülerinnen schikaniert. Als plötzlich der attraktivste Junge der Schule Interesse an ihr zeigt, kann sie ihr Glück kaum fassen. Sind all ihre Wünsche auf einmal wahr geworden, oder hat die Sache einen Haken?
Angies einziger Weihnachtswunsch ist es, ihre Familie zusammenzubringen und ihre in Scherben liegende Ehe zu retten. Erzwingen kann sie die Versöhnung mit Mann und Sohn jedoch nicht. Wird ihr Wunsch in Erfüllung gehen?
Die größten Wunder geschehen an Weihnachten – und vielleicht gibt es ja für alle drei Frauen ein Happy End …


Meine Meinung:
Ein Buch das drei Geschichten erzählt.
Die von der Teenagerin Holly, der jungen Erwachsenen Nina und von der geschiedenen Angie.

Auf den ersten Blick haben die 3 nicht wirklich viel gemeinsam und ich hab auch einige Zeit gebraucht mich in die verschiedenen Geschichten hinein zufinden. Die Autorin erzählt in kurzen Kapiteln jeweils abwechselnd über ihre Protagonistinnen.
An sich finde ich diese Art zu schreiben, interessant, denn meistens bekomme ich so immer ein besseres Gefühl für den jeweiligen Akteur und kann mich besser in ihn hineinfinden.
Dies hat allerdings in "Das Weihnachtsbaumwunder" nicht gut geklappt, vielleicht weil die Kapitel zu kurz waren? Weil es zu viele Akteure waren und es  somit zu viele Informationen, Handlungen und Probleme gab? Ich bin mir nicht sicher.
Gefühlt bin ich allerdings mit keiner der 3en warm geworden, auch wenn sie an und für sich interessant waren und mit Sicherheit auch hätten noch facettenreicher ausgearbeitet werden können. So aber hatte ich das Gefühl das die Autorin keiner der 3en wirklich gerecht wurde und ihre Geschichten eigentlich so viel mehr hätten werden können, wenn man sie nicht alle zusammen in ein Buch gepackt hätte.

Der Anfang des Buches hat sich für mich leider sehr gezogen, weil man immer nur kurze Einblicke in die Leben von Nina, Holly und Angie bekommen hat und ich einiges lesen musste um hinter die jeweiligen Geschichten,  Gefühle und Gedanken der Protagonistinnen zu kommen. Zum Ende dann hat sich die Geschichte überschlagen, fast war es so als wenn man nur eine bestimmte Anzahl an Wörtern für das Buch veranschlagt hatte und da viele davon für den Anfang, einige Wiederholungen, Nebensächlichkeiten verbraucht wurden, blieben leider nicht genügend über um dem Buch zumindest einen schönen Abschluss zu schenken.

Das Cover ist in sofern meins, weil es gezeichnet ist, die Farben mich ansprechen und man schon darauf kommen kann, das es um Weihnachtsbäume und somit auch um Weihnachten gehen könnte. Allerdings finde ich nicht das es zum Buch passt, einen falschen Eindruck von der Geschichte wiedergibt. Den es geht ja nicht nur um ein sondern um 3 Paare, und es ist definitiv nicht die schöne, leichte Weihnachtsgeschichte die man erwartet.

Es tut mir sehr leid, aber ich kann dem Buch "nur" 3 wunderbare Sterne geben, weil ich insgesamt einfach zu viele Kritikpunkte habe und ich mich nicht in die Geschichten fallen lassen konnte.

[_jenniferjulia_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gute Idee, schlechte Umsetzung

Dreh- und Angelpunkt von Erin Greens erstem Buch „Das Weihnachtsbaumwunder“ ist eine Weihnachtsbaumfarm. Das am 17. September im DUMONT Buchverlag erschienene Buch handelt von drei Frauen, die alle in der Umgebung der Farm leben, weshalb sich ihre Wege im Laufe der Geschichte immer wieder kreuzen.
Ein Buch mit einer großartigen Idee und beträchtlichem Potenzial, das nur leider nicht ausgeschöpft wurde. Der Aufbau gefällt mir sehr gut. Drei verschiedene Handlungsstränge, die sich in regelmäßigen Abständen kreuzen bzw. parallel stattfinden. Auch das unterschiedliche Alter der Protagonisten war gut gewählt. Anfängliche Schwierigkeiten mit dem Schreibstil hatten sich auch nach wenigen Kapiteln gelegt.
An dieser Stelle noch kurz ein paar Worte zum Aufbau der Kapitel. Normalerweise mag ich es, wenn Kapitel nicht zu lang sind. Hier jedoch waren sie mir deutlich zu kurz. Man ist ständig zwischen den Protagonisten hin und her gesprungen. Es bestand kaum die Möglichkeit, für eine Entwicklung der Geschichte.
Ich möchte nicht zu viel zum Inhalt verraten, dennoch will ich kurz auf die einzelnen Figuren eingehen. Da diese bereits im Klappentext beschrieben werden, sollte das also nicht allzu schlimm sein.
Holly wird aus unerfindlichen Gründen in der Schule gemoppt. Dennoch hat der Schwarm aller Mädchen plötzlich nur noch Augen für sie. Sie hat es in ihrer Familie und der Schule nicht leicht. Deswegen hatte ich hauptsächlich Mitleid mit ihr.
Nina ist Mitte zwanzig und arbeitet seit mehreren Jahren auf der Weihnachtsbaumfarm. Nach dem Tod ihres Vaters kann sie die einstige Freude und das Glück daran jedoch nicht mehr spüren. Ein möglicher Verehrer soll hier Abhilfe schaffen. Ihre Trauer ist nachvollziehbar, dennoch konnte ich das bei vielen ihrer Handlungen nicht.
Und zu guter Letzt: Angie. Sie ist, glaube ich, Mitte/Ende vierzig und seit knapp einem Jahr geschieden. Sie versucht ihre Ehe und die Beziehung zu ihrem Sohn wieder zu kitten. Mit ihr bin ich leider überhaupt nicht warm geworden. Sie hat mich wirklich durchgehend nur genervt.
An sich drei vielversprechende Protagonisten mit nachvollziehbaren Hintergründen. Leider war es das auch schon. Meiner Meinung nach ging in dem Buch alles etwas zu schnell. Immer wieder hatte ich das Gefühl, dass Teile der Geschichte einfach gefehlt haben. Ein Beispiel: Holly hat zuvor noch nie mit Alfie gesprochen. Völlig aus dem Nichts heraus fragt er sie nach einem Date und quasi in der Sekunde, in der sie das Haus verlassen, sind sie plötzlich ein Paar. Eher unrealistisch. Und das kommt in allen drei Geschichten immer wieder vor. Es macht auf mich einen unzusammenhängenden Eindruck bzw. fehlen mir einfach Informationen.
Alles in allem war ich leider sehr enttäuscht von diesem Buch. Das Setting und die Protagonisten waren vielversprechend. Leider konnten sie meinen Erwartungen nicht gerecht werden. Ich hatte mir ein weihnachtliches Buch mit drei romantischen Erzählsträngen gewünscht. Bedauerlicherweise war es für mich eine wenig weihnachtliche Geschichte mit unzusammenhängender Handlung und oftmals nicht nachvollziehbarer Entwicklung der Beziehungen. Daher kann ich hier keine Leseempfehlung aussprechen.