Grumpy Tree Farm Arrival

Kira North, a self-proclaimed Christmas-hater, impulsively buys a run-down Christmas tree farm in the picturesque but nosy town of Dream Harbor. She's alone, freezing, and overwhelmed, having lost her twin sister to marriage and Denmark. The farmhouse is decrepit, the heating barely works, and the locals are relentless in their attempts to welcome her. Kira's plan to avoid reopening the farm crumbles under financial pressure, and she's forced to confront her lack of practical skills and her deep-seated loneliness. Her only solace comes from biting into gingerbread cookies and the fantasy of a self-sufficient, Instagram-worthy life.

The Reluctant Neighbor

Kira's isolation is interrupted by Bennett Ellis, a visiting tech worker and dog owner, whose three dogs barrel onto her property. Their first encounter is prickly—Kira is defensive, wrapped in a blanket, and Bennett is too wholesome for her taste. Despite her resistance, there's a spark: she's charmed by his dogs, and he's intrigued by her vulnerability beneath the sarcasm. Both are running from their own disappointments—Kira from her family and failed plans, Bennett from a string of failed relationships and a need to be needed.

Town of Meddling Hearts

Dream Harbor's quirky residents are obsessed with community, tradition, and a decades-old mystery about a possible body or treasure buried on Kira's land. Bennett is roped into the town's schemes as a "neutral party" to check on Kira and the farm, under the guise of helping her but really to satisfy the town's curiosity. The town meeting is a whirlwind of gossip, matchmaking, and pressure, setting the stage for Bennett and Kira's reluctant partnership.

The Fixer and the Fortress

Kira's farmhouse is falling apart, and Bennett's fixer instincts kick in. He offers to help with the heating, but Kira resists, determined to prove she can do it alone. Their dynamic is a push-pull of pride and vulnerability—Kira doesn't want to be a damsel, and Bennett can't help wanting to fix things. Their banter is laced with attraction, but both are wary of getting close. The house's coldness becomes a metaphor for Kira's emotional walls.

Unwanted Help, Unlikely Friends

When Kira's employees bail on opening day, she's forced to accept help from Bennett and his friends. The town rallies, and Kira is swept into the warmth of community support. She's uncomfortable with the attention and the feeling of indebtedness, but the experience chips away at her isolation. Bennett, meanwhile, is drawn deeper into Kira's orbit, his "fixer" tendencies both a blessing and a curse.

The Christmas Tree Conundrum

Kira's business struggles mirror her internal battles. She's desperate for the farm to succeed, not just for money but to prove she can stand on her own. Bennett continues to help, but their interactions grow more personal—he learns about her family, her impulsive decisions, and her loneliness. Kira, in turn, sees Bennett's own struggles with boundaries and his history of being used by others. Their mutual attraction simmers beneath the surface.

Festival Sparks and Waffles

At the town's Christmas festival, Kira and Bennett's chemistry ignites. A shared moment in the waffle line, a near-kiss, and playful banter around reindeer and Christmas traditions bring them closer. Kira's defenses falter as she realizes she enjoys Bennett's company, and Bennett is captivated by her hidden sweetness. The festival is a turning point, showing both what they're missing and what they could have together.

Reindeer, Revelations, and Rivalries

Kira's grief over her sister's absence surfaces, and Bennett's own romantic failures haunt him. Their conversations grow deeper, touching on family, loss, and the fear of being left behind. The town's meddling continues, with rumors, matchmaking, and the ever-present mystery of the farm's buried secret. Kira's vulnerability is met with Bennett's steady presence, and their emotional intimacy grows.

Opening Day Disasters

The farm's grand reopening is a logistical nightmare—employees don't show, customers need help, and Kira is on the verge of collapse. Bennett and the town step in, turning disaster into a community triumph. Kira is forced to accept that independence doesn't mean doing everything alone. The day ends with a sense of accomplishment and a new appreciation for the people around her.

The Power of Community

Kira begins to find her place in Dream Harbor, joining local events, making friends, and letting go of her need to prove herself through isolation. Bennett's presence is a comfort, but she's still afraid to let him in fully. Both are learning that real strength comes from connection, not self-sufficiency. The town's warmth and eccentricity become a source of healing for Kira.

Snowstorm Sanctuary

A blizzard traps Bennett and Kira together in her farmhouse. With no escape, their emotional walls crumble. They share stories, laughter, and confessions in a makeshift blanket fort by the fire. The storm becomes a crucible, melting their defenses and allowing genuine intimacy to blossom. Their physical relationship ignites, but it's the emotional vulnerability that changes everything.

Blanket Fort Confessions

In the aftermath of the storm, Kira and Bennett confront their feelings. Both are terrified—Kira of losing herself in another person, Bennett of repeating old patterns. They agree to enjoy their time together without promises, but the depth of their connection is undeniable. Letters found in the attic—old love notes between the farm's previous owners—mirror their own journey, underscoring the power of risking love.

Letters, Lies, and Letting Go

As Christmas approaches, Kira's fear of abandonment and Bennett's history with an on-again, off-again ex threaten to unravel their fragile happiness. Both are forced to confront their pasts—Kira's guilt over her privileged upbringing and Bennett's tendency to be used by others. A painful but necessary confrontation leads to a temporary separation, each believing it's for the other's good.

Christmas, Choices, and Consequences

Christmas is bittersweet—Kira is surrounded by new friends but haunted by Bennett's absence. Bennett, back in California, finally breaks free from his toxic past and realizes what he truly wants. Both struggle with the consequences of their choices, questioning whether self-sacrifice is always the right path. The town's support and the lessons of the season push them toward growth.

The Aftermath of Absence

Kira throws herself into building a life in Dream Harbor, making friends, improving the farm, and learning to accept help. Bennett, meanwhile, ends his unhealthy relationship for good and reflects on what real love means. Both realize that independence and vulnerability can coexist, and that true happiness requires risking the heart.

Letters Across the Miles

Inspired by the love letters she found, Kira writes to Bennett, finally expressing her feelings and inviting him back—if he wants to return. Bennett, moved by her words, rushes back to Dream Harbor, bringing his own letters and a promise of forever. Their reunion is joyful, honest, and hard-won, built on mutual respect and a willingness to grow together.

The Return and the Reunion

Bennett and Kira reunite, blending their lives, their dogs, and their dreams. They commit to building a future together in Dream Harbor, embracing the messiness and beauty of real love. The town welcomes them, and Kira finally feels at home—not because she's self-sufficient, but because she's found her people and her person.

Treasure in the Garden

While planting a garden together, Bennett and Kira discover a box of jewelry and a letter from the farm's previous owner, fulfilling the town's long-held legend. The treasure is a symbol of the riches found in community, love, and taking risks. They use it to invest in the farm's future, sealing their partnership and the promise of many more Christmases—and adventures—together.

Characters

Kira North

Kira is a former rich girl running from her past, her family's expectations, and the pain of losing her twin to marriage and distance. She's impulsive, stubborn, and fiercely independent, but beneath her sarcasm is a deep well of loneliness and vulnerability. Her journey is one of learning to accept help, trust others, and believe she's worthy of love. Kira's development is marked by her gradual softening—first toward the town, then toward Bennett, and finally toward herself. Her relationship with Bennett is both a challenge and a healing force, teaching her that true strength lies in connection, not isolation.

Bennett Ellis

Bennett is a kind, capable, and slightly self-effacing tech worker who's always been the "helper" in his relationships—often to his own detriment. Haunted by a history of being used by women who needed him but didn't love him, he's wary of falling into old patterns. His time in Dream Harbor, and especially with Kira, forces him to confront his own needs and boundaries. Bennett's arc is about learning to help without losing himself, to love without being used, and to risk his heart for someone who truly sees him. His steady presence and gentle humor are the perfect foil to Kira's volatility.

Jeanie Ellis

Bennett's sister, Jeanie, is the heart of Dream Harbor's social scene. She's warm, persistent, and a little meddlesome, always looking to connect people and foster community. Her own journey from outsider to beloved local mirrors Kira's, and her unwavering support is crucial in bringing Bennett and Kira together. Jeanie's relationship with her brother is loving but honest—she pushes him to be brave and calls him out when he's hiding.

Iris

Iris is Kira's first real friend in Dream Harbor, a jack-of-all-trades with a sunny disposition and a knack for making people feel welcome. She's unflappable, supportive, and a little quirky, helping Kira navigate both the business and social challenges of small-town life. Iris represents the possibility of starting over and the importance of chosen family.

Chloe

Kira's twin sister, Chloe, is her "other half"—practical, loving, and now physically distant. Chloe's absence is the wound that drives much of Kira's initial pain, but her continued support (even from afar) is a reminder that love can endure change. Chloe's happiness and independence ultimately inspire Kira to seek her own.

Logan

Logan is Jeanie's fiancé and a local farmer, representing the stability and know-how Kira lacks. He's initially reserved but becomes a key supporter, offering practical help and business advice. Logan's presence grounds the story in the realities of rural life and the value of hard-earned wisdom.

Annie

Annie is a force of nature—outspoken, funny, and a little wild. She's part of Jeanie's friend group and provides both levity and a model of unapologetic self-expression. Annie's ongoing rivalry/flirtation with another local adds a subplot of romantic tension and humor.

Hazel and Noah

Hazel and Noah are Jeanie's friends and serve as a contrast to Kira and Bennett's rocky start. Their supportive, playful relationship offers a glimpse of what's possible when two people are truly in sync. They also help Kira see that love can be both fun and enduring.

Nicole

Nicole is Bennett's ex, the embodiment of his old patterns—needing him but never choosing him. Her reappearance forces Bennett to confront his own boundaries and finally break free from a cycle of self-sacrifice. Nicole's role is pivotal in clarifying what Bennett truly wants and deserves.

Dream Harbor Townsfolk

The townspeople—book club members, the mayor, and various eccentrics—are both comic relief and the heart of the story. Their nosiness, warmth, and collective memory create the sense of a living, breathing community. They push Kira and Bennett together, embody the theme of found family, and provide the backdrop for both conflict and healing.

Plot Devices

Forced Proximity and the Snowstorm

The snowstorm is the classic romance device that traps Kira and Bennett together, stripping away their defenses and forcing honest conversation. It's both literal and symbolic—a crucible that melts their emotional ice and accelerates their relationship. The storm's aftermath lingers, shaping their choices and fears.

The Town Mystery and Buried Treasure

The rumor of a body or treasure buried on the farm is both a source of comic intrigue and a metaphor for hidden pain and potential. The search for the treasure parallels Kira and Bennett's search for meaning, belonging, and love. Its eventual discovery is a reward for their growth and a symbol of the riches found in vulnerability.

Letters—Past and Present

The discovery of old love letters in the attic provides a narrative through-line, connecting Kira and Bennett to the farm's history and to each other. The letters inspire Kira to risk her own confession, and Bennett's response—his own letters—cements their bond. The motif underscores the power of words, memory, and the courage to reach out.

Community as Character

Dream Harbor is more than a setting—it's an active force in the story. The town's meddling, traditions, and collective memory shape the plot, challenge the protagonists, and ultimately provide the safety net that allows Kira and Bennett to take risks. The community's warmth is both a source of pressure and a wellspring of healing.

Dual Character Arcs

Both Kira and Bennett must confront their pasts, their patterns, and their fears. The narrative structure alternates between their perspectives, allowing readers to see their internal struggles and the ways they mirror and challenge each other. Their arcs are intertwined—each must learn to accept help, set boundaries, and believe in their own worth.

Analysis

The Christmas Tree Farm is more than a steamy holiday romance—it's a story about the messy, nonlinear process of starting over and the transformative power of connection. Laurie Gilmore uses the familiar tropes of forced proximity, small-town meddling, and opposites attract, but infuses them with emotional honesty and contemporary relevance. Kira's journey from isolation to belonging, and Bennett's from self-sacrifice to self-worth, reflect the challenges many face in a world that prizes independence but often leaves us lonely. The book's humor, warmth, and sensuality are balanced by its exploration of grief, guilt, and the fear of being truly seen. The recurring motif of letters—both historical and present-day—reminds us that vulnerability is an act of hope, and that love, like treasure, is often found when we dare to dig beneath the surface. The ultimate lesson is that home is not a place or a performance, but the people who see us, accept us, and choose us—again and again, through every season.

Last updated: May 3, 2025