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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
This isn’t usually a genre I read but I am a loyal listener of the authors podcast and was excited to read her book. I liked the dynamic of the characters and the specificity of the writing about NYC. I liked the structure of telling the story through their Christmases together and think this would be a nice light and cozy read for the holidays. I did find the stubbornness of the two point of view characters, Hannah and Finn, a little frustrating, but they are suppose to be pretty young so that maybe is understandable.
I wanted to enjoy this book so much more than I did because I found the premise of a college Christmas adventure starting a tradition and friendship so delightfully charming but I feel like I never got the charm I was promised. The characters felt so flat like you never learn anything about Priya or Theo other than as foils to Finn and Hannah and Theo is conveniently wealthy and connected which furthers some plot points and over the top moments. Finn I just didn’t understand. So much of the focus is on his unrequited undiscussed love and we gloss over all the parts that make him dynamic and Hannah was unfortunately the worst. It was so clearly showing her arc and growth but she was painstakingly frustrating along the way. The end also really felt like - that’s it? It was all for that? It had some cute and funny moments but felt quite surface level to me. It was also a quick read.
slow-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As a Bad on Paper listener I went into this book assuming I was going to love it, but man did it blow my expectations. I feel so incredibly seen. Not in the Christmas Orphans sense, but I view friendships and traditions just like the main character Hannah and gosh was this a gut punch of "big feelings". This is not a cheesy Hallmark Christmas story, (however I would totally read that too) This is an incredibly well written friendship story that I hope other "Hannahs" find.
An incredible story of chosen family and friendship, with two B-plot romances (one is queer which I didn’t know before reading and was very excited to find). I have no notes on this book. Becca, you blew me away. I’m so in awe of you and your debut novel. I have never rooted so hard for four characters. I cried, I threw my iPad down with nerves, and jumped for joy with these characters. The way Becca writes about unconventional families was so so special. This is an absolute must-read for EVERYONE!
5 stars. I loved this book. It was so real. It was funny. It was sad at times. The characters jumped off the page and I could picture all of their adventures. Would be a good read any time of the year, but definitely at Christmas. Would recommend over and over.
3.5⭐️ this story was cute and fun but the two MCs drove me nuts. Finn was so whinyyyyy and Hannah was frustrating. BUT I did love Theo and wished we had gotten more time with Priya. Loved all the nods to classic millennial pop culture and the lovely NYC setting. It was cute, it was fine, I’m not mad I read it but it won’t be topping any lists for me.