Reviews

Handmade Holidays by 'Nathan Burgoine

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caitgauthor's review against another edition

5.0

I am a total fan of 'Nathan Bourgoine's writing, and this novella is yet another example of how he sculpts a wonderful story that just draws the reader in. I loved the characters so much and cheered over the ending. Warning: a heartstring or two might get pulled along the way.

derhindemith's review against another edition

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5.0

I love his books. They’re sweet and genuine and wholesome. It’s a Christmas movie as a book.

shandra's review against another edition

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5.0

Years pass in a beautiful blur as 'Nathan Burgoine shares the growth of Nick and Haruto's relationship from friendship to something more in Handmade Holidays. I could not have loved being a part of their lives more if I tried. Every Christmas felt genuine in the messy way only real life can feel -where no one is doing exactly what they expected last year and not every year allows for everyone to gather together because Life Happens- while maintaining a positive air even in the worst of times.

Christmas should bring out the best in life even when it's filled with heartache, loss, or simply too much stress.

Real love is like having the holiday spirit year-round which is what Burgoine captured best in Handmade Holidays. I ended knowing the characters better than if I'd spent only a few moments in their lives rather years. I loved knowing they had found a love to transcend the worst of times in their respective lives. I sincerely hope I get to read more by 'Nathan Burgoine in the future because Handmade Holidays was lovely enough to make me want to decorate my own Christmas tree with a thousand hand-folded paper cranes in tribute which would take a Christmas miracle for me to manage.

ryanpfw's review

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5.0

What a great story! This tells the story of a group of chosen family over a 15 year period, with one chapter per year, as they grow together, apart, and together again. Sometimes it necessitated toxic relationships lasting longer than needed to be able to narratively be written away, but what I really love was it wasn’t a cookie cutter “one year later” in the same location. People grew, changed, moved, moved back, and evolved. Great stuff. Strongly recommended!

greatcolorsalad's review against another edition

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5.0

Honestly, Christmas stories aren't my thing at all and I expected not to like this book as much as I did. Instead I found it DELIGHTFUL with just the right amount of cheesiness sprinkled on top. I'm not saying it's because it's full of queer people but the fact that there were maybe 2 cishet characters in it DID help a lot.