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cde10's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Homophobia
arireadsitall's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really loved this book!! Made me want to my hug my best friends a little tighter. It’s a story of chosen family and creating new traditions! Because it’s a friend group expect high drama but the laughs are there as well
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent
cass_lit's review against another edition
2.75
I think this was a me-problem. Everyone is liking this, and I love that for them. Unfortunately it didn’t really work for me and I think the #1 reason for why that is was because I don’t have the emotional bandwidth right now for these very emotionally complicated fictional characters. I’m all for real, complex characters but the issue here was that between these flashbacks of Christmases past, we were ONLY getting their bad sides. Until the end, we never once met Hannah when she wasn’t so insecure and too wound up in her to be the good friend everyone apparently thinks she is. Priya and Theo both never got POVs (kind of weird considering the emphasis on the 4 of them), but at least Theo got screen time in Finn’s chapters. Ironic, considering Priya’s monologue in the hospital. And Finn’s chapters, despite having a very traumatic and real coming-out-to-his-family history, were mostly just pining over Theo and we had zero indication as to whether that was reciprocated (except that a Christmas story deserves a HEA).
Also, one niche issue with the time jumps here: why didn’t they tell us what year the present was? We kept working towards it but I had no idea how many christmases we’d still be having in between to work through!
Also, one niche issue with the time jumps here: why didn’t they tell us what year the present was? We kept working towards it but I had no idea how many christmases we’d still be having in between to work through!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Homophobia
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
The Christmas Orphans Club is the story of four friends who always spend Christmas together in one unconventional way or another. I liked the way stories of Christmases past were interspersed with the story of Christmas present. I also liked the way the characters grew, and that Hannah especially came to accept that change doesn’t have to be bad. This book included some diversity in terms of race and sexuality which I appreciated. Although it featured a romance it was chiefly a story of friendship and found family, an emphasis I found refreshing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, and Abandonment
rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Homophobia
joensign's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Drug use
katiejohns's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer and Car accident
anniesbookpicks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Homophobia
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
There were funny moments here and there throughout this debut. But I’m always wary of book influencers and podcast hosts writing a book because this one could have used some story editing. Hannah’s persona was grating at times. Sure her and Finn allegedly are best friends but it didn’t feel properly presented as such. Theo and Priya I feel like were just background and not utilized enough to make their presence valuable to the story. Plus why in the world are we doing the oh we like each but neither of us are going to talk about for a long time so let’s put our fear / rejection scare over our own happiness That was frustrating. Someone said this was similar to People We Meet on Vacation just set during the months of November / December & no sex (just kissing) and that feels like a valid comparison.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia