Reviews with content warning for Grief - The Christmas Orphans Club

Can best friends have a meet cute? If so, Hannah and Finn's is the ultimate one. Sighs. Not everyone can/wants to celebrate Christmas with family - Hannah and Finn are two such individuals who cross paths in their Uni halls whilst the rest/most of the student body have left during the christmas break. Christmas orphans is about this group of friends and the trajectory of their friendship over the period of 11 years/ Christmasses which sees how the group develops over time and introduces us to their backstories to show where they come from, where they're heading etc. It's real and raw, so heartwarming and just a cosy read. I've never come across this premise before and as a concept I found it really heartwarming and well written. The characters are perfectly balanced and flawed/human - I love Finn, I love Hannah (I was laughing out loud in parts and sobbing in others), I was invested in them all as I moved through the pages, becoming their cheerleader and just wanting them to get their happy ending. Loved it! Highly recommend :)

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jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.25

Was this my favourite book? No. But on a bitter sweet Christmas Day sat watching greys anatomy because I’m estranged it helped me feel seen. Seen in a way I never thought I would. Books have forever been my escape for as long as I know. Seeing the found family, the various relationship troubles and family types in this book was amazing and so well written.

So many Christmas books are Holly and Holly but for some of us this is Xmas This is our holidays.

I’m definitely going to hold this one door. And will definitely be a reccomendation to others like me.

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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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.

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joensign's review against another edition

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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

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katiejohns's review against another edition

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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

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laheath's review against another edition

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emotional 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? Yes

4.0

Emotional story of found family beginning when the 4 friends are in college. As their lives change, they have to adjust their Christmas tradition to accommodate moves, career changes, and the addition of new partners. Along the way, two of the main characters also deal with the ramifications of personal tragedies that initially led to the formation of the "club."

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mkbellin's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

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