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cassiebartelme's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A sweet story about chosen families, friendship and love. It’s got some fun banter and kooky celebrations of Christmas that will be what you are looking for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
laheath's review against another edition
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."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use
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
danileah07's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
emmareidy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
gmarline's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
3.75
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book. The characters are so very human as they navigate their twenties and early 30s. The characters are diverse and interesting on their own but it’s fun to see how each character develops relationships both inside and outside of the group.
Hannah, Finn, Priya, and Theo have spent every Christmas together for over a decade. This tradition began with Hannah and Finn’s first Christmas together when they were the only students left on campus on Christmas Day.
Finn went in search of company and stumbled upon Hannah alone in her room. Together they embarked on an adventure that included lighting the Christmas in the center of their campus, and sneaking into the closed cafeteria to make chocolate chip pancakes.
Hannah and Finn graduate college, move to New York City, and eventually add Priya and Theo to their Christmas Orphans club.
This book uses a nonchronological narrative to move throughout each of their Christmases and years together. It was fun to watch each Christmas get more and more elaborate, while also seeing how each character and relationship matures. This was a really great story of found family, growing up, and finding your way. This book really touched upon what it’s like to be in your 20s and 30s not quite living the life you expected, but having people to go through it with you. This novel meaningful and joyful.
I enjoyed this book. The characters are so very human as they navigate their twenties and early 30s. The characters are diverse and interesting on their own but it’s fun to see how each character develops relationships both inside and outside of the group.
Hannah, Finn, Priya, and Theo have spent every Christmas together for over a decade. This tradition began with Hannah and Finn’s first Christmas together when they were the only students left on campus on Christmas Day.
Finn went in search of company and stumbled upon Hannah alone in her room. Together they embarked on an adventure that included lighting the Christmas in the center of their campus, and sneaking into the closed cafeteria to make chocolate chip pancakes.
Hannah and Finn graduate college, move to New York City, and eventually add Priya and Theo to their Christmas Orphans club.
This book uses a nonchronological narrative to move throughout each of their Christmases and years together. It was fun to watch each Christmas get more and more elaborate, while also seeing how each character and relationship matures. This was a really great story of found family, growing up, and finding your way. This book really touched upon what it’s like to be in your 20s and 30s not quite living the life you expected, but having people to go through it with you. This novel meaningful and joyful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use and Car accident
abaighritz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was able to read an arc through NetGalley.
The first half of this book I found exhausting and didn't know if I could finish it. There was a lot of story background to fill in but at the same time there were so many details that didn't seem important that I just didn't think were necessary and did not enjoy. Some of the New York City details were charming and cute but others I will refer to as "mezcal details". Do we need to know their margaritas were mezcal? Almost seemed like a word count was trying to be fulfilled.
Around halfway through the book, when you discover why Hannah and Finn had a falling out, the story picked up and I finished quickly. I ended up loving the story and the characters but don't love that I had to go through so much to get there. Maybe that's the Christmas Orphan Magic?
Cute read for the holidays.
The first half of this book I found exhausting and didn't know if I could finish it. There was a lot of story background to fill in but at the same time there were so many details that didn't seem important that I just didn't think were necessary and did not enjoy. Some of the New York City details were charming and cute but others I will refer to as "mezcal details". Do we need to know their margaritas were mezcal? Almost seemed like a word count was trying to be fulfilled.
Around halfway through the book, when you discover why Hannah and Finn had a falling out, the story picked up and I finished quickly. I ended up loving the story and the characters but don't love that I had to go through so much to get there. Maybe that's the Christmas Orphan Magic?
Cute read for the holidays.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
mkbellin's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
megyn_reads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I chose this as my Christmas in July read and it fit the theme perfectly!
Hannah, Finn, Priya, and Theo spend Christmas together every year as an "adopted family." Their story is told in alternating timelines from present day to previous Christmases. This year's Christmas is even more important because Finn is moving across country and the friends must confront the changes in their friendship.
I really enjoyed that this is primarily a story about friendship. The friends have their common bond yet are all so different in what makes them "orphans." I liked the flashback chapters that gave the reader background and also multiple POVs. Read this book if you adore close friendships, second chance romance, Christmas, and early 2000s references.
"I never expected to be having one of the most important conversations of my life with a Dunkin iced coffee in my hand. This must be what it feels like to be Ben Affleck." - Finn
Hannah, Finn, Priya, and Theo spend Christmas together every year as an "adopted family." Their story is told in alternating timelines from present day to previous Christmases. This year's Christmas is even more important because Finn is moving across country and the friends must confront the changes in their friendship.
I really enjoyed that this is primarily a story about friendship. The friends have their common bond yet are all so different in what makes them "orphans." I liked the flashback chapters that gave the reader background and also multiple POVs. Read this book if you adore close friendships, second chance romance, Christmas, and early 2000s references.
"I never expected to be having one of the most important conversations of my life with a Dunkin iced coffee in my hand. This must be what it feels like to be Ben Affleck." - Finn
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Homophobia
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