I was anticipating a whimsical adventure like Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares — given the cover, title, and description — but the story unexpectedly felt more like coming-of-age sad girl fic, so I would recommend this book to those looking for more of the latter than the former!

The club’s Christmas adventures weren’t all that crazy. [[[Minor spoilers: They made pancakes in their college campus’ closed dining hall, they danced at a restaurant’s hidden dance party, they did an ugly sweater bar crawl (but all we really hear about is them singing karaoke at the last bar), they had a penthouse party and played charades, etc.]]] — all pretty normal stuff (in terms of special events) that could be done with anyone at any time of year. Thus, the annual Christmas flashbacks felt less about the not-crazy “adventures,” and more about seeing how this friend group came together and the progression of their friendship.

But still, it felt like the friends hardly knew each other, that they were little more than people put together because of the convenience of their Christmas availability rather than emotional connection. The friend group also felt off balance, with Hannah clearly favouring Finn, and Theo away traveling and Priya away working; this was only exacerbated by how the story was only told from Hannah’s and Finn’s POVs.

It was hard for me to see why Hannah was so desperate to hold onto this Christmas tradition, especially as the other three didn’t seem to hold this tradition as sacredly as she did, but at the same time, she came off as the most unwelcoming to newcomers joining the club, which seemed antithetical to the club and felt like unnecessary drama, putting a damper on what I expected to be an all-around feel-good Christmas story. The story isn’t at fault for my expectations, but I do think Hannah’s character could have been more fleshed out, not to mention the peripheral friends.

Ultimately for me, this story was less about holiday adventures and found family, and more about Hannah and Finn navigating the emotional turmoil of changing adult friendship dynamics.

This was one of my first holiday reads and it did not disappoint. My problem was actually that I wanted more of it 😂 please please give me more

I adored both Hannah and Finn. The way the dual timelines pieced together was absolute perfection. The ending was extremely satisfying. Definitely worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

Hoping reading Christmas books spurs a cold front - instead got historical heat. Heard about Christmas Orphans Club via author @beccamfreeman podcast @badonpaperpodcast which I’ve tuned into for a long time for book recs and chats/interviews with very cool women. Despite the cover leaning into the romanancetoon trend, Orphans Club reads more like the combined Christmas episodes of Friends and less like a hallmark movie. Some romance plot drivers but no smut, and way more focus on the love of friendship, which I appreciated. Out September 25 - thank you @penguinrandomhouse & @netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book took me by complete surprise! I try to be a month ahead of ARCS and was nervous to read a holiday book in August… I’m also a one time holiday book reader a year gal but the synopsis and my love for the author and her humor on her podcast I knew I was in good hands.

Finishing the book I kept saying in my head… that was the best damn found family book I have ever read! Becca created this group of friends that felt like your favorite TV show you obsessively wait for each week. From the alternating POV chapters alongside the different years of Xmas… I found myself always looking forward to whatever was coming my way.

The found family just stole my heart but it also is a story about love and loss. Coming of age and drama. LGBTQIA+ rep that brought joyful tears to my eyes to read in a book. Pop culture references that read like balm to my nostalgic soul.

She just did everything right haha I just have no words but all the words. This is truly like no book I’ve read before let alone a holiday read. I’m sad to this group but looking forward to what Becca does next!

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.

I loved The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman. I have listened to Becca's podcast for years and I distinctly remember her talking about not being a creative person, despite being a pretty prolific reader. Along came the pandemic and Becca started writing fiction podcasts and eventually this book. That's one of the reasons I think people should read this book: we all have something to say and Becca Freeman does a great job of writing a beautiful story about a group of people who don't have traditional families to spend the holidays with. This is a novel about friendships, how they change over time, and how sometimes we hold onto things because change is scary. Put this book at the top of your To Be Read list!

It's been a few days since I finished this book and I am still thinking about the characters! This story is about friendship and the friends you make that turn into family. Hannah and Finn started a tradition of spending Christmas together in college when neither of them had a place to go, and overtime, they grew into a group of four friends who spend the holiday together. When Finn announces he's moving to LA, this Christmas may be their last - and Hannah is determined to make it the best yet.

As a former New Yorker, I must admit I felt like I was on a tour of the city with Hannah and Finn and loved the places the author weaved into the book. While I normally do not seek out holiday books, the story was not so in-your-face Christmas that you could easily read and enjoy this book all year round. I look forward to seeing what Becca writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I'm a sucker for any Christmas book so this was a joy for me. This blends joy, grief, romance, friendship, and a feeling of nostalgia. This was able to invoke the nostalgic feeling that I think a lot of adults have for Christmas and the blending of New York City as its own character made this reminiscent of a classic Christmas movie. The characters also all worked together and were genuinely likable even when going through hardships. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for this lovely ARC.

The Christmas Orphans Club was a cute story that I finished within 24 hours (partly because I was without power in the wake of a storm and had few other things I could do). I love stories of found family, and I especially loved how these friendships were imperfect and real. As a queer person who lost a parent when I was a late teen, I identified with both Finn and Hannah so much and I loved their friendship. There’s a really good blend of humor, grief, warmth, and drama in this story. There were times when I wanted more character development, but with the structure of the story being told over a decade of Christmases, I understand why not all of the characters were fully developed. I recommend this heartwarming holiday read for anyone looking for something different from the typical Christmas romance. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC!

The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman - Out 9/26!!
3.75-4/5 ⭐

Hannah and Finn have been together for every Christmas since college - Hannah's parents died and Finn's parents disowned him when he came out, so instead they celebrate together.

When the pair moves to NYC, they adopt two more "Christmas orphans" into their club - the wonderful Priya and the ever mysterious Theo. They are the found family that some of them never have.

But when Finn announces that he is moving to LA for a new job, Hannah is panicked with what this means for their group, for their tradition, for her? Finn grapples with all he may be leaving behind. For their final Christmas together, the group navigates the changing landscape of their friendship, discovering it may be just what they need.

This book was really cute. It had all of the feels you want in a holiday book, and the wonderful love that comes with deep friendships that become family.

What I loved:
❄ There were some truly laugh out loud moments and I loved seeing all of the hijinks of this crew
❄ The friendships for the most part were very well developed and individual to each person, so it was fun to see the different relationships they each had with each other

What I didn't love"
❄ The dual POV plus non-chronological timeline made it very difficult to follow at times
❄ I think the characterizations could have been better. I found myself realizing that I dont really know what some of the characters look like? And some were just underdeveloped

SPOILER BELOW:
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At around 75% in, there is a death of a parent on Christmas day. My father died on Dec. 26th, so this hit a little too close to home for me. If I had known this going in, I'm not sure I would have picked it up.

Overall, would recommend! Thank you @netgalley and @penguinbooks for the e-ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Christmas Orphans Club is a story about a group of people that are brought together at Christmas. Throughout the years their Christmas adventures bond them as family. I found this story to be heartwarming.

“The Christmas Orphans Club” is a heartwarming and riotous holiday rom-com that beautifully captures the essence of found family and the magic of unconventional Christmas traditions. Becca Freeman, the bookfluencer and host of the BAD ON PAPER podcast, weaves a delightful tale centered around four friends in NYC who cling to their cherished Christmas tradition even as life takes them on different paths.

Hannah and Finn, the central characters, have spent every Christmas together, finding solace and joy in each other’s company. With a poignant backstory of personal loss and disconnection from their respective families, their bond becomes a lifeline. As they embrace adulthood in New York City, their found family grows with the addition of stylish Priya and enigmatic Theo, forming a close-knit group that fills the voids in their hearts.

The story takes an emotional turn when Finn announces a move to L.A., potentially marking the end of their treasured Christmas gatherings. The fear of losing the family they’ve built and confronting unexpressed feelings brings about a poignant exploration of growth, change, and the true meaning of belonging.

Becca Freeman crafts well-developed characters that feel relatable and genuine, allowing readers to connect deeply with their struggles, triumphs, and aspirations. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between humor and emotional depth, keeping readers engaged throughout the journey.

The themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery are beautifully interwoven, making “The Christmas Orphans Club” a tale that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. As the characters navigate the uncertainties of adulthood and face the prospect of change, they learn that sometimes, embracing transformation can lead to the fulfillment they’ve been seeking.

If you’re looking for a charming holiday read filled with laughter, love, and genuine moments of reflection, “The Christmas Orphans Club” is the perfect choice. Becca Freeman’s storytelling prowess shines through, making this novel a delightful addition to your festive reading list.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC! I loved everything about this. It was cozy and comforting while still addressing some heavy topics (I don’t want to give too much away!)

Usually with holiday books, I struggle to read them outside of the holiday season, but this was a major exception - I happily breezed through this in early August and I loved it just enough to want to reread it around Christmastime.

Becca Freeman has a fantastic writing style - elevated yet palatable. I am so excited for everyone to read this!

Could not have loved this found family more! These characters felt so lived in—as if I had known them for years (something so many books struggle to achieve!) And they reminded me so much of my own found family-I’ve already recommended to all my friends. Can’t wait to read more from Becca!

As someone who spent their 20s in NYC, this book captures the familiar elements of what makes it magical and memorable, from the city itself to the friendship and relationship dynamics. And as a Bad on Paper podcast listener, plenty of hallmarks are included that made me think "that's so Becca!"...without actually knowing Becca. ;) More com than rom, it touches on some heartfelt moments throughout, and the ending made me grin. A solid novel you'll want to share with friends! Thank you to #NetGalley for my copy.

I love the Bad on Paper podcast so I knew I had to get a copy of Becca’s book. I feel so lucky to have gotten an advanced copy because it was the perfect Christmas in July read! I loved it from page one- it is the perfect rom-com with the best mix of all things Christmas, New York, friendship, and love. I could definitely hear Becca’s “voice” and humor throughout the book which made it all the more fun. And that cover 😍

What a sweet Christmas novel. I always love reviewing Christmas stories because I am obsessed with the holiday season and so this way I can keep it going for all year. This was a unique story with the orphan plot line but nonetheless it was a sweet story I loved the characters and I couldn’t read it fast enough.
I give it 5 stars

This book was a delight! I was already a fan of the author because of being a loyal podcast listener for several years. I could truly hear her voice coming through in her writing. I loved the friendship angle of the book, versus a traditional romance. The characters truly came to life for me, and I feel like I’m part of their group and know all the fun inside secrets. The entire book felt like catching up with an old friend. I can’t wait for Becca’s next book!

I absolutely LOVED this book! I've been listening to Becca on BOP for a few years now, and when she announced she was writing a Christmas book, I knew I had to read it as soon as it came out! This was such a good, warm hearted, feel-good book. I will be reading it every year at Christmas time from now on. I loved the friendship dynamic between Finn and Hannah. I wanted to be friends with them too! Thanks to NetGalley for the ability to read this book early!