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!

From someone who didn't get sucked into the holiday genre until a year ago..I LOVED IT. This is one of those rare books where I liked every character. Did they have flaws? Yes. Did they need someone to yell at them occasionally to get their lives together? Also yes. This is why I think they came across as so enjoyable on the page. They are real- self centered, young, joyful, fun. The entire book was fun and it made me want my own orphan group of friends to hang out with. Definitely a book I'd recommend to others who enjoy stories of friendship and a little Christmas magic.

Thanks to Becca Freeman, Penguin Books and Netgalley for the advance copy. Can't wait to pick up the finished copy of this one!

I enjoyed this heartwarming story about Hannah and Finn, two best friends who have spent Christmas together since college (Hannah’s parents have both died and Finn’s family disowned him since he came out). We also meet Theo and Priya, who participate in the yearly Christmas tradition, and they are a close knit group of four. However, the book is told in a dual POV from Hannah and Finn only, so we get to know them better as characters. I really did enjoy the elements of friendship that came across in the story. I could feel that Hannah and Finn truly loved each other and it was nice to read a different type of love story in this way. However, with the alternating POVs, as well as the timeline jumping back and forth, I found myself getting confused about what was actually going on in the story. I also feel as though there might have been a few too many characters. I found myself sometimes forgetting who people were, and not feeling super connected to all the characters. All in all, I enjoyed this book and I have followed Becca and listened to her podcast for a long time, and I saw elements of her personality shine throughout the book. It was a great read overall and I’m sure will be a hit this holiday season!
Did you send it

Loved the story of friendship and romance (friendmance)? Being a BC alum, the many references made me smile ear to ear. Can't wait for Becca's next book!

I’ve been listening to Becca’s podcast, Bad on Paper, for years and this book is Becca’s voice come to life! The friendship with Hannah and Finn is so special and I loved the dual perspectives and jumping timelines. It was fun to learn the bits and pieces that made up their friendship over the years. This book is also chock-full of pop culture references that really add color to every page. So proud of Becca for this book & I am already looking forward to the next!

This book was like a warm hug! I have been listening to Bad on Paper since the beginning and have been a huge fan of Becca's for many years, so I was very excited to read this, and it did not disappoint. I was in college in the mid '00s and moved to NYC in my early twenties. There was the perfect amount of nostalgia and grounded New York details that made this story feel so real. The four main characters felt very well-rounded and made me want to be friends with them. I loved that the friendship was the central focus of the book, but the romance story lines were also so very sweet. This book is still making me smile, thinking about all the small details!

An incredible story of chosen family and friendship, with two B-plot romances (one is queer which I didn’t know before reading and was very excited to find). I have no notes on this book. Becca, you blew me away. I’m so in awe of you and your debut novel. I have never rooted so hard for four characters. I cried, I threw my iPad down with nerves, and jumped for joy with these characters. The way Becca writes about unconventional families was so so special. This is an absolute must-read for EVERYONE!

This was absolutely incredible, I really don't have enough good things to say about The Christmas Orphans Club or about the author. I'm a dedicated Bad on Paper podcast listener, and it was very fun to follow Becca's journey to authorhood and see pieces of her story come through in this title. I can't wait to read more from her and to rave about this to anyone who will listen once it's out in the world.

I've been a longtime fan of Becca's podcast, Bad on Paper, so I was especially excited to read her debut novel! It follows the alternating POV's of Hannah and Finn, best friends who have spent every Christmas together since college. Since then, they've moved to New York City and expanded their tight-knit friend group. But this year, everything is about to change. Finn is moving to L.A., and this Christmas might be the group's last spent together. Both Hannah and Finn are afraid of what this change might bring, for different reasons, but could it be exactly what they both need in the long run?

This book was so heartwarming—a warm, cozy read that's perfect for the holiday season! I loved how well-developed the NYC setting was (it really did feel like its own character!), and how effortlessly the story jumped from past to present. The characters were also very fleshed-out, and while we see some of their romantic and familial relationships outside of the group, I enjoyed how their friendship was truly the heart of the story. If you are a huge fan of the "found family" trope, books packed with fun pop culture references to spot, and stories set around the holiday season, be sure to add this one to your shelf! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I had been looking forward to reading Becca's book as a long-time listener of her podcasts and was very excited to receive an early copy through NetGalley! I really loved the main storyline centering on a friendship versus just romance and could relate in many ways to what Hannah and Finn went through over the years. I was, also, as an "orphan" myself especially appreciative of how Becca portrayed loss. I know Becca has been through losses and it meant a lot to me in how she dealt with them versus a lot of authors who recently seem to throw in a parental loss just to make the storyline "deeper." She, at the same time as dealing with these deeper subjects, kept the novel fun and interesting with each character's unique personality and tons of millennial references. Excited to read it again when my physical copy comes in October!

This book is so fun!!! I'm a longtime fan of Bad on Paper and Becca's voice absolutely SHINES in this book. I really liked how she made New York City almost like a fifth character. I'm not super familiar with all things NYC, but this book made me feel like I could see and experience everything with the four friends.