Member Reviews

I adore a found family story, which is why this Christmas book for 2023 made my best of list! On her first Christmas after the death of her parents, Hannah meets Finn, another orphan and together they decided to celebrate Christmas together.

It sparks a lifelong friendship, folding in two other friends into their annual holiday gatherings. But a dozen years into their tradition, life is about to change. Hannah is engaged, Finn is about to move across the country, and they have some quarrels they need to fix.

Will this be their best Christmas yet or the end of their friendship? I loved the deep look at friendship in this story. So often Christmas books revolve around romantic love and not platonic love – which is just as important!

If you are looking for a new Christmas book for 2023, grab this one immediately! #gifted

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I truly enjoyed this book. Very lighthearted yet inclusive and modern. I liked the characters very much and the story was just really unique and fun.

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I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

As an avid listener of the Bad on Paper podcast for years, I absolutely could not wait to get my hands on Becca’s debut novel. This heartwarming story of chosen family did NOT disappoint! I laughed, I cried, and I called one of the members of my own chosen family immediately after finishing the epilogue. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy for my bookshelf come September. I could not recommend this book more!

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The Christmas Orphans Club was such a cute read! I love that the love story was between platonic friends, and the city itself. As someone whose friends have become their family, the story resonated.

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I'll start by saying I'm a long-term fan of the Bad On Paper podcast, which I suspect is the only reason this book has been published since Becca Freeman, the author, has a cool 50k followers across her personal and podcast Insta (not counting various other social media metrics). I was excited for it - I do love Christmas, and I think the idea of friends who come together every year despite their backgrounds is wonderful. Unfortunately it's also a book that tries to be everything, but pulls up short. The multiple perspectives and non-chronological order of the plot means that each character essentially loses their voice; it's hard to connect with any of them. The book was also crammed full of over-used pop culture references to try and bolster the characters' personalities, but all it did was make them seem more one-dimensional. I found Hannah's desperation to hold on to the Christmas Club while simultaneously being rude to newer members off-putting, especially as there was no real resolution around this. All in all, it felt like despite hearing about this book for so long on the podcast and all the work Freeman put in (to the point the podcast became saturated with Freeman's book content) it really needed more editorial work done to it and a publisher cash grab to dump a book in their list to capitalise on the latest trend of influencers writing books (especially within romance). I did enjoy that this book can be read as a romance since Hannah's story is the main thread, but by the end I wondered whether or not this was deliberately exacerbated by the agent/publisher in edits to try and pigeonhole it into the romance-sphere as it began to feel forced. Am I holding Freeman up to higher standards than I would most debut authors? Probably, but when you make your entire schtick about writing and essentially judging other people's books, I don't think it means you get a free pass.

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This book was beautiful. I loved the two POV's that told the story. I loved the friendships, family relationships, and the message of change. I think this is a perfect Christmas book and I will recommend it to all of my friends.

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Hannah lost her parents at a young age and it isn’t until one Christmas that she discovers her found family.

I don’t always love a book that goes back and forth in time, but this one worked well. It gave me a better understanding of the characters and the relationships. I didn’t know what to expect with this one, but I really enjoyed it. I just wanted more of Finn as the story progressed!

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One of my favorite tropes was the key theme of this book- found family! I love stories where people can come together and create their own families and have a chosen family. This story delivers!

The book mainly focuses on a group of 4 friends: Hannah, Finn, Theo and Priya. It describes how this group of friends came together and describes their Christmases over the past decade. Finn and Hannah meet when they are in college, and they immediately become best friends. Hannah meets Priya soon after, and Finn brings Theo into the group.

Each group member has their own reasons for being alone at Christmas, and the group finds their own way to make the holiday season special. It shows the beauty of friendship, found family, and growing up.

I loved the multiple timelines where we could learn about the characters over the year. The point of view is from Finn and Hannah's perspective told over the years of their friendship. We see Hannah struggle with the fact that her best friend is moving across the country and her boyfriend wants her to commit. Finn struggles with telling Theo about his feelings for him, and he is afraid to tell him for fear that it will ruin their friendship.

The book is labeled as a romance, but I think that it focuses more on friendship. The romance aspect comes as a side element of the story, but I did enjoy that too.

This is a great book to read around the holidays. If you love found family, friendship, Christmas, and New York settings, this is the book for you!

Thanks to the publisher, Viking Penguin Group, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

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This book is told from multiple points of view and dual timelines. It reminded me of Emily Henry’s latest book as the conflicts in the present day storyline are explained by the historical storyline.

I enjoyed the friend group and how their friendship changed over time - as jobs shifted or new love interests arrived. They had each other’s back no matter what was needed.

NYC was not just the location but its own character. You could picture the characters as they did the holiday activities throughout the city.

Themes of found family, finding your path and friendships are present.

Overall a fun and festive read for the holiday season.

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🎄THE CHRISTMAS ORPHANS CLUB by Becca Freeman🎄

📆PUB DATE: 9/26/23 (tomorrow!)
➡️Swipe for synopsis
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: Audiobook
Read if you like:
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Found family
⏱️Multiple timelines
2️⃣Dual Point of View

I’ve been a fan of Becca’s since I started listening to her podcast, Bad on Paper, in 2019, so when I saw she was coming out with a book it was an immediate auto-buy! I listened to the audiobook via @prhaudio and the narrators were perfect. The two POV’s we get are from Finn and Hannah, two best friends who spend every Christmas together after they both stayed back on campus over the holidays one year. Over the years, the tradition adds two more people, Theo and Priya. For the current Christmas, there are some major life changes for the group which could end the tradition for good.

I loved the found family aspect of this book so much, and it was a refreshing take on classic holiday book tropes. The characters have different reasons for not spending time with their traditional family on Christmas, and I haven’t seen that represented much in holiday books. This book was hilarious and heartwarming with the perfect amount of Christmas that I think this could easily be read all year. The multiple timelines (there are flashbacks to multiple of the group’s Christmases) were executed seamlessly as well. I am honestly DYING to see this as a movie!

This was such an incredibly fun read that I strongly recommend you add to your Holliday reading list!

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First things first: I tore through this incredibly fun and big-hearted story. This is friends-forward with love playing side character, which feels fresh and enjoyable. I adored the flawed characters and what they mean to each other as their life trajectories start pulling them away from meaningful traditions and they go through ups and downs together. Becca Freeman’s writing goes down so easy—I read the whole thing over two afternoons—and is believable and relatable. The pop culture references sprinkled throughout are fun too. Tuck in and read this funny and sweet Christmas-y book any time of the year for all the warm feels.

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Cheers to THE CHRISTMAS ORPHANS CLUB by BECCA FREEMAN, which I finished today and am feeling all the warm and fuzzies.

The book centers on best friends Hannah and Finn, who met their sophomore year at Boston College. They were both hunkered down in the dorms over Christmas break, as neither had a family to go home to. A ridiculously fun night follows and just like that THE CHRISTMAS ORPHANS CLUB is born.

The 10+ year tradition has stayed strong, following their move to NYC where they welcomed two more people in the club - Priya and Theo. The four friends became a fast family, but as they edge into their 30s and their lives start to veer in different directions, and to different coasts, Hannah is worried that this Christmas will be their last.

Think found family + playful humor + crazy Christmas hijinks blending with some weightier moments of grief + hurt + the complications of being in love. The friendships definitely take center stage in this book, with some romance on the side.

The book is told from Hannah & Finn’s POVs and mixes present day with chapters of Christmas past. We see how these friends came together and the complications of their dynamic. I found a lot of relatability to that time in life where the people you spent every minute with gradually become people you struggle to schedule time with as life starts to happen. Growing up and growing apart is a hurt and a struggle that felt all too familiar 🖤

There are definitely some sharp comedic moments and, me being me, I of course shed a few tears. I also found myself craving champagne + pancakes + hunkering down on the couch with my bestie for a movie marathon.

I’m a massive fan of the BAD ON PAPER podcast which Becca co-hosts and have been following her writing journey on the pod. I feel oddly like I’m celebrating a friend’s debut (which I mean in the least creeper way possible!). Congrats!!!

Huge thanks to @netgalley and @penguinbooks for the eARC.

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I loved this book! The Bad on Paper Podcast is one of my favorites so I was so excited when I was able to get an ARC for Becca Freeman's debut book! I was glad I listened to the episode when they discussed it so I set my expectations correctly - this is a story about friendship. There is romance in the book but the main theme is of friendship. I feel like most of the Christmas books I read are romances so it was fun to have a different take on a Christmas book. I really enjoyed their friendship journey.

This takes place over 10 years, with Hannah and Finn meeting one Christmas day and deciding they were both Christmas orphans and started the tradition of getting together every Christmas together. Their group grows with the addition of Theo and Priyah. Through different POVs over the different years, we go through the journey of friendship with these four and its amazing. I love all the characters and I really appreciated that while Hannah is flawed, she wasn't annoyingly so but more relatable. There was also a few romances in here and I loved them. I even cried a little bit at the end, ha!

I really enjoyed the author's writing style and I can't wait for more books from her. This was such a treat and I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to recommend it to everyone this holiday season.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

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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.

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This book is just so sweet and I enjoyed it so much! Friendships, found family, Christmas setting? All of my favorites in one. Also really enjoyed the multiple povs.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

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I really really enjoyed this book. As a long time listener to Bad on Paper, I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of this book. I absolutely devoured it. I think the character development was fantastic, as well as the two different points of view. I really enjoyed the flash backs to previous Christmases and the way this book was told, but it was difficult at points to keep track of whose perspective and what timeline we were in at points - I read this on a kindle, so it would be much easier to flip back and see had I read a hardcopy. I have never been a seasonal reader, but this book makes me want to pick up more Christmas books. An unexpected joy of this book was the friendship aspect. I find myself reading lots of romances, but I absolutely loved the found family trope (if you can call it that). It's very rare to find a book about friendship that makes you fall in love with their relationship and friend group without a major romance storyline - although I absolutely loved Finn and Theo. I think the depth of friendships is underrated in general, but especially in books. Friends who are like family is so important and I think this book does a fantastic job of showing how important these relationships are.

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The Christmas Orphans Club is your ticket to a whirlwind friend com adventure through the magical streets of New York City during the holidays. This story captures the feeling of finding your place in a new city where friends become your chosen family. As Hannah, Finn, Priya, and Theo navigate late twenties life, you'll find yourself immersed in their world of camaraderie and heartfelt friendship. It is a reminder that in the midst of life's changes, our chosen family remains a constant source of love and support. The Christmas Orphans Club will leave you with a warm heart and gratitude for friends who make any city feel like home. This is a must add to your holiday reading list!! Can’t wait for this read to be the BOP Podcast book club pick in November!!

Thank you, NetGalley, Becca Freeman, and Penguin Group Penguin Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Christmas Orphans Club releases September 26th, 2023!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Grab a comfy cozy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. This is the perfect book to read by the fire this holiday season! I live the premise of 4 lifelong friends and their tight knit bond, facing the reality of life changes and holding on to friendships. Wish this had been released closer to the holiday season but I just might find myself re-reading this for the cozy vibes! A must for your holiday TBR!

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I was so excited to read an early copy of this heartwarming friendship story after following Becca on her writing and publishing journey from the beginning! Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Books for a digital copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book is about a group of four friends who spend a decade of Christmases together when they, for different reasons, don’t have anywhere else to go for the holidays. The story flips back and forth from the present day, where the main characters are trying to come to terms with their last holiday season all living in the same city, to holidays of years past to fill in the group’s history. If you liked the dual timeline element of PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION-type stories, then I think you’ll like this one, too.

I loved the way Becca captured the closeness of friends who are like family and the often complex growing pains of long-standing friendships. The characters felt deeply developed to me, and I thought the friend group as a whole had a very realistic web of individual and group relationship dynamics. I know we haven’t even had the pumpkin or turkey holiday times yet, but trust me when I say it’s not too early to read this Christmas book! It takes place leading up to and during the winter holidays, but honestly, it didn’t feel like an overwhelmingly Christmasy book to me.

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This is a new favorite, hands down.

I loved The Christmas Orphans Club from the opening chapter. It's charming and cozy, with enough substance and reality to keep it from becoming overly saccharine or trope-y.

Becca captured the remorse and confusion that accompanies changing friendships so well. The story is also hilarious, though, and you definitely won't be able to stop yourself from laughing out loud.

If you only pick up one Christmas-y book this holiday season, make it this one!

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