Danny has a way of bringing to humor to everything but also a lot of truth. This book has something for everyone and like his other book it’s full of nostalgia!! The dedication to the turtle neck king was just the cherry on top!

Fun, festive, and exactly what I wanted out of a book of personal holiday essays.

This is my first exposure to Danny Pellegrino and he is an absolute delight. Here he shares holiday stories in the tradition of David Sedaris’ Holidays on Ice. You can tell Pellegrino is paying homage to the Sedaris collection, but he still manages to put his own fresh spin on the concept.

This is laugh-out-loud funny at times and also real sweet in other instances, never veering too far off in either direction. Pellegrino has a knack for capturing the feel good stuff that goes with the holiday season without ever getting schlocky or overwrought. And mostly, he’s just lovable and hilarious, the kind of person who would be a welcome addition to anyone’s holiday gathering.

I was especially fond of his anecdotes about Fred the ghost and his disastrous encounter with Jessica Simpson lickable bath and body products, but every essay in the book is a joy to read.

***** I have received and read an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for giving my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.*****

While I'm not super familiar with Pellegrino, I'd heard of Danny's work in passing.

I was mostly drawn to the book as I love to read memoirs/story collections like this around the holiday season.

I think that rearranging the stories would have made for a better read, as the collection starts off strong but ends on the weaker side.

Overall, there are some great stories, but a few were just average.

If you like this kind of book, give it a shot, but if you're trying something new, I'd look elsewhere.

I’m such a big fan of Danny’s podcast, Everything Iconic, and I love his sense of humor! Though he mostly recaps shows on Bravo, he always adds in some memories or details of growing up during the 80s/90s and that brings me right back to my own childhood. I read his previous book and knew I had to get my hands on The Jolliest Bunch, which does not disappoint.

For many families, the holiday season is—quite frankly—unhinged. Whether that involves inappropriately improvised monologues at the children’s Christmas pageant, gifts that land someone in the emergency room, or just sitting through the emotional rollercoaster of a Hallmark movie marathon, the holidays are a chaotic and magical time. And nobody knows this better than Danny Pellegrino.

For Danny, the holidays are always accompanied by both merriment and mayhem. And like the gay Ghost of Christmas Past, he’s here to take you on a nostalgic trip through his most festive memories in a collection of stories that are heartfelt, hilarious, and (unfortunately) true.

On sale on October 24. Get it!

The Jolliest Bunch is a holiday-themed collection that brings a hearty dose of cheer to your reading list. It's perfect for those who enjoy a good laugh, a touch of nostalgia, and the reminder that the chaos and mayhem of the holidays are what make this season so special. So, grab a copy, get cozy, and let Danny Pellegrino take you on a hilariously wild ride through the most wonderful time of the year.

The Jolliest Bunch
By Danny Pellegrino
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄/ 5

I absolutely loved every page of this book! I am a huge fan of Danny and his Everything Iconic podcast so I was absolutely thrilled to read this book of short stories!!

The stories are hysterical and so relatable in many ways! Each short story had me laughing out loud each night before I fell asleep! It was a wonderful read but I think the audiobook would be even more fun because the author has great comedic timing! Things are heavy in the world and this really was a bright spot and pick me up!

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks for the digital advanced readers copy!! I received a complimentary copy of this book. This novel will be published October 24, 2023! Add it to your holiday wish list!

The Jolliest Bunch is such a fun book that highlights the hilarious hijinks of life, family, and the holidays. We often have this idea that everyone is having a holiday season straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie and I love that Danny Pellegrino gives a stark and honest view into the lives of those who don't have a traditional Christmas or holiday season.

I love that the book shows what it is to be human, and that in all of our silly chaos we have such a strong connection to each other.

The Jolliest Bunch by Danny Pelligrino is an entertaining look at the misadventures hiding behind the cheery facade so many of us put forth during the holidays. Some of the stories are funny, some are sad, and some are eye-opening, but they all are relatable and, above all, human.
Pelligrino's point of view is compelling as he describes various mishaps of Christmases past, and the ongoing challenges he and many others face over the holidays.

Danny's humor shines through on this one. This book has a great collection of stories that are holiday related. It's easy to relate to the hilarity of the stories and all of the craziness of the holiday season.

Like any collection, some stories are more enjoyable than others, but I think it's a solid book overall. The holiday theming makes it a great Christmas read, but the general relatability makes it a good read any time of the year. Overall, I think that the same comedy that he brings to his podcast, he brings to this collection.

My favorite podcaster wrote a book about my favorite holiday and it’s just as hilarious, heartfelt and nostalgic as I hoped it would be. I will never recover from the chapter about ingesting expired products from Jessica Simpsons edible beauty line. This will be going on my shelf right next to ‘Holidays on Ice’ for an annual Christmas re-read.

Danny Pellegrino is one of my favorite podcasters. He has a podcast that covers pop culture. His podcasts are so funny, especially when he mixes in his own stories with the podcast. This is Danny's second book of stories about his life. My husband and I listened to his first book, How Do I Un-Remember This? while on a multi-state car trip. It was the perfect book for both of us to listen to. Danny has followed the same format with his second book, although most of the stories are Christmas or other holiday related. Each story is fully relatable as they are about the things that happen during the holidays in all our lives. The holidays are not all Hallmark moments and Danny is sharing his non-Hallmark but hilarious moments. There are a few stories, that while important, should have been included in another book.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a danny Pellegrino fan or a fan of him from bravo this is the book for you. An easy read that I would recommend to people that want to know more about him. If you like pop culture this book is for you

A collection of some really great stories mixed with some that are so, so at best- still,worth a read

I am not familiar with the author as either an actor, a comedian, or a writer. I felt a bit of holiday humor would be nice this time of year to set the stage for the upcoming festivities. Christmas and other holiday vignettes sounded bright and cheerful, with a touch of humor, and sparked my interest. However, this book did not deliver what I was expecting, and I had a difficult time getting through it. Unfortunately there wasn’t much that I enjoyed about the book and I would not recommend it to my friends. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

Danny Pellegrino's "The Jolliest Bunch: Unhinged Holiday Stories" is a rollicking, laugh-out-loud collection that delivers a fresh and irreverent take on the holiday season. This book is a delight!

At the heart of this collection is Pellegrino's razor-sharp wit and comedic genius. The stories within are a hilarious amalgamation of holiday chaos, cringe-worthy family gatherings, and unexpected mishaps. Pellegrino's storytelling style has a way of turning even the most mundane holiday situations into sidesplitting adventures.

Pellegrino has an uncanny ability to tap into the quirks and idiosyncrasies of holiday traditions and family dynamics. Readers will find themselves nodding in recognition as they encounter characters and scenarios that mirror their own holiday experiences.

Each story in the collection is a delightful standalone gem, filled with memorable characters and absurd situations. From ill-fated attempts at decorating the perfect Christmas tree to holiday-themed fashion disasters, "The Jolliest Bunch" offers a delightful smorgasbord of comedic scenarios that will leave readers in stitches.

Pellegrino's writing is sharp, clever, and endlessly entertaining. His knack for crafting punchlines and clever one-liners keeps the humor flowing from start to finish. It's the kind of book that you can pick up for a quick laugh and find yourself unable to put down.

This book identifies humor in the chaos and imperfections of the holiday season. Pellegrino reminds us that it's okay to embrace the absurdity of it all and find joy in the unexpected moments of hilarity that often accompany family gatherings and festive celebrations.

In "The Jolliest Bunch: Unhinged Holiday Stories," Danny Pellegrino has gifted readers with a holiday-themed treasure trove of laughter. It's a book that not only pokes fun at the holiday season but also celebrates the endearing quirks and mishaps that make it uniquely special.

This collection is the perfect antidote to holiday stress, a reminder to take a step back, laugh at ourselves, and savor the joyful absurdity of the season. This book will make you snort with laughter and leave you with a warm, festive glow. It's a holiday read that's as unhinged as it is unforgettable.

This is a collection that will make you laugh until your cheeks hurt and remind you that, amidst all the holiday chaos, there's always room for a good belly laugh. Danny Pellegrino's comedic brilliance shines brightly here.

This book is an absolute joy to read. It's a gift that keeps on giving, offering laughter, levity, and a fresh perspective on the jolliest time of the year.

This was such a fun book! I first discovered Danny on Instagram and instantly connected with his love of Jessica Simpson. His writing feels like you are talking to an old friend, and I love the bits of humor sprinkled throughout. This book not only covered Christmas/ December holidays, but also included tales of Halloween and Thanksgiving. I found myself laughing at these stories! The Jessica Simpson lotion story was hilarious! There were also some sentimental stories mixed in throughout the book. This is a book I will definitely return to each holiday season.

Full confession, I did not know who Danny Pellegrino is when I requested this book. That is not a slight at Danny, I’m not up to date on most podcasts because I have a very short attention span that doesn’t always work well with them. However, a book full of funny, true holiday short stories? Count me in! I will warn future readers, they aren’t all humorous. There are serious stories along with the funny ones. For me, the book started off really strong but then kind of tapered off. Saint Claudia of Reseda should have been put further into the book because I laughed until I couldn’t breathe at that one but never quite reached that level of amusement again. Overall a fun book, Danny is very likeable. It may be more suited for those who are already fans?

Thank you to SourceBooks and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC.

I love Pellegrino’s podcast, so I had a feeling I would love this book as well- and I was right!

I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud while reading The Jolliest Bunch. The nostalgia, the humor, and the heart in this book made it a perfect read to gear up for the holidays. I think this book would be a great holiday gift. I really enjoyed it!

I loved this book. As a fan of Danny Pellegrino and his first book, I enjoyed getting more content and stories from him. The focus on holidays made me feel all warm and cosy and inspired my own holiday reflections. I had lots of laughs when travelling through these pages - I highly recommend this book to those new to Danny’s sense of humour and old fans.

I LOVE Danny Pellegrino- his first book + podcast always has me LOL. I really enjoyed "The Jolliest Bunch", because he is just as nostalgic for the 80s/90s as I am. I have to be honest, some of the stories dragged and I felt like he was just trying to fill space, but for the most part I really did have fun reading this. (Loved the pictures he add too!)