This was a funny, realistic and enjoyable memoir of Christmas and the holidays at the Pellegrino household. While everyone has their own memories or experiences about holidays, this is a laugh-out-loud retelling of some funny and sentimental moments in the author's life. It was entertaining and enjoyable from start to finish.

Normally I only consume Christmas classics, romances, or recipe books. This was such a refreshing read! I loved this as a unique holiday read. I found myself laughing along to this as I baked hundreds of holiday cookies. So fun!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Danny Pellegrino has written and narrated a hilarious set of essays about his family (and others) during holidays. They span from Christmas to Easter to Independence Day and each is hilarious in it's own right but there entire collection is brilliant. They are also incredibly relatable in many cases.

The very first story hooked me immediately because it was as of he was talking about my grandma or mom or even sister during a holiday meals- fretting about everything, extra store runs for las minute items and so on.. I found myself laughing out loud at the stories and thinking fondly (or less fondly in some cases) or experiences that my family has had that are similar.

Danny does an exceptional job of narrating the collection of essays as well..You could hear in his story-telling and his vocal inflections that he cherished the memories and that he found some incredibly funny to this day. This is a great collection of essays for each of us but also a great gift Danny has provided to his family, especially his mom.

Title: The Jolliest Bunch: Unhinged Holiday Stories
Author: Danny Pellegrino
Narrated by: Danny Pellegrino
Publisher: Recorded Books
Length: Approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes
Source: Review Copy from NetGalley

Are you a fan of the movie Christmas Vacation? It is one of my favorite Christmas movies and I relate more to it the older I get. When I saw the title of this audiobook and how it referenced Christmas Vacation, I knew that I needed to read it.

Danny Pellegrino narrates this audiobook himself, which I thought was delightful. His delivery of the stories made them even more fun. This is a group of essays about Danny’s true holiday experiences including Christmas and other holidays. It includes memories, as well as experiences working at Borders, taking road trips, fictional tales, etc.

My favorite story was how his mother had a perfectly put together Christmas but would have a meltdown at the very end of putting it all together before the rest of the family arrived. Then she would act perfectly fine when guests arrived. It was relatable as were most of his stories about his youthful holidays. There was also a crazy story about Danny going on a cross country trip with an unhinged co-worker. I loved the stories but didn’t like them as much when he veered into writing Mrs. Claus fan fiction. That bit went on a little too long. The audiobook overall made me interested in checking out his podcast and hoping that he will have another audiobook in the future.

This was the perfect funny Christmas story book. I laughed so hard while reading this. I found myself telling my husband about one of the stories after reading it and it had him rolling. During what can sometimes be such a stressful time, this was just what I needed. Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 Stars.

I received an advanced audio copy of The Jolliest Bunch by Danny Pellegrino from RB Media from Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

What It’s About: In his second book, Danny Pellegrino, host of the podcast, Everything Iconic, covers some of his most tragically hilarious holiday mishaps. These stories range from those of pure joy, frantic planning for the holidays, and chaos that can unwind.

What I Loved: I listened to this and found it a really delightful. This book made me laugh and smile and I loved having Danny keeping me company while I drove home. So many of these stories were relatable, especially the stories about the anxiety of hosting. Some of my favorite stories include Danny working at Borders over the holidays, Danny’s roadtrip home, and stories of being away from family as well. This book is delightful and has a lot of heart and humor, but it also discusses some serious topics with a lot of thoughtfulness.

What I Didn’t Like: I didn’t love the fictional stories, they seemed like fillers and unnecessary (and by fictional I mean stories about Mrs. Claus).

Who Should Read It: If you are road tripping home for the holidays, this is the book you need. Download and enjoy.

Summary: A collection of holiday mishaps!

DNF at 25%

I wasn't familiar with Danny Pellegrino before this book so I had no idea what to expect going in, but I wanted something entertaining to listen to on my commute and this seemed like a good option. Unfortunately I just didn't really connect with any of the stories or find them that funny.

I do think that Danny did a good job narrating and I'm sure lots of people will enjoy this one!

I listen semi-regularly to Danny Pellegrino’s podcast and find him to be very entertaining. Accordingly, I wanted to hear more about his story in this recent book and it didn’t disappoint. This book was fun, having me feel myself smiling at various parts, while also having some poignant moments of reflection. I enjoyed reading in this holiday season. DP is a funny character. 4 stars 🌟. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review.

Danny is a hilarious person all around and these stories just further prove that. His delivery is impeccable. The fictitious story he wrote about Mrs. Claus was *chefs kiss* perfection in every way. I could read 1000 stories like that and never grow tired of them. I hope Danny continues to write books because the way he tells them in his different voices is laugh out loud hilarious and enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Danny Pellegrino makes me laugh! As someone who grew up in the Midwest so many of his stories feel so similar that I sometimes think I maybe I wrote them, but then they wouldn't be nearly as funny. If you are looking for some humor to get you through the holidays, this is it.

An entertaining and irreverent collection of essays, covering territory familiar to anyone who has followed Pellegrino's career.

There's sweetness and sour, eccentric relatives and those friends-of-friends who are traveling way past the border of rationality. The holidays here invoked include everything between Halloween and New Years, stretching back decades in some places, and have the ring of utter credibility. Because who would invent some of these utterly bizarre characters and totally unhinged situations?

The Jolliest Bunch is sure to please Danny fans, people suffering from too much family time during the hols, and anyone who secretly or openly loves the movie 'Office Christmas Party'

The Jolliest Bunch was a huge dose of nostalgia along with some hilarious stories from our beloved author's life that will have you laughing out loud. I always think Danny has the most hilarious sense of humor so I knew I would enjoy this newest installment of essays. Something that I should say right off the bat is that Danny has a wonderful writing style, his books are always easy to read or in this case listen to. I enjoyed his narration as well, he has a great speaking voice that is pleasant to listen to. Also his version of his parents' voices is my favorite.

While this collection was great, I did think a few of the stories fell a bit flat for me, while others had me cackling. There are a couple fictional stories that he adds in just for fun that I did not really enjoy, I think his life stories are much better. Overall, a fun holiday listen!

Danny Pellegrino knows how to tell a story. He can make the most normal story hilarious, like his mom cooking on Christmas Eve. I was in TEARS. Danny was already my Bravo guru but now he’ll be my holiday hero as well. He’s earned a spot of honor right next to David Sedaris in my hilarious Christmas tales collection.
I also had the audio and just like his podcast, he’s got a magical way with words. So much fun to listen to!!
BRAVO Danny!

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Recorded Media, Danny Pellegrino, and NetGalley for my early review copies.

The holiday season has officially begun. It’s Thanksgiving week in the US, and we’re all preparing for the joyful - yet stressful - sprint that extends through the end of the year.

If you’re feeling like a Grinch or a Scrooge, and need something to get you in a festive spirit, look no further than “The Jolliest Bunch” by Danny Pellegrino. Do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook; hearing these stories in the author’s voice was heart-warming and perfect.

I’ve listened to a few interviews with the author, and he mentioned wanting this book to be something readers pick up annually for a burst of holiday cheer. Pellegrino mixes incredibly funny family stories with very personal and earnest vignettes that, often, brought me close to tears. The author’s sincerity and heart - definitely not two sizes too small - are the reasons to read this book 💚

What a treat to get to hear the author share his stories. There are so many laugh out loud moments throughout, but also really tender moments, too.

I did not know of Danny Pellegrino or his podcast before requesting this book. I requested the book because I love madcap holiday stories. Unfortunately, this book didn't really resonate with me. I also love when authors read their own works and I think that he did a good job narrating but I just wasn't drawn in. Some of the stories were funny and some were surprisingly serious. A few actually just made me feel bad for the women who were the butt of the joke (and saying Moms do a lot! didn't really make me feel better about it). According to some reviews this was laugh out loud funny for others so my review will probably be in the minority. I would still recommend this book because humor is subjective and I do still love stories of holiday chaos so others may really enjoy this. Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute, heartfelt, funny. Only criticism is sometimes the "lesson" at the end of each chapter felt corny and forced, but i see the point of it and it was a heartfelt book that made me laugh out loud, which is always a good thing. :)

Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooks for this advance copy.
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Pellegrino’s collection of stories from holidays past was absolutely hilarious and full of laugh out loud moments. This is the perfect holiday stress reliever. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer.

This was a DNF for me. I gave it my all to finish this book and I tried to connect with the narrator but I just couldn't.

Danny is always such a pleasure to listen to. He made all those crazy holiday stories you have seem relatable. The way he tells his stories make you feel like you were there and that you lived them with him. This book was fun, entertaining, charming , and got me in the holiday spirit