There were some positive elements to this book: the idea of found family, moving on from loss, and a sweet romance. But I felt like the insta-love concept wasn't believable and, honestly, I expected more exploration and self-reflection about the mom's struggles with alcoholism.

I liked this book. It was interesting without being super depressing and explained grief well. I thought it was a good read for this time of year.

This is one book where I should have read the synopsis before diving in. I was expecting another holiday romance but this book is more about Mel's journey through grief at the holidays after the death of her. mother.

I appreciated the themes of found family but found it a little far-fetched that Mel was so trusting of Barb so early on.

I also found the romance aspect to be a bit weird. The guy was married, his mom was Barb, it was just a big strange.

Know before going in that this is not a light-hearted holiday read at all.

This book was so sweet! A perfect story for the holidays all about Mothers and Daughters, and definitely had me feeling a certain way during my daughter’s first Christmas. It’s sad though, and those grieving their mothers will have a very hard time reading this, but the ending is very hopeful and lovely. It’s not OVERLY Christmasy but I can still seeing it be a staple read for the holidays. It also had a great romance subplot, that may be a bit too convenient at times, but still a solid read.

Shortly before Christmas, Mel and her boyfriend, who’s also one of her bandmates, break up. Shortly after this, Mel finds out her mother has passed away. Despite Mel’s tumultuous relationship with her mom, she appreciates how she always managed to pull off the magic of Christmas.

A woman shows up on Mel’s doorstep claiming to be her mom’s former best friend. Barbara and Connie, Mel’s mom, have been estranged for years but Barbara is adamant there’s another side to Connie that Mel doesn’t know about.

Curiosity gets the best of her and Mel reluctantly accepts Barbara’s dinner invitation. She begins to learn more about Connie and her former life, and the other people in Barbara’s life now.

A Home for the Holidays is a story about grief, family — biological and found — and the complicated feelings that can accompany both. I enjoyed the holiday aspects in this story which did a good job balancing sweet with substance.

Thanks to Knopf and PRH Audio for the gifted copies!

Wedding singer Mel Hart is dealing with the recent death of her mother. Soon after, a woman claiming to be her mother's best friend, Barb, shows up and fills in a very different backstory that Mel never knew about her mom. Mel moves in with Barb for the holidays and finds herself in the midst of complicated family dynamics, some of which involve a soon-to-be-divorced, very handsome doctor.

This is my kind of holiday read - a combination of sadness & heart mixed with light, seasonal festivities that blend into a heartwarming romance. I enjoyed the development into the future while we also pieced together the past of Mel's mother. Everything tied up as perfectly as the bow on that Christmas present you just wrapped, making this a perfect story for the holidays.

"Guilt follows grief like a hangover, does it not?”

Not your typical Christmas book, but perfect for those who struggle with the season. Mel has a complicated relationship with her mother. She gets a call her mother has died 2 weeks before Christmas and spends the season reflecting on her relationship with her mother and her mother's past.

I liked this book and it's exploration of grief when it's complicated. The music component of it was a little far fetched for me.

A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn is a holiday story with more emotional depth than one might expect. It's a book for motherless daughters and for anyone searching for home.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

When creating my holiday TBR, I tend to seek out a mix of genres within the holiday umbrella to give myself some variety during the season. I was initially drawn to A Home for the Holidays because of its focus on friends and family over romance. It’s certainly a departure from your typical holiday read, and while I liked it, I can’t say it was a new favorite.

Despite the title, there’s very little about this book that feels holiday-like aside from the fact that it takes place around Christmas. The holidays play more of a background role in this story, which does allow more room to focus on the relationships between the characters, which is really where the story shines. While it’s heartfelt there’s a heaviness to the book as one of the key plot points is the loss of a family member. It reminded me a lot of Cat Shook’s Humor Me (which I read and loved earlier this year), as the themes and characters had a similar vibe.

If you’re looking for a seasonal read that’s more reflective and thoughtful and less holly and jolly, this would probably be a good one to check out. Just be sure to scan the content warnings before reading.

A Home for the Holidays is out now. Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finished reading A Home for the Holidays during this past Holiday weekend.
This is a feel good story that started with so much promise but fell flat for me as it progressed.
Not the best Holiday book this year.

3.75 stars!
This book was such a cozy way to look at grief. I love how real the grief was for the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed Barb and her family and how they took Mel in. The ending fell a little flat for me and I didn’t feel like the romance plot line got wrapped up well which is why this is only 3.75 stars but overall it was a great book!

I love holiday themed books and was very excited to receive an early copy of this one. I have had Taylor Hahn on my TBR for ages but this was my first book by her and I really enjoyed it.

This book is not a light holiday read by any means -- there are many serious themes -- grief, loss of a parent, alcoholism and it's impact on children. I thought all of these subjects were handled very well. I really loved Mel, and was rooting for her -- and thought the romance bits were very swoony.

This book had some unexpected twists and I enjoyed the ending a lot. I would recommend this to anyone who likes emotional family dynamics. I am excited to read more by Taylor Hahn!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

This book was not what I was expecting -- especially because Hahn's last book was about a couple exploring swinging. However, no matter the issue the books center on (in this one it was coming to terms with a complicated relationship of a recently deceased parent) I just love how she breathes so much love and care into the stories she writes. While this is a holiday book and does center around Christmas, there is so much to love about this book no matter the season.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an eArc in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars!

Mel Hart grew up having a complicated relationship with her mother Connie. Mel often acted as the adult in their relationship, due to Connie’s alcoholism. Mel never confronted her about it, only distanced herself as an adult. When she gets a phone call from a hospital doctor saying that Connie’s died, she’s devastated. She has a mix of emotions - guilt, anger, grief. She wonders if there’s something she could have done and why her mother didn’t call her. A few days after Connie’s death, Barb shows up on her doorstep, claiming to be a long lost friend. Mel has never heard of Barb so she’s reluctant when Barb offers her a holiday meal, but feels she has nothing to lose. She ends up entwined in Barb’s family dynamics, learning more about her mother than she ever dreamed of, and when all is said and done - letting go of the guilt and anger.

This was a sweet yet witty book. This is the first novel I’ve read from this author and I would definitely read more of her work. The narration was pleasant and easy to follow - overall it was a very bingeable read despite the heavy subject matter!

This is a deeply moving but sad story about loss of a parent, grief, and forgiveness.

To start, I really liked Mel. I found her current life a bit slow and sad so when the shocking call came and she upending her life, I couldn't help but be excited for the change. But the first half of the book was so sad as Mel untangles her grief, guilt and regrets.

Finally, as Barb popped into the picture and the moment at the bakery happened, I thought it went in a very cute direction. Even though things wound wildly outside of reality, I loved the heartwarming turns and the theme at the end.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

A heartwarming and poignant novel that beautifully captures the essence of the holiday season. I enjoyed Mel’s journey of self discovery and healing. There are moments of humor and heartache, making Mel’s journey both relatable and touching.
Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one! I liked it a lot more than I expected. With everything taking place over the course of 2ish weeks, you have to suspend belief a bit, but if you're looking for a holiday novel, I highly recommend this one. Emotional but heartwarming.

Mel makes a living as a wedding singer, in a longtime band with friends, including a longtime boyfriend. This was a messy and bit chaotic look at Mel's life during Christmas time. Her Mom just passed away, leaving her their family home. Her boyfriend wants to go on the road and sing back up with a touring band and one day, on the doorstep of her childhood home, an old, estranged friend of her mom's, promising stories and a place to stay. Barb's home is inviting, and a book of songs from when Barb and her mom tried to make it big in Nashville makes Mel question her paternity and her mom's true career success. There is grief, love, and chosen family all within this story.

“How lucky I was, to have found love out of deep sadness. But that was the yellow house - a blessing, a refuge, a home, if just for the holidays.”

Beautiful and heartwarming portrayal of grief, found family, and finding love in the most unexpected place. I was crying within pages of starting this. I loved every moment leading up to the end. Perfect Sad Girl Lit Fic.

And then came the last 2 chapters. Taylor baby. What happened? Did you hit your head before you finished writing the book? The last two chapters were so jarringly different in tone and I was gobsmacked by the ending. I LOVE an open ending, that’s not the problem here. Suddenly Mel has it all figured out in the blink of an eye and Henry was nowhere to be found? I’m so utterly confused by tying this up in a neat bow the way it was. Nothing about this story was neat and tidy. It’s literally left open ended, why did you put a bow on it???

I’m still recommending it because I truly loved it until the last 2 chapters. Maybe just stop? Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

Rating: 5 stars!

The most wholesome found family Christmas story! The build up to the reveal at the end.. The heartbreaking story of a mother's love.. Barb's cooking... I just absolutely adored this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor an ARC in exchange for an honest review