When Mel’s mom dies a few weeks before Christmas, her mom’s former best friend Barb takes Mel under her wing, and Mel begins to learn more about her mom than she ever knew. And when Barb’s handsome son Henry (along with his sister and nephew) join them for the holidays, Mel finds a family just in time for Christmas. But will secrets from her mom and Barb’s past ruin everything she’s found?

I really enjoyed this one. I LOVED Barb, Henry, and the rest of their family, and there were a couple of twists I didn’t see coming. This is definitely more of an emotional, touching story, and is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The only issue I had was that the ending was extremely abrupt; I kept flipping back and forth because I was sure there had to be more! But if you love found family (especially at Christmas!), you’ll love this one.

TW: parent death, alcoholism

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the opportunity to read before pub day! ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is out now!

Not your typical “holiday romance” and also one of the best holiday-themed stories I’ve ever read! There *is* some romance along the way, but it’s certainly not the centerpiece of this novel. Filled with lovely characters who are dealing with grief and loss during a particularly difficult time of year, this was the engaging and heartwarming read I needed right now! 👏

This was a really adorable book about found family. It tackles the topic of grief and the holidays really well. I do think at points it felt a little rushed, things got wrapped up really quickly.
Overall enjoyable with a splash of holiday magic.

aylor Hahn's A Home for the Holidays is a heartfelt and poignant exploration of grief, healing, and the joy of found family. The story deftly balances emotional depth with moments of lightness, making it a truly memorable read.

The central theme of grief is beautifully portrayed, as the protagonist navigates the pain of loss while finding unexpected solace and connection in new relationships. Hahn’s writing captures the complex emotions of mourning—its heaviness and unpredictability—while also weaving in hope and warmth. The theme of found family is especially well done, showcasing how bonds formed in unexpected places can fill the void left by those we’ve lost.

While the narrative is richly layered, I found myself wanting to know more about Mel and Henry’s romance. Their relationship had the potential to add an extra layer of emotional depth, and a bit more focus on their journey together could have elevated the story even further.

Despite this, A Home for the Holidays is a deeply moving book that leaves a lasting impression. Hahn’s ability to address difficult topics with grace and authenticity, while also celebrating love and community, makes this a must-read for anyone seeking a story with heart. It’s a perfect pick for the holiday season or anytime you need a reminder of the healing power of connection.

Sometimes, I need a book to really PUT me in a feeling and force me to stay there - this book did just that. A powerful reflection on grief, family, and belonging, all set against the backdrop of Christmas. Sometimes the plot lost me a little, but I ended up coming back to it regardless. A good one if you need a break from saccharine Christmas novels.

This is probably the best Christmas book I’ve ever read. That’s saying something, because I have read 7 or 8 Christmas books every December for nearly the last decade.

A few months ago, I read an article the author wrote about her mom’s death (https://people.com/taylor-hahn-author-essay-exclusive-8719600) that I feel like prepares you well for the tone of the book.

I was honestly dreading reading it, because I am a fellow member of the dead mom club and I generally avoid these types of stories. I’m so glad I did, though. It was a quick read that struck the right bittersweet balance between grief and hope. Henry was a great book boyfriend and, though she was flawed, I loved Barb too. The ending was *chef’s kiss*. I would highly recommend this, even if you hate Christmas books. This book honestly doesn’t *need* to be set around Christmas, but it takes it up to that next level and makes it even more special.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was fine. It was great and certainly not bad, but average. It is marketed by Goodreads as a holiday romance which it really isn’t. It just happens to be set around Christmas where the FMC, Mel, has to navigate a world without her mother in it. Barb helps Mel learn a different side to her mother she never knew about.

Romance is a side plot. This is mostly a found family and navigating grief and complex relationships impacted by substance abuse.

A holiday story that has it all -- romance, family relationships, and lots of Christmas atmosphere. Two weeks before Christmas, Mel Hart gets the sad news that her mom has died. Mel's childhood was difficult, because her mother had a drinking problem, but her mom always loved her and managed to pull off Christmas for the two of them. Mel goes back to her mom's house to clean it out to get ready to sell and ends up meeting an old friend of her mom's. It turns out, to Mel's great surprise, that her mom was an "almost famous" singer back when she was in her twenties, and collaborated on a famous hit song. This starts Mel down a path of finding out who her mom truly was. Great story with lots of heart and just enough humor to keep it light.

SO many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the opportunity to read A Home for the Ho!idays by Taylor Hahn. I loved it so much I read it twice and I'm sure I'll be reading it again as well as recommending it to friends and family. Twenty-five beezillion gold stars for this magical novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review. This is a short yet poignant story about grief and discovering how much you really know about your family's past. The book follows Mel, a wedding singer in Chicago who is informed of her mother's sudden death. I enjoyed learning more about Mel and her mother's past and appreciate the message this book sends about life and addiction (her mother was an alcoholic before her death). However, the rest of the plot is a little farfetched and the heavy themes throughout do not lend itself well to a light holiday read. I think this book could have chosen to be a exploration/discovery family story and not need the rushed and honestly ill-advised romance on the side. Overall, this was okay but not something I would rush out to recommend.

I really thought this one would end up working better for me. I thought it was well written, with fleshed out characters. However I think I wanted a bit more exploration of the themes of grief, trauma and understanding and the strength of those clashed with the singer/songwriter/famous popstar side of the story.

A Home for the Holidays was filled with romance, found family, loss of loved ones, and reaching for dreams. While I love all of these plot points (especially in a holiday-themed book) and how there were some twists and turns, I found myself not wanting to reach for the book every time I put it down. I can’t put my finger on why exactly. Maybe too many plot points? I did appreciate the FMCs progression through the story but I would have loved to see her mom’s house as a place where she sought refuge instead of Barb’s. I loved all of the Christmas vibes, especially the party where they dress as A Christmas Story characters. Overall, a good book for anyone looking for a light romance with a few tearful moments.

Thank you so much to Knopf and NetGalley for my copy of A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn in exchange for an honest review. It published September 24, 2024.
Wow, this is easily one of the best Christmas books published this year. I loved this book so much, I read it in a day! I could not put it down. It was not cutesy like a Hallmark movie (no shade, just not for me), nor was it too gritty or rough like a dad book, (again, no shade, just not for me at Christmas).
I just loved everything about this book, the premise, the writing, the character development, the food!
This book has my heart swelling and my eyes tearing.
This was definitely an excellent book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a charming, cozy and emotional novel. I knew before even reading the author’s note that Taylor Hahn had experienced the loss of her own mother, as no one could have written a mother/daughter story like this without living through it first hand. I loved the way these characters came alive on the page. As an only child of a single mom myself, the specificity with which the FMC recalled fond memories growing up with her mom were particularly touching.

Some elements of the story did seem a bit formulaic and the ending felt slightly rushed. I was left wanting a bit more after that final scene! Regardless, this was a heartwarming holiday story that struck the right balance between Hallmark festiveness and a moving portrayal of a daughter’s complicated grief with her mother’s passing. I would love to read more from this author!

3.5⭐ This was a really cute and sentimental read. It was quick and enjoyable! Its what I would call a cute Hallmark Christmas movie type book. If you like to read a cute romance that deals with grief and healing, then this will be great for you. I enjoyed it!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

This was not the fun and fluffy Christmas rom-com I expected, but that's totally okay--it was surprisingly good!

Wedding singer Mel Hart has always loved Christmas thanks to the fact that her mom, Connie, made it magical. That's extra special because, as an adult, Mel realizes her mom was (is) an alcoholic and the two spent a lot of their life with little money and no real place to put down their roots. Still, Mel is devastated when Connie dies a few weeks before Christmas, leaving much unresolved between the pair. Then she meets Barb, who claims she was Connie's best friend before Mel was born--back in a crazy world when Connie almost became a famous singer. Mel goes to stay with Barb for the holidays, learning more and more about Connie's past, and also meets Barb's son, a handsome and witty doctor.

If you don't like treacly and overly romantic Christmas stories, this book is for you. It's actually dark at times, delving into Connie's alcoholism, problems between Connie and Barb, and Mel's sadness and grief. There is hope, however, when Mel meets Barb's son Henry, who is absolutely glorious and such a sweet leading guy. Mel has her own issues (a dying alcoholic mom will do that to you) but she's spunky and enjoyable too. Even with its difficult topics, HOME is a sparkling story about grief, forgiveness, and yes-love.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Knopf in return for an unbiased review.

I enjoyed this book so much! I wasn't sure what to expect at first due to the sad beginning, but it was such a wonderful story. I love how everything tied together in the end

Wedding singer Mel Hart has always loved the magic of the holidays and the way it allowed an escape from the real world, but when in the weeks leading up to Christmas Mel gets a call saying her mom passes and her and her boyfriend break up, life suddenly feels a lot less magical. Enter Barb: an eccentric woman, claiming to be Connie's former best friend, and that they were almost famous country movie stars once. When Mel enters Barb's world, her perspective begins to change and she begins to confront her grief, finding a home for the holidays after all.

This book was a great read if you are looking for something more than a light-hearted Christmas rom-com! Taylor tackled grief in a raw and real way, diving into the complicated emotions of the holidays without a loved one. I enjoyed the romance that emerged, and although there were parts that were definitely unbelievable, who's to argue with a bit of Christmas magic? It was fun to learn more about Barb and Connie's past and meet the rest of Barb's family as the holidays approached.

The storyline regarding Mel's parentage with a little silly and I could've done without it entirely, I'm not sure it added much to the overall story. The way Mel's best friend fell in love with Barb's daughter also felt a bit ~too~ rom-com perfect. I almost wish the book focused a bit more on the relationships with Barb, her son, and Mel's dad, instead of adding in all the additional storylines, keeping the other characters solely in a secondary role.

All in all - if you love Hallmark movies, definitely pick this one up to get into the holiday spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for a e-ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

More of a 4.5⭐️ rounded up. A sweet little holiday romance! I loved the chaos of the main character Mel. She has complex grief and I think it’s perfection because it’s messy and beautiful. This book emphasized, for me at least, how our parents have lives that they’ve lived before they had children. (okay, yeah, obviously, I get it) But how, as the child, we never know them completely. We never will know the version of our parent(s) before we were born. And that is a sort of sad thought, but I love how this character got to learn about her mother from Barb, the mysterious estranged friend of her mother’s. It was so beautiful. I’m fortunate to have my mom around and to still have these conversations and to ask questions, but this character didn’t have that. And I love how that was captured and intertwined with her grief and loss. There was a little romance, but I didn’t feel like it was the center, which I liked. I enjoyed the ending and it felt like a nice bow, a nice tie on the whole book. Easy, enjoyable read. 10/10 recommend reading, preferably curled up by a fire in pjs with snow falling outside.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, for this gorgeously heartfelt and sparkling holiday romance ARC!

The book was good, it was about a girl and her journey and grieve through the holidays and finding a new family and getting peace for her and her mother