Review by Christin Parcerisa

Becca Freeman’s debut novel offers a unique perspective of Christmas, shedding light on chosen families and what family means to people who have no one to spend the holidays with. A fun story to read that mixes deep feelings with light and funny experiences as we get to know each of the four main characters: friends who seem to become the reader’s friends as the story progresses. 

Hannah and Finn, who met during their sophomore year at college, were only two people on campus at Christmastime one year. Hannah’s parents had died when she was a teenager, and Finn’s conservative family rejected him when he came out. Soon they become inseparable, moving to New York after college where Christmas together becomes an annual holiday tradition. Over the years, they add two more friends to their “Christmas Orphans” group: Hannah’s roommate, Priya, and a mysterious, wealthy Brit, Theo. 10 years in, their chosen family is pulled in different directions, forcing them to reassess their friendships and how their relationships evolved. 

The book doesn’t have a linear structure. It jumps back and forth between 10 Christmases the group of friends spend together. The way the author plays with time allows the reader to experience complicated moments these friends navigate foreshadowed at the beginning of the story. Although it’s clear there are issues between them from the start, the reader doesn’t quite know what they are— a plot device that hooks you from one chapter to the next. The book is also divided between Hanna’s perspective and Finn’s. A tool that makes the book feel personal, allowing us to get to know them more intimately. Through its first-person point of view, the reader gets to learn Hannah and Finn’s fears, desires, struggles and hopes laughing and crying the whole way through. 

The Christmas Orphans Club touches a lot of emotional topics, from falling in love, to feeling worthy of love. Of course, the main topic is friendship, and how love between friends can be the deepest. Family struggles don’t hesitate to appear, as well as fulfillment of personal and professional goals. As we experience a decade of friendship between these characters we witness their growth and adventures through life’s elusive curveballs. 

The story invites reflection on our personal meanings of Christmas— causing readers to ponder the true meaning of family and how our ideas of family can differ from one person to the next. It explores the complexity of relationships, drawing emphasis on empathy. Looking beyond ourselves to discover understanding of the people we consider ourselves closest to. 

Regarding the book as a Christmas story. It could have used a little more romance and Christmas-y activity. Also, the book explores many of the characters’ issues all at once with some of them resolving without showing the reader these particular scenes. An opportunity for imagery that could have enriched the reading experience.

The Christmas Orphans Club is definitely a book worth reading if you’re looking for a contemporary twist to classic Christmas storytelling. The characters are unique and easy to fall in love with. And, even though the topics are deep, the story reads lightly and even humorously, much to the reader’s enjoyment.  

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 candy canes.