In truth, this novel was a grower; the more I read, the more invested I came into Eva’s story. Honestly, I didn’t really like Eva at the beginning and I think Greenlaw wants readers to dislike her. She is completely obsessed with her business, treating those around her incredibly poorly – from her suffering assistant to her husband of many years. Although she has been invited to a Christmas party in Cornwall, she is estranged from her friends because of how much she has immersed herself in her work – and Eva knows this is her doing. Yet, as far as she is concerned, it is all work, work, work, regardless of the day of the year and the hurt is causes to her nearest and dearest. This is an absolutely adorable Christmas story about love, friendship, and redemption. Three years ago Eva Glass had a terrible heartbreaking experience. One that she would choose not to remember if it were up to her. Yet she has become angry and very bitter due to the circumstance. And as such she has become a workaholic working on opening her new store. Unfortunately, those around her have paid the price due to her pushing them out of her life. And that even includes her husband who only wants the best for her.

I really enjoyed this book, as it was very reminiscent of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and a little like The Midnight Library - both of which I loved. I had never read anything by this author before, but the blurb intrigued me, and I am so glad I read it. Grab a hot chocolate and slip on your comfiest blanket because this feel-good holiday escape will give you all the cozy Christmas feels. Cozy up with Becca Freeman’s debut novel, The Christmas Orphans Club, a lovely addition to the holiday romance canon. Set in the glittering landscape of NYC, four friends’ annual holiday traditions are put to the test when it becomes clear that it may be their last. With razor-sharp wit and hilarious dialogue, Freeman crafts a heartwarming story of found family, friendship, holiday traditions, and the challenges of growing up. This women’s fiction holiday read is truly a special book filled with many timely lessons, such as the importance of finding a work/ life balance, letting people in versus shutting those closest to you out, and figuring out what’s most important in life. It definitely took me a while to like the main character, but as the story developed, I started to see the world from her POV and understand and emphasize with her more. By the end, I felt uplifted and fulfilled as the story really came full circle. Also, while I know this is a small detail and not so important, I do wish we knew about more about Eva’s business and the shop she was opening. All the references were vague, yet it was such a big part of her life! Eva is a complicated character to relate to or root for. There's a lot of self-absorbed whining at the start ( which always sounds worse in first person) and hence I was more irritated with than sympathetic for Eva despite her circumstances. I had forgotten that this was a Groundhog Day book, so I was initially befuddled by the author's decision to have such an annoying character at the helm of her plot. But once the time loops began, I realised the benefit of Eva's character development. So yes... though irritating, she works well for the story.Eva is about to open her new store which she has been preparing for the past three years. She is hopeful her work will help bury a heartbreak from one Christmas. It’s time to break out the mistletoe and gelato! New York’s newest resident, Iris, would rather hibernate than explore her new home. However, her best friend refuses to allow her to become a hermit. She handles it the only way she feels she can. She pushes everyone she cares about including her husband away and throws herself in to her new business venture. MBA student Caroline Sedlacek knows her personal balance sheet is a little lopsided. On the asset side, at twenty-two she’s got an NCAA trophy, a great education...and the two million dollars she unexpectedly inherited. Liabilities? She's never had friends, a boyfriend, or any life experiences away from the tennis court or the classroom. She'd love to invest herself in everything else, but "everything else" never came easily for her.

The MC is a workaholic, who's pushed away everyone in her life for work, because she's trying to distance herself from her immense grief at losing [redacted]. This book starts on a Christmas Eve where she is on the verge of losing everyone who matter to her.. and then on Christmas morning, she finds herself in a unique/twisted Groundhog Day situation. Every day when she wakes up (that is, on Dec 25 again and again), she wakes up in the body of a different friend or stranger. Each day gives her a new perspective on her current life, and on her failing relationships, and each day takes her further on the emotional journey to finding out what she truly wants out of life. The book I didn't know I needed to read - gorgeous, Christmassy and compelling” - Ella Allbright, The Last Charm One Christmas Morning has an interesting twist to the Time-Loop trope, unfortunately it feels overly repetitive and drawn out. Most of this story focuses on the plot rather than the characters. I want to know more about Eva, James, Hallie, and Kian and their friendship. It's always all about the characters for me. I think it was a good idea for a novel, but not well executed. I expect a lot from "Groundhog Day" style books. You're already taking someone else's idea, so you have to deliver on characters and story. This did not.Of course, by its very nature, the book is quite predictable. ( Though there was one incident at the end that I did not see coming.) So this book is not about the destination but about the journey. And the journey is handled decently. Greenlaw's modern take on a classic is enhanced by multidimensional characters and their realistically complex relationships. The result is a heartwarming tale about prioritizing the things that matter most in life.”— Publishers Weekly However.... One Christmas, her special angel and beloved Gran decides to return from beyond to try to set Eva straight. Most of this story is spent in the head and first-person voice of our protagonist Eva Glass and frankly, connecting with Eva is a challenge. She's struggling with her marriage, her friendships, and her working relationships. She's trying to forget what broke her heart three years ago. She's bottled herself up so tight she's losing herself and everyone she loves in the process. With the help of a handsome stranger, Mira will have to travel across the Fortunate Isles in search of a way to buy her father’s freedom. But to survive the journey she will need to learn who to trust – as securing her own future, and that of her island, will come at a high price.