A Home for the Holidays

A Novel

By: Taylor Hahn

Narrated by: Anna Caputo

A witty, warmhearted novel about coming to terms with grief, taking a chance on unexpected connections, and finding family in time for the holidays

For wedding singer Mel Hart, the holidays have always retained a certain magic. Her mother, Connie, always managed to pull off spectacular Santa hijinx that convinced Mel to keep believing in Santa way longer than other kids. Those moments meant everything to Mel because the rest of the year, life was unpredictable because of her mother’s alcohol use.

But two weeks before Christmas, Mel gets a call from the hospital: her mother has died.

Then a woman shows up on Mel's doorstep, claiming to be Connie's estranged best friend, promising to tell Mel a different narrative—one in which Connie was almost a famous country music star, if only a man hadn't gotten in the way. Instead of spending Christmas alone in her dead mother's house, Mel agrees to stay with Barb for the holidays, finding herself in the middle of Barb's complicated family and uncovering secrets while fighting an attraction to Barb’s in-the-middle-of-a-divorce son. As Christmas approaches, Mel reckons with how little she knew about her mother's past while reexamining her own future.

A Home for the Holidays is a moving exploration of complicated grief, mother-daughter relationships, loving someone with addiction, and the redemptive power of opening one's heart to love in all its forms.

Heavy themes but not heavy handed

3.75 stars rounded up (because, hey, it's the holidays) to 4 stars for A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn. This is not your typical light hearted Christmas rom com, be warned. Although the setting is Christmastime, and you can almost be guaranteed a happy ending, Hahn tackles some very heavy themes like alcoholism, addiction, the loss of your mother, and guilt and grief. That being said, she does it in a really affecting way that in my opinion elevated the story and bumped it up half a star in the rating. There is a hot doctor and a budding romance, but that part of the story was like cream in a strong cup of coffee. It tempered it a bit but didn't dilute it. At the heart of the story is a young woman trying to come to terms with the unbearable guilt and sadness and anger she feels after her mother dies of alcoholism. I thought it was really poignantly handled and I recommend this book to anyone who might be a bit hesitant on either side of the Christmas rom com see saw. Whether you are looking for heavy or light this Christmas season, I think you'll be happy with this book.

I wish there was a sequel for me to read already!!

I am honestly sad that I finished this book and there isn't a sequel to dive right into. As someone who is a child of a single mother who abused alcohol, Taylor Hahn really nails the codependency that occurs in this type of relationship in addition to the child having to grow up too fast. She tackles serious issues in a relatively light-hearted manner, with lots of fun subplots occurring at the same time, including pop culture references, music, holiday cheer, and some sweet romances. The novel is both well-written and narrated. I listed to it over a 2.5 day period and haven't moved onto a new book yet because I am still mourning that this novel is over! Although the novel deals with serious topics that a lot of people can relate too, it is an enjoyable, captivating, and memorable read. I am excited to see what Taylor Hahn has in store in the future and hope that Mel and the other characters are involved!

Cozy, heartwarming read!

I loved this story! It was so relatable for anyone going through grief. Wish I saved it for hot chocolate season.

The theme of grief at the holidays, and found family 

This is a brilliantly written book. It touched on grief at the holidays, as well as found family. He touched a very special place in my heart, and I felt everything Mel was going through. So many emotions it’s just hard to describe how much I enjoyed and love this book. 

Real raw and relatable

The character development was excellent, I felt like I knew everyone. Barb is everything I aspire to be as I age. Her life is full and her honesty and ability to see things through her rose colored glasses is a true craft and gift in this day and age. Mel was so relatable and I felt like her feelings were my feelings only with my dad.