Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

Always, in December by Emily Stone

55 reviews

laheath's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Not a light, holiday read but also not heavy on the romance. As Max and Josie bump into each other every few months due to mutual friends, they never seem to be single at the same time, but they also weren't very good at communicating. I wish their relationship had been developed more, but even so, the ending was heartbreaking. 

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_linds's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5


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emilywemily6's review

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This one is making me sob. I really liked how their paths kept crossing and when they were on the same page they were so, so sweet together. However, the first half of the book felt really slow and Josie seemed like a completely different person then compared to the rest of the book. Like she was not coping well with her grief and then all of a sudden a few months later she was totally normal in regards to her grief and its ups and downs. I also feel like the chemistry from acquaintances to lovers was a bit hard to see. And the miscommunication!! Josie didn’t let Max talk when their paths crossed and Max was too much of a wimp to tell her the truth. I totally understood not telling her right away in the first December, but why did it take two more  encounters before the truth came out?? Also, I am sobbing at the ending, so it was not the holiday romance I had hoped for, though it gets points for giving me all the feels. I would try this author again, but far from my favorite holiday romance.

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yourbigsistersbookshelf's review

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emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0


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coffeekitaab's review

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emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Started this early December and realised I needed to finish it asap, managing on the first day of January 2024. Although I spent the majority of the book not liking the main characters for a variety of reasons, there was something that made me want them to get their fairytale ending...and unfortunately 10 pages from the end, I found the protagonists considerably redeemed themselves by the end (no spoilers). Still trying to understand my emotions for this one. I guess feeling a bit crappy because it's really broken my heart and I never picked up on the warning signs ah! Read at your own peril (do read it but check out trigger warnings first).

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elima's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

It's a lovely emotional story which is set in London and other parts of England and Scotland. Against the title it takes place not only in december but in two complete years. Many times the story is very sad, but in a good way. 

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lauren610's review

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3.5

A good book, but my god what a heart wrencher. The ending, are you kidding me?
Why does the love interest have to die in a tragic freak event, too?? This girl can't catch a freaking break

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newtonkatie's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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heidirgorecki's review

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emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Well written and a good look at grief in various forms and how everyone responds to it in different ways. 

I will say it was extremely sad, and I knew the ending was coming for the majority of the book. But I wasn’t just sad for the ending but rather, all thru the book between Josie and Max. I struggled with both of their refusals to talk and show compassion towards the other, instead letting their wounds dictate their response, even in opposite extremes. 

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noramccormick's review

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I skipped to the end and didn’t want to read a sad book.

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