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hannah_steven's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Infidelity, and Terminal illness
Minor: Cancer
shel_bay11's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, and Terminal illness
backpackingbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Anyone who knows me knows I strongly dislike romance novels. Throw in a Christmas setting and I'm even more likely to avoid. However, my book club picked this one as our holiday read and after a series of very heavy books, I knew I needed something quite light and easy-going. Now, this book is everything but light and easy-going but that is the reason it worked for me. I'm not here for unrealistic happily ever afters - I like books with a bit of substance and a character twist that throws you off-guard. I want all the imperfects and none of the steam. Did this book tick these boxes? It absolutely definitely did.
It's a hard book to categorise without spoilers and I was actually quite disappointed that the blurb compared it to a certain book as that kind of gave a huge hint as to what was to come. It's certainly not your typical cutesy Christmas read which is refreshing considering how many saturate the market.
I really connected to the characters, especially once we had the shift in perspective and heard Max's side of the story. I loved all the different settings, from Christmassy London and autumnal Scotland to glorious spring in New York. This gave me all the armchair travel I've been missing, especially the UK parts that I miss terribly at this time of year.
The reason this one dropped a star was because it felt dragged out in places, such as the party in New York and the wedding in Scotland and that slowed the pace for me and made it a bit of a slog to get through.
That being said, this one clearly made an impact as I rarely ever cry at books but this one had me sobbing into my pillow. I can't wait to read the author's next book!
Rating breakdown
It's a hard book to categorise without spoilers and I was actually quite disappointed that the blurb compared it to a certain book as that kind of gave a huge hint as to what was to come. It's certainly not your typical cutesy Christmas read which is refreshing considering how many saturate the market.
I really connected to the characters, especially once we had the shift in perspective and heard Max's side of the story. I loved all the different settings, from Christmassy London and autumnal Scotland to glorious spring in New York. This gave me all the armchair travel I've been missing, especially the UK parts that I miss terribly at this time of year.
The reason this one dropped a star was because it felt dragged out in places, such as the party in New York and the wedding in Scotland and that slowed the pace for me and made it a bit of a slog to get through.
That being said, this one clearly made an impact as I rarely ever cry at books but this one had me sobbing into my pillow. I can't wait to read the author's next book!
Rating breakdown
- Plot/narrative - 4.4
- Writing style/readability - 4.1
- Characters - 4.4
- Diverse themes - 3.8
- Ending - 4.3
Overall - 4.2
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Terminal illness
kerrygetsliterary's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Death, Grief, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent and Infidelity
susannaleslieprins's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Always in December is about two people who have a chance run in with each other, only to drop in and out of each other’s lives over the next year. It’s not clear until the ending why this is. I’ll save the big reveal, but this one is a tear jerker for sure! It reminded me in ways of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, although it leaned more romantic.
I read this one in an attempt to dip my toe in the romance genre on the recommendation of a friend. I laughed knowing what was recommended was a sad love story because I think I’ve earned a reputation for liking content that tugs at you.
This one should have a trigger warning for grief and I really enjoyed it.
I read this one in an attempt to dip my toe in the romance genre on the recommendation of a friend. I laughed knowing what was recommended was a sad love story because I think I’ve earned a reputation for liking content that tugs at you.
This one should have a trigger warning for grief and I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
emilyharmonica's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
cass_lit's review against another edition
3.0
This was undeniably a beautifully written story.
I think it being marketed as a “Christmas romance,” however, is seriously misleading. I wouldn’t reach for this one if you’re looking for a heartwarming, cozy holiday love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Cancer
alexleigh20's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
stevie's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, and Terminal illness
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