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cobaltbookshelf's review
2.0
2.5 stars
This is my first book by this author and while it turned out to be not quite what I expected, I still find it fine. Overall, this is a heartwarming story full of fall and holiday charm.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book by this author and while it turned out to be not quite what I expected, I still find it fine. Overall, this is a heartwarming story full of fall and holiday charm.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
sian_m's review
4.0
I give this book a high 3.5 stars. It was my first Christmas read of the year and an enjoyable one at that. It kept me engaged and keen to pick up the book. It displays a really good timeline throughout. The characters come across realistic and well rounded, with a balance of life complexities.
It was nice to see the tight bond that Cassie and Tom shared and the connection between the characters felt well developed and had a realistic vibe to them.
I like the beginning of the book, the introduction draws you into the book with ease and it sets the scene for the rest of the story.
It is well rounded and I enjoyed it a lot. It was a decent first seasonal read.
The only downside for me was the repeated seasonal treasure hunt. I’m not sure that anyone would still be doing that so many years on, however, I may not have met anyone who does this, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. I can overlook that and see the joy and goodness of the book.
It was nice to see the tight bond that Cassie and Tom shared and the connection between the characters felt well developed and had a realistic vibe to them.
I like the beginning of the book, the introduction draws you into the book with ease and it sets the scene for the rest of the story.
It is well rounded and I enjoyed it a lot. It was a decent first seasonal read.
The only downside for me was the repeated seasonal treasure hunt. I’m not sure that anyone would still be doing that so many years on, however, I may not have met anyone who does this, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. I can overlook that and see the joy and goodness of the book.
nicholembro's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
littlelifeofbooks's review
3.0
Emily Stone finds all the tender places of your heart when you read her books. This was almost like walking into an old gift store, unsure if you’re going to walk out with anything. Then once you do, you can’t help but swing your paper brown bag and smile to yourself for stopping by.
This reminded me almost of P.S I Love You with the notes that Tom left for Cassie, and the scavenger hunt he took her on. I loved that entire part of the story, but I sadly wasn’t a big fan of her and Sam. I wanted to be but I couldn’t get there. Always in December is so hard to beat in my mind so I think I will recommend that one over this.
This reminded me almost of P.S I Love You with the notes that Tom left for Cassie, and the scavenger hunt he took her on. I loved that entire part of the story, but I sadly wasn’t a big fan of her and Sam. I wanted to be but I couldn’t get there. Always in December is so hard to beat in my mind so I think I will recommend that one over this.
slicciardi's review
3.0
Considering how much I liked the author's first book, I had higher expectations for this one. It's still worth the read tho
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
5.0
If, like me, you are an emotional reader, please make sure you have a box of tissues or two at hand whilst reading this. The title and blurb let you know that this will not be an easy read, but it is undoubtedly a very worthwhile and fulfilling one. With themes of friendship, loss and grief, found family, being brave whilst scared, and love in all its many shapes, sizes and colours, One Last Gift is an utterly captivating read. So much so that I couldn't put it down and read until the early hours of the morning in my desire to finish it.
I had worried that reading a "seasonal" book in August would temper my enjoyment, but despite many of the scenes being set during the Christmas period, this book can be read year-round. Whilst there are jumps in the timeline they are clearly labelled, allowing the reader to readily stay abreast of the when as well as the where. We also get much-needed chapters from Sam's point of view, they were intrinsic to the success of this book in terms of understanding character motivation and seeing growth. I also appreciated that the author kept the timeline linear rather than hopping around as it allowed the reader to warm to both Cassie and Sam before fear, bad decisions and tragedy tore them apart.
One Last Gift is very much a character-driven story and those characters were engaging, easy to like and imperfectly human. They made mistakes and let fear rule them but not conquer them, facing up to those fears and discovering bravery isn't in doing something but in doing something despite being scared. I loved that through the letters and recollections of others Tom remained an active character with Cassie getting to know him in new ways.
This is a new-to-me author who has firmly placed herself on my reading radar. I very much plan on reading her first book, Always, in December and look forward to reading future work by her too.
I had worried that reading a "seasonal" book in August would temper my enjoyment, but despite many of the scenes being set during the Christmas period, this book can be read year-round. Whilst there are jumps in the timeline they are clearly labelled, allowing the reader to readily stay abreast of the when as well as the where. We also get much-needed chapters from Sam's point of view, they were intrinsic to the success of this book in terms of understanding character motivation and seeing growth. I also appreciated that the author kept the timeline linear rather than hopping around as it allowed the reader to warm to both Cassie and Sam before fear, bad decisions and tragedy tore them apart.
One Last Gift is very much a character-driven story and those characters were engaging, easy to like and imperfectly human. They made mistakes and let fear rule them but not conquer them, facing up to those fears and discovering bravery isn't in doing something but in doing something despite being scared. I loved that through the letters and recollections of others Tom remained an active character with Cassie getting to know him in new ways.
This is a new-to-me author who has firmly placed herself on my reading radar. I very much plan on reading her first book, Always, in December and look forward to reading future work by her too.
heidifay97's review
3.0
3.5 stars. This was sad and bittersweet, definitely a more emotional holiday read with some romance sprinkled in
bookedandstarred's review against another edition
5.0
A gut-punching, emotional, and strong sophomore Christmas outing!
I requested this since I loved and sobbed over Emily Stone's debut, Always in December. I got to say, the woman clearly knows how to write about loss, grief and relationships beautifully and profoundly.
I loved how Stone has shown the different types of bonds formed among all the characters in this book including those between families, siblings, best friends and even colleagues, while baring their two sides, be it a happy and working one or a toxic and dysfunctional one. I felt each relationship dynamic as truly distinct and fully fleshed-out.
What I appreciated most in this book are the relationships between Tom and Sam, Sam and Cassie and among all three of them. Tom's loss and the remaining two's shared grief paved the way for Sam and Cassie to reconnect and finally be together after years of pining. And oh, the pining in this book! It's just heart-tugging and heart-wrenching that I can't help but root for them.
This is not your typical holiday read and has the same somber tone as Josie Silver's One Day in December with an ending that's surely satisfying.
Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, NetGalley, and the author for my early copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.
I requested this since I loved and sobbed over Emily Stone's debut, Always in December. I got to say, the woman clearly knows how to write about loss, grief and relationships beautifully and profoundly.
I loved how Stone has shown the different types of bonds formed among all the characters in this book including those between families, siblings, best friends and even colleagues, while baring their two sides, be it a happy and working one or a toxic and dysfunctional one. I felt each relationship dynamic as truly distinct and fully fleshed-out.
What I appreciated most in this book are the relationships between Tom and Sam, Sam and Cassie and among all three of them. Tom's loss and the remaining two's shared grief paved the way for Sam and Cassie to reconnect and finally be together after years of pining. And oh, the pining in this book! It's just heart-tugging and heart-wrenching that I can't help but root for them.
This is not your typical holiday read and has the same somber tone as Josie Silver's One Day in December with an ending that's surely satisfying.
Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, NetGalley, and the author for my early copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.