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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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:
No
This is the second book I have read by Emily Stone. If you like Contemporary Fiction with a subtitle plot of romance and a sad [insert tragedy here] type plot, then I HIGHLY recommend her books. Emily’s books always feel like more than just a love story.
The writing is beautiful and the story had a hint of nostalgia where the characters revisited impactful moments in their lives. I loved the letter writing element and reading them along with the characters. Both Holly and Jack had so much character development outside of their romantic relationship. Their meet cute gave me butterflies. AND their connection felt nature. I loved loved loved the romance between the two of them 🫶🏻
The writing is beautiful and the story had a hint of nostalgia where the characters revisited impactful moments in their lives. I loved the letter writing element and reading them along with the characters. Both Holly and Jack had so much character development outside of their romantic relationship. Their meet cute gave me butterflies. AND their connection felt nature. I loved loved loved the romance between the two of them 🫶🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Infertility, Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Love Holly isn't exactly your typical Christmas book. It kicks off on the day before Christmas Eve and concludes two Christmases later. The majority of the story unfolds during that initial year, with an epilogue set a year later.
Our main focus in this tale revolves around Holly, Jack, and Emma, with their dual points of view shared throughout the first two. I absolutely adored it. The entire story captivated me, flaws and all, as the three characters underwent remarkable development. The writing itself is flawless, and to be honest, I didn't want this book to reach its end. That's a rarity for me—I don't often form strong attachments to characters.
Holly fits the mold of your typical quirky, tousled-haired woman, reminiscent of many female characters found in contemporary romantic comedies. Jack, on the other hand, embodies the archetype of a workaholic, emotionally detached individual who treats life like a checklist. While I'm not a fan of stereotypes, I must admit that this book is genuinely good. The growth displayed by these characters is truly commendable, making them both likable. I found myself rooting for them throughout, even if there were moments when I wanted to give one of them a good slap.
The extended timeline of the story lends it a greater sense of believability. There are no instant love connections here; instead, the author emphasizes the role of fate, which adds a touch of cuteness.
This particular author has a knack for compelling me to cultivate empathy by presenting circumstances I would typically judge prematurely. And I absolutely love that aspect.
Now, I do have one question lingering in my mind. Where does Steve fit into this whole story? He's mentioned here and there, but he never actually makes an appearance. It's almost as if he was forgotten.
Without a doubt, I would highly recommend this book. In fact, I'm certain I'll bring it up for discussion in my book club once it's released. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Our main focus in this tale revolves around Holly, Jack, and Emma, with their dual points of view shared throughout the first two. I absolutely adored it. The entire story captivated me, flaws and all, as the three characters underwent remarkable development. The writing itself is flawless, and to be honest, I didn't want this book to reach its end. That's a rarity for me—I don't often form strong attachments to characters.
Holly fits the mold of your typical quirky, tousled-haired woman, reminiscent of many female characters found in contemporary romantic comedies. Jack, on the other hand, embodies the archetype of a workaholic, emotionally detached individual who treats life like a checklist. While I'm not a fan of stereotypes, I must admit that this book is genuinely good. The growth displayed by these characters is truly commendable, making them both likable. I found myself rooting for them throughout, even if there were moments when I wanted to give one of them a good slap.
The extended timeline of the story lends it a greater sense of believability. There are no instant love connections here; instead, the author emphasizes the role of fate, which adds a touch of cuteness.
This particular author has a knack for compelling me to cultivate empathy by presenting circumstances I would typically judge prematurely. And I absolutely love that aspect.
Now, I do have one question lingering in my mind. Where does Steve fit into this whole story? He's mentioned here and there, but he never actually makes an appearance. It's almost as if he was forgotten.
Without a doubt, I would highly recommend this book. In fact, I'm certain I'll bring it up for discussion in my book club once it's released. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine and Netgalley for an ARC of this book! I’ve willingly read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.
LOVE, HOLLY is the third book I’ve read by Emily Stone. Much like her previous two novels, LOVE, HOLLY deals with grief and how that grief affects those who are left behind to deal with it. Yet, LOVE, HOLLY is unique in that there are so many moving parts and intricacies.
Following a tragic accident that has left her alone at Christmas, Holly Griffin partakes in a “Dear Stranger” pen-pal type program with other people lonely during the holiday season. The letter she receives, however, is littered with details of a place she’d been before—a café she visited just before the accident that changed her life years before.
What follows is a moving story of grief, of course, but also growth, forgiveness, and love.
I’ve always loved the concept of serendipity—these moments that can be brushed off as coincidence or embraced as fate, and Emily Stone plays with that idea beautifully in LOVE, HOLLY, having these characters experience similar circumstances that allow them to sympathize and empathize, and unbelievable moments of connection which prove just how funny life can be.
LOVE, HOLLY is the perfect palate cleanser from those holiday romantic comedies readers will certainly be gobbling up around the holidays.
LOVE, HOLLY is the third book I’ve read by Emily Stone. Much like her previous two novels, LOVE, HOLLY deals with grief and how that grief affects those who are left behind to deal with it. Yet, LOVE, HOLLY is unique in that there are so many moving parts and intricacies.
Following a tragic accident that has left her alone at Christmas, Holly Griffin partakes in a “Dear Stranger” pen-pal type program with other people lonely during the holiday season. The letter she receives, however, is littered with details of a place she’d been before—a café she visited just before the accident that changed her life years before.
What follows is a moving story of grief, of course, but also growth, forgiveness, and love.
I’ve always loved the concept of serendipity—these moments that can be brushed off as coincidence or embraced as fate, and Emily Stone plays with that idea beautifully in LOVE, HOLLY, having these characters experience similar circumstances that allow them to sympathize and empathize, and unbelievable moments of connection which prove just how funny life can be.
LOVE, HOLLY is the perfect palate cleanser from those holiday romantic comedies readers will certainly be gobbling up around the holidays.
Holly is left bereft and alone after a tragic accident tears her family apart. She starts exchanging Christmas letters through the 'Dear Stranger' program. Where lonely hearts can write an anonymous letter to a stranger. These letters allow lonely people to feel connected, but also means that people can share their deepest darkest secrets or 'get things off their chest' with the protection of anonymity. One year, Holly gets a letter so sad that she simply can't ignore it or forget about it. Luckily, she knows the cafe that the stranger references in their letter. She travels to the countryside to the little coffee shop that she met a handsome stranger in many years before, right before the car accident that forever changed her life.
In this cafe, she meets Emma, the Dear Stranger pen pal. Emma is grouchy and closed off and basically the opposite to Holly's caring, fiery personality. Despite Emma's sharper-than-glass disposition, she is also very clearly, deeply hurt. Holly is determined to befriend her and spend time with this stranger who might not have much time left. It is through Emma that Holly again is set on a collision course with the handsome stranger from the cafe. There is so much twining them together that Holly, though deeply pragmatic, starts to wonder if fate has brought the 3 of them together. Can Holly be the glue to bring these two back to each other?
I loved this story of misunderstanding, love and forgiveness. Love, Holly reminds us that the people we truly love will always find their way back to us. That love isn't just romantic, but between family members and between friends. That even when love is cutting and deeply sorrowful, it is still so worth having.
This was a perfect Christmas time read. 5 stars from me!
In this cafe, she meets Emma, the Dear Stranger pen pal. Emma is grouchy and closed off and basically the opposite to Holly's caring, fiery personality. Despite Emma's sharper-than-glass disposition, she is also very clearly, deeply hurt. Holly is determined to befriend her and spend time with this stranger who might not have much time left. It is through Emma that Holly again is set on a collision course with the handsome stranger from the cafe. There is so much twining them together that Holly, though deeply pragmatic, starts to wonder if fate has brought the 3 of them together. Can Holly be the glue to bring these two back to each other?
I loved this story of misunderstanding, love and forgiveness. Love, Holly reminds us that the people we truly love will always find their way back to us. That love isn't just romantic, but between family members and between friends. That even when love is cutting and deeply sorrowful, it is still so worth having.
This was a perfect Christmas time read. 5 stars from me!
I received a copy of Love, Holly via NetGalley to read and review.
Whether or not you believe in fate it’s hard to argue that fate does not play a role in the lives of Holly, Emma and Jack.
Holly and her sister make a pit stop on their way to their parents’ home for Christmas. While there Holly runs into Jack. They exchange numbers and as the reader I really liked Jack and hoped he would be back. After this encounter Holly and her sister are in a car accident.
After a car accident Holly’s friend convinces her to write a Dear Stranger letter so she can connect with someone who has been through something similar. Holly gets a letter as well and decides realizes that Emma isn’t too far away and decides to track her down. Emma is an older lady who’s a little on the grumpy side. Holly being Holly is able to worm her way into Emma’s heart and the two become great friends.
As I stated earlier fate plays a huge role in Love, Holly. I was able to predict a lot of the story but I still loved it. A great reminder that life’s too short to hold grudges and it’s never too late to mend relationships.
Whether or not you believe in fate it’s hard to argue that fate does not play a role in the lives of Holly, Emma and Jack.
Holly and her sister make a pit stop on their way to their parents’ home for Christmas. While there Holly runs into Jack. They exchange numbers and as the reader I really liked Jack and hoped he would be back. After this encounter Holly and her sister are in a car accident.
After a car accident Holly’s friend convinces her to write a Dear Stranger letter so she can connect with someone who has been through something similar. Holly gets a letter as well and decides realizes that Emma isn’t too far away and decides to track her down. Emma is an older lady who’s a little on the grumpy side. Holly being Holly is able to worm her way into Emma’s heart and the two become great friends.
As I stated earlier fate plays a huge role in Love, Holly. I was able to predict a lot of the story but I still loved it. A great reminder that life’s too short to hold grudges and it’s never too late to mend relationships.
Everything you'd expect from an Emily Stone novel: great writing, complex and completely loveable characters, passion, emotions and second chances.
I enjoyed this read immensely
I enjoyed this read immensely