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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
One of my favorite things about the writing is how flashbacks and memories are incorporated throughout the novel. It feels so cinematic, where a moment in the present so easily transitions into a scene from the past, and then just as easily fades into the present again. Even the way memories show up are so vivid and true to reality, they way at first they're just images that invade Jack and Holly's everyday lives, only for them to realize later that the images are attached to personal (and often heavy) emotions.
For the relationship between Holly and Jack, I appreciate that they're adults that actually handle their conflicts like adults. They're still human, which doesn't mean they're infallible to anger or pettiness. However, they still come together and communicate after, which is so gosh-darned sexy to me.
Fair warning - this isn't a cute and lighthearted holiday romance. It has vivid depictions of grief and how it affects whole family systems long after the actual events. However, Stone really does capture the spirit and magic of Christmas by bringing it all back to personal growth, love, and family togetherness.
For the relationship between Holly and Jack, I appreciate that they're adults that actually handle their conflicts like adults. They're still human, which doesn't mean they're infallible to anger or pettiness. However, they still come together and communicate after, which is so gosh-darned sexy to me.
Fair warning - this isn't a cute and lighthearted holiday romance. It has vivid depictions of grief and how it affects whole family systems long after the actual events. However, Stone really does capture the spirit and magic of Christmas by bringing it all back to personal growth, love, and family togetherness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Medical content, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy
This is a really cute book about forgiveness (both learning to forgive yourself and others). There is quite a bit of grief and loss in the book, but overall it is a wholesome book that feels like a bit of a warm hug. I enjoyed how each character was complex and interesting to read about.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Emily Stone's Christmasy reads are consistently my favorite of the year. The stories always tug at my heartstrings in just the right way. The characters are always loveable. And the Christmasy vibes are top tier, even if the story takes place during more than just the holiday season.
Love, Holly was published in 2023, but I didn't get around to reading it last Christmas, and I still have the newest Emily Stone novel on my Christmasy TBR. I'm curious to see which one will be my favorite this season, but I'm fairly confident the contest will only be between those two.
Love, Holly was published in 2023, but I didn't get around to reading it last Christmas, and I still have the newest Emily Stone novel on my Christmasy TBR. I'm curious to see which one will be my favorite this season, but I'm fairly confident the contest will only be between those two.
emotional
hopeful
Very enjoyable! Not as Christmasy or light-hearted as I’d thought going into it, but well done themes of grief, healing broken relationships and self-discovery.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
AHHH I love a silly little romance book but this was not that!!! it was beautiful and moving and I want a Jack!!! very good start to my holiday reads
Leave it to Emily Stone to have my sobbing during a holiday read (which I expected, but still!). Gosh, her books always leave my in shambles but I can’t stop reading them