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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Emily Stone's work always moves me. Her books always have the backdrop of the Christmas season and it's always dedicated around the subject of grief but it always done so respectfully, it has helped me understand it better.
This book not only dealt with the subject of grief but it dealt with the subject of fate and if fate really exists. This book deals with blame, loss, and as usual grief. Usually grief and blame go hand in hand.
I really enjoyed the story I felt as if it was happening in real time and that's what makes her stories so realistic. There's no quick happy ending just for the sake of it.
I received and ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, as always all words are my own.
This book not only dealt with the subject of grief but it dealt with the subject of fate and if fate really exists. This book deals with blame, loss, and as usual grief. Usually grief and blame go hand in hand.
I really enjoyed the story I felt as if it was happening in real time and that's what makes her stories so realistic. There's no quick happy ending just for the sake of it.
I received and ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, as always all words are my own.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
I thought this book was going to be Christmas themed through and through- and when I started reading it in September it was hard to get myself to continue reading. I recently picked it back up- and boy was I WRONG. This is not just a Christmas themed book. It's a beautiful, gripping, emotional story that talks about how fate brings people together. My favorite quote is "everything happens for a reason" and this story embodied that. My heart ached for Holly, Jack, and Emma. I was sobbing at so many parts of this book- it was beautiful. I am very very picky at what I give a 5 star to, but this absolutely deserved it. Forgive while you can, learn the others story, spend time with family as time is precious... all of things I as a person value and practice- but in book form. This story touched my heart, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to read it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting access to this book in exchange for my review.
I liked the first quarter or so of this book, but after that unfortunately the story got to be a little boring. I seem to either love Emily Stone's books or not love them and unfortunately, this was a miss for me. With that being said I’m still open to reading other books by her.
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Thank you!
I liked the first quarter or so of this book, but after that unfortunately the story got to be a little boring. I seem to either love Emily Stone's books or not love them and unfortunately, this was a miss for me. With that being said I’m still open to reading other books by her.
My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/44083250-julia
Instagram/bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/bookreviewsbyjules/
Thank you!
Do you believe in fate? Holly's sister Lily does, but Holly isn't so sure. Then fate steps in.
Ever since a car accident tore her family apart, Holly has been part of a lonely-hearts holiday letter–writing club. Each December, she writes to a stranger who is also spending Christmas alone and receives a letter from another lonely person in return. Usually, the letters go unanswered, and the senders write whatever is in their heart. But this year, the letter Holly receives is different; not only is the letter full of a grief she knows all too well, but its writer, Emma, mentions a place that Holly has visited. When she realizes that she might actually be able to find the letter’s author, Holly becomes determined to reunite Emma with her estranged grandson - the man Holly met years before in a nearby coffee shop.
I really enjoyed my first Emily Stone book, and I would definitely consider reading her again. But this isn't your typical feel-good holiday romcom. Rather it's a very real take on grief, found families, and forgiveness that begins and ends around the holidays. But it's also full of warmth and love and friendship, so don't let the disclaimers deter you from reading this one.
The slow burn romance between Holly and Jack was tender if a bit frustrating as Holly kept pushing Jack away. And I felt so much for Emma & Jack and their lost relationship. Emma starts out as a grumpy older woman beaten down by loss and regret, but her transformation is so heartwarming and big reveals - perhaps fate again? - bring her story into greater focus.
The ending was pitch perfects and Emma’s letter to Holly was so beautiful. I read this on audiobook thanks to Penguin Random House Audio and was listening at the fitness center with tears rolling down my cheek. Highly recommend this one for your holiday reading list.
Ever since a car accident tore her family apart, Holly has been part of a lonely-hearts holiday letter–writing club. Each December, she writes to a stranger who is also spending Christmas alone and receives a letter from another lonely person in return. Usually, the letters go unanswered, and the senders write whatever is in their heart. But this year, the letter Holly receives is different; not only is the letter full of a grief she knows all too well, but its writer, Emma, mentions a place that Holly has visited. When she realizes that she might actually be able to find the letter’s author, Holly becomes determined to reunite Emma with her estranged grandson - the man Holly met years before in a nearby coffee shop.
I really enjoyed my first Emily Stone book, and I would definitely consider reading her again. But this isn't your typical feel-good holiday romcom. Rather it's a very real take on grief, found families, and forgiveness that begins and ends around the holidays. But it's also full of warmth and love and friendship, so don't let the disclaimers deter you from reading this one.
The slow burn romance between Holly and Jack was tender if a bit frustrating as Holly kept pushing Jack away. And I felt so much for Emma & Jack and their lost relationship. Emma starts out as a grumpy older woman beaten down by loss and regret, but her transformation is so heartwarming and big reveals - perhaps fate again? - bring her story into greater focus.
The ending was pitch perfects and Emma’s letter to Holly was so beautiful. I read this on audiobook thanks to Penguin Random House Audio and was listening at the fitness center with tears rolling down my cheek. Highly recommend this one for your holiday reading list.
I’ve heard wonderful things about Emily Stone’s novels and after reading this, I fully understand why people love her work so much! 4 stars!
This was such an emotional rollercoaster. I had forgotten what the story was about when I started reading it, so getting to that scene in the beginning where everything changed absolutely shocked me. I don’t tend to read Holiday stories very often, but I did love how emotional and vulnerable this was amidst the Holiday season. I think it’s portrayel of how difficult the Holiday season can be for a lot of people was very realistic. I appreiated how this wasn’t all feel good vibes in the Holiday season, but more talking about the layers underneath it and how it can be lonely and difficult to get through them. It was sad, you guys. Sometimes it even felt TOO sad. But it also felt very, very real. I think its depictions of relationships, especially difficult and tense ones with family, was brutally honest and authentic. It drove me crazy and I had so much sympathy for Holly and Emma. Stone does a wonderful job at getting you to empathize with characters and helping you understand everyone’s perspective. Even though I was frustrated with how the people in Holly and Emma’s life had treated them and the directions of where their lives went in turn because of it, it was difficult to villanize anyone in this. Everyone’s feelings were valid and I think it gave a real life take on how situations like this can play out.
This was truly a wonderful, heart wrenching story about family and forgiveness. If you want a Holiday love story that is emotional, even slightly toooo emotional, I’d say give this one a chance! It’s definitely not all cozy, fuzzy feelings, but it is one that is honest, vulnerable, and sweet. I loved the characters and Stone’s writing so, so much. Strongly recommending this to anyone who loves reading moving and heartbreaking stories!
As always, thank you to Ballantine Dell for the chance to offer my feedback! This is now available and I hope everyone picks it up for the Holiday season! Emily Stone, you’re writing is beautiful and I’m officially a devoted fan! Looking forward to reading more of her work!
This was such an emotional rollercoaster. I had forgotten what the story was about when I started reading it, so getting to that scene in the beginning where everything changed absolutely shocked me. I don’t tend to read Holiday stories very often, but I did love how emotional and vulnerable this was amidst the Holiday season. I think it’s portrayel of how difficult the Holiday season can be for a lot of people was very realistic. I appreiated how this wasn’t all feel good vibes in the Holiday season, but more talking about the layers underneath it and how it can be lonely and difficult to get through them. It was sad, you guys. Sometimes it even felt TOO sad. But it also felt very, very real. I think its depictions of relationships, especially difficult and tense ones with family, was brutally honest and authentic. It drove me crazy and I had so much sympathy for Holly and Emma. Stone does a wonderful job at getting you to empathize with characters and helping you understand everyone’s perspective. Even though I was frustrated with how the people in Holly and Emma’s life had treated them and the directions of where their lives went in turn because of it, it was difficult to villanize anyone in this. Everyone’s feelings were valid and I think it gave a real life take on how situations like this can play out.
This was truly a wonderful, heart wrenching story about family and forgiveness. If you want a Holiday love story that is emotional, even slightly toooo emotional, I’d say give this one a chance! It’s definitely not all cozy, fuzzy feelings, but it is one that is honest, vulnerable, and sweet. I loved the characters and Stone’s writing so, so much. Strongly recommending this to anyone who loves reading moving and heartbreaking stories!
As always, thank you to Ballantine Dell for the chance to offer my feedback! This is now available and I hope everyone picks it up for the Holiday season! Emily Stone, you’re writing is beautiful and I’m officially a devoted fan! Looking forward to reading more of her work!
I’ve heard wonderful things about Emily Stone’s novels and after reading this, I fully understand why people love her work so much! 4 stars!
This was such an emotional rollercoaster. I had forgotten what the story was about when I started reading it, so getting to that scene in the beginning where everything changed absolutely shocked me. I don’t tend to read Holiday stories very often, but I did love how emotional and vulnerable this was amidst the Holiday season. I think it’s portrayel of how difficult the Holiday season can be for a lot of people was very realistic. I appreiated how this wasn’t all feel good vibes in the Holiday season, but more talking about the layers underneath it and how it can be lonely and difficult to get through them. It was sad, you guys. Sometimes it even felt TOO sad. But it also felt very, very real. I think its depictions of relationships, especially difficult and tense ones with family, was brutally honest and authentic. It drove me crazy and I had so much sympathy for Holly and Emma. Stone does a wonderful job at getting you to empathize with characters and helping you understand everyone’s perspective. Even though I was frustrated with how the people in Holly and Emma’s life had treated them and the directions of where their lives went in turn because of it, it was difficult to villanize anyone in this. Everyone’s feelings were valid and I think it gave a real life take on how situations like this can play out. This was truly a wonderful, brutally honest, heart wrenching story about family and forgiveness.
If you want a Holiday love story that is emotional, even slightly toooo emotional, I’d say give this one a chance! It’s definitely not all cozy, fuzzy feelings, but it is one that is honest, vulnerable, and sweet. I loved the characters and Stone’s writing so, so much. Strongly recommending this to anyone who loves reading moving and heartbreaking stories!
As always, thank you to Ballantine Dell for the chance to offer my feedback! This is now available and I hope everyone picks it up for the Holiday season! Emily Stone, your writing is beautiful and I’m officially a devoted fan! Looking forward to reading more of your work!
This was such an emotional rollercoaster. I had forgotten what the story was about when I started reading it, so getting to that scene in the beginning where everything changed absolutely shocked me. I don’t tend to read Holiday stories very often, but I did love how emotional and vulnerable this was amidst the Holiday season. I think it’s portrayel of how difficult the Holiday season can be for a lot of people was very realistic. I appreiated how this wasn’t all feel good vibes in the Holiday season, but more talking about the layers underneath it and how it can be lonely and difficult to get through them. It was sad, you guys. Sometimes it even felt TOO sad. But it also felt very, very real. I think its depictions of relationships, especially difficult and tense ones with family, was brutally honest and authentic. It drove me crazy and I had so much sympathy for Holly and Emma. Stone does a wonderful job at getting you to empathize with characters and helping you understand everyone’s perspective. Even though I was frustrated with how the people in Holly and Emma’s life had treated them and the directions of where their lives went in turn because of it, it was difficult to villanize anyone in this. Everyone’s feelings were valid and I think it gave a real life take on how situations like this can play out. This was truly a wonderful, brutally honest, heart wrenching story about family and forgiveness.
If you want a Holiday love story that is emotional, even slightly toooo emotional, I’d say give this one a chance! It’s definitely not all cozy, fuzzy feelings, but it is one that is honest, vulnerable, and sweet. I loved the characters and Stone’s writing so, so much. Strongly recommending this to anyone who loves reading moving and heartbreaking stories!
As always, thank you to Ballantine Dell for the chance to offer my feedback! This is now available and I hope everyone picks it up for the Holiday season! Emily Stone, your writing is beautiful and I’m officially a devoted fan! Looking forward to reading more of your work!
I thought this was a cute, but also a bit heartbreaking, read. I really enjoyed some aspects of it, but also thought it was a bit repetitive and unrealistic at times. Overall, I liked the characters, especially Emma, and the premise.
Emily Stone’s stories are filled with so much raw emotion. Love, Holly was no exception. I love that the situations in this were realistic but had me longing to know what happens. Definitely the Christmas story I wanted this year.