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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I was in a reading slump and this was just what I needed to get out of it. Very sweet and gave the best of Hallmark vibes. I cried multiple times!!! Loved it.
4.5. So good, so cute, so sweet, almost brought me to tears
"Love, Holly" is only tangentially a romance. I would posit it is much more a story of grief, familial love and struggles, friendship, forgiveness of others and self, and acceptance. The romance while interwoven with these other elements is, in my opinion, very much secondary. That being said, this is a lovely book with lots of heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments. Emily Stone is able to paint vivid scenes with her descriptions of surroundings and her dialogue rarely crosses the line into cheesy. It truly shows the power of one small thing to create massive change.
4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
emotional
reflective
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
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The way in which the characters were interwoven was so beautiful! Loved this story of forgiveness and found family.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a moving and emotional book! I liked Emma, she was a very matter-of-fact and spiky old lady. Holly and Jack had developed so well from the beginning to the end of the story. There were a couple times I got choked up and a few times I got frustrated and yelled at the book. There are a couple of spicy scenes, but not too detailed where I had to flip past them. I may decide to read her other books later, but this was a fantastic read!
emotional
sad
slow-paced
This is a decent book but I cannot give it five stars.
When I picked up this book it’s because I thought it was a Christmasy book. This book takes place during Christmas time from page 1-85, and then again from 310-372. That is it. The rest of it is spent in March, June, Aug, and oct. it’s a good book, good story, but the cover doesn’t give off the right vibe.
It also takes place in London and I realized after reading this book, that just isn’t my vibe. There is a little bit of romance but no smut.
I will recommend it to people but definitely not for a christmasy read!!
When I picked up this book it’s because I thought it was a Christmasy book. This book takes place during Christmas time from page 1-85, and then again from 310-372. That is it. The rest of it is spent in March, June, Aug, and oct. it’s a good book, good story, but the cover doesn’t give off the right vibe.
It also takes place in London and I realized after reading this book, that just isn’t my vibe. There is a little bit of romance but no smut.
I will recommend it to people but definitely not for a christmasy read!!
First and foremost, while this book does have a few scenes set around Christmas time, I don't really consider this a Christmas book. Unless you want it to be. Then it definitely is.
All three of the main characters face a good deal throughout the book. I wouldn't call this book "fluffy" by any means. There is a lot of grief and mourning and growth that takes place in these pages. It might be painful to read, or comforting, depending on your own life experiences.
Holly is such an intricate character. She has her flaws and her strengths and getting to watch her grow throughout the book was heartbreaking (because often times growth proceeds hardship).
Emma was probably my favorite character. I suppose older people in books are probably pretty fun to write. They can go through life at that point not caring how blunt or grouchy they are because they've lived long enough and have earned that right. Emma is just the right amount of grouchy old woman, wise friend, and flawed individual. Once you get to know Emma, I think you'll love her too.
And finally, Jack. He was living life a bit flat until Holly showed up and kind of imploded everything he knew. The thing I love most about Jack is that he is eventually willing to admit his mistakes and try to change his view once someone suggested it might be a wise idea.
The pacing was a bit off in a few places for me but overall this was a quick read and one that I think I'll think about beyond today.
Synopsis: Sometimes it takes a stranger to bring you back to yourself.
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. That’s the point—the letters are anonymous, 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 the estranged grandson, Jack, with whom Emma is desperate to reconnect.
When Holly finally tracks him down, she remembers that she’s met Jack once before . . . and the connection was electric. The spark between the two of them is still there—until a misunderstanding risks their burgeoning romance and his strained relationship with Emma, too. But Holly is determined; if she can fix Emma’s family, she might also be able to fix her own. Though as it turns out, Holly might have less time to put things right than she thought.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the review copy.
All three of the main characters face a good deal throughout the book. I wouldn't call this book "fluffy" by any means. There is a lot of grief and mourning and growth that takes place in these pages. It might be painful to read, or comforting, depending on your own life experiences.
Holly is such an intricate character. She has her flaws and her strengths and getting to watch her grow throughout the book was heartbreaking (because often times growth proceeds hardship).
Emma was probably my favorite character. I suppose older people in books are probably pretty fun to write. They can go through life at that point not caring how blunt or grouchy they are because they've lived long enough and have earned that right. Emma is just the right amount of grouchy old woman, wise friend, and flawed individual. Once you get to know Emma, I think you'll love her too.
And finally, Jack. He was living life a bit flat until Holly showed up and kind of imploded everything he knew. The thing I love most about Jack is that he is eventually willing to admit his mistakes and try to change his view once someone suggested it might be a wise idea.
The pacing was a bit off in a few places for me but overall this was a quick read and one that I think I'll think about beyond today.
Synopsis: Sometimes it takes a stranger to bring you back to yourself.
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. That’s the point—the letters are anonymous, 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 the estranged grandson, Jack, with whom Emma is desperate to reconnect.
When Holly finally tracks him down, she remembers that she’s met Jack once before . . . and the connection was electric. The spark between the two of them is still there—until a misunderstanding risks their burgeoning romance and his strained relationship with Emma, too. But Holly is determined; if she can fix Emma’s family, she might also be able to fix her own. Though as it turns out, Holly might have less time to put things right than she thought.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the review copy.