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brittanyselken33's review
5.0
Omg I pick this book up from my local library this past weekend and I saw this book cover and I thought this was going to be cute little story to read so I pick it up. I didn’t read it the description of this book so I was going into this blind I just like the cover of the book. But @emstonewrites this story is so cute and lovely
spatterson12's review
5.0
I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this.
Having recently read a book with a lying theme, I got a little nervous with this one when Holly has a few lies by omission guiding her. However, this book is incredible at issue resolution. I didn't feel trapped for a couple 100 pages waiting for an implosion, instead the author, Emily Stone, created issues and resolved them at a wonderful pace.
I clearly missed that the title "Love, Holly" was a sign off for letters, as Holly uses her writing to process her grief and loss over time – writing letters to her sister that she'll never send. It's like how I missed that "Yours Truly" was going to center around letters, even though that's clearly a sign off. Maybe I love a letter-writing trope.
Except in Gilmore Girls. If Rory could've written less letters, that would've been great.
Anyway.
I also enjoyed how this book was broken into moments in time with clear section breaks. I think it went something like December, March, June, August, and October. Noting now that this isn't a true holiday book because of these sections, so you can read this at any time. Honestly, it is a book layered with grief so it might be better to not read around the holidays if that's a difficult time.
Holly and her sister Lily are on their way to spend Christmas Eve with their parents when they make a pitstop at a small coffee shop. While there, Holly meets a man she immediately falls for. He writes his number on her cup and gifts her an artistic card before they all head out on their separate journeys. As Holly and Lily continue their drive, they start to fight about directions with Holly getting distracted by her cell phone, reducing the speed to which she can react to an oncoming car. This wreck changes their lives forever as Lily chooses to set a clear boundary between her and Holly that continues for three years, leaving Holly to feel isolated from her family.
In her grief, Holly loses interest in creating art and chooses to put physical distance between her family to take a teaching job. Her friend and coworker suggests she partakes in Dear Stranger letters where she can air her grievances and anxiety to a stranger without expectation of a response. When Holly receives a letter from a participant, she seeks the woman out and works to make her life a little easier since she feels stuck in her own predicament.
Fate plays a huge role in this story – so if you're into Serendipity, this is the one for you.
TW: Loss of child and parent; infertility; cancer
Having recently read a book with a lying theme, I got a little nervous with this one when Holly has a few lies by omission guiding her. However, this book is incredible at issue resolution. I didn't feel trapped for a couple 100 pages waiting for an implosion, instead the author, Emily Stone, created issues and resolved them at a wonderful pace.
I clearly missed that the title "Love, Holly" was a sign off for letters, as Holly uses her writing to process her grief and loss over time – writing letters to her sister that she'll never send. It's like how I missed that "Yours Truly" was going to center around letters, even though that's clearly a sign off. Maybe I love a letter-writing trope.
Except in Gilmore Girls. If Rory could've written less letters, that would've been great.
Anyway.
I also enjoyed how this book was broken into moments in time with clear section breaks. I think it went something like December, March, June, August, and October. Noting now that this isn't a true holiday book because of these sections, so you can read this at any time. Honestly, it is a book layered with grief so it might be better to not read around the holidays if that's a difficult time.
Holly and her sister Lily are on their way to spend Christmas Eve with their parents when they make a pitstop at a small coffee shop. While there, Holly meets a man she immediately falls for. He writes his number on her cup and gifts her an artistic card before they all head out on their separate journeys. As Holly and Lily continue their drive, they start to fight about directions with Holly getting distracted by her cell phone, reducing the speed to which she can react to an oncoming car. This wreck changes their lives forever as Lily chooses to set a clear boundary between her and Holly that continues for three years, leaving Holly to feel isolated from her family.
In her grief, Holly loses interest in creating art and chooses to put physical distance between her family to take a teaching job. Her friend and coworker suggests she partakes in Dear Stranger letters where she can air her grievances and anxiety to a stranger without expectation of a response. When Holly receives a letter from a participant, she seeks the woman out and works to make her life a little easier since she feels stuck in her own predicament.
Fate plays a huge role in this story – so if you're into Serendipity, this is the one for you.
TW: Loss of child and parent; infertility; cancer
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
A relatively enjoyable, pretty cute holiday read - if anyone who's looking for a fluffy holiday romance,this is book for you. Despite some issues with pacing, and some scenes that I just did not like. Overall I like pen pals trope so this gave me a little of that.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
monicaannlew22's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who has been challenged with spending Holidays without a very important person in her life, this really hit home. This book has a good amount of curiosity, humor, love, friendship, and grief.
A few things frustrated me, however, with character and relationship development specifically.
A few things frustrated me, however, with character and relationship development specifically.
rebicon's review against another edition
5.0
I just… this book is beautiful. I love the story and the characters. My heart melted, I cried, and everything ties together. I essentially read most of this is a few hours because I just had to keep reading.
Everything about this book is moving. It covers grief, loss, growth, and connection. I think some things get glossed over a little from the actions Holly makes but in the end it’s worth it with how the story is written and ends. I also have to say Emma is my favorite. She’s snarky and is set in her ways but Holly helps her to live her life. Likewise, Emma also helps Holly realize a few things in her own life to get her moving in the right direction.
The jumps between time don’t feel crazy or change how the story flows. The memories that the characters have mid conversation take you into how they are truly feeling.
If you like books that will get you into the feels while still being heartwarming, this is a book for you.
I was sent the NetGalley eARC by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Everything about this book is moving. It covers grief, loss, growth, and connection. I think some things get glossed over a little from the actions Holly makes but in the end it’s worth it with how the story is written and ends. I also have to say Emma is my favorite. She’s snarky and is set in her ways but Holly helps her to live her life. Likewise, Emma also helps Holly realize a few things in her own life to get her moving in the right direction.
The jumps between time don’t feel crazy or change how the story flows. The memories that the characters have mid conversation take you into how they are truly feeling.
If you like books that will get you into the feels while still being heartwarming, this is a book for you.
I was sent the NetGalley eARC by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
idle_reader's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful story about fate and the people it brings into our lives. I went into this book thinking it would be mostly a romance with the focus on our male and female characters. But there was SO much more. The relationship that Emma and Holly created was my absolute favorite. It was the highlight of the book. The letter written at the end had me SOBBING. I read this in a day.
The reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars had to do with a little annoying thing the author did. The character’s inner monologue would get lost in memories for too long. Then, they’d return to present day. I just felt that some of them went on so long you’d forget what they were even talking about.
Other than that, such a good read. I’ll be checking out her other holiday reads.
The reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars had to do with a little annoying thing the author did. The character’s inner monologue would get lost in memories for too long. Then, they’d return to present day. I just felt that some of them went on so long you’d forget what they were even talking about.
Other than that, such a good read. I’ll be checking out her other holiday reads.
frafrin's review against another edition
4.0
This is a lovely story about fate, family, and forgiveness. If you like your holiday romances with a bit of an emotionally heavy side, this is for you. After a chance meeting in a coffee shop, Holly and Jack don’t meet up again for much longer than planned. Happenstance brings them together again and pushes Holly to work harder on her own journey with her immediate family and her found family. Overall I enjoyed this book, I struggled with a bit of the pacing from time to time but aside from that, this was a a charming read
Tw: infertility, pregnancy loss, car accidents,
Tw: infertility, pregnancy loss, car accidents,
saycheeze37's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
slicciardi's review against another edition
4.0
I look forward to Emily Stone’s newest book each holiday season. This one did not disappoint
blondierocket's review against another edition
4.0
I am so glad that NetGalley gave me the chance to read this book early. I have loved every Emily Stone book and this one was the perfect travel read.
When boy meets girl in a random coffee shop, they have no idea how intertwined their lives truly are until the very end.
There are so many heart wrenching moments, mistaken agendas, laughable flubs, and butterflies. I was turning pages as fast as possible to find out what happens next.
I also loved how Stone transitions and shows passage of time to make sure the whole story is told in the most effective manner.
When boy meets girl in a random coffee shop, they have no idea how intertwined their lives truly are until the very end.
There are so many heart wrenching moments, mistaken agendas, laughable flubs, and butterflies. I was turning pages as fast as possible to find out what happens next.
I also loved how Stone transitions and shows passage of time to make sure the whole story is told in the most effective manner.