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kcarella's review
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Be warned: This is NOT a cute holiday rom-com. It’s depressing and the romance is seriously lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Cancer, and Car accident
beebowbabe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautifully woven story. Heartfelt, thoughtful, and evocative.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Sexual content, Cancer, Mental illness, and Cursing
Minor: Miscarriage, Death of parent, Medical content, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
dbunk's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Infertility, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Car accident
skyebird16's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Infertility, Death, and Miscarriage
ccassidy98's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Car accident, and Cancer
Moderate: Grief and Miscarriage
kdscolley's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book was beautifully done. I loved how it was told over time and there was so much life in the story that it wasn't just about Jack and Holly. Each character brought something to this story and the grief and struggles were written so well. I forgot this was a "holiday romance" and it just felt like a beautiful love story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Cancer, and Car accident
apoppyinthewind's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
TW: Grief, car accident, miscarriage, death, cancer, estrangement
A bit of a heavy Christmas read that was at times quite emotional for me so heads up. If you're looking for a lighter Christmas read you might want to look elsewhere. That said, it captured the experience of grief in a compassionate, vulnerable way that balanced well with the romance plot. While I was rooting for Jack & Holly from the start the ways they separated and came back together multiple times felt organic & understandable. Both characters had to deal with trauma & grief and it made sense for them to put the breaks on their relationship multiple times to make sure each was in the best head space for pursuing each other. Especially given the bizarre twists of fate that threw them together.
If you're in the headspace for a romance that also deals with the above-mentioned aspects, I would recommend checking this one out.
A bit of a heavy Christmas read that was at times quite emotional for me so heads up. If you're looking for a lighter Christmas read you might want to look elsewhere. That said, it captured the experience of grief in a compassionate, vulnerable way that balanced well with the romance plot. While I was rooting for Jack & Holly from the start the ways they separated and came back together multiple times felt organic & understandable. Both characters had to deal with trauma & grief and it made sense for them to put the breaks on their relationship multiple times to make sure each was in the best head space for pursuing each other. Especially given the bizarre twists of fate that threw them together.
If you're in the headspace for a romance that also deals with the above-mentioned aspects, I would recommend checking this one out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, and Car accident
Moderate: Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
vicyoung18's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Miscarriage
okiecozyreader's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This is my first book by Emily Stone and I really enjoyed it. I feel like it is one of those books that rips your heart and puts it back together again.
The beginning quote says, “serendipity / (noun) finding something good without looking for it”
So much of the book ties back to serendipity or fate and how two people are almost meant to be together, and all the ways their paths cross. It’s true for several people in the book, and it’s fun watching it continue to work out.
Holly is an artist who wants to make art but is teaching. She crosses paths with another family who are also art lovers - and I loved all the art in the book.
This is also a book of second chances and recognizing how precious time is and how you can’t take time for granted with those you love.
Sure, I can always have more Christmas in a book, but I thought this one hit the right notes. Christmas and December are important times in the book.
I loved this one (and I would recommend another British one I recently read and loved - The Man I Never Met, if you loved this one).
“Well, that’s the thing about plants - they rarely do what we want just because we want them to. We have to learn how to give them just what they need instead.” P185
“Without that (connection), Holly was practically a stranger. Just a woman he’d met in a café three years ago. / And had thought about ever since.” P197
The beginning quote says, “serendipity / (noun) finding something good without looking for it”
So much of the book ties back to serendipity or fate and how two people are almost meant to be together, and all the ways their paths cross. It’s true for several people in the book, and it’s fun watching it continue to work out.
Holly is an artist who wants to make art but is teaching. She crosses paths with another family who are also art lovers - and I loved all the art in the book.
This is also a book of second chances and recognizing how precious time is and how you can’t take time for granted with those you love.
Sure, I can always have more Christmas in a book, but I thought this one hit the right notes. Christmas and December are important times in the book.
I loved this one (and I would recommend another British one I recently read and loved - The Man I Never Met, if you loved this one).
“Well, that’s the thing about plants - they rarely do what we want just because we want them to. We have to learn how to give them just what they need instead.” P185
“Without that (connection), Holly was practically a stranger. Just a woman he’d met in a café three years ago. / And had thought about ever since.” P197
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Car accident
lexim's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Cancer
Moderate: Miscarriage