Always, in December: A Novel Paperback – October 12, 2021

This month was my turn to pick the #literarylovelies monthly book, and I felt a lot of pressure to pick a good Christmas book! I chose Always, in December and while, it was sadder than expected, I do think it was a great discussion book!This was an emotional book from the beginning and a welcome departure from the saccharine sweet holiday novels we all love. Josie and Max meet each other in a chance encounter and have a wonderful Christmas weekend together. He sneaks out and doesn’t leave any contact info. Over the year, they keep running into each other and they rekindle their relationship, but it has it‘a issues. I don’t want to give too much away because it’s one you should just trust.Both Max and Josie make some bad decisions, but their characters were very real feeling to me. I loved both their families and especially Josie’s best friends, Laura and Bia. I was extremely impressed to find out this was the author’s debut novel. I’m really looking forward to reading more of Emily’s work!5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gahhhh….Heart. Breaking. Can’t. Stop. The. Tears.For the majority of this touching story, I was frustrated. I mean, come on, EVERY SINGLE TIME that Max is going to tell Josie the secret, they get interrupted by something. And so many thoughts were pondered on what that secret was. The connection that they have throughout the story is palpable and I just couldn’t understand why they couldn’t just be together.And. Then. WHAT?!!??? This could not have been happening in this moving, lighthearted book. I had seen a review that said if I was looking for a happily-ever-after holiday read, this wasn’t the story for me. But look at the cover and it’s a holiday read, so that couldn’t be right. Well, I’ll second the motion - be ready to have your heart broken and make sure the tissues are nearby.Emily Stone truly brings forth the notion of never knowing what life holds for you. Life is definitely fleeting and everyone should learn to appreciate every moment just a little more 💕

I'll start with the good things. I loved the settings for this book, and enjoyed the initial meeting between Max & Josie. I even got into the Christmas spirit for a while! I also thought Emily Stone's writing was very good, especially as this was her first novel. I look forward to reading any of her future books. I am certainly not a good writer (as you will see from my review) so I admire all the authors out there that take the time to sit down and write a book for us to read. Love you all!!! I had a few issues with this book though. The most obvious for me was that it was such a copy of "Me Before You" by JoJo Moyes. I know the book said it was in the tradition of that book, but couldn't get past how similar they were. In fact, I pictured Josie throughout the book as the movie version of the girl in "Me Before You." Also wished Max wouldn't have used the "F" word so much. I felt it made him more unlikeable, and wasn't really necessary to the story line. The ending, while expected, was just a bit too harshly done for the readers. I didn't get emotional over the final letters. On a personal note, my mother died Christmas Day many years ago too, so I sympathized with Josie, but having said that, I do feel that since so many years apparently passed for Josie since her parents' passing, I'm not sure it was realistic that she would still be shutting down Christmas forever in the way she did to the point of not feeling like she could even gather with her remaining family in her hometown. Just my personal opinion. All in all, a so-so book, but a talented author and I look forward to reading more from her.

I just finished this book with tears in my eyes. They were happy tears after reading how families come together and embrace love and loss. It’s also about dear friendships. There were a couple places where the book dragged on for me but I am glad I didn’t give up and finished reading it to the end.

As a thank you to Netgalley, I write this honest review. The premise of this novel posits that every December, Josie posts a letter from her home in London to the parents she lost on Christmas night many years ago. In this letter which has become a yearly tradition she updates her parents on her life. As Josie is dropping her letter off in the postbox she is then knocked over by a male on his bicycle. His name is Max and slowly becomes an integral part of Josie’s holiday. They experience Christmas Day together and have a romantic day filled with firsts ex. Ice skating, but importantly in creating a connection aside from grief. Josie wakes up the next morning having found a note from Max telling he left early in the morning and no word on returning or goodbye. The reader follows Josie to New York City and back across the Atlantic to the English countryside of Edinburgh. The novel centers around Josie’s choice in love, career,finding herself and relationship with grief. I appreciate the time given to exploring Josie’s relationship with grief in its many stages. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy slow-burn romances and thoughtful stories. I understand why recommenders would characterize it to One Day in December, but it is not as light and frilly but holds a deeper tone. Out of five stars I gave it a 3.5 and on goodreads rated it a four out of five.

If you are looking for a heart warming holiday read you will not find it here. This story will break your heart and leave you in tears.This is one of those stories with a fleeting moment in time that inspires Josie to go after her hobby and live her life for her.Max’s letter sums up the whole of the story in just one quote for me: “wish I’d gotten to know you sooner, so that I could have known you for longer.”The story might not of had a happy ending from one perspective but overall Josie’s life was touched by Max for the better and in that there is still happiness there in this heartbreaking story.If your someone that doesn’t mind a raw and real story then I have no doubt that you will appreciate this read.

This is a love story based on how life can pass by in a moment and how it’s up to you how you choose to live it and the people you spent it with

I love novels about chance meetings and serendipitous moments, so this one definitely caught my attention.Always, in December is emotional and exudes a great deal of heart. I was invested in Josie’s life right from the beginning. She was likable and it was so easy to be on her side, hoping for the best for her.As I mentioned, I love chance encounters, especially those that end up meaning more. Josie and Max had a great, memorable first encounter, which led to a special beginning to their story. Their story wasn’t a smooth one. Oh, no, this story had its share of turbulent, highly emotional times, and I was glued to the pages, experiencing all of their moments right along with them.I really don’t want to say too much about the storyline for fear of giving too much away. I must admit, though, that I had a certain part of the story figured out pretty early on, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Always, in December is beautifully written, emotional, and I felt every part of it right in the pit of my stomach. I was always anxious to find a few peaceful moments to curl up with these characters and lose myself for a little while.I highly recommend Always, in December to any reader who’s looking for a novel that will make you feel a gamut of emotions, one that will tear you down, build you back up and, in the end, fill you with hope.

I was all set for the normal, will they, won’t they, Christmas romance. It really surprised me. A great book.

If you are looking for a light-hearted love story this is not the book for you. This is much much more and although the ending took me by surprise it did seem a more realistic conclusion. A wonderful book which is bound to have you in tears.Will definitely read Emily Stone's next book "The Last Gift"

I was deceived by the description of the book. Prospective readers should be warned that this story is not uplifting at all.