This fell flat for me and the ending wrecked me. I couldn’t really get into the story and the dual storylines kind of lost me.

I’m going to start off with giving readers a warning that this is not your conventional Christmas romcom, as the cover may suggest. In fact, make sure your heart is ready and you have tissues nearby.

The story follows Josie, a 20 something living in London who just ended things with a cheating boyfriend. It’s Christmas time and each year she writes a letter to her parents who passed away on Christmas when she was 9. On her way to send her letter, she quite literally bumps into Max, a man who will change her life forever. Max is stuck in London for a few days and they end up spending a few beautiful days together before he leaves for NY, but on his last day Max up and leaves with only a note left behind. The story then follows Josie and Max’s life throughout the year, and all the unexpected encounters they face along the way. Despite the distance and time, there is a magnetic pull between them.

This story was so beautiful. It was funny, romantic, and you absolutely fall in love with Josie and Max. You root for them and you curse at them when all you want is for there to be clear communication. This story reminds you that if you love someone, make sure you tell them. It touches on the loss of parents, finding yourself despite it all, and that family and friendship and following your passion will help you overcome it all. 5 ⭐️ Rating, even if I ended up hyperventilating from my tears.

Josie and Max have a meet cute when Josie is on her way to mail a letter to her parents -which has been her tradition since they died years ago on Christmas. So she always writes to them so that they know she hasn’t forgotten them. In riding to the post office on her bike, she runs into Max, literally, and breaks his phone. He agrees to have a drink with him to make sure they’re both ok after the crash, and the sparks fly! They spend Christmas together and then he disappears from her life with no explanation whatsoever. Josie learns to heal her heart and move on with life until their paths cross again over the next year and the feelings of love and of pain get stirred up all over again. The ending came as a surprise to me, but it added so much depth to the story that it suited me just fine. I loved the various settings the book took place in-London, Scotland and New York and the supporting characters were fab! If you’re a fan of Nicolas Sparks or just want something other than your typical holiday read, pick this one up today.
Thanks to Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
TW: death of loved ones, grief

4.5 stars!

Josie and Max have an unconventional romance in Always, In December. After a memorable meet-cute and a whirlwind romance when they find themselves alone at Christmas, things get a bit more complicated. And while I’ve seen a few reviewers say this book shouldn’t be labeled a romance, it definitely is a romance. It’s just not only a romance.

This novel is about many forms of love: familial, friendship, AND romantic. I fell in love with Josie from the start. She’s had a harder life, losing her parents on Christmas Eve as a child and being raised by her grandparents. Every year, she mails a letter to her parents, hence the title: Always, In December. This Christmas is especially bad having just ended a two-year relationship with a fellow co-worker, and her best friend and roommate being out of town over the holiday.

Despite having little reason to be happy, Josie is positive and cheerful. She’s kind and helpful. And I couldn’t help but adore her. She meets Max just when she needs someone, unaware he needs someone, as well, making this book also about unexpected blessings.

Having seen other early reviews for this book, I was forewarned that it wasn’t a typical holiday romance. I’m glad I went into it knowing that because it helped to refocus my expectations. However, after only reading a few pages, I wondered if it was possible everyone else had read a different book. I was laughing and smiling and swooning. This debut is so well-written, the characters are charming, and I was getting strong Emily Henry vibes.

But reading with a more discerning eye, I noticed the hints, the foreshadowing. One of our leading characters is keeping a secret, and there were moments when I just wanted them to communicate. But it ramped up the tension and kept me furiously turning pages. I read the last 40% of the book in one sitting, unable to put it down.

Books do not typically make me cry; it takes a lot to have me grabbing the tissues. But I did shed a few tears with this one. I had theories about what the secret would be, and one of my theories was correct, so I think I was not as surprised by the reveal. However, the way it was revealed definitely took me by surprise.

I think Always, In December would also be a good book club selection. There’s plenty to discuss and mull over. While it wasn’t a typical holiday romance, I’m happy I picked this emotional book up. Heartwarming, romantic, and bittersweet, it’s a love story about being the right person in the right place at the right time.

QOTD: Is a HAE a requirement for you when reading a romance?
My A: No, but if there isn’t a HEA or HFN, then the book better blow my dang mind.
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Unfortunately, this book did not. I was expecting a Christmas time romance that would give me all the warm fuzzies. I just finished reading Eight Days Of Christmas and LOVED it craving more winter romances. Sadly this book just makes me want to go back to my typical romances and leave the holiday reads behind. First of all, this will NOT give you any warm fuzzies. This was sad and frankly just sucked the life out of me a bit. I’m a huge mood reader so a book not matching the title/cover/blurb is extra frustrating. I loved the meet-cute and the beginning of the book had me totally engrossed. By the end though, I just wanted to throw the book across the room. All in all, a bit disappointing.
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BLURB:
Josie Morgan never looks forward to December. It's always a reminder of the life she lost, twenty years ago. Now, she always switches off the radio when Christmas music comes on. She always wants to tear down the tinsel her flatmate insists on pinning up. And she always posts a letter she knows will never be read.

Max Carter never expected to find himself stranded in London just days before Christmas. He never expected it would be so hard to say goodbye to a woman he hardly knows. Then again, he never expected to fall in love.

But, this December, when Josie's letter leads her to Max, a chance encounter will change their lives in the most remarkable way. And their story is only just beginning.

This book very much had a Hallmark movie feel to it (the meeting of the main characters was 🙄) but it had a much better ending. Definitely not my normal type of book, especially this early in the year, but I still enjoyed it. I liked the ending Josie got -- although maybe not the ending she wanted. So I think the ending made it worth it for me but if you're a romance reader, this would be right up your alley.

Josie and Max have a meet-cute moment when Josie hits him on her bike while on her way to deliver a letter. The letter, which has no address on the envelope, is one she writes each year around Christmas to her parents who died when she was young.
From there, Max and Josie spend a few days together until Max leaves suddenly. The rest of the book tells the story of their relationship, which takes place through chance encounters in New York and the UK.
I found the first half to be much more enjoyable and engaging than the second. The change in perspective and tone was a bit jarring.
Though this book is categorized as a romance, anyone who picks this up should not expect a breezy, lovey-dovey read. There are some sweet moments, but this is mostly a book about love and grief and how the two intermingle and impact those left behind.
My dad died in December 10 years ago this year, so the quotes about grief hit home for me. In that way, I appreciated the way the author wrote about life after loss. But because of the message and tone of the book, I’d be hesitant to recommend it as a holiday read unless you’re just really wanting a good cry. 😭
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy.

*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Dell via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was definitely a surprise for me seeing as I went into it expecting to find the usual romance story and I came out of reading it and it offered so much more than that. This story might not be centered around the romantic aspect of the book, but it was such a beautiful, emotionally heart-breaking story nonetheless. Apart from that I can’t really say anything else because the story works out for the reader as the chapters progress on the book.

That being said, this is still a story about love. It’s a story about love for your family, your friends and that special person that you may find when you least expect it. However, I have to warn you that this story may not have the traditional ending that everyone is used to. Sometimes we need stories that also have those kinds of endings, endings that are different but might entail as much meaning as the traditional happily ever after.

Josie and Max, the main characters, meet unexpectedly a few days before Christmas when she accidentally runs him over with her bike when he is getting out of his taxi. And I have to say that I loved how this random event turned out into such a meaningful connection between them. I liked how at first both of them didn’t really care for the other apart from the fact of being polite, and how that at the same time ended up with them getting to know each other and spending a few days together. I loved that all these events impacted them so much that life kept putting them in each other’s paths when they least expected it.

To sum it up, this was such an easy story to read because of the author’s writing style and the way you couldn’t put it down until you got to the very end. This book may not be for everyone, but I think this story deserves to be known.

Trigger warnings: grief, cancer.

Josie, literally, runs into Max one December evening when she is feeling at her lowest. Max has his own issues he is dealing with. Over the next few days they become closer until Max abruptly leaves one morning without a clear explanation. Over the course of the next couple of years, they run into each other several times. Though upset with how he left things, Josie cannot let go of her attraction to Max and vice versa.

This book did not end at all how I expected, and it totally threw me off. I found Max to be almost creepy in the beginning, the way he just kind of inserted himself into Josie's life. I didn't really feel the chemistry between them and I wish we'd had a little more of Max's perspective. I liked Josie and felt like we really got to know her character well, I wish we had gotten the same for Max. Overall it was a nice, quick read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. This book was literally heartbreaking and amazing and just so much more than I thought it would be.

Get your tissues ready for this book because I cried multiple times.

I also did not expect it to be dual narration, but we did hear a little from Max's POV which I love because I really like hearing from the male's perspective.

I don't want to spoil anything, but this book was so wonderful and just what I was in the mood for. Sometimes you just want a book that will make you sob for no reason.

5/5

Emily Stone has written a wonderful debut novel that is filled with romance and loss. It speaks to how life changing the loss pf a parent can be to young children when they suddenly lose a parent. This book is full of hope and love with an unexpected twist. It reminds us that sometimes the unexpected can be life altering and is worth the risk.

I liked part I of this book when Josie and Max meet when she literally runs into him and they spend a few days around Christmas in a whirldwind romance. This helps her forget her cheating ex-boyfriend around a holiday Josie tries to avoid. It's full of spontaneous adventures and cozy moments. Then Max leaves on Boxing Day leaving just a brief note.

The rest of the book really drags. Part II took me forever to read because I just didn't care about Max's family and friends in NY. Max and Josie's paths continue to cross throughout the year. But since neither ever tries to stay in touch or have a conversation, I wasn't invested in either of their lives or in hoping they would get back together.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.

Thanks to @netgalley for this copy of Always in December.

I definitely expected something different in this book, especially at the ending. After reading it, I’m classifying it as fiction as it honestly only had some of the romance I was expecting from the cover and description.

I liked Josie and her journey, but this had a little too much back and forth without the MCs ever interacting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book. I’m a huge Sophie Kinsella fan and this book is in the same genre. It is a great escape from real life and a wonderful read. I loved the characters and the multiple POV. The setting is the UK and the US. It all starts with strangers, Max and Josie, meeting in the UK just before Christmas. They spend a wonderful few days together before Max returns to New York without warning. The book jumps a few months forward to the next party of the story.

I could not stop reading this book. It is an amazing debut novel and I highly recommend it!

So I struggled to finish this book, and I’m actually sorry that I did finish it. For me, romance is as much about the journey as the destination. And, if I don’t have a romantic ending, I at least want a romantic journey. In this book, I got neither. Do not classify a book as romance if you can’t deliver.

There were parts of this book that we interesting, but it was overall very disappointing. I think if it had been classified as straight fiction, it would have been more honest and more satisfying for the reader.


I received an advance reader copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher and these are my honest opinions.

What a book! I’m rarely so taken in by a book or as moved by one as I am by this book. I’m shocked this beautiful story was the author’s debut novel because it’s really incredible. But be warned, as the author writes in her acknowledgment, I have to agree with her friend that this book will break your heart. I was concerned at the very beginning that this book was going to disappoint as the opening of it didn’t grab me but just give Josie a chance to win you over because she very quickly had me changing my mind. In fact any doubts I had were very quickly erased as this turned into a book I could not put down. This beautiful story slowly unfolds as we get to meet and become invested in Josie and Max. I strongly recommended you start reading this story and completely avoid other reviews that might give away the secrets that are so touchingly revealed in this story. It’s unlike anything you’ve read before and very much worth the journey. I’ve read other books that I thought I had a similar premise with the two love interests running into each over and over again so I was worried about this being too similar or not as good but I can assure it very much stands on it’s own. It’s a beautiful story that will stay with you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Always, in December, by Emily Stone is not your typical romance novel. In fact, I have a hard time categorizing it as a romance.

Josie has never liked December. The holiday month reminds her of a deep loss she experienced as a child. Her view of December changes when she meets Max and spends several blissful days together. However, Max is also dealing with his own loss. Josie and Max begin a relationship that has more stops than starts because of secrets and different time zones.

Stone’s book is well-written but I found the main characters hard to root for. It was difficult to feel sympathy for the main characters because they come off as whiny. I felt the book went on too long but I kept reading hoping for a happy ending.

Thank you to Random House Publishers Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

I have mixed feelings about this one.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced copy of Always, In December.

This book wasn't all bad. There were parts I loved and parts that I didn't care for.

What I Enjoyed-

*The Setting- Always, In December takes place between the US and the UK and is written by an English author.

*The Holiday Vibes- The first third of this book really got me excited for the Holidays.

*Josie's Backstory- I don't know what it is exactly but I love an orphan story. That in addition to the fact that Josie writes letters to her parents every Christmas really gave me a soft spot for our main character.

*The Twist- There is a twist towards the end of the book that absolutely shocked me. To be honest by that point in the book I felt detached from Max and Josie and the overall story. I wasn't sad but it did elicit a reaction out of me.

Where This Book Fell Short-

*Max and Josie's Relationship- This book doesn't read like a regular romance and I wasn't thrilled about it based off of the synopsis. I was disappointed.

*Character Flaws- I do not expect characters in books to be perfect. I actually really love realistic characters. The choices Josie and Max made really got on my nerves.

*Skimming- By the time I got to the last quarter of Always, In December I was ready for it to be over. I was skimming the text.

Overall- Not great but not horrible. I'm not recommending this book to my romance reading friends but I don't regret reading this book.

It’s that time again...festive reads are hitting shelves!

But don’t be fooled by this cozy cover. Beyond the tinsel and goodwill is a story that cuts the heart open.

Always, in December follows two people who meet one December day and make a connection. Life tears them apart, but they manage to see each other throughout the years.

Thank you Penguin Random House and Netgalley for a copy of this novel.

This story was hopeful and heartbreaking. I enjoyed following the characters on their journey as they both search for comfort after loss and tragedy. The British holiday setting was simply perfect as well. There were some issues with pacing and the overall chemistry for the couple, but this book will strike a chord for any fans of You Before Me and One Day in December.

When Josie runs into Max a year of adventure and heartbreaks ensue. Josie, still finding her place in the world, must make choices that leads her far from her place of comfort. Max, with a devastating secret, inspires Josie to live and experience life because the future is not promised. Their rocky love affair takes the reader on an adventure on three continents and across one calendar year. The pacing of this book leaves the reader wanting more while also threading through a storyline that will shatter the reader.