This book wasn't what I was expecting it to be, and I'm not sure it even knew at times. It started out as a fun, lighthearted romance, with some deeper issues addressed. That's how I expected it to continue, but the middle went into some less-interesting storylines that included the main characters, and then the ending came out of nowhere. It felt a bit emotionally manipulative, rather than an organic culmination of the earlier chapters. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advance digital copy!

Every December, Josie mails a letter that will never get to its recipients. This December, on her way home from posting her letter, she rides into a man getting out of his taxi. After a bumpy start, Max and Josie spend the next few days together in London, both of them not a fan of the holidays for different reasons. They have a strong connection and then Max just... disappears.

But somehow, without having any way to contact each other, their paths continue to cross over the next year, all over the world. Max is keeping something from Josie, but also doesn't want to stay away from her. With Christmas coming back around, will the two of them find their way back to each other again?

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. My heart ached, I cried, I got angry, I was ecstatic and cried some more. Emily Stone made it easy to care for both Josie and Max and want to root for them to get their happy ending, even when you didn't agree with how they may have acted. Always, in December is about love lost, grief, and finding yourself. If you want a beautifully written book that makes you feel all the feelings, this is definitely for you.

#alwaysindecember #NetGalley

Awww this book was so sad I cried and I am not much of a crier. This book takes place over the course of a year. Josie meets Max by "running" into him. There starts a slow mo romance after Max "ghosts" her. I loved Josie, she is someone I think I'd be friends with...max not so much. I think she deserves better. But I did appreciate how realistic the relationship was. There are three main locations in this book and I loved that. We have London, England, Edinburgh, Scotland and New York, USA. I liked that I felt like I was travelling as well, especially in the time of COVID. This is more than your typical Christmas romance and that suited me just fine, I also loved the fact that the ending wasn't the usual as well even though it wasn't what I wanted to happen. That's all I am going to say.

Books like Always, in December is the reason why the "Closure/Set-Up" section on my website review rubric (https://lelivreenrose.weebly.com/how-i-review.html) exists. I found this novel to be a fairly standard, sort of Love, Rosie-style story and was prepared to give it three or four stars until, quite literally, the last three chapters.

First, the positives. I did enjoy the suspense woven throughout this book—the constant meeting, leaving, and re-meeting. The characters are also lovely and quite human, if a little two-dimensional at times when Stone describes their internal thoughts. The writing also shines through at key parts in the novel, especially when Josie discusses the process of grief and notes that it ought to be a process of loving and honoring rather than mourning. Again, though, I must qualify this praise by noting that there are moments where Stone excessively summarizes events, disrupting the flow of the story. The premise of the book—Josie's letter-writing—also mysteriously disappears until the very end, making the reader question its importance in the synopsis.

The absolutely nonsensical nature of the ending cast a pall over the rest of the book. Not only was it completely unnecessary to the novel, it was also rushed and poorly constructed; Stone's vague recalls to previous moments in the novel in order to justify the ending fell flat.

Ultimately, while I did enjoy Always, in December, it is not a novel for those who are particularly sensitive about the logic of their stories or sudden plot twists in the last act.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for giving me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Dell books a division 0f Random House. The setting is in modern day Europe. Josie has the idea of what she wants in life but reality might be a little different. Cara is the friend we always want. Oliver is Oliver lol. Max is a man that thought he had it all figured out until he doesn't. Is destiny a real thing. Is there one person for everyone. If you keep running into someone is it meant to be or no. Should you settle for what you think is the best or should you go for what you want. Is true love a real thing? Follow a journey of romance, drama and mystery. Does secrets destroy or can make a relationship? This is for a mature reader and can be read anywhere.

Thanks to @netgalley for this advanced reader copy! This story centers on Laura and Max and is intertwined with loss and love. If you are picking this up for a light-hearted holiday romantic comedy please set it back down. I had all the feelings while reading this book. Be prepared.

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
by Emily Stone
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𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏
(I believe this was already released in August for my UK friends!)
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A woman not sure which direction her life is going, a man trying to make it to New York for Christmas and their time spent together after she (literally) runs in to him one distracted day changing both of their lives forever
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Being that this book takes place predominantly in the UK, I was super excited to get my hands on it. I am always drawn to British authors and I was not disappointed!
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This is a charming, heartfelt story of Josie and Max. After a chance run in, they end up spending a few days together at Christmas. They have both had a tough year and seem to unexpectedly find joy and comfort in each other. When their lives go in separate directions, they still can’t stop thinking about each other which is emphasized when they continuously run into one another in the most unexpected places. The author really makes you feel all of the feels, painting vivid pictures and taking you on an emotional journey.
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Without giving too much away, this is a poignant story about love, life and when people are inexplicably meant to come into your life leaving you forever changed.
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I was kindly provided a copy by @randomhouse through Net Galley for my honest review and I really appreciate them for that!
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#alwaysindecember #emilystoneauthor #randomhouse #mybestbooklife #bookblog #bookreview #bookstagram #instagram #december #uk #scotland #newyork #grief #love #family #cheating #romance #fate #photography #christmas #chance

Always in December was a moving, emotional, heart-warming and heart-breaking read. I wasn't able to put it down. I was rooting for Max and Josie from the beginning and the up and down ride kept me at the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened. The connection between the two was genuine and sweet, and seeing them navigate grief and the holidays together was moving. I loved this and will recommend it to everyone. The writing was clean and clear and painted a beautiful picture.

What an effing gut punch! There have only been two other times when reading books that I’ve cried this much, and I won’t mention them for fear of spoiling this for other readers. I couldn’t help thinking of Josie Silver’s One Day in December, being set in London just before Christmas and featuring the coming together of two people who are inevitably driven apart for different reasons. Without going into any detail, this book is ultimately about how people come into your life when you least expect it, and profoundly change your trajectory. In this case, Max, over a few days’ time, recognized that Josie was settling rather than living a life of adventure. He taught her to forego her strict plans and take chances since life is unpredictable and precious. Despite their estrangement, he made it his mission to set things in motion so that she’d live life to the fullest, tapping into her creativity and not settling for a job that didn’t fulfill her. This is a story that will stick with you long after the last page. Don’t hesitate to read it, but have a box of tissues beside you.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Dell Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Always in December in exchange for my honest review.

Always in December started out as what I thought would be a lighthearted holiday romance. It was anything but lighthearted. Josie and Max meet when Josie literally runs into Max while she is riding her bike. He isn’t in London for long and his flight to the states has been delayed. We don’t know what job Max does at this point or why he is traveling between London and New York, but hints are given to what he does throughout the first part of the story. It isn’t until Josie’s aunt Helen comes into the storyline that we get to know a little more about Max since she asks him. Josie and Max end up spending time together before he is able to get another flight out on Boxing Day back to the U.S. He doesn’t say goodbye, he just leaves, without a way to get a hold of him. He does leave a small note.
There is no relationship between the two again until basically the end of the book and both Max and Josie are with other people in between. There are specific reasons that Max doesn’t share with Josie why he just up and left that day after Christmas without saying goodbye. It made me sympathetic towards his character when these reasons were revealed toward the end, but I can’t say anything more without giving away part of the story.

I wouldn’t classify this book as lighthearted romance or even romance in general. The first thing that a romance must have is a happily ever after or a happy for now between the main characters. That alone is missing. I would classify this more as women’s fiction. Without spoiling the story it takes a shocking and surprising turn at the end that left me in tears. Not in a good way. This is definitely not a feel good romance I would pick up for the holidays, but if you need a good cry then maybe. The writing was good and the beginning of the story held such promise. I was really looking forward to a holiday romance that left me feeling with all that encompasses the spirit of the season. This sadly wasn’t it, but if you are looking for a well written women’s fiction book and want a good cry this is definitely one you should pick up.

When I started reading this book I was prepared for a Christmas romance....and I kind of got that?

I really enjoyed the beginning story line of this book. Started off with a super cute meeting and whirlwind romance and then from there some conflict which I could still get behind.

The characters were cute and the relationships were cute however I think the author was trying to build too many plot points and tragedies for it to all come together and make sense at the end. This is NOT a cute happy story to get someone for the holidays and put you in the spirit of Christmas. While December is a feature in the book - a lot happens outside the season. A lot of it is about complicated relationships split up into multiple seasons over a year time. I also think the main character learned a lot about herself during this book which I wish the writer would have honed in on more rather than random site character relationships and such.

There were eye rolls and tears during this book which speaks to the writing! that i did feel things! I did enjoy the characters and some of the banter but did not enjoy the multiple plot points/things that weren't tied up well or tied up way too fast.

This was a tough one to rate and review. The first part was riveting; I loved how Max and Josie met. I loved how awkward they were at first (so relatable), but then they had such great, adorable chemistry. Josie’s backstory was so tender and I felt so much empathy for her.

The second section from Max’s point of view was halting and slow; the plot seemed to lose momentum there.

The rest was up and down and very emotional. The ending was so tragic. I wish it was more hopeful at the end. But I will say this book was effective because I was extremely invested and devastated at the end, even if it wasn’t the happy ending I was hoping for.

This is very much in the tradition of “Me Before You,” “A Walk to Remember” and “One Day in December.” I wish Max and Josie had more time together, which I suppose is part of what makes this story so sad; they didn’t get the time they deserved.

I would call this a romantic mystery. We start with Josie, who is on her way, in December winter weather, on a bike, to a mailbox. She literally runs into Max and the story starts.

There are mysteries throughout the book and one is why the mail and under such conditions? And why does she mail a letter every December right before Christmas? What is Max's story? There is something secretive with him. We know there is chemistry between Max and Josie, yet they are not together. But, they keep encountering one another.

Both characters are likeable and I found myself really rooting for Josie. This book was hard to put down.

In the end, this is a special love story well told by the author. To say more, would be to spoil it.

You know how with so many love stories you think, that’s not realistic, could never happen! What sets Emily Stone’s writing apart from others is the details, conversations and emotions a character feels, especially Josie, do feel realistic so I disappeared easily into the pages and did not want to stop reading until I finished.
I LOVED One Day in December by Josie Silver and wondered if the main character’s name was a tribute to her.
And while yes, I received an advance copy, I will be purchasing this for my daughter and others as isn’t a great book, set in December the best gift to give!!

Christmas is a difficult time for Josie. Her parents died in a car accident coming home from a Christmas Eve party when she was nine. This year, her boyfriend of over two years cheated on her with a coworker. And, her position has been eliminated. Riding her bike to mail a letter, sobbing uncontrollably, she literally runs into Max. Max's flight to New York has been delayed and he is stuck in London. Josie insists on buying him a drink as an apology. Josie and Max spend the next several days together- helping Max kill time until his rescheduled flight and helping Josie get through Christmas without being alone. What will happen when Max leaves?

Max is the only reason that this book did not get 1 star for me. I may have fallen in love a little bit, lol.

Seriously though- I almost quit before I got to two percent because of the numerous grammatical errors. I did have a digital ARC, so hopefully they will be corrected before the book goes live.
Then, we have my other issue- the ending. [ Not every book needs to have a HEA, but seriously, making him die at Christmas?! Without her even knowing he was sick? I didn't like it. I get how he ultimately changed her life and she is in a better place a year later, but I still didn't like how she got there. (hide spoiler)]

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“It started with a letter. It ended with a love story.”

During the holiday season, Josie literally runs into Max in London. The chance encounter quickly brings them together, but tears them apart equally as fast. Then fate continues to bring them together again and again in this strong debut novel by Emily Stone.

I was pretty blind going into this story and expected a sweet romance centered around Christmas. This book spans a little over two years, but Christmas does play a big role. However, this book was not the lighthearted novel I was anticipating. It deals a lot with how death affects us, even with the passing of time. I would probably put this book in the women’s fiction category, as opposed to romance. Have tissues ready at the end!! It was not what I was expecting!

I had a really hard time putting this book down which always means a high rating from me. I loved the parts of the book that centered around Josie and her story; however, the parts that centered around Max were not as strong. There was just a bit too much mystery with his storyline, and he often irritated me with not being upfront and honest with Josie. The author does a good job of pulling all of the loose ends together by the conclusion.

This is not a lighthearted Christmas book to get you in the holidays spirit ,but it is a beautiful and heartbreaking story that I feel is definitely worth the read!

I recieved an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with access.

Well.

I will say that I went into this book with certain expectations and they were completely subverted. I love romance books. I loved missed connections and serendipitous meetups. This book seemed right up my alley. And all honesty, I expected something wholly different than what I got from the ending.

That being said, this book was a well-written story, and I was deeply engaged in Josie and Max's relationship as it played out on the page. It's such a poignant and heartfelt story and you will definitely need tissues for the ending. Definitely worth it though.

This book is another sweet romance story. I wanted to like it very much but the first part felt so much like other books in this genre that I lost interest quickly. Sometimes we crave familiarity with the fluffy comfort it can bring. Perhaps I was reading the book when my soul was craving a divergent story, not one that feels familiar. I am sure there are others who would enjoy this book, it just didnt hit me in the way I was looking for.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC of Always, in December.

Wow. This book was beautiful, lovely and heartbreaking. I absolutely was not anticipating it ending in the way that it did, and I’m truly heartbroken at the ending. Rarely does a book get me to cry, but this one did. Josie and Max are incredibly relatable characters, and getting to watch Josie blossom was so heartwarming. I finished this book and immediately texted a friend to tell them about it because I think it is one that they will love.

I will absolutely be purchasing a copy when it releases, and it is one I will recommend to many. Watch for this one, friends. It’s lovely.

Josie meets Max by accident, and they are serendipitously intertwined for the next year.

Pros: There's lots of Christmas in this book, so if you're looking for something about the season this is perfect! The descriptions of the castle was wonderful as well.

Cons: I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and caring about them. By the surprise ending, it all comes together, but 95% of the book I thought could have been solved with some texting.