Ok I’ll be the heartless soul to say it. Didn’t love the book. 2.5 stars generously rounded up.

The first part was alright from Josie’s POV, I was able to forgive Josie’s hair for constantly needing to be tucked. I warmed to the second part with Max’s POV. Was fully into it by the third part thinking we were getting to the heart of the storyline where certain things or actions are revealed or explained to lead to a climax and resolution... but that was milked to the very end. And then. And then. It was just sad. And depressing.

I’m glad I read this in September and not in December. I’m all for sadness now and then, but combined with the drawn out storyline, not much dialogue, I can’t say I’d recommend this. Too much vagueness and forced “miscommunication” to prolong the ending.

Feeling a tad Grinchish so I will say there were parts I did enjoy and I would try another book from this author in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Always, in December is a powerful read that evokes a myriad of emotions. I laughed and I cried while reading it. I was disgusted at times and amused at others. I felt like I was in the book. Josie is resilient, and an excellent example that resilient does not mean strong 100% of the time. This is a novel that will stay with me for a long time. It would make a wonderful movie!

Sad, beautiful, and heartwarming. Not a typical love story, it dealt with grief and heartbreak and I really enjoyed it. Had a good cry with this story, have your tissues ready!

Wow, I loved this book. Major tears the last few chapters!! Josie meets Max close to Christmas and due to his flight to the US being postponed, the end up spending several days together. The book follows them at different seasons in the year that follows and just wow.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this title! WOW- what I thought would be a light and fun read, actually ended up being incredibly emotional and touching.

Josie and Max bump into each other- quite literally while Josie is on her way to drop the letter she writes to her parents every year. Josie doesn't love Christmas because of the terrible memories it holds for her. However, this one Christmas with Max changes everything. Except he leaves unannounced. We then follow Josie and Max with dual POVs throughout the next year as they both go through many twists and turns individually, but always end up meeting again.

I think what I really loved about the story was the way Stone writes the point of views. It goes in chronological order, which is something I typically don't love, but Stone does it so well. I found myself flying through the entire story on the edge of my seat waiting for Josie and Max to meet again.

All in all, this was a sweet, emotional, and touching story. Just know- this is not a light and funny read. Be prepared to be invested! The ending was kind of predictable the more you read, but honestly it didn't bother me. I still cried!

Even though I stayed up until the wee hours finishing this one, it was really so that I could just finish it and get it out of the way. Not to say it didn't have its moments, but the lack of dialogue made this a slog to get through and the infinite amount of times that the resolution was just on the tip of the tongue was frustrating, to say the least. A very slow-moving story with alternating third-person narratives that further detached me from the story. If this was first-person I think it would read better. Overall just ok, but I would not recommend this, least of all to someone looking for a fun and light holiday love story.

God this book broke me. I was definitely not expecting it to get super heartfelt and serious, but oh boy it did. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because I wish it was a traditional happy ending, and I certainly did not get that. I still think it's a beautiful love and life story, and I hope others feel the same.

I thought this was a beautifully written book, however, I was expecting a romance as that is what it is listed as, this book was all about grief and living with it. It reminded me of the book Shipped, which also was listed as a romance. Like that, this one had bits and bobs of it in it, but for the most part, it was just sad.

I thought the writing was excellent as was the story, which would have been much better suited under woman's fiction. The characters were well developed and I liked them. As I said my biggest problem was going in thinking I was going to get a Christmas romance and finding something completely different

Always, in December by Emily Stone is beautiful and heart breaking. Don't pass it by because you're afraid of shedding some tears; it's well worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Randomhouse Publishing Group - Ballantine for the advanced copy for my honest review.

I am emotionally wrecked after finishing this book. Wrecked.

Always, in December follows the lives of Josie and Max, who meet one fateful evening when Josie literally slams her bicycle into Max as he exits a cab. What follows is an unforgettable few days at Christmas, where two strangers converge in a blissful holiday romance, which somehow ends just as quickly as it began.

I am in love with this debut novel, and while it's labeled as "romance" I can definitely see where some people are coming from when they question this to be more "women's fiction" and not your conventional romance read.

I enjoyed the writing style, and appreciated how it was broken up in to separate parts, and the point of view changes. I loved how the tension built up wonderfully throughout, and you can't help but stay on the edge of your seat as you try to find out the "will they" or "won't they" workout the difficulties that come with relationships. I was also determined to figure out the big secret that was hinted at, causing me to basically ignore everything else on my to do list until this book was finished.

Again. WRECKED.

This is a 5/5 stars for me, but be warned to have the tissues ready. I definitely was not prepared to sob like I did finishing up this book. Full on.

This felt like a romance that should have been. Definitely not a happy Christmas story. I teared up at the ending. Deals with grief, depression, and carving a path in life.

I could not put down 'Always, in December' once I started, so it was in the early hours of the morning when I finished and went through half a box of tissues. I was so not prepared for the ending. For me this is the ultimate romance, one that transcends time. As a young widow myself (now 17 years later) this love story really spoke to my soul. I will not soon forget Max and Josie. I sincerely hope that Emily Stone goes on and follows Josie's journey in the future. I think I need the lifting of hope more could bring.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Always, In December by Emily Stone is a heartwrenching novel, set during the Christmas Season. Josie's parents were killed in a car crash when she was nine, on Christmas Eve and ever since she has sent them a letter on Christmas Eve, one she knows will never be delivered. Facing another Christmas alone, she sets off to mail her letter and literally crashes into an attractive man named Max. They hit it off and spend the few days he is in London waiting for a flight to the US to visit his parents together. Josie falls in love, but is devastated when he leaves with just a note left behind and no way to contact him.

She goes back to her cheating boyfriend and winds up running into Max several times, once in NY and then again at her friend's wedding in Scotland. I found myself falling in love with both of them and wanted them to both admit their feelings and stop playing around. Ms. Stone has done a wonderful job of developing her characters, making them likeable and pulling you into their romance so that you are fully invested in Josie, her family, Max, Erin and so many other, wonderful characters. I never saw the twist at the end coming and it was devastating....but made the book! Thank you to the author, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my gosh this book is done in such a touching and emotional way. Josie’s parents had been killed during the Christmas holidays when she was a young girl and her grandparents raised her. She hadn’t been back to her grandparents’ house during Christmas for years. She is living in London with her quirky roommate Bia and she was devastated because her boyfriend had an affair with a coworker. Bia was heading out of the country for the holidays so Josie was going to be alone for Christmas. But she accidentally ran into a good looking guy named Max, literally ran into him. They both had ex’s that they working on getting over plus Max had other problems. After, spending the night together on Christmas Eve she wakes up to Max gone. Several months later they run into each other and it was not pleasant for either one of them. Their lives intertwined several times throughout this book. And, Max definitely helped Josie with her new occupation. I don’t want to write anymore because I do not want to spoil this for you! Please grab this book as soon as you can and grab some tissues.

I received this book as an ARC for free from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Again, thank you so much Netgalley for being able to read this early! Great book!

This is a beautifully written novel, that is NOT a romance. It’s an exploration of life, love, and grief. And it does that well. I took a star off because it was advertised as a romance.

Thank you NetGalley for approving this arc in return of an honest review.

I loved every second of this book, and whenever I think about it my body is overwhelmed by gratification and sorrow.

The characters, the setting, the writing was raw, intimate, and painful in a way it made my own vulnerability show.

Well written, the story starts with a captivating meet-cute. You're led on a journey as a Scrooge enjoys holiday activities with a complete stranger, who she ran over with a bike. It sets you up for a nicely wrapped present to find under the Christmas tree and holds onto you as you keep hoping for that happy ending.
But honestly, this book is for readers who like their love stories to hurt..

Such a cute story!!! My first book to read by this author but I cannot wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the story. Can't recommend this book enough!

This book was like a warm beverage for the soul. I was sucked in and could not put it down! The concept was so unique, I loved this book.

Whew, I needed some time to process Always, in December before I felt like I could give it an honest review. Can you love a story and be devastated at the same time? If so, this is how I feel about Always, in December. Emily Stone holds nothing back as she introduces readers to Josie. Josie’s boyfriend has just confessed to cheating on her with a co-worker, her job is in jeopardy and it’s a week before Christmas. Josie already struggles around the holidays after both parents dying on Christmas Eve during her childhood and the recent events have sent her on a downward spiral. Trying for a brief escape one winter night, Josie literally crashes her bike into Max. Max and Josie find a nearly instant connection, so when Max disappears without any way to get in contact, Josie is devastated. Spanning both Europe and the United States, Max and Josie find that they’re lives continue to be intertwined and messy. Stone does an amazing job developing both characters and navigating challenging subjects. But, fair warning, this is not a light and easy read and I was not prepared for how heavy the plot is. Without giving away spoilers, I recommend Always, in December with the caveat that hearts are broken and love (and family) is messy.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.