*One Last Gift* by Emily Stone is a deeply disappointing read. The premise of a woman receiving a life-changing gift after a loved one’s death could have been poignant, but the execution lacks emotional depth and fails to connect. The protagonist feels flat and her reactions to grief are superficial, making it difficult to empathize with her. The plot is predictable and relies too heavily on clichés, with no meaningful twists to keep the reader engaged. The writing is clunky, and the pacing drags. Ultimately, *One Last Gift* offers no real emotional payoff, leaving the story forgettable and unsatisfying.

One Last Gift by Emily Stone is a touching and emotional novel about love, grief, and healing. The story follows Cassie, who discovers a final scavenger hunt left for her by her late brother, a Christmas tradition they had shared for years. As she embarks on the hunt, she finds herself not only reconnecting with memories of him but also uncovering a path to healing and unexpected love. Emily Stone’s writing is heartfelt and moving, with themes of family, loss, and the importance of second chances. The story is both uplifting and bittersweet, perfect for anyone looking for a heartwarming yet emotional read.

I absolutely loved Emily Stone's Always in December and this was just as wonderful of a read. The writing is so easy and it really sucks you in in the best way.

This was much heavier and slower than I expected, but a very thoughtful idea of a Christmas scavenger hunt. I wish I connected more with the main character and felt more of the emotion in both of her relationships with the MMC, but the sentiment was sweet. Even the romance fell short, so overall it wasn’t a book I’d recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5 Stars. An emotional tearjerker with all the happy feels too! This book is exactly what I'm looking for during the holiday season. Something with some depth yet a happy ending. Reminding us that we are never truly alone, even during the holiday season.

Thank you to Netgalley, Dell and PRH Audio for my ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really like Emily Stones books.. Sometimes they are heart wrenching but I still always really like them, I was happy to be able to read this one also.

Emily Stone has the gift of writing beautiful heartbreak.
I truly enjoyed One Last Gift.
As Cassie sets out to complete the scavenger hunt left to her by her late brother, she discovers a new side of herself and finds love in an unexpected place.
This romance has a clear tide of sadness, so don't read it if you aren't willing to embrace a happy ending with quite a few tears!

This was a cute story! I really enjoyed Cassie’s pov and connected with her character. The way she handled loss and grief was so realistic and I loved that it wasn’t rushed or anything. While more of a story about grief and moving on it did have some Christmas family feel and that made it a great winter read.

When Cassie’s brother, Tom, dies unexpectedly, she’s never felt more alone. When Cassie finds an envelope from Tom, she knows it is the first clue on what will be her last Christmas scavenger hunt. When Cassie finally starts searching for Tom’s present, her journey takes her all over - both physically and emotionally.

Fair warning: you need to be emotionally prepared to read an Emily Stone book. Her books will break your heart in the best way. It was so good - but if books make you cry, make sure you have Kleenex close by.

In One Last Gift, Stone gives us the gift of heart - which this book has in spades. Orphaned at a young age, siblings Cassie and Tom learned to rely on each other - as well as their two best friends. Every Christmas, Tom creates a special treasure hunt for Cassie to find her gift - complete with clues (that MUST rhyme).

Tragedy strikes one Christmas, and Cassie loses Tom. But then she discovers he left one last treasure hunt for her. Over the course of her journey, Cassie discovers she's braver and stronger than she ever realized. And she discovers true love. ❤️

I loved Always in December, so I was quick to read this one! I love romance novels most of the time, but this one stuck out a little bit more. It was heartfelt and lovely. Christmas romances just do something to me, they make me feel magical, and this one certainly did.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I thought this book was beautiful, yet tragic. I started and finished it within a few hours. While it wasn't extremely Christmasy, I still believe it was festive. And oh so romantic. This was also the kind of book where you felt you were there living your life with the characters. Cassie and Tom had such a beautiful story, which I think is a perfect read for anytime of the year -- not just the holiday season.

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It made me smile! It embraced my soul and touched my heart gently. The sensitive topics were handled so well without wrenching your heart. I got a little frustrated with their miscommunication, but I liked how everything was resolved. This book touches on death and grief, but it mainly touches on friendship, love, personal growth, and moving on. It's about saying goodbye and new beginnings. It was right up my alley and was a nice change of pace and put a smile on my face.

heart touching story. Loss around the holidays can be hard. This lighthearted book gives a new perspective. I love how she had a last chance to connect with her brother .

Oh man this book tugged at my heartstrings! I loved that this book was about so much more than grief and/or a romance. While those were two key plot points, it was also about love, hope, and finding yourself.

It was such an awesome premise that Cassie finds Tom's last scavenger hunt after he passes away. That he had made this latest hunt span months, involve so many people, and be so challenging made it all the better. Admittedly, the clues were too challenging for me as the reader to decipher, but it was fun reading as Cassie worked through ideas and utilized her resources to find solutions.

I really enjoyed the romance of this book as well. There were times when I questioned if this book truly was a romance and who the actual love interest even was which is always a major plus in romance novels for me!!

This is a wonderful holiday read if you're in the mood for a book that will cue the waterworks and also has a holiday theme and feel to it.

Overall, I absolutely loved it and while I cried more than just a little bit, it was cathartic and beautiful and moving. I definitely recommend.

This book gave me all the feels. I love Stone's writing but she rips your heart out (in a good way!) I'll be reading more of her in the future for sure.

This second holiday-themed book by the author falls into the 3.5-star range for me. While not lacking entirely, there's an elusive quality missing that prevents a more enthusiastic rating. Although I found moments of enjoyment while reading, it doesn't leave a lasting impression. Focused on Cassie and Tom, siblings dealing with grief and family dynamics, the story introduces a disrupted friendship with their childhood companion, Sam. The initial setup lacks emotional depth, making it challenging to fully invest in their eventual reunion. The plot gains momentum around the 50% mark, immersing readers in Cassie's journey, but the emotional impact is hindered by surface-level exploration. Despite these shortcomings, the book offers a light and engaging read, suitable for romance and holiday enthusiasts. The 3.5-star rating reflects a generally positive impression, with appreciation extended to Dell for the ARC through NetGalley. In summary, "One Last Gift" provides a heartfelt tale of romance, grief, and growth, recommended for those seeking a touching story, especially during the holiday season.

I'm confused as to the intent of the book. Was it meant to be women's fiction or holiday romance? Because it didn't "pick a lane" it fell short in both categories for me which left it feeling flat overall. I wanted MORE of either of those aspects for it to stick.

This book was breathtaking. It takes you on an incredible journey through grief, heartbreak, love and bravery. This was my first Emily Stone book and it certainly won't be my last!

God, Emily Stone knows how to rip my heart out with holiday romances. These aren't your straightforward, frothy holiday romances -- Stone's books deal with heady topics and certainly make you feel *all* the things.