😣Making it through loss & disappointment with a dead man's help!

4-4.5🌟 stars
This is not a quick read but it was a thoughtful novel with a blighted romance at its center and lots of emotion mixed with inspiration.

The bulk of the book is bittersweet and the sadness of present day is interspersed with memories of a childhood spent together, through thick and thin, for an orphaned brother and sister and their friend Sam. The two leads, Cassie and Sam, face a tragic death fairly early in the plot and, because of their foibles, can't work through their grief together. But Tom, the gone too young risk taker who was the support and light in their lives, leaves traces of himself in posthumous notes for a treasure hunt. Most of the story is played out in the year after Tom's death as Cassie follows the clues and Sam goes off the rails a bit. Plenty of supportive friends are on hand to help Cassie survive her brother's sudden passing and grieve right along with her.

I liked it but, for me, the romance was a bit too slow burn. I was impressed, though, by the author's dexterity at mixing the sad and hopeful elements and keep me hoping for the reward of a happy ending.

Thanks to Dell, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

ONE LAST GIFT
By: Emily Stone @emstonewrites
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell @randomhouse
Release Date: 10/11/2022
Genre: General Fiction (adult), Romance, Women's Fiction

Centering around the sister and brother relationship of Cassie and Tom, One Last Gift is presented with the emotions encircling loss, heartache, and love. Having lost their parents at a young age, Cassie and Tom were extremely close, and they spent much time with his best friend, Sam. Stone's beautiful writing takes readers along with these three characters through their journeys in their lives, souls, and hearts, as well as on the map. At one point, Cassie is guided by clues to help find her way to a special gift.

The settings in the story of London, Wales, and France are very appealing, adding so much atmosphere to the touching events in the plot. This is not a light holiday read without pain and loss, but evokes the restorative sentiments of the holidays with its love, relationships and connections of family and friends. Reading about a deep brother and sister bond was so nice, since I enjoy books about siblings. Stone shines in writing unforgettable, heartrending books that leave an impact, which is just what I like.

Thank you to Net Galley, Megan Whalen, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.

When a young woman finds herself lost and at a crossroads I. Life. one last gift from her brother just may give her another chance at life and at love in this cure holiday romance from the author of Always, in December.


It’s light hearted motivational romance and cute. It’s set In Christmas time do it’s be fun to read for the holidays.

Sweet story, not as good as the last one I read by this author but overall a decent read.

Cassie and her brother Tom lost their parents at a young age and have been raised by their standoffish aunt. Together with Cassie's best friend Hazel and Tom's best friend Sam, they go on many adventures together. Cassie had feelings for Sam, which she thought were reciprocated, but it ends up they are on two different paths and Cassie is embarrassed and doesn't want to be around Sam much after that.

Since they were very young, Tom has made a treasure hunt for Cassie on Christmas where she follows the clues to find her gift. One year, Tom goes to Argentina and is killed in a tragic accident. Cassie discovers that he had finished that year's hunt before he left, and she has the first clue. Can she progress through her grief to accept one last gift?

This is a sweet story overall about facing your fears and moving forward after tragedy. There are a couple of things that keep this from being as good as it could have been. The beginning of the book to me felt like a YA novel. The characters are super immature and Cassie gets all upset that Sam doesn't want to declare their love to the world after a couple of kisses. But the main shortcoming I felt was that this book never gets very deep emotionally.

Always, in December broke me when I read it last year because it was so emotionally touching. One Last Gift tries to get there, but to me it just didn't fully succeed. I admired Cassie's journey and was rooting for her to dig deep and discover her inner bravery, but overall everything stays very surface level, even when she is in the depths of her grief.

This is a worthwhile read regardless, and although it's not really a holiday story it is perfect for the holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for this ARC! Pub day is October 11, 2022!!

One Last Gift by Emily Stone is much more than a heart warming Christmas novel. Christmas is my favorite time of year, so I knew I wanted to read this, but it was so much more than what I had imagined. A story of loss, love, and taking chances in more ways than one all wrapped up with a shiny bow.

A continued tradition of a Christmas treasure hunt bonded Cassie and her brother Tom in multiples ways. But when Cassie arrives at her last treasure hunt unexpectedly, she sets off on a journey that she never thought she would be able to face. Cassie is charged with making decisions that she would normally not make, take chances that push her out of her comfort zone, and make her realize that sometimes the chances you take can lead to incredible, rewarding moments.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t just a love story, but one that centers around family, friends who are family, and realizing that you are stronger than you ever thought you could be. I would definitely recommend this to read and to give hope at a time of year when that’s something we can all use more of.

*My review of this will post on my Instagram account on October 11, 2022 & I will provide the link when it is posted.

‘One Last Gift’, is my first Emily Stone novel. The story takes place in England and Wales, and has Cassie following a final treasure hunt that her now deceased brother had set up for her. It was a cute story, but unfortunately a little slow, and took longer to read than usual for me.

A lovely novel about grief, healing, and the family we make. Cassie and Tom were orphaned as children and raised by their aunt Claire with able assistance from Linda who owns the local pub. They are BFFs with Sam and Hazel, making a tight group. And now Tom has died, leaving them behind bereft. But he also left some things behind, among them a treasure hunt for Cassie. She's struggling at work because even though she loves her job, she's got a hateful boss. Sam is so filled with grief that he walks out of his wedding and flies to the US to spend time with the man who was with Tom when he died. Both of them tell this story of how they made their way forward. Cassie's working the treasure hunt, Sam finds hope in working with kids. There are a few surprises here- no spoilers from me- but mostly there's a big heart. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This was unfortunately an amazing book that I picked up at the wrong time and could not finish. I think others would love it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A big thanks goes out to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC of One Last Gift by Emily Stone in exchange for my honest opinion.

Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction
Heat level: one star (closed door)

I figured this one would be a bit emotional. Yep—it was. In ways it reminds me of a Nicholas Sparks novel because of the mix of the heartbreaking and tender, happy moments. But isn't that like real life?

This book could be called a friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and second-chance romance all wrapped up in one. The scope moves through having the reader learn about Cassie's, Tom's, and Sam's childhood. Hazel comes onto the scene with college as Cassie's best friend, and the four of them gel well as friends. That is until the kiss...
Then everything changes.

I enjoyed this book. It gave me time to settle in and relish the characters. We mostly see how Cassie, the main character, and Same change as they grow up. We see a little bit of change in Tom and Hazel.

After you give it a go, I'd love to hear what you think of it.

This close door romance is super sweet and reminded me a lot of PS I Love You. Poor Cassie has been through the wringer. After losing her parents when she was 5, Cassie and her brother Tom become super close. Each year for Christmas, he makes her a scavenger hunt she has to solve to find her present. While the story takes place over years, most of it occurs within one pivotal awful year of Cassie's life. One year, right before Christmas, her brother dies in a tragic accident climbing in Argentina. Turns out though, that he had already planned Cassie's scavenger hunt.

This is such a sweet story. You might've noticed I didn't even mention Sam, the male MC, above. This really is a story of two people who basically grew up together but no longer get along, trying to put the pieces of their life back together after tragedy. Cassie had every reason to hate Sam, but she has her own stuff to work through too. I really enjoyed the scavenger hunt part of this book. It was so touching and fun and the perfect way for Cassie to find herself again. Sam is a little less likable but I enjoyed really watching him grow up too.

Thanks Netgalley and Dell for the arc!

Emily Stone has cornered the market on Christmas stories that read as light and airy but carry heavier plot points. Dealing with insurmountable loss, Cassie continues on her journey to bravery to make her brother proud. This has a lot going for it, it is funny, its devastating, it has growth and a cast of characters that felt very dear and real. I really enjoyed it. There were a few loose and fast plot points but that's what romance is for.

𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘎𝘪𝘧𝘵 follows a sister and a best friend mourning the loss of Tom. They've both been scarred by the happenstance and left to grieve alone because while they used to be close once they're not anymore. But Cassie has been left with the last treasure hunt her brother will ever organize for her and she's scared but determined to see it through. And somewhere along the way of finding the clues she just might prove her bravery in matters of life and that of her heart.

- ~ -

This book was much more emotional than what the synopsis led me to believe.

First things first, I didn't expect to bawl like I did considering I knew the character for a mere few chapters, so hats off to the author for being able to bring out those emotions in her readers.

Secondly, there are major character arcs for both Cassie and Sam. There are some moments when Sam acts like an ass but by the end he recovers and leave the pretence behind to go back to his roots (what I mean will be clear if you choose to read the book.) And Cassie ofcourse learns to live without her brother and shows her strength time and time again.

My favourite bit though was the whole treasure hunt aspect. The clues, the involvement of all of their friends, the fun they had was immaculate. Never will I ever enjoy a scavenger hunt storyline like I have here despite the grief factor.
And that absolute last clue of the story? Yeah you win.

Ps. I really want to include this, so here:

"𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦."
"𝘚𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺?"
"𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥, 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶?"
"𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦."
"𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦."

- ~ -

4.37 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 & 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

I had a harder time getting into this story, I really wanted to like it, however it wasn't for me. It seems like a lot of other readers have really enjoyed this book though!

I really enjoyed this story!! There was a part towards the beginning that I absolutely was NOT expecting but it added a big part to the story. This is a slow burn and I was not expecting it. It wound up being cute though. Would recommend

I loved Emily’s debut, Always, in December, so I was excited for her sophomore novel. I didn’t love this one, sadly, but I didn’t hate it either. I enjoyed Cassie’s journey with grief and uncovering the last clues her brother left for her. It broke my heart that she lost him because he was such a good brother. He took care of her when their parents passed and, thanks to the last clue game, even after death. I loved this part of the book. However, I didn’t love the romance. I didn’t like Sam, and this soured my experience. I’d rather keep the good, though, so that’s what I will remember from this tragic but heartwarming story.

Thanks to Dell for my ARC! Opinions are my own.

This story is one that wraps you up and makes you feel all the warmth and love of the holidays. One Last Gift will make you cry happy and sad tears, it is both emotional and satisfying. Emily Stone paints a beautiful picture of a sibling bond, the complexities of grief, and what it means to be brave.

Cassie and Tom lose their parents early in their life and they are taken in by their Aunt Claire. Cassie and Tom rely on each other in their childhood, along with their best friends Hazel and Sam. Tom has always made sure Cassie is taken care of, and every year he would send her on a Christmas Scavenger Hunt. Fast forward 20 years for Cassie and there is a falling out with Sam, a difficult work situation, and Tom tragically passing. She's struggling moving on when she finds a Christmas scavenger hunt Tom prepared. Cassie embarks on the journey that takes her all over in hopes of reigniting her light, taking a chance on love, and teaching her what it means to be brave.

This story is told in alternating POVs of Cassie and Sam over the course of years. I loved hearing both POVs, it made the story richer as we got to see both Cassie and Sam grow up. While this story has heartbreaking moments, it also has moments of light, growth, and new beginnings. This one makes you want to cuddle up by the fire with a cozy blanket and enjoy it-don't let it slip from your holiday list!

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!

What a beautiful and moving novel about two people whose lives are brought together by a loved one, and what happens when that loved one passes.

Cassie and Tom lost their parents when they were very young. For as long as Cassie can remember, Tom stepped in, taking care of her, being both older brother and protector. He's the most important person in her life. As she gets older, she finds herself drawn to his best friend, Sam, and feels he's drawn to her right back. After one weekend trip gone wrong, Cassie and Sam's friendship and potential for more is completely dashed, but they have to continue to be around each other because of Tom.

Years later, Cassie and Sam are still not on good terms. When Tom passes away in an accident, their relationship becomes even more strained. Their grief re: Tom makes them lash out at each other, the two people who were closest to him.

Every year for Christmas, Tom set up a scavenger hunt with clues for Cassie to solve to get to her present. Before he died, he had already set up her scavenger hunt; Cassie receives the first clue shortly after his funeral. She spends months going through the clues, working through her grief, when her and Sam collide again, forcing them to face their feelings and history and shared grief.

This is, in my opinion, even better than her first novel, which I also really liked. Emily Stone's style of writing is very similar to that of other British authors like Josie Silver and Laura Jane Williams, so if you like those kinds of books, I think you'll like this.

I'd give it a solid 4-4.5.

A gut-punching, emotional, and strong sophomore Christmas outing!

I requested this since I loved and sobbed over Emily Stone's debut, Always in December. I got to say, the woman clearly knows how to write about loss, grief and relationships beautifully and profoundly.

I loved how Stone has shown the different types of bonds formed among all the characters in this book including those between families, siblings, best friends and even colleagues, while baring their two sides, be it a happy and working one or a toxic and dysfunctional one. I felt each relationship dynamic as truly distinct and fully fleshed-out.

What I appreciated most in this book are the relationships between Tom and Sam, Sam and Cassie and among all three of them. Tom's loss and the remaining two's shared grief paved the way for Sam and Cassie to reconnect and finally be together after years of pining. And oh, the pining in this book! It's just heart-tugging and heart-wrenching that I can't help but root for them.

This is not your typical holiday read and has the same somber tone as Josie Silver's One Day in December with an ending that's surely satisfying.

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, NetGalley, and the author for my early copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.

This book was so touching! I loved the closeness of Cassie and her brother Tom. The "will they" or "won't they" had me intrigued, angry and hopeful all at once.
The story is Christmas "heavy" and will make you long for the holiday season. Triggers: sibling loss,parental loss and estranged father. Read this and you won't be disappointed!

Actually, more like 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this story. It's one that pulled on the heartstrings and spoke to my romantic heart. Crossed signals, emotionally charged circumstances, tight family and friends bonds, tough situations to wade through. It had it all!!