This book was heartbreaking and beautiful!!!

I read an arc of Emily Stone’s first debut novel last year and was completely enamored by her writing and storytelling. Not gonna lie... her last book sorta traumatized me lol so I was so excited but equally scared of the emotional damage that Stone could do to me.

This story definitely lived up to my expectations for Stone. She is so incredible with her writing regarding grief. The entire scavenger hunt plot was amazing!!! The sibling bond written in this book was incredibly beautiful. The realistic ups and downs of a romance spanning years was filled with so much angst and tension that had me reeling! All of the build up was so worth it though.

This book was beautiful and even though I shed many tears, I was fully content by the end of the story and loved how everything wrapped up. This was such a touching story that dealt with heavy topics in a tender way and I would absolutely recommend this book to readers.

*Thank you Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was heartbreaking and beautiful!!!

I read an arc of Emily Stone’s first debut novel last year and was completely enamored by her writing and storytelling. Not gonna lie... her last book sorta traumatized me lol so I was so excited but equally scared of the emotional damage that Stone could do to me.

This story definitely lived up to my expectations for Stone. She is so incredible with her writing regarding grief. The entire scavenger hunt plot was amazing!!! The sibling bond written in this book was incredibly beautiful. The realistic ups and downs of a romance spanning years was filled with so much angst and tension that had me reeling! All of the build up was so worth it though.

This book was beautiful and even though I shed many tears, I was fully content by the end of the story and loved how everything wrapped up. This was such a touching story that dealt with heavy topics in a tender way and I would absolutely recommend this book to readers.

*Thank you Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

this book gave me the feels and heart warming. Love it very much. still with me now. really liked it.

Be prepared to stay up and read this one!

Cassie and her brother, Tom, lost their parents young and grew up very close. Now Cassie has lost Tom in an accident, and feels very alone. Cassie receives an envelope in the mail from Tom—a clue in the Christmas scavenger hunt her brother made for her each year. This marks the beginning of Cassie’s journey toward her future.

I absolutely loved this book. The story was so good and I couldn’t put it down. I was rooting for Cassie and Sam to figure out their paths to happiness. I did get a little frustrated with both Cassie and Sam a few times, but I can also understand their reactions at the time. I loved the friendship between the characters too. Their relationships were a lot of fun. The supporting characters were interesting and made the story better—they felt like real people I know.

I also loved Always in December, even though it wrecked me. This book has some sadness and I did shed a few tears, but I wasn’t devastated like in December. I believe Emily Stone is going to be an automatic read author for me now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House/Dell for providing me with an ARC of this story to read and review.

What an emotional roller coaster! Tom and Cassie lost their parents at a young age. Their Aunt Claire took them in and raised them. They had everything they needed except an emotional connection to her or their late parents. Tom created a special Christmas tradition for Cassie leaving clues she must figure out to find her gift. She lives the tradition and insists the clues must rhyme. Linda who owns the local pub became sort of a second mother to them. Tom’s best friend Sam spent a lot of time with them also. As they grew up they often spent holidays together so Sam was almost part of the family. Cassie's best friend, Hazel, completes their foursome and the friendship continues into adulthood. When Tom is killed in an accident both Sam and Cassie pull away from each other. Will they ever find their way back? Cassie assumes the treasure hunt for her gift is over but then a clue is found. Is it possible Tom created the hunt before the trip he was on when died? It takes quite some time but she finally embarks on the final treasure hunt.
The ups and downs of life can be overwhelming and the emotions definitely play out in this story. You can feel the pain the characters are feeling at the loss of Tom. They all grieve in their own way and find ways to heal but will they ever find healing together and be able to truly celebrate Tom’s life?
Very well written and brings out so much truth about life, loving and healing after loss. I give it 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

One Last Gift is the newest release by Emily Stone, author of Always in November - which I loved! So I had big hopes for One Last Gift and I was not disappointed!! Cassi and Tom lost their parents when they were young and were taken in by a well-meaning but disinterested aunt. So they relied on each other, with Tom, a few years older, taking care of his younger sister. They grew up with a circle of close friends and as they grew into adulthood, Cassi fell harder and harder for Tom's best friend Sam. Of course Sam didn't see her that way at all, and as he matured, grew less dependable and dated a string of gorgeous young women, drinking excessively, becoming pre-occupied with money and appearing wealthy. Tom dies in a freak climbing accident leaving Cassie alone, except for a few close friends. Finding it impossible to climb out of her grief and living a shell of her former life, Cassi is surprised to find an envelope with her name scrawled on it in Tom's messy handwriting. Tom had always constructed fabulous scavenger hunts for Cassi for Christmas, beginning the year after they lost their parents. This year when she needs it most, Tom somehow came through for her. The clues take Cassi way outside her comfort zone sending her to London, the mountains of Wales and the French countryside. Aided by friends along the way, Cassi learns more about herself and how to live her life again. As she becomes reacquainted with Sam who was struggling with his own grief, she just mind find the greatest treasure of all. Emily Stone has given us another funny, emotional, romantic story that I enjoyed from start to finish. I hope she continues to write these Christmas novels - they are a great way to enjoy the season. Many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read an ARC.

This book centers around Cassie and Tom, who are siblings, and Sam, who is Tom’s best friend. Cassie and Tom’s parents lost their parents at a young age so Tom makes Christmas extra special for his sister. Every year he leaves her envelopes with clues in them that lead to a final gift. This book centers on Cassie’s relationship with her brother and with Sam, who she has had feelings for over the years. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. I did feel like it dragged on in parts but overall it was a good read. Thanks NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book. I give this one 3.5 stars.

Another book where the summary of the story promises a book that didn't deliver.

Book opens with brother/sister Cassie and Tom who are very close because they lost their parents at a young age. They were then placed with an aunt who was a less than stellar guardian. Cassie is/had been crushing on Tom's best friend Sam for years.

During a holiday, Dam and Cassie kiss twice and she ready to tell everyone about their undying love for one another (um, not realistic or wise). Ultimately, Sam claims it meant nothing, Cassie hates him.....

Then Tom suddenly dies in an accident. His tradition of a holiday scavenger hunt continues even after his death.

I found the characters terrible to relate too. Cassie was whiny and immature. Sam was such a jerk and womanizer. How could you root for this two to get together?

I have seen other reviews compare to Hallmark or rom-com, but I don't think this fits either. The time jumps also seemed the "easy or lazy" way out of telling a complete story with full character development.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for the ARC! I'll start by saying that I enjoyed this book more than Stone's previous book, Always in December. Once again many big events happen around the Christmas holiday season, but I would not consider this a holiday book, nor one that can only be enjoyed during the holidays - it definitely has year-round appeal. This book shows the beauty of love (friendship, family and romantic). Our main character, Cassie has to ungergo a lot of hardships, but love surrounds her, even when she has trouble recognizing it. The romance of this story is both frustrating and sweet.

This is my first read with Emily Stone and I’ll be back for more. What a touching story about love, family and friendship… And a Christmas time book! I am (almost) excited for cooler cozy weather after this one.

Thanks so much for the ARC. Off to check out Emily Stone!

I have read and loved a prior Emily Stone book and was excited to read this one too. One Last Gift is about 3 friends, -Cassie, Sam and Tom- who change each other and are very important in each other's lives even as one character died early in the book. The main character, Cassie, is with Tom who always creates elaborate scavenger hunts for her to find her Christmas gift. They can take her weeks to figure out even! The One Last Gift is a last scavenger hunt already set up by Tom for Cassie when he passes away. In the midst of this story line, Cassie's earlier crush, Sam, enters back in her life after a long estrangement and I think it's at the last part of the book that we see the maturity that Cassie and Sam have gown into. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next Emily Stone book!

It was a heartwarming, cozy read that will be perfect for some fall/winter reading. I liked the characters and their development. There are multiple time jumps; however, they are clearly labeled so there’s no confusion on where you are in the timeline. If you liked Emily Stone’s previous book you will enjoy this one as well!
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ONE LAST GIFT by Emily Stone is well written with inspiring characters. The themes are family, friends, taking chances and finding love – the things you love to do and the person who is your true love. Life is often difficult, but can still be filled with happiness. Put this book at the top of your “To Be Read” list, especially during the Christmas holiday season.

this was a very emotional read! it was my first from this author, but won't be my last! I thought it described/handled grief very well.

Another tearjerker romance from Stone. I just felt kind of sad the whole time I read it, though the ending was good.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Emily stone has written a touching Christmas story that tells the story of family, friends and also love. The storyline is beautiful and the plot itself is both touching and absolutely brilliant. Both beautiful and sad and quite amazing.

One Last Gift shares the story of siblings Tom and Cassie who were orphaned when their parents were killed during their childhood. They were raised by their young aunt who raised them with the very basics, even during the holidays. She often included Tom's best friend Sam however, because he had an absent father and a mother who was often busy working.

Tom gives Cassie a fun gift every Christmas in the form of a scavenger hunt and this year's happens to be the biggest and best yet. . .and also the last. Cassie spends months figuring out the clues vs previous years where it takes a few hours at most. And the gifts that she is given along the way are the best gifts she could ever be given. Life lessons, blessings and help toward her goals. Without giving away any secrets or spoiling anything I will stop here. . .

But know this read is quite worth it. There are some fun side stories that while bigger than necessary they are fun to know and I believe highlight the story and the history of some of the characters. This doesn't change my overall score.

This story takes place around Christmas but is not necessarily about Christmas. Orphans Tom and Cassie now live with their maiden Aunt Claire after losing their parents. While the aunt doesn’t carry on any special Christmas traditions like their parents did, older brother Tom tries to make it special by leaving an envelope under the tree for his little sister Cassie that is a clue for a treasure hunt. Cassie idolizes the adventurous and fearless Tom and is always trailing along with Tom and his best friend Sam. Fast forward twenty years to them becoming adults. Cassie and Sam have feelings for each other but Sam has issues of commitment and pushes Cassie away. Sam goes on to be a successful lawyer, engaged to the boss’s daughter while Cassie is pursuing her dream job of coordinating events at a hotel. Then tragedy strikes which devastates both Cassie and Sam, which leaves them to deal with it separately. Cassie is given one clue for another Christmas scavenger hunt from Tom which he said would be of epic proportion. As Cassie slowly works to solve the clues, she is also trying to solve her feelings for Sam. What is the unexpected gift that Tom has in store for Cassie? Will Cassie be brave enough to accept it?
This is a story of loss, love, forgiveness, and about finding courage within yourself. It is a story about hope when you think all is lost. Slow to start, it hooked me about ¼ of the way in and then I needed to see where the story would lead Cassie and Sam. How clever to use the scavenger hunt to lead the reader to travel along with Cassie through her journey. The characters are well developed and one can easily empathize with them. This is a story that can be read any time of year, not just at Christmas. But go ahead and grab a cup of cocoa, wrap up in a blanket, and read this emotional feel-good book.

Many thanks to #netgalley #emilystone #onelastgift for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Cassie's annual Christmas scavenger hunt from her brother turns into a posthumous journey of healing following Tom's unexpected death.

Tom, leaving clues for Cassie to decipher, take her on an adventure through England, leading her to the the ultimate gift he hoped she would accept, healing her heart, giving vision for longstanding dreams and rekindling past love along the way.

I loved this story. After Always, in December, I was mentally prepared to be slightly more wrecked. While Cassie's journey was heart wrenching, you could feel how she was rooting for what Tom had for her, no matter how long it took for her to get to that point. I was excited when the third person narrative took on some dual points of view as well! Cassie and Sam's story wasn't a will they/won't they, but an are we ready? While I'd definitely put this in the childhood friends to possibly more to mostly strangers to lovers category, it felt so much bigger than that.

While this may be a holiday themed story, this is a book that can be enjoyed year round.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my review!

I enjoyed this one and really appreciated the chance to read it. It is the right time of year for it too! Thank you for the opportunity.

One Last Gift was a sweet story of love and grief set in London. The main character, Cassie has to come to grips with loss and moving on as this story follows her journey of healing. It has a lovable set of characters and a nice setting. Fans of Jenny Colgan would love this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.