Always, in December was not my type of holiday book. I was hesitant to pick this one up after reading that. However, this gave off more cozy hallmark vibes while still maintaining the intense emotional story you expected from Emily Stone. Still a little heavy for me, but over all it was a pretty good story.

Cassie and Sam go through so much during their relationship; grief, family, friendship, forgiving and finding themselves. This was such a lovely book. Absolutely enjoyed it.

What a joy! This is a book I wanted to read faster but held my horsies a bit to really enjoy the plot. The holidays can be so tricky for so many but that side of the coin isn't shared as much as it deserves.

This was the last book of my holiday reading marathon, and I was not disappointed! While this is not a Christmas book per say, it is definitely a winter book with all of those vibes. Last year I read Always, In December and that book absolutely CRUSHED ME, so I knew going into this book I was getting more than your classic romance! I enjoy the emotional roller coaster that Emily stone always drags me on, but inevitably it leads you to an important life lesson that I needed to hear at the time.

I've really got to start reading a book's synopsis before I dive in. I figured from the title that this one would have some sad elements to it, but I still expected it to be a sweet holiday romance. Instead, it stuck the knife into my heart and just kept turning it with every page. The grief felt so real, which is a testament to the author's ability to write, I just wasn't fully prepared for it.

Cassie and her brother Tom lost their parents when they were really young, and had to learn to rely on each other. Then Cassie loses Tom in a horrible accident and her world completely shatters.

One day she finds an envelope from her brother. It's one last Christmas scavenger hunt for her, like he's done every year since their parents died. Can she solve it without him here though, and figure out what last gift is?

As heart-wrenching as the story was, I enjoyed the way the characters were developed. I didn't really feel connected to the love story aspect though, and felt that it either needed to be developed more or left out entirely.

One Last Gift by Emily Stone is a different twist on a Christmas story. Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a young age and were taken in by their aunt that clothed and fed them but wasn't too involved emotionally with the two. Every year at Christmas Tom put together a treasure hunt for Cassie to complete. When her dear brother Tom dies tragically in a climbing accident in Argentina, she is beside herself. Her best friend Hazel, her friend who owns the local pub, Linda, and Sam, Tom's best friend are all there to support her. Tom has left her one last treasure hunt, not knowing it would be his last. Cassie plugs along at her job as an event planner, but dreams of bigger things. This time Tom's treasure hunt takes her outside of her usual boundaries and pushes her to do things she would not normally do. As she takes her time to complete the treasure hunt, Cassie discovers things about herself that help her to deal with the loss of her brother. Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing House for the ARC of One Last Gift.

This was such a well written book that dealt with grief. This book takes place around Christmas time, but I feel it could be enjoyed at any time during the year. The writing in this book is so beautiful. I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend checking it out!

🎁 ᗷOOK ᖇEᐯIEᗯ🎁

One Last Gift by Emily Stone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a very young age, they have relied on each other since and had to get settle at their aunties house. Every year during Christmas time Tom, creates a scavenger hunt for Cassie and they have made it into a tradition. Cassie loves doing this every year.
One day after Tom takes a trip, he has an accident and doesn’t survive. Tom leaves Cassie one last gift…..

I really liked that the story doesn’t revolve around a love story. The book follows Cassie through her grieving process not just for her brother but her parents as well. The relationships that grow from this around her with close individuals and her love for scavenger hunting. I truly admire her strength and how no matter how hard things get for Cassie, she keeps going strong.

What is a tradition you follow every year with your family?

One Last Gift by Emily Stone is a fantastic holiday read. This book has many layers. It deals with grief in deep ways and also brings in hope. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I’ve been in such a cozy holiday romance mood, so it was refreshing to read a book with deeper meaning and themes of grief that still included the festive nostalgia that comes with December.

I loved the author’s previous novel, Always, in December, and had a feeling I would love this one too!

ONE LAST GIFT was so good, and it really touched my heart. I lost my Dad five years ago the week of Christmas, so it really hit home with me. My heart broke for Cassie, but I loved that she was given a last gift of a scavenger hunt from her brother Tom after he passed. Seeing her cope with grief and take this journey of self-discovery and growth was so moving, and I really enjoyed the love story too.

Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a young age. Tom’s best friend, Sam, always made sure that Tom and Cassie were surrounded with love. But, twenty years later, Cassie has lost Tom as well. And in a way, she’s also lost Sam.

Then Cassie finds an envelope with her name on it, written in Tom’s terrible handwriting, and she knows immediately what it is. It’s the first clue in the Christmas scavenger hunt that Tom made for her every year.

*many thanks to Random House, Ballantine, Dell and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Emily Stone has a gift for making her readers feel all of the feels. From first crushes to heartbreak, then deeper heartbreak, overcoming grief and eventually, hope and a light at the end of the tunnel.

I adored Cassie. Her close relationship with her brother Tom is so touching and is similar to my relationship with my older sister. That made Tom's death even more gripping, as my heart felt like it was sharing Cassie's grief. She grew in so many ways over the course of the book and her bravery, as a result of Tom's final scavenger hunt, was a key plotline. Keep a tissue on hand!

Sam was a complex soul. The author did a great job of letting us crush on him alongside Cassie, then hate him, then love him again. His relationship with both Tom and Cassie had me delving deep into my emotions (definitely a theme of the whole book!).

This book was both complex and simple. A wonderful read full of heartache and love, goodbyes and fresh starts, friendship and family dynamics. The scavenger hunt theme was just perfect. Can't wait for her next tearjerker!

Synopsis: When Cassie and her brother Tom start a tradition after their parents die of having a scavenger hunt each year for Christmas. When Cassie loses Tom she doesnt know how she will make it through and realizes how much those silly games really did mean to her around the holiday season. Will it ever be the same? Then one day she finds one last letter that starts her off on a journey that even she didn't know could exist.

Thoughts: I think this book did a great job of sharing that while there are a lot of good things that happen around the holidays, there are also difficulties in facing the holidays with loved ones missing or traditions that no longer happen due to life changes. I think this book did a great job pulling the readers in. I loved connecting with the characters and wished that the scavenger hunt could have gone on forever. It reminded me too to enjoy the moments we have because we are not guaranteed them. I recommend this book but do take in mind that it is somewhat of a difficult read but worth the tears and connections you will make.

I think Emily stone is an autobuy author. I absolutely love her beautiful heartbreaking storylines. This one had a beautiful ending of found love and moving on after death. I enjoyed the quest aspect left to her by her brother. It was a beautiful way to heal and fall in love.

ONE LAST GIFT
By Emily Stone

One last Gift is a story about grief and loss and so much more - it is about friendships, family, and finding love.
I enjoyed this melancholic story of a journey to discovery - to hope, to finding new beginnings amidst a life of sorrow and sadness. The writing was lovely, and I enjoyed this book a lot.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. I liked Cassie and Sam and reading about the clues that lead Cassie to her last gift from her brother. It was sweet and heart warming. I felt like Cassie and Sam were super immature in the beginning of the book, and all their misunderstandings and miscommunications were frustrating at times, but I liked the way the book ended. I enjoyed Always December more.

Bottom Line: Read it.

**I received a copy of One Last Gift from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

It must be challenging as an author when you have more than one piece of work out because there's always going to be comparisons to your previous piece(s), but alas, that's exactly where I find myself with One Last Gift. Always, in December was one of my favorites and I only liked it more the more books I read after it. This just didn't hit the same, sadly. It was okay and fine, and if I weren't comparing it to her previous book, I probably would've enjoyed it more, but it just didn't evoke the same emotions for me. I also never predict anything, but did predict a few key moments in this one, so that took some of the magic away. Overall, fine but not my favorite.

Tom and Cassie’s parents died in a plane crash when they were young. Ever since then Tom has looked out for Cassie and tried to include her in all of his adventures with his best friend Sam. Every year at Christmas time, he would also create a scavanger hunt for her to find her Christmas present. This is someting that she looked forward every year.

Tragedy strikes when Tom is on a solo adventure and Cassie is left to fend for herself. She doesn’t even have Sam as they have become estranged when their feelings started getting complicated and Sam pushed her away. One night, Cassie is given an envelope with Tom’s handwriting on it, and she knows it is for the final scavenger. It is Tom’s One Last Gift for her.

The book is an emotional read. It delves into feelings of grief, loneliness, and the idea of found family. These characters are filled with flaws and honestly at points drove me crazy. I wanted to shake some sense into them. Tom’s scavenger hunt pushes Cassie’s boundaries and forces her to try new things. This results in alot of unexpected changes for her character.

One Last Gift does quite a bit of time line jumping which I wasn’t fully a fan of. Every time I thought I was getting comfortable with the characters and what was going on, it would jump in time and I would feel disjointed again. The time jumps did not allow for full character development which was disappointing to me as a reader. I would have really liked to see how these characters changed and developed overtime. To me that would have made a stronger story.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

One Last Gift by Emily Stone is a nice read about Cassie as she journeys to find herself in the wake of losing her brother. Like most romances you know where it is heading but the trip is a pleasant one. I enjoyed the characters and spending time with Cassie.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

One Last Gift is perfect for fans of PS I Love You. It’s full of holiday cheer, as well as heart break. I loved the concept of the scavenger hunt, and it was such a bitter, sweet story!

This would fit firmly in the Hallmark-esque book category. It was sweet, but not quite as sad and serious as the author's previous release. I also don't think it HAS to be read at Christmas, though the holiday does set the mood for the read. I loved the message of facing fears, and picking yourself up after a tragedy knocks you down. Overall a very enjoyable read.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.