To start, this is NOT a Christmas book, despite the cover and the title. Only 1/3 (if that) of the book even takes place in December.

I did not find two of the main characters (Holly and Jack) to be likable, and honestly, I was not convinced that they would fall for each other. Holly was annoying and presumptuous, and Jack was bland. Their initial connection was cute and sweet, but after they reconnected, I wasn’t feeling it. First, because it was so weird to me that it took so long for Holly to explain why she never called him. Second, because Holly totally cussed Jack out after he got mad that she was being manipulative—and this was only like their third interaction ever. An immature and vulgar interaction like that would definitely supersede the ONE 5-minute charming interaction from three years ago.

There was a pretty strong emphasis on fate, which I also didn’t like because that just doesn’t align with my worldview.

There were too many f-words for my preference, and they also took the Lord’s name in vain fairly frequently. There were two semi-open door scenes that were maybe two pages each.

Content warning: miscarriage, cancer, death of loved ones

"Some people you know for a lifetime, but they never really make an imprint on your soul - and some people you only have to know for an instant, to know they will be a part of you forever."

ok two things, I would love it if Emily Stone didnt have me crying in the first 30 pages of any of her books & also this is THE holiday movie that needs to be adapted. I adored this story from start to finish. Stone writes the most beautiful, heart wrenching stories with deep themes all centered around the best (and sometimes the worst) time of year for people. This one is perfect for anyone who wants a raw and emotional read.

Read if you like:
-screaming, crying, throwing up
-Themes of love, loss, friendship, broken family, heartbreak, grief, loneliness, second chances, fate, hope and healing.
-Writing letters
-Holiday vibes
-Cross generational friends
-Takes place over the span of a year

Thank you so much Netgalley, Penguin & PRH Audio for advanced copies of this book!

I did love the themes around grief and forgiveness and the slow burn love story. I loved the characters and their flaws. I did think it was a bit long though

After being involved in a life-changing car accident, Holly has found herself estranged from her family and alone during the holidays. She reluctantly participates in a pen pal group, "Dear Stranger," writing letters to others who may also be spending Christmas alone. This year, Holly gets a letter from Emma, an elderly woman dying of cancer, and decides to track her down all in the name of fate. When Holly meets her, she soon finds out their stories are even more "fated" than she realizes. This was my first Emily Stone novel and will certainly not be the last. I loved this story! I felt very connected to its characters and loved how multi-dimensional and real they felt. It's definitely a tear-jerker with a heartfelt message about loss, grief, family, forgiveness, healing, and second chances. The romance was definitely a sub-plot, but that didn't make it any less endearing or meaningful. The letters were some of the best parts of the story and added an extra layer of emotion, not that it needed that. An emotional ending, but a good one. Highly recommend.

Another Christmas novel with all the Hallmark fluff! This did start off a little slow for me, but it picked up and I devoured it. This book had some depth and emotion to it, rather than a super light holiday read. I really loved Holly and wanted her happy ending.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

‘Love, Holly’ was a book I was not expecting to hit how hard it did emotionally.  Due to how emotional this book was it did take me longer to read.  Not because the writing was horrible, the writing in this book is phenomenal.  It's just after a long day of work you don’t want to read something so heavy emotionally.  If a book hits you that hard emotionally that shows I’m not lying when I say the writing is out of this world.

Now I also waited to pick up this book closer to the holiday season.  With the book’s cover and it’s description, I thought it took place throughout the holiday season.  It does do that but it keeps going throughout the months and years to show what happens to the characters how the universe brings everyone together and how everything is tied together by a string (cue Taylor Swift’s “Invisible String”).

Even tho ‘Love, Holly’ is heavy on feelings I think this one you need to pick up.  I am giving it a solid four stars and it’s not all too heavy and sad. A few sizzle moments help give this book a one-on-the-sizzle rating. Emily Stone does an amazing job grabbing you into the story and you will be happy to have read the book at the end.  ‘Love, Holly’ is out now and available wherever you get your books.

**I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC copy of this book. Getting the ARC Copy did not influence my thoughts on the book as they are all my own.**

I ABSOLUTELY loved this. It was emotional and light all at the same time. I really loved the connections throughout the book. I really enjoyed rooting for Holly.

If all you want for Christmas is pen pals, fate, forgiveness, and unlikely friendships then Emily Stone is your Santa Claus. This tender book is full of characters I was so glad to meet but also felt like I'd known forever. I love unlikely friendships and found families and Love, Holly put a holiday twist on these concepts. It was, in turns, both joyful and heavy with grief, and I loved every minute of the full ride.

I thoroughly enjoy light and bright, Hallmark-esque holiday rom-coms in December but this book is so much deeper and more complex. The magic of Emily Stone's books is that we get the meet-cute and some solid humor, but we also get tough times and harder issues that make her stories come fully and vibrantly to life.

In other words, if you like your holiday books tied up with heart strings, please go pick up Love, Holly. My sincere thanks to Ballantine, NetGalley, and Emily Stone for allowing me to immerse myself in this festive and deeply tender book in exchange for my honest review.

Read for free through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Heartbreakingly beautifully written. This if my first read of Emily Stone’s but I will for sure be checking out her other works.

This was such a heartwarming and emotional read! It touched on a lot of serious topics like grief, forgiveness, and second chances but it didn’t feel too heavy. The romance was good but it wasn’t the main story for me.

I count on Emily Stone every holiday season to give me a book that will make me smile and cry at the exact same time, and as usual, she has delivered. I loved this book so much - it made me feel all the feels, and want all the good things, it was hands down my favorite so far this season. Holly, Emma, and Jack are all such great characters, but Emma was particularly great. 10/10, no notes.

In Love Holly by Emily Stone, Holly’s journey with the Dear Stranger letter-writing club leads her to a deep connection with Emma and a spark-filled romance with Jack, teaching her lessons in love, healing, and forgiveness.

I’ve been a fan of Emily Stone (@emstonewrites) and her holiday novels are a must-read. I bought Love, Holly a couple of months ago and decided to finally pick it up. Love, Holly delves into strained relationships, beauty of unexpected friendships, healing, and forgiveness. I loved the building of Holly and Emma’s friendship along with unraveling how other characters that are involved in the process. The romance is a bit secondary at first and a slow burn which works well for the storyline. Highly recommend picking this up if you love Emily Stone’s work, but keep in mind it tackles some intense themes, so check StoryGraph for content warnings!

This book was delightful, I loved how there was a connection built not only between the MCs but all of the side characters. The character arc for Holly, Emma and Jack was great, nothing felt rush or out of place, natural pace for the timeline of the story.

This was as much about friendship as it was about romance. Being a romance, I knew that Holly and Jack would end up together but the different turns the story took weren't obvious and I enjoyed reading about their journey. This is a closed door, slow burn, holiday romance. Fans of Sophie Cousins will adore this book.

Holly and Jack cross paths and are struck by one another and yet the timing is not right. This story of Holly, Jack, and Emma has great heart and Emily Stone tells a good tale as everyone works on their lives and relationships.
I enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. Love Holly is available now.

I had to to push through this one; the writing was just terrible. I sped through it hopelessly searching for something interesting, but I wasted my time.

The premise was predictable, the 3rd person narrative was just awful, the meet-cute was predictably cheesy, the characters were surface level, the riff between Holly and Lily was too unrealistic-I just couldn't connect with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and DELL BOOKS for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

NEXT!

Love, Holly by Emily Stone is a beautiful and touching holiday novel that pulls at your heartstrings and also gives you hope. It is a novel that makes you want the story to be so very real in many aspects because we want to believe in the beauty of humanity in the way that Holly brings hope and love to Emma.

Holly is involved in a holiday pen pal program where she writes to lonely individuals during the holidays so that they have someone to connect to. Because the letters are anonymous she rarely gets a response but this year is different. This year she hears from Emma.

Emma is an older lady who is sad because she is looking for her estranged grandson Jack. Surprisingly, Holly knows of places the Emma mentions in her letter and sets out to help Emma reunite with her grandson. And in doing so she is also forced to reunite with some of her own family members.

Emily Stone has a beautiful story, well written characters and a beautiful flow to her writing. You will love this novel if you love family drama, reunions, second chance romances, and holiday stories.

This book was highly anticipated for me but unfortunately fell a little bit flat. While it was emotional and well written, I felt like the romance was rushed and lacked “moments”. They barely even spoke during the book yet we are supposed to believe that they are in love?? I did enjoy the story and it did give perspective but I wish it was more romantic. 3 stars.

Emily Stone never disappoints! This is my third arc read of hers, and she never fails to make me cry. Which I love!
I loved the relationship Holly built with Emma. I was so frustrated with Lily, just because Holly didn’t deserve to be basically abandoned by her family for 4 years. I’m glad it all got worked out in the end though. I also loved Jack, and was so happy with his and Holly’s ending too!

Emily Stone has cemented herself as one of my auto read authors with Love, Holly. Her books are perfect for the holiday season even if they always have sadder themes. In this one, it discusses grief, loneliness, family estrangement and much more and does it really well.

Her books always make me feel all the things and this one was no different. At the end I definitely teared up! I really enjoyed that this wasn’t just a romance (although I like those too) but had a strong theme of friendship and found families. I loved the friendship between Emma and Holly just as much as the romance between Holly and Jack.

At times the pace felt a little slow and I thought it probably could have been a bit shorter but overall I highly recommend this one!

Thank you Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my review.

Love, Holly walks us through relationships and the emotional toll of grief and how fate has a way of making everything work out. My heart broke for Emma and Holly at different points on the story and I was rooting for Holly and Jack!