Cover Image: Always, in December

Always, in December

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Member Reviews

I sobbed like a baby at the end of this book. It has such a gut punch at a few different points. It’s a solid story. I loved the style. It focuses on four different snippets in time over a year, where Josie and Max serendipitously run into each other.

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Dubbed "A devastating, romantic, life-affirming love story, Always, in December will stay with readers long after they've finished the last page."
This is not a happy Hallmark holiday romance.
If you loved the angst and waiting from One Day in December, check out this book!

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I had seen reviews of this book by the time I got around to reading it, but I somehow still picked a bad time to read it. That was my mistake though, I'm not holding it against the book.

This was so sad, I cried multiple times. I'd recommend it if you like "In Five Years" by Rebecca Serle (which I also really liked.)

I had guessed what was coming, but it still gutted me when it happened. I'm glad I read it though, and I do like it. I do think it is a mistake to give a somber book such a lovely colorful cover, though. I'd imagine that's where some of the reviewer ire comes from, why some reviewers might feel duped. Just know it's sad going in, and don't make the same mistake I did by reading this just before Christmas and/or when you're already feeling sort of melancholy.

The story was well-written and the characters were multidimensional, which is a cornerstone of my rating system. I don't mind a sad story, as long as it feels genuine. This definitely felt genuine. Josie was a heroine to root for, and I enjoyed her personal journey, aside from the romance. Max of course, is the swoon-worthy, infallible, perfect male love interest. I was so sad with how things worked out for them, but I also felt happy for Josie that she met him and it altered the trajectory of her life for the better.

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Holy gut punch of a book! Now, I had heard this book described that way so many times that I definitely read this with a pit in my stomach waiting for the moment I would in fact be, punched in the gut and oh, I was not disappointed. I loved every minute of this story and I look forward to more from Emily Stone.

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Always in December
By: Emily Stone

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫/5

Quote: “ The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist”

Thank you thank you NetGalley and Dell for the eArc.


I don’t know where to begin with this book. Even though I was warned about this book and still, I ugly cried. A lot. Like literary could not stop crying. 🥺

I never knew how this book would end.

For Josie, Christmas is a difficult time and totally understandable. Both Josie’s parents were killed on Christmas Eve. Every Christmas she copes with their death writing a letter to them. And this year she clumsily runs her bike directly into a man named Max. After this new friendship, a romance begins. After a few days, he ghosts her.

Through the course of 3 years, they keep meeting randomly in the most unexpected places.

Definitely, this is not a happy, cheerful holiday read. Bring the tissue paper because is going to be hard.

A great debut book for Emily Stone.

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ALWAYS, IN DECEMBER - Emily Stone

UNEXPECTED BUT GREAT - 5 stars

Plot - 4.5 stars - This is a story about accidental meetings and unexpected love. When Josie, quite literally, runs into Max for the first time, they awkwardly get to know each other, finding a surprising connection. But their liaison is short-lived because of Max, abruptly ending things. Months go on, chance meetings happen, and they slowly develop a relationship that is more than either of them expected or even wanted.

Writing - 5 stars - This debut novel was easy to read, the characters were strong and well-developed, and the story touched my heart. I was shocked (and saddened) by the surprise twist, but it felt right, and I enjoyed every page. Stone has created a setting and situation that was easy to dive into and full of life and personality.

Characters - 5 stars - This is where the story shone for me. Josie is a very practical, very predictable character, but she's also someone who loves deeply and is extremely loyal to both family and friends. I liked being able to see her from the inside (throughout much of the story) as well as seeing her from Max's point of view when they were both in New York. It rounded out her character for me. Max is the ultimate romantic hero. He's handsome and charming, and I loved the joking banter between the two of them. Sure, he kept his big secret to himself, but that's certainly understandable, and I think he was right in that it was better for Josie not to know.

Title - 3 stars - The letter is always sent in December, but I'm not sure of the necessity for the comma which seems to break up the title for me rather than being a single smooth-sounding phrase.

Cover - 4 stars - A nice cover of an embracing couple against a brightly colored background. Definitely eye-catching. This is not exactly a Christmas story, so the cover works for me.

Overall - 5 stars - I really had no idea what to expect from this book when I picked it up. The title sounded holiday-ish, the premise sounded intriguing, and I'm always up for reading a new-to-me romance author. I very much enjoyed the first 90% of the book. It moved forward quickly, kept my interest throughout, and built the characters into people I'd love to spend time with. But the last shocking twist really put this book over the top for me and made it a 5-star read. I'm glad I didn't read any reviews beforehand which might have destroyed the surprise because that was the punch that made this book amazing for me. It had the impact for me that it must have for Josie, forcing her (allowing her?) to grow up and expand the horizons that Max had helped her open up. Wonderfully written and very enjoyable. I can't wait for this author to write another one. I'm a fan.

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3.5 stars. The writing was definitely my style, but I couldn’t buy into the connection the MCs supposedly had- they weren’t fleshed out enough for me to really fall for them. Also, I thought the ending was really telegraphed, and easy to guess.

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I had high hopes for this book - it promised to be a cozy Christmas book about two people whose paths keep crossing. The cover is an illustrated cover with a couple in an embrace - much like the current trend in romance novel covers. This book, however, is not a romance by a long shot. There is no happy ending. Outside of the misleading cover, I really didn't feel any chemistry between Max and Josie - they kept crossing paths, but they had zero sparks. My other main issue was the lack of a plot - the book just kinda dragged for me. Overall, this book just didn't work for me - but I hope it works for others.

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Fair warning, this is not the lighthearted holiday read the cover makes it seem, it was QUITE a tearjerker. But as a fan of books that mess with my emotions, I liked this one a lot. The setting does make it the perfect book to read during the holiday season, just be prepared with plenty of tissues. I was fully invested in both of the main characters, and felt like the author had taken a lot of time and care in developing both them and the story itself. If you like to be gutted by a novel, pick this up. But PLEASE know this is not an HEA. I've seen so many reviews criticizing it for that, so go in with different expectations.

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So. Many. Tears for this adult holiday British romance.
CW: death, cheating

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up for the slow start

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Loved this book. It was an absolute tear-jerker but I'm so glad I read it. It was wonderful to read about how love can make someone feel, it when it's not the most "convenient" time for love. And it made me think about the amazing strength of the human spirit.

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Ugh. This story gutted me! But in such a beautiful way. This beautiful story kept me thinking about it long after it was done.

I wish it had ended differently but I loved Josie and Max’s journey, especially the character development within Josie.

What a poignant, beautiful story.

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I loved this book so much! It was so raw, and relatable. I think it would be enjoyable any time of year, not just in the winter. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

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I really liked Always in December. When I started the book, I thought it was another one of those stories where the couple keeps denying their attraction for each other and goes in separate directions but keeps bumping into one another until they finally realize they're in love. And it kind of is. But there's an interesting plot twist that I certainly didn't see coming and makes it not the same old plot. Always in December is definitely worth reading. It's well written and the characters are interesting and well fleshed out. I recommend it.

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This book left me sobbing! I was wholly unprepared for the emotions it brought out in me.

A fated love story that is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. This books deals with grief and loss and you will feel it but you will also be glad you read it. Have tissues handy and time to devote to Josie and Max - you will want to lose yourself in their story.

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When I started this book I was expecting a light hearted Christmas romance but this isn’t what I got. Instead a deep emotional story that dives into real issues and makes you feel something for these characters. I loved this story but do wish we had a bit more time with the characters at the end.

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Super cute and wonderfully emotional! Reminded me a lot of another favorite romance of mine One Day in December. Perfect for the festive season!

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Always, in December follows the story of Josie and Max. They met when Josie ran into him with her bike around Christmas time. He seemed angry and standoffish and then suddenly wants to spend every day with her. It's a little bizarre, but the pair end up sleeping together and Josie falls in love... it's all a bit fast and doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's a romance, right?

No.

And this is where the book goes off the rails. Max doesn't tell Josie the truth.... about anything. He misleads her, abandons her and yet she still falls for him. They meet multiple times in a bunch of different, random ways... but it's not like One Day in December.

I guess the lack of communication is one of the biggest drawbacks of this book. Also there are too many coincidences. It didn't deliver as promised and overall was disappointing.

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This was such a cute story, definitely worth a December read! The writing was very engaging, I found myself getting invested and rooting for the characters. Have already recommended to friends!

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I completely missed the memo that this was not going to be a heartwarming, holiday rom-com., but instead a complete gut-wrencher. If you are looking for a good cry, read this story. Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for an advanced copy to review.

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