Going jn i was expecting a romance. This crushed me and also was not my favorite. I enjoyed the first part of the book but things dipped and lost momentum. Not what i was expecting

Two days after finishing Always, In December, and I’m still thinking about it and processing it. It’s difficult to write a review without spoilers. My short review: Take this journey with Josie and Max, and have a full box of tissues nearby.

It’s important to note that this book is categorized as “General Fiction (Adult)” and “Women’s Fiction” on Netgalley, NOT “Romance.” At a glance, the cover gives the impression of a cozy, holiday romance. Always, In December, is indeed a love story, but it is not a romance novel in what readers would expect.

Josie meets Max by running into him (literally) while riding her bike; she was distracted while off on an errand she completes every December. At first, Max isn’t the friendliest of accident victims, but little by little, he and Josie connect and end up spending quite a bit of time together. That is, until he leaves a note and seems to disappear from her life. Their paths continue to cross, and as Max and Josie’s journey continues, there are ALL. THE. FEELS. And I felt them all - confusion, anger, love, heartbreak, grief. I am definitely a crier when I read books, but this was definitely an ugly-cry-to-the-point-of-bawling kind of cry for me (multiple times throughout).

Debut author Emily Stone’s writing drew me in to Josie and Max’s story, feeling every possible emotion along the way. The storylines were well-developed, and the characters had such depth; Josie and Max each have life experiences that drive their actions and feelings. I recommend this book for when you are in the frame of mind to experience all the emotions and give yourself to these characters and their journey together.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the eARC.

Josie and Oliver split up when she learned he had cheated on her with someone else. Now, she is back rooming with her friend, Bia. Christmas is coming soon and Bia has announced that she is going on vacation for Christmas. That means that Josie will be on her own for the holiday. This is a difficult time of year for her because it was when she lost her parents when she was 9-years old. Now, each year she mails them a letter telling them she misses them.

On her way to post her annual letter, her bike accidentally hits a man getting out of a taxi. Apologizing profusely, she offers to buy him a drink. His name is Max. He is supposed to be off to the U.S. for Christmas but a storm has delayed his flight. They enjoy chatting with one another and make plans to meet up the next day to visit the city’s Winter Wonderland. The day is filled with ice skating, drinking mulled wine and visiting Christmas shops. But then Max just leaves and she does not know how to contact him.

As this story continues, there are several times where they meet again, but their relationship is always tenuous. Yes, there is heartbreak and sadness and you are going to be left with a hole in your heart if you read all of this, which I did. To me, it stresses that open and honest communication is key for any relationship or friendship to build on. Some good parts and some very sad parts. I hope readers will enjoy it and take from it what they will.

Copy provided by the NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What a lovely story! Though I did go through a fair amount of kleenex, but that is OK. I loved Josie and journey to discover that she actually is a stronger person than she gives herself credit for. I adored Max as well. Sweet story that I think my patrons will really enjoy, as did I. Thank you for the preview.

Looking for a good romantic read that will give you all the feels? The story of Josie and Max is a good little read that you'll be happy to return to reading. Though I saw the plot twist coming at about 20% of the way through, the author does a nice job with the characters so that I was happy to stay with them to see if I was right or not. Without giving away the ending I appreciated the richer ending than I thought was coming. All in all a good read that I enjoyed and I've already requested the author's next novel.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book completely wrecked me you all. I can’t remember the last time a book left me in actual tears. I was crying my eyes out last night.

Sometimes people come to our lives to put us on the right path help us find ourselevs even if they only get to stick around for a lil while.

It’s beautiful story , heart breaking but beautiful . I was not ready for that ending.

Loved this tale of what fate has in story for a man and women. Not an easy stay the course way of having a relationship, but one that is just meant to be. Add the Christmas spirit to the mix and it is a real heartwarming book.

What a wonderful story! Always in December by Emily Stone captured emotions around the holiday season in ways I have not read before. The story of Josie and Max continuously brought tears to my eyes as I cheered for them throughout the book. Thank you toNetGalley and Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For me this book started off great. I was super excited to read it. I loved how the characters of Max and Josie meet in an unexpected way and they spend the week falling in love and being there for each other but for me that is where the book stops being good.

Maybe it is the fact that I have lost family at the holidays or the fact that the rest of the book after part one was slow moving but for me I could not get into this book.

Ever start a book thinking you know exactly how it is going to end and how the story would be? That was the case for me in this book and I was off base. The cover makes it look light, cheerful, sweet, and perfect for winter read.

Enter Kleenexes stage left...

But underneath that cover is a tale of love, friendship, heartbreak, loss, and starting over.


Josie Morgan isn't a fan of December. It reminds her of loss. She avoids the celebrations and the music. They are painful reminders. She posts a letter every December. One that cannot be delivered.

Max Carter finds himself stranded in London right before Christmas. He never expected how hard it would be to say goodbye. He never expected to fall in love.

This was a moving I've-got-tears-in-my-eyes-and-now-they-are-falling-down-my checks-type of book.

I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed their meeting, their encounters and everything in between. When we meet Josie, she has left her boyfriend, but she ultimately moves on and with it, meets Max and discovers her own worth.

This was a journey a very enjoyable journey that might break your heart a little after it puts a smile on your face. I thoroughly enjoyed this but be warned this is not a Holiday Rom-com. Yes, there is romance, yes it does take place around the holidays but it is more, much more. This book has depth and emotion.


Thank you to Random House Publishing-Ballantine 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.

Oh, I so wanted to love this book.

Josie is not a fan of December. However, a chance run-in with a stranger (Max), makes the first holiday season of the book a little more bearable. Could there be more?

I know this was marketed as a Christmas book. I don't think it was very Christmassy aside from the first part is set in December as well as the last part.

I *loved* the first part of this book. I liked the characters, their interactions, the deeper aspects of the story. Unfortunately, the book doesn't continue in this same vein, or even the same tone. Part 2 shifts to Max's perspective. It is much less engaging and more sweary. The book went downhill from there for me, including the ending. There were moments of sparkle but not enough to sustain the rest of the plot, dialogue, and character devolvement for me. I think my hopes were just too high after part 1.

Content: language, closed door romance

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a very cute, cozy Christmas story. The setting definitely made me feel like it was the holiday season already.

This book was so cozy and gave me warm fuzzy feelings. It follows Josie who lost her parents at a young age and is on her way to send them a letter, which she does every year. She runs into Max and they spend Christmas together. He disappears the next morning and the book follows their journey/romance. I loved the character development of Josie. The ending made me very emotional and was a curveball. Get your tissue box ready. If you enjoyed the book Always in December then you will love this. Pick this up for your holiday book!

This started out as a super cute story-- probably would have been very cute Christmas story-- and for the most part it was. I really did not like the ending and that kind of impacted my view of the rest of the book. I understand that not every ending is a happy one, but the ending just felt super rushed. It was a good length build up, just to have it be a quick "just kidding". I did appreciate the personal growth of the main character. I liked how she went out of her comfort zone and realized her potential by the end of the book. Overall, it was a cute story, but definitely bring tissues.

Always in December is a sweet holiday read. That I enjoyed readers of holiday and Christmas themed books will enjoy reading this one in November and December leading up to the holiday season. But while this was a sweet read I myself cannot say that it is a romance, as it doesn't have the trademarks nor the ending a romance has in order to be called a romance.

Usually, the winter holiday season is full of fun – warm apple cider, holiday parties, and snow. But for some of us, this season of celebration is a reminder of loss.

In this book, the main character, Josie, loses her parents just before Christmas when she was six years old. And every year her grief returns, but when she accidentally runs into Max, for the first time in a very long time, Christmas is something to be celebrated.

As is so often the case, life and love are complicated. This story tells the tale of two souls perfect for each other who just can’t seem to get their timing right. And the ending, well, just keep your tissues ready.

What I Liked

The author creates a beautiful, relatable character in Josie. And the cast of supporting characters, especially her best friend Bia, create a warmth and ambiance throughout the whole book that made me feel I was right there. I couldn’t help but root for Josie and Max. And the dialogue is witty and spot on.

What I Wish Had Been Different

Not much to say here, except that the ending surprised me and felt a bit abrupt. I might have liked just a few more clues through out the book where the ending was heading. That being said, I still felt all the feels.

For it’s wonderful characters, delightful dialogue, and for roller coaster of emotions you experience while reading, this book gets four heartfelt stars from me.

This one surprised me. At first, you think it is a super cute heart-tugging romantic story. Nope. Ms. Emily Stone had me engrossed in the characters and the plot. So, if you are looking for a saccharine holiday happy ending story, this is not for you. This is a story about Max and Josie and how fate stepped in a little late.

Josie lost her parents at a tender age, in a car accident on Christmas Eve no less. Christmas has been a holiday suffered through, never enjoyed with her grandparents or aunt. One of the traditions that she carries out year after year is sending a letter to her parents every year. A letter with no address or return address, just a letter with her utmost personal emotions and experiences. This year on her way to mail the letter, she literally runs into Max, on her bicycle.
Max and Josie spend a magical holiday together through friendship and romance. Josie finds Max a friend that she leans on when she bumps into her recent ex-boyfriend at the Christmas fair in town. Max keeps reminding Josie he is flying to New York City to spend the holidays with his family. So, on Boxing Day, when Josie wakes up and Max is gone, without a letter of explanation.

Max and Josie go on with their lives over the next few months and fate steps in. They bump into one another on another continent this time and another time at Josie's friend's wedding. It always seems the other is not available when they run into each other again and again. The heartstrings were really tugged throughout this one, but still worth a read. One of my favorite quotes from the book is when Max states, "You can't plan your whole life that way, it has a habit of not cooperating." Have the tissues ready and know you will be eager to finish this one in one sitting.


Thanks to Emily Stone, the publisher, & NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this heartfelt story. Always, in December by Emily Stone. #AlwaysinDecember #NetGalley

Always, in December by Emily Stone can be considered a Christmas story. We come upon Josie at Christmas, trying to reconcile a holiday alone by choice, instead of going home to spend time with her grandparents. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend due to his infidelity, and while completing an annual tradition at the postbox, she has a sudden encounter that changes the trajectory of the story.

Told in intervals, this story is an examination of grief, of hope, of finding ways forward in spite of what has come behind. It's an uneven glimpse into how, even in grief, love can be found. I hoped for a tighter narrative, but I'm sympathetic to the project, as at the close we learn Stone lost her mother at seven and hoped to demonstrate how grief never quite leaves.

(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

Always, in December
by: Emily Stone
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell

Always in December is a lovely story of loss, grief, reconciliation, and love. Author Emily Stone's story is original, poignant and moving, and will leave reader's in a whirlwind of emotions. This novel is everything a reader would love in a romantic book that tugs at the heartstrings. Lead characters Jose and Max are well developed characters, making it easy to be fully invested in their story. Whether read at Christmas, Winter, or in any season, Stone's beautiful writing will stay in the heart of her readers.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell
for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.

#AlwaysinDecember #NetGalley

As Stone's debut novel, I'm very impressed! I truly enjoyed her superb world-building and the fact that Josie had normal, healthy, relatable reactions to Max and the rest of the plot twists. I will say the ending was unexpected but handled really well. Overall, I really enjoyed the story, the plot pace, and the character lineup...I'm secretly hoping Aunt Helen and "Grumpy Guy" get a little novella or something.

I do want to note that while this is really well written and so worth the read, something about it feels like heavier reading...like it takes a little longer to read it but it sucks you in. Just not a light beach read style surface-level romance book.