I read this book in less than a day. I really enjoyed the story and characters. I found all the characters likable, even when they weren’t. While it was extremely sad at times it wasn’t a depressing read at all . I was very happy with the ending.

Emily Stone knows how to write heart wrenching novels that are relatable. I loved her debut One Day in December and enjoyed this one as well. I do think it would be a cozier winter read, but it’s still enjoyable any time. I will keep recommending her debut and now this one as well.

One Last Gift surprised me in that I was expecting a typical romance but that was not what this book was all about. Instead it was more about overcoming obstacles in your life and finding the strength to persevere no matter what. There was romance, of course, but I found that there was so much more to this novel.

Cassie and her brother Tom were orphaned at a young age and had to live with their aunt. While their aunt was there for them physically she did not fulfill their emotional needs. Cassie's brother Tom and his best friend, Sam fill those gaps for her. Cassie is drawn to Sam and wants to be more than just his best friend's sister but Sam does not seem to reciprocate those feelings. Cassie carries on but then the unthinkable happens and Cassie does not know how she will go on. The only thing that gets her going is her brother's annual Christmas scavenger hunt. The hunt helps her put the pieces of her life back together and help her find who is important to her.

I really enjoyed this read and highly recommend getting cozy by a warm fire with a cup of hot chocolate and you immerse yourself in Cassie's world.

Thank you to Random House Books for this advanced copy for an honest review.

This was warm and comforting. I thought Stone did a lovely job of dealing with grief and the ways in which it affects different people, and the whole thing was thoughtful and easy to read, even though it dealt with pretty tricky subjects. I especially loved Hazel and Josh, but I did dock a star for a couple of reasons: Cassie wasn't a particularly memorable character for me and fell flat on multiple different occasions. I also wish there was a little more build-up around Tom's death. I knew it was coming, and I didn't feel the shock running through the book as I thought I should have. Besides that, this was a lovely, sweet, thoughtful holiday read.

The review will be published on Goodreads at this link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4876384632 and on Amazon on September 27th, 2022 as well as on my personal blog. I will update this with the links once published.

One Last Gift by Emily Stone is not necessarily a Christmas feel good novel, although many of its big events occur at Christmas. This is a excellent read for any time of the year. Tom and Sam are best friends from childhood and Tom's sister Cassie has always tagged along. Since losing their parents at a young age, Tom has done a scavenger hunt for Cassie every Christmas. When Tom dies suddenly, Cassie discovers he has left her one last hunt. Will this one lead to her future happiness?

Thank you to the author, Dell Publishing and Netgalley.com for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book! I went into it blind, and ended up devouring it in one day. I couldn’t put it down.

I loved the MC Cassie and her journey in this book. And Sam! All the heart eyes for Sam.

This is an emotional story- be warned- grief & loss of a loved one are present throughout the entire book.

This didn’t feel overly Christmasy and could definitely be enjoyed anytime… big moments in the book happen around Christmas.

All the side characters were unique and likeable. I would like to formally request a book for Cassie’s bestie Hazel!

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this advance copy.

Emily Stone has written a phenomenal book with One Last Gift.
Of a brother, sister and the brothers best friend growing up together, living life together.
The brother always had a special gift he gave to his sister for Christmas. Before he unexpectedly died, he had written out the next Christmas gift clues to his last gift.
Beautifully, yet heartbreaking mysterious and still yet lovingly written..
I throughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

I do not know what exactly I expected when I began this book, especially having never read Always, in December from Emily Stone. I really enjoyed this book though. It follows Cassie and Sam, two hot and cold friends tied together by Tom, Cassie's brother and Sam's best friend. The best part of this book was the character growth, with romance as more of an afterthought. Cassie and Tom's relationship was really sweet, and I would have loved to learn a little bit more about Hazel and how she fell in with Tom and Sam beyond what we saw in the book. The theme of grief was really well fleshed out and I really felt like the ending was satisfying. I would recommend this!

I loved the scavenger hunt idea and it roped me in from the first moment. While it was a good book, the pacing and the timeline was quite often off putting.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved the premise behind this book, and the cover was cute, but I just could not get into this book at all. The scavenger hunt was a great idea, and we got to tour the region a bit, but it was just....a little all over the place and didn't work for me.

Everyone likes a challenging treasure hunt and this book has two: one that is written down with actual clues and another that is invisible with a relationship. In life, we have to figure out the game.

There is something else: a love triangle. Cassie and her brother, Tom are close. Their parents died in a plane crash when they were young and they depended upon each other. Tom was “the big brother anyone could hope for.” Tom and his friend, Sam, were best friends since they were kids. All three spent a great deal of time together. Years later, Sam is found flirting with Cassie and she is secretly in love with him. Is this what she really wants? The book is about relationships with the parents, siblings and friends. Some parts are sad. Other parts make the reader smile.

It’s easy to read with surprises in the plot. While many of the characters could use a good therapist, it’s a book that opens up to real problems with trust, fear and insecurities. Each character can easily be visualized along with the settings in the story. All the pieces had to come together at the end which was nicely accomplished. She also adds "Questions and Topics for Discussion" which is a great benefit for book clubs.

My thanks to Emily Stone, Dell Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced book with an expected publication date of October 11, 2022.

Last September I read and so loved Always, in December, so when I got an email asking me to read and review Emily Stone's new book I jumped at the chance. Christmas in July you say? Count me in! I adored this precious book so much. It is an incredible story about a brother and sisters love for each other. I really appreciated this take on the story as I am remarkably close to my own brother so it gave me all the feels.

This is a sad story to start but as you read on you will find plenty to smile about. The scavenger hunt was a lot of fun and I loved watching Cassie grow from an awkward eighteen-year-old to a fierce woman in her twenties. Sam too redeemed himself to me, as he seemed like such a cad to start off with and I was so happy when he grew a conscience.

Who would think that a book about grief, loss, and falsehoods would make such a lovely story? Emily Stone, that's who and the writing is so real and natural that I was able to read all 340 pages in a couple of sittings.

Heartbreaking yet beautiful at the same time One Last List isn't your typical Christmas romance and I liked that about it.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Penguin Random House. This book has lots of difference emotions happiness, sadness and anger. Sometimes emotions or words get misunderstood. We don't always know what exactly we are feeling at one time or how to express it. Past hurts can make us not want to take risks. Can a risk lead to something great or tragic. Trusting yourself can be a great gift to you and to others. Love is love. Characters Cassie, Sam, Tom, and Hazel are best friends and family through everything. Even if you are mad or sad family is family. Life can separate you when you need to go on your own journey to discover who you are and what you want to do with life. But life is tricky it can bring you back to something when you least except it. Sometimes tragedy brings you together abut also can tears apart. A bond is for life it can't be broken. This book is for a mature audience and can be read anywhere.

One Last Gift set in London beginning at Christmas time. Cassie and her brother Tom are especially close after losing their parents when they were young. When Tom dies unexpectedly in a tragic accident Cassie is left reeling. Not sure how she can possibly continue to move on without her beloved brother, she realizes he’s left her one last gift, his annual Christmas scavenger hunt, and this will be the biggest one yet. When Cassie finally faces the challenges Tom left for her in the scavenger hunt, she discovers she’s much braver and stronger than she thought. Tom’s best friend Sam notices as well, and despite their tumultuous relationship after Tom’s death, maybe there’s a possibility of love there. Even though there was sadness and loss, there was hope and love too. Definitely recommend.

4.75 out of 5. I loved this book so much. As with her previous book, Always in December, the tone is bittersweet and be prepared to have a kleenex box next to you. This is a full blown tears read, from happy to sad, you will go through all the emotions and all the kleenex. First of all the concept of Christmas scavenger hunts is amazing, and why have I never done this? I need to institute this in my life. Also I fell in love with all the characters, they are imperfectly adorable and you just want to root for them all. This is the ideal Christmas book, its a warm cup of cider, a fireplace and a cozy blanket during the snow in book form. A Christmas must read, trust me.

How much christmas: It is Christmas adjacent, and the premise is a Christmas Gift, But it is so much more than just a Christmas book, also most of the book happens outside of the Christmas season.

A true boy finds girl, boy losses girl, does boy find girl again story, but intertwined with loss throughout. Cassie and Tom are brother and sister orphaned together after their parents have died in an accident. Tom's best friend Sam, and Cassie's best friend Hazel, along with Linda from the pub round out their chosen family. 'One of the best traditions that Tom does for Cassie is scavenger hunts for her Christmas gift. Though a little predictable, this book has you in its feels. Very well written and quickly paced, its a great read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good holiday book and this one did the trick. Perfect for reading in a bit fluffy blanket next to a fire.

This is my first book to read by this author but I cannot wait to read more by them! This is such a uniquely written story that you will find yourself thinking about long after you finish it. Highly recommend!!

Oh my heart! This is going to be THE book to read this holiday season and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

I went through all the emotions while reading this book. But the beginning made my heart swell as did the end which for me makes a book a 5 star read.

Slow burn friends to lovers coming of age handling loss and grief set in the UK
Enjoyable cozy read with some emotional depth to it