This is such a powerful story of love and forgiveness. I'm completely wrecked and have cried my fair of tears over this story, but it was so beautiful. I fell in love with these characters and it will take me awhile to leave their world. It's everything I could ask for in this genre. I love Emily Stone and this is my favorite book by her, which is saying a lot because I've really enjoyed her other books.

Honestly, I'm slightly disappointed that this seems to be Always, In December 2.0. A woman who has lost her family, writing letters around Christmas. A missed connection where they happen to reconnect over and over again, over the course of roughly a year.

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. I truly did. I just also found it slightly unrealistic. As someone who doesn't speak to family by choice, I'd be extremely less kind than Jack was towards Holly if someone tried to make me reconnect. Believe me, I've had to do it. I get that there was misunderstanding for the sake of character development and growth, but I just found that part a bit too much for my taste.

And if I hadn't already read this book from Emily Stone, I also would have liked it more.

Thanks, NetGalley!

Loved this sweet story about Holly so much! What a precious main character and heartwarming story about connections between those who are hurting.

This book is so unique - I have not read something like it. The letters, mystery, illness, grief, estranged family, holiday in Venice, etc. were woven together so so beautifully and seamlessly. I loved the multiple perspectives of the guilt vs. blame, as well. I think so many people will feel seen in this book in so many ways.
I will be reading it again come Christmas time and will absolutely recommend it to all my Christmas RomCom loving friends.

I am so glad that NetGalley gave me the chance to read this book early. I have loved every Emily Stone book and this one was the perfect travel read.

When boy meets girl in a random coffee shop, they have no idea how intertwined their lives truly are until the very end.

There are so many heart wrenching moments, mistaken agendas, laughable flubs, and butterflies. I was turning pages as fast as possible to find out what happens next.

I also loved how Stone transitions and shows passage of time to make sure the whole story is told in the most effective manner.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Dell an Imprint of Random House Publishing Company. Do you believe in fate? Do you believe happen at random for no reason or there is a reason for everything. Holly and Emma have both been dealt a rough hand in their adult years. Can they overcome these challenges or will the devastating results keep them from moving forward. Jack had a tragedy happen to him when he was younger. But he says he has overcame it but has he? When he looks back on his life so far what does he see? The book has drama, mystery and possible some romance if the characters allow it! This is for a mature reader but can be read anywhere!

I read Ms. Stone’s previous book, One Last Gift, and though I enjoyed this new book Love, Holly, it wasn’t quite as good for me. Bothe books blend romance, tragedy and of course the holidays, but this one had a slow start for me.

I struggled with some of the characters’ choices — especially Lily — and some of those circumstances felt more like plot devices than genuine storytelling. However, to be completely fair, people are complex and just like real live ones fictional people some times make poor choices so I’m probably being nitpicky.

The book came alive for me once we started hearing from Jack point of view. While Holly was a good character, something about Jack really got me invested. Emma was quite irascible and very vivid to me.

I liked how there was a lot of symmetry to story and how every came full circle in a way. Overall it was an enjoyable, pleasant read.

A sweet Christmas read. Holly is a fixer of relationships. She is estranged from her sister having caused a car accident after which her sister lost the baby she was carrying. Emily is estranged from her grandson and Holly would like to fix that. This is a heartwarming story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Holly's life is upended when she is in a car accident during the holidays. She loses part of her family, her joy of art and confidence.

She joins a Dear Stranger writing program to connect with others and meets Emma, a lonely, dying curmudgeon. Holly is determined to patch up family issues in Emma's life. Unexpectedly, it also helps Holly heal her wounds.

Not a total light-hearted read (it's a little heavier than most rom-coms) but definitely worth the read!

This is a lovely story about fate, family, and forgiveness. If you like your holiday romances with a bit of an emotionally heavy side, this is for you. After a chance meeting in a coffee shop, Holly and Jack don’t meet up again for much longer than planned. Happenstance brings them together again and pushes Holly to work harder on her own journey with her immediate family and her found family. Overall I enjoyed this book, I struggled with a bit of the pacing from time to time but aside from that, this was a a charming read

Tw: infertility, pregnancy loss, car accidents,

I began reading this book thinking it would be a typical romantic comedy set at Christmas book. I could not have been more wrong. This book has a depth that I did not expect. The characters are easy to love, flaws and all, and the plot is very different from your typical romcom. There were many times this book made me cry, but the whole last chapter had me sobbing happy and sad tears for the life Holly had at that moment and for the way the three years covered in the book changed her and molded her into a better person. I recommend this book, but I also recommend grabbing some tissue.

Love, Holly is a delightful Christmas novel that truly lets the reader feel the spirit of the holiday. After a tragic Christmas, Holly writes a lonely hearts letter anonymously every Christmas and receives one in return. After receiving one back, she realizes she might know how to find the sender, and does, setting off a series of events that no one, especially not Holly expects. A truly endearing story, just in time for the holidays, you won't be disappointed!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a huge fan of Emily Stone’s work, and I was delighted to receive an ARC of “Love Holly” to review. As in all of Stone’s previous works, a story that you would expect to be fluffy and light winds up being heartbreaking and nuanced. This is a wonderful story that beautifully intertwines loss, grief, healing and love.

This was such a sweet story of grief and recovery, and finding yourself along the way. Holly had my heart right away- she’s sweet and clumsy and made me laugh and cry- and I loved watching her grow and come through her tragedy. This is a romance, but I really felt that the strength of this book was the growth of the characters throughout the year we get to be with them. I loved that Holly and Jack were able to overcome their past and work through their grief together. Holly’s relationship with her sister struck me the most deeply, as I’m very very close to my sisters, and the pain I felt with Holly’s loss of their relationship was intense. This is technically a Christmas story, but I don’t think it really needs to be relegated to just a holiday read- if your heart needs a good story, pick this one up.

Emily Stone books always make me cry and this was no exception. The first cry is usually a really sad cry and then the second one is a cathartic cry. I love a good cry and I love a good book.

Holly is estranged from her family and she connects to Emma, also estranged from her family. Holly thinks she can help Emma and in enters Jack, Emma’s grandson she hasn’t seen in years, someone Holly shockingly already knows from a past encounter.

Fate brought these three individuals together. Their lives intertwined in unimaginable ways. They help each other. They change each other. They love each other.

This book was a cozy night on the couch under your favorite blanket. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC I throughly loved it.

Love, Holly by Emily Stone
In this story, Holly and her sister are driving to see her parents, when they stop to get a coffee, meet some interesting people and are on there way again. An accident happens, soon after they leavr the coffee shop, which will change all of these peoples lives.
It's a story of fate, a chance at reconnecting. It's about love, guilt, commitment and undoing misunderstandings. It's about different generations, and connections made, to get to a place of love and acceptance.
This story has many different working parts, that keep us guessing at times frustrating us at times, but always in my opinion, making us want to read more to see how all of these parts bring everyone together.

I have read all of the authors book and have loved everyone of them. Each are love stories, but each with there own unique twists.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for a copy of this books.

A young woman tries to heal a rift in her elderly pen pal’s family in time for Christmas, all while falling in love—and maybe even reuniting with her own family—in this dazzling romance from the author of Always, in December and One Last Gift

Sometimes it takes a stranger to bring you back to yourself.

That is the publishers blurb that caught my eye and attention and so I requested this book and am grateful for the opportunity to read it and then give my unbiased and honest review..

Love, Holly by Emily Shore is one of the absolute best Christmas love story’s. Shore is an amazing writer that knows how to develop her characters to make the flawed, honest, and raw. This book is no exception. I love how you have no preconceived ideas about how the ending will be or what you will expect when you turn the page and that, to me, makes for a great read. This one will make you cry tears of happiness. I read this at the Drs. Office so it probably was not the best place but hey, I had everyone wanting to read it so that was a plus! Emily Shore….you ROCK and I can’t wait to read more by you…..if of course you are reading this……


5 out of 5 stars 💕💕💕💕💕

I really enjoyed this. I jumped in thinking it was going to be a fluffy holiday romance and it was quite the opposite. There was romance and it was originally set during the winter holiday, but it spanned over a year and was quite deep.

This is more than just a love story. It’s about sisters. Grief. Misunderstandings. Fear. Forgiveness. Family dynamics. Romance. Pursuing a dream. I loved it!

Thank you, Random House and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Emily Stone’s writing and will definitely be adding this book to my collection when it releases. Stone has given us another beautiful, emotional love story. It has just enough heartbreak to bring depth and nuance to the characters lives without being overly dramatic. Holly and Jack meet unexpectedly one Christmas Eve, but tragedy prevents her from connecting with him afterward. Fast forward a few years and Holly’s life is not what she expected - or wanted - it to be. One seemingly small decision leads to another and all of a sudden she’s standing in front of Jack in the lobby of his office building. It would be so easy for them to fall for each other, but life isn’t going to make it easy. Holly has personal and family issues she needs to work through, and, honestly, so does Jack. They are both mature enough to admit that the timing isn’t really right. The reader gets the glorious gift of walking hard roads with each of them, crossing paths along the way, until finally the timing might be good enough. Even if it’s never going to be perfect. Holly and Jack are mature, honest, and caring. They don’t have life figured out but sure are going to try their best - for themselves, for their loved ones, and for each other. What a gorgeous literary romance that is sure to be one of my favorite books of the year.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.