Always, In December by Emily Stone @EmStoneWrites @randomhouse #romance #contemporaryfiction #fiction #decemberreads #buddyread

Susanne’s Review:

Well, that was Unexpected! Bring Hankies. Lots of them!

A chance for a December romance. 

Both Hopeful and Haunting.  

The characterizations in this book are honest, real, and raw. The emotions it drew from me are intense and heartfelt. Emily Stone, you got me and got me good!  

Josie and Max, you stole my heart. Max – you are totally Swoonworthy! It’s too bad that you were entirely fictional. 

At this point in time, I have no words.  I am in fact, mostly speechless.

This was one very memorable holiday buddy read with Kaceey that gave us quite a lot to discuss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing, Ballantine for the arc. 

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.

Kaceey’s Review:

Five sorrowful, tearful stars!🥺

Well, it’s only fitting that I waited till December to read this holiday romance.

Like for so many, Christmas has always been a painful time of the year for Josie. It’s understandable. Both her parents were killed in an auto accident on Christmas Eve. Now as an adult, every Christmas Eve Josie writes and posts a tribute to them in form of a letter. 

This year on her way to post her letter she clumsily runs her bike directly into named Max as he exits his taxi. A quick friendship and a blossoming romance develop over the next few days. Until he vanishes, leaving her without a trace…ghosting her if you will! At this point I hated Max!😠

But hold on…maybe it’s not too late. Can love conquer all?

This book had a sluggish start for me. And with Max’s despicable behavior I wasn’t sure I wanted to see it through. But, just like Josie and Max, I couldn’t quite let go and needed to see it through.

This was exquisitely crafted, though gut-wrenching read that completely blindsided me. (To say the least.) Had absolutely no idea what I was in for and suggest you approach it the same way.

I didn’t just cry…I sobbed uncontrollably. A torrent of tears streamed down my cheeks as I fought to catch my breath.

A buddy read with Susanne that left us both reaching for our Kleenex boxes!😢😢

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine.