The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
frenandjen's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Car accident, Cancer, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
alaynacp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Always, In December by Emily Stone is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that delves deep into the themes of love, loss, friendship, and the courage to start anew. This heart-wrenching story follows Josie and Max, who have a chance encounter just before Christmas. Their lives become intertwined, but their journey is far from a fairytale romance.
Stone's writing beautifully captures the raw emotions and complexities of grief, making it impossible not to empathize with the characters and their struggles. The characters are flawed and relatable, each trying to navigate through life's uncertainties. The story takes unexpected twists and turns, leaving readers on the edge of their seats and shedding tears along the way.
What sets Always, In December apart from other novels in the genre is its lack of a traditional happy ending. Stone explores the reality that not all stories conclude with a neatly tied bow. While this may be unexpected for some readers, it certainly was for me, it adds a layer of authenticity, reminding us that life doesn't always work out the way we want it to.Â
There's also a beautiful exploration of friendship in this book. Josie and Max have amazing bonds with their friends and family who support them through thick and thin. It's a reminder of how important it is to have people in your corner when life gets tough.
Emily Stone's writing style is descriptive and vivid, you'll feel like you're right there with the characters. She knows how to bring their emotions to life and make you feel every single one of them.
Always, In December is a book that will stick with you long after you finish it. It's a reminder that life is messy and unpredictable, but it's also full of love and resilience. So grab some tissues and get ready for an emotional journey. You won't regret it’s!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Medical content
Minor: Car accident and Cancer
morganperks's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
emily, bestie I’m gonna need you to be so for real right now. I can’t even give this a rating. This is a joke, right? I feel like I have been absolutely violated by books with Christmasy covers claiming to be ‘romance’, ‘heartwarming’ or ‘good’, and every time I get closer and closer to my 13th reason  maybe I’m naive and like to live in happily ever after land but I don’t think it’s necessary to kill off the parents and or love interest to have a good story. I love a good sad story as long as I know what I’m getting into but I do prefer my characters in romance novels to be alive
Update: upon further review, some of the blame may be on me for not reading the back cover where it says, "in the style of Me Before You" so there was a heads-up, but I stand by what I said. I was a victim of clever marketing. Heed my warning, if you're looking for a cute Christmas romance...this ain't it.
Update: upon further review, some of the blame may be on me for not reading the back cover where it says, "in the style of Me Before You" so there was a heads-up, but I stand by what I said. I was a victim of clever marketing. Heed my warning, if you're looking for a cute Christmas romance...this ain't it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Terminal illness, Abandonment, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, Medical content, and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content
karyan1's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Cancer, Car accident, and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy
emmehooks's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
As a queer person who avoids Hallmark-style straight people romance, I had LOW expectations for this book.Â
Was I in love with the girl meets boy and they fall in love after 3 days storyline? Nah. Was I sold by all the coincidental meetings and their love/hate/forbidden love dynamics? No. Did it conform to my stereotyped expectations? Mostly.
That being said, I did get teary eyed at the end of the book. It was written well and the emotional aspects are relatable in a lot of ways. If you like straight romances and Hallmark-sequence tragedy with a silver lining, you’ll probably like it.
Was I in love with the girl meets boy and they fall in love after 3 days storyline? Nah. Was I sold by all the coincidental meetings and their love/hate/forbidden love dynamics? No. Did it conform to my stereotyped expectations? Mostly.
That being said, I did get teary eyed at the end of the book. It was written well and the emotional aspects are relatable in a lot of ways. If you like straight romances and Hallmark-sequence tragedy with a silver lining, you’ll probably like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Infidelity
hannahglenn's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Fatphobia and Infidelity
Minor: Suicide
jhankin8's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Sexual content, Medical content, and Death of parent
morganwiard's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Good narrator for the audiobook!
Literally devastating though. I am sick with sadness and rage.Â
To be fair to the author, I should not have gone in blind on this one. I was looking for a winter time read cause they usually help me see winter a little more positively rather than see it as pure seasonal depression, but this was the absolute wrong choice for that type of read. 😂Â
However, I will hand it to her that she is a good writer. Creative story line and good characters. Seems the story was very well thought out and I really admire that. BUT, the ending ruined the entire book for me. The author chose violence against her readers, and I can’t forgive it. 😂😂😂
If you’re easily devastated, I strongly recommend looking up the trigger warnings on this one.
Literally devastating though. I am sick with sadness and rage.Â
To be fair to the author, I should not have gone in blind on this one. I was looking for a winter time read cause they usually help me see winter a little more positively rather than see it as pure seasonal depression, but this was the absolute wrong choice for that type of read. 😂Â
However, I will hand it to her that she is a good writer. Creative story line and good characters. Seems the story was very well thought out and I really admire that. BUT, the ending ruined the entire book for me. The author chose violence against her readers, and I can’t forgive it. 😂😂😂
If you’re easily devastated, I strongly recommend looking up the trigger warnings on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Car accident, Grief, and Medical content
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Death, Grief, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent and Infidelity
emilyharmonica's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship