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Don't let the cover fool you. This is NOT a romance novel. Yes, there's romantic elements, but (Spoilers from here on out) it violates a core principle of the romance genre. NO HAPPY ENDING for the couple. If you know all of that going in, you may like it more.

I picked this book up at the airport because I forgot my reading device at home and needed something for the flight. I love reading Christmas/Holiday romance novels and from both the cover and the description, that's what I thought this was.

In a nutshell, Max and Josie meet right before Christmas. Christmas is rough for Josie because it reminds her of when her parents died. This Christmas is rough for Max for reasons not disclosed until the end of the book. They hit it off, spend time together, and then really hit off. But then Max leaves for his flight to New York leaving just a note with no forwarding information.

They run into each other in multiple cities throughout the next year and I just wanted to bang their heads together because they almost talk, and one stops the conversation. It just drove me crazy. Seriously- let the other one get a word in edgewise when they are trying to open up.

Well the "talk" doesn't happen until it's too late - after Max drops dead.
So yeah, no HEA.

They try to close it by having Josie realize she did love Max and helping her grow to next stage in life. But yeah, not a romance.

Content Warnings

alaynacp's review against another edition

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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.

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

kateyg's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Content Warnings

omgitsyelhsa's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

This is NOT a light-hearted Christmas book.

Content Warnings

sglance9's review against another edition

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I had a bad feeling this was going to end awful and after reading other reviews it was confirmed. I was looking for a happy Christmas book and this is not that. I thought about pushing through since I was reading it for a buddy read but decided I didn't need that anxiety

Content Warnings

sarahallez's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

3.25

Content Warnings

morganperks's review against another edition

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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.

Content Warnings

karyan1's review against another edition

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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

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