This is a lovely read about chance encounters set over a year and told from the viewpoints of Josie and Max. They first meet when Josie is cycling to a postbox to send her annual letter to her deceased parents but ends up literally bumping into a dazed and bemused Max, Josie somehow finds herself agreeing to spend time with him the next day and a close bond is quickly formed. Josie is a lovely character, still struggles with the loss of her parents and is reeling from recent troubles and I really felt for her in her confusion over Max. Although we see some of Max’s perspective we don’t really get to know him until the end when his character really takes shape and makes you reflect on his behaviour. Overall this is a lovely read with a whole mix of emotions thrown in.

Can falling in love be as easy as falling off your bike into the path of a tall dark handsome stranger? Well anything is possible as our romantic heroine will in discover, in Emily Stone’s tender, moving and poignant love story that will play havoc with your heartstrings.
Preoccupied with various matters of the heart, the only date Josie has in mind when her world unceremoniously collides with Max’s, is a date with tradition, involving a heartfelt written letter and a postbox. Always, in December Josie’s thoughts turn to two Very Important People, the festive season magnifying all her bottled up emotions she holds deep within her heart for the remainder of the year. However this December, Josie might just have an additional someone to occupy a special place in her affections, encouraging her to venture a little further outside her comfort zone. Much like her inability to steer her bike off its collision course Josie’s emotions are about to take a rollercoaster ride of their own. Not only is it beginning to look a lot like Christmas, it’s also beginning to look a lot like love…..

Oh my poor wrung out heart! Emily Stone had me at the first hello and there I stayed, clutching my tissues in preparation for more than a few intensely weepy moments, transfixed by these characters as my heart performed some impressive acrobatic skills of its own. Soaring high as a kite one minute and plummeting into despair the next, this author kept me on tenterhooks throughout, wondering, hoping, praying that this love story would have a happy ending. From Josie and Max’s first glances, her words of apology and his words of bemusement I could hear the symphony orchestra tuning up, waiting in the wings to provide a soundtrack to the type of meet cute that really only happens in the movies. Always, In December is perfect movie material, Max and Josie’s personalities ideally fitting the classic, stereotypical vision of romantic hero and heroine, every scenario crafted to wring out as much emotion as is humanly possible, from love, heartbreak, hope, resignation, kindness. You name it, Emily Stone has included it! All I can say is if I were a film producer reading this highly accomplished debut I’d be setting up talks right away to ensure this reached the big screens ASAP!

From London to New York to Edinburgh, the latter being a corner of the world that holds such fond, precious memories for me personally, this storyline wears its heart on its sleeve. If I hadn’t already fallen in love with the storyline and its characters then the Scottish setting seals the deal. Proving time and again that as one door closes another one opens Emily Stone has written this enchanting, captivating romance to persuade any non believers among us that behind every cloud is a silver lining. We all take something slightly different from the reading experience and in my opinion Always, In December reads as a love letter to the lost, to the bereaved, to anyone who finds the festive season a particularly difficult time of the year, for whatever reason and to anyone facing uphill battles that at the time seem insurmountable, some of which sadly will be just that. This is a novel about family, friendship, bravery, indecision and seizing the moment. It’s about loving and losing, grief, smiling through the hard times, laughing through the good ones, cherishing the memories, making new ones, grabbing opportunities with both hands, attempting those difficult conversations and not always getting it right. It’s about life in all its glorious technicolour with characters who just as easily could be you or me. Quite simply it’s a love story written for all of us who believe that love can strike at any moment, ill timed or otherwise.

I was besotted with Max and Josie and liked all the characters in between who contribute to this couple’s story, adding their own uniqueness to the mix, even the absent ones. They are warm, loving, vibrant, funny and for the most part are people you’re happy to spend time with. Max lives up to every girl’s dream of a knight in shining armour, his very demeanour enough to reduce me to a love struck mess, my pulse rate quickening, his kindness and spontaneity so appealing I wanted to claim him for myself! Josie by contrast is long overdue a taste of true love and happiness, her character that curious combination of the vulnerable and the brave, the insecure and the resilient, her adult self very much shaped by a particular incident in her childhood. Together they bring out the best in each other, Max reigniting Josie’s spark for life, boosting her self confidence and belief in her homegrown talents whilst Josie offers Max an unexpected but very welcome distraction from more pressing personal matters, cards which he chooses to keep close to his chest. The absence of others is keenly felt, their existence a source for many a heartfelt conversation, a forgotten memory or even acting as a guiding force, just giving you another excuse (if you needed one!) to fall madly and deeply for our leading man and lady. This key element of the narrative is handled with the utmost care and compassion, proving that this author is one to watch!

Read it, feel it, embrace it. This storyline once it has you in your clutches will not let you go. It is intense, passionate and heartbreaking. Smile, laugh and cry your way through the pages and like me recommend it to your friends! I adored the sweeping cinematic feel to the storyline, the kind that ends in a very cathartic bout of weeping so it’s hardly surprising that I declare this debut to be one of my favourite pieces of romantic fiction I’ve read this year. I can honestly say I think the future is looking very bright for Emily Stone indeed. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a ‘Christmas’ read just because it’s set from one December to another. It truly is a timeless piece of fiction and a book I’d be happy to gift any time of the year, though I have an inkling this will find its way into many a Christmas stocking! Always, In December is perfect for fans of Amelia Henley, Josie Silver and the like.

My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Oh gosh! I don't remember the last time a book made me cry like this did!
Such a unique book, it has the magical warm Christmassyness that I love in a Christmas read, but has a storyline about love and loss, I found it beautifully written and very emotional.
Yes I cried!
I love that the author adores the words 'huff' and 'snorted'!
Gorgeous read, but have tissues to hand,

Always in December by Emily Stone a five-star read that will stay with me always. Josie has faced more loss than someone should at such a young age, it made her into who she became and in the end that strength mattered. As she has a journey that just makes her story that much more powerful. I love the letter writing aspect of this story, even that last letter brought tears to my eyes but it also brought joy to my life as well. Max, well he was a different story, and I can’t tell you his, as that’s up to fate to tell. I loved how anti Christmas Josie is, I have felt much the same way about my birthday since I had a loss, just not quiet as bad Josie's, but still bad enough it leaves a shadow. This was a great story and I am eager to see what Emily Stone has done and also to come as they are a new author to me, and I enjoy their style.

This book has broken me.
I’m still sad sobbing as I write this review
I had a bad reaction to my Covid jab and whilst I was on the sofa recovering, I picked up my kindle, to read a “feel good” book.
Josie is my favourite character of the year. I just wanted to be her best friend and go for cocktails with her!!
I have so much to say about this book, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone
The book had me laughing, hating men, loving men, full of hope for falling in love, living through breakups and missing my grandparents
The ending. Wow. I cried and I cried and I cried. I really did not see it coming and it shocked me so much.
I don’t think i would describe this book as a Christmas read, but it is definitely a curl up on the sofa kinda book. Perfect for a winter day!
I cannot stress how much I loved this book. It was a one sitting read, full of emotions.
I think this is one of the best this year!

This book has broken me.
I’m still sad sobbing as I write this review
I had a bad reaction to my Covid jab and whilst I was on the sofa recovering, I picked up my kindle, to read a “feel good” book.
Josie is my favourite character of the year. I just wanted to be her best friend and go for cocktails with her!!
I have so much to say about this book, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone
The book had me laughing, hating men, loving men, full of hope for falling in love, living through breakups and missing my grandparents
The ending. Wow. I cried and I cried and I cried. I really did not see it coming and it shocked me so much.
I don’t think i would describe this book as a Christmas read, but it is definitely a curl up on the sofa kinda book. Perfect for a winter day!
I cannot stress how much I loved this book. It was a one sitting read, full of emotions.
I think this is one of the best this year!

You thought this was going to be typical boy meets girl love story..No way. It was brilliant and sad. The twists were amazing and I did not see them coming. Max was an amazing character . What a life Josie had lived. I loved the use of real letters. It was an amazing read. You were thinking about it when you were not reading it. Our childhood does affect us. Josie’s grandparents were so kind and understanding. You have to read it

I loved this book, romantic, sad and well written. I was completely caught up in the story and very much enjoyed. Thank you.

This is a well written, emotional novel with likeable characters but sadly I couldn't connect with it and felt quite distant from the characters and storyline. I have loved novels by Josie Silver and Sophie Cousens in this genre but for me Always, in December had something lacking. However I would still recommend a read if you enjoy this genre and I'll look out for future novels by read Emily Stone.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review a digital ARC.

I’m sat here sobbing after finishing Always In December, feeling like my heart has been ripped out and stamped on…….. absolutely broken hearted. Despite that, I absolutely adored this book and was totally invested in Josie and Max’s story. I’m not going to write anymore as I don’t want to give any spoilers apart from saying you will definitely need a box of tissues…….. heartbreaking, beautiful and life affirming.

I enjoyed this book that made me laugh & cry. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book

Josie Morgan never looks forward to December. It's always a reminder of the life she lost, twenty years ago. Now, she always switches off the radio when Christmas music comes on. She always wants to tear down the tinsel her flatmate insists on pinning up. And she always posts a letter she knows will never be read.

Max Carter never expected to find himself stranded in London just days before Christmas. He never expected it would be so hard to say goodbye to a woman he hardly knows. Then again, he never expected to fall in love.

But, this December, when Josie's letter leads her to Max, a chance encounter will change their lives in the most remarkable way. And their story is only just beginning . . .

From London to Manhattan, from Edinburgh to the English countryside, Always, in December is a romantic journey that's impossible to forget.

Thanks to Netgalley for an early copy of this book in return for an honest review. I absolutely adored this book!! It made me laugh, it made me cry...it is a fantastic debut and I can't wait to see what Emily produces next.

I received an advance copy of, Always, in December: The timeless, heartbreaking, stay up all night love story by, Emily Stone. I thought this book was ok, I thought it was going to be really good based on the title and it was not.

Christmas is always a difficult time for Josie and this year she'll be on her own which she's not looking forward to. Then she quite literally runs into Max who is stuck in London awaiting a flight to New York. They have both recently split up from other people - handy for a romance novel! I really liked the beginning of this book, and it felt like it was a cut above your average romance. But then partway through it switched to Max's POV in New York and I didn't enjoy it so much after that. It also felt like it dragged on a bit to be honest and I ended up skim-reading the end. There were some nice moments - just not quite enough of them and not quite enough originality.

Firstly I am honoured to have the pleasure of reading this advanced copy of Always In December by Emily Stone. Thankful to NetGalley, the publisher and the author. Where to start.....Every December, Josie posts a letter to the parents she lost one Christmas night, many years ago. She always writes the same three words: Missing you, always.

When Josie accidentally collides with a stranger at the postbox, she is unaware that Max has his own reasons for trying to avoid the season...or that their chance encounter is set to alter both their lives - and their hearts - in the most unexpected and beautiful of ways...

I have just finished this wonderful book this morning and still have fresh tears in my eyes. This story will stay with me for a long time. It’s a story of love intertwined with heartbreak. Of family ties and great friends. I can see this book being a blockbuster and would love to see it played out on the big screen. All these characters were so relatable.
If you're looking for something to kick a reading slump or if you just want a fun, romantic book to sweep you off your feet this summer: look no further. Be prepared for tears though. A definite five star read from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, I'm at a loss for adequate words. Emily Stone's new book Always in December had me crying my eyes out,

The story revolves around Josie, who meets Max when she literally knocks him over on her bike, they spend Christmas together before he disappears with no explanaition. Their lives intertwine by chance over the next few months but Max has a big secret? What is it? And why did he just leave?

This book is hard-hitting, a truly gripping read from page 1 and it is easy to put yourself in Josie's shoes, to feel what she feels, from anger, hurt to heartbreak, with the odd snigger along the way too.

Highly recommended read, but have the tissues at the ready!!