Title: Always, In December
Author: Emily Stone
Genre: Romance
Published On: October 12, 2021
Publisher: Dell (Penguin Random House)
Source: ebook
Pages: 398
Synopsis:
It started with a letter. It ended with a love story.
Every December, Josie posts a letter from her home in London to the parents she lost on Christmas night many years ago. Each year, she writes the same three words: Missing you, always. But this year, her annual trip to the postbox is knocked off course by a bicycle collision with a handsome stranger–a stranger who will change the course of Josie’s life.
Josie always thought she was the only one who avoided the Christmas season, but this year, Max has his own reasons for doing the same–and coincidence leads them to spending the holiday together. Aglow with new love, Josie thinks this might be the start of something special.
Only for Max to disappear without saying goodbye.
Over the course of the next year, Max and Josie will find that fate continues to bring them together in places they’d never expect. New York City. Edinburgh. The quiet English countryside. And it turns out, Max had every reason to leave and every reason to stay. But what does fate hold for Josie and Max as Christmas approaches again?
A devastating, romantic, life-affirming love story, Always, in December will stay with readers long after they’ve finished the last page.
My thoughts
(Spoiler free review, but there may be spoilers in the comments.)
Josie and Max have an unconventional romance in Always, In December. After a memorable meet-cute and a whirlwind romance when they find themselves alone at Christmas, things get a bit more complicated. And while I’ve seen a few reviewers say this book shouldn’t be labeled a romance, it definitely is a romance. It’s just not only a romance.
“I never thought I’d see you again, but I’m so happy that our paths were destined to intertwine.”
Emily Stone; Always, In December
This novel is about many forms of love: familial, friendship, AND romantic. I fell in love with Josie from the start. She’s had a harder life, losing her parents on Christmas Eve as a child and being raised by her grandparents. Every year, she mails a letter to her parents, hence the title: Always, In December. This Christmas is especially bad having just ended a two-year relationship with a fellow co-worker, and her best friend and roommate being out of town over the holiday.
Despite having little reason to be happy, Josie is positive and cheerful. She’s kind and helpful. And I couldn’t help but adore her. She meets Max just when she needs someone, unaware he needs someone, as well, making this book also about unexpected blessings.
Having seen other early reviews for this book, I was forewarned that it wasn’t a typical holiday romance. I’m glad I went into it knowing that because it helped to refocus my expectations. However, after only reading a few pages, I wondered if it was possible everyone else had read a different book. I was laughing and smiling and swooning. This debut is so well-written, the characters are charming, and I was getting strong Emily Henry vibes.
But reading with a more discerning eye, I noticed the hints, the foreshadowing. One of our leading characters is keeping a secret, and there were moments when I just wanted them to communicate. But it ramped up the tension and kept me furiously turning pages. I read the last 40% of the book in one sitting, unable to put it down.
Books do not typically make me cry; it takes a lot to have me grabbing the tissues. But I did shed a few tears with this one. I had theories about what the secret would be, and one of my theories was correct, so I think I was not as surprised by the reveal. However, the way it was revealed definitely took me by surprise.
I think Always, In December would also be a good book club selection. There’s plenty to discuss and mull over. While it wasn’t a typical holiday romance, I’m happy I picked this emotional book up. Heartwarming, romantic, and bittersweet, it’s a love story about being the right person in the right place at the right time.
Thank you to the publisher, Dell, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
Rating:
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Levels inspired by The Well-Read Librarian from Sourcebooks
About the Author
A Song For A Book
So when I started searching for the perfect song for Always, In December, I didn’t really realize just how many sad Christmas songs there are. I found myself unable to choose. So, of course, I had to make a playlist. (Included below) If you like to be a little melancholy at the holidays, it’s the playlist for you. 😉 I’ve chosen to highlight Christina Perri’s version of “Something About December”. I can envision Josie hearing this song and thinking of her parents.
Lights around the tree
Mama’s whistling takes me back again
There’s something ’bout December
We’re hanging mistletoes
And hoping that it snows
I closed my eyes and then
I can still remember
How to get back home
Let all your memories hold you close
No matter where you are
You’re not alone
Because the ones you love are never far
If Christmas is in your heart
Have you read Always, In December? Or did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
There really are a ton of sad Christmas songs, aren’t there? I don’t really notice how many until I start looking for them.
I didn’t realize it either, until I started looking, too. I guess it makes sense, though. Sad Christmas songs are usually beautiful ones. 😊
I also rated this book 4.5/5. I did enjoy it, however, I do understand why people are mad about the romance label. There is an expectation with romances and this didn’t meet it. I will say it was a love story and a beautiful tale of dealing with grief and loss and about seizing the moment. I was looking at the email I received with the widget for this book, and it called this a rom-com. Sorry, I lost my stuff, but like I said, I did like this book.
Maybe there’s too broad of a term for romance?? When I heard “romance” years ago, I thought of paperbacks with Fabio on the cover. But now we have all kinds of romance. I don’t expect romance to always be all happy, so maybe that’s why I’m different. I also enjoy Rebecca Serle and her books deal with grief, as well. I did feel like I was reading a rom-com the first half of this book. There were several laugh-out-loud moments for me. I think the sadder parts of the book just overshadow that, maybe? This is why I think it would make a great book club book. Lots of healthy discussion. 😍
There were humorous moments, but there a cloud of sadness hanging over the whole book. My idea of rom-coms goes back to all those great films, they are funny and lighter. I don’t buy into the modern idea of romance. For me, the romance is the central focus and there is an HEA. I just wish they marketed the book as fiction so readers wouldn’t be salty when their expectations are not met, you know?
I hear what you’re saying. And I can understand readers who want to know what they’re getting in a book. I’m just an oddball that doesn’t mind being surprised, I guess. 🤷♀️😃 And I feel like love and romance don’t always come in a neat little box in life, so I’m okay when a book reflects that. But I can see why others wouldn’t feel the same way. It’s an interesting topic. Maybe I’ll do a post about it… But personally, I didn’t feel like there was a cloud of sadness over the whole book.😊 And surely you’ve seen rom-com films where they didn’t end up together? I can think of several, but I won’t name them so I don’t spoil them. Ha!
Oh no, the fact that the playlist has “sad Christmas songs” in the title is already a pretty good indicator that this is gonna be an emotional read (I mean, beside the fact that you said you shed a few tears lol)! There is definitely a sense of melancholy to the cover as well, despite being colourfully illustrated. I hadn’t heard of this one but you’ve piqued my interest! Will definitely check it out 🙂 Great review!
Yeah… I was even worried about labeling my playlist with the word sad, but I think this is a book that readers should go into knowing it’s not going to be all happy. It seems to be a quite polarizing book already. It’s a sweet story and I hope you get to pick it up! <3
Lovely review, Dedra! I, too, gave this one 4.5 stars and I can imagine it will be among my favorites of the year. I am seeing some 1 and 2 star reviews on Amazon, readers furious that it is not a romance with an HEA (which, by definition, is required for a “romance novel”) so I am concerned that the marketing strategy is doing the book no favors. If it was being pushed as women’s fiction I think it would shift expectations. Anyway, I loved this one and hope it finds its audience and gets lots of love!
It’s funny because I never thought if a book was labeled a “romance” it had to have an HEA. I’m thinking of books like ONE FINE DAY and Rebecca Serle’s books, but I see that most other readers think otherwise. 😃 I definitely think “romance” may be too broad of a term. Maybe “women’s fiction” would be better… I think it’s also hard to make a clear distinction because then you get into spoilers. I know there are some readers that want to know they’re getting an HEA, but then there are others, like me, that doesn’t want to know for sure. It takes a bit of the mystery away for me. But I also hope this one gets the attention it deserves, and I think a little controversy may make readers even more curious to pick it up. 😉
I’m glad this worked out for you going in with the different expectations. Tanya’s review talked about that, so I was curious what you would think.
Yes! It definitely helped to change my expectations by reading the early reviews. It’s hard sometimes to know if it will hurt or help. 😉