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Always in December by Emily Stone Book Review

Reason for Reading This Book:

At the start of December/end of November I was craving a wintery/Christmas romance novel. After reading some lists online and finding what was available at my library, I chose Always in December by Emily Stone. Prior to reading this book I read no review just the summary provided on the library website. 

 

Content of This Book:

It's December in London and Josie is on her way to mail her yearly letter to her parents who passed away many years ago on Christmas. With the letter in hand and biking down the street to the postbox, Josie and a handsome stranger collide. This collision changed the course of both Josie and the stranger's lives. Josie is one to avoid Christmas each year due to the tragedy of losing her parents and the stranger, Max, also has his reasons of his own this year. The two spend a few days together while Max is awaiting a flight to New York. Until Max suddenly disappears without a goodbye. Over the next year, fate continuously brings the two back together. With the next Christmas approach the two each have their reasons to stay together or go their separate ways. Will fate win in the end?

What I Liked About This Book:

This book satisfied my craving for a wintery romance. The writing was detailed, fluid, and digestible. I really did fly through reading this book because of the writing, plot and interesting in wanting to read/find out the ending of the story. The first time Josie and Max ran into each other following their initial meeting I was not expecting it. From there on out I figured that that is how the rest of the book was going to play out. Even though I picked up on this, I still very much enjoyed and anticipated the details for how they ran into each once again. Max’s story completely took me off guard. I no clue that Max’s story would end the way it did. I had a feeling that something was happening that the reader was not given the details to, but I did not expect what it was. The inclusion of the family history for both Max and Josie helped to paint a picture of the parental guidance that are responsible for shaping the way each of these characters are. Something that I found really relatable that I find is not always the case with other people I know, it the regular Facetimes between Josie and her family. Since moving away from my home state, this has become a staple form of communication between me and my family. I found it both reassuring and comforted that families who are long distance and this is there main forma of communication. One way I have found to describe this book and the plot from start to finish is that of a drama series. I watch a lot of Korean Dramas and the way the plot progresses and is presented is very similar to the way the plot is presented in Always in December. With that being said I can see this book being turned into a mini series or film because of the excellent way the author laid out the plot and included all the plot points that make for a good drama series or movie. Some of the common drama plot points that were included in this book were a dramatic first meeting, accidental meetings from then on, hospitalization or sickness, parental involvement or lack thereof, and ex lovers still being involved in their lives. Even though this book was not profound in its literary writing or plot, I enjoyed it immensely. 

 

What I Disliked About This Book:

The only real complaint I have about this book is that there were so many side characters that were introduced throughout the entire book due to the changing situations, locations, and jobs. At times it was overwhelming to have all these new characters introduced at once and then to not have them repair later in the book. With that being said I did enjoy reading the descriptions of the groom's family and how Scottish they were even if it was only for one section of the book. Other than that I do not have anything else I disliked about the book.

 

Would I Recommend This Book?

Yes, without a doubt I would recommend this book. I both laughed and cried reading this book. It is the perfect Christmas or holiday read. I agree with other reader's decision to put it on must read lists. 


Check out my book reviews for 2023!!

Horse by Geraldine Brooks  
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger
Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
Hester by Laurie Pico Albanese
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Environmental and Sustainability Book Reviews 2022
Self-Improvement Book Reviews 2022
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Not All Diamonds and Rosé by Dave Quinn
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham 
Girls With Bright Futures by Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman
Run, Rose, Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton
The Summer Series by Jenny Han
A Stolen Life: A Memoir by Jaycee Dugard
The Housewives: The Real Story Behind the Real Housewives by Brian Moylan
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All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
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Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart 
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Check out my book reviews for 2021!!

2021 Book Rankings

Beach Read By Emily Henry
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Educated by Tara Westover
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins 
We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins 
We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Klara and the Sun 
The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
American Duchess by Karen Harper 
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
Girl With No Job by Claudia Oshry
Down the Habit Hole by Holly Madison Book Review
My Story by Elizabeth Smart
Layla by Colleen Hoover

Check out my book reviews for 2020!!

Check out my book reviews for 2019!!

Check out my book reviews from 2018!!


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