Always, in December
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.
Review:
I stumbled upon this book on Instagram one day. A couple of people posted about how much they loved it, and the comments on these posts were overwhelmingly favorable, so I immediately added it to my Christmas TBR. My only regret is that I read through ALL the comments and unfortunately came upon a minor spoiler that kind of ruined the emotional impact for me. Had I not known this one little detail, I think this one would have kicked my ass emotionally. I’m going to structure this review in a way that will (hopefully) not even so much as hint at any spoilers so that you can go into this one with a clean slate.
The novel focuses on Josie, a young woman who writes a letter to her deceased parents each Christmas. Josie lost her parents around Christmas, so this time of year is very difficult for her. This year, Josie sets out on her bike down the busy London streets to mail her letter and literally runs into a man getting out of a taxi. This unexpected encounter sets in motion a chain of events that will forever alter the course of Josie’s life.
Josie ends up taking the man, Max, out for drinks as an apology and learns that he was on his way to New York to visit his family for Christmas, but his flight got canceled, and he has a difficult time finding another flight. Josie ends up spending the next few days with Max, and the two seem to share something very special, but then one day, Max up and leaves leaving Josie confused and heartbroken. As the narrative progresses, the author brings Josie and Max back together, weaving their lives in unexpected ways. From the bustling streets of New York City to the enchanting beauty of Edinburgh, the pair find themselves drawn to one another repeatedly. Are they meant to be together, or do the fates have something else in store for them?
I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved how Josie and Max each came into the other’s life right when they needed each other the most, and I enjoyed learning what drove Max away and watching the two of them meet again and figure out where they stood with each other. I couldn’t help but root for them as a couple.
As the plot unfolds, Stone adeptly delves into the complexities of fate and its role in our lives. The interplay between chance encounters and deliberate choices beautifully highlights the intertwined nature of Josie and Max’s lives.
Always, in December is not just a love story but also an exploration of life, grief, and the power of second chances. I love when a book makes me feel something, and the author is gifted in that aspect. I could feel Josie’s heartbreak when Max left, and I could feel her annoyance along with a spark of hope when she runs into him again. Every page is filled with a sense of hope and possibility, making it impossible to put the book down.
I loved all of the characters. Josie and Max are perfect. I was deeply invested in the characters, their dreams, and their struggles. Josie’s strength and resilience in the face of loss, alongside Max’s journey of self-discovery, create a dynamic and relatable duo. Supporting characters were also spot on. I especially loved Josie’s grandparents. They were absolutely adorable.
This book is filled with plenty of heartwarming moments, holiday cheer, hope, and grief. I felt many things while reading this book, and it instantly made me an Emily Stone fan. I would definitely recommend adding this to your Christmas reading list.
