Love Holly by Emily Stone
A young woman tries to heal a rift in her elderly pen pal’s family in time for Christmas, all while falling in love—and maybe even reuniting with her own family—in this dazzling romance from the author of Always, in December and One Last Gift
Sometimes it takes a stranger to bring you back to yourself.
Ever since a car accident tore her family apart, Holly has been part of a lonely-hearts holiday letter–writing club. Each December, she writes to a stranger who is also spending Christmas alone, and receives a letter from another lonely person in return.
Usually, the letters go unanswered. That’s the point—the letters are anonymous, and the senders write whatever is in their heart. But this year, the letter Holly receives is different; not only is the letter full of a grief she knows all too well, but its writer, Emma, mentions a place that Holly has visited. When she realizes that she might actually be able to find the letter’s author, Holly becomes determined to reunite Emma with the estranged grandson, Jack, with whom Emma is desperate to reconnect.
When Holly finally tracks him down, she remembers that she’s met Jack once before . . . and the connection was electric. The spark between the two of them is still there—until a misunderstanding risks their burgeoning romance and his strained relationship with Emma, too. But Holly is determined; if she can fix Emma’s family, she might also be able to fix her own. Though as it turns out, Holly might have less time to put things right than she thought.
Review:
I was so in love with Emily Stone’s style and the characters that she created in “Always, in December” that I immediately bought her other two books. I had other books on my Holiday TBR this year, but this one kept calling to me, so I bumped it up, and I loved it even more than “Always, in December”!
The story revolves around Holly, whose life was shattered by a tragic car accident that tore her family apart. Seeking solace and companionship during the holiday season, Holly becomes a member of a lonely-hearts holiday letter-writing club. Each year, she writes letters to strangers who, like her, are spending Christmas alone. The letters are never meant to be shared with anyone other than the recipient, and the writers are anonymous, but the letter that Holly receives this year touches her deeply. The woman is dying of cancer and really wants to reconnect with her estranged grandson before she dies. Holly is so touched by the letter that she decides she is going to take it upon herself to grant this dying woman’s wish. What she doesn’t expect is how connected the two of them actually are.
Stone masterfully weaves a story of intertwining lives as we follow Holly’s determination to reunite Emma, the author of the letter, with her estranged grandson, Jack. As Holly embarks on this mission, she discovers a connection with Jack that goes beyond what she could have ever imagined, and a romance begins.
What I loved the most about this novel was its focus on family dynamics and the importance of healing broken relationships. Holly’s family was shattered after an accident where she was driving, and it left her feeling isolated and alone – desperate to repair her family but unsure how. This is the driving force behind why Holly seeks out Emma – it’s almost as though she feels like if she can’t fix her family, maybe she can help fix someone else’s. It’s during the journey to mend this relationship that Holly discovers an opportunity for her own personal healing and growth.
As it was in “Always, in December”, Stone’s writing is strong and carries a hefty emotional punch. Her prose is beautiful without being extreme or overly flowery, and her characters are all very loveable and relatable. I loved the complex relationships that she crafted and how, eventually, our characters were able to heal. The journey isn’t especially easy, but that’s life, and that’s when we learn the most important lessons.
I felt the pacing of the book was spot-on. The plot is beautifully woven, with surprising revelations and heartfelt moments that will tug at your heartstrings. Be prepared to experience a rollercoaster of emotions as you navigate the ups and downs of love, loss, and rediscovery.
As in “Always in December” the author manages to tackle difficult themes such as grief and loss with sensitivity and grace. Through Holly’s interactions with Emma and Jack, as well as her interactions with her immediate family, the novel explores the power of forgiveness and the strength it takes to mend broken hearts. Stone navigates these emotional complexities with finesse, creating a narrative that is both poignant and hopeful.
In the book, Stone reminds us of the power of connection and the transformative effect it can have on our lives. Through her charming and relatable characters, she reminds us that sometimes it takes a stranger to bring us back to ourselves. This book is a celebration of love in all its forms and a reminder to cherish and cultivate the relationships that matter most.
After reading these two books, Emily Stone is now an auto-buy author for me. She has one more book, but I’m saving it for next year. I, personally enjoyed this one more than “Always, in December” (though both are good). If you like your books with a hefty emotional punch, then this is a must-read – especially for anyone seeking a heartwarming and creative novel that will leave you feeling inspired.
