When a young woman finds herself lost and at a crossroads, one last gift from her brother just might give her another chance at life and at love in this epic holiday romance from the author of Always, in December

Sometimes the best gifts in life are the ones you don’t expect.

Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a young age and relied on each other–as well as a community of friends–to get through it. Especially Tom’s best friend, Sam, who always made sure Tom and Cassie were surrounded with love. But now, twenty years later, Cassie has lost Tom as well. And in a way, she’s also lost Sam; over the years they’ve drifted apart, and now the man she always had a crush on is someone she doesn’t even recognize anymore.

She’s never felt more alone.

Then she finds an envelope with her name on it, written in Tom’s terrible handwriting, and she knows immediately what it is. It’s the first clue in the Christmas scavenger hunt Tom made for her every year; he’d promised her for months that this year’s would be the grandest one yet. At first, she’s too scared to open it–what if she can’t figure out the clues without his help? Or what if she does figure them all out, and her last connection to Tom is gone?

Tom’s clues set Cassie on a heart-wrenching and beautiful journey that will change her life–if she lets them. And as she travels from London to the Welsh mountains to the French countryside, she reconnects with old friends, rekindles a lost love, and most importantly, rediscovers herself. But once she’s solved the final clue, will she be brave enough to accept the gift her brother has given her–and the love it’s led her to?

I was first introduced to Emily Stone’s work last year when I read “Always, in December” and “Love Holly”. I thoroughly enjoyed them both and had to force myself to save this book until this year. Naturally, I put it at the top of my Holiday TBR and wasn’t disappointed. Just like her other two books, this one is a heartwarming tale of loss and love that will bring a tear to your eye one minute and have your heart tingling the next.

This book focuses on the relationship between siblings Cassie and Tom. Their parents were killed in a plane crash when they were young, and they were sent to live with an aunt who really wasn’t sure how to be a parent. The two relied heavily on each other as kids, and Christmas was always one of their favorite holidays – mainly because every year, Tom would create a treasure hunt for Cassie that involved him leaving several letters for her to find and unwrap, leading to her gift.

As adults, Tom and Cassie remain close, and the Christmas treasure hunt is still a thing, but when Tom is tragically killed right before Christmas one year, Cassie’s world shatters. Cassie learns that before his death, Tom had constructed her treasure hunt for the year, and despite the initial fear of facing the hunt without Tom’s guidance, Cassie pushes through and embarks on a journey that is both heartbreaking and healing.

Stone’s books always tug at the heartstrings. She expertly captures the essence of family and friendship and the power of healing. The bond between Cassie and Tom is heartfelt and genuine, and their close relationships with their best friends and extended family add another layer of depth. I absolutely loved Hazel (and not just because that’s also my dog’s name) and really enjoyed Tom’s relationship with his best friend Sam, and the extra layer of complexity Cassie and Sam’s relationship added to the story.

The writing is strong, the pacing perfect, and the story flows very well. It spans several years, and a lot happens, but it never felt unnecessarily long or drawn out. While it’s pretty apparent the story will have a bittersweet ending (especially if you’re a fan of Stone’s work), it was satisfying. There are also several reveals along the way that warm the heart.

While the story spans several months and years, one might question whether this should be considered a Christmas novel. Much like the other two novels I’ve read by Stone, it doesn’t take place primarily on or around Christmas, but there’s a strong Christmas theme, and a lot of scenes do take place around the holidays, making it the perfect read anytime during the winter.

As expected, I found this to be a touching and uplifting read. Emily Stone has a way of filling you with joy while tugging at the heartstrings, and a lot of that has to do with her beautiful writing, loveable characters, and emotional stories. If you’re a fan of Stone’s previous work, this is a must-read. I would also recommend it to anyone looking for an emotional yet uplifting read that’s perfect for the holiday season.