What an emotional and beautiful rollercoaster of a book! I was expecting it to be hard to read (emotionally), from the blurb, but it is so beautifully written you just want to be with Cassie through her journey. I didn't like Sam at all for a while but it was heartbreaking to realise he was grieving too. This is much more than a romance story, Cassie has to overcome a lot of grief in her life so it's quite hard hitting but just wonderful, I didn't want it to end.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Headline for approving me for an ARC of this book. I was also lucky enough to receive the book via the publisher. After reading Always In December last year I was excited to see what Emily Stone’s latest book was like.

I immediately felt a wave of nostalgia when I started reading this book. As a child my aunty would often set up treasure hunts around her house, at Christmas time, for my sister and I to complete. It was the highlight of our visit and brings back fond memories of my childhood Christmas’s. To learn that Cassie was also a fan of treasure hunts made me smile.

From reading the blurb I knew this would be a sad one and Emily Stone didn’t disappoint. After facing the loss of her parent’s, at a young age Cassie now has to deal with another wave of grief. Luckily she had her good friends Josh and Hazel to keep her grounded as well as Linda and Amy. The supporting characters in the story were the hidden gems and proved to play a vital part in Cassie’s journey through grief.

When Cassie decides to start the final treasure hunt I felt that I was right there with her, solving the clues, crying at Tom’s letter and eagerly awaiting that final gift. Whilst I had figured out a few of the twists along the way that did not take away from the enjoyment factor. Instead it made me happy to see that Cassie was going to get what she deserved even if Tom couldn’t give it to her.

Alongside the treasure hunt we also had the complicated relationship between Sam and Cassie. I loved these two together and could feel the chemistry radiating off the pages. Their relationship certainly was a rollercoaster ride and the will they won’t they element had me glued to the book. Both characters had their reasons for being hesitant and I thought Sam’s story in particular explained a lot about his actions.

If it isn’t clear yet then be in no doubt that I loved this book. Set in the festive season it was a beautiful exploration of friendship, grief and learning to trust oneself.

A lovely book, and what an emotional roller coaster. Definitely keep your tissues to hand.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

As soon as Emily Stone announced her second book, One Last Gift, I was filled with a sense of nervous anticipation. Her debut, Always, in December, is the kind of book that, once read, leaves a lasting imprint on the reader. It was one of the most beautiful, devastatingly heartbreaking and hopeful books I’ve been lucky enough to read. One Last Gift is no different, it’s another stunning portrait of what it is to be human, to love, to lose, to find that sense of hope, strength and purpose that keeps you going and to fight for what you truly want. This time we are treated to a happy ending, it’s one that’s hard fought and won, therefore making it all the more satisfying and rewarding. Don’t miss out on this stunning novel.

One Last Gift is the story of Cassie, her brother Tom and his best friend Sam. For as long as Cassie can remember it’s always been the three of them. Now they’re grown, Tom is sorted, Sam is high flying and Cassie knows what she wants to do. Yet tragedy strikes and three become two. For Cassie picking herself up seems unimaginable. Until she finds an envelope addressed to her, asking her to follow the trail to one last gift. And suddenly what seems like an ending leads Cassie to something unexpected, beautiful and new...

This is a story where the characters each feel very real and are written with great depth. They are each vulnerable in their own ways, and broken by recent events and ghosts of their pasts. No one here is perfect and that only makes the characters feel all the more real as they go through their individual journeys. I really liked Cassie as the FMC, the strength and resilience that she shows was astounding. Sam was an interesting MMC, one that I really felt for but also one that made some really bad choices. Despite the bumps on the road I was really rooting for them. I loved that we got POVs from both Cassie and Sam, it gave us such a great insight into where they were both coming from.

This story is much bigger than just it’s MCs, with the secondary characters playing significant roles, and with some also going through their own healing. I especially loved reading about Cassie’s relationships with her friends Hazel and Josh, and with Linda, who was a significant maternal figure to her. I really felt for her Aunt Claire and really appreciated the way Cassie and Claire finally opened up to each other by the end. This is a story that has family and friendship at its very heart.

It felt a real privilege to read Cassie and Sam’s story and to join Cassie as she tries to solve Tom’s final treasure hunt. This is such a beautiful and devastating novel, but one with a fitting and perfect happy ending for its story.

Oh my. What an absolutely beautiful novel
I read “always in December” last year and fell in love with it. It was one of my favourite novels that I read last year
I was so happy to receive a proof of Emily’s latest novel and to be invited to ge part of the tour
Any book that followed always in December, was going to be hard to match, but I think I loved it more!
Both of Emily’s books have made me cry and I hope she continues to write books like this.
This book may seem from the cover that it is a romance novel and whilst the book features a romance, the book is primarily about a sibling relationship and showing the reader that life is too short.

Every year, Tom and Cassie spend Christmas together, and Tom always creates a treasure hunt for his sister, for her to find her Christmas present.
Unfortunately, Tom dies. But he’s managed to create the treasure hunt
Engulfed with grief, Cassie tries to solve the latest treasure hunt, uncovering some secrets and finding herself along the way.

The book is flawless and truly heartbreaking. It has everything in it and the writer just leaves you wanting more. I loved the way you feel as though you are experiencing the story yourself, the author really brings you into the pages of the book

I highly recommend this book

A beautiful and emotional Christmas book. This has been a real pleasure to read and well worth 5 stars. I didn't want to put it down.

Thanks to Netgally and publisher for this ARC

Be warned! This is a romance book with a Christmassy theme running through it however, it is not all cosy and romancey. It’s a heartbreaker in paces and deals with grief several times, loss of family and difficult relationships.
Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a young age and moved in with their aunt – who wasn’t exactly nurturing. Tom’s friend Sam has a tough home life too and together they make a little family until she becomes estranged from Sam and tragedy strikes when Tom is accidentally killed – leaving Cassie grieving all over again.
I love the plot of how Tom leaves Cassie a treasure hunt (a Christmas tradition) and how this leads her to places where she can remember and begin to heal/find herself and a new life. Cassie reconnects with old friends and begins to come to terms with the loss of Tom and other people in her life. It’s the story of a mental and physical journey leading to new starts and second chances and it is beautifully told.
Despite having such emotive subject matter and a heart-breaking beginning, the tone of the book does evolve into a more heart-warming, uplifting plot and the Christmas backdrop really accentuates this.
I adored this book and loved how it made me feel all the emotions of the characters.

To read this book it requires you to have a large box of kleenex to hand. There are no words to explain how emotional this book makes you feel.

A Story of love and loss, of grief, family and friendships and romance. It was utterly heartbreaking and warming all at the same time. Emily Stones writing is layered with emotions you can't help feel exactly what the characters are feeling. I think so many of us can relate to the journey the characters take.

The characters are well developed and you find yourself rooting for them all the way through. They are so appealing as you can identify with them because of their personalities, their flaws and ambitions.

I really don't want to go into too much detail because I think you should go in blind. You just have to pick this one up as your christmas read.

This by far has been my favourite read this year and I've read a lot of books. I will hold this one close to my heart for a long time to come.

Thank you to Netgalley, Headline and of course Emily Stone for the ARC.

This is the first book I’ve read by Emily Stone and I got it at a bargain 99p. The story follows Cassie and Sam. Cassie’s brother tragically passes away but leaves her one more Christmas treasure hunt to complete.

When they start to grow up Cassie and Sam’s relationship starts to change and what seems like a burgeoning romance is abruptly ended and alters their friendship. After Tom’s death they become even more estranged until Sam takes a chance that brings them back together.

I really swithered over my rating for this one. There’s quite a lot of time hopping throughout so we miss big chunks of story, and there’s a few editing issues scattered throughout so in the end I went with a 3 star

I’d say if you’re a fan of Paige Toon or Debbie Johnson then you’ll probably enjoy this and if you’re looking for something similar check out The A -Z of Everything from Debbie Johnson.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I loved this book, the characters were engaging and I was invested in the beautifully written, emotive, heartwarming story. Although it dragged a little toward the end and was predictable in places, I still thoroughly enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved this book, couldn’t put it down. I wanted so much for Cassie and Sam to find their routes to happiness. The friendship and interaction between the characters was lovely, the story had relatable supporting characters.

There are some sad moments in this book.

I recommend this book.

Beautiful story, finished in one day so Christmas vibes, highly recommend and have read One In December asking this author never fails.

This was quite an emotional read but also uplifting and funny at times too. I found the first half was a little slow and I seemed to be reading a lot but the story wasn't really moving forward. However, the second half of the book picked up the pace and I became totally engrossed in what would happen next.

This is a well-written story and once it got going the storyline was fabulous. Although it is a Christmas story it takes you through a year in the life of the characters. The characters were very relatable and I liked them all. Cassie was lovely, though there were times I wanted to give her a slight nudge to get going. Tom, Cassie's brother and Sam his best friend, as well as Cassie's best friend, Hazel, were all really likeable.

I did enjoy reading this story, once it got going it swept me along and I was sad to come to the end. There were elements that I have come across in other books and films but written in a light, original way which I definitely enjoyed. For the lead-up to the festive season, this is a good book to choose.

This book wasn't my usual type of read but I thoroughly enjoyed it even though it was a sad read which dealt with love, loss and how you dealt with grief.

Overall I did enjoy it, it was well written and all the characters were so well developed and easy to get on with.

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Publishers for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

The Last Gift.

This was a lovely story about love, grief and dealing with the aftermath of losing someone.

I enjoyed the story and felt my heart strings being tugged at throughout. Dealing with the loss of someone close to you is never easy and this book shows how people cope differently, how grief can pull you away from people but also bring you closer together.

Cassie and Tom, brother and sister, they are extremely close. Tom’s best friend Sam has spent his life growing up with them. However, one day a tragic accident happens and three become two. Two of them struggle to cope with the loss of someone who has always been there.

When Cassie was younger, each year for Christmas she had a treasure hunt to lead her to her present. This year is no different, finding clues left behind even though the person who set it up is no longer here. I loved Cassie’s treasure hunt, I was really excited to see where each clue led her too and loved the sense of peace that it was giving her. Her present was so wonderful and thoughtful and it was the perfect ending for her treasure hunt. She found more than just her Christmas present 🥰.

The only thing I found tricky is that I felt I was reading lots and not moving anywhere with the book. It felt like it took a long time to move through it.

I don’t want to give too much away in this review, it’s really hard as it will spoil the story.

I couldn’t put it down! I was a bit unsure about whether I’d enjoy this book from reading the blurb, but am so glad I took a punt on it. Our leading lady has just lost her brother, and having been orphaned at 5, she’s now feeling all alone in the world. To top it off her brothers childhood friend, who she’s always had a thing for, has turned into a not nice person, and suddenly she’s battling a lot. Prior to his death her brother used to do treasure hunts for her, and he’d got one ready for this year to, so what follows is her trying to solve the hung, whilst grieving and trying to get a life back. The book is much less depressing than it sounds, and is actually really enjoyable. I’d highly recommend it!

A gripping and emotional rollercoaster of a book.
Emily Stone books are always packed with complex and well-structured characters and this one doesn't disappoint. Although based loosely around Christmas themed, it plots through several months and years as three people grow from teenagers in to adults, carrying all the baggage from their complex childhoods and dreams, navigating difficult waters that leads to a tragedy.
Despite the gritty themes, this is an uplifting and inspiring story that lifts from the ashes of grief, anger and broken dreams, offering second chances and a final, enduring gift.

Looked forward to another beautiful story from Emily Stone and this did not disappoint. it was fabulous from start to finish, a real tear jerker in places though, so have a tissue at the ready

One Last Gift by Emily Stone

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Headline and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

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?

My Opinion

One Last Gift is a captivating read that whilst set around Christmas, I feel that this book can be read at any time of the year. The reader is taken on an emotional journey as we join Cassie on her treasure hunt. This is not your typical festive or romance read, this is about overcoming obstacles in your life.

A cosy and sweet read, filled with hope. If you enjoyed Always, in December then you will definitely enjoy this.

Rating 4/5

I was so lucky to receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange of a review. Before you start this book you'd be well advised to have a tissue or two handy as there are a couple of weepy moments. Cassie & Tom are siblings & best friend Sam pretty much grew up with them, so when tragedy hits and the trio become a duo, what will become of the remaining pair? A wonderfully written emotional and heartwarming story. A beautiful story to cosy up with.