One Last Gift by Emily Stone was a delightful read. I hadn’t read anything written by Emily before but would definitely pick up again, it’s gave me Josie Silver and Jenny Bayliss vibes.

The storyline was so beautifully sad but also utterly charming. Cassie is a likeable, relatable and strong character and the story takes some interesting turns, visits some beautiful places and draws you in. There is a real buy-in to the story, I was totally on Cassie’s side and willing her onto her next steps, I even a shed tear once or twice.

The investment in the story and in the characters of Sam and Cassie is enhanced by the split narrative. I loved that this allowed them both to follow their separate paths in life whilst keeping the reader, if not each other informed.

I managed to guess some of the twists and turns but I was often relieved I was correct rather than feeling the story was predictable.

I picked up this book around Christmas based on the UK cover - this cover does the book a dis-service as it’s incorrectly categorises the book and isn’t correct to the story. The cover I have photographed I think is much more appropriate. This book features Christmas but is set over many years and is appropriate to read at any time a cosy, emotional romance is required.

I loved this book and looking at other reviews I’m not the only one. Would recommend and am excited to read more by the author.

A fabulous book, I have it in all formats. I love Emily Stone books, and this was sad and heart breaking as much as it was heart warming. The love and thought here and the gift build up is lovely. Loved the Narrator too, made it easy to listen to.

Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This was a book that I just couldn't finish. Unfortunately I found the story too triggering and the sad bits were so sad that they stopped me from continuing. I got about half way through and kept trying to hold out for the inevitable good happy conclusions of the book but I just couldn't personally get through it. A little too close to home. That being said the narration and the writing is so good and relatable that it affected me in such a way. I'm sure that people who wouldn't be so sensitive would absolutely love Cassie's story. I will still be leaving this book 4 stars as it was so well written and not tge authors fault that I was so affected by it

A wonderful story of loss, love, friendship and bravery. Full of strong and lovable characters, the main ones being brother and sister Tom and Cassie and Tom's best friend Sam.
They all have their own stories of love, loss and being frightened of the future, but tragedy makes them take stock of what is important and gives them the strength to follow their hearts.

I liked the premise of the book and the storyline was interesting, if a bit predictable at times. Cassie and Sam kissed after she had loved him for years but he broke her heart when he didn't want to take it further. When her brother Tom dies Cassie blamed Sam because he was supposed to be there but wasn't. Tom had always done a Christmas treasure hunt for Cassie and he left her one last hunt. I got a couple of the clues instantly but it took Cassie ages.

I think the book is supposed to be a tear jerker but it wasn't for me. Maybe I am hard hearted but it was a bit too obvious. I guessed the Amy storyline early on.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

Last year, I picked up a book called Always, In December… and it broke my heart in every way possible, yet I loved it! I was so excited to see that Emily Stone was releasing another book this year. I couldn’t wait to see in which way this one would break me. I was so happy to see the audio edition available on Netgalley and I couldn’t wait to dive in.

First of all, the narrator… I loved the narrator of this audiobook. If you are looking for a great audiobook to dive into, I highly recommend the audio edition of One Last Gift. The narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the characters of this one to life, and she really made me feel every single emotion of each character. I will definitely be looking out for other audiobooks narrated by this narrator as she really was fantastic.

One Last Gift is a heartbreaking romance set across a number of years. I was really guarded going into this one, as Emily’s last book utterly broke my heart! I am happy to say that this one does in fact have a happy ending. It’s still going to break you and put your heart through the wringer but it does end well. This book features all of the different stages of grief and what you go through after losing a loved one who you thought would be there forever. It was so raw and real, and there were many times throughout this book that had me in tears.

I am such a huge fan of Emily Stone. I loved Always in December, and now I have fallen in love with Cassie’s story in One Last Gift. If you’re looking for uplifting books that will make you feel good, then this one may not be for you. It’s sad, and really touching. It’s about loss and how life changed after that loss… but it is also about the hope that comes next. And I loved every single moment of it. I loved that we have a happy ever after for the romance in this one too… so all you hopeless romantics, you’re safe with this one.

One Last Gift was such a beautiful and moving novel. I really loved every moment of it. Even though it was way sadder, I do think I loved Always in December just a tiny bit more, but this is the perfect read to get you through the colder months. I can’t recommend it enough.. and I will be sat dying to see what Emily writes next. It’s moving, heart-wrenching but utterly beautiful!

A sweet slice of friends to lovers second chance love and recovery from tragedy.

Cassie and Sam have known each other from childhood, he is her brothers best friend but for them true love does not run smooth…can the loss of a loved one and his final gift lead to their happy ending.

This was a beautifully narrated audiobook that accompanied much of my holiday prep this year.

Cassie and Sam were likeable and their romance was tender and lovely. It was slightly predictable at times but overall an enjoyable story.

I struggled a bit with the jumping time schedule of this story. Every time I felt I was getting back to grip with the storyline we jumped 2/3 sometimes 7 months.
Remember p.s I love you? This is in a similar vein, but the treasure hunt is Christmas gifts from a deceased brother. Santa might very well have delivered cement into my heart, as I completely failed to be moved by what should essentially be a tear jerker of a romantic Christmas novel. Think channel 5 afternoon movie. Sorry…..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read. Being an audiobook, it wasn’t easy to skip through and I found it overly long and a little repetitive in places but there was also enough detail to avoid it being too cliché. I liked the characters and there were some surprises isn’t see coming.

A Christmas love story with a sorrowful background to it. Cassie is a lovely main character, sometimes a little scared which is infuriating but then other times so bold which makes your heart sing a little bit. Tom, Sam, Hazel, Josh….all of the characters are great and make up this story into such a heartwarming tale. I absolutely loved treasure hunt with the clues and the length that this went on for was perfect. It didn’t take up the whole story but the ending didn’t feel like it was added on to pad the book out. I definitely enjoyed this and it’s a perfect read in the lead up to Christmas. All the feels for Christmas love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

I really did enjoy #OneLastGift by Emily Stone. The story follows Cassie and her brother Tom and best friend Sam. Cassie and Tom are really close ❤️ Sadly, something tragic happens not far into the book which changes the course of their lives. One day, Cassie finds an envelope with clues for a treasure hunt inside, a family tradition which was carefully planned months before. It leads her to one last gift 🎁

I read this in about two days as it’s so easy to read and curl up with. I loved the romance between Sam and Cassie in this book. A proper “will they, won’t they - miss communication at times” sitch. I liked both their characters and following their lives over the years. Yes I love romance, but the standout thing for me was the sibling love between Cassie and Tom. It was so heartfelt and poignant 😢 I enjoyed following the clues with Cassie and watching her grow as a person a long the way. Lots of lovely characters in this book such as Josh (Cassies workmate), Hazel her best friend and Linda, her mother figure. A very emotional read, yet still has a lot of lighthearted moments and cosy vibes 🥰 And I really want to go to New York. Is it too much to ask someone to take me please?!!!😂 I really enjoyed #AlwaysinDecember and recommend both if you fancy some life affirming festive feels 🤗

This was a different seasonal read where it looks at loss of a close sibling. But with the wrapping of love, friendship and also found family.
There is moments where you may need a tissue but there also moments where your shaking head, going you numpty dont stand there chase.

It had p.s i love you vibes, but the treasure hunt was set up with her brother Tom still being alive (as his death was due to an accident) but instead she ends up doing it on her own, but friend and family around.

A light holiday audiobook listen despite dealing with themes of sibling loss. Cassie and Sam share an intimate kiss, but while she wants to reveal their feelings to friends, he disagree and they become estranged. Then Cassie's brother and Sam's friend, Tom, is killed in an accident and the two find themselves thrown together once again and hunting down the clues of Tom's final treasure hunt (he tasked Cassie with one every year). This isn't weighed down by grief and remains a light read. It is a slow and satisfying audiobook.
Narrated well by a single female narrator. #onelastgift #emilystone #netgalley #romance #winterreads #christmasread #Decemberbooks

What a delightful story!
This audiobook completely had me absorbed into it.
I enjoyed how the story had dips and emotional moments and then I found myself cheering on the characters.
It could have been shorter, but it wasn’t filled in with irrelevant details.

Highly recommended

I really enjoy listening to stories and there are some that suit listening better than others and I really enjoyed this one.

A lovely tale of love and loss, but of Cassie finding herself after loss. Cassie the central character is well developed and I warmed to her straight away.

An easy listen to a good story.

If you are a fan of ‘PS, I Love You,’ this is a must-have book!

A tender, delightful read focusing on love, loss and learning to live with grief. Cassie is an incredibly wonderful character as she takes the audience on her heartfelt, relatable journey. Coming to terms with the tragedies in her life, Cassie’s inner strength is tested in the worst way. A tearjerker of a storyline that had me reaching for the tissues more than once.

The bond between Cassie and Tom is undeniably the strongest I have encountered for a while, and despite not warming towards Sam at first, my opinion of him changed by the end chapters.

I was a little nervous at the beginning of this book after adoring previous works by this author, but the high standards are matched effortlessly. The writing style keeps the audience engaged and fully invested in the characters and the story’s conclusion. I am looking forward to seeing what comes from this author in the future.

The audiobook’s narration is superb, bringing the story to life convincingly and realistically. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

‘One Last Wish’ is available now and a highly recommended read for any time of the year!

Really loved this audio book probably my favourite narration of the year. Heart warming yet heart breaking & just so beautifully written.

Loved it!!!! Narration of this book was so good, brought the book alive for me and I easily followed the storyline. Listening to spoken word is one way I get through mundane tasks and as such I am prepared at times, to put up with a poor storyline. However, in this case I thoroughly enjoyed the tale and found myself choosing to do some simple tasks so that I could justify listening to more! What a fantastic book! I was gripped since the first page and could not stop listening.

And @emstonewrites is back just in time to break our hearts and put them back together again for Christmas! I loved Always in December last year, and fell just as much in love with this beautiful read this year - but don’t think you can only read it at Christmas as this would be a gorgeous romantic novel anytime of year 🥰

I don’t want to give away much more than the blurb, but whilst this is definitely a heartwarming novel, it’s not without loss and grief so do have the tissues at the ready. I love how Stone can make me smile and cry all within the space of about two chapters - let’s face it, I rarely give out five stars unless I’ve shed at least a few tears, and this was an easy five star hit for me!

All of the characters were wonderful, but especially Cassie who has to be THE most resilient person, carrying on and worrying about others even after suffering the most unimaginable losses. Whilst the romance is great, I also loved the treasure hunt and the path it led her on career-wise. And maybe I’m ready to move to Wales?!

But of course the romance is also spot on - friends to enemies to friends to lovers? Yasss please! And the best thing is, because of how Always in December turned out I was never sure whether a happy ending was in store or not, so it also kept me hooked waiting to find out.

This was a wonderful tearjerker of a book with possibly my favourite sibling relationship ever. We could all do with a big brother like Tom and I think that’s what made this so special for me - truly loveable characters you can get invested in. The Christmassy bits were just the icing on the (fruit) cake! An absolute must read for any of you soppy lot like me!

This was such a lovely story about grief, loss, hope and love ❤️ I listened to this on audio. After losing her parents at a young age, her brother Tom is the most important person in her life. Then unexpectedly Tom dies just before christmas. How will she cope without him now. Cassie receives one last gift from Tom, a treasure hunt, which was a christmas tradition with them both. Can Cassie bring herself to complete the treasure hunt now Tom has gone ?
I don't want to say much more, so not to spoil it for everyone, happy reading 🙂
I look forward to reading the author's previous book 'Always in December' next.