Hello book lovers! I hope you are all having a wonderful day. I already started my Christmas reads this year and I’m loving it. A few weeks ago I read The Christmas Letter by Emily Stone and today I’ll share my review with you.
✔️serendipity
✔️ heartwarming
✔️ emotional
✔️ set in England
✔️ epistolary
✔️ Christmas
The Christmas Letter by Emily Stone
This story was everything I didn’t know I needed. This book felt like a warm hug, perfect for the holiday season. It’s about love, serendipity, healing, grief, loneliness, dreams, family, and so much more.
What is it about?
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. (Goodreads)
It was utterly wholesome, heartwarming, and a bit heartwrenching at times. I even shed a few tears at the end. It was emotional and poignant. Even though this book is about love and it’s quite romantic, it doesn’t focus solely on romantic love. And I loved every second of it.
I can’t eloquently express how much I loved Holly and Emma’s relationship. Maybe an unconventional friendship between a girl in her 20s and a woman in her 80s. But it was so wholesome, honest, and not cheesy at all. They were the support and love each of them needed at the time so they could heal. And I loved it.
Holly, our FMC, is this beautifully chaotic woman with the warmest soul and fire in her heart. She’s struggling with loneliness, guilt and pain and trying to move on with a broken heart. And still has so much love to give. I just loved Holly so much. I especially loved the journey she experienced to be able to heal.
Jack, our MMC, was such a marvellous character. I felt his pain and hurt. And I love how brave he was to take a step to love and heal. He has such a tender heart. And I loved the way he loved Holly.
Make sure to check the trigger warnings below before reading. This book does talk about serious issues that might be sensitive for many. However, they might spoil a bit.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
TW: death of parents (off-page), terminal illness (not MCs), miscarriage, car accident.
Would you read this book?
love, Lin