Love, Holly
A Novel
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3.8 • 17 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Stone (One Last Gift) dazzles in this emotional and immersive holiday romance. Holly Griffin meets a handsome stranger at a café on Christmas Eve and sparks fly, but she forgets all about their romantic connection when, later that night while driving her pregnant sister, Lily, she gets into a car accident. Lily miscarries as a result, leaving the women painfully estranged. Being cut off from her family makes the holidays hard, so in the ensuing years, artistic, freethinker Holly joins a group of pen pals to process her grief and loneliness. This year, after she receives a letter from Emma Tooley, an elderly woman who expresses her own regret about losing contact with her grandson, Jack, Holly sets out to reunite them in time for Christmas. When she discovers that Jack is the handsome stranger from the café, she thinks it might be fate. Jack has baggage of his own, but as he, Holly, and Emma navigate their relationships with each other, all learn stirring lessons about the meaning of family, the preciousness of time, and the strength in forgiveness. Readers should have tissues at the ready.
Customer Reviews
Second-chance holiday romance
Love, Holly by Emily Stone is a heartwarming, second-chance holiday romance that delicately explores the complexities of grief. If you're in the mood for a book that will make you shed a tear or two this holiday season, Love, Holly is the perfect choice for you. The author has an ability to evoke genuine emotion while tackling tougher topics with sensitivity and grace. After reading this gem, I am eagerly looking forward to exploring more of Emily Stone's works. TAGS: fiction, romance, contemporary romance, holiday romance, christmas, second chance, pen pals, found family, grief *Thanks to NetGalley, the book's publisher & the book's author for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review #NetGalley #LoveHolly #EmilyStone
Fate always has different plans
This was my first read by Emily Stone & the heart put into this work of art was so special. The depth of raw emotions experienced by the characters & the very real struggles they must overcome were heart wrenching.
Holly & Jack have the sweetest meet cute, but the years of separation after was not expected. The car accident Holly suffered right after their meeting brought about the loss of many things. But of all things for her to hold close, a piece of art given to her by Jack.
Three years after the life changing car accident, Holly, who is now estranged from her family is encouraged to seek solace in an anonymous letter writing program called “Dear Stranger”. The thought is that no one wants to feel lonely at Christmas, so you write to another lonely soul to feel a connection. The letter Holly received referenced that special coffee shop where she met Jack that fateful Christmas Eve. On a mission to help someone overcome their woes, Holly sets off to find her anonymous stranger.
After a rather harsh reception by her stranger, Emma, Holly fortifies her heart to try to help this older woman heal. A series of serendipitous events occur that brings Jack back into her life, but more and more details unfold that left me in awe of the intermingling details.
This was an eventful Christmas read covering matters of the heart from guilt, pain, resentment, and bitterness to loss, grief, healing, and grace. Top it off with loneliness and a mission to find a new lease on life, this found family and friendships read brought all the emotions with a bittersweet ending.
Wonderful and poignant.
Heartbreakingly poignant. All the feels are here, it is a little long and drawn out, but so worth the read. Holly and Jack both have their own ghosts to settle, yet fate seems to get in the way. A wonderful HEA, good til the very end. Grab this one and enjoy.