Book Review: One Last Gift by Emily Stone

Every year for my birthday, I treat myself to a new book and a fresh journal—something about turning a page in both a book and life feels symbolic. This past Thanksgiving, I picked up One Last Gift by Emily Stone while spending quality time with my daughters, my son-in-love, and his wonderful family (who are now my family too). My youngest and I share a love for reading, even though our taste in genres differs slightly. Every now and then, we stumble upon a book that captivates us both, and this one was definitely a winner.

It had been a minute since I read something that wasn’t self-help, business, education, or spiritual growth. And if I’m being totally honest, since finishing law school in 2018, I think I’ve read fewer books than ever in my life. But hey, I’ve definitely listened to a whole lot of them—so that counts for something, right? 

One Last Gift was the perfect change of pace—a heartfelt story about family connections, love, romance, loss, healing, forgiveness, and stepping outside of your comfort zone to embrace life fully. It was a page-turner, and the only reason I didn’t finish it sooner was that I reserved my reading time for moments when my mind was clear—usually on my commutes, when I could truly absorb the story.

Emily Stone and her team painted such a vivid picture that I felt immersed in the characters’ journey. I will say, about a third of the way through, something major happened, and I found myself wondering, What could possibly come next? But then—twice more—I had that same reaction before reaching the end. It was unpredictable in the best way. If you love stories filled with romance, deep family bonds, and a touch of drama, this one is for you!

        What Are You Reading?

        Now, let’s talk books! I’d love to hear from you:

            • What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

            • What’s on your reading list for this year?

            • What’s your go-to genre?

As I’ve shared before, I’ve been on this healing journey for a long time. And, well, I’ve also spent over 20 years in school after high school—first, an associate’s degree that took seven years (yes, seven!), then another seven for my bachelor’s, and another ten for my master’s. That’s basically a lifetime of school, so you can see why I needed a break from reading and took a little hiatus.

But here’s the thing—I still love books just as much as I love writing them. It’s just that stepping into my 50s feels... different. I’m in this quirky, weird space where I enjoy sitting in complete silence just as much as I love going for a run, signing up for a 5K, soaking in the tub for two hours, or binge-watching Netflix.

And when it comes to books? My taste is as unpredictable as my playlist. I love The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson, and A Long Way From Home by Connie Briscoe is still one of my all-time favorites. I highly recommend Jesus and the Disinherited by Dr. Howard Thurman, but I also love books about chess, business development, and even a good sultry read like Two Weeks Until the Rest of My Life by Harold T. Fisher.

Oh, and let’s not forget Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen: The Emotional Lives of Black Women by Inger Burnett-Zeigler, PhD—such a powerful read. And because my curiosity knows no limits, I even started reading books about physics. Because, hey—why not?

Speaking of genres, I have a semi-shameless plug—I’m currently working on my next book, and I’d love your thoughts! It’s a collection of short stories inspired by my personal journey, but it’s not just about reading—it’s about reflection. Each story invites you to journal alongside me, processing your own growth, self-compassion, healing, and community-building. If this sounds like something you’d read, let me know! I’d love to create a space where we can explore our journeys together, one page at a time.

Happy Reading!

Stacie J. Whitaker-Harris