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The Gift
It’s Christmas Eve and Stella Hansen is broke.
She is so broke that despite working two jobs, she can’t even afford a present for her husband on their first Christmas as man and wife. But then a mysterious storekeeper at a pawn shop offers Stella an intriguing trade.
Stella wants more than anything to buy her husband the Christmas gift of his dreams. But will it come at a terrible price?
The Gift is a gripping Christmas-themed thriller inspired by the classic O. Henry tale, The Gift of the Magi.
She is so broke that despite working two jobs, she can’t even afford a present for her husband on their first Christmas as man and wife. But then a mysterious storekeeper at a pawn shop offers Stella an intriguing trade.
Stella wants more than anything to buy her husband the Christmas gift of his dreams. But will it come at a terrible price?
The Gift is a gripping Christmas-themed thriller inspired by the classic O. Henry tale, The Gift of the Magi.
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2022
6,685 people are currently reading
73.6k people want to read
About the author
Freida McFadden
46 books166k followers#1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and possessed cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,107 reviews
December 28, 2022
“The Gift” by Freida McFadden gets right into it from the moment you start reading. I first got into McFadden thanks to her fantastic novel “The Housemaid” which was honestly one of the best books I’ve read in 2022. I saw she recently released this short story just in time for Christmas and I knew it was worth reading as soon as I got a chance to jump in.
Boy, I’m glad I was able to read it just a few days after Christmas. McFadden’s style of writing is absolutely excellent. I’ve noticed now with this being the second book of hers I’ve read that she writes genuine page-turners where you simply can’t stop reading even if you tried. With this short story, I loved the tone, setting, atmosphere, and characters right off the bat.
The sign of a great author is how she’s able to make this quick, 53-page book into a jam-packed story. This is now the second time I’ve been so impressed with her writing skills as once again, this was an addictive read from start to finish.
Don’t worry, I will not spoil anything for you but I loved this short story. There are a few jaw-dropping moments with an epilogue that totally blew me away. This is a must-read Christmas thriller I’d recommend to everyone to read around this time of year. It’s incredible, short, and you can easily finish this in 30-60 minutes tops.
I give “The Gift” by Freida McFadden a perfect 5/5 as she’s becoming my favorite new author I discovered in 2022. She’s so talented that I plan to read every single thing she’s written. I loved “The Gift” and will remember it for many years to come since it’s such a unique Christmas story.
Boy, I’m glad I was able to read it just a few days after Christmas. McFadden’s style of writing is absolutely excellent. I’ve noticed now with this being the second book of hers I’ve read that she writes genuine page-turners where you simply can’t stop reading even if you tried. With this short story, I loved the tone, setting, atmosphere, and characters right off the bat.
The sign of a great author is how she’s able to make this quick, 53-page book into a jam-packed story. This is now the second time I’ve been so impressed with her writing skills as once again, this was an addictive read from start to finish.
Don’t worry, I will not spoil anything for you but I loved this short story. There are a few jaw-dropping moments with an epilogue that totally blew me away. This is a must-read Christmas thriller I’d recommend to everyone to read around this time of year. It’s incredible, short, and you can easily finish this in 30-60 minutes tops.
I give “The Gift” by Freida McFadden a perfect 5/5 as she’s becoming my favorite new author I discovered in 2022. She’s so talented that I plan to read every single thing she’s written. I loved “The Gift” and will remember it for many years to come since it’s such a unique Christmas story.
December 10, 2022
C-R-E-E-P-Y
Poor Stella is working two jobs. She is waitressing on Christmas Eve and can't wait until closing time so she can go home to her husband. It is their very first Christmas together.
If she could get the last customer to leave, she could finally go home. Her co-worker decides to get in the ladies face! "We're closing....." I laughed so hard at this scene!
One thing leads to another...
This is a short story from KU. I read it in an hour and couldn't put it down. I was kinda horrified.
Poor Stella is working two jobs. She is waitressing on Christmas Eve and can't wait until closing time so she can go home to her husband. It is their very first Christmas together.
If she could get the last customer to leave, she could finally go home. Her co-worker decides to get in the ladies face! "We're closing....." I laughed so hard at this scene!
One thing leads to another...
This is a short story from KU. I read it in an hour and couldn't put it down. I was kinda horrified.
December 16, 2022
This has been all over my GR page-and I had FOMO!
It’s the Christmas short story for thriller/HORROR fans-IT ISN’T SWEET!!
Bessie and Stella are finishing up double shifts at the diner, with 15 minutes to go, and two customers lingering. It’s time to let them know that it’s closing time, and to settle their bills.
They realize that neither of them ever waited on the elderly lady in the corner.
They have two choices-get her a cup of coffee now-or pretend they don’t realize she hasn’t been served and show her the door, with a cheery “Merry Christmas!!”
Stella chooses the second.
UH OH!
If you have Kindle Unlimited-download and read for free!
It’s the Christmas short story for thriller/HORROR fans-IT ISN’T SWEET!!
Bessie and Stella are finishing up double shifts at the diner, with 15 minutes to go, and two customers lingering. It’s time to let them know that it’s closing time, and to settle their bills.
They realize that neither of them ever waited on the elderly lady in the corner.
They have two choices-get her a cup of coffee now-or pretend they don’t realize she hasn’t been served and show her the door, with a cheery “Merry Christmas!!”
Stella chooses the second.
UH OH!
If you have Kindle Unlimited-download and read for free!
December 3, 2024
I should have stayed curious.
December 12, 2023
3.5⭐ Dark and delicious Christmas short story!
While Justin attends law school, his wife Stella is busting her butt off supporting them by working two jobs. It's Christmas Eve and Stella is working a double shift. Their budget is tight but she and Justin are trading presents which she still hasn't bought!
An old lady in the rear booth also a shop owner of Helga's Attic said her shop is always open. No money? No problem, she's happy to make a trade...
Hahaa!!! The ending...the reveal...I am shocked! This was really good for an hour-long story and a great way to mix up your holiday read. 🫢🎁🎄
1h 5m, terrific narration by Alyson Krawchuk. Borrowed from Hoopla.
While Justin attends law school, his wife Stella is busting her butt off supporting them by working two jobs. It's Christmas Eve and Stella is working a double shift. Their budget is tight but she and Justin are trading presents which she still hasn't bought!
An old lady in the rear booth also a shop owner of Helga's Attic said her shop is always open. No money? No problem, she's happy to make a trade...
Hahaa!!! The ending...the reveal...I am shocked! This was really good for an hour-long story and a great way to mix up your holiday read. 🫢🎁🎄
1h 5m, terrific narration by Alyson Krawchuk. Borrowed from Hoopla.
January 27, 2023
Nopes, didn’t work for me.
October 28, 2024
This was a very short read (like 50 pages) but honestly it exceeded my expectations. I was hooked from the very beginning and enjoyed the storyline. I honestly wasn't expecting the multiple twists in a book so small but I'm not surprised since it's typical McFadden fashion. #teamstella
December 22, 2022
Another Christmas quickie!
Stella finds herself working a double shift at a crappy diner on Christmas Eve. All she wants to do is to be home with her husband for their very first Christmas as a married couple. The only problem - she has no gift for him and no money to buy one. That is until a mysterious elderly woman sitting in the back booth of the diner makes her an offer she can't refuse. She has a store and she's sure she'll be able to find her husband the perfect gift and money won't be an issue because she'll accept a trade.
What are we willing to give up for the one we love? You'll have to read this to find out.
If you're looking for Christmas cheer steer clear but if you're looking for Christmas chills then this fits the bill. A super quick read with a surprising ending. 3 stars!
Stella finds herself working a double shift at a crappy diner on Christmas Eve. All she wants to do is to be home with her husband for their very first Christmas as a married couple. The only problem - she has no gift for him and no money to buy one. That is until a mysterious elderly woman sitting in the back booth of the diner makes her an offer she can't refuse. She has a store and she's sure she'll be able to find her husband the perfect gift and money won't be an issue because she'll accept a trade.
What are we willing to give up for the one we love? You'll have to read this to find out.
If you're looking for Christmas cheer steer clear but if you're looking for Christmas chills then this fits the bill. A super quick read with a surprising ending. 3 stars!
December 27, 2024
…am I missing something here? 😅
December 25, 2022
This was a fast, quick, short story to read on Christmas Day 🎄. While I would have liked this story to have been longer, it gave us exactly what we needed.
I guess the message we can all get from this book is - “Is it really necessary to sacrifice or work ourselves to the bone for loved ones at Christmas time?”
If you love thrillers, short stories, or are a McFadden fan- then you need to pick this short story up. You will not be disappointed! 🎁🎅🏻
I guess the message we can all get from this book is - “Is it really necessary to sacrifice or work ourselves to the bone for loved ones at Christmas time?”
If you love thrillers, short stories, or are a McFadden fan- then you need to pick this short story up. You will not be disappointed! 🎁🎅🏻
December 13, 2022
"The Gift" by Freida McFadden is a Jaw-Dropping Christmas Thriller Novella!
Newlyweds, Stella and Justin Hansen are spending their first Christmas together as a married couple and Stella wants it to be special.
Stella's the breadwinner and currently working two jobs, while her husband attends law school, so money is tight and right now they're broke.
On Christmas Eve, Stella is working at the diner and knows she'll be exchanging gifts with Justin tonight when she gets home.
Stella tells her co-worker, Bessie, about her plans after work, about not having a gift for Justin, and about not having the money to buy one.
Right before closing, Stella sees a strange old lady in a back booth who heard Stella telling Bessie about her dilemma.
The old lady, Helga, owns a business that is always open and she'll help Stella find the perfect gift for her husband. No money? No problem! They'll make a deal...
If you think this is a retelling of a classic Christmas story, like I did, think again. I was so wrong and so surprised!
For me, this was the perfect Holiday Fiction Novella to read during my lunch break today. The twist at the end was very unexpected. If you're looking for a Christmas story that's a bit of a jaw-dropper, this is one for you. I highly recommend!
Newlyweds, Stella and Justin Hansen are spending their first Christmas together as a married couple and Stella wants it to be special.
Stella's the breadwinner and currently working two jobs, while her husband attends law school, so money is tight and right now they're broke.
On Christmas Eve, Stella is working at the diner and knows she'll be exchanging gifts with Justin tonight when she gets home.
Stella tells her co-worker, Bessie, about her plans after work, about not having a gift for Justin, and about not having the money to buy one.
Right before closing, Stella sees a strange old lady in a back booth who heard Stella telling Bessie about her dilemma.
The old lady, Helga, owns a business that is always open and she'll help Stella find the perfect gift for her husband. No money? No problem! They'll make a deal...
If you think this is a retelling of a classic Christmas story, like I did, think again. I was so wrong and so surprised!
For me, this was the perfect Holiday Fiction Novella to read during my lunch break today. The twist at the end was very unexpected. If you're looking for a Christmas story that's a bit of a jaw-dropper, this is one for you. I highly recommend!
December 18, 2022
I have no words.
Actually I have a lot of words
SPOILERS BELOW
so first annoyance of the book is the fact that the main character repeatedly says so often that she is broke.
2) Who in their right mind goes to a store that a woman who you thought was dead that was just sitting in your diner invite you to
3) Who in their right mind cuts off all their hair for a watch necklace for their husband? And then proceeds to act as if she performed the biggest sacrifice of her life.
4) when the husband gave her brownies I screamed. The way she reacts to the brownies part of me was like yeah I’d be mad too but then the other part of me was like wow way to go extremely overboard Stella.
5) The fact her husband it just casually had the luggage sitting there OK Eye roll
6) I absolutely screamed when she brought in the watch with a little bit of blood from the her husband she killed and said “it’s just spaghetti sauce”
7) oh so now the crazy weird lady‘s daughter is pregnant by her husband
8) wut
Actually I have a lot of words
SPOILERS BELOW
so first annoyance of the book is the fact that the main character repeatedly says so often that she is broke.
2) Who in their right mind goes to a store that a woman who you thought was dead that was just sitting in your diner invite you to
3) Who in their right mind cuts off all their hair for a watch necklace for their husband? And then proceeds to act as if she performed the biggest sacrifice of her life.
4) when the husband gave her brownies I screamed. The way she reacts to the brownies part of me was like yeah I’d be mad too but then the other part of me was like wow way to go extremely overboard Stella.
5) The fact her husband it just casually had the luggage sitting there OK Eye roll
6) I absolutely screamed when she brought in the watch with a little bit of blood from the her husband she killed and said “it’s just spaghetti sauce”
7) oh so now the crazy weird lady‘s daughter is pregnant by her husband
8) wut
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2022
"What's love got to do with it? Just a second-hand emotion." (Tina Turner)
Freida McFadden got a little dark with her holiday cheer.
Stella is working a double shift at Stevie's Diner in the Bronx on Christmas Eve. Too late to bust out the chump change that lines her apron pocket of tips. First Christmas with the hubby and no gift. Almost 11 0'clock. Time to return to her seedy apartment where Justin waits for her.
But an old woman sits hunched over a table in the back booth. Helga may just have the answer for the one name on Stella's Christmas shopping list. Stay tuned.....
A creepy tale on Christmas Eve with some well-placed hilarity. No heavy lifting, but it still entertains. Check it out on Amazon for Kindle.
Freida McFadden got a little dark with her holiday cheer.
Stella is working a double shift at Stevie's Diner in the Bronx on Christmas Eve. Too late to bust out the chump change that lines her apron pocket of tips. First Christmas with the hubby and no gift. Almost 11 0'clock. Time to return to her seedy apartment where Justin waits for her.
But an old woman sits hunched over a table in the back booth. Helga may just have the answer for the one name on Stella's Christmas shopping list. Stay tuned.....
A creepy tale on Christmas Eve with some well-placed hilarity. No heavy lifting, but it still entertains. Check it out on Amazon for Kindle.
December 19, 2022
CREEPY
Stella & her husband Justin are spending their first Christmas together as man & wife, Stella decides to get something nice for Justin but what she does doesn’t go down to well. Creepy characters were rife eye rolls at times.
I finished this in an hour loved the plot line MERRY CREEPNESS I enjoyed this short novella straight into it was jaw dropping at times am becoming a fan of this author.
Stella & her husband Justin are spending their first Christmas together as man & wife, Stella decides to get something nice for Justin but what she does doesn’t go down to well. Creepy characters were rife eye rolls at times.
I finished this in an hour loved the plot line MERRY CREEPNESS I enjoyed this short novella straight into it was jaw dropping at times am becoming a fan of this author.
December 15, 2024
Absolutely not
April 5, 2023
(Don’t hate me.)
This feels like something I could’ve written during a creative writing course. The writing itself was average, at best. The plot… not great, either. Rushed, flat, and not all that thrilling.
But… read for yourself and judge for yourself! It’s only about a 20-30 minute read, after all.
This feels like something I could’ve written during a creative writing course. The writing itself was average, at best. The plot… not great, either. Rushed, flat, and not all that thrilling.
But… read for yourself and judge for yourself! It’s only about a 20-30 minute read, after all.
December 14, 2022
Ok, my first review back in awhile. I struggled to get through this due to my lingering COVID symptoms, but thank goodness it was a short and entertaining read. I didn’t much care for the sound of Justin from the first descriptions Stella put out, and as the story progressed, it didn’t help his case at all. She was a strong depiction of an overworked and underappreciated person and he was just a manipulative dud. She just completes selfless acts and works herself to the bone at two thankless jobs, with little to no confidence, and is constantly taken advantage of. And then she does something extremely loving for her husband and it goes south. So all of that just made the eventual twist that much more satisfying. This is just about fifty pages, which, as you’d all expect, left a lot of potential story and character development out, so that was my biggest critique. If it was much longer, it could have turned an already good story into a great one.
December 11, 2022
The storyline was interesting but read really flat.
This was a quick little read at 50ish pages, but it read really flat. There were no vivid descriptors here, just words on paper that read kinda like this…. this happened, then THIS happened, next THIS happened….no frills, devoid of feeling, that sort of thing.
Storyline was interesting, I liked the twist and that was really fun, but I feel it could have been written with a little more detail to make me become engrossed in it.
This was a quick little read at 50ish pages, but it read really flat. There were no vivid descriptors here, just words on paper that read kinda like this…. this happened, then THIS happened, next THIS happened….no frills, devoid of feeling, that sort of thing.
Storyline was interesting, I liked the twist and that was really fun, but I feel it could have been written with a little more detail to make me become engrossed in it.
December 19, 2024
The Gift is a twisty tale of giving and taking. The final twist was jaw dropping. This novella proves that it’s definitely the thought that counts and nothing is free. I thought I knew how the story would play out, but I was surprised by the conclusion. Intriguing, entertaining with a dash of the macabre,The Gift is a a sinister present. 🎁
December 24, 2022
Bizarre and not in a good way.
December 9, 2024
Very enjoyable short story. Stella is working two jobs so her husband can go to school. This is their first Christmas together and he has hinted he has gotten her something special for Christmas. So, while at the diner she works at she meets a very strange old woman (Helga) who tells her to visit her store (Helga's Attic)… she has some wonderful gifts she can buy or trade to give her husband. Stella’s time is running out since it is Christmas Eve, so she goes to the store…
This was a really creepy, fun, and captivating read. It was like a crazy version of The Gift of the Magi. I had a hard time putting it down! My first book by Freida McFadden. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
This was a really creepy, fun, and captivating read. It was like a crazy version of The Gift of the Magi. I had a hard time putting it down! My first book by Freida McFadden. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
January 15, 2023
I recently discovered author, Freida McFadden when I read The Housemaid and was very impressed. I immediately preordered its sequel. While waiting for it to be published, I was pleased to discover this novella of 52 pages, the Gift. The story is mainly set on Christmas eve.
This was the story of a young couple paying for university expenses, and she was working two jobs. They could not afford presents on their first Xmas as a married couple.
When I started reading it, I thought, "Great." I recognized it as a modern update on the 1906 short story by O. Henry, that was required reading in High School. Then my impressions began to fluctuate, because it was too much an exact copy of the original, including the gift the young woman was excited to be giving as a Xmas present to her husband, and what she had to sacrifice to obtain it. My opinion and rating dropped substantially at this point. She rushed home, feeling very happy that she had the perfect gift for her husband.
When it was time for the young couple to exchange Xmas gifts, everything changed. There was a wild and clever twist to O. Henry's story. The ending was shocking and surprising.
This was the story of a young couple paying for university expenses, and she was working two jobs. They could not afford presents on their first Xmas as a married couple.
When I started reading it, I thought, "Great." I recognized it as a modern update on the 1906 short story by O. Henry, that was required reading in High School. Then my impressions began to fluctuate, because it was too much an exact copy of the original, including the gift the young woman was excited to be giving as a Xmas present to her husband, and what she had to sacrifice to obtain it. My opinion and rating dropped substantially at this point. She rushed home, feeling very happy that she had the perfect gift for her husband.
When it was time for the young couple to exchange Xmas gifts, everything changed. There was a wild and clever twist to O. Henry's story. The ending was shocking and surprising.
February 27, 2024
What did I just read 😂
It took about 5 minutes and was utterly random - do not read this 😂
It took about 5 minutes and was utterly random - do not read this 😂
October 3, 2024
The Gift is a very fun short story by beloved author, Freida McFadden. It is a Christmas story and if this doesn't get you in the mood for the season, I'm not sure what will!
I'm not going to say anything at all about the story itself, as it's only 53-pages. I will say, this is my first taste of Freida McFadden's work, but it will not be my last.
It's tense, engaging and delightfully devious. I was impressed with how easily McFadden was able to draw me into the story and how much she packed into so few pages.
There are times when short stories can be unsatisfying, but that's not the case here. This was really well done.
Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Select, for providing me with an audiobook to read and review. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
I'm not going to say anything at all about the story itself, as it's only 53-pages. I will say, this is my first taste of Freida McFadden's work, but it will not be my last.
It's tense, engaging and delightfully devious. I was impressed with how easily McFadden was able to draw me into the story and how much she packed into so few pages.
There are times when short stories can be unsatisfying, but that's not the case here. This was really well done.
Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Select, for providing me with an audiobook to read and review. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
July 9, 2024
2.5/5
Well, sometimes I'm glad I'm still single.
Well, sometimes I'm glad I'm still single.
October 29, 2024
Honestly I love Freida and while so many of her books are phenomenal, it's hard to believe this was her work given how absurd and horrendous it was. The FMC couldn't be anymore ridiculous even if she tried!
One star is only for the epilogue that barely explained the bland plot it had.
***SPOILERS AHEAD****
Who in their right mind would kill their husband just because he gifted you cookies as a christmas present, considering how broke they were. What again?
One star is only for the epilogue that barely explained the bland plot it had.
***SPOILERS AHEAD****
Who in their right mind would kill their husband just because he gifted you cookies as a christmas present, considering how broke they were. What again?
January 14, 2025
Well this was weird 🧍♀️
November 1, 2023
Well, no more McFadden for me
This was the last straw
This was the last straw
December 6, 2022
I love this! Short and sweet it still has all the elements of a great thriller! If you’re looking for a short, brilliant read this is it!
Stella is broke. She is working two jobs and still paying off her college debts, but that won’t stop her from getting her husband the perfect Christmas gift. After meeting a mysterious shop owner, she trades what is most important to her to purchase the gift. Will it be worth it?
The Gift is available now and is free on Kindle Unlimited.
Stella is broke. She is working two jobs and still paying off her college debts, but that won’t stop her from getting her husband the perfect Christmas gift. After meeting a mysterious shop owner, she trades what is most important to her to purchase the gift. Will it be worth it?
The Gift is available now and is free on Kindle Unlimited.
January 1, 2023
This book gave me major Sweeney Todd vibes even though it’s quite different. Yikes, what a creepy book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,107 reviews