I am sad to say this just did not do it for me. I am a huge Lisa unger fan and this was bit of a let down. I didnt really understand what was going on 90% of the time and it was just blah

Lisa Unger’s Christmas Presents masterfully blends the coziness of a holiday setting with the tension of a cold case thriller. The story draws readers in as true crime podcaster Harley Granger’s arrival stirs up long-buried secrets for Madeline Martin, a survivor of a brutal attack. Unger’s ability to weave suspense into a snowbound Christmas backdrop creates an atmospheric and gripping narrative.

Madeline is a compelling protagonist, grappling with trauma and the possibility that the true killer may still be out there. The book’s twists and revelations keep the pages turning, and the ethical questions surrounding Granger’s methods add an intriguing layer of complexity.

While the plot is captivating, some elements—like the supporting characters—could have been explored more deeply to enhance the emotional stakes. Nonetheless, Christmas Presents delivers a satisfying mix of holiday charm and chilling suspense. A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers with a festive twist.

Thank you Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy Lisa Unger's writing. It's down-to-earth and easy to read while sneaking in disturbing twists that keep the story fresh and appealing. The characters in this book were interesting, the book kept my attention,

"Christmas Presents" is an engaging novel by Lisa Unger that delivers a gripping tale of survival and the search for truth a decade later. The protagonist, Maddie, is a relatable character who runs a bookstore and quickly feels like a friend to readers. Ten years ago, she witnessed her boyfriend murder her best friend, leaving her for dead, but she was rescued by her loyal friend, Badger. Since that fateful night, two other friends have mysteriously disappeared. Now, a well-known true crime writer and podcaster is launching an investigation that could uncover long-buried secrets. This story is riveting, culminating in a conclusion that exceeds expectations. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

What a fun holiday themed thriller this novella turned out to be! The pacing was excellent and as I got closer to the end, I found myself reading faster and faster. If you're looking for a quick fast-paced Christmas novel, with endearing and memorable characters that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, then look no further than Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger!

I enjoyed this novella type book, but wondered why some miscommunications took place. I liked the story enough to finish it, but not my favorite Unger book.

Thank you NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for the ARC! Christmas Presents was a miss for me - the writing wasn’t there and the character development and heavy background took away from the enjoyment. I’m sure many readers will feel differently!

True crime, podcast listeners, and thriller fans should check this book out. It is a contemporary story that focuses on a small town, a horrific and surprising crime that was never fully resolved, a town with questions, survivors with cloudy memories and a podcaster come to investigate. Madeline is a strong and well developed character who has been through a lot but still stands strong living in the same town she was attacked and caring for her father, the retired sheriff. The story is told from more than one POV and it helps build the idea of the podcast, use of todays technology, and the stakes at play for the characters who lived through the crimes. Along with looking to the past there is a current cast of a missing girl that brings a new element and dilemma to the solved case. There is a dash of romance, but i found it helped build the history and then was a fitting ending for some characters. overall a great read!

I started this one before its release date but had to travel for work and only just picked it up again - turned into a Christmas in July read!
This one had a lot of things that I typically like in thrillers - jumping between past and present timelines, podcast investigator, chief of police’s daughter who rebels and also incorporated a bookstore & bookclub.
This was a shorter read but it also in parts felt like the characters storylines became a bit rushed. We only briefly hear about some of the friendships/relationships in the book. There were also a lot of missing people in the town so i felt more disconnected to some of them than I would’ve liked. Overall, I still really enjoyed this one and thought it was a solid 3.5 ⭐️ read (rounded to 4 for GR).
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher (W.W Norton & Company) for the eARC.

#ChristmasPresents #NetGalley
A good read.
Madeline Martin has built a life for herself as the young owner of a thriving business, The Next Chapter Bookshop, despite her tragic childhood and now needing to care for her infirm father. When Harley Granger, a failed novelist turned true crime podcaster, drifts into her shop in the days before Christmas, he seems intent on digging up events that Madeline would much rather forget. She’s the only surviving victim of Evan Handy, the man who was convicted of murdering her best friend Steph, and is suspected in the disappearance of two sisters, also good friends of Madeline’s, who have been missing for nearly a decade. It’s an investigation that has obsessed her father Sheriff James Martin right up until his stroke took his faculties. Harley Granger has a gift for seeing things that others miss. He wasn’t much of a novelist, but his work as a true crime author and podcaster has earned him fame and wealth—and some serious criticism for his various unethical practices. Still, visiting Little Valley to be closer to his dying father has caused him to look into a case that many people think is closed—and some want reopened. And he has a lot of questions about the night Stephanie Cramer was killed, Ainsley and Sam Wallace disappeared, and Madeline Martin was left for dead, bleeding out on a riverbank. Since Evan Handy went to jail, three other young women have gone missing, most recently a young college dropout named Lolly. Five young women missing in the same area in a decade. Are they connected? Was Evan Handy innocent after all? Or was there some else there that night? Someone who is still satisfying his dark appetites?
Although it could've been better.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for giving me an advance copy in exchange of an honest review.

Madeline has built a life for herself as the owner of a thriving bookshop despite her tragic childhood and needing to care for her infirm father. When Harley, a failed novelist turned true crime podcaster, drifts into her shop, he seems intent on digging up events that Madeline would much rather forget. She's the only surviving victim of Evan Handy, the man convicted of murdering her best friend. Since Evan went to jail, three other young women have gone missing, the latest being Lolly. Are they connected? As Christmas approaches, Madeline and her childhood friend Badger return to the past, discovering that the truth is much closer to home than they think.

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS is an exceptionally crafted Christmas thriller about Madeline's escape from a killer and the past that comes back to haunt her. Considering the horrifying ordeal that left her almost dead, Madeline has made a life for herself as a bookshop owner. Off the bat, I respected Madeline's strength in moving on, especially when the love for books is involved! I instantly felt connected to Madeline and quickly sympathized when Harley, the popular true crime podcaster, came around to reopen the investigation. Madeline not only lost her best friend, but her two other close friends were missing, a wound with no closure. With a recently missing person, Harley decides to pick at it. Little did he know his actions would open Pandora's box and rock Madeline's world again.

Unger's narrative was written with multiple POVs, transitioning effortlessly and establishing her talented, seasoned authorship. I had so much fun peeling back the layers and learning more about what Madeline went through. Although I cracked the case early on and wasn't startled by the reveal, it didn't detract from the mystery. Unger's storytelling, as a whole, didn't disappoint, especially how she blended the cozy Christmas season into one murderous plot. I positively recommend CHRISTMAS PRESENTS; it's a thrilling gift that keeps on giving!

What a thriller this is, I kept the pages turning trying to figure out who was the killer/kidnapper. Harley really got on my nerves, he was such a lousy person. Loved the character of Maddie, she was stronger than she thought as she faced her fears about what happened years ago. Another great story from this author.

Don't mistake this gripping thriller for a holiday story. It takes place in a period of time leading up to Christmas. I am a huge fan of the author and this novella did not disappoint. A step beyond your typical cozy, this was a fabulous read and kept me guessing.

This CHILLING 226 page novella by Lisa Unger may take place in the five days leading up to Christmas, but this is definitely NOT a Christmas story!Thank you net galley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for a review

Review of Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger

As always, I thrilled to see a new Lisa Unger book available on NetGalley. I snatched this one up quicker than you you could say merry Christmas. I did in fact read this one in December and as you all know at this point, yes I am that far behind in my reviews. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It grabbed from the beginning and didn’t let up till the end. I almost wish it was longer. That would be my only semi complaint. But overall I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to reading her newest that’s out.

I am giving this one five stars. I didn’t get to it in time to give a full review and I apologize for that

A super quick and easy reading novella that is perfect for thriller fans. I finished this in less than a day and was hooked from start to finish. I love how the author intertwined past events with what was happening at the moment. Madeline is the owner of a cute indie bookshop and preparing for the holiday season. That is until renowned true crime podcaster Harley Granger comes to town and is digging into the infamous murder and disappearance of her high school friends. Madeline barely survived the night, let alone the trauma she’s endured the last ten years and she can think of anything else she would rather do then dredge up memories of what happened. That is until another girl goes missing.. are the cases connected? What about the other missing girls over the last decade?

While the ending is somewhat predictable, I enjoyed the story telling and would definitely recommend this novella!

Well this was a fun, festive popcorn thriller 🍿

I’m a big fan of anything Lisa Unger and this was no exception. If you are looking for a “holiday” read tonight (I finished this in one sitting!) then I highly suggest you pick this one up 🎄🔪

Thank you to @netgalley for my copy!

I really enjoyed this novella thriller set around Christmas/winter and definitely recommend it. It was a nice break from the usual romance holiday books!

This was a good, quick read that hooked you and kept you wanting to figure out what was happening. Following the trend of a true crime podcast character, but switching it up as he wasn’t one of the main characters. More of a tool to get things going. I did have a hard time with the sheriff knowing who it was and not being able to pass information on while he recovered from a stroke, because I’ve seen way less important information get communicated in a variety of ways post stroke. But that wouldn’t make a good story, would it? 😅 overall, a good thriller set over the Christmas season.

Madeline survived a horrific attack that killed her best friend, almost killed her, and two of her other friends are still missing a decade later. A true crime podcaster rolls into town to look into things, even thought the bad guy is convicted in prison. Madeline had nothing to do with him until he showed her that more girls are missing, and they look like her. She steps into her dad’s home office, where the retired sheriff was working to try and find her friends still. He suffered from a stroke, and can’t tell her any theories, but she will keep looking to find her friends.