Thank you Netgalley for an ALC of The Gift by Freida McFadden!

Really quick and bingeable novella by Freida! Loved this one to get into the holiday spirit. Stella is broke, working two jobs, and can't afford a present for her husband on their first married Christmas. Suddenly, she's offered an enticing trade that she can't refuse. She wants to make her husband happy - But at what price?

I wish this one kept going! 4 stars only because it ended far too soon for my liking. I wish we got some more details, but also loved how my jaw dropped at the end.

I’ve read almost every book by Freida McFadden, so of course I had to read this little novella. At 53 pages this is super quick; I did the audio and enjoyed the narrator.

This was pretty creepy; you won’t need a snow storm to give you the chills with this novella. It definitely made you think about how far someone would go for someone they love. Too far? You’ll have to read it to find out!

My only complaint, the epilogue left me with a lot of questions. I wish this was a tad longer to tie up the loose ends in a nice Christmas bow.

THE GIFT review

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

🎁This novella is a super quick read so I’ll keep my review brief. I went into this one completely blind and was expecting a Christmas themed thriller and that’s exactly what I got!

🎁The story starts off as a retelling of The Gift of the Magi but then it takes a creeeepy turn. I honestly loved the twist and had no idea what to expect. I know this is a novella but I wish it had been a tiiiiiny bit longer. I felt like there was so much build up to the twist, and then as soon as it was revealed the book was just over.

🎁I still enjoyed this one overall and would definitely recommend if you’re wanting a quick, Christmas themed thriller! The audiobook was fantastic and was the perfect length for me to listen to on my drive home from work.

🎁Thanks @dreamscape_media for my advanced copy of this one!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of The Gift by Freida McFadden.
The Gift is a short story that combines the story of the Gift of the Magi by O'Henry with McFadden's twisty unpredictable style. The narrator didn't work for me. I found the tone to be highschoolish and unrefined.

Loved this one! I really enjoyed the narrators and storyline. Freida’s books never disappoint and this one was great as well! I will be reviewing this one on my page next week! 5 stars for sure ♥️

Very different from what I’m used to reading from her but still an interesting story! It honestly reminded me of the old Friday the 13th TV show, especially when they ended up in Helga’s shop. I would have classified it as a horror short, not a thriller short. It kind of had YA horror vibes even though the characters were all adults. Worth the read though!

Huge thanks to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

What are you willing to give up to make sure someone that you love gets the perfect Christmas gift? And will it be worth it…
I read this in 2022 and just received an audiobook ARC from NetGalley (Thank you Freida McFadden, Dreamscape Select and Hollywood Upstairs Press!).
I enjoyed the written book but I LOVED the audio version more! The narration was excellent! It made it creepier and more captivating. It’s a quick Christmas thriller that I say don’t pass up!

A quick holiday story from McFadden.

While this was not my favorite book of hers.(too short) I, I still enjoyed it a lot.

How she managed to put so much into such a short book I don't know.

Fast paced and easy to read as always.

The narrator made me get right at the heart of Stella.

Thanks to netgalley and Hollywood Upstairs Press for the arc.

This is just a short novella, a fun, fast read. It’s creepy and ominous and the sense of dread builds throughout. I really enjoyed the way it ended. Even in a short amount of time, I still felt a connection with the protagonist and was rooting for her the whole way. I can see this being a good palate-cleanser of a read, something to cozy up and finish in one sitting and get you out of a reading slump. If you like this author’s other works, you’ll like this one too. It’s her signature style of writing. Definitely recommend for the upcoming holiday season. I listened to the audiobook version and it was well done. It was the same narrator as McFadden’s other recent release, The Coworker. I think she does a great job with the character’s voice and her style of narration keeps me engaged. I’d love to see the same narrator again for McFadden’s work in the future. Her voice has become synonymous with the author’s stories for me.

I went into this novella thinking it was a full-length story so imagine my horror when it ended so suddenly but as always, McFadden pulled me in from the very beginning. This is a spooky tale with so many different layers including old mythological folklore and domestic angst all set against the relatable backdrop of a desolate diner open on Christmas eve.

I only wish this tale included many more chapters that I could binge.

I absolutely LOVE Freida McFadden and I've read this (very) short story before but loved it again on audio.

Have you heard that expression , "You can do anything for ____ amount of time" well, dear readers Freida McFraudden has almost proved that statement false. I was barely able to read this for the hour it took me to get this one down. If given the option to eat raw oysters or read this book, I say bring me out a big ol platter of the grey boogers.
I truly [outside of Billy Madison's infamous speech ] did not think it was possible to become dumber listening to a book, but this short little novella does just that. She took a very popular Christmas short story The Gift of the Magi (hey at least now she cited where she got her story from) and inserted some of the most dumb plot facts ( Oh that's tomato sauce on the locket, not blood...what? Are we in 3rd grade theater class?) A woman keeping her dead husband's skull? And of course making the "man" bad! Uh maybe since she is a real life doctor she can come unroll my eyeballs for me.
I will leave you with this quote:
Mr. Madison (Dr. McFadden), what you've just said (Written) is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response (novella) were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy read I was not influenced or paid for this honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance audiobook copy of The Gift by Freida McFadden in exchange of an honest review.

"Although 'The Gift' by Freida McFadden fell short of my expectations, I appreciate the quick read it offers. The story revolves around Stella, a woman working on Christmas Eve, desperately wanting to find the perfect gift for her husband. The plot takes an intriguing turn when a mysterious elderly woman offers her a trade. While the book felt too short and left me wanting more, the twist at the end added an unexpected element. If you're in the mood for some Christmas chills rather than cheer, this book might be worth a read." I give it 3.75 Stars!

Unfortunately, I was not a fan of this story at all. It was a quick and easy read, just very boring and just not good. I usually love this authors books but no. This one is just… no. No thank you.

This is the perfect bite sized thriller for the holidays!!! I say bite sized because it really only takes about an hour to read. It’s the perfect book to listen to while running errands, or having a relaxing night in.

The story is about Stella, a newly wed who can’t afford to buy her husband a gift. To get one, she makes a big trade that leads to her whole life changing. It’s a very fast paced engaging story, with a fun twist at the end! If you are getting into the holiday spirit like I am you can check it out now!

I loved this short story! A twist on an old Christmas classic. Scary and Christmas in one book? Yes please and it screams Freidas usual style! Love the narrator as well.

I love Frieda McFadden and I loved listening to one of her tales for the first time. I thought I knew where the story was going and then I didn't! I loved the wicked twists of The Gift. The narration was great!

The Gift by Freida McFadden is a short-story audiobook with a twist on a familiar Christmas story.

"A young woman is working a double-shift on Christmas Eve. This is her first Christmas with her husband. She's broke and has nothing to give him. A customer offers an option, but there are unexpected consequences."

I thought I knew which direction McFadden was going - because the story is so familiar... until it's not. McFadden puts a wicked twist on this classic fable and leaves you with a WHAT!?!

Great audiobook performnce from Alyson Krawchuk.

Freida McFadden - please give us more Stella stories.

It's a story you know. A young married couple celebrating their first Christmas. As most married couples are, they are starting out and poor. I listened to the audiobook version of this and was instantly thrilled by the narrator. I fell in love with her voice during The Coworker by Freida McFadden. Alyson Krawchuk will always be in my head when I think of turtles and how she said Dawn Shiff.
The Gift is a familiar story but with the Freida McFadden twists and flare. About half way I wondered if I needed to finish the book, I knew this story. I thought I knew what was coming but not with Freida. She has a twist for you. I enjoyed her wording that made Alanis Morissette and Seinfeld quotes both come into my head. I appreciated this Christmas classic retelling.
Thank you to NetGalley, Freida McFadden & Dreamscape Select for this ARC. This book is out today!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Hollywood Upstairs Press for the review copy of this audiobook.

I jumped at it due to it being Freida McFadden, and while it was still good, it fell a little short for me. Being a little novella though, it was still pretty good with a nice little twist at the end.