Um, this is a very short story and honestly a very messed up short story. I have to say that I did not see that coming. Would be interested in a book that comes from this short.

The Gift is a quick read and perfect for the upcoming season. Love Freida’s ability for twists and amazing epilogues even in a novella.

Ok, I had no idea this was a short story when I requested it on Netgalley. I saw McFadden, a great title and a cool cover. That said, The Gift is 64 minutes long and had I known, I would have listened differently. Because, suddenly it was over. I was unprepared. I was expecting more, so it felt disappointing to me. And now, hand in hand with the brevity of the book, this comment is me, as a human, not understanding publication pricing. On Audible, this 64 minute books is listed as Regular Price $48.00, Member Price $34.29 or 1 credit. Huh. Seriously? Given the current economic times, how in the world could I tell my fellow constant readers to spend this much grocery money?

Overall, it was a clever retelling of The Gift of the Magi. A domestic thriller twist done in a McFadden fashion.

I love how Freida McFadden has retold the old story The Gift of the Magi. Since the original tale is in public domain now, anyone can use the plot in any way they want. I find Freida’s version well worth the listen and will never forget the twists she added.

Thank you for the ARC! This is a fun and short read from one of my favorite authors. Definitely not a cazy Christmas read if that's what you're looking for. She managed to put a nice twist in a short story.

A short Christmas tale with a dark twist. At just under a half hour to listen, this ominous tale gave me chills. Stella is exhausted as she nears the end of her Christmas Eve shift, and is eager to get to the shops before they close to find a gift for her husband, even though funds are perilously low. Fatefully, a lone and forgotten figure in the cafe named Helga, beckons her to come to her shop. A treasure trove of strange items welcomes Stella, and a bargain sees her shave off her hair in exchange for a gift for her husband. She wants a memorable Christmas with her new husband. She certainly receives a memorable Christmas Eve, but not in quite the way she imagined. I loved this dark tale and would love to find out more about Stella and discover the secrets held in Helga's store. #thegift #friedamcfadden #netgalley #audiobook #shortlisten #haunting #christmasthriller

I really enjoyed this short story on audio by Freida McFadden. I actually did not realize it was a short story. But, she knows how to do a twist even in 52 mins! The audio was good, story was good, and I overall enjoyed. I give a 4.5 stars. If you have a chance to listen or just need your imagination to go somewhere for a little this is a great audiobook to listen to! Also, great thriller for the Christmas season!

Stella winds up in a pawn shop late one night looking for a last-minute Christmas gift for her husband, but she ends up paying quite the price for it..

I chose this short audiobook for a quick listen in between heavier reads. Like most stories by this author, it was quick and to the point with a far-fetched plot twist. I often look forward to these by McFadden because despite the far-fetchedness, her books are usually quite entertaining. This one, however was a bit too silly for me. I don't know how likeable the main character was meant to be, but she was too stupid for me to really enjoy this one. Still, if you need a quick 45 minute listen, why not?

Freida, you knocked it out of the park again! I loved this short little novella. It left me wanting more to the story. We need a follow up to see what happens next with the three women.
Thanks, NetGalley for the free audiobook.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Why is this story so short?? I wanted more and was sad to discover it's a short story. I wish Freida McFadden would write this as a full novel! The narrator had a smooth, even tone that was enjoyable to listen to. She didn't speak too fast and read the dramatic parts with great emotion! Fun little read!

This was a super short bite-sized thriller from one of my favorites. The main character- unlikeable, the husband- super unlikeable, the old lady- creepy AF.

I prefer my McFadden thrillers full sized, but this will hold me until another book drops.

This was such a wild ride! I didn’t know it was a novella going into it, but it didn’t take away from how deep I got into the story and the eeriness of it all!

Freida McFadden is the queen of a killer (pun intended) twist at the end and this one was GOOD!! Legit did not see it coming and I’m still SHOOK!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the ALC of this novella!

Genre: Thriller/Suspense

This is a quick novella I listened to on audio. It took me about 30 min to listen to.

Set during the Christmas season, a newlywed struggling to make ends meet makes a trade to get a gift for her husband. But nothing goes as planned.

In Freida McFadden fashion, this ends with a creepy twist. It is a dark Christmas story perfect for thriller fans.

The narration was great and easy to listen to!

This is a modernized retelling of Gift of the Magi, with a thriller twist. At first, Della’s motives to buy her husband a Christmas gift are sweet, but how she goes about it quickly becomes one bad decision after the other. It’s a short story, about an hour for the audiobook, so any more detail in a review from here on will spoil it, but I’d say it’s definitely worth the read if you are looking for an eerie Christmas vibe. Like the original story, there’s a lesson or two to be learned through the ending as well! Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I thought the older lady’s motivations were jaw-dropping good, but the rest was just so-so and as soon as I was getting into the story it was the epilogue with a lot of explaining.

The Gift is a novella but I guess I expected it to not a bit more than it was, especially coming from Freida McFadden.

Although I admit this left me with the ultimate creepy factor. And perfect for the holiday season.

Great narration.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the advanced audio in return for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date: 7 Nov 2023

I absolutely love Freida McFadden, but this was essentially a modernized 'Gift of the Magi' with a bit of a screwed-up ending. I feel like it didn't deviate enough from the original to make it stand out since it was essentially the same story for 90% of it. If you've read Gift of the Magi maybe give this one a pass.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select and Freida McFadden for an audio ARC of The Gift.

If Freida McFadden writes it, I will read it!

This was a very short story about a woman who sacrifices part of herself to give her husband the perfect gift for their first Christmas as husband & wife. And she can't wait to see what he got for her.

But, you know there's a little more to it than that. This was a perfect little tidbit from McFadden that gave me a quick reprieve from some heavier novels.

I’m starting to fall deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole that is Freida McFadden. The Gift, though short, was still a sit on the edge of you seat thriller, and I loved every bit of it.

From the innocent start to the twisted ending, I was hooked and giving anyone who walked in to interrupt me an evil glare.

The audio quality was amazing. Very clear quality. The voice actors brought this short story together very nicely.