A Gift From You

by Vanessa Lazarz

Navigating the chaos of single motherhood, a young widow grapples with grief and haunting memories. As she confronts her past and societal pressures, she discovers resilience, the power of connection, and the possibility of healing through heartbreak.

Mallory Andersen faces the overwhelming challenges of single motherhood after the tragic death of her husband, Michael. As she navigates the daily demands of raising her two children, Cora and Rollie, the weight of her grief becomes increasingly difficult to bear. Just as she begins to regain her footing, unexpected revelations from her past surface, including a brief affair with an old flame, Colin, an encounter that complicates her already chaotic life.

Surrounded by pain and uncertainty, Mallory finds herself grappling with societal expectations placed on young widows. Colin's unexpected return reignites unresolved feelings, intensifying her internal conflict and leaving her questioning her choices. As she faces a series of unforeseen challenges, Mallory must confront her trauma and navigate a path forward, ultimately questioning her identity and role as a mother.

Throughout her tumultuous journey, she discovers the profound importance of connection and the strength found in vulnerability. Her relationships with Ben, her supportive neighbor, and Sharon, her mother-in-law, deepen as they traverse the rocky terrain of grief and healing together. A Gift From You is a poignant exploration of resilience and acceptance. As Mallory prepares for her new chapter, she uncovers the truth that love and loss can coexist, and that hope can emerge from life's darkest moments. In this gripping tale, readers are invited to embrace the complexities of life and witness the transformative power of healing.

226 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[C Andrejat]

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut book. A Gift From You grabs you from the beginning and moves along keeping you in the story. I finished it in two days. The characters are well defined, I could really understand the emotional ups and downs of Mallory. I found myself wanting a good ending for the main character and Vanessa Lazarz gives you a good one. I can't wait to read more from her.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! I finished this book in ONE evening because I genuinely couldn’t put it down! I absolutely LOVED Mal! She had so much personality and made the story feel even more real and engaging. I was completely invested from start to finish, and I can’t recommend this book enough! 🥰📚

[Sandy Wydra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Easy read, but it certainly held my attention.

For a debut book, I’ll looking for her next book!

[Rick Bie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling story with a host of memorable characters. A fun summer read, and an impressive debut novel.

[Rebecca Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was impossible to put down! So suspensful and unexpected! Mal's character had me laughing and crying and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. Such an enjoyable read hoping the author will write another soon!

[Tracy Jankowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was no way I was putting this down. I had to finish what I started! I definitely felt this story. (If that makes sense?)
Vanessa, I need more! 😍

[Jennifer Labs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The twist at the end was a total surprise!

[Stephanie Kufahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend! This book was incredibly well written, with so many clever details woven together from beginning to end. Every little piece connected in a way that kept me completely hooked right up to the final page. Once you start this book, don’t expect to put it down anytime soon!

[Trisha Sundby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute page-turner! I was completely hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down. The story is beautifully written, and the characters feel so real. If you love a gripping mystery with high emotional stakes, you need to read this book!

[Amanda Robl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on my toes and it was hard for me to put it down!! Excellent book!!

[Melissa Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. I had a hard time putting the book down. Every character was relatable and you could feel the emotions of each character. I highly recommend.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! Hooks you in from the beginning and leaves you wanting more at the end!

[Mandi Roeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy quick read! got through it in a few days! the ending will sneak up on you so read it to the end!!! 😉