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The Gift of Christmas / Secret Christmas Twins
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published October 23, 2018
8 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
894 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 26, 2018
Felt duped by this book - Debbie Macomber was only the first third of the book. Ironically, the “bonus” second story was much stronger writing.
December 22, 2018
Spoilers ahead, but the storyline is already rotten.
Ok The gift of Christmas? What kind of crap was that? Seriously it was like a Christmas Christian 50 shades of grey. I’m sorry but the relationship between Cooper and Ashley was dysfunctional and controlling. I couldn’t believe what I was reading, but make the man a Christian and have them say I love you to each other and everything is ok? I really liked the Mrs Miracle book which was my first Debbie Macomber book, but I think I am passing on reading her work. After the whole stalking thing I was shocked. Not healthy. It’s not loving to act like a nutcase and hold people against their will.
Ok The gift of Christmas? What kind of crap was that? Seriously it was like a Christmas Christian 50 shades of grey. I’m sorry but the relationship between Cooper and Ashley was dysfunctional and controlling. I couldn’t believe what I was reading, but make the man a Christian and have them say I love you to each other and everything is ok? I really liked the Mrs Miracle book which was my first Debbie Macomber book, but I think I am passing on reading her work. After the whole stalking thing I was shocked. Not healthy. It’s not loving to act like a nutcase and hold people against their will.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2020
1st story was good 2nd story was better. A little religious but great stories
December 24, 2024
This volume had two stories, which average to 3 stars, but which I'll rate separately below.
I agree with the reviewer that said neither story put her in the mood for Christmas. Neither story seemed to have much about Christmas in it. It was just a backdrop to the plot.
Secret Christmas Twins: 4 stars
This story has a much more interesting plot than the other story in this volume, with more twists and turns. I enjoyed the grandpa character, and how open he was to calling Erica one of his favorite people, too.
I saw that another reviewer liked that the twins had developmental delays after their rough beginning, as that is more realistic.
I liked that the bit characters struggling with infertility did reconcile.
I liked that the main characters spent time reading the Bible to decide what to do, and that Jason sought out the godly counsel of his pastor. It's rare to find that today, even in Christian fiction.
Jason is disparaging of the tough love approach because Kimmie did die. (That's early enough in the story, I don't feel like it's a spoiler.) I'm not so quick to dismiss the tough love approach to addiction as an alternative to enabling. Sometimes there will be a bad outcome no matter what you try, but it seems like tough love at least gives the person a chance rather than coddling them along into further addiction and eventual overdose.
This whole concept reminds me of a different topic, not tough love, particularly, that I talked with a friend about recently: elder care. Sometimes, there will be a bad outcome no matter how you try to navigate an elder's worsening health. A friend recently had his mom's dr tell him not to blame himself when something bad would eventually happen to her, because it inevitably would, no matter what they tried to do to minimize the risk.
It's a different, harder scenario when it's someone young and addicted, because the inevitability is not necessarily there. But the central concept is the same. We can't always blame ourselves when something bad happens. Sometimes life is just hard and people die no matter what you do to prevent it. You just make the best choice you can with the information you have at the time. Other people make other decisions, sometimes bad ones, and "time and chance happen to [us] all." - Ecclesiastes 9:11
Erica's character annoyed me a little more in that she took the twins that Kimmie gave her and traveled across several state lines without any sort of documentation that Kimmie had designated her as their adoptive mom. I realize that there was urgency involved, and that the police were frightening to both Kimmie and Erica for different reasons, but I still feel like if they had waited through that awful moment instead of running, Erica could've had all the legalities that she needed. Hindsight is 20/20, I suppose, and it's no fair second guessing someone, particularly when it's a spur of the moment decision.
It also troubled me that Erica wouldn't be more forthright with the twins' biological family, as that was a more thought-out decision. I understand that Kimmie had called Jason too judgmental, that she didn't want him raising them, but still, it seems like the family had a right to know and to work through the dilemma of what to do with them together. It seemed to me that Jason initially wasn't interested in children and that, once Erica had proven herself reliable and clean from drugs, he would've been likely to allow her to raise them without all the subterfuge.
It also seemed odd to me that Kimmie had sent Erica to her family's farm with the twins and yet didn't want her to tell them whose the twins really are. Perhaps she just viewed it as a safe place, but not emotionally safe people ("too judgmental").
I thoroughly enjoyed it (4 stars), but I wouldn't reread it (5 stars.)
The Gift of Christmas: 2 stars
My kids would laugh and call "The Gift of Christmas" "cringy" or "cringe-worthy" because the dialog was so awkward and embarrassing.
"If you don't know, then I'm not going to tell you." That's a no-win situation for everyone involved, including the speaker. No one is a mind reader. This can be a relationship killer.
"It seemed she was building things in her own mind because she was insecure."
The main character imagined negative motives and refused to hear the other side of the story, a combination that's a recipe for disaster. Nor am I completely convinced she's improved. It makes me worry about their relationship going forward if she's always going to fly off the handle like that.
"His look did little to encourage confidences." It's a good point to remember, that we need to watch our expressions in order to foster relationship.
The two main male characters are annoyingly bossy to the point of being controlling.
Webb: "Next time I won't take no for an answer."
Cooper: the car incident and the party. He is just used to controlling things and needs to back off. In fact, at first, I thought his stick-in-the-mud character was meant to be a contrast to whenever her real love interest arrived on the scene. Except no one else ever did. Ashley just liked men who are controlling for some reason.
The best I could hope for these character is that they don't marry and that they grow up some.
One reviewer said that Cooper had stalker-like tendencies, and yes, that's true. I'd already seen enough red flags in the character by that point that I'd already written him off as not a suitable romantic interest. I think by that point I just wanted to get the book over with.
The complaint I saw in the reviews was the overt Christianity, and normally, that doesn't bother me, but coming from the main character who was behaving so awfully, not hearing the other side, giving people the worst possible motives, throwing herself at him, it just seemed soured to me.
There were good points in there. I could just hardly bear to read them.
Especially good was the point that we need a savior, that we cannot buy or earn our way to heaven.
However, this is friendship evangelism at its worst. We have no way of knowing if the character turned to Jesus (conveniently) to get the girl or if his intentions were sincere in choosing Christianity. He could be so focused on the girl he could be deceiving himself about the magnitude and depth of such a decision.
I agree with the reviewer that said neither story put her in the mood for Christmas. Neither story seemed to have much about Christmas in it. It was just a backdrop to the plot.
Secret Christmas Twins: 4 stars
This story has a much more interesting plot than the other story in this volume, with more twists and turns. I enjoyed the grandpa character, and how open he was to calling Erica one of his favorite people, too.
I saw that another reviewer liked that the twins had developmental delays after their rough beginning, as that is more realistic.
I liked that the bit characters struggling with infertility did reconcile.
I liked that the main characters spent time reading the Bible to decide what to do, and that Jason sought out the godly counsel of his pastor. It's rare to find that today, even in Christian fiction.
Jason is disparaging of the tough love approach because Kimmie did die. (That's early enough in the story, I don't feel like it's a spoiler.) I'm not so quick to dismiss the tough love approach to addiction as an alternative to enabling. Sometimes there will be a bad outcome no matter what you try, but it seems like tough love at least gives the person a chance rather than coddling them along into further addiction and eventual overdose.
This whole concept reminds me of a different topic, not tough love, particularly, that I talked with a friend about recently: elder care. Sometimes, there will be a bad outcome no matter how you try to navigate an elder's worsening health. A friend recently had his mom's dr tell him not to blame himself when something bad would eventually happen to her, because it inevitably would, no matter what they tried to do to minimize the risk.
It's a different, harder scenario when it's someone young and addicted, because the inevitability is not necessarily there. But the central concept is the same. We can't always blame ourselves when something bad happens. Sometimes life is just hard and people die no matter what you do to prevent it. You just make the best choice you can with the information you have at the time. Other people make other decisions, sometimes bad ones, and "time and chance happen to [us] all." - Ecclesiastes 9:11
Erica's character annoyed me a little more in that she took the twins that Kimmie gave her and traveled across several state lines without any sort of documentation that Kimmie had designated her as their adoptive mom. I realize that there was urgency involved, and that the police were frightening to both Kimmie and Erica for different reasons, but I still feel like if they had waited through that awful moment instead of running, Erica could've had all the legalities that she needed. Hindsight is 20/20, I suppose, and it's no fair second guessing someone, particularly when it's a spur of the moment decision.
It also troubled me that Erica wouldn't be more forthright with the twins' biological family, as that was a more thought-out decision. I understand that Kimmie had called Jason too judgmental, that she didn't want him raising them, but still, it seems like the family had a right to know and to work through the dilemma of what to do with them together. It seemed to me that Jason initially wasn't interested in children and that, once Erica had proven herself reliable and clean from drugs, he would've been likely to allow her to raise them without all the subterfuge.
It also seemed odd to me that Kimmie had sent Erica to her family's farm with the twins and yet didn't want her to tell them whose the twins really are. Perhaps she just viewed it as a safe place, but not emotionally safe people ("too judgmental").
I thoroughly enjoyed it (4 stars), but I wouldn't reread it (5 stars.)
The Gift of Christmas: 2 stars
My kids would laugh and call "The Gift of Christmas" "cringy" or "cringe-worthy" because the dialog was so awkward and embarrassing.
"If you don't know, then I'm not going to tell you." That's a no-win situation for everyone involved, including the speaker. No one is a mind reader. This can be a relationship killer.
"It seemed she was building things in her own mind because she was insecure."
The main character imagined negative motives and refused to hear the other side of the story, a combination that's a recipe for disaster. Nor am I completely convinced she's improved. It makes me worry about their relationship going forward if she's always going to fly off the handle like that.
"His look did little to encourage confidences." It's a good point to remember, that we need to watch our expressions in order to foster relationship.
The two main male characters are annoyingly bossy to the point of being controlling.
Webb: "Next time I won't take no for an answer."
Cooper: the car incident and the party. He is just used to controlling things and needs to back off. In fact, at first, I thought his stick-in-the-mud character was meant to be a contrast to whenever her real love interest arrived on the scene. Except no one else ever did. Ashley just liked men who are controlling for some reason.
The best I could hope for these character is that they don't marry and that they grow up some.
One reviewer said that Cooper had stalker-like tendencies, and yes, that's true. I'd already seen enough red flags in the character by that point that I'd already written him off as not a suitable romantic interest. I think by that point I just wanted to get the book over with.
The complaint I saw in the reviews was the overt Christianity, and normally, that doesn't bother me, but coming from the main character who was behaving so awfully, not hearing the other side, giving people the worst possible motives, throwing herself at him, it just seemed soured to me.
There were good points in there. I could just hardly bear to read them.
Especially good was the point that we need a savior, that we cannot buy or earn our way to heaven.
However, this is friendship evangelism at its worst. We have no way of knowing if the character turned to Jesus (conveniently) to get the girl or if his intentions were sincere in choosing Christianity. He could be so focused on the girl he could be deceiving himself about the magnitude and depth of such a decision.
September 10, 2024
How this book came to be in my possession is kinda funny story. My dad found it in the middle of a shopping plaza parking lot last year. And it was in surprisingly such good condition, that he gave it to me. I bet you're all wondering why I'm reading a Christmas book in the middle of September. Well, today is September 10th. My 34th birthday birthday is coming up on September 15th. I typically get a lot of books for my birthday. And this time of month is when I struggle to find enough books to hold me over until my birthday. Well, I had this book as an option, so I took it.
What this book actually is is an omnibus of 2 novels in 1. The 1st is the titular The Gift of Christmas, by Debbie Macomber. The 2nd is called Secret Christmas Twins, by Lee Tobin McClain. They were each sweet stories. And reading them put me in an early Christmas mood. It wasn't a spectacular book by any means. But it was handy to have in a pinch.
What this book actually is is an omnibus of 2 novels in 1. The 1st is the titular The Gift of Christmas, by Debbie Macomber. The 2nd is called Secret Christmas Twins, by Lee Tobin McClain. They were each sweet stories. And reading them put me in an early Christmas mood. It wasn't a spectacular book by any means. But it was handy to have in a pinch.
December 7, 2020
First off to the people complaining about these books being “religious” and “preachy”... did you actually READ the back cover before starting to read the book? They’re described as such, and so what? Isn’t Christmas about the birth of Jesus?! So what’s wrong with stories about FAITH in Jesus?!
Here’s the problem I am having. I’m really struggling with Debbie Macomber’s portrayal of women. Ashley rightly feels slighted and then keeps feeling the need to apologize to Cooper for her very justified reaction to something. (Buying her a freaking car, for example) She freaking gives up her work Christmas party because he has other plans and can’t go with her. WHAT???? That’s pathetic and I really struggle with how all of Macomber’s women always seem so weak and pathetic. I’m all about women being feminine and men being chivalrous but all of Macomber’s men seem like assholes. They get angry all the time and make the women feel like they have to apologize for everything. What kind of relationship is that supposed to be? Her stories always end with a marriage proposal between two people who barely know each other... as if that fixes all the mental abuse that’s gone on for the first nine chapters. Even bringing Jesus into it doesn’t make all that mental abuse, control, and stalking okay.
The second story, however, was sooooooooooooo much better. I enjoyed it much, much more. Jason had his suspicions about Erica but he wasn’t pissed off and angry the entire time. The point in which he did get angry, he had every reason to be due to her big lie. She wasn’t weak and pathetic like Macomber’s women always are, she felt rightfully guilty because she’d been put in a bad position where she had to tell this lie. It all worked out though. I liked the element of the twins having delayed developmental issues to give the story a little more depth.
I give this book 4 stars for the second story. If it was Macomber’s story alone, it would be 3 stars. Macomber really needs to start writing stronger women.
Here’s the problem I am having. I’m really struggling with Debbie Macomber’s portrayal of women. Ashley rightly feels slighted and then keeps feeling the need to apologize to Cooper for her very justified reaction to something. (Buying her a freaking car, for example) She freaking gives up her work Christmas party because he has other plans and can’t go with her. WHAT???? That’s pathetic and I really struggle with how all of Macomber’s women always seem so weak and pathetic. I’m all about women being feminine and men being chivalrous but all of Macomber’s men seem like assholes. They get angry all the time and make the women feel like they have to apologize for everything. What kind of relationship is that supposed to be? Her stories always end with a marriage proposal between two people who barely know each other... as if that fixes all the mental abuse that’s gone on for the first nine chapters. Even bringing Jesus into it doesn’t make all that mental abuse, control, and stalking okay.
The second story, however, was sooooooooooooo much better. I enjoyed it much, much more. Jason had his suspicions about Erica but he wasn’t pissed off and angry the entire time. The point in which he did get angry, he had every reason to be due to her big lie. She wasn’t weak and pathetic like Macomber’s women always are, she felt rightfully guilty because she’d been put in a bad position where she had to tell this lie. It all worked out though. I liked the element of the twins having delayed developmental issues to give the story a little more depth.
I give this book 4 stars for the second story. If it was Macomber’s story alone, it would be 3 stars. Macomber really needs to start writing stronger women.
June 19, 2022
3.5 stars (rating shown may differ depending on whether site allows half star ratings).
A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. I don't know if she read it or not before sending it. I was surprised when I came on here to review that I had read the Macomber book previously (when it was in combination with another, different story.) So I will guess that both these stories are previously published ones that were combined by a publisher.
It was nice to see stories where church featured a bit more prominently than it does is some novels (readers who complain about it obviously didn't read the back cover blurb--because the one for Macomber's story clearly states that will be part of the story.)
This is what I wrote about the Macomber story back then "In The Gift of Christmas, Ashley finds love with her former crush, Cooper. There's an age difference between them that is harped on a bit too much for my taste. It also bothered me that the two didn't talk much--didn't communicate to find out if what the other thought was true or to find out why the other one did or didn't do something." I still feel like they didn't communicate well with each other.
I liked the second novel "Secret Christmas Twins" more--which surprised me because other Lee Tobin McClain books I've read have felt formulaic. I feel for Erica being put in between Kimmie's stated wishes that Jason not get custody of her kids and Erica's own observations that don't jibe with what Kimmie told her about Jason. I do feel like Erica tried her best to put what was best for the twins first (other than not revealing that she wasn't their true mother), and I do think she loved the boys. At the same time, I can understand Jason's anger when he finds out the truth--and not from Erica.
A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. I don't know if she read it or not before sending it. I was surprised when I came on here to review that I had read the Macomber book previously (when it was in combination with another, different story.) So I will guess that both these stories are previously published ones that were combined by a publisher.
It was nice to see stories where church featured a bit more prominently than it does is some novels (readers who complain about it obviously didn't read the back cover blurb--because the one for Macomber's story clearly states that will be part of the story.)
This is what I wrote about the Macomber story back then "In The Gift of Christmas, Ashley finds love with her former crush, Cooper. There's an age difference between them that is harped on a bit too much for my taste. It also bothered me that the two didn't talk much--didn't communicate to find out if what the other thought was true or to find out why the other one did or didn't do something." I still feel like they didn't communicate well with each other.
I liked the second novel "Secret Christmas Twins" more--which surprised me because other Lee Tobin McClain books I've read have felt formulaic. I feel for Erica being put in between Kimmie's stated wishes that Jason not get custody of her kids and Erica's own observations that don't jibe with what Kimmie told her about Jason. I do feel like Erica tried her best to put what was best for the twins first (other than not revealing that she wasn't their true mother), and I do think she loved the boys. At the same time, I can understand Jason's anger when he finds out the truth--and not from Erica.
October 20, 2019
The Gift of Christmas. A sweet quick read from Debbie Macomber. Ashley and Cooper show readers what faith filled love is all about. At times I didn't like Cooper but you knew in the end they would end up together. Not much to say... sweet, holiday, love story to read, drink coffee with and relax!
Secret Christmas Twins was a good story too. Obviously you knew the ending within the first few pages but you had to read it to figure out exactly how it all pieced together. Erica was just doing what Kimmie wanted and it was good that the author allowed Jason to see that in the end. Both stories were religious based which was ok. Not too over powering but present.
Secret Christmas Twins was a good story too. Obviously you knew the ending within the first few pages but you had to read it to figure out exactly how it all pieced together. Erica was just doing what Kimmie wanted and it was good that the author allowed Jason to see that in the end. Both stories were religious based which was ok. Not too over powering but present.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2023
Ashley’s been holding a torch for Cooper for many years. He’s a little bit older, and he gave her a loan for school years ago. Now she’s in a position to repay him, and the feelings come back bigtime. They start spending more time together. However, I just didn’t see Cooper’s change of heart. Maybe he was holding back since he thought she was too young for him?
I liked the second book better. Despite Erica’s deception in keeping her twins’ parentage a secret, I found her romance with detective Jason to be more believable.
I liked the second book better. Despite Erica’s deception in keeping her twins’ parentage a secret, I found her romance with detective Jason to be more believable.
January 22, 2019
This book is absolutely heart felt. The character and plot development keep you engulfed throughout the novel that you don't even want to put the book down. I loved the author's pure description of every move, word, and action as it makes the reader feel every emotion. I was anxious to finish the book and I will definitely read another book by this author, this being my first. It's a great read and highly recommended.
January 1, 2022
I read the first story, which was by Debbie Macomber, and started the second one, which was not. I thought the second one was starting off kind of stupid and it wasn't grabbing my attention. I'm not sure why publishers do this ... put two stories by different authors in the same book. Are they trying to give a lesser known author a leg up?? I kind of wish they wouldn't. I wasn't that interested in the second story to keep going.
December 12, 2021
I enjoyed this Debbie Macomber book and would add it to my books I like to re-read every holiday. It was a sweet light romance with a great meaning.
The 2nd book I had previously read when it was a stand alone book and I didn't re-read it.
The Christmas Gift 5 out of 5 stars.
The Secret Christmas Twins 3 out of 5 stars.
The 2nd book I had previously read when it was a stand alone book and I didn't re-read it.
The Christmas Gift 5 out of 5 stars.
The Secret Christmas Twins 3 out of 5 stars.
December 10, 2023
I don't know what to think about this story. The characters don't seem very deep, and their romance seems awkward and weirdly controlling. I was very surprised that there was so much Christianity, because Debbie Macomber's books aren't usually. But the talk of God and faith was kind of unsettling next to passionate makeout sessions.
November 18, 2018
Such a wonderful Christmas book!
December 13, 2018
This is a great feel good Christmas story.
April 30, 2019
I give Debbie Macomber story "The Gift of Christmas" 3/5 stars and Lee Tobin McClain's "Secret Christmas Twins" a 4/5 stars. Both stories are good but Macomber's story felt to me a bit preachy.
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