The Unexpected Gift

Legacy of Love #3

by Irene Hannon

When city girl Morgan Williams arrived in Seaside, Maine, on Christmas Eve, to claim the cottage she'd inherited, she came face-to-face with the handsomest man she'd ever seen.

But looks weren't the only thing that Grant Kincaid had to offer. And when he enlisted Morgan's help to raise money for Good Shepherd Camp for troubled kids, she realized there were more important things in life than expensive cars and fancy clothes. Soon Morgan was yearning for a different life...one that included faith and a strong, steadfast Grant by her side.

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian, Contemporary, Christian Fiction, Christmas, Fiction

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers' Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers' Best, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unexpected Gift was a delightful read. The characters are well-developed, normal, interesting, sometimes humourous. The author has given us three very different characters as sisters who were all given a very unusual gift by their Aunt Jo when she passed away. This particular story is more about Morgan, the high-strung, fast-tracking business lady who is a workaholic and who doesn't have time for family or friends in her life. Is this really who she is, though, and will she be able to accept and meet the conditions of the will? When Grant enters her life, even more difficulty arises, as she tries to incorporate her fast-paced business life with the life of a quiet, small and serene community where her Aunt Jo's cottage was situated.

I really appreciated how well Irene Hannon wrote this story with surprises, sadness, motivation and love. It was 'an unexpected gift'. I loved this prayer that Ms. Hannon left for her readers at the end of the book. "As you journey on life's often winding path, may the Lord always be with you, guiding your steps. And, with trust in His abiding presence, may you, too, find the courage to follow your heart and to look toward tomorrow with hope and joy."

This is also my wish and prayer for all of you, my Goodreads family and friends, too.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan Williams is just your typical city girl, with the job she has she doesn't have much time to spend with her family, but when she inherits a cottage around Christmas time all that soon changes. From there she meets Grant, the part owner of the cottage she is taken aback by his kindness and his worry about her being alone on Christmas. She does find him a wee bit suspicious however, she isn't quite sure who Christine is or why he must visit her everyday but she doesn't want her suspicions to get in the way of her friendship. Cut back to Grant, his wife Christine has suffered a major head injury which left her brain dead now he must face the difficult decision to keep or take his wife off of life support. All that's left for Morgan to do now is to pray for Grant, that God will bring him comfort. As Grant and Morgan spend more time together Grant has been praying and asking God if its to soon to have feelings for another woman again. God soon has an answer for both Grant and Morgan and they seem very happy with the outcome. I found the book to be very inspiring and loved the message that with God all things are possible.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her aunt passes away, Morgan Williams arrives in Seaside, Maine on Christmas Eve to claim the cottage she'd inherited. She meets Grant who volunteers at Good Shepherd Camp, a camp for troubled kids, ones from broken and/or abusive homes, drug addicted, etc. 

Initially, Morgan is unhappy about having to be at Seaside. She is used to the  fast-paced city life style of Boston, fancy clothes, restaurants, & expensive cars. Things like Love, faith, and God had taken a back burner as she built her career. 

After spending more time with Grant, Morgan soon realizes there are far more important things in life than fancy clothes and expensive cars. She now wants a future that includes love, God, faith... and Grant. 

This was a very good read. I enjoy how Ms Hannon was able to take a hard-core ad executive and show a more human, soft side. Well done! 

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

Fast paced ad exec
Must stop and smell the roses
For inheritance

Third book in series
Nice deep look at characters
Less Christian focus

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When city girl Morgan Williams arrived in Seaside, Maine, on Christmas Eve, to claim the cottage she'd inherited, she came face-to-face with the handsomest man she'd ever seen.

But looks weren't the only thing that Grant Kincaid had to offer. And when he enlisted Morgan's help to raise money for Good Shepherd Camp for troubled kids, she realized there were more important things in life than expensive cars and fancy clothes. Soon Morgan was yearning for a different life...one that included faith and a strong, steadfast Grant by her side.

My comments:

This is the third book in the sisters and Brides series and it's the final sister Morgan's story. This one had me chuckling a lot especially at the beginning as some of the bantering between Morgan and Grant was very funny. This one was my favourite of the 3 as Morgan had the biggest changes to make in regards to her thoughts and priorities in life.

I loved Grant from the start he had solid values and the touching scenes where he was committed to his wife despite the situation was so touching and I have to say the scenes featuring them were so lovely how he never gave up hope. I felt the emotion while listening and found myself loving Grant even more. Throughout the book Morgan grew and evolved as a character and it was lovely to see her start to see the benefet of not always being adickted to work. This series was wonderful.

Overall series rating 15 out of 15 stars. I always love Irene Hannan's books and I am always regularly checking on Audible what's coming next from this author.

[Charline Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan ❤️ Grant

Crying time! Get the tissues! What an ending! But the beginning was not so great for this accomplished, professional advertising woman who couldn’t believe her Aunt Jo would do this to her sisters and herself. To claim her inheritance (1/2 of the Seaside cottage) she had to go to some backwater town in Maine, stay 4 weeks, help the Good Shepherd Camp with advertising and sit at each board meeting…for 6 months! Both her sisters had similar 6 month stints of sharing the inheritance with someone else. And then she met Grant. This is probably the best of the three stories but make sure you read the other two. Happy ending, happy ending, happy ending!!!

[Zenobia N Jefferson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very touching End

I learned that people care very little for facts and more of what you know or believe about those facts; you have to reconcile to your past before you can step into your future; and you have to get your priorities straight before you can enter into a relationship.

[Anna McFadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Morgan Williams's Aunt Jo dies and leaves her co-owner of a cottage in Seaside, Maine, she goes there to on Christmas Eve, to claim the cottage , she meets co-owner Grant Kincaid. Mogan don't have time to deal with the clause in the will of owning the cottage for 6 months plus live in it gor 4 weeks.

Morgan and Grant are as different as day and night.....or are they?

[Gerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was not as a good as the first two books. Morgan was la da da for quite sometime which for me was a turn off. She was rude to Grant (who was too good for her) because she didn't have time for the average Joe. Her career was all she had going for her until she lost it.

The relationship from beginning to the point of "I love you" was awfully quick.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely finale to the series. Morgan and Grant’s path to forever was a bit bumpy, but they both learned much about faith, love and family. Morgan needed these lessons more than Grant. This entire series was inspiring. It is always nice to see faith be the underpinning to life. Recommend this series.

[Piedad Botero · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC AND ENTHRALLING!

Thank you for this beautiful collection of romantic 🥰 books. I absolutely LOVED them! Not only are they page-turners, but also full of complex characters that we love, admire, and learn from! Thank you and bless you for writing such lovely, clean books that leave such clean feelings in our hearts and souls.

[book snob (and proud of it, babe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Keep an open heart
-Don't live for materialistic things
-Prioritize love, family, and friends
-Don't love fear stop you from living
And the most important:
-Trust and love God. He knows what's best for you.

This is another lovely story that wraps up Sisters & Brides. Read and be happy.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It pulled me in and held my attention. I really felt what the characters were feeling. I highly recommend this book!

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan and Grant's story a sister in the sister and Brides series. I will now need to read the other sister's stories. this was an ebook from the library.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for Irene Hannon fans!

[Sonnetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book in the series I read and I enjoyed it. Readers will understand the struggles of both Morgan and Grant. Sometimes God has to interveneto get our attention.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the reminder that in all things, it is God's timing, not yours!

[Jess H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had some emotional moments, like the prayers scattered throughout this book.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, predictable, and a brief respite into a fairy tale

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great listen on audiobook. Clean Christian romance.

[Karen Crockford · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. The first two stories were better, it went from: I’ve seen my errors to I love you and let’s get married in lightning speed. It felt kind of rushed towards the end.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the 3 books in the series, this 3rd 1 was my least favorite. The storyline didn't hook me and was way too tragic early on with grant's wife.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read with realistic characters and situations.
Morgan was a a big city lady working day and night to be successful--until a take over of the company left her unemployed. She had inherited a lovely cottage on the sea where she retreated to.
Grant was still mourning the death of his wife tho she had been in a coma for 3 years when she finally died.
things did not start out well for these two, but over time and Morgan's help with the Good Shepherd Camp, Morgan realized there were more important things in life than working constantly and expensive "toys".
With the help of his pastor and his dad's wise advise, Grant finally realized he had to put the past to rest and get on with the future-one he wanted Morgan to be a part of.
Story was well done and compassionate.


second reading: just as good and interesting as the first time thru!

[Jamey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morgan was so used to living on the fast track that she couldn't help but resent her deceased great aunt when her will was read. In order to gain her inheritance of a cottage by the sea, Morgan needed to spend 4 weeks there, and volunteer on the board of a teen camp in the span of a six month period. The cottage was to be co-owned by the recently widowed Grant, and the two couldn't help but butt heads as they tried to work through the stipulations in the will. This book emphasizes full reliance on God, and the importance of faith and family. The characters learn how to let go, make faith-filled decisions, and sacrifice worldy desires for things that last. "The Unexpected Gift" is a simple, feel-good book with a positive message that doesn't take a lot of brain power to read.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, that's what I have to say about this book. This book was one of a kind. Definitely a tearjerker early in the book. Not a book I'd recommend for a light read. The story line is definitely one of a kind.
I only gave it 4 stars because I was a little disappointed with how quickly it wrapped up. I also thought the epilogue wrapping up the series was overly sappy.
Overall this is a great book and one I would read again.

[Jan Mcleod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about loss, second chances,grief, priorities, faith, family, love, and a legacy that changed lives. It is a very good novel, well written, and has characters and conflicts easily recognizable.
Morgan was a work-alcoholic until she was forced to go to Serenity Point where she encounters the values that really matter and that she has missed because of her goals.
The epilogue was a bit questionable because of prior details that had not been given, but still a very good story.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this conclusion to Hannon's Legacy of Love series. I recommend reading them in order if possible, but you can enjoy this one by itself. I've never yet been to Maine, but the descriptions made it sound quite enticing (except for the snow storms and ice). The characters are well drawn, and the story kept me reading.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the will of an elderly great-aunt, three great-nieces were given a portion of her estate with stipulations attached. Meeting these stipulations, over a period of six month, resulted in a surprising end to this love-inspired, quick-read story.

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morgan's aunt left her 1/2 interest of a cottage in Maine and she must live there for four weeks. This busy marketing executive thinks she can work in helping a charity but living there will not work...until she loses her job and finds so much more.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book.