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Gifts
TWELVE PEOPLE...
TWELVE GIFTS...
ONE CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER...
Maddy runs the bookshop on Market Square. She's struggling to choose a gift (a watch? a wine subscription? a weekend bag? all too much?) for her old school friend Peter, who's just moved back from London following a messy divorce.
Peter doesn't have a clue what to get for his teenage daughter Chloe - furious with her mother, she's decided to up sticks and move to Kent with him, but he worries that he really doesn't know her at all.
Chloe wants to buy something special for her grandmother Irene, who lives alone on the other side of town.
Irene doesn't get out much these days, but she'd really like to find the right gift for Alina, who's so much more than a carer, really - always stops to chat for a bit, have a cup of tea, even if it makes her late.
And Alina, meanwhile, has her eye on something for...
From the no. 1 bestselling author of The Versions of Us comes a novel about how wonderful and sad and difficult and happy and strange Christmas can be. Stories to inspire, move and comfort.
TWELVE GIFTS...
ONE CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER...
Maddy runs the bookshop on Market Square. She's struggling to choose a gift (a watch? a wine subscription? a weekend bag? all too much?) for her old school friend Peter, who's just moved back from London following a messy divorce.
Peter doesn't have a clue what to get for his teenage daughter Chloe - furious with her mother, she's decided to up sticks and move to Kent with him, but he worries that he really doesn't know her at all.
Chloe wants to buy something special for her grandmother Irene, who lives alone on the other side of town.
Irene doesn't get out much these days, but she'd really like to find the right gift for Alina, who's so much more than a carer, really - always stops to chat for a bit, have a cup of tea, even if it makes her late.
And Alina, meanwhile, has her eye on something for...
From the no. 1 bestselling author of The Versions of Us comes a novel about how wonderful and sad and difficult and happy and strange Christmas can be. Stories to inspire, move and comfort.
308 pages, ebook
First published November 11, 2021
62 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
About the author
Laura Barnett
6 books309 followersLaura Barnett is a writer, journalist and theatre critic. She has been on staff at the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph, and is now a freelance arts journalist and features writer, working for the Guardian, the Observer and Time Out, as well as several other national newspapers and magazines.
Laura was born in 1982 in south London, where she now lives with her husband. She studied Spanish and Italian at Cambridge University, and newspaper journalism at City University, London. Her first non-fiction book, Advice from the Players - a compendium of advice for actors - is published by Nick Hern Books. Laura has previously published short stories, for which she has won several awards. The Versions of Us is her first novel.
Laura was born in 1982 in south London, where she now lives with her husband. She studied Spanish and Italian at Cambridge University, and newspaper journalism at City University, London. Her first non-fiction book, Advice from the Players - a compendium of advice for actors - is published by Nick Hern Books. Laura has previously published short stories, for which she has won several awards. The Versions of Us is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
November 18, 2021
In a Nutshell: It didn’t work for me the way I thought it would. But yes, it might work well for the right type of reader. There is a certain beauty to this unusual Christmas book.
Story:
The blurb gives you a big clue about how the stories proceed. Taking the names from the blurb so as to avoid spoilers, Maddy is pondering over a gift to her friend Peter in story 1, Peter is wondering what to get his daughter Chloe in story 2, Chloe is debating over the right gift for her grandma Irene in story 3, Irene is…. And so on and so forth until the whole circle is completed with the last person planning a gift for Maddy.
The stories don't work like Fibonacci numbers where each one adds onto the earlier story and reaches a higher collaborative structure. Rather, they are like pinpointed destinations on a journey that is circular in its route. With each pit stop, you feel like you are getting further and further away from your starting point but soon, you see the connection between where you started, where you are, and where you are going. On a round journey, the place of origin is the same as the final destination. And that’s exactly what happens. The book begins and ends with Maddy.
Where the book worked for me:
✔ The book is set in the aftermath of the covid pandemic but this dreary topic isn’t the prime focus of any of the stories. It shows a realistic impact of the lockdown on families, and how some families came together while others drifted apart during the forced isolation.
✔ The stories are set in the fictional town of Lenbourne (supposedly in the UK), but could be imagined in any small-town setting where people know each other and actually interact with each other rather than depending on technology alone for communication. It highlighted the values of personal relationships, and how everyone carries so much of heartbreak in them, whether they show it or not.
✔ The relationships are quite varied and not necessarily from within the family. This adds a nice diversity to the stories as there are siblings, parents, grandparents, friends, and even a patient-caregiver pair.
✔ It’s a very different kind of Christmas book as the themes are heavier and sadder than a typical Christmas read. But as in every Christmassy story, there is hope and redemption.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
⚠ The way the writer has brought the stories a full circle and connected the myriad characters is worthy of mention. Unfortunately, this didn’t really click for me because by the time I got to know and love a character, their turn in the book was over and the narrative moved on to the next person. So I felt like I couldn’t form a deeper connection with any of the characters and I really wanted to know some of them more.
⚠ There are too many characters too soon at the start. Knowing who is who took me a lot of time. And this was important to remember because as I said, the last story links back to the first one to complete the circle. But by the time I reached the final tale, I forgot the characters in the initial ones. There were simply too many names to remember!
⚠ The pace was too slow and the stories too meandering for my liking. (It took me 6 days to complete this little book. I kept tuning out. )
⚠ I suppose it will work better for those who ponder for hours over the “perfect” gift for Christmas as they know the value of getting/buying the right gift. I’m a birthday gift giver and Christmas holds more of a religious than a commercial sentiment for me. So to see a Christmas story where the MAIN concern people have is buying the right gifts is not really my cup of tea.
All in all, this book will work for a reader who is looking for a different take on Christmas. Add to it that this is set in the Christmas of 2021, the first Christmas after the global pandemic where the world is tottering its way back to normalcy, so it is a bittersweet-cum-nostalgic kind of read.
My thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of “Gifts”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
You could say that this is a collection of twelve stories. But the tales and the characters are interconnected and the overall effect is more like reading a set of novellas than an anthology of independent stories. There are twelve people whose 3rd person perspective helps bring each story to us. In every narrative, the person is pondering over the right gift to buy for someone else. This is revealed with a great deal of background, past heartaches, present worries, and hopeful thoughts for a better future.
The blurb gives you a big clue about how the stories proceed. Taking the names from the blurb so as to avoid spoilers, Maddy is pondering over a gift to her friend Peter in story 1, Peter is wondering what to get his daughter Chloe in story 2, Chloe is debating over the right gift for her grandma Irene in story 3, Irene is…. And so on and so forth until the whole circle is completed with the last person planning a gift for Maddy.
The stories don't work like Fibonacci numbers where each one adds onto the earlier story and reaches a higher collaborative structure. Rather, they are like pinpointed destinations on a journey that is circular in its route. With each pit stop, you feel like you are getting further and further away from your starting point but soon, you see the connection between where you started, where you are, and where you are going. On a round journey, the place of origin is the same as the final destination. And that’s exactly what happens. The book begins and ends with Maddy.
Where the book worked for me:
✔ The book is set in the aftermath of the covid pandemic but this dreary topic isn’t the prime focus of any of the stories. It shows a realistic impact of the lockdown on families, and how some families came together while others drifted apart during the forced isolation.
✔ The stories are set in the fictional town of Lenbourne (supposedly in the UK), but could be imagined in any small-town setting where people know each other and actually interact with each other rather than depending on technology alone for communication. It highlighted the values of personal relationships, and how everyone carries so much of heartbreak in them, whether they show it or not.
✔ The relationships are quite varied and not necessarily from within the family. This adds a nice diversity to the stories as there are siblings, parents, grandparents, friends, and even a patient-caregiver pair.
✔ It’s a very different kind of Christmas book as the themes are heavier and sadder than a typical Christmas read. But as in every Christmassy story, there is hope and redemption.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
⚠ The way the writer has brought the stories a full circle and connected the myriad characters is worthy of mention. Unfortunately, this didn’t really click for me because by the time I got to know and love a character, their turn in the book was over and the narrative moved on to the next person. So I felt like I couldn’t form a deeper connection with any of the characters and I really wanted to know some of them more.
⚠ There are too many characters too soon at the start. Knowing who is who took me a lot of time. And this was important to remember because as I said, the last story links back to the first one to complete the circle. But by the time I reached the final tale, I forgot the characters in the initial ones. There were simply too many names to remember!
⚠ The pace was too slow and the stories too meandering for my liking. (It took me 6 days to complete this little book. I kept tuning out. )
⚠ I suppose it will work better for those who ponder for hours over the “perfect” gift for Christmas as they know the value of getting/buying the right gift. I’m a birthday gift giver and Christmas holds more of a religious than a commercial sentiment for me. So to see a Christmas story where the MAIN concern people have is buying the right gifts is not really my cup of tea.
All in all, this book will work for a reader who is looking for a different take on Christmas. Add to it that this is set in the Christmas of 2021, the first Christmas after the global pandemic where the world is tottering its way back to normalcy, so it is a bittersweet-cum-nostalgic kind of read.
My thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of “Gifts”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
December 24, 2022
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This was a wonderful collection of 12 short stories about selecting the perfect gift loved one, the difference with this collection is that everyone knows each other they are all connected in some way, big and small.
I loved these stories, they were sentimental without being saccharine and were about the true meaning of Christmas. Gifts aren't the be all end all of Christmas but when someone puts a lot of thought into something they gift you it means a lot. I was reminded of this the other day with this cartoon and gift my now 33 year old son gave me almost thirty years ago. As the saying goes, it is the thought that counts.
As far as I am concerned these stories were a gift. They were a mix of feelings, some happy and others sad. But they all were festive and real and I adored them and I think you will too. Happy holidays everyone!
This was a wonderful collection of 12 short stories about selecting the perfect gift loved one, the difference with this collection is that everyone knows each other they are all connected in some way, big and small.
I loved these stories, they were sentimental without being saccharine and were about the true meaning of Christmas. Gifts aren't the be all end all of Christmas but when someone puts a lot of thought into something they gift you it means a lot. I was reminded of this the other day with this cartoon and gift my now 33 year old son gave me almost thirty years ago. As the saying goes, it is the thought that counts.
As far as I am concerned these stories were a gift. They were a mix of feelings, some happy and others sad. But they all were festive and real and I adored them and I think you will too. Happy holidays everyone!
December 26, 2022
This book was indeed given to me as a Christmas gift, so it would have been rude not to have read it over the festive season.
I'm not familiar with the author or would have picked this book up myself, but overall I did enjoy it for what it is.
The narrative consists of 12 various stories that are loosely connected as the reader follows a character deciding on a present for someone close to them in a sort of a chain.
The author isn't afraid to touch on some of the darker subjects whilst also referencing the pandemic.
Overall its a nice slice of like with each of the Twelve stories short enough to be enjoyed in doses over a somewhat hectic time...
I'm not familiar with the author or would have picked this book up myself, but overall I did enjoy it for what it is.
The narrative consists of 12 various stories that are loosely connected as the reader follows a character deciding on a present for someone close to them in a sort of a chain.
The author isn't afraid to touch on some of the darker subjects whilst also referencing the pandemic.
Overall its a nice slice of like with each of the Twelve stories short enough to be enjoyed in doses over a somewhat hectic time...
December 17, 2021
I often turn to English Christmas books because almost all American Christmas books are schmaltzy romances or silly cozy mysteries. This is a story set in an English town that features a wide array of characters. In the beginning of reading this book, it took some time to sort out all of the various characters. The premise is the difficulties various characters have finding and deciding on Christmas gifts for special people in their lives. But it is more than that. It is about financial success, and lives that have been sidetracked and nearly ruined by poor choices. It is about people who treasure their spouses, partners, children and those who don't.
I enjoyed this book and found it a gentle and sometimes poignant read. 3.5 stars rounded up because it is a great option for Christmas reading.
I enjoyed this book and found it a gentle and sometimes poignant read. 3.5 stars rounded up because it is a great option for Christmas reading.
December 21, 2022
What a lovely festive audiobook to listen to!
December 3, 2021
I've read and enjoyed Laura Barnett's two previous novels, and whilst I don't read many Christmas themed books usually, I was drawn to this one by the cover, and the blurb.
I loved this story! I read it in one day, snuggled on the settee as the wind and rain raged outside. It's just under 200 pages in the hardback version and reads like a dream.
Gifts is set now, in our current times and the characters are looking forward to a normal Christmas after the horrors of lock-downs and isolation. Barnett doesn't go into detail about COVID and the restrictions and if you are not keen on reading about the pandemic in fiction, please don't worry, these are fleeting mentions that just emphasis how much a normal holiday time is wished for.
Twelve different characters, all looking for the ideal Christmas gift for someone. Whilst each character's portion of the story is fairly short, the author really brings them to life, and as the reader gets further into the story, the links between some of the characters begin to appear.
Most readers will see something of themselves, or their lives within this story. Failed relationships, emerging friendships, elderly parents, difficult families; they are all there and all perfectly and precisely presented.
Gifts is a glorious read, perfect for the time of year. It is not too sweet, or mawkish, or sentimental. It's down to earth and beautifully written. I really enjoyed this and recommend it highly
I loved this story! I read it in one day, snuggled on the settee as the wind and rain raged outside. It's just under 200 pages in the hardback version and reads like a dream.
Gifts is set now, in our current times and the characters are looking forward to a normal Christmas after the horrors of lock-downs and isolation. Barnett doesn't go into detail about COVID and the restrictions and if you are not keen on reading about the pandemic in fiction, please don't worry, these are fleeting mentions that just emphasis how much a normal holiday time is wished for.
Twelve different characters, all looking for the ideal Christmas gift for someone. Whilst each character's portion of the story is fairly short, the author really brings them to life, and as the reader gets further into the story, the links between some of the characters begin to appear.
Most readers will see something of themselves, or their lives within this story. Failed relationships, emerging friendships, elderly parents, difficult families; they are all there and all perfectly and precisely presented.
Gifts is a glorious read, perfect for the time of year. It is not too sweet, or mawkish, or sentimental. It's down to earth and beautifully written. I really enjoyed this and recommend it highly
January 8, 2026
This is an absolutely gorgeous Christmas read. Lots of short stories that link up and are all neatly tied together in a Christmas ribbon. I started to read one or two but then by story three or four, I couldn't put the rest down and read it in one sitting. A lovely blend of happy, funny, sad, poignant and a real mix of truly thought out characters, Highly, highly, recommend.
December 28, 2023
3,5 ⭐️
December 11, 2021
Festive, comfort reading. Perfect for this time of year! 🎄
December 26, 2024
Un libro alla “Love Actually”, ma più triste. 😅
Dodici racconti in cui dodici persone pensano ad un regalo che vorrebbero fare ad un’altra persona, che diventa poi la protagonista della storia successiva.
Mi sarebbe piaciuto un finale corale, in cui si riuniscono tutti i personaggi.
Dodici racconti in cui dodici persone pensano ad un regalo che vorrebbero fare ad un’altra persona, che diventa poi la protagonista della storia successiva.
Mi sarebbe piaciuto un finale corale, in cui si riuniscono tutti i personaggi.
November 22, 2024
Sorry to the author but I didnt really like the writing style and set up of the book. It was very confusing going from one story to the other. Lots of names and unfinished storylines. I dont recommend putting the book away for a day because you will have no idea where you are because of the constant switching and different names and storylines.
Wouldnt recommend this book to be honest.
Wouldnt recommend this book to be honest.
October 28, 2021
'Gifts' is a charming collection of twelve linked short stories about the choosing and giving of gifts to people who are important to us. The recipient of one story becomes the giver in the next, so in this paper-chain of stories, we build up a rounded sense of each character and the relationships that define them.
Barnett explores a range of different relationships through this medium. Many are within families - husband and wife, brother and sister, father and daughter, granddaughter and grandmother - but we also have patient and carer, godmother and goddaughter, and old school friends. During these stories, Barnett reflects on what gifts mean and the difficulty of choosing the right gift for people who matter to us, something to which most readers will be able to relate.
The stories are sweet and occasionally sentimental without being saccharine - many of them occur against a backdrop of heartbreak, hardship and regret, and there is an acknowledgement of the loss and separation caused by the pandemic. But there is generally something redemptive about the exchanging of gifts and the acknowledgement of what - and who - we really value in life.
This is a lovely, cosy Christmas read which would make an excellent stocking-filler. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review!
Barnett explores a range of different relationships through this medium. Many are within families - husband and wife, brother and sister, father and daughter, granddaughter and grandmother - but we also have patient and carer, godmother and goddaughter, and old school friends. During these stories, Barnett reflects on what gifts mean and the difficulty of choosing the right gift for people who matter to us, something to which most readers will be able to relate.
The stories are sweet and occasionally sentimental without being saccharine - many of them occur against a backdrop of heartbreak, hardship and regret, and there is an acknowledgement of the loss and separation caused by the pandemic. But there is generally something redemptive about the exchanging of gifts and the acknowledgement of what - and who - we really value in life.
This is a lovely, cosy Christmas read which would make an excellent stocking-filler. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review!
December 3, 2022
CAWPILE 6.29
First Christmas read of 2022.
Charity shop bargain.
A series of 12 short stories with connecting characters, a real taste of modern complicated life post pandemic as they all try to reconnect and gift the 'perfect' gifts.
I really enjoyed the writing but I'm not a huge fan of short story collections unless it's in a series where I'm really familiar with the characters and the world. I loved the diversity of characters, it felt very inclusive.
I would read more from Laura Barnett in the future if something interested me.
First Christmas read of 2022.
Charity shop bargain.
A series of 12 short stories with connecting characters, a real taste of modern complicated life post pandemic as they all try to reconnect and gift the 'perfect' gifts.
I really enjoyed the writing but I'm not a huge fan of short story collections unless it's in a series where I'm really familiar with the characters and the world. I loved the diversity of characters, it felt very inclusive.
I would read more from Laura Barnett in the future if something interested me.
February 19, 2022
I seemed to miss the whole point of the story, it had no direction or purpose and just ended. There was too many characters (12). Despite this it was well written in the aspect of character building and linking all the characters together, but there just wasn't that one big link up at the end, it just ended which I was disappointed with as there were several things just left.
December 22, 2022
3 / 5 stars
This book done exactly what I imagined it would do. It was a nice easy, enjoyable read. Nothing ground breaking or particularly up my street and the ending seemed very abrupt but it was still enjoyable.
This book done exactly what I imagined it would do. It was a nice easy, enjoyable read. Nothing ground breaking or particularly up my street and the ending seemed very abrupt but it was still enjoyable.
November 23, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
💬 “She thought about how much they needed this, all of them, even those, like her, who drew from it no religious resonance; this homespun, patched-together festival. Gifts given, gifts received. Love offered, love mourned. The comfort of ritual. A pause. A drawn breath. A moment of stillness in the world’s ongoing spin.”
💭 Gifts was an unusual little Christmas read with some elements I enjoyed and others I didn’t, so overall it was just okay.
Gifts, as both the name and the blurb tell us, is about buying, choosing, and giving Christmas gifts. Rather than being one story per se, the book is comprised of many short stories with some crossover in characters and all set in the same small town. Taking the names from the blurb so as to avoid spoilers, Maddy is pondering over a gift to her friend Peter in story 1, Peter is wondering what to get his daughter Chloe in story 2, Chloe is debating over the right gift for her grandma Irene in story 3, Irene is… You get the gist.
After a few chapters, I was expecting the stories to loop back round so we’d see the giving of the gifts or using the gifts or just SOMETHING other than what became, for me, and incredibly repetitive structure. Don’t get me wrong, some of the characters had interesting back stories, but these felt underdeveloped and there was just SO many of them due to the structural nature of the book.
However, I did enjoy some aspects of Gifts. The relationships explored were quite varied which did give some unique angles and, although not what I was expecting, some of the heavier themes were an interesting addition to a Christmas novel.
Overall, this one might work for you or it might not, but for me, it was a very mixed bag.
💬 “She thought about how much they needed this, all of them, even those, like her, who drew from it no religious resonance; this homespun, patched-together festival. Gifts given, gifts received. Love offered, love mourned. The comfort of ritual. A pause. A drawn breath. A moment of stillness in the world’s ongoing spin.”
💭 Gifts was an unusual little Christmas read with some elements I enjoyed and others I didn’t, so overall it was just okay.
Gifts, as both the name and the blurb tell us, is about buying, choosing, and giving Christmas gifts. Rather than being one story per se, the book is comprised of many short stories with some crossover in characters and all set in the same small town. Taking the names from the blurb so as to avoid spoilers, Maddy is pondering over a gift to her friend Peter in story 1, Peter is wondering what to get his daughter Chloe in story 2, Chloe is debating over the right gift for her grandma Irene in story 3, Irene is… You get the gist.
After a few chapters, I was expecting the stories to loop back round so we’d see the giving of the gifts or using the gifts or just SOMETHING other than what became, for me, and incredibly repetitive structure. Don’t get me wrong, some of the characters had interesting back stories, but these felt underdeveloped and there was just SO many of them due to the structural nature of the book.
However, I did enjoy some aspects of Gifts. The relationships explored were quite varied which did give some unique angles and, although not what I was expecting, some of the heavier themes were an interesting addition to a Christmas novel.
Overall, this one might work for you or it might not, but for me, it was a very mixed bag.
January 8, 2023
Gifts was a lovely book to read, especially during this time of year. I had been looking for holiday-themed novels when I came across this book, and it didn't disappoint. The author adds so much dimension to her characters, and each of the chapters can stand alone as a short story. However, the best part is that all the characters are interconnected in some way, and it's a poignant reminder of how small the world is sometimes and that our actions, regardless of how insignificant they may seem, can really make a difference in someone's life. Christmas often becomes overshadowed by sheer consumerism which completely undermines why you would want to give someone a gift in the first place. Thankfully, all the characters who are highlighted in this book don't feel obliged to buy Christmas presents. Instead, the gifts they choose for special people in their lives reflect sincere thoughtfulness and love which is what this season should be all about. Sometimes the simplest of gifts mean the most, and kudos to the author for reminding us of this valuable lesson.
December 6, 2021
"She thought about how much they needed this, all of them, even those, like her, who drew from it no religious resonance; this homespun, patched-together festival.
Gifts given, gifts received. Love offered, love mourned. The comfort of ritual. A pause. A drawn breath. A moment of stillness in the world’s ongoing spin."
It is a proper Christmas read, a celebration of every kind of relation, one can observe over the span of these characters. All these characters want to make someone's Christmas special but they can't find a gift that can express their gratitude to that person, the perfect gift.
Maddy wants to gift something to Peter, someone she likes, Peter wishes to gift something to his daughter, Chloe, who is going through a tough time, Chloe wants a gift for Irene, her grandmother whom she loves the most, Irene, likes her caretaker Alina and finds a gift for her, Alina wants to find a gift for her sister, Daniella, who has supported her through thick and thin, Daniella needs to find a gift for her husband, Eddy, someone who has always been by her side and loved her dearly, Eddy wants to gift something to Jack, his friend, who has suffered enough in his life, Jack wishes to make a perfect gift for the girl he likes, Lizzy, who patiently heard his story, whom he doesn't deserve but with whom even friendship will be enough, Lizzy, wants to find a gift for her godmother, Della, who has always been like family, Della wishes to gift something special to her lover, Robert, who has been with her for the past 30 years but instead of matrimony preferred to choose to be with her everyday, Robert forgot to buy a gift for his sister, Fran, and Fran, who wants to give a gift to her friend Maddy.
It's a short, nice read, and it holds so many relation dynamics. I liked this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC
Gifts given, gifts received. Love offered, love mourned. The comfort of ritual. A pause. A drawn breath. A moment of stillness in the world’s ongoing spin."
It is a proper Christmas read, a celebration of every kind of relation, one can observe over the span of these characters. All these characters want to make someone's Christmas special but they can't find a gift that can express their gratitude to that person, the perfect gift.
Maddy wants to gift something to Peter, someone she likes, Peter wishes to gift something to his daughter, Chloe, who is going through a tough time, Chloe wants a gift for Irene, her grandmother whom she loves the most, Irene, likes her caretaker Alina and finds a gift for her, Alina wants to find a gift for her sister, Daniella, who has supported her through thick and thin, Daniella needs to find a gift for her husband, Eddy, someone who has always been by her side and loved her dearly, Eddy wants to gift something to Jack, his friend, who has suffered enough in his life, Jack wishes to make a perfect gift for the girl he likes, Lizzy, who patiently heard his story, whom he doesn't deserve but with whom even friendship will be enough, Lizzy, wants to find a gift for her godmother, Della, who has always been like family, Della wishes to gift something special to her lover, Robert, who has been with her for the past 30 years but instead of matrimony preferred to choose to be with her everyday, Robert forgot to buy a gift for his sister, Fran, and Fran, who wants to give a gift to her friend Maddy.
It's a short, nice read, and it holds so many relation dynamics. I liked this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC
January 3, 2024
This books tells the story of twelve people who are each looking for a Christmas gift for someone specific. Each chapter is its own mini story but all of the characters are intrinsically linked.
The book was a fresh approach which I really liked, although at the end of each chapter, I found myself wanting to learn more about that character. I also liked the way in which the final chapter came full circle with the characters.
The only thing that I didn’t really like about the book was the ending, which seemed somewhat abrupt. I would like to have maybe read an additional chapter or possibly an ‘epilogue’…
I didn’t feel that this book was particularly festive and I could easily have read it at any time of the year. But that having been said, I did enjoy it.
The book was a fresh approach which I really liked, although at the end of each chapter, I found myself wanting to learn more about that character. I also liked the way in which the final chapter came full circle with the characters.
The only thing that I didn’t really like about the book was the ending, which seemed somewhat abrupt. I would like to have maybe read an additional chapter or possibly an ‘epilogue’…
I didn’t feel that this book was particularly festive and I could easily have read it at any time of the year. But that having been said, I did enjoy it.
December 7, 2023
'Gifts' tells the story of twelve individuals and follows who they are each looking to buy Xmas presents for. The way it is written is quite unique as it follows the characters in a sort of chain. The downside to this, though, is that we aren't given enough time to get to know each character. Each story is a bit rushed. Because of this, I struggled to care about any of them; it was also confusing to have so many different names to follow. The ending was abrupt, too. It felt like the author had a deadline, so just finished it there and then!
Overall, it was quite an easy, festive read, but I wouldn't search for anything more by this author personally.
Overall, it was quite an easy, festive read, but I wouldn't search for anything more by this author personally.
December 18, 2021
From the gorgeously festive front cover to the 12 interlinked stories contained therein, this is the perfect Christmas read. The first chapter follows Maddy - owner of a bookshop in a small Kent market town - as she puzzles over what to give her friend (maybe more?) Peter for Christmas. The next jumps to Peter, thinking about what his teenage daughter, Chloe, would like, before passing the narrative baton to Chloe... and you get the idea. Each person's story sits within the former, like nesting dolls, in such a way that is somehow extremely satisfying to read. And each has elements of bittersweet reflection - perfect for the Christmas season.
December 9, 2021
Nice and comforting festive read, which explores the lives and relationships of the characters through their eyes and those of their gift-givers. Set at Christmas just after the pandemic - it can hit hard with some of the flashbacks of last year, but doesn't revolve around this and is set in a time where it's just on the periphery which allows a little escape from our current situation. Lots of inspiring characters and sweet relationships.
December 30, 2021
This is a collection interlinked by the characters set at Christmastime which helped to get me in the mood for the celebrations.
Maddy runs the bookshop but it struggling to find the perfect gift for a friend whilst Peter is struggling on how to show how much his daughter Chloe means to him. Through their search for the perfect gift we meet the characters and those they are linked with.
I am a fan of interlinked storytelling and this was a perfect example of the genre.
Maddy runs the bookshop but it struggling to find the perfect gift for a friend whilst Peter is struggling on how to show how much his daughter Chloe means to him. Through their search for the perfect gift we meet the characters and those they are linked with.
I am a fan of interlinked storytelling and this was a perfect example of the genre.
December 17, 2024
Olvasás közben eszembe jutottak a régi élmenyeim karácsonykor, hogy mindig lázasan készültünk, gondolkodtunk kinek mit is adhatnánk ajándékba ❤️
Azt gondolom én is, hogy a legnagyobb ajándék ma az együtt töltött idő, a szeretet ❤️
Az ajándékozás hagyománya számomra fontos, és minden évben most is lázasan készülődök az ünnepekre, keresem a megfelelő ajándékokat 🥰
Jól esett olvasás közben nosztalgiázni 🥰
Azt gondolom én is, hogy a legnagyobb ajándék ma az együtt töltött idő, a szeretet ❤️
Az ajándékozás hagyománya számomra fontos, és minden évben most is lázasan készülődök az ünnepekre, keresem a megfelelő ajándékokat 🥰
Jól esett olvasás közben nosztalgiázni 🥰
December 25, 2024
Het concept van het boek is leuk: gelinkte korte verhalen, waarin steeds de hoofdpersoon op zoek is naar een kerstcadeau voor iemand anders, die dan vervolgens de hoofdpersoon in het volgende verhaal is. Jammer genoeg waren niet alle personages en verhaallijnen even interessant, terwijl ik over andere juist wel wat meer had willen weten. Al met al een beetje vlak.
December 16, 2021
I enjoyed this book and liked the different stories that were involved, however I felt like the ending of the story was rushed, I was just casually reading and turned the page to carry on and it just ended, just like that when, I felt, like there was still a lot of story left
December 30, 2021
A festive read about 12 people all interlinked giving presents .Some stories very good ,others average .An easy festive read but not one I would recommend any other time of year .
January 29, 2023
Beautiful.
November 29, 2023
Gentle story, enjoyable but didn't really go anywhere
December 19, 2024
wholesome little Christmas read
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