The Gift by Freida McFadden
on December 4, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Thrillers / General
Pages: 47
Format: Audiobook
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If you’re looking for a quick, twisty story to squeeze in before the end of the year, The Gift by Freida McFadden makes for a dark little holiday detour. Inspired by O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, this short story takes the familiar tale of sacrifice and love and spins it into something much more unsettling—very much in Freida fashion.
The Story
It’s Christmas Eve, and Stella Hansen is broke. She’s newly married, juggling two jobs, and still struggling to buy her husband the perfect gift for their first Christmas together. When a strange, grumpy woman at a pawn shop offers her an unusual trade, Stella jumps at the chance to give her husband what he’s always wanted.
But this story isn’t about warm holiday miracles—it’s about what happens when desperation and deception meet. Every choice comes with a price, and by the end, someone’s definitely paying for it.
My Thoughts
I listened to The Gift on audio, and at under an hour, it’s a super quick read that’s easy to fit in between longer books. Alyson Krawchuk’s narration gives the story an extra edge of tension, perfectly matching Freida McFadden’s unsettling tone.
What starts as a simple Christmas story quickly twists into something darker. It’s a moral tale of sorts—about greed, manipulation, and the way bad decisions have a way of snowballing. I liked the eerie atmosphere and the clever nod to The Gift of the Magi, but it didn’t pack quite the punch I was hoping for. I enjoyed it, but it felt more like a fun little bonus story than one that sticks with you afterward.
Final Thoughts
The Gift is a fast, entertaining listen that blends holiday themes with a chilling twist. It’s perfect if you want something suspenseful but not too heavy, and it’s a great way to sneak in one more read before the year ends. It’s not my favorite Freida McFadden, but it’s still worth a listen for fans who enjoy her signature “be careful what you wish for” storytelling.
(3.5/5)
Read this if you like:
Quick thrillers you can finish in one sitting
Dark twists on classic stories
Short audiobooks with creepy vibes
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