Christmas Presents

Couldn't distinguish what timeline/who was narrating chapters

Book Review: Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger 🎄📚

Rating: 3 Stars

In this novella, we follow Madeline Martin, the owner of a quaint little bookshop called The Next Chapter, as she navigates her complex past and the responsibility of caring for her ailing father. Just before Christmas, the arrival of Harley Granger, a true crime podcaster with a knack for unraveling dark stories, sets off a chain of events that Madeline would rather keep buried. 🎅📖

Harley’s fascination with a cold case involving the murder of Madeline's best friend Steph and the mysterious disappearance of two other girls from their town puts him at odds with Madeline's desire to forget. The chilling background is all too real for Madeline, who bears the scars of her past as the sole survivor of a brutal attack. As they go deeper into these old wounds, they uncover unsettling truths about the cases—and perhaps about themselves. 🕵️‍♂️💔

Christmas Presents is perfect for fans of mystery thrillers set against a backdrop of small-town charm. The juxtaposition of cozy holiday vibes with dark themes surrounding missing women makes for an intriguing read. I appreciate how the book plays with both past and present timelines, adding layers to the narrative that kept me engaged. ❄️🔍

However, I did feel like the story could have benefited from a bit more depth. At times, it felt rushed and left me wanting more development—especially since there’s a lot to unpack regarding the characters and their histories. If you're looking for something that embodies the cheerful spirit of the holiday season, this might not be it. Instead, it leans into darker themes that won’t exactly have you feeling jolly. 😟🎁

In conclusion, Christmas Presents is an engaging little novella for those who enjoy their holiday reads with a twist of mystery and suspense. If you’re into stories that explore troubling pasts wrapped in a cozy setting, give it a go. Overall, I’d give it three stars—worth reading but left me hoping for a bit more. 🌟📖

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

i loved this so much as a short thriller but i wish it was more christmasy. but i loved the darkness and grit that lisa unger was able to weave into this story. 

Rounded up to a 5. I'm not sure I would've liked this book as much if I hadn't been reading it as an audiobook. The audiobook narrator really added tension to the story. It was a fast thrilling little Christmas story.