Christmas, Present

Short but certainly not sweet, it delivers a heart-wrenching story that gives us characters to know without the proper time to love them before they are ripped right our of our grasp. Seriously, the cover had me in a holiday mood with a smile on my face, but the tale within was more content to leave me with tears in my eyes and a gasping heart. It reminds us how precious every day is, to never put off til tomorrow what can be done today, and to cherish all those in our lives.



**copy received for review

I really enjoyed this book, the way it was set out as continuously rather than in chapters matched the was the story was constructed. Dying at Christmastime is a real tragedy and yet the story wasn't tragic it was uplifting a real celebration of life. The author could easily have ended the story at the point of Laura's last breathe but it was important for the last few pages to be there. To show that all Laura had hoped for was indeed coming to being.

THE worst Christmas themed book I've ever read...a solid author, but I think she wrote this while sitting on the toilet, constipated.
Unrealistic and depressing, hurried and rather shallow, I can not in good conscience even give it away. Laura and her husband have celebrated her anniversary in Boston and on their way home the car stalls out and she has an aneurism burst in her brain.
Twelve hours to live, to say goodbye, do Christmas shopping (via her brother), and remain level-headed for her family while counting the hours to her demise.
Sorry I can not agree with those who found redeeming qualities here.....but that's what opinions are for....

After celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary with a festive night on the town Elliot and Laura are driving home when their car breaks down. While waiting for a tow truck Laura clutches her head in apparent agony and insists that Elliot call for an ambulance. After Laura is thoroughly examined by a neurology specialist she and Elliot are given the horrific news that Laura has suffered a brain aneurysm to a major artery and she will be dead within 24 hours. I can't imagine how I would recieve such news but I don't think it would be with the stoic calm that Laura displays. Their 3 young daughters are brought to her hospital bedside so that she might have the opportunity to impart some motherly advice for the future she no longer will show more share with them. Her mother, brother and 2 sisters arrive in time to bid Laura farewell. It is now Christmas Eve and Laura is surrounded by all those she loves.

I really wish I liked this book more than I do. It is a very short book at only 132 pages and I think that may be part of the problem. We don't get to know much about this family before this unimaginable tragedy strikes them so it is very hard to relate. Maybe if the characters were fleshed out a bit more I wouldn't feel like the story was rushed. Mitchard is a wonderful writer and handles family relationships very well but this one kind of just makes me feel manipulated. show less

Beautifully written but depressing, unrealistic, and pointless. If there's a take-away message here I didn't see it!

Quick read. Too sad at Christmas. I was looking for a light hearted happy book.

I was very disappointed with this book. At Christmas I am looking for a fun, upbeat novel to put me in the Christmas spirit. THIS WAS NOT IT! The mother/wife in this book is dying with a brain aneurysm. How joyful is that??? The interactions with her children and husband were not believable either considering the circumstances.

Overall, would not recommend this book.