Christmas, Present - by Jacquelyn Mitchard (Paperback)

About the Book

A family's holiday tragedy becomes a powerful lesson about love in this moving Christmas story from bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard.

Book Synopsis

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean comes this heartwarming Christmas story of a family who comes together during the holiday season as they learn a powerful lesson about love and to live each year of their lives as if it were their last.

A fourteenth wedding anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott Banner knows, but it's not exactly a landmark year--like fifteen, or twenty, when he plans to take his wife, Laura, to Paris. But when a headache on the drive home from their anniversary date--two days before Christmas--turns out to be more than a migraine, he wishes he had celebrated every year as though it were their last.

In this poignant, touching, uplifting story, a woman calmly gathers her family around her during the Christmas holiday to celebrate their lives together--both past and future--and to truly count their blessings.

A family history unfolds in a single night in this deeply affecting story that speaks volumes about love, trust, and letting go--a perfect holiday read that underscores the true meaning of the season.

"Mitchard's gift is her ability to present her characters in a compassionate light, even when revealing them at their weakest moments."--Us Weekly

From the Back Cover

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean comes this heartwarming Christmas story of a family who comes together during the holiday season as they learn a powerful lesson about love and how to live each year of their lives as if it were their last

A fourteenth wedding anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott Banner knows, but it's not exactly a landmark year--like fifteen, or twenty, when he plans to take his wife, Laura, to Paris. But when a headache on the drive home from their anniversary date--two days before Christmas--turns out to be more than a migraine, he wishes he had celebrated every year as though it were their last.

In this poignant, touching, uplifting story, a family gathers during the Christmas holiday to celebrate their lives together--both past and future--and to truly count their blessings.

Review Quotes

"Few are her equal in illuminating the personal stake we all have in the daily business of living." - People
"No heartstring goes untugged in this slim but moving Christmas story ...What easily could have become a quicksand of sentimentality is saved by Mitchard's straightforward writing, which is poignant rather than mawkish, sometimes mordant and, despite the theme of the story, surprisingly humorous." - Publishers Weekly
"No heartstring goes untugged in this slim but moving Christmas story." - Publishers Weekly
"This richly imagined story will leave readers everywhere pondering the value of life's precious moments." - BookPage
"A touching story ...which reminds us all of the important things in life and relationships ...a good holiday read." - Wisconsin State Journal