The 13th Gift

A True Story of a Christmas Miracle

De: Joanne Huist Smith

Narrado por: Joanne Huist Smith

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • For readers of Richard Paul Evans and Greg Kincaid comes The 13th Gift, a heartwarming Christmas story about how a random act of kindness transformed one of the bleakest moments in a family's history into a time of strength and love.

After the unexpected death of her husband, Joanne Huist Smith had no idea how she would keep herself together and be strong for her three children--especially with the holiday season approaching. But 12 days before Christmas, presents begin appearing on her doorstep with notes from their "True Friends." As the Smiths came together to solve the mystery of who the gifts were from, they began to thaw out from their grief and come together again as a family. This true story about the power of random acts of kindness will warm the heart, a beautiful reminder of the miracles of Christmas and the gift of family during the holiday season.

Powerful story.

This story was great. It will be a great help for those who have experienced loss. I recommend this book.

Story is GREAT!! Narrator is terrible :(

I LOVED this story…it is a beautiful, heartwarming, and uplifting story…so much so that I feel guilty leaving the negative review about the narrator; however, my book club literally ‘cancelled’ this ‘listen’ and switched books ALL because of the narration. I will warn you the beginning is kind of bad …depressing, but keep READING..it gets much better!
Of course after starting, I couldn’t not finish…
I had a LOVE/HATE relationship clear to the very end.
My advice..read it <3

Sweetest Christmas story

Such a wonderful story about the true meaning of Christmas. So nice to read a book that is about Christmas that is real and beautiful!!!

Christmas all year

I am a sucker for a Christmas story. this was a great story that put me in the excitement of their Christmas.

heart wrenching, a warm story

deathcan ruining a family, but friends and kindness of others can renew life and make a new life

Only Widows Will Understand Her Bitterness

I saw so many reviews ripping on the author for being angry when she has so many things to be happy for. As a 30 year old widow with a 7 year old much like her daughter, Joanne is describing EXACTLY how I feel day to day and during the holidays. If you aren't widowed from your soulmate, you won't get it. Maybe TRY and understand, listen, and learn that THIS, is how we FEEL. Can it be selfish sometimes? Yes. Can it be rude sometimes? Yes. Joanne is putting her deepest thoughts and feelings out there, so try empathy.

There is no glory in widowhood, we are holding on and riding an extreme roller coaster with no direction, and Joanne's story helps me to not feel so alone </3

Heartwarming ❤

The author narrates & isn't the greatest narrator but, the story tugs at your heart & helps remind us what the Christmas season really is about as well as what healing can look like. Easy read & truly enjoyable.

More than just a story

This book was much better than I anticipated! The book club I’m in selected this and I thought it would just be another cheesy Christmas story but I got so much out of hearing this true story. It’s a great reminder of humility and people supporting each other through hard times.

Beautiful story

This was a lovely reminder that there are good people in this world, and that it’s possible to move forward after heartbreak.

A True Holiday Story To Cherish

Joanne Huist Smith’s THE THIRTEENTH GIFT is based on the true story of when the author’s husband, Rick, died suddenly, and how their family came to terms with it. Joanne was faced with dealing with her loss at the same time she had to help her children get through it and deal with the upcoming Christmas holiday. Joanne doesn’t want to face it but with Megan, who is 10, Nick who is twelve, and seventeen-year-old Ben, she is forced to do something. Her family is falling apart as she writes about how each of them is handling the loss. It isn’t until the first mystery gift, a poinsettia plant, is left on their porch 12 days before Christmas, that things slowly start to change.

With each day and each new surprise, one by one, the family gets on board with waiting for the surprises and trying to guess who is doing it all. Each gift has a handmade card with it and it evolves into solving the puzzle as a family, even though Joanne fights it with every piece of her heart. As the “true friends” help this family, the Smiths find that they themselves are also taken to helping others. The puzzling gifts truly act as a miracle. They bring each of the grieving family members out of their own horror and into working and living together again. With the help and love of true friends, the Smith family eventually learns to cope.

The 13th Gift is a wonderful Christmas story especially in that it is true. If this doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, I don’t know what will. It is a fast read (or in my case, listen) and you just might find yourself wanting to do something for others as well. Trust me, the giving spirit of this story can really make a difference in your life as well.