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The Gift
On a June day, a young woman in a summer dress steps off a Chicago-bound bus into a small midwestern town. She doesn't intend to stay. She is just passing through. Yet her stopping here has a reason and it is part of a story that you will never forget.
The time is the 1950s, when life was simpler, people still believed in dreams, and family was, very nearly, everything. The place is a small midwestern town with a high school and a downtown, a skating pond and a movie house. And on a tree-lined street in the heartland of America, an extraordinary set of events begins to unfold. And gradually what seems serendipitous is tinged with purpose.
A happy home is shattered by a child's senseless death. A loving marriage starts to unravel. And a stranger arrives--a young woman who will touch many lives before she moves on. She and a young man will meet and fall in love. Their love, so innocent and full of hope, helps to restore a family's dreams. And all of their lives will be changed forever by the precious gift she leaves them.
The time is the 1950s, when life was simpler, people still believed in dreams, and family was, very nearly, everything. The place is a small midwestern town with a high school and a downtown, a skating pond and a movie house. And on a tree-lined street in the heartland of America, an extraordinary set of events begins to unfold. And gradually what seems serendipitous is tinged with purpose.
A happy home is shattered by a child's senseless death. A loving marriage starts to unravel. And a stranger arrives--a young woman who will touch many lives before she moves on. She and a young man will meet and fall in love. Their love, so innocent and full of hope, helps to restore a family's dreams. And all of their lives will be changed forever by the precious gift she leaves them.
275 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 1986
793 people are currently reading
11604 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
917 books16.9k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 860 reviews
November 28, 2016
Ovaj roman je moj prvi prevod... I moje prvo iskustvo s lošim nepismenim lektorom... Nažalost nikako da dođe do drugog izdanja i da se sve greške isprave... Otada nijedan moj prevod ne može da ode u štampu a da ja prethodno ne pogledam i ne odobrim lektorske intervencije... Valjda sam zbog tog prvog lošeg iskustva kasnije "kopala oči" lošim lektorima koje je sudbina povezala sa mnom (kod raznih izdavača) i koji su bili skloni da prevodiocima prčakaju neovlašćeno i nepotrebno po tekstu a da im s druge strane slonovi promiču... Ali posle ovog romana gospođa Stil me je godinama slatkim lebom hranila... Ona ima brojnu vernu publiku... Dešavalo se da objavimo njenu knjigu, ne prođe ni nedelju dana a čitaoci već zovu i pitaju kad će sledeća... Kako god da piše, u svakoj knjizi se bavi nekom aktuelnom temom (sterilitet, kloniranje, incest, otmice itd.), koje nisu uvek ni banalne ni tralalice... I šta god da svako od nas lično misli o kvalitetu i stilu njenih knjiga mora joj se skinuti kapa da već četrdeset i kusur godina uspeva da se održi u samom vrhu bestseler lista, da joj knjige imaju milionske tiraže (pre krize svaka njena knjiga imala je početni tiraž od ravno milion primeraka, sada je to spalo na 600-700 hiljada... A kad se pojave u prodaji svi formati svaki naslov joj je prodat u otprilike 5-10 miliona primeraka... I svake godine stiče nove čitaoce u mlađim generacijama... A to nije lako... Zbog svega toga zaslužuje poštovanje i uvažavanje (pa makar je mnogi smatrali lakom komercijalom)... Davno je jedna iskusna starija agentkinja rekla (pošto su joj po stoti put srpski izdavači saletali da im da neku "dobru knjigu i hit"): "Dobra je svaka knjiga za koju uspete da nađete kupca!"
April 15, 2017
Very touching,beautifully written,with strong and lovable characters.....(paperback!)
March 26, 2009
I'd say that this book was mainly directed towards teens. I thought this book was very knowledgeable and interesting. I loved how Steele portrayed the idea that there is a reason for everyone who enters your life, and there is also a reason for their leaving. Also that not everyone is meant to be a part of your life forever, but some are only there to bring a "gift," not saying what that gift might be.
March 30, 2010
As I was perusing the Rockridge library in search of a romance novel for my month of trash, I felt unexpectedly out of place turning the revolving paperback romance shelves, like I had found one of the many hidden exits from well-adjusted, socially accepted sanity into the hazy fringe. This, I felt, was taboo. Which is exactly what this month was supposed to be about. But I had a mission, and that mission was to find Danielle Steel. I was a little disappointed to discover her shelved with the hardcover fiction: nice, conventional, pastel-colored novels wrapped in worn library plastic like every other normal book on the shelf. No torn clothing, no heaving chests, no pirate flags, no flesh tones. Was this really romance?
It quickly became apparent that, yes, this was really romance, which I have come to define thusly: novels about very boring people destined to engage in very boring courtship culminating in very boring expressions of mutual affection liberally sprinkled with awkward, hammy sex and physicality. Let me talk about the boring some more. In the first couple pages, we meet a perfect American family who love each other very much and live in a world where nothing could possibly go wrong. Hm, how can we turn this into drama? After Steel kills off one of the kids and the family implodes over the loss of that oh-so-precious "gift," we meet a completely different family who are so very bad, with a pig-headed lout of a father, an equally boorish brother, a mousy, submissive mother, and lo, a sparklingly brilliant young girl full of wit and intelligence and premature beauty who gets knocked up and cast out into the cruel world to birth her unwanted child alone.
With a setup like that, a computer could write the rest. A Tandy could write the rest. My high school graphing calculator could write the rest. Enter parameters: 1) family missing child, 2) girl with excess child, 3) repeated mention of men getting erections. *crunches numbers* DING! A novel.
I actually think I would have been more forgiving if I'd picked something way trashier. Veering into the non-genre aisles raised my expectations unrealistically, so I'm probably not giving a Steel a fair shake.
I will say this, though: despite being infinitely duller than Bella in Twilight (Bella actually has a personality during the brief interludes when she isn't contemplating Edward's pecs), Maribeth is actually many times more rational in the face of All-consuming Romantic Love. Bella literally loses physical control of herself when she's with Edward, whereas Maribeth not only masters her physical desire for Tommy, but she also remains steadfast in her original intent to give up the baby, despite Tommy's many pleas to the contrary. Like the rest of the book, it's a little too cute and cozy from the 21st century perspective to have the protagonist be a proto-feminist, but what the hell, she's still admirable, even if she was obviously designed to be that way.
Ultimately, I think this book is about comfort. There is horror at the center (few things are more horrific than losing a child), but I felt Steel didn't plumb the pain of it enough to make her layer upon layer of warm blankets and hot chocolate feel rewarding. Maybe if I read Danielle Steel and Cormac McCarthy simultaneously, they would balance each other out...
It quickly became apparent that, yes, this was really romance, which I have come to define thusly: novels about very boring people destined to engage in very boring courtship culminating in very boring expressions of mutual affection liberally sprinkled with awkward, hammy sex and physicality. Let me talk about the boring some more. In the first couple pages, we meet a perfect American family who love each other very much and live in a world where nothing could possibly go wrong. Hm, how can we turn this into drama? After Steel kills off one of the kids and the family implodes over the loss of that oh-so-precious "gift," we meet a completely different family who are so very bad, with a pig-headed lout of a father, an equally boorish brother, a mousy, submissive mother, and lo, a sparklingly brilliant young girl full of wit and intelligence and premature beauty who gets knocked up and cast out into the cruel world to birth her unwanted child alone.
With a setup like that, a computer could write the rest. A Tandy could write the rest. My high school graphing calculator could write the rest. Enter parameters: 1) family missing child, 2) girl with excess child, 3) repeated mention of men getting erections. *crunches numbers* DING! A novel.
I actually think I would have been more forgiving if I'd picked something way trashier. Veering into the non-genre aisles raised my expectations unrealistically, so I'm probably not giving a Steel a fair shake.
I will say this, though: despite being infinitely duller than Bella in Twilight (Bella actually has a personality during the brief interludes when she isn't contemplating Edward's pecs), Maribeth is actually many times more rational in the face of All-consuming Romantic Love. Bella literally loses physical control of herself when she's with Edward, whereas Maribeth not only masters her physical desire for Tommy, but she also remains steadfast in her original intent to give up the baby, despite Tommy's many pleas to the contrary. Like the rest of the book, it's a little too cute and cozy from the 21st century perspective to have the protagonist be a proto-feminist, but what the hell, she's still admirable, even if she was obviously designed to be that way.
Ultimately, I think this book is about comfort. There is horror at the center (few things are more horrific than losing a child), but I felt Steel didn't plumb the pain of it enough to make her layer upon layer of warm blankets and hot chocolate feel rewarding. Maybe if I read Danielle Steel and Cormac McCarthy simultaneously, they would balance each other out...
July 20, 2016
This is a heart warming, compassionate and yet inspirational book about two families that have suffered tragedies and are trying to get their lives back. Loss is part of this book and unfortunately in life everyone at some point will face loss of their loved ones.
In the first part of the book you meet a perfect and happy family of Whittaker that loves each other very much. Whittaker’s are a family of four: John, Liz, Tommy and Annie. Tommy was an only child until he was ten. The parents, John and Liz, then had Annie after having miscarriages three times. Annie and Tommy got along very well and always loved to be around each other (unlike most siblings). However, on one Christmas the family is torn apart by an unexpected loss.
Second part of the book switches settings featuring Maribeth, a young struggling teenager who got pregnant. She runs away from her family, and starts working in a restaurant as a waitress, where she meets Tommy. The two immediately got to know each other and become good friends. While all of this happening, John and Liz are still very upset about Annie. They barely even talk to each other or Tommy. They never have meals together, and that's why Tommy is always at the restaurant. When Tommy founds out Maribeth is pregnant, he tells his parents, and with the parents wanting a child, they are willing to adopt the baby.
Seven months later, John and Liz Whittaker are the parents of a baby girl, Kate. After the birth is over, Maribeth, goes to her home. She has to go back for school and her worrying family.
Danielle Steele did an excellent job when she wrote this book. It is a wonderful drama that puts warmth in your heart, and a tear in your eye. This is a very touching book that covers a very touching subject.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was like an emotional rollercoaster, it made me laugh and it made me cry. I would recommend this book to women of all ages; this book taught a lot about family, love and how to cope with pain and how to support each other.
In the first part of the book you meet a perfect and happy family of Whittaker that loves each other very much. Whittaker’s are a family of four: John, Liz, Tommy and Annie. Tommy was an only child until he was ten. The parents, John and Liz, then had Annie after having miscarriages three times. Annie and Tommy got along very well and always loved to be around each other (unlike most siblings). However, on one Christmas the family is torn apart by an unexpected loss.
Second part of the book switches settings featuring Maribeth, a young struggling teenager who got pregnant. She runs away from her family, and starts working in a restaurant as a waitress, where she meets Tommy. The two immediately got to know each other and become good friends. While all of this happening, John and Liz are still very upset about Annie. They barely even talk to each other or Tommy. They never have meals together, and that's why Tommy is always at the restaurant. When Tommy founds out Maribeth is pregnant, he tells his parents, and with the parents wanting a child, they are willing to adopt the baby.
Seven months later, John and Liz Whittaker are the parents of a baby girl, Kate. After the birth is over, Maribeth, goes to her home. She has to go back for school and her worrying family.
Danielle Steele did an excellent job when she wrote this book. It is a wonderful drama that puts warmth in your heart, and a tear in your eye. This is a very touching book that covers a very touching subject.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was like an emotional rollercoaster, it made me laugh and it made me cry. I would recommend this book to women of all ages; this book taught a lot about family, love and how to cope with pain and how to support each other.
March 22, 2016
ليس مُقدرا للجميع أن يظلوا بجانبناً إلي الأبد ،،
القراءة الأول لدانيال ستيل .. ولا أعتقد أنها ستكون الأخيرة ..
فلقد أحبب قلمك للغاية سيدتي ..
أحببته بمنتهي البساطة ..
أحببت رقته وعذوبته وحتي حزنه أحببته ..
فليس من السهل أندمج هكذا وأشعر وكأنني معهم في غرفة واحدة .. أتحدث معهم وعنهم وإليهم في بساطة وتلقائية وهدوء ..
تخيلت أنني أشاهد الرواية تحدث أمامي حقا ..
وحتي حين اضطررت إلي التوقف عن القراءة ليومين ، عدت إليها وكأنها لم تفارق يدي لحظة !
دانيال ستيل ...
لقد جئت بما يجول في أذهاننا جميعاً حين نمتلك ما نريد ونخشي فقدانه يوماً ما ..
حين ينتظرنا القدر في صبر وهدوء في نهاية شارع أحلامنا ... ويقف في منتصف الطريق عاقدا ذراعيه في تصميم ..
فلقد آن الأوان ليقول القدر كلمته ..
ولكنه مكتوب علينا .. مكتوب ولا سبيل للتراجع أو تغيير المنعطف الذي أصبحنا نحياه بالفعل !!
صديقة لي قالت يوماً :
الهدايا تأتي مُخبئة
وهذا ما حدث مع القدر في هذه الرواية ، فلقد كانت الهدية مُخبأة بالفعل في قدر مُغلف بالأيام والانتظار والصبر ..
يقول الشيخ الشعراوي رحمه الله :
إذا أخذ الله منك ما لم تتوقع ضياعه، فسوف يعطيك ما لم تتوقع أن تملكه
..
دانيال ستيل .. موعدنا معا في رواية جديدة قريبااا ((:
August 11, 2022
This is a women's fiction. This story takes place in the 1950's. I have to say there is a lot put into a short book, and this book was easy to read. The only thing I did not love about this book is the ending felt rushed.
December 6, 2022
I’m so disappointed that it took me 3 weeks to finish this… man is work killing me.
Also, let’s please ignore the fact that I said that I was never going to read a Steel book again.. I lied to myself.
-YA
-Contemporary
-Fiction
-Emotional
-A 16 year old gal gets pregnant by a random but horny guy who just used her to get his girlfriend back. Then she gets sent to some sort of retirement and meets a guy from a grieving family, basically
-I think the book addresses the issue of teenage pregnancy both realistically and also in a silly way.
-There is… nothing outstanding from the characters.
-Plot is very predictable, you already know what’s gonna happen since the beginning. Plus, it’s not even that entertaining
-The relationship between all characters is cute I guess, but it’s still a big “meh”.
-The romance is obviously fast-paced and yuck, I hate that trope..
-“Not everyone is meant to stay forever.” ❤️
-Plot twists/😱Moments: 2.5/5
-Plot: 3/5
-Characters: 3/5
Also, let’s please ignore the fact that I said that I was never going to read a Steel book again.. I lied to myself.
-YA
-Contemporary
-Fiction
-Emotional
-A 16 year old gal gets pregnant by a random but horny guy who just used her to get his girlfriend back. Then she gets sent to some sort of retirement and meets a guy from a grieving family, basically
-I think the book addresses the issue of teenage pregnancy both realistically and also in a silly way.
-There is… nothing outstanding from the characters.
-Plot is very predictable, you already know what’s gonna happen since the beginning. Plus, it’s not even that entertaining
-The relationship between all characters is cute I guess, but it’s still a big “meh”.
-The romance is obviously fast-paced and yuck, I hate that trope..
-“Not everyone is meant to stay forever.” ❤️
-Plot twists/😱Moments: 2.5/5
-Plot: 3/5
-Characters: 3/5
March 23, 2025
"Maybe some people just aren't meant to be in our lives forever. Maybe some people are just passing through."
January 24, 2022
This book is so good. It had me so emotional.
February 2, 2013
Danielle Steel never fails me ending up in bed, sobering myself to sleep! The words are very simple yet it can absolutely pain a reader's heart.
This story is family-based; about a young love that blossomed into something really foolish. She got pregnant and was nowhere to go thus the decision of going somewhere else and start anew.
There she met this guy who changed life's meaning. They were ok. In fact, very in love. The guy knew she was pregnant from a previous love and it was rather a romantic acceptance.
The twist of giving up her Baby to a family who once lost a child was just soul crashing. I cried a damn brook of tears! She was too young; she can absolutely give no care.
Yeah.
It might be so stupid for a Mother to give up her child but what good is to raising one if life would mean hunger and death.
Her baby was given to the Guy's family (the guy from her renewed life),then a promise that if she will be all stitched up and well, she'll be back for him and her Baby.
It was one dissatisfying ending but it filled me soooo much in my bucket! Now where's Book 2? :)
This story is family-based; about a young love that blossomed into something really foolish. She got pregnant and was nowhere to go thus the decision of going somewhere else and start anew.
There she met this guy who changed life's meaning. They were ok. In fact, very in love. The guy knew she was pregnant from a previous love and it was rather a romantic acceptance.
The twist of giving up her Baby to a family who once lost a child was just soul crashing. I cried a damn brook of tears! She was too young; she can absolutely give no care.
Yeah.
It might be so stupid for a Mother to give up her child but what good is to raising one if life would mean hunger and death.
Her baby was given to the Guy's family (the guy from her renewed life),then a promise that if she will be all stitched up and well, she'll be back for him and her Baby.
It was one dissatisfying ending but it filled me soooo much in my bucket! Now where's Book 2? :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2020
"This book was very good" he said, and he meant it. He loved that book very much and felt closer and closer to the book every day. He and the book had a very strong bond that would never be broken, forever, he knew that. He knew he loved it so much because it was so very good, and he was so very good, and he was wise beyond his years, but also young, but also wise, but maybe a bit naive, but definitely very much in love with this very good book. Everyone could see how very much in love he was, how close he felt, what a bond they had, and if they didn't see it, if they didn't believe it, well the narrator would just keep repeating it again and again and again until they did
Edit: forgot to mention something about the book being a very good gift for him. A very nice gift that was temporary but it was beautiful and taught him something and he was very wise beyond his years which is why he realized that.
Edit: forgot to mention something about the book being a very good gift for him. A very nice gift that was temporary but it was beautiful and taught him something and he was very wise beyond his years which is why he realized that.
September 11, 2016
I am on holidays from my studies and decided to read a DS novel. Great choice! It was a refreshing and endearing easy read. A 1950's setting which could easily translate to current day, I flew through this without a moment's hesitation. I found this hiding in a draw in the caravan after my summer holiday ~ I bit off more than I could chew with my reading list ~ it would have been perfect for that setting as well. I tend to read DS on holidays, for that simple and comforting reason of light, easy and comfortable. Guess you could say it's one of my reading quirks!
January 17, 2017
I chose to read this book based off a quote I stumbled upon in my search for inspiration about losing love ones. Unbeknownst to me, I entered the rainbows and sunshine realm of Danielle Steel's romance fiction, suffered immensely, and waited longingly for the salvation of the last page. This book was repetitive, boring and downright cliché.
June 6, 2010
This book is about a family who has a child after 10 years. Finally having a child was the best gift for them, they named her Annie. Everyone was happy because of her, she was the joy of the family, she was only five years old when she died, a senseless death.Everything was shattered from then onwards, her parents and her brother, Tommy didn't talk to each other for months. They used to get into constant fights, everything had for them since Annie left them.
In another part of the story this girl called Maribeth a sixteen year old who belongs to a strict family,becomes pregnant by a high school senior who she met for the first time. Her family, especially her dad gets really mad at her, and tells her to leave the house at once and live in a convent until the baby is out, and she could come back, but without her child.
She goes to live in the convent but hates it there so she runs away and gets a job as a waitress.There she meets Tommy and they become good friends and later Tommy starts liking her and finds out that she's pregnant. He still loved her and didn't mind having the baby, but Maribeth wanted to give the baby for adoption and continue her studies. They both go meet Tommy's family and tell her about Maribeth, she feels like they are the people she should give the baby to. She gives her baby to them, and promised them that she would come back after she has completed her studies.They found Annie back from Maribeth's child, which was the greatest GIFT ever!
In another part of the story this girl called Maribeth a sixteen year old who belongs to a strict family,becomes pregnant by a high school senior who she met for the first time. Her family, especially her dad gets really mad at her, and tells her to leave the house at once and live in a convent until the baby is out, and she could come back, but without her child.
She goes to live in the convent but hates it there so she runs away and gets a job as a waitress.There she meets Tommy and they become good friends and later Tommy starts liking her and finds out that she's pregnant. He still loved her and didn't mind having the baby, but Maribeth wanted to give the baby for adoption and continue her studies. They both go meet Tommy's family and tell her about Maribeth, she feels like they are the people she should give the baby to. She gives her baby to them, and promised them that she would come back after she has completed her studies.They found Annie back from Maribeth's child, which was the greatest GIFT ever!
July 17, 2009
The Gift is a message for us to look around in our life and love what we have. A family that was reaped apart after their daughter Annie died of meningitis at the age of five. Annie had give the family the meaning of love. After her lost the family spend the next year isolated from anybody grieving their lost. Until their son Tommy start a relationship with a girl which happened to be pregnant. Maribeth had got pregnant in her first time and with no luck the father rejected her and the baby. Maribeth's family was devastated, humiliated with the honor of their name. She was sent to a convent until the baby was born then she would give away. After running away, she met Tommy who become best friends. Their relationship grow each day stronger and deeper. But she was decided to give the baby away. Tommy's family was alive again with the presence of Maribeth. She decided to give away the baby to the family; she knew they would take care of the baby really well.
Annie, Tommy, John, Liz, Maribeth
Annie, Tommy, John, Liz, Maribeth
March 18, 2009
It was a great story in my opinion on how this family overcomes misfortune that seem impossible to overcome. It shows how the love of a stranger is sometimes kinder than the love of a family member. What i like most of all was the fact that the story took place in 1950s where what the brave young girl did and acted was seen as shameful and now most young girls have done what she has and worst and now the way girl acted in the book seem to be how girls now a days are. As i was reading this book to me the girls family seem to be hispanic just by the way they acted the father and the mother and older brother especially. Even thought it is about a middle class white family.
August 21, 2019
This is my first contemporary read. It was good well written and good characters. No one was bad in the books. Everyone was good 😁.
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I liked her thoughts that ppl come into our life for a reason and leave after the work is done. It's the thing which I too believe in.
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I guess it was kind off informative book for living life.
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It's not my genre but I like it. I can read such book once in a while.
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I liked her thoughts that ppl come into our life for a reason and leave after the work is done. It's the thing which I too believe in.
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I guess it was kind off informative book for living life.
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It's not my genre but I like it. I can read such book once in a while.
August 25, 2009
OK, I will admit it. Danielle Steele is a bit predicatble. By the second chapter I had guessed at the ending; but reading the story and getting there was great. This is a total tear jerker. I would love a follow up story to see what happens with Tommy and Maribeth in the future.
Read
August 13, 2016Wow! One of those books you read so long ago that you forgot about it! Discovered again/reminded about thanks to Goodreads. I marked it as read, however since it's been 'so' long, I'm not rating it. Just remember reading it and liking it back then......memory lane.
July 15, 2012
"their slacks came off in unison" hahahhaha NO!!! someone needs to make this all go away
March 7, 2023
“Maybe some people just aren't meant to be in our lives forever. Maybe some people are just passing through. It's like some people just come through our lives to bring us something: a gift, a blessing, a lesson we need to learn. And that's why they're here. You'll have that gift forever.“
“Lust is temporary, romance can be nice, but love is the most important thing of all. Because without Love, lust and romance will always be short-lived.“
January 19, 2025
Una historia que de entrada engancha, pero conforme va avanzando el lector, no es que se haga pesada, se va volviendo repetitiva y algo tedioso, además de predecible, pero no por ello deja de ser una historia bonita. El tema, digamos que, aunque está desarrollado en los años 50's es muy de actualidad de todos los tiempos. La historia me recordó una canción que diche "Hay tanta adolescencia apresurada y tanta soledad arrepentida" y, precisamente es lo que vive de alguna forma Maribeth. No es una gran obra, pero se lee rápido y está buena para desconectar de lecturas duras.
July 18, 2016
In 1950s USA, sixteen year-old Maribeth goes to a school dance (wearing what her father calls a flimsy prom dress and disgusting makeup) and lets a senior star athlete who normally wouldn't give her the time of day (and has just "broken up" with his girlfriend) flatter her into unprotected sex in the front seat his car on the way home. Maribeth ends up pregnant, the boy goes back to his girlfriend the next day and doesn't care what happens to Maribeth, Maribeth's brother realizes she's pregnant and immediately spills the beans to their tyrant of a father and meek mother, who promptly ship her off to have her baby in six months with the nuns at the local convent alongside the other teen moms. Maribeth is not to even think of communicating in anyway with her family until it's all over and the nuns have given the baby away. After being with the nuns for a little while, however, Maribeth decides to buy a bus ticket and strike out on her own to Chicago. However, when the bus stops for lunch at a diner, she notices they need a waitress and she gets hired on the spot after making up a story about how her husband has just died in Korea so it won't seem as indecorous as the truth when she really begins to show her pregnancy. While waiting tables, she meets a regular who happens to be a sixteen year-old boy with a bad home life and the two begin to open up to one another and fall in love.
I wasn't planning on reading another Danielle Steel book, but a friend of mine who also usually doesn't care for the author either recommended The Gift and lent me her copy. I wanted to like Steel's foray into young adult, but I couldn't really get into it. However, I did finish it just to see if it would surprise me. Unfortunately, it didn't one bit. I had the ending pegged from the moment we begin to get to know Tommy and his family. Based on the first few chapters, the story really writes itself and you don't really expect it to turn out any other way. I also didn't really know what it was about to begin with because the jacket summary gives almost zero detail about what you're about to be getting into. On that note, I wish the story hadn't started with Tommy's family. I wish we got to meet him alongside Maribeth.
As for the characters, everyone is flat and relatively one note with little personal growth, aside from Maribeth that is. Maribeth actually reminded me of Bella from Twilight with "flame colored hair", but she's a little more rational and has better self-control.
Maribeth's father totally made me think of Mr. Connolly from the Doctor Who episode called "Idiot's Lantern", except, of course, that he isn't British.
Maribeth's mother also reminded me of Mrs. Connolly from the same episode, except that she never stands up to her husband. So, when her husband decides to kick their own daughter out of the house, she goes right along with it regardless of whatever her personal opinions are on the matter. And, that just irritated me to no end - not to mention how Maribeth's treated by everyone else with the exception of Tommy's family.
Tommy himself is a sweet kid with his heart in the right place, but he's a little clueless. Their friendship and budding romance was cute, but there were some things I just didn't need to know. Especially since I was picturing Bella and Wally Cleaver together while reading it. I can honestly say that I never expected to have that combination in my head.
Finally, I was at least pleased to see that Tommy's parents were supportive all things considered. Going with the Wally image, I couldn't help but see them as June and Ward. Since the loss of their daughter and the slow unraveling of the family, they actually all came together to help Maribeth get what she needs. I just wish we got to see this from Maribeth's own family.
Overall, Danielle Steel's The Gift wasn't for me. Even though I finished it, I felt exhausted from slogging through those 216 pages. It was simply far too predictable and populated by a majority of flat, boring characters. I was hoping to be impressed and a least a little surprised by the novel, but that it just wasn't the case for me. However, it did leave me with one question: Did the nuns even notice (or care) that Maribeth ran away from the convent and then up and disappeared?
I wasn't planning on reading another Danielle Steel book, but a friend of mine who also usually doesn't care for the author either recommended The Gift and lent me her copy. I wanted to like Steel's foray into young adult, but I couldn't really get into it. However, I did finish it just to see if it would surprise me. Unfortunately, it didn't one bit. I had the ending pegged from the moment we begin to get to know Tommy and his family. Based on the first few chapters, the story really writes itself and you don't really expect it to turn out any other way. I also didn't really know what it was about to begin with because the jacket summary gives almost zero detail about what you're about to be getting into. On that note, I wish the story hadn't started with Tommy's family. I wish we got to meet him alongside Maribeth.
As for the characters, everyone is flat and relatively one note with little personal growth, aside from Maribeth that is. Maribeth actually reminded me of Bella from Twilight with "flame colored hair", but she's a little more rational and has better self-control.
Maribeth's father totally made me think of Mr. Connolly from the Doctor Who episode called "Idiot's Lantern", except, of course, that he isn't British.
Maribeth's mother also reminded me of Mrs. Connolly from the same episode, except that she never stands up to her husband. So, when her husband decides to kick their own daughter out of the house, she goes right along with it regardless of whatever her personal opinions are on the matter. And, that just irritated me to no end - not to mention how Maribeth's treated by everyone else with the exception of Tommy's family.
Tommy himself is a sweet kid with his heart in the right place, but he's a little clueless. Their friendship and budding romance was cute, but there were some things I just didn't need to know. Especially since I was picturing Bella and Wally Cleaver together while reading it. I can honestly say that I never expected to have that combination in my head.
Finally, I was at least pleased to see that Tommy's parents were supportive all things considered. Going with the Wally image, I couldn't help but see them as June and Ward. Since the loss of their daughter and the slow unraveling of the family, they actually all came together to help Maribeth get what she needs. I just wish we got to see this from Maribeth's own family.
Overall, Danielle Steel's The Gift wasn't for me. Even though I finished it, I felt exhausted from slogging through those 216 pages. It was simply far too predictable and populated by a majority of flat, boring characters. I was hoping to be impressed and a least a little surprised by the novel, but that it just wasn't the case for me. However, it did leave me with one question: Did the nuns even notice (or care) that Maribeth ran away from the convent and then up and disappeared?
December 31, 2025
A cute quick book.
December 18, 2016
Una historia preciosa.
La vida de estos chicos no podría ser más diferente y a la vez parecida. Ambos están en una situación que resulta difícil para ellos, Tommy tratando de superar la muerte de su hermana y luchando contra el derrumbe de su familia y Maribeth contra un embarazado indeseado.
La verdad es que amé la historia completamente y a sus personajes. Como bien dice Maribeth, hay personas que llegan a tu vida como un regalo, una bendición y eso es lo que ella fue para la familia Whittaker un regalo. La presencia de Maribeth los salvó de la ruina emocional en la que estaban.
Tommy me ha encantado, un chico como pocos. Amoroso, dedicado a su familia, preocupado. Amé su relación con Maribeth y lo profundamente enamorado y preocupado que se sentía por ella.
Si hay algo que odié de este libro fue al padre de Maribeth. Machista hasta la médula. la verdad es que yo hubiera podido vivir en una época como esa, donde reprimían a las mujeres y les metían en la cabeza que para lo único que sirven es para tener hijos y atender a un marido. No digo que eso este mal, pero no es lo único que existe.
Aplaudo a Maribeth por mantenerse firme en todo momento, la decisión que tomó fue dura pero no dudo que fuera la correcta. Ella tomó la mejor decisión, no solo por ella sino por su niña.
De verdad amé el libro :D
La vida de estos chicos no podría ser más diferente y a la vez parecida. Ambos están en una situación que resulta difícil para ellos, Tommy tratando de superar la muerte de su hermana y luchando contra el derrumbe de su familia y Maribeth contra un embarazado indeseado.
La verdad es que amé la historia completamente y a sus personajes. Como bien dice Maribeth, hay personas que llegan a tu vida como un regalo, una bendición y eso es lo que ella fue para la familia Whittaker un regalo. La presencia de Maribeth los salvó de la ruina emocional en la que estaban.
Tommy me ha encantado, un chico como pocos. Amoroso, dedicado a su familia, preocupado. Amé su relación con Maribeth y lo profundamente enamorado y preocupado que se sentía por ella.
Si hay algo que odié de este libro fue al padre de Maribeth. Machista hasta la médula. la verdad es que yo hubiera podido vivir en una época como esa, donde reprimían a las mujeres y les metían en la cabeza que para lo único que sirven es para tener hijos y atender a un marido. No digo que eso este mal, pero no es lo único que existe.
Aplaudo a Maribeth por mantenerse firme en todo momento, la decisión que tomó fue dura pero no dudo que fuera la correcta. Ella tomó la mejor decisión, no solo por ella sino por su niña.
De verdad amé el libro :D
February 5, 2025
? Wat is literatuur, wat is lectuur??? Om iets te kunnen zeggen over romantische lectuur, moet je er zelf ook wat van gelezen hebben, anders weet je niet wat het verschil is, toch ;-)
🤔Toch wel een aardig te lezen boek (uit de boekenkast van mijn vrouw) en de zoetsappige woorden irriteren soms wel, maar wel blij dat ik het gelezen heb.
=> Volgende romantische boek gaat vast een Lucinda Riley worden ;-)
MW 1/4/21
🤔Toch wel een aardig te lezen boek (uit de boekenkast van mijn vrouw) en de zoetsappige woorden irriteren soms wel, maar wel blij dat ik het gelezen heb.
=> Volgende romantische boek gaat vast een Lucinda Riley worden ;-)
MW 1/4/21
September 8, 2014
Waste of an afternoon even at 16 years old.
June 11, 2016
2.5 stars
a sweet and heart touching story about love and people in our lives.
it was a nice read :)
a sweet and heart touching story about love and people in our lives.
it was a nice read :)
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