Inspired by his own unexpected act of kindness, Lou decides to prolong his charitable streak and contrives to get Gabe a job in his company's mailroom. One frigid morning in an uncharacteristic burst of generosity, he buys a cup of coffee for Gabe, a homeless man huddled outside his office building. And ever since he started competing for a big promotion, he has barely seen his family at all.

The classic workaholic who never has a moment to spare, he is always multitasking while shortchanging his devoted wife and their adorable children. extremely successful executive, Lou Suffern is always overstretched, immune to the holiday spirit that delights everyone around him. It is the perfect Christmas present for a family member to whom you want to express your appreciation and love.New York Times bestselling author Cecelia Ahern spins a witty, warm, and wise modern-day fable of love, regret, hope, and second chances. You won’t quickly forget Lou and Ruth, and the holiday season told about in The Gift. This story, albeit bittersweet, is no exception. Gabe tries to teach Lou that the shaky and ultimately meaningless steps on the ladder of ambition can’t compare to being with the people you love, and who truly love you.Įvaluation: Ahern is an appealing writer, and while she sometimes takes her imaginative flights a bit beyond what might seem “reasonable,” her books are lovely. “Gabe” tries to teach Lou the lesson that there’s only one choice he should make of where to spend his time that one day time will run out, and he will be sorry if he squanders the time that has been given to him. But then, as Christmas approaches, he meets the mysterious Gabriel, and everything changes. Lou is constantly breaking promises to all of them. Lou Suffern is a Type A executive, who neglects his wife Ruth and ignores his children Lucy and Bud. In this fable, he gets the opportunity, “just in time.” In this book, the gift of time is given to a man who thinks he never has enough who is too busy for his family and who is always wishing he could be in (at least) two places at once. This modern Christmas fable that shares some commonalities with both A Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life, although it isn’t precisely like either.

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern