The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle
Kindle
$8.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$9.43
Audio CD
from $20.05
Audible Logo Your audiobook is waiting!
Enjoy a free trial on us
$0.00
  • Click above for unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection — yours to keep (you'll use your first credit now).
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $13.50
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Joanne Huist Smith (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,614 ratings
See all formats and editions

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.

Previous page
  1. Listening Length
    5 hours and 25 minutes
  2. Author
    Joanne Huist Smith
  3. Narrator
    Joanne Huist Smith
  4. Audible release date
    October 28, 2014
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B00O2B26JQ
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next page

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $7.49 after you buy the Kindle book.

Product details

Listening Length 5 hours and 25 minutes
Author Joanne Huist Smith
Narrator Joanne Huist Smith
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date October 28, 2014
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00O2B26JQ
Best Sellers Rank #151,048 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#26 in Christian Holidays (Audible Books & Originals)
#73 in Holidays (Books)
#375 in Grief & Loss (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
3,614 global ratings
Loved this book!
5 Stars
Loved this book!
This is an inspiring, heart warming true story. Perfect for the holidays and sure to be your best companion for cozy nights by the fire this holiday season.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Janice Allison
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Wonderful story of healing after a tragic loss. Her writing style makes the book just flow so smoothly. It was hard to put down. I did not want it to end.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Evonne
4.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming story
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
Just the perfect story to read as Christmas approaches. We read this as part of our book club. It may lead us to participate in the 12 days of Christmas in the future.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
D. Oskouee
5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving! A great read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
This unputdownable true story is like a beacon for anyone who wants to truly bless others with the true gifts of giving and love. A few years ago one of our children decided that my spouse and I had molested our own grandchildren and decided they needed to "take a break" from our family relationship. It lasted for 2 and 1/2 years. I felt like there was an anvil on top of my head. I knew that for my own survival I had to find someone else in need and serve them. The Lord put a friend in my path that I could be of service to. I felt that was what helped me thru it. I refused to give up on our child and our grandchildren. Thru counseling and humility our child realized the wrong things that were causing the feelings. We also sought counseling through our church. The issue was resolved and our family was reunited shortly after the 4th grandchild was born and what a wonderful blessing it was to be reunited! I can totally relate to the grief felt though our trial wasn't caused by a death in the family. Those two Christmas seasons were bleak indeed but my belief in service got us through it. I recommend this book to anyone suffering loss, whether it is a death or a temporary split in family ties.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Beautiful tribute to families we have lost. When I read what story was about I new I would enjoy it. Beautiful Story
Helpful
 Report
SIS
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book That Shares the True Meaning of Christmas!
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful book that exemplifies the true meaning of Christmas! It was a quick read and I couldn’t wait until the end. I’d recommend it to anyone who has suffered a loss or knows someone who has. It’s the little things in life that can make a difference oftentimes more than you’ll ever know.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Caitlyn Daly
3.0 out of 5 stars If you are in the early stages of grief I wouldn’t recommend
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
Navigating life after the loss of a loved one is extremely difficult, while this book is heartwarming, I would not recommend reading if you are grieving.
Helpful
 Report
Mensamom
4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Story About Giving, Forgiving, Acceptance, and Love
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
I read this for a December book club. I have owned a Kindle copy for several years, but just now got around to reading it. I really wish I would have read it sooner, but like so many other things in life, it seems I read it just when I was supposed to.

It is far too easy, in today's hustle & bustle world, to get caught up in the trappings of the Holiday season and forget the more important aspects - family, love, forgiveness, acceptance, and, yes, loss. Depression is insidious. It doesn't hit you like a cold or an injury can. It creeps in, filling up all the empty places of the day, convincing people that just going through the motions is enough. By making us numb to the pain, it also robs us of the joy that life can bring.

The Smiths are just going through the motions after the death of the family patriarch, Rick. His widow and children have become numb to life, with only the youngest child, Megan, still hopeful for the coming of Christmas. Yet, even her endeavors to bring the Christmas spirit back into the home are half-hearted, at best. It is in the midst of this bleak run-up to Christmas that a series of Random Acts of Kindness begin to reawaken the family to the world of life around them.

This book is part memoir, part instruction guide, on how to revive the joy of everyday living. Things will never be "perfect." There will always be something that causes a hitch in one's plans or expectations, but it is how we handle those challenges and overcome them that help define who we are and how we can best move forward.

I highly recommend this book, and if you can read it at Christmastime, even better!
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
letmejustsay
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming Story
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
Appreciate the author’s authenticity and commitment to share her family’s true story. That first Christmas without a beloved dad/mom/sibling is unbearable to endure. This story illuminates the difference simple kindness and thoughtfulness can make. The real meaning of Christmas in action. Well written, too. Highly recommend.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Moonwolf
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in Canada on January 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great book lessons to be learnt
Loved it 🥰
Report
Sharon Summerfield
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read.
Reviewed in Australia on November 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book is fascinating. Very hard to put down. A simply wonderful Story. I feel truly priviliged that I found this book and read it. Gift givers are wonderful people.
Report
LC
5.0 out of 5 stars The gift goes on giving
Reviewed in Canada on December 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
This book was a gift to me for a sad Christmas. The turning point of our retirement has revived the memory of the Christmas after my Dad's death (not long after his retirement) when nothing was joyful and we had to hold each other close to keep from falling apart. It has encouraged me to look outward for people to encourage at Christmas time.
One person found this helpful
 Report
marianne
4.0 out of 5 stars great book, i spiring thank you to the author
Reviewed in Australia on December 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
I really loved this book. It started off a bit dark and sad, normal when you lose your soulmate, husband, father of your children, your everything.
The secret gifts worked a treat and all members in the family cheered up and became a family who were ale to enjoy Christmas which is about being together with family and friends.
this is what christmas should be secret gifts, rather than gifts for giving. I hope lots of people take up this way of gift giving especially to people who go through a difficult time.Many thanks to the author I hope she and her family are well and not only keep the gift giving up but also inpiring other to do the same.
Report
Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in Australia on February 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
A nice light read.
Report