Book Review of 'The Neighbor and the Gifts' by Danielle Grandinetti

Hello Bookworms!

I know Christmas in July isn’t for everyone, but I love it! When the Texas heat is bearing down on me, I can escape into a holiday read and dream of cooler weather, holiday treats, and that unique feeling of good cheer that only comes during the holiday season. This year, I am celebrating midway to the holidays with one of my favorite authors and her annual Christmas in July release!!

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Christmas Historical Romantic Suspense and don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Neighbor and the Gifts by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Neighbor and the Gifts
Series: A Christmas Cabin Novella
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Genre: Christmas Historical Romantic Suspense

Twelve days. Twelve gifts. One unlikely hero.

Wisconsin, 1930—When Manitowish Waters librarian Olivia “Ollie” Larson finds a package on the library steps, she expects the children’s books she ordered, not a taxidermied partridge. By the fourth gift from her unknown and unwelcome True Love, disappearing to her grandfather’s isolated cabin in the Northwoods is the only way she can escape him.

Deputy Titus Wilburn is happy to escort the lovely librarian to her grandfather’s house on his way to the neighboring Yarwood cabin. After all, he’s been smitten with her since they attended school together, and she needs his protection. However, the plan fails when Ollie’s uninvited suitor discovers her new location.

As the man’s actions become more desperate and his gifts more dangerous, an unexpectedly bedridden Titus decides to free Ollie from this menace, which puts the enemy’s sights directly on him. Ollie refuses to let her injured hero sacrifice himself, but with the days ticking closer to Christmas, she may have no choice but to accept whatever fate her suitor has in store for her if she wants to save Titus’ life.

One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.

My Review

Why do I get so much joy reading a Christmas novel in July? I know some reserve holiday-related reads for the season, but there’s something about reading about Christmas carols and snow when the real-feel outside is 112 degrees. It’s a sweet treat that makes me wish for cooler days, a crème brûlée latte, and my oversized hoodies.

Every year since its inception, I have been excited for another Christmas Cabin installment. I can’t believe how easy Danielle Grandinetti makes it to jump into this world after being away from it for a year. My curiosity was piqued from the jump as the mystery behind the packages and secret admirer compounds with each mysterious discovery. I felt so bad for the nervous little Ollie. She came across as a scared little animal and tugged on my heartstrings. I adored Titus from previous stories and was so excited to see him in the spotlight. He’s such a great guy and perfectly pairs with the jittery librarian.

The Neighbor and the Gifts was as sweet as a peppermint mocha while going Christmas lighting with the perfect balance of sweet and mysterious. One of my favorite aspects was learning the origin of the 12 Days of Christmas. My family used to sing this together every year on Christmas Day, and it brings back one of my fondest memories of my departed grandparents.

While I hate that we have to wait a year for the next installment, I know it’ll be here before I know it, and I also know it’ll be worth the wait. It’s the perfect Christmas escape no matter what time of the year.

My Rating: ★★★★

More in This Series

Listen to The Sheriff and the Outlaw audiobook on YouTube

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Her stories combine romance, mystery, and suspense against the backdrop of the 1930s to tell the tale of finding home and hope in hard times. With a master’s in communication and culture and a passion for intercultural communication, storytelling has been her heartbeat for as long as she can remember. Married to her hero, Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American, a dairy farmer’s granddaughter, and a boy mom from Chicagoland who now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline.

Connect with Danielle by visiting daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of both The Baby and the Guardian & The Neighbor and the Gifts plus 1 set of series-inspired earrings!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 15, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 22, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!