As the Malory family meets at Haverston (the family estate) to celebrate the holidays, all is not well among the husbands, wives, and longtime lovers. James, the Malory black sheep, is having trouble with his wife Georgina. The family head, Jason, cannot convince Molly, the mother of his son, to marry him. In addition, a very mysterious package arrives that will change the lives of the family members forever.
The mysterious package (present), wrapped in gold with a red velvet ribbon, is found on a table near the fireplace. No member of the family knows who put the present on the table. The present turns out to be a journal, which was written by their grandmother. The journal tells the story of the first marquis, Christopher Mallory, and his wife, the mysterious Anastasia. The story confirms a long-held family suspicion that their grandmother was, indeed, a gypsy. This family secret will set all wrongs right and answer the family's questions about their past. The story of their grandparents will prove to the Malory clan that life is never simple and that the greatest gift of all is remarkable, magical - - it is love.
The story of Christopher and Anastasia parallels the lives of Jason Malory and his longtime love Molly. After reading the journal, Molly finally decides that she can marry Jason, even though a scandal could still happen, since Molly is the domestic help at Haverston. The Malory clan is thrilled for Jason and Molly. The reader is left with the feeling that Jason and Molly will marry on Christmas Day.
I would recommend The Present to children over the age of 12, as the book contains sexual references.
The Present was a Romantic Times award nominee in 1999. Author Johanna Lindsey recently re-released The Present, along with Home for the Holidays, in a book entitled The Holiday Present.
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