I mean the opposite case for me(because I can’t remember getting a bad book for Christmas) was when a coworker got me the first book of The Finder Chronicles by Suzanne Palmer as a Secret Santa gift, she was super excited when the next day she asked me if I liked it and I could honestly tell her I loved it.
Anne McCaffrey’s Catternai or Freedom series.
James Rollins Sigma Force books.
I think that’s it that I can really think of.
I see the trope more in shows.
Oh that just reminded me, Game of Thrones. Yeah, that has it some.