Aidan Lucid’s novella, A Mother’s Promise, is a fast read that packs a punch that’s perfect for the holidays. The story centers on Grace, a mom who is trying her best to give her son, Dylan, a good Christmas, but her boyfriend, Greg, is a major problem. Every year, Greg drinks too much and ruins everything, and it has Dylan completely fed up. When Dylan finally runs away, we get this wild visit from a modern, tech-savvy Santa Claus, which gives Dylan the nudge he needs. Ultimately, it’s a feel-good Christmas story about a mom who finds the courage to keep her word.

I really felt invested in Grace and Dylan’s pain, and the emotional connection worked, and that’s the best part of the book. I felt so bad for Dylan, watching his hope get crushed year after year, and when he finally ran away, my heart was right there with him. I just wanted him to be safe. The scene where he meets Santa was pretty clever, and I enjoyed the spin on the whole Santa thing. The writing keeps you moving, it’s definitely a page-turner. The author uses dialogue well to show you how terrible Greg is. You don’t need long descriptions to get the point, and I was excited when Grace finally stood up for herself. Greg felt like a bit of a cartoon villain sometimes, and I wished there was just a tiny bit more shading to him, but seeing him get what he deserves was worth it.

The core idea here, that sometimes people just need a “nudge” to do the right thing, really resonated with me. It’s smart because it doesn’t solve all of life’s problems with magic, it just helps the main characters find the guts they already had. The story doesn’t shy away from how tough it is to leave a bad relationship, and that’s an important thing to show, especially in a story that’s aiming for a happy ending. I think that grounded, real-world struggle is what makes the magic bits work so well.

If you are looking for a quick, heartwarming holiday story that is about more than just finding presents, then this book is absolutely for you. This is a perfect read for a cozy afternoon or a winter evening when you need a boost of hope, and I think teenagers and adults who enjoy family drama mixed with a touch of holiday magic will totally get into this. It’s an encouraging read for anyone who needs a little reminder that it takes strength to make a change, and I highly recommend it if you want something that will leave you smiling and feeling good about life.

Pages: 64 | ASIN : B0FMKG2QNK