A Mother's Promise: A Heart-warming Christmas Novella

by Aidan Lucid

Some Christmas Miracles Come From the Most Unexpected Places...


Dylan Sanchez used to love Christmas. But for the last three years, the holidays have been anything but festive. Like clockwork, Greg – his mother’s partner – gets intoxicated and spirals from awkward jokes to tense, needling arguments that drain the joy from the season. Every year, his mother says it’ll be different. Every year it isn’t. When Greg slips back into old habits just days before yet another Christmas, Dylan can’t take it anymore. He grabs his coat and walks out, leaving behind the wreckage of promises too thin to stand on.

But when he witnesses a brutal attack on a helpless stranger out in the dark streets, his split-second choice to intervene sets off a chain of events unlike anything he could have imagined — something that’s nothing short of a Christmas miracle.

Sometimes, a thirteen-year-old boy's fierce heart is exactly what the world needs to remember the true meaning of Christmas.


A Mother's Promise also contains an excerpt from the award-winning YA horror novella, The Scavenger (Second Edition).

This book received the Silver Literary Titan Book Award in December 2025.

64 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2025

Reviews

[Honey Dy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful festive Christmas novella...and right on time because this one caught me completely off guard...in the best way possible.

This story reminded me that Christmas miracles don’t always have to come wrapped up in ribbons. Sometimes they show up in the form of courage, empathy, and a kid who refuses to look away when someone needed help.

A Mother’s Promise wasnt a loud or flashy novella, and it didnt rely on any shocks or spectacles to get its point across. Before I knew it, I became misty eyed, thinking about the whole point of Christmas, and it was all about kindness, giving know it and then suddenly you realise you’re a bit misty-eyed and thinking about Christmas, kindness, and about having a big heart.

Although this story was short, it was very emotional, and deeply human. It was the kind of story you got through quickly but it was still a story that made you think about it long after.

Aidan Lucid has proven once again that he can write straight to the heart—whether he’s breaking it or gently stitching it back together.

If you’re looking for something meaningful this holiday season—something that reminds you what Christmas is actually about—this one is absolutely worth your time. 🎄❤️

[Diana Jaques · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dylan and his mother Grace find themselves in a rut of life. Christmas has been the same for the past few years, and in many ways they both want things to be better. Though, sometimes life just isn't that straight forward and it takes a little bit of courage to pave the way to brighter days and in this case more joyous Christmases.

A Mother's Promise is bittersweet and heartwarming. We see mother and son go through the same experience, though we gain insight to the ways it effects them both differently. For Dylan his mother's choices dampen Christmas though he doesn't see that for his mother it goes beyond Christmas, it leaks into her everyday life.

I think that many people will be able to connect with this novella.
Aidan Lucid takes on a very real scenario of a plot, of course he's added a little bit of Christmas magic, but the story itself holds true to the experience of many.

Personally I found this plot quite powerful. For just a moment, if we stripped away the Christmas magic, your left with two strong individuals who found the courage, empathy and strength in each other to build a better life.

I have often found that Christmas books can sometimes get lost in a plot and forget about Christmas. For this book, the plot and Christmas shine together like fairy lights on a tree. Though the reality of the events are saddening, I still felt surrounded by Christmas. Focus on the season was kept central with descriptions and little details which brought everything together in a festive way.

This is a great short story for the festive season.
I'd recommend this book to to people looking for a Christmassy read with a realistic plot.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: A Mother’s Promise by Aidan Lucid

Genre: Family Relationships / Christmas / Coming of Age / Feel-Good / Middle Grade / Novella

This was a quick and easy read, I finished it in just about an hour, but it still managed to tug at my heartstrings.

At first, I’ll admit I was waiting for the “other shoe to drop.” I half-expected something darker to surface, but that was more about my own reading habits than the story itself. Once I let go of that expectation, I realised what a truly lovely, heart-warming story this was.

A Mother’s Promise is a touching tale of kindness, courage, love, and second chances, of the strength it takes for a mother to protect her child, and the fierce bravery of a boy who still believes in doing what’s right, even when the world feels bleak.

I really connected with Dylan and his mother (especially having been a single mother myself), their struggles, their choices, and the quiet strength between them felt real and deeply human. Aidan Lucid captured their emotion and resilience perfectly, reminding us that miracles don’t always come wrapped in ribbons, sometimes, they’re found in the choices we make for those we love.

A solid five stars from me.

Recommended for anyone in need of a heartfelt read that feels like sipping a cup of hot chocolate brimming with cream and marshmallows, comforting, warm, and full of hope.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rose Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Mother’s Promise! The story is heartfelt and moving, showing how even a young boy like Dylan can make a big difference in the world when he chooses courage and kindness. The Christmas setting felt authentic, with all the ups and downs of family life, especially the tension with Greg, which made the eventual miracle feel even more powerful.

Listening to the audiobook was a treat, too. Luke Frederick does a wonderful job narrating, his voice brings the characters to life and captures the emotion of each scene perfectly. I found myself really drawn in, and the story kept me engaged from start to finish.

It’s a perfect short listen for anyone who wants a mix of heartfelt drama, suspense, and that warm, festive Christmas spirit.

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas magic is very real, and this novella is the very idea of the Christmas spirit, in these modern days. Christmas has been hard for Dylan and his mom, and this story captures the depth of his emotion perfectly. The line that this is heart-warming is true. No matter what time of year, this week infuse a little magic into your life. I received an advance copy of this novella.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Priscilla Bettis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if a thirteen-year-old boy’s decision changes his family’s Christmas forever? I snagged an advance copy of A Mother's Promise and discovered the answer!

A Mother’s Promise is a contemporary MG/YA Christmas novella. Thirteen-year-old Dylan is a cool kid, but his wonderful police-officer father died, and Grace (Dylan’s mom) fell in love with Greg. Greg is an alcoholic. He’s horrible, not at all like Dylan’s late father, and Greg ruins EVERY Christmas! Dylan’s mom is loving and tries hard, but she’s finding it difficult to navigate between Greg and Dylan.

Finally, this Christmas, Dylan got an awesome Christmas gift. I thought that was the best part of the book, so amazing, but then his mother got an even better Christmas gift. Short of baby Jesus, a person couldn’t get a better gift than Grace received.

There are some harrowing moments that will keep both young and old readers flipping pages. Not only is it dangerous to be around Greg’s character, but also it’s treacherous out on the streets on Christmas Eve. Dylan gets himself into a precarious situation having to do with a homeless man. I was scared for Dylan, but I was so proud of him for trying to do the right thing.

Back to the gifts Dylan and his mom received … those gifts set up a string of events that leave readers with a hope-filled, Christmassy kind of ending. Loved it!

[Kara Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little Christmas novella that is atypical—at different times both heartwarming and saddening. I couldn’t tell who the audience really was—the dialogue and story read as if it were geared towards a young audience (definitely 18 and under, but even under 10 if the parent were say, reading it to the child), but there was a fair amount of unnecessary bad language that I didn’t feel was really appropriate for kids. A young boy is having lousy Christmases year after year after his father dies because his mother is in a relationship with a drunk who is verbally abusive (to both the mother and her son.) The mother continues to give this man chance after chance, for some unknown reason, to the detriment of her son, which I found so depressing. There is a portion of the story that is extremely inspiring, but overall it was just too unsettling to truly be enjoyable, although I love reading Christmas books and getting into the spirit as the season is beginning. I was provided a copy of the novella, which I appreciate, but these feelings are my own.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Mother’s Promise is a tender, introspective Christmas tale that takes a more grounded approach to holiday magic. Rather than focusing on cozy lights and cheerful reunions, Aidan Lucid explores the messy, emotional reality of a struggling family and a young boy trying to make sense of it all. The result is a story that’s both sobering and uplifting, reminding readers that sometimes the smallest acts of bravery shine the brightest.

Lucid’s writing is clear and expressive, capturing both the tension of Dylan’s home life and the warmth that emerges from compassion in the face of cruelty. It’s a compact read, and while I appreciated its sincerity, I was surprised to find that nearly half of the 64-page book is an excerpt from the author’s YA horror novella The Scavenger (Second Edition). This makes the main story a novelette, and shorter than expected.

Still, what’s there is heartfelt and well told—a brief, emotional reflection on forgiveness, hope, and the meaning of Christmas when the world feels cold.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely wonderful Christmas novella! First, I must say....don't go in expecting the typical feel-good happy-happy Hallmark holiday story. Dylan and his mother Grace are having a tough time of it, in large part due to Grace's lousy boyfriend. The reader gets a behind-the-scenes look at these relationships, and sees the situation with Greg from both Grace and Dylan's perspectives. In the end, you'll see how Grace is finally able to keep her promise to her son, but a lot of difficult things happen before then, and these things will have lasting effects.

The heart-warming part comes when Dylan leaves home, witnesses something awful, meets someone kind of wonderful, and experiences his own special Christmas magic.

There's definitely plenty of "Christmas" in this novella, definitely some heart-warming parts, but also plenty of sadness.

Read this for a different take on the traditional holiday story!

[Terasee Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says "heart-warming" . I did not get that 'feel good' vibe from this short story. My heart did go out to Dylan, the young boy. Being a child is hard enough as it is without having to deal with someone who has an addiction that is NOT related to you.
I couldn't get a feel for the author's belief system. There was the mention of going to Mass but when push came to shove, the hero and 'fixer' was Santa Clause and not Jesus.
The two most fleshed out characters were Dylan and Mr. C. Good job describing Dylan's emotions. And even though up-to-date technology is clever, I felt it a little hokey for the story.
Lastly, I didn't understand the relationship between Grace and Greg. She really had the same sentiments as Dylan but couldn't act on her convictions. That made me even more sad. Shad ahd the most control of any of the other characters.
I liked A Mother's Promise but it wouldn't be one I would share with my children.

[Terrytracy Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mother's Promise is a beautiful Christmas novella that touches the heart. Gracie and her son are planning to have a wonderful Christmas, but her boyfriend Gregg, ruins it. In this short story, a boy named Dyan is thrown in a dangous sitiuation in which the outcome will change the fate Christmas for him and his mother. This is a must read for those who love heart felt stories that truly are about the true meaning of the season. The novella contains a hint of reality to the stories to give it a warmth that keepes the readers attention as it gives a sense of hope and a reason to bellieve. Will Dyan make the right choice in the end or will he make things worse by his in action? I urge lover of Christmas themed novels to read this book and find out. I hope the auther turnes it into an audiobook, or a movie. 5 out of 5 stars.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent novella for Christmas, with just the ingredients you’d want to see for a Christmas story, and an ultimate Christmas miracle.

Dylan Sanchez used to enjoy Christmas until the death of his father, and his mother forming a relationship with a new man. Now Christmas is always spoilt by the new partner’s drinking. His mother has promised this Christmas will be different, yet the signs are that this year will be a repeat following him drinking again. Dylan has had enough so runs away from home, then comes the miracle!

Very much a feel good story after an initial feeling of annoyance at the situation Dylan finds himself in through no fault of his own. Keep a close eye out for an appearance from a man in a red suit, who appears in the most surprising of ways. It is a very good story for the time of year, but I would have liked more and to have know what happened next. It does give you that glow at the end of the story,

If you want some of the Christmas feels and a short read I throughly recommend this book.

[Catrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mother’s Promise is a beautiful example of how a short story can leave a lasting impression. The author captures the essence of resilience and love during difficult times, making this novella both touching and inspiring. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles resonate deeply, especially for anyone who understands the challenges of single parenthood.

The Christmas element is handled with care, adding a sense of magic without overshadowing the realism of the story. Luke Frederick’s narration is smooth and expressive, perfectly complementing the heartfelt tone of the book. This is a story that will stay with you long after the final chapter.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

[Shree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mother’s Promise by Aidan Lucid is a touching Christmas novella that beautifully captures love, loss, and hope. Thirteen-year-old Dylan struggles with grief and his mom’s troubled relationship, but a magical encounter changes everything. The story blends heartbreak and warmth, showing the true spirit of Christmas—kindness, courage and second chances. Though short, it feels complete and heartfelt, with believable characters and a powerful message about family and faith. Some scenes are intense, making it more suitable for older readers, but it leaves you with a smile and a sense of wonder. A lovely, emotional read for the holiday season.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story during which a desperate young boy, trying to escape another miserable Christmas, instead discovers the magic that the season can bring. The author uses a fluent writing style with an engaging storyline, which many mothers will relate to.
Despite Dylan’s own difficulties, the bravery he demonstrates towards someone less fortunate is well-rewarded and there is room for mature readers to employ potential symbolism in the journey he enjoys.
A welcome fantasy for young readers who need some magic in times of sadness, and an encouraging narrative for all mothers to remain strong for the children in their care. This is my voluntary opinion of a free review copy.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short Christmas novella about a 13 year old boy who is growing up with his mom and her drunken boyfriend. Just as many of the classic tales, not all is going well for young Dylan and his mother, and even though she had promised him time and time again that things would be different, things always stayed the same. That is, up until a chance meeting with Santa. Not sure a 13 year old would believe in Santa, but the story was a good, just the same.
Not really written for children due to content and cussing.

[Divya Mahajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mother’s Promise by Aidan Lucid is a beautiful holiday novella without overdramatization. It shows a mother’s love flawed, scared but ultimately choosing a child over everything against. Here the mother is not portrayed as a saint but a normal human who makes mistakes.
The story is short, words simple and pace emotional. A perfect read this season for everyone. Though this book talks about Christmas miracle, it’s just a part of the story and would be loved and enjoyed by everyone even those who do not celebrate Christians like me. A beautiful heartfelt story that relies on emotional impact. The story celebrates motherhood showing a mother’s sacrifice and choices but not ignoring the impact it has on her and family.
Emotional moments are understated rather than dramatic (like when the mother continues despite exhaustion. A must read for all. Thanks @Booktasters for this great read

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first few pages, this story had an atmosphere that made me feel at home with the characters; it was comfortable and cosy. The bond between Dylan and his mother went to my heart, and I found this to be a lovely short story. In particular, it would be a good choice as a short festive read, since it takes place at Christmas time. I would probably expect to read something like this as part of an anthology with other stories, rather than on its own, but it brought a smile to my face.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will touch your heart. Dylan and his mom are about to have another sad Christmas when Dylan does something that changes their future. it's a great novella that gets right to the point of the story, and I really enjoyed it. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I liked that this book was totally different from so is Aidan's other books and I look forward to his next story.

[Jane Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Christmas Eve and Dylan was looking forward to a nice Christmas with his mum and Greg, her boyfriend, the year before his mum had said that they would have a good Christmas this year, that would include Dylan not being drunk and causing trouble but as we get older we realise that our parents can't always make things right.
What will happen this year though,Greg had stopped drinking and he was going to meetings, could this year be the good one his mum has promised?

[Toni Nyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this short story. I am a firm believer in the true spirit of Christmas and this little book checked all the boxes. The firm bond between a mother and her child is tested in this story in a very real way. You find yourself so drawn into their predicament. A beautiful story for the holidays.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author writes this novella with grace, depth and heart. This book hit too close to home for me, but the ending brings hope to Dylan and his mother. The way Greg treated them was abominable. The emotion brought out some sadness and tears, but the ending was great. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas novella for Y/A readers. Family struggles. A single mom. An alcoholic bf. An unhappy son. A Christmas miracle.

I was gifted this book from the author through Story Origin. Narrated by Luke Frederick. He gets 5 stars as well.