The Promises We Make in December

by T.W. Grim

A predator, a promise made that couldn’t be kept, and a prophetic message that transcends the barrier of death.

John is a lonely and embittered alcoholic, a seemingly successful man whose personal life has been left in shambles by his addiction. Knowing that his days are numbered, John sits down at his desk to write his final tale; an account of the disaster that shattered his childhood and irrevocably altered the course of his life.

The Promises We Make in December is a stark, unflinching examination of grief, loss, and the bittersweet salvation that lies within sacrifice.

75 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2018

About the author

T.W. Grim is a horror novelist from Southwestern Ontario. He is the author of 99 Brief Scenes From the End of the World, Tripping Over Twilight, When the Stars Fall and The Promises We Make in December.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/T.W.Grim_Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWGrim_Official
IG: @t.w.grim
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/twgrim

Reviews

[C.B. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Promises We Make In December" is a grim and gripping read. A lonely alcoholic writer recalls the events of his childhood that made him into the depressed person he is to this day. It all stems from a family tragedy and the snowball effect it has on the narrator and his mother.

As this is a short read, I don't want to give too much away in terms of the plot because as I was reading, I wasn't entirely sure just where this story was going. I wasn't even entirely sure of the genre. In my mind I had visions of ghosts of Christmas past and ethereal visitations on the present.

But if you are the type of reader that likes to know what you're getting into, I feel comfortable firmly placing this in the thriller section.

And thriller it is. I couldn't put the thing down as the action raced towards a prolonged climax with imagery that played out in my mind like a mini-movie. There is a sort of improvised survival fight scene that is rousing and violent.

If you are needing a quick read as a hard and brutal juxtaposition to the usual holiday cheer or to match your current mood in the face of such Christmas joy, I strongly recommend "The Promises We Make In December."

[Abice07 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but delightful read, about the trials of a young boy and his widowed mother.
I really felt for this kid and all the troubles he and his mother go through. It's a humanizing read showing the all to common and seeder side of growing up poor and the choices one must make to get by, and the consequences of those choices.

[H.G. Gravy · Rating 5 out of 5]

John is a successful author, but unfortunately, after many years of alcoholism, he is dying. However, he has one last horrifying tale to tell. The Promises We Make in December is a gritty coming-of-age story in which John recounts the terrible events of his childhood growing up with his mother in dire circumstances after losing his father in a fatal accident.

Then one day a seedy man named Dan comes into the picture and changes their lives forever. Their money issues are resolved. John’s mother seems happier. However, John isn’t too thrilled with the situation. It quickly becomes clear that Dan’s affairs are not legal. Dan’s associates are intrusive, demeaning, and downright dangerous.

The Promises We Make in December is a short, tension-filled, and captivating story by T.W. Grim. This novella isn’t the typical offering from Grim. The horror isn’t set in violence or in the supernatural. The tension and dread come from the constant threat John and his mother are subjected to. There is an element of unpredictability throughout the novella which feels like it could explode at any minute. This is conveyed masterfully in the character’s behavior and in the narrative.

Overall, I’d suggest The Promises We Make in December if you are searching for a quick read which will leave you feeling unsettled throughout.

[Livy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a read for the faint of heart. It deals with some dark themes and the ending was a bit on the depressing side (though I am inclined to say that I can understand why it ended like it did)

That said, this was a truly enjoyable and thrilling read. I got pulled into the story right from the start and was heavily invested from start to finish. Definitely recommend it if you’re wanting a quick but fully engaging read.

[Hilton Briscoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read, Worth Your Time.

Clocking in at 75 pages, this book is a good choice to sit down with and get some chills down your spine. Well paced, and engaging with a neat and evocative story.

[Jill Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

This was a poignant and raw view into the life of a boy trapped in circumstances beyond his control and the effects thsat folliwed him through his life. A little diffent from TW Grim's other books but still an excellent story.

[Richa Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good and gripping tale of a broken family. Writer is well versed in his craft , you will be hooked from the start. Read my full review here:

https://musingsofabooksavant.com/2022...

Happy Reading ,
Richa

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing tale of a family’s loss, descent into dysfunction, and violent recovery - with a caveat. Everything has a price