Terms May Apply

by Keith A. Pearson

What would you give for a wish to come true? Your left arm? Your most cherished possession? Your last crumb of integrity? Kyle Hammond is suffering a surprise birthday party he really didn’t want. As he blows out the candles on his cake, he makes a token wish. Three days later, to his utter astonishment, that wish comes true. All his problems solved, Kyle is busy counting his blessings when a gaunt pensioner turns up at his door unannounced. The stranger then confounds Kyle by claiming credit for his recent good fortune, followed by a bizarre declaration … when Edmund Wishkin grants a wish, there’s always a price to pay. Whether he believes the old man or not, Kyle is about to discover the true cost of a wish fulfilled. "A real page-turner full of laughs, twists and moments of genuine poignancy. Pearson possesses an undeniable talent for making the unbelievable believable." - Delia Morgan

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook

349 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2020

About the author

I rarely visit Goodreads, on account it's a terrifying place for authors who aren't blessed with a thick skin.

If you'd like to know more about me, head over to my website, or you can follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put this on your wish list. Now.

See what I did there?

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

And Pearson does it again. Mr. Wishkin may not be as good as Clement or Mungo, but he works fine and dandy.

I bought this book to be my Christmas Eve book, but what with the Big Orange crap-a-pa-loosa we here in the States have been suffering, I didn’t feel much like celebrating until this past week. And what a perfect book for it.

Thank you!

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar formula to the rest of Keith Pearson's work (which I love) but found Kyle Hammond very annoying. His wish coming true seemed to drain him of any common sense resulting in behaving as if he was in cloud cuckoo land. This made me rather dislike him and wanting to knock some common sense into him. It all worked out in the end (not really a spoiler if you are familiar with Keith Pearson's novels) but not as good as the rest of the author's books.

[JJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is funny but it does follow the same basic structure to any old novel you may find centreing around wishing with the same moral that money won't bring you happiness.

Overall the pacing is a bit dragged out especially at the start and I get the main character is meant to be obnoxious in the centre of the book but goddamn, that much? I did laugh at this book occasionally and it did follow the pathibg of the basic structure in a relatively unique way sometimes, detering from the stencil.

The book also briefly introduced a non-binary character who used they/them pronouns which even the author didn't respect. You could argue this is in character for the voice of the main lead but his identity is used a punchline in a terrible "tHe nExT gEnErAtiOn iS sO sOfT" joke.

[Graham Bowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be careful what you wish for......!

Another great book from Keith Pearson.

[Helen the Bassist · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
I find stories where someone's life just goes from bad to worse in a series of regular steps stressful (see Lemony Snickett) and this, combined with me feeling little sympathy for the protagonist (quite frankly I thought he was an idiot and that's being polite), means I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did both of the Mungo Thunk books. I'm gobsmacked that Terms May Apply was published after Meeting Mungo Thunk! Thunk is much better than Wishkin so, if this was your first Pearson novel, do persist. Even this wasn't that bad...I'd just been spoilt!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

Keith A Pearson is a very imaginative author. His books are unusual,original,slightly quirky and will definitely raise a smile.
I’ve read all of his books and am never disappointed. You can have empathy for the main protagonist, (although some of Kyle’s oversights are absolute howlers),and the other characters are always so well described, you can visualise them.
I could have read this book in one go, unfortunately my limited spare time didn’t allow for that. I bought this book before Christmas and actually delayed reading it, knowing that once read, there are no more of Pearson’s books out there I’ve yet to read. Nothing else for it but to re-read them all hoping it’s not long until Mr.P pens the next ‘must read’.

[Richard Tubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you wish for?

I’m a big fan of Keith Pearson’s books, and his latest, “Terms May Apply” doesn’t disappoint.

If you asked most people what they’d wish for, a lottery win might be high on that list. But when the protagonist of this book receives his wish, his life starts to unravel, courtesy of a mysterious character called Edmund Wishkin.

As always, Pearson’s books are hilarious, dramatic and poignant in equal measure.

The closing chapters did bring a tear to my eye, and a fresh perspective on what truly makes us happy.

Well worth reading!

[Howard Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Persevere

Don't give up on this book. I found the middle very depressing but it is a truly uplifting book if you stick at it.

[Amanda Manson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from Keith

I must admit I struggled with the first half. But persevere! It got better and better and enjoyed the sending.

[Sarah Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this as I am a huge Keith Pearson fan and it started off well but by the middle it actually made me feel really anxious and frustrated. The storyline is great and very clever as always but this one just wasn’t a favourite for me.

[Chris & Phil Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t judge

I’ve always loved Keith’s books but I struggled with this one. I got so annoyed with Kyle but I needn’t have worried Keith just likes to wind us up. So another great book

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, a bit depressing and Kyle brought a lot of his problems on himself, but the ending saved it from being too gloomy.

[Anthony Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sorry, I have read all of the author’s books to date and have throughly enjoyed every one of them, but this one which I found very disappointing. I gave up after having read 59% of the book. I didn’t like the characters. I could not relate to Kyle and his spending was ridiculous and annoying. I did not like the challenge asked for repayment of his win nor the character demanding it. As far asked remember there had been no agreed contract for the granting of his birthday wish.

At the stage I finished reading, I had no enjoyment and could predict the things going wrong for Kyle and his wife, who I did have some sympathy with at the start. I may well have finished too early and I know all would right itself to a happy ending.

In previous books, especially the 4 Clement books, his main characters also faced nasty events with some nasty people and circumstances, but Clement was a terrific character and very funny. There was much humour as he sorted out their problems to a successful conclusion in each case. Not so in this book for me. I know many people obviously enjoyed the book. Just not for me. I may go back to it at some later date, as I rarely don’t finish a book.

[PIETER · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? This isn't at all like other Keith A. Pearson books and I'm not sure that's a good thing. I've loved a few others more including the one about the diary and In Lieu of You, his most recent. This one introduces an unusual protagonist, Kyle Hammond, a recruitment advisor for estate agents. He's worked for seven years in a fairly dead-end job and when he thinks he might receive a long-delayed rise to manager he's suddenly let go. He wins a fortune on the lottery and all hell breaks loose. I won't print spoilers but all does not go well. Unlike most of Pearson's thrillers this becomes something of a cautionary tale. A little too sweet, saccharin. Not what I expect from Pearson. Still he weaves an intricate and complicated tale with great verbal and mental dialog, Pearson trademarks. Less than some but not bad. Hope for better in future.

[Mike White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another brilliant tantalising must read !

Thanks to KAP for yet another twisting rollercoaster where ordinary people are confronted by the extraordinary with intriguing consequences.

The reader is compelled to consider the question “What would I do in the same circumstance?” as our well crafted characters make some simple and some not so simple life choices.

Loved the premise for the narrative and demolished the book in no time at all (again). Most enjoyable ! Only problem is I’m off toffee apples for life (you have to read the the book to find out why).

Oh and be careful what you wish for ............

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyle is really down on his luck. His wife arranges a surprise birthday party thinking that they would have something to celebrate. Even the party doesn’t go to plan. When he blows out the candles on his cake he makes a wish, that wish comes true but just as Kyle thinks his life is turning around he find that there are conditions attached to his wish.

This is the second book that I have read by this author. I love the humour in his books. I really enjoyed Kyles character but couldn’t believe what stupid decisions he made. The story isn’t the same at all but it gave me It’s a Wonderful Life vibes which is my favourite film. I fully intend to read this author’s backlog.

[Stuart Duffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant read

If you don't read books by Keith and feel great afterwards then there is something wrong with you. Great story, great maguffin, great moral and life lesson with a super supporting cast as always. The what would you do if you won the lottery question peeled back like an onion for the majority of us. Nice few little twists and call backs such as the sweet smell is wonderfully woven together. As I say great books and should be looked at for TV.Cheers Keith looking forward to the next 1 already.

[Richard Kettlewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

RA

This is the third Keith A Pearson book I've read, and I'm now a total fan (although I probably was after the first one). I love his down to earth realism, blended with magic. But his real strength as an author is his powerful sense of empathy. You can laugh and cry and laugh some more at his writing. He is on the side of goodness, truth and real life values without ever being sentimental or preachy; finding the heart of things without moralising. You can't put a better bit of contemporary fiction before your eyes. And that's the honest to goodness truth.

[John F Schlesinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another corker from Pearson

For the first three quarters of this morality tale you think it might actually be a horror story, but then the sun comes out and the inevitable end becomes clear. The beauty of Keith's books, especially for a Englishman, is how real they are even though they are in fact fantasy. A bit like The Turn of the Screw, all the events have two explanations, the objective one seen by others, and the subjective one experienced by the first person narrative. A great read.

[Mr J Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If wishes were horses...

Once again Keith Pearson comes up with a feel-good yet thought-provoking novel.Nicely written, characters you care about (dare I say 'mild peril'?) and even a reference to Talking Heads - nice touch. Go on, get a copy; it'll be good for you, good for Keith's bank balance and even good for me if I can get some sort of commission arrangement off the ground...

[Dave Cudworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Read

I have to admit that I'm hooked on Keith's books and can't wait for the next one to appear! This is as inventive and "unputdownable" as the previous ten. My only problem is that, rather masochisticly, I put off starting his books so that the anticipation builds up until it's unbearable, the book is polished off in a record time and I'm then waiting for the next one to appear ! Please read this book, you will not regret it!

[Tina Hodgson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only recently started reading books by this author and love every one I have read so far. The ones I have read are time travel but this is a little different. However it has Keith’s trademarks. A warm witty and inventive tale with well written characters who you can empathise with straight away. Kyle the main character wishes for what many of us would wish for. The story then takes a twist and he is visited by a very strange stranger! No more spoilers, I’ll just say read and enjoy.

[matt whitnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again , Keith delivers , exceptional !

Another fantastic additional to this authors stable of works , no time travel this time , but another large dose of ‘ be careful what you wish for ‘, another thrilling story of family , friends and the their important things in life that makes you question what we are all here for , and what constitutes happiness

Absolutely loved it , yet another that I couldn’t put down , on to the next 👍

[C I KESZEI · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's normal to dislike any kind of agent, although that has nothing to do with this book

This is another cracking read from Mr Pearson, with shades of his Clement series. Which is not a bad thing by any stretch.
Really enjoyed reading this, even if there were some harsh truths contained within for certain characters.
The only downside is now I have to wait for the author's next work.

[joanne jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve loved all of Keith Pearson’s books so far, this one doesn’t disappoint, although I didn’t like the main character to begin with . He makes some poor decisions and I kind of thought - you deserve whatever you get! Fortunately he improves . Also Clement and Mungo Thunk in the other books have something endearing about them, whereas this “strange” character Mr Wishkin is quite dark and unpleasant . However, it’s a good read - improves as it goes. Would recommend.

[Emz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a mundane book, but yet so compelling, in parts boring, but then so engrossing, so banal, but endearing and yet such a page turner. In other words a book full of oxymorons. Beautifully written, capturing the essence of an ordinary man, in his ordinary life, when it's thrown into turmoil, all because of a simple wish. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish, a bloody good read. I wish I had the words to express how good this book is. 5 STARS.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Although I found Edmund Wishkin repulsive and his methods morally questionable, the story hit home with me. My wishes, birthday or otherwise, are almost always about money. Winning a big lottery is my top wish. I know money won't solve all problems and won't guarantee happiness, but still... A good story overall, but I really don't want a reappearance of Mr. Wishkin.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Individual

Keith definitely one of my all time favourite authors.
Lots of his story’s come with certain individuals “ if you know you know “
Edmund Wishkin. Is here to teach Kyle a few life lessons !
Whilst Keith keeps the story alive and entertains there is always a poignant point he addresses cleverly snuck in .
Yet again Keith blooming great read. 5 star worthy ( Stalker 😎)

[Adrienne Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny but cautionary tale - be careful what you wish for! I really enjoyed this book and the journey of discovery of the main character, Kyle. I even felt his anxiety as things start to unravel and I found myself thinking about the characters and their journey even when i wasn't reading the book! Highly recommended.