Thank you NetGalley, publishers, and Derek McFadden for gifting me a copy of The Santa Claus Agreement: A Holiday Fable of Magic, Whimsy, and Heart in return for my honest review.

3.5/5 stars
An agreement 40 years in the waiting…

What’s a boy to do when Santa Claus lets him down? He strikes an agreement.

When he was seven, Davey Boyd asked Santa for just one Christmas “Please make me normal.”

Because Davey had always believed— always known —Santa could do anything .

Until Santa didn’t. Because even Santa couldn’t. Instead, Santa and Davey struck an agreement.

Now, forty-eight-year-old David Boyd’s time as a mall Santa Claus ends tonight. He loves the kids, the magic, the season. But it’s time. It’s not the cerebral palsy he has learned to live with bringing this time to a close; it’s not the heartbreaking ending of his relationship.

No, it’s time to begin the agreement he made forty years before.

So, tonight, Davey is going to tell the kids who’ve gathered what happened that night, forty years ago, when he was whisked away to the North Pole. It’s his last chance before the agreement is due to come into effect. Well, that is if one small detail doesn’t void the whole thing. But there might be an elf—a cute one—who can help, if only Davey can truly see her before it’s too late…

This was a cute Christmasy read, that had a very unique twist. I loved the representation of cerebral palsy but the author brought it up it felt like every other page. I wish it wasn't shoved down our throats so much. It was a quick read but I wasn't really thrilled with the first half of the book it took a while to hook me.

A bit late to the table on this story but thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this sweet and lovely magical Christmas story.
The main message is about acceptance and also that the main character has cerebral palsy who makes and agreement to become the nest father Christmas.
Although written for adults, I can see this being for children too, with addition of illustrations and even a tv film,

Well done to the author for writing this

Recommended stocking filler 2024 Christmas ( never too early to start your Christmas shopping)

"The Santa Claus Agreement" is a delightful holiday read that captures the magic of Christmas. In this enchanting tale, the author skillfully weaves together elements of fantasy and heartwarming moments. The story takes readers on a journey that rekindles the joy and wonder of the holiday season. With endearing characters and a charming narrative, It is a perfect addition to any festive reading list, bringing smiles and a touch of Christmas spirit to readers of all ages.
Thank you to ‎Papillon du Père Publishing and Derek McFadden for the ARC In the change for my honest review.

Summary:

Davey Boyd has a disability that doesn't allow him to be the big brother that he wants to be. His only wish growing up was to "Please make me normal". His brother even made the wish to Santa once on behalf of Davey. The holiday season his brother made the wish Davy and him were brought to the North Pole. Santa and Davey entered into an agreement. Until the agreement time comes, Davey takes a job as a mall Santa.


My thoughts:

The Santa Claus Agreement was a well written book that flowed smoothly. I enjoyed McFadden's writing style. It was nice to see a main character with a disability especially since he was to become the next Santa. I have a daughter with a chronic illness that limits her physically and it is just nice to see characters similar to her even if the disorder is a different one. It is easy to relate to the characters because she just wants to be normal again but doesn't mind leaning on her brother and me when she needs.

I want to read more by Derek McFadden.
Thank you Derek McFadden and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of The Santa Claus Agreement.

This is a short and sweet holiday story about Davey, a mall Santa with cerebral palsy who made an agreement when he was a child to become the next Santa Claus. This read was just ok for me. Overall, the story was cute, and I appreciated the themes of learning to accept yourself for who are (although the message felt heavy-handed at times). But the story was meandering and the format in which it was told (as Davey doing story time for visitors to his mall Santa shop) seemed a bit silly and unbelievable (who goes to a mall Santa for an hours-long story time?) I also thought Davey’s relationship with Audrey was problematic - I realize the author’s intent was to illustrate that she was the wrong match for him, but it was hard to see any redeeming qualities to their relationship that would explain why they were together for five years. I also was bothered by the nonchalant mentions that Audrey dealt with depression and anxiety (and the insinuation that these issues were what made her an unfeeling and unlikeable partner). Perhaps I am just a Grinch, but this holiday story will not become a classic for me.

Davey Boyd has cerebral palsy, but that is not who he is. He is a mall Santa who 40 years ago made an agreement with the real Santa and now that agreement is coming due. My favorite part of this heartwarming Christmas story is the story of when Davey and his little brother got to visit the North Pole. Whether it's Hallmark movies or holiday novels, I love a North Pole setting. The Santa and Mrs. clause in this one are charming and the magic of Santa is imaginative.

Overall, this is more a story about acceptance of ourselves, in spite of what those around is might think. It was full to bursting of the lessons we flock to holiday stories for. So if you are in the mood for a holiday happy, this is a great one!

A sweet book and very festive. Had many festive feels. Was gorgeously Christmassy and heartwarming. It showed Santa is always watching and although he would always love to grant all our wishes some he just can’t grant.
Mrs Christmas obviously is the kick ass you expect her to be too.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for and honest review.

If you're looking for something different; yet related to the spirit of Christmas, this is the story for you. Through flashbacks and real-time story-telling, this is a story based in reality and in "magic". The reader is taken on a 40+ year journey through recollections by a now 48 year-old David "Davey" Boyd who was struck with cerebral-palsy. A seven-year-old Davey, through the urging of his best friend Luke, decides that he's going to ask Santa to take away his palsy as his Christmas wish. This is what brings us to the current day and Davey's storytelling, while playing Santa at a local mall.

For this reader, this is such a poignant and provocative story about faith, hope, the magic of Christmas, family, true friends, and love in all its many forms. There were times that I laughed at the hi-jinks and cried at the sorrow.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

If you looking for a story to get you into the Christmas story, The Santa Claus Agreement should do nicely. I went into the book not ready for the Holiday season and quite blah. I'm still a bit blah, but with over half of my Christmas shopping done.

As someone with a neurological disability, I loved Davey being an awesome lead who just happened to have cerebral palsy

Good Christmas book that I hope gets turned into a just as good Christmas movie.

This is not your typical Christmas novel. On the plus side, it embodies an inspirational message of love and self-acceptance. On the flip side, the author’s writing style is ponderous, verbose, and too often repetitive. I was tempted to abandon reading it several times before I reached the 75% mark when the pace picked up.

David Boyd (aka Davey) has cerebral palsy due to a physician’s negligence. As the story begins, Davey is plagued by low self-esteem due bullying at school and his jealousy of Brendan, his toddler “normal” brother, who has captured his parents’ attention. Davey’s saving grace is his best friend Luke who suggests that he ask Santa to take away his palsy as his only request for his seventh Christmas. Davey request is rooted not only in his desire to be able to run and play sports, but also to be a big brother to Brendan. To his dismay he awakens on Christmas morning and nothing has changed. Santa has let him down.

The storyline alternates between 8-year-old Davey and adult Davey, 40 years later. It involves a bit of magic with a trip to the North Pole and a proposal from Santa – hence the title of the book. The greatest challenge in fulfilling the Agreement is Davey’s willingness to accept his physical limitations and to embrace the palsy as an integral part of who he is.

Overall, it is a strong message delivered in a convoluted storyline.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This is the story of a young boy - as it begins - and his family. A boy who has a disability, and who is treated badly by at least one of the other boys at school. A boy who steals his lunch money every single day. His best (and really only) friend’s mother adds a little extra, intentionally, so her son can share with him. A boy who feels even more left out when his parents have another baby, a healthy baby boy.

’This is the story of an agreement. It’s about a magical apprenticeship and a life wrenched askew.’
‘It’s about Santa and Mrs. Claus and the elves and Rulph and Frosty the Snowman and the North Pole and how they’re all real. And it’s about a kid with cerebral palsy who became a man with cerebral palsy.’
‘That kid was me. The man is me.

As Christmas approaches, he writes Santa a letter telling him that the one gift, the *only* gift he wants this year is to be ‘normal.’

This is a story that goes back and forth through time. The way people look at him and then quickly look away, the way, when he is an adult ‘playing’ Santa that his boss treats him and talks to him as though he is not a person, but something else.

When Santa reached out to him as a child, his life began to change, and he knew he had a purpose that he needed to fulfill, but as time passes he seems to wonder if it would ever happen. When Santa reaches out to him at the agreed time, he isn’t sure if the promise Santa made will come true.

A lovely and thought-provoking read.


Published: 01 Nov 2022

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Papillon du Père Publishing

The message was wonderful and it was a unique story. So many holiday stories are cookie-cutter offerings, but this one was different.

Read this if:
✔️You love heartwarming, holiday stories
✔️You enjoy non-traditional characters/holiday stories
✔️You like reading about love and acceptance
✔️You know what it’s like to be marginalized
✔️You root for the underdog
✔️Know know what it’s like to keep going even when your heart is shattered

My only dislike is that Davey Boyd’s ‘challenge’ was raised every. single. page. Or it felt like it. It was as if the author needed to keep reminding me of Davey’s disability and his inferiority complex. I got it the first time.

I was gifted this copy by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

What a lovely, magical, important story about accepting ourselves as we are! I loved reading Davey’s story and found it enchanting in many ways and on many different levels. About halfway through, once the scenes turned toward Santa in the North Pole, I found myself wishing to see this story as a children’s book with beautiful illustrations… Because, while I understand that this book really is meant for adults, there is a message here also for children, and I wish that the author would consider finding a children’s book publisher to work the story into that form that also.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy reading Christmas novels and this one was no different. I also have Cerebral Palsy so it was great for me to see a main character who has it too!

One of the most exceptional Christmas stories you’ll likely ever unwrap!

Derek McFadden is perhaps the best writer you don’t know yet! His stunning, award-winning novel What Death Taught Terrence is as a good a study on life—particularly in terms of love, wishing, regret, and hope—that you’ll likely ever read. In The Santa Claus Agreement, McFadden deals with many of the same themes, although this time with a lightness of touch to bounce atop, as befits a Holiday/Christmas story.

Young Davey Boyd has to get over the crushing disappointment of Santa letting him down on his 7th Christmas. The next season, who should visit but Santa! He whisks Davey and baby brother Brendan away for a magical North Pole adventure. Or is it more than that?

Forty years later, and Davey is about to wrap up his time as a mall Santa Claus. Well, he hopes so. A very special agreement is due to come in to effect, but it’s supposed to include his partner. Trouble is, they just broke up. Is there some-elf else perhaps that’s better suited to and keen on the role…?

Told in an engaging (and easy to follow) dual timeline McFadden’s tale is the most original Christmas story you’ll read this (or possibly any other) year. His strength of pure emotional truth is balanced by familiar and welcome tropes for the season, combining to deliver the most exceptional of Christmas stories you’ll likely ever unwrap. I can hear Netflix knocking…