I'm a bit torn on this one because, on the one hand my deep and abiding love for movies like Tooth Fairy starring The Rock and The Santa Clause is thrilled about a romance set in a world with a mafia Santa and arranged marriage between holidays. Fantastic concept. On the other hand, the sex scenes read like filler and there's a lot of set-up for book 2, something I hate when it feels shoehorned into a novel.

I wish I could give this book 100 stars. 1,000. 1 million? It’s worth it. I haven’t been so thoroughly entertained, so amused, so heart gushingly emotional from a novel like this in such a long time. I’m devastated that it’s over and the only keeping me going is that there’s a sequel. I may die from happiness overload from the intensity of my love for this book. I can’t wait to shout it from the rooftops.

HOLY ! This book was everything I could ever wanted!! Coal and Hex were so precious and I loved how their relationship came to be! This world buidling was also perfection! I loved the concept of them both being princes with their holidays as they try to get through this fake competition! The way the trauma was addressed and dealt with! And I also appreciated Coal's relationship with Kris and Iris ! And don't even get me started with the delightful easter eggs that seemed to be just for me! Yes I see you The Mummy and Taylor Swift !! Truly a book of perfection !! I loved it so so so much !!

I just really wish this were told in dual POV. It had a weird balance between fantasy politics/world building and romantic comedy vibes. The writing style didn't flow well for me, but I did appreciate the banter among the characters. I would've loved more heart-to-heart conversations between Nicholas and Hex though since I feel like we barely got to know them aside from their roles in their respective Holidays.

This is a very cute rom-com novel following the Prince of Christmas and the Prince of Halloween. They both are suitors of the Princess of Easter as a marriage of convivence match, but are obviously attracted to each other. The story ends up involving more insight into the political and business side of holidays, which was done in an interesting allegory for capitalism and corporate greed. It's cute and well done. I personally am not necessarily the target audience, but my rating here reflects that of the readership I think the book is going for. I recommend this if you enjoy cute and quirky rom-coms, something like Red White and Royal Blue.

A friend recommended this book to me and she was emphatically correct that I would love it. The Nightmare Before Kissmas was sweet, angsty, and very funny. I giggled out loud so many times. And the plot and world building was interesting and intriguingly unique. Who knew Santa could be a villain. In the midst of Santa’s manipulations, we meet Hex the son of Halloween. He was a fantastic character who was the opposite of Coal in so many ways, but also a great guy. I loved how the dynamic between Coal and Hex changed as they got to know each other in their very insta-lust turned insta-love romance. I also grabbed the audio and let me just say, I’m a little disappointed that Ellis Evans hasn’t narrated a book for me before. He was absolutely fantastic, and narrated each character incredibly well, making the story so much better by adding subtle nuances for each character. His comedic timing was impeccable and made me laugh so much.

This story is on the surface seems very out there, but at it’s heart it’s an adorkable romance and such a fun read. I giggled as Coal thought things through and had his “Ahh-Ha!” moments and the dialogue with his brother Kris was so much fun. While romcoms are not usually my thing, I think the complexity of the plot and the absolute silliness of the holidays paired with a sweet, opposites attract romance completely sucked me in. And don’t be mistaken, there is some slow burn steam mixing in there too. The story left me quite intrigued to find out what comes next for Kris and hopefully Iris too. This opposites attract, holiday, romcom was so much fun I can’t wait to continue the series.

Imagine that scene from Nightmare Before Christmas with all the trees that lead to the different holidays. Now instead of trees, make it kingdoms that reign over the holidays. Add in espionage, blackmail, and Santa as a silver fox in a red Versace suit. Now add in a hot mess of a son that will inherit Christmas and a hot Halloween prince in a corset vest (think Ragnarok Loki).

This book was so freaking adorable. It was such a fun time.

Nicholas “Coal” Claus is at odds with his dad, Santa. In recent years, Christmas has become about consumerism, but all Coal wants to do is spread Joy. When Santa arranges a marriage between Coal and Iris, a princess of Easter, all Coal wants to do is rebel. But when Santa brings in Hex Hallow, a prince of Halloween to “vie” for the affections of Iris, Coal finds himself falling for this rival prince.

This was a cute holiday rom com that did not take itself seriously. It was campy and fun, and mildly angsty. The political workings of the rival holidays was a bit much, but overall this was an enjoyable holiday story.

It's been years since I have picked up a Sara Raasch novel, but this brought me right back into her writing. I enjoyed the character dynamics and the magic of this story. Perfect for the holidays.

A perfect book for the time between Halloween and Christmas when you want something festive and seasonal but you aren't looking for a full-blown Hallmark movie yet. This book is really more royal logistics and politics than about the holidays, and I would say it is less 'enemies to lovers' and more 'forbidden love' but I loved the disaster that was Coal and how he began to take responsibility for his own life instead of playing along with what his father, Santa, had decided for him.

The chemistry between Coal and Hex was undeniable, and I loved the best friend triangle of Coal/Kris (his brother)/Iris (princess of Easter), but I do wish there was a teeny bit more information given about Iris since there was a lot of insinuation that she was going through something but no real details to help the reader figure out what. The ending was a little abrupt but honestly, I was just enjoying this ride so much and loving the romance (and holy, the spice level is high!) that I am really looking forward to the second book and want it right now!

This is a fun and funny book with a really interesting premise and great characters. I loved reading it!

The cover of this book is so fun and had me really excited to give it a read! and I was only more impressed by what I found inside. For a fantasy book it all felt surprisingly real to me! the characters and their struggles were things I could empathise with and the magic was just such a fun touch I loved it. The concept itself was really well done and was very unique making this feel super new and exciting.

I'm rating this book 4 out of 5.
Pros:
The relationship between Coal and Hex is adorable. They have chemistry and banter that works. However. the star of the show for me was the relationship between Coal and Kris. Their sibling relationship felt so real and genuine. It's one of the best depictions of siblings I've read in a very long time. The court politics is engaging despite the off the wall premise of the book..

Cons:
The relationship between Coal and Hex borders on instalove which is not a trope I tend to like. Raasch makes it work but I would've loved to have seen a slower development between the two.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The vibe is warm and joyful. The relationships are cute. It also feels like there is a message to this book that is worth hearing out. I would definitely recommend this book.

This book had more substance than I was expecting for a holiday romance! I love the idea and storyline of holidays banding together or forging alliances and having some levels of royalty as well.

If you like holiday romance, some spice and magic and good winning over evil, pick this up during the holiday season.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bramble for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun book! I liked how the author brought the two holidays (Halloween and Christmas) together in such a cute way. The character's banter was so funny. I just loved them. This was just what I need to distract myself and I totally enjoyed it!!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I’m not entirely sure if the author meant for this to read like destiel fan fiction but I AM HERE FOR IT. It’s wholesome and perfect. No notes.

After making a terrible decision, The Prince of Christmas, Coal, tries to make himself feel better. He meets a stranger in an alley and has the best kiss of his life before the stranger disappears. A year later, after Santa declares the Christmas Prince will be marrying the Easter Princess, the stranger comes back into Coal's life and it turns out he's the Prince of Halloween. Coal and Hex have undeniable chemistry but have to keep it hidden. Coal also uncovers a secret plot his father has been participating in to get joy from other holidays. Coal has to figure out how to save Christmas, get out of his betrothal, and be with Hex. This book felt a lot like Red, White, and Royal Blue but got a little too into detail about the inner workings of the politics of the different holidays.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch is one of the cleverest & unique romance that I’ve read in a long time. The concept of basically having royal families for all the major holidays is incredible. Then add in family turmoil, holiday struggles & a spicy romance between the prince of Christmas & the prince of Halloween & I am there with bells on.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas is great for those looking to read..:
❤️ MM Romance
❤️ Holidays
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Forbidden Romance

This has me in awe, smiles & giggles right from the start. This was such a fun story, even though it tackled emotional moments, drama & more so well. This was a breath of fresh air in the genre. I loved this world & there are so many other stories that I am anxiously waiting to read!

I listened to the audiobook of this one & it was so good. The narrator did a fantastic job of bringing this intriguing , quirky & fun story to life. I listened at 2x & it was magic for my ADHD brain.

If you’re looking for Red, White & Royal Blue meets The Nightmare Before Christmas, I highly recommend the Nightmare Before Kissmas!

Massive thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio & Tor for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

This is such a fun charming concept. Presenting holidays as nations/corporations with dynasties, inter-holiday conflict, monopolies, and power struggles is somehow entirely believable as a fantastical world. The characters are cute if somewhat clichéd, and Raasch does a great job in setting up the series for delving more into the side characters. It felt a little on the long side, and that highlighted some weaker writing; falling back on the same phrasing over and over again. In the end though, it was so cute and fun and sext that I will be reading the rest of the series.

I requested this bc it sounded like a super fun, campy romp. But it just did not have that knowing wink that camp requires -- it felt like we were supposed to take the things happening seriously. (I also did not love that it was in first person POV. I really tend to not like romance novels with that POV style, so that added to the dislike.)

Ah well, not for me. You might like it if you don't mind 1st person POV & failed camp doesn't bother you.