When I first started this, I figured I'd be in for a light fluffy read, with Christmas overload but it wasn't at all what I was expecting. The plot went in a direction I wasn't expecting and the two MMC's were pretty complex. Coal was grating at first, but he grew on me and Hex was a great contrast to Coal. Opposites definitely attract!

This was so cute I honestly contemplated just eating my kindle to see if it would taste sweet too. The Nightmare Before Kissmass is giving The Santa Clause meets Nightmare Before Christmas if their baby was the Hallmark Christmas channel and honestly? I'm here for it. But for a sugary romance about a world in which our holidays are actually embodied by people in different kingdoms, The Nightmare Before Kissmas had a surprising amount of emotional weight, and I'm not sure I'll ever forgive Raasch for making me cry about the Son of Santa falling in love with a guy who's basically Jack Skellington Jr. This book is just so much fun, and the romance between Coal and Hex had all the effect of a cup of hot cocoa (with marshmallows of course) on a cold, snowy day.

This is an incredible novel, especially to read during election season. It parallels so many of the political problems we see today but in terms of stealing joy from other holidays. It’s so well done.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Tor Publishing Group for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Holiday romance, royalty, mm romance, paranormal, steamy 🔥

This is a MM holiday romance and I loved it so much. It's a mash up with Christmas and Halloween. It's like Nightmare before Christmas with royalty added. It was cute, funny, and steamy. I highly recommend this!

This was absolutely phenomenal! And I would like to start this out by saying thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy!

Coal and Hex are two characters that stole my heart from their first interaction in that bar alley until the last page when they saved Christmas.

I will admit that I nearly teared up a few times when our boys were talking about their pasts. Losing a parent/sibling in any capacity is never easy, but then having to deal with harsh responsibilities on top of that just makes it even worse. They both have so much doubt and frustration in their hearts that it took having someone else see that hurt to start fixing it.

And let's not forget about Kris and Iris. These two are adorable side characters that are integral to the plot and the happiness of Hex and Coal. I hope that they both find the happiness they deserve after all that they have been through thanks to the meddling of their parents. I genuinely can't wait for the second book to see how Kris gets his happily ever after.

This was such a fun, light read that made me laugh and laugh and laugh. It will keep you entertained with antics from page one and you will not be disappointed for reading this. Please go grab this when it comes out!

This surprisingly spicy version of Disney's Nightmare before Christmas was so good! With complicated relationships, intense emotions, and randomly generated jack-o-laterns at the north pole, this is the perfect book to span the gap between Halloween and Christmas.

This was everything I hope it would be and more. Perfect for that in between time of November when you're still wanting cozy, cute Fall vibes, but also wanting to dip your toes in decking the halls.

Thanks to NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 30% of the way through.

I find it hilarious this is somehow the second book this year I've read where the book was advertised as romance but was actually about fictional politics and 3% of the book was romance. Very disappointing.

They kiss in the first chapter, and never talk to each other until the time-skip when they run into each other again 20% of the way through the book.

The holiday politics you'd think would be interesting but it was not magical nor fun. It was just regular politics reskinned with holiday names. It was also super depressing.

The dialogue between the friends was also very...modern. It's going to become cringe within a couple months, and some of it is already cringe. I don't know a better term for it, but it just uses a lot of quips and modern references that again, will be very dated very quickly. It's a shame because the concept is pretty good but the execution is terribly dull.

This was honestly just so fun. Just go read it! Especially if you’re looking for a quick holiday read!

The Nightmare before Kissmas is an interesting concept. The holiday’s all have their own kingdoms and they get their magic from joy that is sparked from that holiday. We follow Nicholas “Coal” Claus as he is expected to court the princess of Easter and how he doesn’t want to do that. He is instead interested in the prince of Halloween, Hex. I was thankful to get the ARC e-book from Bramble.

I thought that this story was very cute and really enjoyed the ride. I thought that the friendship between Coal and his friends were genuine and I enjoyed following them. His romance with Hex is really sweet and him getting closer to Hex and showing different emotions about him falling in love was so sweet. I also laughed out loud at some parts. There is a lot of generational humor in this which I enjoyed, but I don’t think it will be for everyone.

I do think this will be a good Christmas time read and I’m glad that I got to read it. However, the one big thing about this is the drama between Coal and his father, King of Christmas, is a bit over the top. The tone completely changes when he’s on the page. They are very dramatic and I rolled my eyes when they kept talking about some politics. Maybe because of how frantic Coal as a character is. He is all over the place that when he’s faced with crisis. However, even with that critique, I would still recommend this book. I think it’s fun and the romance is sweet and there is spice.

Thank you again for letting me read the e-book!

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were charming and the set up of the book was interesting I really enjoyed the romance between Coal and Hex. The characters had great chemistry and the tension and build of their relationship was great. I do think that the world that this series takes place in doesn’t quite make sense, and would benefit from more development. I’m also very interested in the dad in this story having his own book in this series.

This started giving me the ick. I had hoped that it wasn't like so many other gay stories written by straight women, but it started feeling like that and I won't be finishing it.

My honest to god reaction to the last chapter was why is it 20 mins long according to my Kindle.

The Nightmare before Kissmas was not a bad book at all. It was quite funny, with an adorable friend group and lots of holiday talks but my problem was with the main character. I didn't like Cole. He did come through in the end but by then I had given up on him.

I also felt there should have been more about Hex's family, like some on page conversations.

I loved Hex, Kris and Iris. And they were the primary reason I pushed through this book.

The premise of this book had a lot of potential, but ultimately, it fell short in execution. Coal, the protagonist, is a lovable mess, and his status as the Prince of Christmas brings with it the looming threat of paparazzi, which adds a nice touch of drama. However, the snarky banter, which could have been charming, often crossed the line into being cringey. At times, it just didn’t land the way it intended.

The plot, sadly, was a major letdown. The book markets itself as a rivals-to-lovers romance, but in reality, Coal and Hex never have a proper rivalry—they’re already attracted to each other from the start. The absence of genuine conflict between them left the story feeling stagnant, especially in the first half, where the characters are mostly reacting to external pressures rather than driving the plot forward themselves. The lack of agency and the forced dynamics make the story drag. A true rivals-to-lovers setup would have been far more engaging, with Coal and Hex competing for Iris’s affection, only to realize their chemistry with each other is far stronger. The third-act breakup and resolution also felt incredibly forced and over-the-top, undermining any emotional stakes that could have been built up.

Another area where the book faltered was in its attempt to weave in holiday politics, which ended up feeling melodramatic and absurd. Rather than focusing on the lighthearted, whimsical elements that could have made for a charming holiday romance, the book veered into convoluted territory with stakes like global holiday expansion and absurd family dynamics. These high-stakes plots, like Santa's imperial ambitions or the forced marriage for political power, felt out of place in a book that could have thrived on personal, emotional drama. Additionally, the book’s critique of capitalist holiday culture—suggesting that one day of joy is insufficient compared to systemic change—missed the mark by oversimplifying the significance of holidays. Holidays are about tradition, community, and meaning, not just gifts and commercialism, and the book's failure to grasp this made its attempts at "deeper" commentary feel misguided.

I'm really hoping book 2 fixes these issues because this series could be so cute!

This is definitely a holiday romance, and I'm always iffy on those. It was fun enough, if a bit cheesy for me.

3.5! This was a quick read for me! While I liked the concept I feel like the execution could have been better, it started to feel like the political aspects of the world were slowly down the overall pace of the book. It almost feels mismarketed as the political battle over the holidays feels like the actual plot line of the book while the romance feels more like a subplot. Now this sin’s necessarily bad as I found the holiday political intrigue interesting, but it definitely didn’t feel like a rom com to me. I felt more interested in how Coal was going to solve Christmas’ political strategies more than I cared about his relationship with Hex. Him and Hex did have a lot of cute moments however that made it clear why they were cute together. Overall, not a bad read but romance feels like it takes a backseat.

Christmas and Halloween collide in this Christmas romance. Hex and Coal are so adorably angsty as they work together to save not just Christmas but ALL the winter holidays. Great side characters. Can't wait for the next book.

***Thank you to Bramble for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley! My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***

Have you ever wondered what Santa would be like as a manipulative despot and a pretty terrible father? Then look no further than The Nightmare Before Kissmas. I was honestly a bit shocked by how awful Santa was in this story, but it also really worked. His scheming and its impacts on his sons and the other holiday courts added a lot of weight to story. I'll be honest. The heaviness of it all kind of turned me off at first, but I'm glad I gave the story time to find its legs.

The first third of The Nightmare Before Kissmas was super focused on the strained relationship between Santa and his sons and laying the groundwork for the world-building of how the holiday courts relate to one another. It was all really interesting and allowed for the exploration of some great themes. I liked how the topic of consumerism was approached. The story emphasized the importance of centering joy and connection during the holidays rather than cheap trinkets. The messages in the story were good ones. They just overshadowed the romance quite a bit at points, especially in the beginning.

Once the romance in The Nightmare Before Kissmas got going, though, I had a great time. Coal was the definition of a disaster bisexual. His chaotic energy paired perfectly with Hex's more reserved demeanor. I loved getting to see them rile each other up and tear down each other's walls. Their relationship was so full of humor and fun. This book made me laugh so much. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute that Coal and Hex were on the page together.

I really liked Coal as a character, too. The poor guy definitely had some issues. He had to deal with his father attempting to control everything about his life. He also had some serious self-worth issues due to his mom leaving their family at an early age and his history of screwing up everything he touches. His internal monologue was really heavy at times, but I loved how Hex brought out the best in him. He learned to stick up for himself and believe in his worth and abilities.

All in all, The Nightmare Before Kissmas had plenty of things to like. The humor often made me laugh out loud, and the characters experienced a lot of growth. It didn't hurt that the romance had a great balance of adorable and steamy moments. The world-building and themes were really interesting, too, even if they did get a bit overbearing at times. Therefore, I rate The Nightmare Before Kissmas 4 out of 5 stars and definitely recommend it as a read for this holiday season.

Nightmare Before Kissmas is an absolute delight that blends the whimsical worlds of Christmas and Halloween, creating a fantastical experience that hooked me from the start. Nicholas “Coal” Claus, the reluctant prince of Christmas, is tangled in a charming mess of family expectations and unexpected romance when he crosses paths with Hex, the prince of Halloween. Their chemistry crackles like holiday lights, and the playful banter kept me smiling.

Raasch’s holiday world is filled with vibrant details that bring each realm to life. The cast of characters is equally captivating; I loved Coal’s dry humor and Hex’s alluring charm. The supporting characters, like Kris and Iris, each contributed meaningful depth and warmth to the story. Wren, the personal assistant, is a delightful surprise, proving that even the side characters are memorable and well-developed.

The humor in this book is a highlight. Raasch’s witty one-liners and clever dialogue made me laugh out loud, balancing the book’s romantic and more serious themes with a lighthearted touch. The blend of camp and clever commentary on holiday traditions gives the story a unique flair that sets it apart.

While the romance unfolds slowly, it builds to some steamy moments that are beautifully executed. I appreciated how the characters maturely navigated their emotions and misunderstandings, allowing their relationship to grow organically amid the chaos of holiday politics.

This book is a celebration of self-discovery, friendship, and love in all its forms. Raasch’s storytelling invites you to embrace the magic of the holidays while delivering a fun and compelling narrative. By the end, I was rooting for Coal and Hex and craving more of their world.

I genuinely cannot wait for a sequel—I need to know what adventures await these characters next! If you’re a fan of enchanting romances filled with humor and heart, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Nightmare Before Kissmas. You won’t regret it!

Such a sweet book, it was the perfect read for Halloween and/or Christmas time! I also love the cover so much. I will definitely be buying a physical copy and I’m excited to read more from this author.