The Nightmare Before KissMas by Sara Raasch
Royals and Romance series #1. Paranormal, fantasy magic M-M romance.
Nicholas “Coal” Claus used to love Christmas. It’s his heritage. Being forced to marry Iris, the Easter Princess, to cover up getting caught making out with a beautiful man has made Cole unsettled. Neither Cole nor Iris want the marriage and now Hex, the Prince of Halloween, challenges Coal in the fake marriage contract. Poor Iris. Hex doesn’t really want her either. He wants Cole. It’s a public relations nightmare. But Santa is holding the reins and it’s going to be up to the next generation to figure out the holiday mixing.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this story narrated by Ellis Evans. The performance was fantastic with the two main characters having their own specific voices as well as several of the secondary like the sister being different. Emotions were clear as I heard hope, sorrow, lust and anger among others. The recording is paced well so there are no dragging spots or sound level variances. The audiobook held my attention although I did increase the speed to 1.5 which more closely matches my reading and conversational speed.

Holidays, hopeful, happy and honorable wins the hero. And the hearts.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

Thank you so much to MacMillan Audio for the complimentary audio!

The Nightmare Before Kissmas is the book of the season!

This book is out Oct 8th.

Content Warnings from Storygraph:
(view spoiler)

The concept of this book was just so good! I love the idea of having Prince & Princess of holidays. And I am surprised that it hasn’t been done by now in the contemporary romance space (don’t come for me if there are others).

I love how the characters in the book all had names that played off their holidays. And that the families were like royalties. I will say for me it wasn’t always easy to follow the politics of what was happening but that is totally a ME thing.

"The fantasy of you was pretty great - but everything I've gotten to know about the real you is so much better."

Nicholas/Coal is the heir to Christmas (not Santa Claus) and I did feel bad for him because he did mess up a lot of times but he meant well by his actions. His dad has put SO much pressure on him (rightfully so for the position he will be taking at one point) but he is so young and his dad doesn’t seem to take in his feelings in anything.

My favorite relationship besides the couple is Coal’s relationship with his brother Kris. In the books I read, I don’t usually see brothers depicted in books so that was refreshing for me. Especially with how they needed to be a collective force to stand up to their dad (EVIL).

Hex and Coal - sigh. I love their meet cute and then watching them navigate how they could be a couple. They are just so hot together 🔥

I paired my reading with the audio and I thought Ellis Evans did a great job with the narration!

Can’t wait for the next one!

This was such a fun listen! I adored the characters. They all had likable qualities. I think the world is so unique. The royalty of all the holidays was so 🤌🏻 The politics I was actually intrigued to learn more about seeing is I'm not to big on political intrigue. This book gave me hallmark vibes in the best way possible.

Also, the chemistry between the princes 🔥 their romance was so good and just really great to watch develop. The opposites attract mix in a little forced proximity it's a recipe for success!

The narration was good. I just wish there was a dual narration or a little more distinction between characters.

Def recommend for the spooky/holiday season!

Thank you Macmillan audio for the gifted listeners copy.

Exactly what I needed to get me out of a bit of a slump so thank you netgalley for the audio arc. If you want the vibes of RWARB but still it's own story, this is the book for you then. I really loved the relationships in this between various characters and really connected with them with their own journeys. Even though this has smut in it, it didn't overpower the rest of the story which is what I like when I read a spicier book. I do wish the ending had continued a bit longer for the final conversation between the brothers but I presume that's where book 2 will pick up so I'm not wholly mad at it for leaving that off the page.

A steamy queer romantasy with the main characters being: Cole - the prince of Christmas and Hex - the prince of Halloween. Holidays have rulers, princes, politics, and hot crushes!

Cole is a moody delight with the true sense of Christmas. I loved how the author described his feelings and his thoughts. Hex could give me some wardrobe tips any day. And Santa is… well I won’t give it all away.

This was a lighthearted, funny read that will be absolutely perfect for the fall season. So many cute moments, so much cozy, and such a delight.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an audio ahead of the release date. P.S. The narrator was absolutely magnificent and embraced all the characters in the best way.

I really enjoyed this read! It was funny, charming, had a good plot, and made you love each character. It gave me vibes from some different holiday movies, while keeping it to its own course. I really enjoyed the relationship between Cole and Hex, they were so cute!

4.5 stars

There was a lot going on in this book in a good way. There are holidays, obviously, but also global politics, familial obligations, grief, love, love triangles (of sorts but not really?), and a coup. The political aspect of this holiday royalty situation was really interesting and it felt like Christmas was an allegory for maybe the USA. I felt the love story was really believable and the background love story definitely leads to thoughts on what a sequel might be. I also found the way the royal men reacted to their marriages ending (one in a divorce, one in a death) was a great way to show how differently people may react to similar situations. All around, I found the story engaging and the romance fun.

The narrator was really good and I felt the voice was perfect for a prince of Christmas.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC!

This isn't exactly what I thought it was but I still enjoyed it. I was expecting something closer to The Nightmare Before Christmas but this felt more like The Santa Claus. This was still fun and cute in its own way. I would recommend it if you want a cute but different holiday romance.

This was such a fun listen! Super sweet and silly with a sprinkling of spice. The narrator's delivery actually had me laughing out loud at some points. I cannot wait to revisit this universe in Go Luck Yourself!

This book had me blushing, giggling and kicking my feet. I absolutely adored it. I like how unique the magic system and the connection to the holidays. I loved all the characters within the story as well. There is a definitely a 'Red, White and Royal Blue' vibe, with some holiday fun. The narrator was also an absolute blast. Overall I really enjoyed this story, and am excited to share it with others.

A few snort-worthy banter sessions between the friends—some combination of Coal, Iris, Hex, and Kris (Coal's younger brother)—were fabulous. I was hoping for ever so much more of this, and much less of the holiday politics. I don't mind that the heavier storyline existed—it fueled the plot. Overall, though, the holiday alliances overshadowed the rom-com aspect.

Coal and Hex were hot for each other from the outset; there is no real rivalry between them; there is negligible relationship growth; and, boom, they are magically in love. It seemed sort of flat to me. There is gay and bi representation.

Ellis Evans—a new-to-me narrator—did an excellent job. I was fully immersed in the story, without being distracted or alarmed by his performance.

Content notes: If you are sensitive to swearing, this may not be the book for you. The romance is fairly steamy, but not fully explicit for most of the book. There are a couple of explicit sex scenes late in the book.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch offers a delightful twist on holiday lore, blending humor, romance, and a touch of magical rivalry. Nicholas “Coal” Claus's journey from a jaded heir to a loving partner is both heartfelt and engaging. His internal struggle against the commercialization of Christmas adds depth, making readers root for his happiness.

The chemistry between Coal and Hex, the Prince of Halloween, is electric, developing organically as they navigate their complicated feelings amid the pressures of tradition. Their relationship is a standout aspect, evolving from playful rivalry to deep affection without feeling rushed.

Coal's reluctant engagement to his best friend Iris, the Easter Princess, creates a tension-filled scenario that deepens the narrative. The dynamic between Coal, his brother Chris, and Iris is another highlight, filled with witty banter and unwavering support. Their camaraderie enriches the story, showcasing themes of loyalty and friendship amidst the holiday chaos.

The climax brings everything together in a satisfying way, keeping readers hooked until the very end. Raasch expertly weaves humor, heart, and a dash of holiday magic, making this a delightful read for anyone seeking a charming and steamy romance this season.

Ok. NGL, I requested this originally because of how ridiculous it looked. Parts are ridiculous but I had SO much fun listening to this book and enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. The narrator is great and really brought the characters to life. Coal and Hex are my faves and I can't wait to read Kris's story next!

When Prince Hex of Halloween shows up at the Christmas court, he and Prince Nicholas “Coal” Claus become entangled in a fake competition for the hand of the Easter Princess. What ensues is an irresistible romance between the two holiday princes, who break the rules to be together. When their secret is discovered, can their love survive?

This holiday fantasy rom-com has a serious and emotional story at its heart. The characters are brilliantly drawn, and the conflicts deep and relatable. I was drawn in from the beginning and loved the book from start to finish. I also enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

🎧 Book Review 🎧 Sara Raasch must have known that 90’s children would grow up and NEED and adult version of their beloved Halloween/Christmas crossover in their life and here it is! The Nightmare Before Kissmass is a hilarious holiday read that spans the breadth of some of the best ones! While the holidays can be so special, the older you get, the harder they seem to be; which is even the case for the Royal children- the Prince of Christmas and the Prince of Halloween. Move over Romeo & Juliet because there is a new pair of star-crossed lovers to give them a run for their money who are a lot funnier, more relatable, and a heck of a lot less tragic.

The characters were pretty annoying. They tried to be witty and charming but I didn't find them either of those things. I didn't get invested in the story and didn't care what happened.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas was overall a fun and entertaining read. It was surprisingly much more involved in the politics between the kingdoms or whatever of the different holidays than I expected it to me. Like the romance almost felt secondary or equal to that plot. Also I would in no way compare this to TNBC, they both just have Christmas and Halloween in them. Don’t pick this up if you’re expecting that. But overall, I liked the book and had a good time! The narrator was excellent as well.

This was SUCH A GOOD BOOK! I don’t even really know where to categorize it! It is explained as a mix between Red, White & Royal Blue and The Nightmare Before Christmas and I’ll confirm that to be a great description!! The creativity in this book is unmatched! The names, the details, the magic and what it does / how it works?? Absolute perfection! I never could have come up with something so creative!!! Coal’s inner thoughts are often “LOL” funny, but the dialogue is really where this read shines! It feels so natural and really pulls you in! I cannot WAIT for the second book in this series!!!

First, Thank you Macmillan for this AMAZING ARC. I loved just about all of the book. It is hard for me to get right into a book but this one had me hooked from the start. I loved all the characters( minus Santa). It will make you feel every emotion in like 20 minutes. It made me ready for Christmas.

I loved this book, I am already excited for the next one to come out. This is one book of the year that I read that I will not accept criticism on. Although question for the author is, what did you put into this book? whatever it was keep doing it.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC of Sara Raasch's 'The Nightmare Before Kissmas'.

Sara Raasch's first foray into adult romance was an absolute joy to listen to(yes, that was a pun, but it is also true). You will fall in love with Coal and Hex in this enemies-to-lovers MM romance.

The narration by Ellis Evans captures the whimsy of the story, making it one I couldn't turn off.

Coal(Nicholas) Claus is the Prince of Christmas and next in line for the title of Santa, but there's no one in their holiday world that believes he is qualified for the job. His father(Santa) has given him little training and left him out of all the decision-making. Coal is seen as a joke and everyone knows that he makes a mess of anything serious he tries to do.
Before his final semester at Yale, Santa announces to the holiday world that Coal and Iris, Princess of Easter are to be married on Christmas Eve. When news of the engagement gets to Halloween, they send an envoy to the North Pole to protest the alliance out of fear that it will grant too much power to Christmas, which is already the most powerful and wealthy holiday.
As a concession, Santa offers Halloween their own chance to win over the princess.
Hex Hallow, the Prince of Halloween is Coal Claus' competition in vying for his best friend Iris, Princess of Easter's hand in marriage. The two suitors have until Christmas Eve to convince the princess to choose him as her groom. It's all politics and all a sham. Not one of the 3 actually wants to get married.
At the heart of this book is an unexpectedly tender love story between 2 the rival holiday princes. The dark and mysterious Prince of Halloween is a walking contradiction. The character is written with depth and insights that will endear him to the readers. Coal's character shows growth throughout the book and the entertaining journey to save Christmas and call off the wedding becomes a lesson in love.

CW: While The Nightmare Before Kissmas is a heartwarming story about joy and the true meaning of Christmas, this is an open door romance and the sex is written with detail.