
Member Reviews

10/05/2024 || Royals and Romance #1 - The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch ||#TheNightmareBeforeKissmas #NetGalley #QueerReads #RoyalsandRomance #HolidayRomance
Thank you NetGalley, Sara Raasch, and Macmillan Audio for making this ALC available!
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author and myself.
All of my thoughts are my own~
5 Stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick Review:
This book was an absolute stunner for me! From the details to the world building to the friends to the steamy passionate insta-love/lust Hex and Coal experienced was just chef kiss for me!
My only complaint was I felt there was no heads up to the heavy themes consistently present through out this book from the very start and until the very end (HEA). I feel like this book was marketed as fluffy and cute, and while it had its moments of fluffy cuteness, it had not so cute and fluffy moments like getting drunk to mask emotions, neglectful and emotionally abusive parents, familial deaths, exploitation, corporate greed, and a hostage situation of a sorts tied to extortion and blackmail.
Longer Review:
What Worked for Me:
Everything, especially Hex and how adoring Coal is despite all that has happened to him. I liked Kris as well, and basically all the supporting cast of friends and loved ones. I feel like I'll have to wait for Go Luck Yourself to get to know Kris more but that's a subject for another time. The world building and magic system is SUPERB in this book! I imaged a world akin the the Christmas and Nightmare town in Nightmare Before Christmas and how Kingdom Hearts, the game series, explored these two holiday worlds. There was such vivid and lush details of not just the buildings and rooms they were in, but also their outfits and the foods-I don't think a single thing was left without the correct, and balanced description (in my humble opinion). I was transported to every scene in my imagination and I was left spellbound wanting more and more of how the holiday world worked in Kissmas!
I adored the group chat name changes, the Christmas sweaters, the decor, and while the themes were super heavy and hard to navigate personally, I felt it was done rather well. I didn't expect neglectful and absent parents and deaths in the family to corporate greed and blackmailing/extortion, but oddly enough these heavy topics worked well in this holiday themed romance. I usually don't like the trope found here: flirt and have sex and be intimate first, and touch on real, deep feelings later- this book surprised me because I understood where both guys came from and where they were with these reactions.
I didn't see a single point where the plot suffered anywhere or felt anything was rushed or glossed over or was too much neither. This is a rare, truly worked perfectly for me book!
What Did Not Work for Me:
Very little disappointed me about this book - I truly loved it from start to finish and inhaled it quickly! I think the only thing I was bothered by is that the marketing for this book was all about how wholesome and silly it was and how from jump it is heavy with traumatic themes and parental neglect issues. There is also talks of both parental death and sibling death and none of these heavier themes were warned or talked about in the marketing or description of this book. So please, check out every last CW/TW there is for this one, and probably the other books that will follow in this series, because it fully took me a day to get over the whiplash of what the book opened up with vs. how it was marketed. There are wholesome and silly moments, but they are very rare and it takes nearly til the end (HEA) to get to a place of peace for the cast of characters.

This was so fun - cue me kicking my feetsies like a dork while swooning over the MMCs falling in love.
Coal is initially a hot mess, despite his intentions being good, and honestly there's nothing that I love more than watching a character grow and stand up for what they believe in. His dad, the reigning Santa, is a real piece of work and has lost sight of what Christmas should be. I hate that he puts Coal and his brother through a bunch of hurt. That being said, Coal has a beautiful relationship with his brother, they're besties, they have each other's back and I'm here for that kind of sibling relationship!
My favourite character, however, is, not so surprisingly, the prince of Halloween, Hex! I know he's supposed to be this broody goth but he is so endearing! I absolutely love what happens when he swears! Talk about giving my heart pure joy 😂.
I'm so happy that this book actually lives up to the comparison to Red, White and Royal blue! It definitely gave me the same fuzzy feelings and I just love the holiday theme in this book! I listened to the audio and the narration was excellent! Absolutely recommend!
CW: sexual content, abandonment, emotional abuse, grief.
A huge thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

This book was fabulous! The holidays are actual kingdoms, there is forbidden love (H.alloween and Christmas princes?!), cherished friendships
family dynamics drama, And spiiiiiiiiiiice (not just the kind in your mulled wine)
I am obsessed with Hex and Coal! (Also Coals running anxious inner dialogue is SO RELATABLE). I love them. I love his besite Iris and his brother Kris. I am THRILLED this is going to be a series!

I’m a Halloween and Christmas lover, so this was a must read for me this year! This book gave me Red, White, & Royal Blue vibes (a favorite of mine), made me laugh out loud multiple times, and had great spice. The audiobook was a 10/10 as well! I can’t wait to read the next book!
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

review: the nightmare before kissmas by sara raasch 💕🎄🖤☠️🎃
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"i don’t think our purpose is to prevent all the bad things in the world. i think our purpose is to help people endure those things.”💬❤️
✨ MY THOUGHTS ✨
⚠️ cw: abandonment, emotional abuse, grief, car accident, & death of a loved one ⚠️
if you love red, white and royal blue, rise of the guardians, queer romance, grumpy x sunshine vibes, found families, political subplots, lots of magic, laughs and a bit of spice this book might be for you!
alexa play a nonsense christmas by sabrina carpenter 🎶
🌟 RATING: ★★★★★/5
🥵 spice scale: 🌶️🌶️ (a little bit of spice, one or two scenes)
coal & hex have stolen my heart!!! i thought i was getting a lighthearted holiday rom-com, but this book surprised me in the best way. the world-building was incredible!! i was so invested in the holiday magic world's politics!! the side characters, the adventure, and the love story all came together for a truly amazing read. i'm completely obsessed!! i cannot wait to read go luck yourself in march!! 💚🎄❄️🖤☠️🎃

The Nightmare Before Kissmas
Royals and Romance, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: The cover was cute.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Netgalley
Dates Read: 11/22/24 - 11/25/24
Stars: 3 Stars
Narrator(s): Ellis Evans
The Characters:
Nicholas “Coal” Claus:
Hex, Prince of Halloween
Coal’s Brother (No, I can’t remember his name) and Coal’s BFF (The Easter Princess, can’t remember her name either), Santa, Christmas Court
The Story:
Writing: It was okay. Could have used some refining when it came to telling the story but I liked it overall
Overall Interest: This is the downfall. It was just much too long and I found myself zoning out often.
Length of Reading Time: As I said too long could definitely benefit from some heavy editing
Re-read-ability: No.
I know a lot of that sounded negative but I actually did enjoy the story. The characters were great. I love the supernatural parts. I do want to see what the next installment brings.

The banter. The chemistry. The heart. Who doesn't love a little Christmas romance? Especially when it's combined with the dark moodiness of Halloween. I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one!

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the ALC!
I was sold with the first line of the book blurb for THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE KISSMASS, “RED, WHITE, & ROYAL BLUE” meets The Nightmare Before Christmas in this sexy, quirky rom-com where the golden-hearted Print of Christmas falls for the totally off-limits Prince of Halloween.” Thank you for giving me everything I like. Then I met the characters with whom I truly fell in love, and this has become a new favorite book of mine!
I love holiday books, but if you can have a competition for a marriage of convenience and make it between the Princes of Halloween and Christmas who want nothing to do with the girl, you’ve written a rom-com that will bring me lots of joy. And THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE KISSMASS brought me lots of joy, lots and lots of joy.
Plus, the audio was perfection! Ellis Evans did an incredible job differentiating between Prince Coal and Prince Hex. You knew their voices, feelings, laughter, and afflictions—it was just excellent audio all around.
If laughter and joy are your thing and you are intrigued by the holidays competing against one another, pick this book up!

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.

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK.
Nay- I'M OBSESSED WITH THE AUDIOBOOK!
THIS BOOK UNDID ME.
SARA RAASCH, YOU DEVIL.
The yearning, the romance, the earth-shattering heart-pumping senseless whole-encompassing and absorbing magnitude of experiencing falling in love...
HOLY HELL.
Ellis Evans, my man. Your performance was a gift from the Gods. THANK YOU, sir.

4 Stars
This was a super fun take on not only Christmas but all the Holidays. It read more like a cozy fantasy book which I loved. It was cute but also spicy. I enjoyed it a lot. I listened to the Audiobook and it was delightful! The narrator really pulled me in and made the book even more fun for me.
Thank you to Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book.

This was a fun audiobook - super enjoyed this one. I definitely had a few laugh out loud moments, enjoyed the characters, enjoyed the spice and tropes.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary title in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I LOVED this book. Easily one of my favorites of 2024. The moment I finished, I wanted to turn around and start reading it again.
I started expecting a cute and silly romcom. But I was pleasantly surprised by the depth that Raasch added to the characters. Our main love interests are dealing with a lot of grief over different things and -no it wasn't the main point of the book- but it made the characters so much more real and relatable for me. The romance was exactly what I look for. This book contained the perfect level of spice for my taste and watching our two princes fall in love had me squealing and kicking my feet so many times. And you could tell that this WAS love for them. Often in romances, it seems too instantaneous to be love. They often read more like lust. And while there is an instant attraction between these two characters, I definitely felt their relationship was based on mutual love and respect for one another.
I really enjoyed Raasch's writing as well. Since I had the audiobook, I don't have any specific examples I can point to, but I feel that often romances can get a little repetitive. Raasch perfectly portrayed the awkward humor of the Christmas price, while writing the scenes between him and Hex with beauty and grace. This book has definitely made me want to read all the other books she has written!
I also cannot end this review without GUSHING over Ellis Evans' performance. If you are deciding between the physical and the audiobook for this one- I highly recommend the audio. Evans captured the humor, awkwardness, and charm of Coal so completely. And then he transformed when he read for Hex. It felt like two separate people. I also have been looking up the other books he has narrated as Evans has instantly became one of my favorite authors.
The only negative I can say is that I wish this book was longer (which I can't really count as a negative). I wish there was at least an epilogue to give us some closure between Coal and his family and maybe see him meeting the Halloween court. I know there is a second book coming out in March 2025, so I am hopeful Raasch will be tying up the several loose ends of the family drama in that book. That said, it appears to be focusing more on Coal's brother Chris, so I don't know how much more of Coal and Hex we will see in that book.
In closing, I can't say enough good things about this audiobook if you want a fun and festive read. Sara Raasch has become an autobuy author for me and I cannot wait for the next book.

I love love love this book! It pulls on your heartstrings but also made me laugh So much! The narrator did a great job!

I am absolutely enchanted! This audiobook is a whimsical blend of holiday magic and a touch of spookiness that kept me captivated from start to finish.
Raasch’s storytelling is both charming and engaging, perfectly capturing the essence of the holiday season with a delightful twist. The characters are wonderfully quirky, and I loved how their adventures unfolded in a world that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. The narrator did an incredible job bringing each character to life, making the experience even more immersive!
What really stood out to me was the perfect balance of humor and heart. The witty dialogue had me laughing out loud, while the deeper themes of friendship and self-discovery added a lovely emotional layer. I found myself rooting for the characters as they navigated their challenges, and the festive atmosphere made it feel like a cozy holiday treat.
If you’re looking for a fun, festive listen that’s perfect for the season, "The Nightmare Before Kissmas" is a must! It’s the kind of story that leaves you with a warm heart and a smile. So grab your headphones, find a comfy spot, and get ready to be swept away into this magical adventure! 🎄💖

I loved this audio!! It was so well narrated and fast paced. I couldnt put it down! It is going to be a must read during the holidays. I would love to get more stories about these characters.

To say I adored this novel is an understatement. The romance was sweet and sexy, and the chemistry dipped off the page. The friend group was top-tier. Ellis Evans's narration is fantastic.
The idea of holidays as royal courts is such a unique premise. I was nervous about picking it up and kept putting it off because I was nervous that it would be overly cheesy, but Raasch executed it perfectly. The political intrigue was engaging and balanced well with the romance.
I also did not expect to laugh as much as I did, but the banter was fantastic. I love a good pun, and the text conversations between the friends did not disappoint.
Coal and Hex are so perfect. Their conversations were great. I loved how they worked through things together. Hex is the gothic character of my dreams - he wears a corset vest and is sarcastic as hell. I was born in the wrong era.
This story leans more into Christmas. So, it is an ideal romance for the holiday season. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A cute Christmas romance filled with magic and a touch of spice. I liked how it stayed campy but had a deeper story beyond the romance.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas- Sarah Raash
Narrated by Ellis Evans
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧
This was so cute and funny and witty. It had a great message about what Christmas joy is really about and standing up for what’s right, even if it is against your own parents. And a fun love story along the way with the prince of Christmas and the prince of Halloween. I honestly can’t want for book two for Kris’s story!
Ellis did a great job narrating this one. It was single pov so he did a good navigating all the characters voices.

i saw this one getting hyped before it even released, and it did not disappoint. such a fun and magical read! it left me feeling warm and light of heart.
the place where this book truly shines is the romance. a missed connection meetcute at the beginning followed by some truly funny circumstances (the prince of christmas and the prince of halloween?? like it has me giggling) and some even funnier magic (iykyk). this was everything i needed to get some holiday cheer into my life. i can’t wait to read more from the series