Thanks to Tor/Bramble for this e-arc! The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is billed as Ali Hazelwood meets D&D and I think this world really delivers on that promise - full of magic and a little silly sometimes, it was a fun world to spend a book in. I loved the enemies to lovers chemistry between Seb + Thio and I loved getting little glimpses into the things outside of their growing relationship. I felt like we got a little too tied up in some of the past trauma/evil family business that felt a little tonally discordant, but the book was still a good time!

4.5 stars rounded up!

I've said this before, but it deserves repeating: Sara Raasch has quickly become one of my favorite voices in NA/Adult fantasy. She has this beat to her writing that manages to be both humorous and gut-wrenching in equal measure and it just doesn't miss. Her Royals and Romance series has been a delight to follow, but I have hope that Magic and Romance is going to exceed it as my favorite with the announcement of the sequel. It's this amazing mix of Dungeons & Dragons and academia that I didn't know I was missing in my life.

I genuinely cannot talk highly enough about this book. This is the book I was messaging my friend at two in the morning about because I was so hooked. It's the book that makes you think is a simple miscommunication to start our rivals-to-lovers trope and quickly turns into SO MUCH MORE. These characters have so much trauma buried under the surface, and although the book is humorous at its heart, Raasch manages to handle their struggles with true care. There's romantic relationships, yes, but she doesn't skimp on showing the equal importance of deep platonic bonds. I could go on for literal hours about how beautiful this entire book was.

Also, there's an invisible fox familiar named Nick, so there's that.

4.5/5 stars

This book follows Sebastian and Elethior (who look like Milo Thatch and Ruhn DaNaan, yum), two graduate students in rival academic programs who are up for the same Mageus Research Grant. Sebastian needs this grant to fund his research in order to graduate, and he absolutely despises that Elethior is competing with him for it as Elethior’s family stands for everything he hates and are rich thanks to war profiteering. But when they find themselves having to share the space and work together on the grant, the rivalry exposes their burning tension. They must decide if they are going to keep fighting for control or find a way to make both of their projects work.

I absolutely ate this book up! The setting was so fun - I love an academic rivals book and this one hit the spot! I love Sara’s world building, they are always so fun and easy to pick up on, while also being a totally new world! She does a great job describing the different forms of magic, the political elements in place, and all the family and friend drama.

The characters in this one are top notch. I adore Sebastian and Thio. They are such strong characters who both have such depth to them. Both of them have family issues they need to work through, and I have to say, the way Sara writes in trauma and mental health aspects in a silly fantasy book needs to be awarded. I was crying in the end with how some things resolved, and I just love the way she writes all of her characters and their relationships. She had me sucked in and so enthralled with everything they were going through, including their involvement and relationships with many of the side characters. The chemistry between Seb and Thio was SO GOOD. I love angst and tension and this really delivered! And the spice was chef’s kiss.

I also did this one partially on audio and I really enjoyed it! Sam Stark does a fantastic job with this and bringing the characters to life. I love the emotion he brought to the role, and I definitely recommend checking out the audio!

One quick note - you don’t need to understand DND to enjoy this book, so if you’re hesitant to read because of not knowing DND, don’t worry! It is just an academic rivals book set in a fantasy-esque world. The different magical things are all described, so it’s really easy to understand!

Thank you Bramble and Macmillan Audio for the copies of this book!

I am personally addicted to Sara's style of writing. If you haven't read Nightmare Before Kissmas and Go Luck Yourself, just do it. Thank me later.
Now, this book was exquisite! Sara writes banter, quips, and comebacks like no other. The chemistry in her dialogues is the force driving my dreary existence. Describing this as "Ali Hazelwood meet D&D" falls so short of what this book actually is. You come into this book expecting some modern romantasy/academia spice (which you get, and isn't that absolutely fabulous in and of itself?!), but then you also get gut punched straight into the feels. Man! You're not ready! I absolutely adore Sebastian because of how real he is. You don't expect that from the opening scene, but Sara fleshed him out beautifully. Elithior was equally, yet contrastingly, decadent. And then in the most twisty of events, Sebastian's bestie, Orok, stole the show for me! That's how incredibly brilliant Sara is with her writing. She set us up for the sequel and I'm desperately waiting for it. Honestly, just read her books! This one will make you smile, giggle, sob like you've lost your mind, and then lose your mind for all the right reasons *wink, wink*

Two rival wizard grad students who are forced to work together when their departments combine must find a way to get past their dislike for one another as well as the fact that all this tension might be leading to something neither of them expected, romance. This first in the new queer fantasy romance series, this was a fun read. If you like bratty main characters, complicated family dynamics, and sweet healing romance, absolutely pick up this book. I have been a huge fan of Sara's writing and stories and this one just pulled me in. I adored Elethior so much, like thats my guy. This was such a good book and it really delves into the emotional scars that your family can do to you and how you can heal and move on., It's got such a sweet romance and overall, I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Release Date: August 26, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

Sara Raasch can do no wrong and I am absolutely here for it.

I absolutely loved her two Royals and Romance books. They were fun, poignant, and full of so much heart that it didn't seem possible that you were also reading books about Santa's sons. And this book is just as good, if not better than both of them.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers, especially when the enemies part is done so well. Both Sebastian and Thio have legitimate reasons for hating each other - this is not a case of academic rivals, but really and truly a deep-seated hatred. It was personal. You don't get into the whole story right away, because much like he has to do with Thio, Sebastian doesn't let the reader behind his walls until he feels safe enough to do so. And when he does, you can see exactly why Raasch is such a genius when it comes to writing these multi-faceted characters.

I laughed so much with the antics between the two departments at their school, and the banter between Sebastian and Thio. I loved the way that Thio became a chameleon, able to adjust himself to be exactly what Sebastian needed at any given point in time, and that Sebastian recognized that this was such a good thing to have and that it was okay to trust it. I love how easily these two fall for each other even when every other area of their life is hard and falling apart.

Props to Raasch for another amazing book. I will eagerly await whatever she wants to drop next.

This book has the best of romance and fantasy element brought together in rivals-to-lovers fantasy academia story that is sure to be a hit with fans of Raasch’s Royals and Romance series and especially fans of Dungeons & Dragons that love their stories to be filled with romance.

Seb is as stubborn and oblivious about things as I can be at times while Elethior is very much the best kind of ashamed of your family. The academic rivalry that eventually brings them together is a lot of fun as theoretical magical problems are worked out in interesting ways. I also am such a fan of Orok and am excited to read more about him and the fantasy sport of rawball in book 2!

For the audiobook I really enjoyed Sam Stark as the narrator and the way he was able to provide such distinctive voices between Seb and Thio and kept me enthralled with the story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everyone, stop what you’re doing and pick this one up! Thank you to @brambleromance for the ARC and finished copy and @macmillan.audio for the ALC. I remember posting about this when I first got it and I am so glad I finally got to reading it! All thoughts are my own.

Picture Ali Hazelwood’s book “Love Hypothesis”, but make it gay with wizards. A man who is trying to live up to his mom’s professional goals needs to work with a scientist/wizard who uses the opposite magic theory to him to complete their masters degree and stick it to his rich relatives who make him feel less than. Are you seeing the similarities?
The enemies to lovers story line was definitely a slow burn but worth it in the end. I really liked Orok and Sebastian’s deeply loving friendship and that Thio was not threatened by their bond. The story had charming moments, I laugh, I teared up, and the spice was good and spicy.
I think the only thing keeping the book from being a 5 star read was the pacing. At times it was a bit slow, but once it got going, I really enjoyed the chemistry. The third act breakup was 100% unnecessary and the actual issue was never fully resolved…

Two wizards in rival departments forced to work together if they want to accept the grant needed to further their research! What could possibly go wrong? Will they eventually learn to respect each-other? ...Love each-other even?
I absolutely love the whimsy of Sara Raasch's Royals and Romance series and that whimsy is certainly present here as well, however the trauma and baggage of our leads is definitely turned up a notch (along with the spice levels). I was pretty happy with this book and I had a hard time putting it down, and I especially loved the dungeons and dragons flavor of magic being treated like STEM-like areas of study.
The only issue that I have is that the tone of the book was pretty inconsistent at times, however I am already very eager to read the follow up.

Sara Raasch is an auto-read author for me. The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is such a fun, romantic comedy that keeps you laughing and swooning from start to finish. The banter? Fantastic, The enemies to lovers? So well done. Love love love!

💜🩵 The Entanglement of Rival Wizards ARC Review 🩵💜

Thank you so much to Sara Raasch and Tor Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is a standalone MM fantasy romance. Sebastian has spent his entire college career working on his magical research and he’s determined to beat his academic rival, Elethior for a research grant. But what happens when the grant team decides that they should work together in their research and they have to get along?

I absolutely adored this book! Sebastian was such a wonderful character. His personality and anxieties were really relatable and i really enjoyed his growth in this book. Elethior was such a perfect match for him and I loved their rivals to lovers journey. This book had super unique world building and the magical lore mixed with STEM research was so much fun.

This was such a fun five star read! I adored these characters and their story! It was such a fun read and I’d love to read more from this world in the future! This book did have some heavy elements, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book was a smidge of a slow burn, but had some great tension throughout and spice later on, so three flames for spice

If you’re a fan of MM fantasy with rivals to lovers, fun banter, and great world building, then absolutely pick this one up!

This was fantastic! I loved the world building and the characters. It truly did have some good enemies to lovers vibes on one side for sure! The other could be described as pining idiot! I also really appreciated the trauma and how it was address and the growth the author to the characters on!! And the smut was deliciously steamy too! I cannot wait for the next one in this series !!

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is utterly charming, heartwarming and incredibly saucy. The two rival wizards are easy love.

You'll love this story if you like:

Enemies to Lovers (MY FAVORITE GENRE)
Academia Setting
Found Family
Witty Banter
Forced Proximity
Magic & Spice

Can't wait for book #2 in the Magic & Romance Series!

Thank you Tor Publishing Group | Bramble

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow did I love this! I’m describing it to friends like if Ali Hazelwood wrote Crescent City. It’s set in a grad school in Philly but filled with all your standard magical beings?? lolol. Just a silly little time with some great banter and tear-jerking moments sprinkled in! For my ruhn danaan crown prince of the valabaran fae fans go ahead and add to the TBR.

4/5 🌶️

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group & NetGalley for the arc. Entanglement of rival wizards comes out 8/25!

CW: child abuse

Sebastian Walsh is in a race for a research grant that will change his future and secure his potential employment with Clawstar - a not-for-profit magical research institution. The only thing standing in his way is Elithior Tourael - member of a family that is known to do anything in the name of profit and power. When a surprise decision by the university board ends up with the grant being split between them, Seb and Thio have to work together to blend their theories into something that would work across schools of magic. How do you work with someone who stands against everything you hold dear... even if they are insanely attractive?

So much heart in this book. Both Sebastian and Elithior are broken by their past and are struggling to move forward. Their chemistry is off the charts (lots of spice here). I really enjoyed the world building too - familiar and magical. I can't wait for the sequel.

4.5 stars rounded up and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

Sara Raasch, the writer you are. In my humble opinion, this was so much better than the holiday romances! This is a book that shined and made me wish I could read it for the first time all over again.

The Plot:
Sebastian, Evocation Department. Human. The first of his family to pick college over the military.
Elethior, Conjuration Department. Half-elf. Pretentious asshole. The latest legacy Tourael at Lesiara U.
Mageus Research Grant finalists.
Sebastian refuses to let anyone snatch this away, least of all a snob riding on old money. But what’s worse than a nemesis stealing your grant? You could both get it. Under the condition you work together. Sebastian is in hell. Thio’s broody. Takes up their shared lab space with his projects . . . and biceps. Brings treats for Sebastian’s familiar . . .
. . . and is nothing like Sebastian thought.

What I didn't like: God. Men need therapy so much.

What I liked: Sebastian was such a dream to read. Being in his head made me root for him, he's anxious, he's angry, and he lashes out at people when he wants to pull them in. I'd almost hoped for a dual POV, but it made more sense for it to be told through Sebastian's eyes. Elethior, I'm surprised you held out that long.
"Out of the corner of my eye, I see a stunned smile light Elethior's mouth. He watches me in silence, that watching turning to studying the longer it stretches, studying turning to unspoken words I don't want, can't handle."
Babe. Be for real.

"He's unfairly stunning, coming apart like this. All the sharp lines of his features, all his harsh edges become cliffs I want to bungee jump off of, see how far down I can fall before the rebound snaps me back up. He's the plummet and the catch and the rise again all in one, and kneeling at his feet, the world orients around him."
Booooof.

This was exactly the pick-me-up I needed! I would consider this to be a full on romp of a read. I have a soft spot for academic rivals to lovers and this delivered! The banter and emotions fly high, keeping it light if not a little silly at times, but it's also balanced out really well with some seriousness and heavier topics. Everything felt really authentic and dealt with in a way that kept me wanting more!

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc! 3.5/5 stars rounded down, a cute and emotional romance that wasn't really to my personal taste

this was, at its core, a sweet and silly fantasy romance, and sara raasch did a wonderful job of delivering. sebastian is such an endearing character, even in his more aggravating moments, and he's so full of life and personality that he takes up a lot of the pages. his relationship with orok is wonderfully tender, and I loved seeing how deep their friendship while also remaining platonic - I was lowkey a little concerned it might veer into romantic because that would've been an unnecessary addition, I think, but the strength of their friendship is what really adds gravity to the discovery of their shared trauma because they've experienced it together. thio was a much more subdued character compared to sebastian, but it gives a nice contrast to their relationship and makes those emotional moments more intense. I could've been reading too fast, but the third act breakup made no sense to me? this was the main thing that I struggled with, because it kind of felt like sebastian was creating his own problems - which is kind of a main theme in this book considering how one sided his rivalry with thio is in the beginning, though it was so obviously a pulling-pigtails kind of crush - but it wasn't so nonsensical that it took me out of the plot. overall, this is a good filler if you're looking for something fun and sweet and romantic.

This was a fun academic rivals, enemies to lovers, forced proximity magical academy type of queer M/M romance and I really enjoyed it. Good on audio and highly recommended for fans of Ali Hazelwood or Timothy Janovsky. It had the perfect blend of action, emotional depth and spice and I quite enjoyed it! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This is the third book by Sara Raasch that I’ve DEVOURED recently, and can’t recommend them enough!

Read if you like:
M/M sunshine/grump
Found family, and family drama/trauma
Open door spiiiiice 🔥
Nerdy science pranks
Magic and a bit of mayhem
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫