This was an absolute pleasure to read. When I first read Nightmare Before Kissmas, I knew I’d have to read every book Sara Raasch published next, and I’m so glad to say that is a decision to stand by. As someone still in the university atmosphere, I related so hard to Seb’s stress—even if his was more magic related than my everyday school stress, and gosh do I envy him for it. But the heat between him and Thio, the passion, the also relatable anger issues Seb struggles with, as well as the genuine attempts at healthy communication and rationally working through one’s emotions, are all things I’m absolutely here for. A must read for anyone who needs more queer wizards in their lives!!

I am never not surprised when I read Sara's books, and I'll be honest in saying this book might actually be my favourite of the one's I've read! I feel like the plot, the characters, and the setting were so well done in this book! It was fun, goofy, typically spicy in very Sara fashion and had all the good makings of a fun romantasy title!

The way that magic is so effortlessly blended into this book made it so much better! It's fun, fast paced, and lands all the right punches & I honeslty couldn't get enough of it!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

I enjoyed this fantasy romance a lot! This was my first book by Sara Raasch, and she did not disappoint. Her quality of writing and characterization really impressed me. Also, you ate with those sexy scenes. It made me realize how many authors struggle to write gay sex scenes in their romances. There were some corny bits that bothered me, but that's more personal preference, it didn't affect the quality of the novel itself. The Chappell Roan reference was a little... weird, and reminded me of the SJM mentions in Abby Jimenez's recent romance. I just don't always love pop culture references in my romances. Sebastian and Thio were a cute couple, and I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers aspect of this book. I'll definitely be recommending this to the scores of romance and romantasy readers who visit my store. And, I can't wait for book 2!!

I have read 2 other books by Sara that I loved prior to this one, and I loved this one just as much! She has such a way with making characters you adore and can't help to root for because they deserve their HEA. I thought Sara did a wonderful job with the way that she portrayed grief and all of the intricacies related to that. The banter between our MMC's was top tier, and the book got progressively spicier, which I ate up. Sara did a fantastic job of finding a perfect balance between romance, grief/trauma, emotion, playfulness, and spice. Sebastian and Thio were both such intricate, lovable characters with their own personal demons to work through, but it was blatantly obvious throughout the book how much they needed each other, and I absolutely adored them and their budding romance and the way they balanced each other out.
If you want a MM romance that features magic, emotional range, character growth, banter, spice, and a beautiful romance, be sure to grab this one asap.

I absolutely loved The Entanglement of Rival Wizards. The world-building strikes a rare balance—rich and complex, yet grounded mostly in our own reality, which makes the emotional stakes feel even more immediate. What truly stood out to me was the deeply relatable portrayal of trauma, especially the kind rooted in the disappointment and pressure of family expectations.

Sebastian and Ethioal’s journey from enemies to lovers is not just believable—it’s magnetic. Their connection feels raw, honest, and richly earned. You fall for them, hard.

This book is also notably spicier than Sara Raasch’s previous two, and it’s a very welcome evolution. The intimacy is written beautifully—it doesn’t just add heat, it drives the story forward and deepens the emotional layers.

By the end, I felt not only satisfied with the characters’ arcs but also a surprising sense of personal healing. It’s rare for a fantasy novel to make you reflect on your own scars, but this one does—gently and powerfully.

I’d recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy grounded in emotional truth, a romance that burns with meaning, and writing that respects your heart as much as your imagination.

This book was so adorable! While it did take me a minute to feel invested in what was going on, once I was I couldn’t put it down.

Having read some of this authors other books, I knew it would be cute. But I will say, I really loved the progression of the spice in this book. I found it spicier than the last one I read but them, and I think that balance was nearly perfect. I remembered wishing for a little bit more last time and I didn’t during this book. So well done.

This book was also pretty emotional, and I loved the character dynamics both in the main relationship and also the friendship between Seb and Orok. Their bond was really special and done so beautifully.

Really loved this one! Definitely recommend for fantasy romcom seekers.

Thank you so much to Sara Raasch and Bramble for letting me read this ARC!

This book was SUCH a fun ride. I just finished the Sara Raasch’s first two books and devoured them, and this was absolutely on par. The way she blends real life with magic feels so natural, like of course there are wizards arguing in nursing homes and setting things on fire. It’s funny, fast-paced, and still manages to land some emotional punches when you’re not expecting it, like I CRIED.

The banter was so much fun, and everything I want in a rom com. I couldn’t get enough of it. The love interest is broody, tatted, leather-clad, emotionally unavailable, and basically made for me. Their dynamic was chaotic and I ate up every second. I already want to reread it just to hang out with them again. I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to Net Galley and Tor/Bramble for this early copy!

A MAGICAL rivals to lovers m/m story with some of the best banter and spice. Sebastian and Orok were lovable individually and even more as a couple. There was great character growth as the two are paired up to work together and spend time in forced proximity and truly get to know each other! This is the first book in a new series and no doubt they will all be great.

This was one of my most anticipated arc reads, and I am slightly disappointed unfortunately.

One of the selling points for this book is that it is "Ali Hazelwood meets Dungeons and Dragons" While this is not an entirely untrue statement, it set very high expectations for me. I personally adore Ali Hazelwood and specifically love her for her voice, which is what I think is most unique about her books. This book had a similar type of humor, as well as being a magical version of a STEM romance, but I wouldn't have made that comparison on my own. This is not a failing or flaw of the book, but it definitely affected my reading experience. I also thought there would be more fantasy elements, as well as having a much more whimsical vibe. I feel like more could have been explored in this world when it comes to fantasy elements.

My biggest gripe with this book is that I didn't like the characters much (not that they're unlikable, I just didn't like the main characters). I also wasn't fully invested in the romance element. When they were enemies, I didn't get any pining/yearing vibes and I was actually rooting against the love interest, Elithior. I'm not sure if this is objectively a good or bad thing, because on one hand the author made a very convincing enemies plot line, but on the other hand it did not make me want a romantic storyline to happen. This is my main problem with the enemies to lovers trope in general to be honest, because there's always a double edged sword happening -- if it's done in a true enemies to lovers fashion, the reader will feel that the enemy is in fact an enemy, but then I don't really like the idea of dating an enemy unless it's somehow made hot, which I feel like this book didn't do well. And to be fair I don't think non-fantasy enemies to lovers can ever get this down because there needs to be some sort of line crossed that is totally not acceptable in modern society (ex: holding a sword to someone's throat, threatening death, but also being sexy) On the other hand, the enemies can just be slight enemies and it's totally not convincing, which makes me more likely to view the love interest as a love interest, but also doesn't do the trope correctly. I thought this book would be academic rivals to lovers, which it sort of is but only because of the setting. In my opinion, kit doesn't fully possess the spirit of academic rivals to lovers, which I cannot actually put into words (fully aware that I may be the problem here).

I found myself putting this book down for a few days and not really picking it back up out of interest, but mostly because I have a dedication to finishing ARCs and wanted to stay on my TBR. It got boring to me after they hooked up the first time, and it didn't really catch my interest again. I finished it, and it was not terrible, and there was nothing wrong with it, but I didn't necessarily enjoy it.

Now, onto the things I DID enjoy.
- the invented sport of Rawball, which is probably explained at some point but I don't like sports so I didn't really absorb that information. What I really loved about rawball was the insane amount of puns Sebastian uses, that are basically the same pun repeated over and over again but it's so funny and I'm immature and I loved it., I think there was actually more space in this book more extra rawball puns.
- the campus security alerts. These were the touch of whimsy I needed and I honestly wish there were more of them. They brought me into the world and gave it a fun fantasy element that I thought the book was overall missing.
- Orok. Great character, love a himbo, super excited he's getting his own book and I might read it!
- also the entire rawball team, including Orok, because I truly believe rawball was one of the greatest elements in this book.
- I was not sure where to fit this into my review, but I'm pretty sure this was Drarry fanfic at some point. Elithior's family (the Malfoy's), the rivalry between conjuration and evocation (Gryffindor and Slytherin), Orok being a sports playing best friend of Sebastian (Ron). the overall vibe made me think Drarry. I also want to note that if this is loosely inspired Drarry fanfic I'm so happy the author isn't marketing it that way because FUCK JK ROWLING.

I want to note that I struggled with my rating of this book because while I didn't have any actual problems with this book, I just didn't like it. I don't think it deserves a bad review, or any less than 3 stars, but I also don't want to falsely rate it higher than that. I think 3 stars reflects my unenjoyment or unenthusiasm for this book while also noting that there are no true flaws that I noticed while reading. I own two other books from this author and I definitely plan on reading them, and I will recommend this book to fans of enemies to lovers romcoms!

NO ONE IS DOING IT LIKE SARA RAASCH. And I mean it! The Entanglement of Rival Wizards continues an impeccable streak from Raasch of romances that hit a perfect balance between engaging individual character building, unique worlds, charming (and steamy!) love stories, and greater morality conflicts.

Our narrator is Sebastian, a human wizard finishing grad school who, following a departure from family norms several years ago that created strain between him and his parents, is desperate to get his work off the ground with a much-needed and highly respected grant for his final semester project. The only thing in his way is Elethior (Thio)—fellow grad student in a rival department, and member of a rich family that deals in weapons manufacturing. Everything Sebastian hates. The two are shocked when the coveted grant is split between them and they're forced to work together. Even more shocking is the sparks that fly between them.

(But not to me. You don't fixate on someone for that long and not be in love with them, Sebastian. C'mon.)

But the feelings between them are the least of their issues—darkness from both of their lives ties together in unexpected ways, making their final project for the semester often the least of their issues.

I cannot understate how much I adored this book. As I mentioned in the first paragraph the author has an uncanny knack for building these universes that simultaneously have a tone that allows you to feel their charm and whimsy while still dealing with serious issues. The worlds this book lives in is familiar to our own with cities like Philadelphia and Las Vegas mentioned—but at the same time, there's followers of gods wreaking havoc on graduations and adventuring parties blocking the way to class. People are applying for jobs, and Sebastian has an invisible fox familiar who loves to wear hats. It's a charming balance of real and imaginative.

What is always most impressive for me about Raasch's stories, and I think particularly this one, is her characters. In a romance like this it's easy to focus on the relationship between the two characters and make that the primary source of character development and conflict. However Sebastian and Thio are both unique engaging characters who have personal conflicts that they deal with that are fleshed out and addressed throughout the entire book that they need to work out alongside issues tied to their relationship. Even more than that, the two of them being in love doesn't fix all of their issues—sometimes it makes it worse. But the way these characters played out—their anxieties and trauma and humor and yearning all in one fell swoop made them so incredibly engaging. Side characters are also given a good bit of life here, particularly those being set up for potential future installments in this universe.

I also think that the way serious topics were tackled in this book was extraordinarily impressive—the way the tone was consistently balanced in this fantastical world with these often humorous characters who were falling in love with each other while still dealing with traumas tied to past scars, family issues, anxiety—the book no matter what it was dealing with felt steady in its tone and what it was trying to achieve, and all of the pieces no matter how humorous or serious all tied together to the end goal.

For perspective I started this book and read about 15% of it. Finished all of the rest of it the next day because I couldn't put it down. I've read several books by Raasch recently, and this one served as a reminder as to why I'm always drawn back to her incredible writing and storytelling. I can't wait to read what's next. Thank you so much for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

🩵✨️ What YOU Should Read Wednesday ✨️🩵

Thank you @brambleromance for the #gifted copy of @sara_raasch next whimsical queer romance! [Pub Date: August 26, 2025]

Welcome back to the segment that no one asked for... me recommending books that I think are ✨️ w o r t h i t ✨️ so, to the two people who read my worthless word vomit let me tell you about all the glorious sparkles that is "The Entanglement of Rival Wizards"

But first, a moment for the magic Sara puts into her books because they just keep getting better & I keep wanting more. *happy sigh*

These wizard boys have my heart. They're gripped on tight to my soul. I love them so deeply. Seb & Elethior have this a w e s o m e college rivalry surrounded by magical sciences and pranks, but life has a funny way of forcing special people into your proximity & the pair must work together. Their friendship ends up being sweet and lovely, I still can't get over it. Just the little moments & kind acts that help break down their walls *squealing*

You guys thought that the magical holiday kingdoms were whimsical joy... just you wait until you step foot onto the university grounds. It made me wish I was a magical being. Just wait until your eyeballs and imagination witness the parties that wizard scientists and orc athletes can throw.

What really is gripping my gut and soul is the found family that Seb and Orok have. These two are the most iconic pair. Their friendship is perfect. I can't wait for you guys to meet them.

Imagine if "The Extraordinaries" by Tj Klune and "Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree had a baby but mix in some magical science + tomfoolery and you'll get "The Entanglement of Rival Wizards"

Trust me when I say this story is so worth it. It will make your heart throb with happiness.

🩵 Enemies to Lovers
✨️ Magical College
🩵 Familiars
✨️ LGBTQIA+
🩵 Found Family
✨️ B A N T E R !!!!
🩵 Spicyyyyy!

A signature Sara Raasch fantasy rom-com. The banters were on point, as always. The rivalry was so heated, and just intensely THERE.

Sebastian and Elethior's collision was magnetic. I don't get how Sara did it, but their relationship absolutely hit the grey space between hate and love for me. I could feel Sebastian's anger and blooming attraction for Elethior at the same time, especially during their early interactions -- it was an elevated reading experience 😂 All in all, happy to report that this is another one of Sara's banger and I cannot wait to read the next book in the duology.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the advanced copy!

THIS BOOK. I have so many feelings. I feel like within this book, Sara's really found her voice and my god is it good.

Enemies to lovers. Forced proximity. LGBTQPIA rep. Found family. Past trauma. Mental health rep. Wizards and magic from an author who doesn't suck ass. If I had to read one book for the rest of my life, I would choose this one. There is so much heart, laughter, and love. The amount of highlighting I did is obscene.

Usually with romance books, I feel like we don't always get the love interest as a well fleshed out character, and that isn't the case. You learn so much about Thio and his why for a lot. You learn about both families.

I am trying very hard not to write down all of my favorite quotes, because I don't want to give the book away. I will say- if you haven't picked up a Sara Raasch book before and have wanted to, PICK THIS BOOK UP. You will not be disappointed.

Also, Sara, if you see this.. you are now on the immediate purchase list of authors. <3

Sebastian is a hot mess and I love him for it. I think this will be a big hit with readers who liked Sara Raasch's holiday books!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

Such a fun queer dark academia romance, with two characters who have very real reasons to despise each other and then are forced to work together. I really loved it, and look forward to more by the author. It's very Love on the Brain but gay and with magic.

A cute queer book with a golden retriever/grumpy cat vibes. I wish there was more interaction and set up with the best friend, because that plot actually managed to surprise me, which doesn't often happen. Can't wait to see the next book as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the eARC!

Sara Raasch has done it again with this one. She has quickly become one of my favorite romance writers. The way she is able to include serious tones and themes and then make me laugh a chapter later is miraculous. The constant queer representation is so important, and the fact that Raasch focuses on celebrating queer romances and even friendships makes me truly happy to see as a reader. Too much of the word focuses on the dark and dreary, so showing positive queer relationships is the only way to move forward.

Review:
"The Entanglement of Rival Wizards" follows Sebastian Walsh, an evocation Wizard, and Elethior Tourael, a Conjuration Wizard, and their journey to work together on a project. The deep hatred between Conjuration and Evocation wizards brings prejudice and competition into their new relationship as co-workers and provides much room for them to grow.

Sebastian and Elethior have such beautiful and rich character development through out the novel that they seem completely different at the end of the novel. Which is an amazing feat to do in only 300ish pages. Their romance was very mature it felt, both in body as well as emotion. They both understood how to put aside their premonitions and get to know a person for who they are not their reputation.

I would put this book on the higher end of Sara Raasch spicy meter compared to "A Nightmare Before Kissmas" and "Go Luck Yourself". Sebastian and Elethior are a bit... passionate! But the scenes were well written and I loved how different of a couple they were compared to even Locke and Kris or Hex and Coal.

Where I wanted more with this was the world building. Perhaps it was my D&D oriented brain that craves more magic, but I really want to know more about the magic system and even the people here. But hopefully a second book will come around and we will learn more.

If you love Dungeons and Dragons, you will adore this book!! Thank you again Sara Raasch for giving us another amazing novel and a brand new series to devour.

I'm a big fan of Sarah Raasch's holiday series and this book did not disappoint. The characters were so loveable and the sexual tension was just perfect! Another great book by Raasch! I can't wait to read what she writes next.

Sebastian has one problem and his name is Elethior. His family is directly tied to some of the most traumatic moments in Sebastian's life, the man torments the evocation department, and he is the biggest rival for a grant that could fund Sebastian's research. So when their university decides to split the grant so long as they work together, Sebastian is forced to do the impossible: be nice to his mortal enemy. Raasch's newest novel has brought the signature undeniable attraction and intense chemistry we've come to expect, and the world of magical academia has never been so spicy. A wonderful read, this book is great for fans of Critical Roll and Arcane, or reads like Swordcrossed by Freya Marske and Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.*

This was so much fun!!! I have read both of Raasch’s other adult romances and I truly feel like her writing gets better with each book. I had such a good time reading this. It genuinely made me laugh out loud.

I think the “Ali Hazelwood meets D&D” description is absolutely spot on and such a fun idea. The romance is great, I loved Thio and Seb’s banter. And the spice was SPICYYYY.

Also one of the truly stand-out things for me was the friendship between Seb and Orok. It is so tender and sweet and I absolutely loved that it never was used as a conflict in Seb and Thio’s romantic relationship.

Highly recommend!!

(ps extra special thank you to the publisher for making this accessible on the Kobo ereader!! an absolute game changer for me)