The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch (ARC Review)

Title: The Nightmare Before Kissmas
Author: Sara Raasch
Type: Fiction
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ+
Publisher: Bramble
Date published: October 8, 2024

A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by Bramble in exchange for an honest review.

Nicholas “Coal” Claus used to love Christmas. Until his father, the reigning Santa, turned the holiday into a PR façade. Coal will do anything to escape the spectacle, including getting tangled in a drunken, supremely hot make- out session with a beautiful man behind a seedy bar one night.

But the heir to Christmas is soon commanded to do his duty: he will marry his best friend, Iris, the Easter Princess and his brother’s not-so-secret crush. A situation that has disaster written all over it.

Things go from bad to worse when a rival arrives to challenge Coal for the princess’s hand…and Coal comes face-to-face with his mysterious behind-the-bar hottie: Hex, the Prince of Halloween.

It’s a fake competition between two holiday princes who can’t keep their hands off each other over a marriage of convenience that no one wants. And it all leads to one of the sweetest, sexiest, messiest, most delightfully unforgettable love stories of the year.

⤖ My Review ⬻

I didn’t realize it until after I read The Nightmare Before Kissmas, but I had read this author before some years ago when they were writing young adult. I really enjoyed These Rebel Waves but am glad that this past opinion didn’t colour the way I consumed The Nightmare Before Kissmas. This book was a completely different vibe, and I was excited to dive into it without expectations.

I really liked the concept of these worlds dedicated to the holidays existing in secret because it reminded me of The Nightmare Before Christmas (which I think this book’s title is a nod to anyway) as well as a number of Christmas movies. It felt familiar and cozy, while also using the concept of these worlds to tell a story entirely new to me. The holiday magic combined with the romance created a fun and unique atmosphere.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Coal and Hex, and also enjoyed the banter between all of the characters overall. The dynamics were playful but also layered with tension, which made the interactions engaging. That said, I did find that I got a bit bored with Coal’s introspection after delving into his inner thoughts a few times, because it felt repetitive to me. However, I know that there are readers who will appreciate getting such a deep look into the main character’s mind and motivations.

Overall, I had fun reading The Nightmare Before Kissmas and am tempted to pick up the sequel, Go Luck Yourself, when it comes out in March 2025. If you enjoy holiday-themed worlds, witty banter, romance, and spice, this book might be the perfect cozy read for you!