This was a perfect post-halloween, pre-christmas read! Full of romance, chaos and humor, just what you need to get yourself through the holidays. Not only is the romance between Hex and Coal exremly cute, but Sara Raasch also manages to write one of the best sibling relationships I have ever read. Every scene with Coal and Kris had me cackeling with joy and missing my own little sister.

I loved both main characters, Hex and Coal. The tension, the banter, the sweet moments, I loved everything about them. I loved the way they cared for each other and the way their relationship developed. Cheesy but so cute and perfect for the holidays

This was such a fun read, I was drawn to this one due to the Nightmare Before Christmas element, and it was the perfect bridge read for Halloween books to Christmas ones. I love a royalty book and its did not disappoint. The conversations had so much energy, it was so much fun reading them, especially between Coal and Hex. I cannot wait to read what Raasch does next.

A very seasonal spicy romcom, for fans of 'Red, White and Royal blue, who like it with a magical touch. The story was really refreshing and i enjoyed the way the characters were written and interreacted with one another. Hex and Coal were really enjoyable MMCs and if you are looking for a swoon worthy read. this is the one for you.

I really loved the holiday royalty aspect of this book, and was prepared to fall head over heels for the story. Unfortunately the "banter" kept pulling me out of it as I just couldn't stand how awful it was. I accept that a line or two of absolute cringe is expected in a rom com, but this felt non stop. So whilst I quite liked the wider world, I was embarrassed for the main characters and just wanted to leave them alone to be ridiculous without an audience.

Also, if you think you don't mind the cringe then absolutely pick this book up because otherwise it's lovely.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This was SO up my street its unreal. It was so easy and quick to get through and it was SO cute. I loved the characters in this book so, so much and I can't wait to reread this in December!!

This book is like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day. It’s adorable, funny, and addictive. I never wanted it to end!

This was a very fun romance with a surprising depth - of both character development and the world-building and machinations therein.

I really love the concept and look forward to seeing more holidays get into feuds and then into bed...

I had mixed feelings about this book. I was drawn to it because 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' is one of my favorite movies, and with both Halloween and Christmas on the horizon, it seemed like the perfect read.

I really enjoyed the characters, especially Hex and Coal, who felt very lifelike. Their banter was a highlight for me, and I also appreciated the bond between Kris and Coal as brothers.

However, the romance felt a bit rushed for my taste. It leaned more toward instant attraction and focused heavily on the physical side, leaving me wishing for a bit more emotional buildup. Overall, it's a 3-star read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in return for honest feedback

Coal is the Prince of Christmas who struggles with the responsibilities he will have to take on one day when his father is no longer the reigning Santa

But when his dad sets up an arranged marriage with his best friend Iris, the Princess of Easter to unite the holidays, Coal is not best pleased

To add more to the mix, Prince Hex of Halloween is brought in as a contenter to Iris's hand in marriage, but the spark may be there between the two Princes and a shared history, not the Princess as intended

I loved this one, I'm definitely more a Halloween Girl than a Christmas Girl so but the dynamics ans settings here were great. I also loved seeing Coals connections with his family and friends, and hope we might get more glimpses into this as the series continues

Great for spooky or Christmas season... out now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Randomhouse for the review copy, all opinions my own

Thank you to @netgalley , the author, and @randomhouse for the arc of this book.
This was a fun, seasonal read to cosy up to. It had me from the "fans of Red White and Royal Blue and The Nightmare Before Christmas" comparison! It's a rivals to lovers with a twist story, as Coal and Hex have met before. When they both find themselves vying for the same princess' hand, what will happen when these two holiday rivals find that the chemistry isn't where they expect it to be? Can the princes of Christmas and Halloween find their happily ever after? This is another great seasonal read to be enjoyed with a blanket and either a peppermint hot chocolate or a pumpkin spice latte! #thenightmarebeforekissmas #seasonalreads #arc #netgalley #randomhouseuk

I enjoyed this book so much! It's a mix between a love triangle and fake relationship. Both Coal, the Prince of Christmas, and Hex, the Prince of Halloween, are vying for Iris', the Princess of Easter, hand on marriage. Iris doesn't have romantic feelings for them, and saying that Coal and Hex don't like each other would be a lie...a steamy night proves otherwise! However, the facade marriage needs to go through, so that the best holiday, oops, I meant man, win!

I thought this was a cute and wholesome love story.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for a digital ARC of the book.

Unfortunately this romance novel wasn't for me - I found the character voices quite grating and wasn't interested in continuing beyond the early sections.

I love Christmas, I love Halloween, I love the Nightmare Before Christmas so obviously I loved reading about one prince from each, trying to do what’s right and bring Christmas back to its joyful roots. This was super cute and had me giggling and squealing from the tension and then the love 🥰 Coal and Hex bring out the best in each other and help see their ‘flaws’ as strengths. Coals wee journey of self discovery with Hex by his side was adorable but he hits a few snags along the way. So you know, carnage ensues. I really enjoyed seeing Coal create real joy in his life, his holiday and the rest of the holiday courts. Also Prince Hex is a real brooding spitfire and an absolute delight.

Being a side character fiend I liked how you found out just enough about them to keep you hooked and I really need to see their happy endings, considering the few crumbs we got at the end of the story. I’m excited to see what’s next!

I absolutely loved this! I really liked the concept of this book and I’ve never read anything similar before in terms of having different holiday royalty.
I loved the relationship between Coal, the Christmas prince, and Hex, the Halloween prince and there was also some great side characters in Kris and Iris!
🎄forbidden romance
🎃 slow burn
🎄 holiday royalty
🎃 lgbtq+ romance
🎄 spice

I’m looking forward to reading Kris’s book next!

This review is for The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch which will be released in the UK on the 10th October! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Penguin for giving me an eArc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I genuinely had no idea what to expect when going into this book, and it was such a fun and lighthearted but also secretly deep story. It focuses on the Heir of Christmas Nicholas (or Coal) and the Prince of Halloween, Hex Hallow. Both with a surprising amount of weight on their shoulders from their responsibilities as heirs of their holiday families.

I loved the world in this story, as well as the super unquote magic system where the separate holidays we know and love all have separate families in charge of them, who are in charge of the ‘joy’ created from their holiday. I also loved the characters and their growth through the book, especially Coal where you see him finally become more confident in himself and his choices.

The story was also super heartwarming and I loved the focus on self growth as well as learning how to be a better person for the people you love. As I said, both a super lighthearted (even sometimes a little cringe) yet suprisingly deep story that I ended up binging in a day.
Can’t wait to see what’s next in the series!

Netgalley, thank you for this earc, all opinions are my own.

The idea of this book is lovely, a mix of Boyfriend Material and The Nightmare before Christmas? Sounds good to me!

The things I liked: Hex and Coal's chemistry is well done and both characters feel life like. I also liked that they are in love from the get-go. Also their romance is so cute and lovely. There is not a lot of drama there. I liked Kris and Iris as well.
The plot, in theory, is pretty cool too.

What I didnt like: the book felt a bit out of balance. Like the writer was very enthusiastic about her idea (and rightfully so!) and flew a bit out of control with it. I feel that at some point her editor should have reined her in somewhat. At some point I became a little bit annoyed with Coal's repetitive issues. The high stakes drama could have been somewhat lower stakes, because it fizzled out really quickly. So, yeah, in the end it was a bit more mediocre than expected.

When Halloween Met Christmas

The Nightmare Before Kissmas
Sara Raasch,
19th Sept 2024

Prince Nicholas – aka Coal – is Santa’s heir, and has tried his best to avoid the responsibility for ages. But he’s older now and his father has demanded he step up and marry Princess Iris (Easter). His best friend, someone he has no romantic feelings for and the woman he knows his brother Kris loves.
North Pole City and the Christmas palace is all about image, so Coal shouldn’t have been surprised that his dad ambushed them in front of reporters and announced that he was courting the Easter royal.
Known as the comedic, irresponsible jokester, Coal’s life changes the day Prince Hex Hallow of the Halloween court walks into Christmas.
He’s the same handsome goth like man he shared a whirlwind kiss with a year and a half ago.
Coal remembers when his dad cared about the holiday, before it was about “cheap plastic trinkets”.
This wonderful and magical MM romance sees Hex and Coal become closer even as Coal discovers dark secrets about his own father; Santa’s mission to expand everywhere at the cost of all the other winter holidays.
Hex is there to play pretend, to appease Halloween into thinking he has a chance at wooing Iris, even if neither of them really wants it.
Amidst the main romance story arc, we have the grief that both Coal and Kris experience having been abandoned by their mother as young boys, watching their dad become a man they don’t recognise, plus hidden power plays with the different holidays as pawns on a chess board.
There’s also the public persona of the royal family, the glitter and valueless joy they represent hiding a much more poignant reality. Despite these themes, this book is full of laughter.
The group chat that Coal keeps renaming with bad Christmas puns, the Elf on a Shelf threat that Kris aims his brother’s way, the brimming romance between the two young men and the rediscovery of Christmas joy.
Add in the teasing and the chemistry plus the support characters including Renee and Wren and you have a novel bursting with seasonal delight, fun, and a Tim Burtonesque Halloween Prince.
I adored this book and we’ve already had a reveal for Kris’ story, so I can’t wait to meet many more people from the Holidays across the world.
If Jack and Sally were queer and you blended in a dash of a Netflix Christmas film, this book is what you would end up with.

So Penguin Random House reached out to me and asked if I wanted to read an ARC of this book on NetGalley. The title and cover alone sold me but the premise sounded awesome.

AHHHHHH I loved this book so much. I have never in my life read a book that has made me “kick my feet” or “squeal” but this 100% did that. Hex and Coal are officially my favourite book couple of all time. Halloween and Christmas are also my favourite holidays so that made this book all the more enjoyable and I highly recommend reading it in October or December because the vibes are excellent.

There were some parts where I literally cried. I’m not going to put any direct quotes in here because I read the ARC copy but Hex and Coal are so damn CUTE together. Hex was absolutely adorable, I love him and he must be protected at all costs. Coal grew so much as a character and he was so brave and passionate about improving the way Christmas operated. The way these two opened up to each other and realised they’d found someone to confide in and be vulnerable with actually made my heart hurt. This was such a healthy and special relationship which is refreshing to read about!

I have one complaint. SARA THAT ENDING!? I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOWWWWWWWW! If you want a book that is going to make your heart spontaneously combust then look no further. I am obsessed. This comes out on 10th October just in time for Halloween! I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can annotate it 😍

It's giving Red, White and Royal Blue. But for prince's of the seasons.


This did not hot for me. The romance was too insta love. And the story far to based on the political side rather than romance Concidering it's a romance book.