The Nightmare Before Kissmas is written by Sara Raasch, and published by Penguin.
Sara Raasch grew up among the cornfields of Ohio and currently lives in the historical corridor of southeastern Virginia. She is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books for young adults. In her debut adult novel, Raasch offers readers all the joy, irreverent wit, and crackling sexiness of your favourite sweet-as-a-candy-cane holiday romp.
You can get your copy of The Nightmare Before Kissmass here.
Synopsis
Halloween and Christmas collide in the sweetest, sexiest crossover romcom of the year! Two royal princes, one fake competition – but will it be trick…or treat?
Coal might be the Prince of Christmas but he’d honestly rather skip it this year. Wouldn’t you when your father, the reigning Santa, has turned it into nothing more than the family’s latest PR stunt? But Coal has gotten into one scrape too many and there’s a surprise in store: a marriage to his best friend to unite their families in the perfect holiday photo moment.
Then a rival arrives to challenge Coal for the princess’ hand and he’s suddenly face to face with a past mistake: Hex, the deliciously handsome Prince of Halloween. Scuppering Santa’s plans and falling for Christmas’s biggest rival would be a complete disaster… wouldn’t it?
Review
The Nightmare Before Kissmas stands out as a sizzling, delightfully queer festive rom-com that is absolutely a must-read. The novel masterfully combines the electrifying elements of traditional romantic comedies—such as the tantalizing ‘will they, won’t they’ dynamic and the magnetic pull of opposites attracting—into a vibrant, festive explosion full of charm, wit, and spice.
What makes the book a must-read is its love story. Coal and Hex are delightful characters both individually and as a pair, and their story is filled with countless moments that are just bursting with steamy plot developments and unexpected twists, keeping you completely hooked. Plus, as any good rom-com should, it occasionally embraces a bit of cheesiness, which, in its festive setting, surprisingly enhances its charm, making the whole experience even more lovable.
As mentioned, central to the story are Coal and Hex, characters who are incredibly lovable thanks to their magnetic energy. You quickly become invested in their story, largely due to the beautifully crafted writing of the author, Sara Raasch. She not only creates two characters with very distinct personalities, but the supporting cast is well-developed and plays a critical role in the story. Similar to Nick and Charlie (Heartstopper) or Andrew and Jamie (All That’s Left in the World), Coal and Hex will be rightfully held in high regard within the queer romance space for years to come.
In addition to two excellent lead characters, the world built around Coal and Hex massively contributes to the love you develop for them as you turn each page. You’re taken on a festive journey through various holidays, including Easter, Halloween, and, predominantly, Christmas. In this book, we delve deep into the lore of Christmas, as one might expect, yet it cleverly hints at the expansive potential of its universe, leaving readers eagerly anticipating and wanting more.
Verdict
The Nightmare Before Kissmas sparks the queer rom-com scene to life—a sensational, spicy, festive blast! It’s sharp, funny, and unapologetically queer, with a side of adult spiciness. In short, it’s a total hit! The book arrives in the wake of sensational queer stories like Heartstopper, Love & Monsters, and All That’s Left in The World, which have significantly contributed to the rise of queer narratives. However, The Nightmare Before Kissmas sets itself apart with its spicier tone and well-crafted festive theme. Author Sarah Raasch heralds the dawn of a new series that is quirky, sexy, and surprisingly entertaining – it isn’t to be missed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
