The Nightmare Before Kissmas: My Review

Looking for a fantastic fall romance that will hit you with all the feels? Check out my book review of The Nightmare Before Kissmas to see whether I think this MM romance is a holiday romance worth reading. (HINT: It SO is!)

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas Summary:

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, hottest, messiest, most delightfully unforgettable love stories of the year.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas: My Review

The Nightmare Before Kissmas made my list of most anticipated new Christmas romance books for 2024 and it did NOT disappoint. Raasch wrote such a fun and unique holiday romance that will have you swooning at the love interests, laughing at her hilarious puns and really thinking about what the joy of every holiday means to you.

This was my first book by Raasch and I was blown away by her writing. Not only did she create such a fun story and have impeccable writing that made the story flow, but she made me laugh so hard in spots while also really making me ponder how the holidays have become so commercial losing their focus on the joy they are meant to inspire.

I’ve always loved the spirit of the Christmas season but I honestly never thought about the joy of Halloween like Hex outlined in this story. Halloween represents the joy that can be found even in the darkness and I guess I’ve never thought of it that way, especially for someone who is struggling with grief.

Raasch could have chosen to write your average MM romance but this was so much more and I devoured every page. I loved the twist on the arranged marriage between best friends when the real romance blossomed in the forbidden.

It was so easy to become obsessed with Coal. I loved this man who definitely came across as a hot mess in the beginning but he was someone who truly loved the joy of Christmas. It broke my heart how he viewed himself initially, but I loved how he pushed through his self-doubt and negative self-talk and worked to save Christmas.

And then there is Hex who also showcased how amazing Raasch is at characterization. As the Prince of Halloween he definitely had this air of mystery surrounding him but when he spoke and shared his darkest feelings, I fell so hard for him right along with Coal. I just wanted to swoop in and give him a big hug.

Their attraction was so believable even if quick and I absolutely loved the delicacy, consent and honesty that underlined every action of their relationship and intimacy.

I cannot recommend this book enough for the incredible storyline, the romance and the thought-provoking it inspires.

You’ll love this if you enjoy:

• Hilarious puns
• Texting that is both funny and hot
• MM romance with the sweetest of cinnamon rolls
• Spice with really hot consent

This book doesn’t quite complete two aspects of the story leaving you on a bit of a cliffhanger but there is no question that I’m reading book two in this series, Go Luck Yourself!

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Related Book Lists:

• Best Christmas Romance Books
• Best Halloween Romance Books
• Best Gay Romance Novels

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