Reviews

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

Only show reviews with written explanations

cover2covertx's review

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was so adorable & fun and delivered more than it promises. I went into it with expectations for a fun romcom with nods to Nightmare Before Christmas and I got all of that and a seriously satisfying world building all centered around holiday kingdoms, rivalry, politics, AND a tension filled romance between 2 princes??

I loved this story, I loved the characters and the drama and I am fully invested in book 2! I can’t wait to read more about these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for this book to review!

Content Warnings

stephey's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A fun read, and I wish there was more Hex. Romantic, funny, emotional, and charming.

Ending felt a bit unfinished but there’s gonna be a sequel so that’s why, I suppose.

courtneysbooks's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a book

craftyhilary's review

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emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Normally I find “x meets y!” blurbs to be inaccurate, but calling this “Red, White & Royal Blue meets The Nightmare Before Christmas” is spot on.

Imagine, if you will, a world just like ours but in which holidays are run by royalty and Santa is a megalomaniac. He’s a terrible father to his ne'er-do-well heir, Coal (technically Nicholas) and Coal’s ignored younger brother, Kris. Coal and Kris are best friends with Iris, Princess of Easter.

After a disastrous attempt to spread meaningful joy, Coal has a drunken snog in an alley with someone who turns out, as he learns two years later, to be Hex, a prince of Halloween. Santa wants Coal to marry Iris. But Coal and Hex have explosive chemistry, and Coal is just discovering the depths to which his father will go to ensure Christmas is the most powerful holiday of the year.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas definitely feels inspired by Red, White & Royal Blue, but with more simplistic politics and higher heat. It’s a little over-dramatic, but it’s a funny and sweet coming of age story about how friendship and love are what spark real joy in a complicated world.