The Nightmare Before Kissmas: A Royals and Romance Novel

"The Nightmare Before Kissmas" promises an enchanting holiday romance that blends the magic of Christmas with queer representation but, unfortunately, falls short of delivering on its potential. This YA/New Adult novel, which follows Nicholas "Coal" Claus, the reluctant heir to Christmas, attempts to merge holiday whimsy with political intrigue but ultimately creates a messy, overlong narrative that loses sight of its core romantic elements.

The premise is appealing: a Christmas prince who falls for the Halloween prince while navigating family expectations and an arranged marriage—however, the execution has much room for improvement. At over 350 pages, the story feels bloated and meandering, with repetitive internal monologues and political subplots that detract from rather than enhance the central romance.

The world-building, while creative in concept - with different holiday courts each having their own royal families - never quite coheres into a satisfying whole. The attempt to critique capitalism and commercialization through Santa's empire-building ambitions feels heavy-handed and at odds with the lighter romantic elements the book aims for.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment is the romantic relationship itself. Despite being marketed as a rivals-to-lovers story, Coal and Hex's relationship lacks genuine conflict or tension. Their attraction is immediate and largely surface-level (they 'bump' into each other, and immediately start making out), with their interactions often devolving into cringeworthy dialogue and purple prose, particularly in the intimate scenes. The promised rivalry never materializes, leaving readers with an underdeveloped romance and lacking emotional depth.

The book does have some bright spots. Some of the familial relationships, particularly between Coal and his brother Kris, are well-drawn. There are moments of genuine humor, and the representation of queer characters in a holiday setting is refreshing. Afterall, that is what drew me to this book in the first place.

However, these positive elements can't overcome the fundamental pacing, plot structure, and character development issues. The third-act conflict feels contrived, and the resolution could have been more complex. The book's attempt to tackle serious themes about tradition, family expectations, and the meaning of holidays never quite lands, instead feeling superficial and disconnected from the story's romantic core.

While "The Nightmare Before Kissmas" might appeal to readers seeking holiday-themed LGBTQ+ representation and those who enjoy elaborate fantasy world-building, it ultimately fails to deliver a compelling romance or a satisfying fantasy narrative. The book would have benefited from tighter editing, more focused storytelling, and a clearer sense of its identity - whether as a light romantic comedy or a more serious exploration of holiday politics and family dynamics.