What We’re Reading in November 2025
CURRENTLY READING
The Nightmare Before Kissmas
by Sara Raasch
The perfect read to transition from Halloween to Christmas.
The perfect read to transition from Halloween to Christmas. It’ll set the tone for a warm holiday season (and may even give you the strength to stand up to / address family tension).
Can I convince you to read this with one quote? “Every single one of those instances where I’ve seen joy on other people, I’ve been searching. Searching specifically for his joy. Because now that I’ve experienced it, it renders all past joy obsolete.”
Get your copy of The Nightmare Before Kissmas (Amazon) and read with us!
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
I fell in love with this series within the first few pages — it was just the cutest holiday romance.
Firstly, the characters names are Coal and Hex… would it be too millennial of me to admit that I love their names so much?!
Secondly, I love Christmas and all things holiday celebrations. So I already knew I was going to love this. But what a fun, fresh take on holidays being little royal kingdoms within seasonal courts. Stir in a little love-triangle among rival holidays, and call me intrigued!
Thirdly, I know everyone has said it, but this does give off Red White & Royal Blue. And it is just as sweet — you’ll LOL, you’ll yell “Yes! Get it!” and “Noooooo!!”, you’ll squeal like the happiest little elf.
Fourthly, the way Sara explains emotions (love, grief, fear) is so beautiful. She has a magical ability to put into words what so many people (myself included) struggle to voice — she found beauty in grief and the manifestation of joy in its presence, she shines a lightness on love for others even when one might be struggling to find it for themself.
Save our The Nightmare Before Kissmas playlist to get into the Holiday spirit (Spotify).
What the Book Club Loved
FIREWORKS & STEAM: 3.5/5
We wanted more!! While there was a lot of intimacy, did we really make it past first base for most of the book? It was descriptive, enjoyable and honestly, probably the right amount of spice for the book. But with the wonderfully delicious dirty talk, we could’ve benefited from another scene.
WRITING STYLE: 4.5/5
The magical system was a bit confusing for a few of us, and the complexity of it buried the romance. And at times, the book felt long… but it made sense given the immersive world-building Sara Raasch takes us through. From the pop culture references that were so on-the-nose they were humorous to the puns and changing group chat name, the sass was next level and we had a great time reading it.
We loved the premise of the book and how the holidays translated into the characters’ personalities, clothing and magic. It was kind of cheesy to start, but improved as got better and dove into deeper subjects like consumerism and greed.
We do wish this was dual POV because being in Coal’s head was rather exhausting and we wanted to get Hex’s POV throughout.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 4.5/5
We love the concept of holidays being royalty!
Coal was wonderfully neurotic -- he cared so much and didn’t think through all the consequences. While Hex was maybe too set in his ways and dedicated to doing what he deemed right. But we liked how much Coal grew in this period because he wanted better for everyone as he fell in love and found that happiness for himself.
While we didn’t get good development in the secondary characters, we’re intrigued for what’s to come in this series.
THE LOVE STORY: 3.5/5
What a slow burn!! But Coal and Hex were cute! And we wanted more and over a longer period of time. The romance was fast and we loved the sneaking around, but a month wasn’t a convincing timeline.
“It made me want to like the holidays more. It was nice and light and cute.”
- JACQUI
If You Loved The Nightmare Before Kissmas, You’ll Love These
IF YOU STILL NEED MORE HALLOWEEN: Her Halloween Treat (Men at Work #1) by Tiffany Reisz (Amazon)
Don’t judge a book by its cover… unless you’re seeing this steamy hunk on the cover and that encourages you to pick this up. If you’re in the mood for a little steamy Halloween-y romance set in a remote cabin, curl up with this book!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
IF YOU’RE READY FOR CHRISTMAS: Duke Actually (Christmas in Eldovia #2) by Jenny Holiday (Amazon)
A Hallmark rom-com with a tinge of spice featuring a royal and a professor who is eager to revamp her life now that she’s free of her cheating ex-husband! Note: Start with A Princess for Christmas (Christmas in Eldovia #1) (Amazon) before you pick this one up.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
TENSION BETWEEN ROYALS: Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (Amazon)
A love so big it can’t be contained to one nation. You’ll laugh, you’ll sigh, you’ll cry. Red White and Royal Blue will take you on a journey of a hesitant friendship that blooms into a heartwarming love.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
BY THIS AUTHOR: Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch (Amazon)
The sequel to The Nightmare Before Kissmas. My stomach was full of butterflies and they could not be contained. The way my stomach was flipping!!! Friends, the chemistry between Lochlann and Kristopher is so evident, it was basically popping off the page like shamrocks in an Irish field. It’s HOT, and I wanted more. But it isn’t obnoxious. No. It’s soft and sweet, tender even in moments. Yes, there is frustration, but there’s vulnerability. And that’s what will draw you in.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
