REVIEW Go Luck Yourself (Royals and Romance #2) by Sara Raasch

Go Luck Yourself (Royals and Romance #2) by Sara Raasch
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Format: eBook (Personal Library, Bookshop.org) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Bramble

“In all that writing you used to do about happily ever after,’ Coal continues, ‘did you ever think what being happy would actually feel like?”

The Nightmare before Kissmas by Sara Raasch is a favorite of the holiday themed books I’ve read, and its sequel Go Luck Yourself is no slouch. Audiobook narrator Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick absolutely knocked it out of the park with his performance in the audiobook. I really felt like he captured both Kris and Loch’s personalities, and brought the book to life on another level. 

This book is an enemies to lovers romantic comedy meets mystery, and it's absolutely joyous insanity. From Kris’ lack of ability to hold his liquor, to the Irish method of flirting being ‘talking shite’, I was hooked. While there are some minor similarities to the first book (Kris and Loch are also princes of their holiday, like Coal and Hex), this romance has an entirely different feel. There are silly moments, old timey romance swoon moments, and even some incredibly emotionally deep moments. While I was 100% on the Kris and Loch ‘ship’, I was also invested in the growth of Kris and Coal’s brotherly relationship over the course of the book. As someone who has my own sibling, Coal’s commitment to seeing his brother happy and enjoying life on his own terms was particularly impactful. 

Overall, a fantastic novel. I think the author did a great job wrapping up the storyline of the Christmas princes, but I would be absolutely thrilled if there was a third book in this series featuring Iris (and maybe a short story of her sister and the Valentines day prince). I highly recommend this to mature readers who enjoy queer romantic comedies that feature an enemies to lovers romance and pure, joyful shenanigans.

REVIEW Promchanted by Morgan Matson

Promchanted by Morgan Matson
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Format: eBook (Personal Libary, Kindle) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Libary)
Publisher:  Disney Hyperion

"Because when you love a story, you want to stay in that world. Really live in it."

I was first introduced to Morgan Matson's Promchanted after watching her "Putting a Spin on the Recipe" panel at YallWest 2025, and I had to read it because it sounded like so much fun. Main characters Stella and Reece (who have been dealing with their own frustrations and heartbreak) are thrown into the story of Sleeping Beauty together after visiting Disneyland the night of prom.

It's a little Back to the Future-esque and zany, as Stella and Reece quickly realize their presence is messing with the original story and they have to make sure things go right (otherwise they won't get home). The two of them have very different experiences (with Reece staying with Phil, aka the prince, and Stella staying with Rose and her aunts the fairies). I really enjoyed watching them both grow and become invested in the story. I felt for Stella's heartbreak after getting dumped a short time before prom, and struggling to believe in love and happily ever afters from fairy tales anymore. While Reece isn't dealing with heartbreak, he has his own familoy issues at home to contend with.

Overall, this was a great modern rom-com mixed with fairy tale. I was really impresed with all the research the author did to make things feel more real. Audiobook narrator Shaina Summerville did a great job bringing the emotion and action of the story to life with her peformance. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy humorous heartfelt romance reads with a little bit of Disney magic thrown in.