Sara Raasch’s second installment in her Royals and Romance series, “Go Luck Yourself,” delivers a refreshing cocktail of supernatural holiday elements, genuine character growth, and sizzling chemistry that rivals its predecessor. Following the success of “The Nightmare Before Kissmas,” Raasch expands her unique holiday universe with this Christmas/St. Patrick’s Day crossover that beautifully balances humor, heart, and heat.
The Story: Holiday Politics and Personal Journeys
“Go Luck Yourself” introduces us to Kristopher “Kris” Claus, the dutiful but directionless spare prince of Christmas. While his brother Coal (now effectively running Christmas after their father’s semi-retirement) deals with restructuring their Holiday’s diplomatic relationships, someone has been stealing Christmas’s magic joy. The only clue? A single shamrock left behind.
Volunteering to investigate, Kris travels to Ireland to serve as an ambassador to St. Patrick’s Day—only to discover that the Crown Prince, Lochlann “Loch” Patrick, is the same infuriating student he’s been feuding with at Cambridge University. Their initial confrontation involving a library study room and a revenge plot involving tinsel sets the tone for their deliciously antagonistic relationship.
What begins as a diplomatic mission quickly becomes complicated as Kris unravels not only the mystery of the stolen joy but also the oppressive power dynamics within St. Patrick’s Day’s royal family. King Malachy Patrick, Loch’s uncle, has been hoarding the Holiday’s magic for his personal business ventures while suppressing Loch’s attempts to properly govern and serve their people.
As Kris spends more time with Loch and his sisters, Finn and Siobhán, he discovers that beneath Loch’s prickly exterior lies a passionate, dedicated royal fighting against his uncle’s manipulation. Meanwhile, Kris confronts his own demons: his misplaced sense of duty, his uncertain identity beyond serving others, and his unresolved trauma from his mother’s abandonment.
Characters: Depth Beyond the Holiday Cheer
What elevates “Go Luck Yourself” above standard holiday romances is Raasch’s commitment to creating layered characters with believable struggles:
Kris Claus: Beyond his outward perfection and princely duties, Kris struggles with a profound identity crisis. His journey from defining himself through others’ expectations to discovering his own desires (including his passion for writing) forms the emotional core of the story. His growth feels authentic and earned.
Lochlann Patrick: Loch initially appears as the stereotypical arrogant rival, but quickly reveals himself to be a dedicated, frustrated leader using art as an outlet for his passion and working tirelessly behind the scenes to help his Holiday thrive despite his uncle’s sabotage.
Supporting Cast: From Coal and his Halloween boyfriend Hex to Loch’s sisters Finn and Siobhán, the secondary characters have distinct personalities that enhance rather than distract from the main storyline. Particularly compelling is Kris’s evolving relationship with his friend Iris from Easter, showing how healthy friendships can survive after awkward romantic misunderstandings.
Chemistry That Scorches the Pages
While “The Nightmare Before Kissmas” set a high bar for romantic tension, “Go Luck Yourself” manages to surpass it. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Kris and Loch crackles with authentic antagonism that gradually gives way to reluctant attraction and eventually genuine connection.
Their banter is sharp and entertaining, but what truly makes their relationship compelling is how they challenge each other’s assumptions and defense mechanisms. Loch pushes Kris to acknowledge his own desires beyond obligation, while Kris helps Loch realize his own worth beyond his uncle’s gaslighting.
The physical intimacy between them escalates naturally and explodes with intense chemistry that feels earned rather than gratuitous. Raasch excels at balancing steamy encounters with emotional vulnerability, creating scenes that advance both the physical and emotional aspects of their relationship.
Holiday Worldbuilding: Creative and Cohesive
Raasch expands her holiday universe in thoughtful ways, building upon the foundation established in “The Nightmare Before Kissmas.” The concept of Holidays as literal magical territories governed by holiday-themed royalty continues to delight, with each Holiday having unique magical properties:
Christmas’s magic involves spreading cheer and creating tangible holiday elements
St. Patrick’s Day’s magic manifests as luck (sometimes good, sometimes bad)
Halloween’s magic creates unintended physical manifestations (like cats) when its royals curse
Easter has artistic influences
The plot involving stolen joy creates genuine stakes while exploring themes of power, responsibility, and the ethics of resource distribution between Holidays. The political dynamics feel surprisingly nuanced for a holiday romance, dealing with issues of colonization, reparation, and equitable governance.
Writing Style: Humor, Heart, and Heat
Raasch maintains her signature blend of humor and heart while delving into deeper emotional territory. The prose strikes an excellent balance between witty dialogue, introspective moments, and sensual scenes. The author knows when to deploy humor to lighten a tense moment and when to let emotional beats resonate without undercutting them.
The pacing occasionally stumbles in the middle sections, and some of the family trauma resolution feels slightly rushed compared to the care given to other emotional arcs. However, these are minor issues in an otherwise well-crafted narrative.
Series Connection: Building a Holiday Universe
“Go Luck Yourself” works wonderfully both as a standalone and as part of the Royals and Romance series. Readers of “The Nightmare Before Kissmas” will appreciate the continued worldbuilding and cameos from Coal and Hex, but newcomers can dive in without feeling lost.
The series is shaping up to have a distinctive identity in the holiday romance genre, offering:
Supernatural holiday elements with unique magical systems
Complex family dynamics and diplomatic intrigue
Character-driven romances with authentic emotional growth
LGBTQ+ representation that feels natural rather than tokenistic
A blend of steam, humor, and genuine emotional depth
Strengths and Room for Improvement
What Shines:
Character Growth: Both protagonists undergo meaningful personal journeys beyond their romance
Chemistry: The tension between Kris and Loch is palpable and evolves naturally
Worldbuilding: The holiday magic systems continue to delight and surprise
Emotional Depth: The exploration of abandonment, identity, and self-worth adds substance
Inclusivity: The queer representation feels authentic rather than performative
Minor Critiques:
Pacing: Some middle sections drag slightly, particularly during the festival events
Trauma Resolution: Kris’s maternal abandonment issues get somewhat simplified resolution
Magical Consistency: Some aspects of how joy works between Holidays could be clearer
Villain Development: Malachy could have benefited from additional nuance beyond being manipulative
Verdict: A Charming, Sexy Holiday Adventure
“Go Luck Yourself” is a worthy successor to “The Nightmare Before Kissmas,” delivering everything readers enjoyed about the first book while deepening the worldbuilding and emotional stakes. Sara Raasch successfully combines holiday magic, sizzling romance, and authentic character development into a package that satisfies on multiple levels.
For fans of holiday romances looking for something beyond the standard fare, this series offers a refreshing take on the genre. The blend of fantasy worldbuilding, queer representation, and genuine character growth makes the Royals and Romance series stand out in an increasingly crowded field.
Whether you’re looking for a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance, creative holiday fantasy, or a story about finding yourself beyond others’ expectations, “Go Luck Yourself” delivers with charm, heart, and heat to spare. It’s a delightful second installment that leaves readers eager for whichever Holiday romance Raasch might explore next.
Perfect For Readers Who Enjoy:
Holiday-themed fantasy romance
Enemies-to-lovers with genuine antagonism that evolves naturally
Character-driven stories with meaningful personal growth
LGBTQ+ representation in fantasy settings
Steamy scenes balanced with emotional vulnerability
Stories exploring family dynamics and identity
Fans of T.J. Klune’s “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” Roan Parrish’s “The Holiday Trap,” or Freya Marske’s “A Marvellous Light” will find much to love in Sara Raasch’s Royals and Romance series, which carves out its unique space in the intersection of fantasy, holiday cheer, and queer romance.