{"id":2520,"date":"2025-04-10T16:19:50","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T16:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2520"},"modified":"2025-04-10T16:19:50","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T16:19:50","slug":"go-luck-yourself-by-sara-raasch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2520","title":{"rendered":"Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sara Raasch\u2019s second installment in her Royals and Romance series, \u201cGo Luck Yourself,\u201d delivers a refreshing cocktail of supernatural holiday elements, genuine character growth, and sizzling chemistry that rivals its predecessor. Following the success of \u201cThe Nightmare Before Kissmas<\/a>,\u201d Raasch expands her unique holiday universe with this Christmas\/St. Patrick\u2019s Day crossover that beautifully balances humor, heart, and heat.<\/p>\n

The Story: Holiday Politics and Personal Journeys<\/h2>\n

\u201cGo Luck Yourself\u201d introduces us to Kristopher \u201cKris\u201d Claus, the dutiful but directionless spare prince of Christmas. While his brother Coal (now effectively running Christmas after their father\u2019s semi-retirement) deals with restructuring their Holiday\u2019s diplomatic relationships, someone has been stealing Christmas\u2019s magic joy. The only clue? A single shamrock left behind.<\/p>\n

Volunteering to investigate, Kris travels to Ireland to serve as an ambassador to St. Patrick\u2019s Day\u2014only to discover that the Crown Prince, Lochlann \u201cLoch\u201d Patrick, is the same infuriating student he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Day\u2019s royal family. King Malachy Patrick, Loch\u2019s uncle, has been hoarding the Holiday\u2019s magic for his personal business ventures while suppressing Loch\u2019s attempts to properly govern and serve their people.<\/p>\n

As Kris spends more time with Loch and his sisters, Finn and Siobh\u00e1n, he discovers that beneath Loch\u2019s prickly exterior lies a passionate, dedicated royal fighting against his uncle\u2019s manipulation. Meanwhile, Kris confronts his own demons: his misplaced sense of duty, his uncertain identity beyond serving others, and his unresolved trauma<\/a> from his mother\u2019s abandonment.<\/p>\n

Characters: Depth Beyond the Holiday Cheer<\/h2>\n

What elevates \u201cGo Luck Yourself\u201d above standard holiday romances is Raasch\u2019s commitment to creating layered characters with believable struggles:<\/p>\n

Kris Claus<\/strong>: Beyond his outward perfection and princely duties, Kris struggles with a profound identity crisis. His journey from defining himself through others\u2019 expectations to discovering his own desires (including his passion for writing) forms the emotional core of the story. His growth feels authentic and earned.
\nLochlann Patrick<\/strong>: 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\u2019s sabotage.
\nSupporting Cast<\/strong>: From Coal and his Halloween boyfriend Hex to Loch\u2019s sisters Finn and Siobh\u00e1n, the secondary characters have distinct personalities that enhance rather than distract from the main storyline. Particularly compelling is Kris\u2019s evolving relationship with his friend Iris from Easter, showing how healthy friendships can survive after awkward romantic misunderstandings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chemistry That Scorches the Pages<\/h2>\n

While \u201cThe Nightmare Before Kissmas<\/a>\u201d set a high bar for romantic tension, \u201cGo Luck Yourself\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Their banter is sharp and entertaining, but what truly makes their relationship compelling is how they challenge each other\u2019s 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\u2019s gaslighting.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Holiday Worldbuilding: Creative and Cohesive<\/h2>\n

Raasch expands her holiday universe in thoughtful ways, building upon the foundation established in \u201cThe Nightmare Before Kissmas<\/a>.\u201d The concept of Holidays as literal magical territories governed by holiday-themed royalty continues to delight, with each Holiday having unique magical properties:<\/p>\n

Christmas\u2019s magic involves spreading cheer and creating tangible holiday elements
\nSt. Patrick\u2019s Day\u2019s magic manifests as luck (sometimes good, sometimes bad)
\nHalloween\u2019s magic creates unintended physical manifestations (like cats) when its royals curse
\nEaster has artistic influences<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Writing Style: Humor, Heart, and Heat<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Series Connection: Building a Holiday Universe<\/h2>\n

\u201cGo Luck Yourself\u201d works wonderfully both as a standalone and as part of the Royals and Romance series. Readers of \u201cThe Nightmare Before Kissmas<\/a>\u201d will appreciate the continued worldbuilding and cameos from Coal and Hex, but newcomers can dive in without feeling lost.<\/p>\n

The series is shaping up to have a distinctive identity in the holiday romance genre, offering:<\/p>\n

Supernatural holiday elements with unique magical systems
\nComplex family dynamics and diplomatic intrigue
\nCharacter-driven romances with authentic emotional growth
\nLGBTQ+ representation that feels natural rather than tokenistic
\nA blend of steam, humor, and genuine emotional depth<\/p>\n

Strengths and Room for Improvement<\/h2>\n

What Shines:<\/h3>\n

Character Growth<\/strong>: Both protagonists undergo meaningful personal journeys beyond their romance
\nChemistry<\/strong>: The tension between Kris and Loch is palpable and evolves naturally
\nWorldbuilding<\/strong>: The holiday magic systems continue to delight and surprise
\nEmotional Depth<\/strong>: The exploration of abandonment, identity, and self-worth adds substance
\nInclusivity<\/strong>: The queer representation feels authentic rather than performative<\/p>\n

Minor Critiques:<\/h3>\n

Pacing<\/strong>: Some middle sections drag slightly, particularly during the festival events
\nTrauma Resolution<\/strong>: Kris\u2019s maternal abandonment issues get somewhat simplified resolution
\nMagical Consistency<\/strong>: Some aspects of how joy works between Holidays could be clearer
\nVillain Development<\/strong>: Malachy could have benefited from additional nuance beyond being manipulative<\/p>\n

Verdict: A Charming, Sexy Holiday Adventure<\/h2>\n

\u201cGo Luck Yourself\u201d is a worthy successor to \u201cThe Nightmare Before Kissmas<\/a>,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re looking for a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance, creative holiday fantasy, or a story about finding yourself beyond others\u2019 expectations, \u201cGo Luck Yourself\u201d delivers with charm, heart, and heat to spare. It\u2019s a delightful second installment that leaves readers eager for whichever Holiday romance Raasch might explore next.<\/p>\n

Perfect For Readers Who Enjoy:<\/h2>\n

Holiday-themed fantasy romance
\nEnemies-to-lovers with genuine antagonism that evolves naturally
\nCharacter-driven stories with meaningful personal growth
\nLGBTQ+ representation in fantasy settings
\nSteamy scenes balanced with emotional vulnerability
\nStories exploring family dynamics and identity<\/a><\/p>\n

Fans of T.J. Klune\u2019s \u201cThe House in the Cerulean Sea,\u201d Roan Parrish\u2019s \u201cThe Holiday Trap,\u201d or Freya Marske\u2019s \u201cA Marvellous Light\u201d will find much to love in Sara Raasch\u2019s Royals and Romance series, which carves out its unique space in the intersection of fantasy, holiday cheer, and queer romance.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sara Raasch\u2019s second installment in her Royals and Romance series, \u201cGo Luck Yourself,\u201d delivers a refreshing cocktail of supernatural holiday elements, genuine character growth, and sizzling chemistry that rivals its predecessor. Following the success of \u201cThe Nightmare Before Kissmas,\u201d Raasch expands her unique holiday universe with this Christmas\/St. Patrick\u2019s Day crossover that beautifully balances humor, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2520"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}