Go luck yourself

Kris is trying to find his place in the new Christmas court now that his brother, Coal, has taken over the holiday (as seen in The Nightmare before Kissmas, 2024). When it is discovered that someone is stealing Christmas joy, and a shamrock is found at the scene, Kris jumps at the chance to find out who is behind the theft. There's an obvious place to start, in Ireland and the court of St. Patrick's Day. Unfortunately, he's met Crown Prince Lochlann Patrick before, when a college prank led to some very bad publicity for Lochlann. So the two are at odds from the beginning, except for that pesky attraction simmering barely below the surface. Artist Lochlann unlocks something in Kris, who turns to creative writing again. But they both have family trauma that keeps interfering with their HEA--Kris' narcissistic mother and Lochlann's controlling, abusive uncle. Despite some serious themes, though, Go Luck Yourself is a very good time, with holiday hijinks and Irish whiskey, well-drawn secondary characters, and palpable heat between the two leads.

In this madcap follow-up to 2024's The Nightmare Before Kissmas, Raasch once again plays fast and loose with holiday spirits as she interweaves political intrigue and spicy romantic comedy. After the reigning Santa cedes control of Christmas to his son Coal, they discover that someone's been siphoning off Christmas's joy--the power that fuels their magic--and all evidence points to the kingdom of St. Patrick's Day. Coal's brother, Prince Kris, agrees to investigate, visiting the rival Holiday in the guise of a goodwill ambassador there to apologize for the prank war he instigated against the infuriating (and sexy) Prince Lochlann. Kris and Lochlann must play nice for the public, and as sparks fly at every encounter, the two grow closer. Meanwhile, Lochlann's odious, controlling uncle, the current king of St. Patrick's, runs the Holiday into the ground. The lively and heated connection between Kris and Locklann delights as they bicker and flirt their way towards a happily ever after. Despite the intentionally goofy premise, the author makes room for some deep emotions including both of the leads' feelings toward their complicated families. The worldbuilding remains somewhat vague, which will frustrate some readers, but Raasch leaves plenty to explore in future installments. It's a treat. (Mar.)