Sara Raasch’s “Go Luck Yourself” delivers a sparkling continuation to her Royals and Romance series, building upon the enchanting foundation laid in “The Nightmare Before Kissmas.” This second installment takes readers on a journey to the emerald hills of Ireland where St. Patrick’s Day magic collides with Christmas cheer in an enemies-to-lovers romance that’s as heartwarming as it is steamy.
Raasch has crafted a compelling narrative centered around Kristopher “Kris” Claus, the spare prince of Christmas, who finds himself entangled with the infuriatingly attractive Lochlann “Loch” Patrick, Crown Prince of St. Patrick’s Day. What begins as an investigation into stolen Christmas magic evolves into a deeply moving exploration of self-worth, family dynamics, and the courage to choose one’s own path.
Plot and Pacing: Magical Mystery with Emotional Depth
The story opens with Kris, a student at Cambridge University, locked in a petty feud with a mysterious study room thief. When he discovers that someone has been siphoning Christmas’s joy—the magical resource that powers his Holiday—he volunteers to investigate St. Patrick’s Day, the suspected culprit. The only clue? A single shamrock left behind.
Raasch expertly balances multiple narrative threads:
- The mystery of who’s stealing Christmas’s joy and why
- The enemies-to-lovers romance between Kris and Loch
- Kris’s journey of self-discovery and healing from family trauma
- The political machinations within St. Patrick’s Day’s royal court
The pacing occasionally meanders in the middle sections, particularly during Kris’s extended periods of self-doubt, but these moments ultimately serve the character development. The final third of the novel picks up momentum, delivering a satisfying emotional payoff that justifies the occasional slowdowns.
Character Development: Finding Joy in Self-Acceptance
The heart of “Go Luck Yourself” lies in its nuanced character work. Kris starts as someone defined entirely by what he does for others, particularly his brother Coal (the protagonist of “The Nightmare Before Kissmas“). His journey involves learning that his worth isn’t tied to his utility but to who he is as a person.
Loch’s character provides the perfect foil—someone who appears confident and self-assured but harbors deep insecurities about his legitimacy and worth. His struggle against his manipulative uncle creates a compelling parallel to Kris’s own family issues.
The supporting cast enhances rather than distracts from the main romance:
- Finn and Siobhán (Loch’s sisters) add depth to the St. Patrick’s Day royal family
- Coal and Hex (returning from book one) provide continuity and emotional support
- Iris (Easter Princess) offers friendship and perspective to Kris
Where Raasch truly excels is in depicting Kris’s complicated relationship with his absent mother. The emotional payoff of Kris blocking her number after writing a cathartic letter feels earned and powerful—a testament to Raasch’s skill at handling complex family dynamics.
World-Building: Holiday Magic with Heart
The magical framework of personified Holidays continues to be one of the series’ most charming elements. Raasch expands on the world established in “The Nightmare Before Kissmas” by introducing St. Patrick’s Day’s unique magic system based on luck rather than Christmas’s joy.
The contrast between the bustling, opulent Claus Palace and the ancient, understaffed Castle Patrick effectively illustrates the different circumstances of our protagonists. Ireland itself becomes almost another character, with its festive celebrations, rich history, and musical traditions woven seamlessly into the narrative.
One particularly engaging element is how Raasch incorporates the real-world commercialization of St. Patrick’s Day into her fantasy framework, with King Malachy exploiting the Holiday’s magic for his whiskey business rather than using it to spread actual joy.
Romance: From Tension to Tenderness
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Kris and Loch sizzles from their first interaction. Their rivalry escalates from petty study room theft to Kris filling Loch’s workspace with tinsel (a scene that goes viral in the Holiday tabloids). What makes their romance work is how their antagonism stems from genuine character differences rather than contrived misunderstandings.
Key romantic highlights include:
- Their first kiss in Loch’s kitchen, fueled by whiskey and vulnerability
- The paint studio scene where Loch teaches Kris to let go of control
- The emotional reunion at Loch’s coronation
Raasch doesn’t shy away from steamy scenes, which are written with a perfect balance of emotional intimacy and physical desire. The consent elements are clear throughout, with Loch particularly attentive to Kris’s needs and boundaries.
Themes: Self-Worth and Choosing Your Own Path
“Go Luck Yourself” explores several interconnected themes:
- The burden of family expectations: Both Kris and Loch struggle under the weight of family roles they didn’t choose
- Defining self-worth: Kris’s journey to recognize his value beyond his utility to others
- Authenticity versus performance: The contrast between public personas and private selves
- The courage to be selfish: Learning that setting boundaries and choosing yourself isn’t always wrong
Most poignantly, the novel examines how childhood trauma shapes adult behavior. Kris’s abandonment by his mother has left him desperate to make himself indispensable, while Loch’s manipulation by his uncle has made him doubt his own capabilities. Their healing processes mirror each other in satisfying ways.
Writing Style: Witty Dialogue and Emotional Depth
Raasch’s prose shines in both humorous exchanges and introspective moments. The dialogue crackles with wit, especially in the verbal sparring between Kris and Loch. The interior monologues effectively convey Kris’s mental state without becoming repetitive.
The Irish accents and colloquialisms add authenticity to the St. Patrick’s Day characters, though occasionally the phonetic spellings (“na” for “not,” “canna” for “cannot”) can interrupt the flow for some readers.
Room for Improvement: Pacing and Politics
While “Go Luck Yourself” is a delightful read, a few elements could have been stronger:
- The political machinations of St. Patrick’s Day’s court remain somewhat underdeveloped
- Some of Kris’s spirals of self-doubt become repetitive
- The resolution of the stolen joy plot feels slightly rushed compared to the emotional development
- The worldbuilding occasionally raises questions about how ordinary humans interact with Holiday magic that aren’t fully addressed
Comparisons to “The Nightmare Before Kissmas”
Fans of the first book will find much to love in this continuation. Where “The Nightmare Before Kissmas” focused on Coal’s journey to take control of Christmas and find love with Halloween Prince Hex, “Go Luck Yourself” shifts to Kris’s story of self-discovery.
The sequel maintains the whimsical holiday magic system while adding depth to the emotional stakes. It’s a natural progression that expands the world while delivering a romance that stands on its own merits.
Final Verdict: A Heartwarming Holiday Romance
“Go Luck Yourself” succeeds as both a romance and a character study. Raasch has crafted a novel that balances humor, heat, and heart in equal measure. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Kris and Loch feels authentic, with their antagonism stemming from real character differences rather than contrived misunderstandings.
For readers who enjoyed “The Nightmare Before Kissmas,” this sequel delivers everything they loved about the first book while taking the series in new directions. For newcomers, it functions well as a standalone, though knowledge of the first book enhances appreciation of the world and returning characters.
With its blend of holiday magic, steamy romance, and emotional depth, “Go Luck Yourself” is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys:
- Holiday-themed romance with fantasy elements
- LGBTQ+ love stories with complex characters
- Found family narratives
- Enemies-to-lovers with genuine tension and resolution
Sara Raasch, known for her young adult Snow Like Ashes trilogy, continues to prove her versatility in adult romance. Fans of Timothy Janovsky’s holiday romances or Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue will find much to love in this engaging sequel.
- Strengths: Character development, romance dynamics, emotional depth, magical world-building
- Areas for improvement: Political plot elements, occasional pacing issues
Readers looking for a heartwarming holiday romance with depth, heat, and magical charm will find “Go Luck Yourself” a thoroughly satisfying addition to their shelves—and will likely be eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Royals and Romance series.
