The Entanglement of Rival Wizards

By: Sara Raasch

Narrated by: Sam Stark

Ali Hazelwood meets Dungeons & Dragons in this enemies-to-lovers fantasy academia romcom where rival grad student wizards are forced to work together without killing—or falling for—each other.

Will they conjure love, or evoke chaos? Two rival wizards are about to find out.

Sebastian Walsh: Evocation Department. Human. The first of his family to pick college over the military.

Elethior Tourael: Conjuration Department. Half-elf. Pretentious asshole. The latest legacy Tourael at Lesiara U.

Both: Mageus Research Grant finalists.

Sebastian refuses to let anyone snatch this away, least of all a snob riding on old money. But what’s worse than a nemesis stealing your grant? You could both get it. Under the condition you work together.

Sebastian is in hell. Thio’s broody. Takes up their shared lab space with his projects . . . and biceps. Brings treats for Sebastian’s familiar . . .

. . . and is nothing like Sebastian thought.

When Sebastian’s past with the Touraels forces him to choose his research or Thio, the decision should be simple. But while working with his rival is volatile . . . falling for his rival might blow up Sebastian’s future.

A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books

Critic reviews

Praise for The Nightmare Before Kissmas:

“A joyful, holly-covered, romantic romp!"—Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author

“Candy cane-coated catnip for those of us who grew up on Disney Channel Original Movies and wished they made them now for adults! Rollicking, imaginative, and sweetly steamy, The Nightmare Before Kissmas transports readers to a holiday world you won’t want to leave.” — Timothy Janovsky, author of You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince

“The forbidden romance has a major swoon factor, while the holiday mismatch leads to plenty of funny and fanciful moments.” —People

“While perfect for any time of year, Raasch’s adult debut is definitely a book to put on display for the Christmas season.” —Library Journal

“An irreverent holiday fantasy that involves court politics, young-adult growing pains, and holiday cheer…equal parts silly and romantic.” —Booklist

“A delightful paranormal rom-com that sets up the series for good things to come.” —Publishers Weekly

“Raasch has a unique take on a holiday romance that’s deeper than expected.”—US Weekly

“One of the sweetest, sexiest, messiest, most delightfully unforgettable love stories of the year.” –NY Post

“Things get spicy, quickly, and this book is as delightfully weird as it is funny, fluffy, and immersive in a fantasy world where problems revolve around hookups and the holidays, not well, you know what we’re dealing with here on earth.” —Vulture

“Snappy and heavy on the banter, The Nightmare Before Kissmas...combines the spooky with the jolly in a delightfully easy-to-consume package.” —Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Who is this man?!

This book was simply lovely. I genuinely enjoyed it and the characters but honestly I dont think Sara can even write a bad book.
My only issue is the cover art, that is NOT how Sebastian is described at all lol its mentioned multiple times he has curls, are the curls in the cover art with us?!

An amazing and enchanting read!

Oh. My. Goodness. I absolutely loved this book and what a way to end my 2025 reading! I loved the story, the characters, the tension, and the steamy scenes. Literally what I have been wanting to read for so long. No notes. So good. Can’t wait to read the next book next year!

Rivils, Trauma, and pixie dust

I knew going into this book that there would be sad moments because it’s a Sara Raasch book and you can’t have a Sara Raasch book without some sort of trauma and the voice acting! It really enhances Sebs feelings. Let me tell you. What I thought Sebs traumatic experience was… I was so wrong. Plot twists I’m very good at predicting but wow. I felt for Seb so much my heart hurt. This story was so well written and thought out. The planning that probably went into this book needs to be studied because I can’t fathom how well put together this book is. I saw not a one plot hole in what was a world with a complex magic system. I loved all the media references that were woven in. The love built between Seb and Thio had me in a constant smile. It’s a perfect mix of funny, sad, learning, and chaotic banter one could ask for in an enemy’s to lovers trope. Not to mention the bond between Seb and Orok. Truly excited to see what the next book brings to this beautiful world Sara created. 1000/10

i would actually die for these two

great characters, great worldbuilding, great writing style for a ridiculously perfect story. absolutely cannot wait for the next one.

OMG so worth it

the ride this book takes you on is like the best rollercoaster one could ever want. this has my heart