Someone has been stealing Christmas’s joy, and there’s only one clue to the culprit—a single shamrock.
With Coal busy restructuring Christmas—and their dad now having a full midlife crisis in the Caribbean—Kris volunteers to investigate St. Patrick’s Day. His cover: an ambassador from Christmas to foster goodwill. What could go wrong?
Everything, it seems. Because Prince Lochlann Patrick, Crown Prince of St. Patrick’s Day, happens to be the mysterious student that Kris has been in a small war with at Cambridge. They attempt to play nice for the tabloids, but Kris can’t get through one conversation without wanting to smash Loch’s face in—he’s infuriating, stubborn, loud, obstinate, hot—
Wait—hot?
Kris might be in some trouble. Especially when it turns out that the mystery behind Christmas’s stolen magic isn’t as simple as an outright theft. But why would a Holiday that Christmas has never had contact with, one that’s always been the very basis of carefree, want to steal joy? Can a spare prince even hope to unravel all this, or will Kris lose something way more valuable than his Holiday’s resources—like his heart?
Go Luck Yourself is a heartwarming fantasy romance and the 2nd book in the Royals and Romance series, following the super popular The Nightmare Before Kissmas. This time the story follows Prince Kris Claus, the younger brother of Coal Claus, who took over the mantle of Santa in book 1. With Christmas’s joy mysteriously diminishing, Kris ventures to the kingdom of St. Patrick’s Day to investigate. There, he meets the prince of St. Patrick’s Day, Lochlann Patrick, who he remembers from their contentious university days. Kris reluctantly joins forces with Loch to solve the mystery, and soon their antagonism gives way to undeniable attraction.
This story is mostly character-driven and full of characters that depict the complexities of royal family politics. Protagonists Kris and Lochlann are well-developed and likable. Their past rivalry from university makes way for a compelling enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance, with snarky banter gradually transitioning to vulnerability and affection. Both grapple with the pressure of royal duties and living up to family legacies, making their dialogue relatable and meaningful.
Just like in book one, the world-building is unique and whimsical. Most of this story takes place in the St. Patrick’s Day kingdom, which is brimming with magical clovers, Irish cultural charm, and colorful, opinionated characters—all of this amounts to the perfect backdrop for an enchanting romance story! The magic systems described in the holiday kingdoms (in both books) are unique but vague. A more detailed explanation of how the magic works would make the world-building more interesting.
In comparison to the first book, the pacing is slower, and there aren’t as many significant plot points. Some of the dialogue between Kris and Loch feels repetitive, especially when they discuss the political intricacies of the kingdom or plans to overcome Loch’s tyrannical uncle. Even still, the story includes an exciting race, a dramatic third-act breakup, and a captivating conclusion with satisfying character resolution. In addition, the book features meaningful mental health representation related to Kris’ anxiety that many readers will relate to and appreciate.
If you choose to go the audiobook route, you’ll LOVE the listening experience. Narrator Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick returns with another fantastic performance that will have you glued to your headset! His voice perfectly lends itself to all the Irish charm, wonderful accents, and magic of St. Patrick’s Day. His wide vocal range and expressive voice also make Kris and Loch’s slow-burn romance very believable and compelling!
Overall, Go Luck Yourself is a great follow-up to The Nightmare Before Kissmas, with loveable characters, a compelling rivals-to-lovers romance, and a touch of magic. This series is perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston or Ali Hazelwood, and the audiobooks are definitely the way to go!
