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Magic and Romance #1
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards
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: twenty-four. Grad student at Lesiara University in the Mageus of Evocation program. Human. The first of his family to go to college rather than the military (and it goes over at family get-togethers about as well as you’d think).
Elethior Tourael: also twenty-four. Also a grad student, but in the far more inferior Mageus of Conjuration program. Half-elf. The latest in a long line of Touraels to grace the hallowed halls of Lesiara U (what would the world do if the Touraels ran out of rich douches to lead their magical weapons manufacturing empire?).
―and the other finalist for the Mageus Research Grant.
Sebastian needs that grant to fund the last few months of research for his degree, after which he’ll get a job that actually helps people. He isn’t about to let anyone snatch this from him, least of all a snob who doesn’t even need the money because his family is loaded thanks to war profiteering.
But there’s something worse than having a conceited academic nemesis steal grant money from you: you could be forced to work with him. Thio is secretive, broody, and his stunning biceps take up far too much shared lab space―but even as volatile as their partnership is, Sebastian just might find himself falling for his rival―and it could blow up his whole future.
Will they conjure love, or evoke chaos? Two rival wizards are about to find out.
Sebastian Walsh: twenty-four. Grad student at Lesiara University in the Mageus of Evocation program. Human. The first of his family to go to college rather than the military (and it goes over at family get-togethers about as well as you’d think).
Elethior Tourael: also twenty-four. Also a grad student, but in the far more inferior Mageus of Conjuration program. Half-elf. The latest in a long line of Touraels to grace the hallowed halls of Lesiara U (what would the world do if the Touraels ran out of rich douches to lead their magical weapons manufacturing empire?).
―and the other finalist for the Mageus Research Grant.
Sebastian needs that grant to fund the last few months of research for his degree, after which he’ll get a job that actually helps people. He isn’t about to let anyone snatch this from him, least of all a snob who doesn’t even need the money because his family is loaded thanks to war profiteering.
But there’s something worse than having a conceited academic nemesis steal grant money from you: you could be forced to work with him. Thio is secretive, broody, and his stunning biceps take up far too much shared lab space―but even as volatile as their partnership is, Sebastian just might find himself falling for his rival―and it could blow up his whole future.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2025
877 people are currently reading
16573 people want to read
About the author
Sara Raasch
22 books7,072 followersSara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, the first in a trilogy, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray. It does not feature her hand-drawn pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 574 reviews
August 21, 2025
Sit down, please. I need to talk to you. This book is not two academic rivals who once said something rude to each other at orientation and now loathe one another. This is not a simple miscommunication, or a battle for glory, or even a competition to prove themselves. This is a love story between several people, some romantic and some platonic, and it was so good that I had to put it down and walk around a few times. Does the guy on the cover 100% look like Ruhn Danaan, Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae romancing Milo from Atlantis: The Lost Empire? Yes of course but that’s not the point. The point is that this is a book about two people working together to better the world, the difficulty of navigating family dynamics as an adult, the enduring protectiveness a lifelong friendship, and an invisible fox named Nick. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be taken aback by how hot this is? Who needs open door when this one just blows the whole thing off its hinges? Wizards: the better bang.
September 8, 2025
"I’ve seen him smile so many times. So many different flavors of it, I could write a thesis on the dozens of ways Elethior Tourael’s lips move. But this smile? It puts all the others to shame. It’s joy and relief, it’s ecstasy and an unspoken, vibrant finally."
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August 24, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
i won’t lie — the ruhn danaan-esqu mmc on the cover is what drew me in…
this is perhaps cornier and campier than the holiday series! still a fun read though if you don’t mind the corniness/campiness!
i won’t lie — the ruhn danaan-esqu mmc on the cover is what drew me in…
this is perhaps cornier and campier than the holiday series! still a fun read though if you don’t mind the corniness/campiness!
July 3, 2025
Cute if cringe
August 28, 2025
5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️
All of Sara Raash’s MM paranormal romcoms are just an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT. I giggled and kicked my feet the whole time. There was a lot of fun banter and some spicy hot 🥵 scenes.
2.5/5 🌶️
All of Sara Raash’s MM paranormal romcoms are just an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT. I giggled and kicked my feet the whole time. There was a lot of fun banter and some spicy hot 🥵 scenes.
August 15, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
this is marketed as an lgbtq+ stem-esque paranormal rom com and it absolutely delivers on that promise! the enemies-to-lovers partnership is a really cute setup, and the general banter/quirkiness is a lot of fun. the side plots were enough to keep me engaged, and the romance is cute.
however, the latter half of the book is a bit spice-heavy; i love spice in romcoms, but when scenes start to over-saturate the narrative, i start to lose interest a bit.
despite that, this was still a really fun read, and im definitely down to give the second book a go!
**thank you to Tor/Bramble for the ARC copy**
this is marketed as an lgbtq+ stem-esque paranormal rom com and it absolutely delivers on that promise! the enemies-to-lovers partnership is a really cute setup, and the general banter/quirkiness is a lot of fun. the side plots were enough to keep me engaged, and the romance is cute.
however, the latter half of the book is a bit spice-heavy; i love spice in romcoms, but when scenes start to over-saturate the narrative, i start to lose interest a bit.
despite that, this was still a really fun read, and im definitely down to give the second book a go!
**thank you to Tor/Bramble for the ARC copy**
August 27, 2025
i've been sitting here for ten, maybe fifteen minutes, trying to figure out how to write this review.
is the book perfect? fuck no. it's ridiculous and corny, just like every other book i've read by sara raasch. but, just like every other book i've read by sara raasch, i've spent the last 24 hours in complete bliss. i've either been literally laughing out loud while reading (something i RARELY do), or texting my friends in a sobbing frenzy so i can cry about how such a bright, silly book has reduced me to tears.
raasch has the incredible ability to take a story, a concept that's absurd and easy to dismiss, and give it real emotional weight. ptsd, trauma bonds, the complexities of navigating through/healing toxic family dynamics. she'll settle you in with a few jokes, a lovely romance, until suddenly you're clutching at the book trying to read through all your tears.
entanglement of rival wizards might just be my favorite from her yet.
is the book perfect? fuck no. it's ridiculous and corny, just like every other book i've read by sara raasch. but, just like every other book i've read by sara raasch, i've spent the last 24 hours in complete bliss. i've either been literally laughing out loud while reading (something i RARELY do), or texting my friends in a sobbing frenzy so i can cry about how such a bright, silly book has reduced me to tears.
raasch has the incredible ability to take a story, a concept that's absurd and easy to dismiss, and give it real emotional weight. ptsd, trauma bonds, the complexities of navigating through/healing toxic family dynamics. she'll settle you in with a few jokes, a lovely romance, until suddenly you're clutching at the book trying to read through all your tears.
entanglement of rival wizards might just be my favorite from her yet.
August 9, 2025
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is described as Ali Hazelwood meets Dungeons & Dragons. And that description had me hooked!
Rating: 3.5★
What to expect *⁀➷
➳ MM romance
➳ Single POV
➳ STEM romance w/ magic 🪄
➳ Forced-proximity
➳ Rivals to lovers
➳ Spiceeee 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
➳ Humor and drama
Description: Sebastian and Elethior are grad students at Lesiara U in rival programs. When they're both chosen as recipients of the Mageus Research Grant, they are confronted with the harsh reality that they'll be forced to work together for the next couple months...
This book had a really strong start and some crazy sexual tension. They hated each other but you could tell they just wanted in each other's pants. And that's a good time. However, B-plots interfered in the romance in a way that felt like an excuse to put artificial tension in their relationship.
The STEM vibes weren't particularly strong in this book. That could be because its magic-related, but I think its mostly because by the end, the book had devolved into a sexfest. Sex at the lab, sex at home, sex in the car, etc... I like spice, but not when it takes away from other aspects of a book. I would have appreciated more emphasis on the research they had been building on. Once they get together (*wink wink*), nothing else really matters.
The spice was definitely spicy 🔥 so I would recommend this book to anyone who's in the mood for some sexual tension. But if you're looking for STEM-vibes, I probably wouldn't. Well, I would recommend the first half, but not the second.
This review has been really negative so I want to explain that I had a good time reading this book. I like Sebastian and Elethior and their romance is fun and flirty. I also like the friendship between Sebastian and Orok (who will be getting his own book!) The humor was also spot-on. However, as a whole I just wanted the book to give me a little more than it did.
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is out August 26th!
Pre-read *⁀➷
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Can you believe it?? I got a PHYSICAL ARC at COMIC CON!!! I almost don't want to touch it I'm so excited!!
Edit 8/5/25:
I just realized that I have like 3 ARCs that are all coming out in the next 3 weeks so I am STRESSING and must finish all these books lickedy-split
Rating: 3.5★
What to expect *⁀➷
➳ MM romance
➳ Single POV
➳ STEM romance w/ magic 🪄
➳ Forced-proximity
➳ Rivals to lovers
➳ Spiceeee 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
➳ Humor and drama
Description: Sebastian and Elethior are grad students at Lesiara U in rival programs. When they're both chosen as recipients of the Mageus Research Grant, they are confronted with the harsh reality that they'll be forced to work together for the next couple months...
This book had a really strong start and some crazy sexual tension. They hated each other but you could tell they just wanted in each other's pants. And that's a good time. However, B-plots interfered in the romance in a way that felt like an excuse to put artificial tension in their relationship.
The STEM vibes weren't particularly strong in this book. That could be because its magic-related, but I think its mostly because by the end, the book had devolved into a sexfest. Sex at the lab, sex at home, sex in the car, etc... I like spice, but not when it takes away from other aspects of a book. I would have appreciated more emphasis on the research they had been building on. Once they get together (*wink wink*), nothing else really matters.
The spice was definitely spicy 🔥 so I would recommend this book to anyone who's in the mood for some sexual tension. But if you're looking for STEM-vibes, I probably wouldn't. Well, I would recommend the first half, but not the second.
This review has been really negative so I want to explain that I had a good time reading this book. I like Sebastian and Elethior and their romance is fun and flirty. I also like the friendship between Sebastian and Orok (who will be getting his own book!) The humor was also spot-on. However, as a whole I just wanted the book to give me a little more than it did.
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is out August 26th!
Thank you to Tor for gifting me an early copy of The Entanglement of Rival Wizards! All opinions are my own.
Pre-read *⁀➷
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Can you believe it?? I got a PHYSICAL ARC at COMIC CON!!! I almost don't want to touch it I'm so excited!!
Edit 8/5/25:
I just realized that I have like 3 ARCs that are all coming out in the next 3 weeks so I am STRESSING and must finish all these books lickedy-split
September 9, 2025
"He looks deservedly proud. “And I’m going to wine and dine the fuck out of you. I haven’t had many good things in my life that my family didn’t ruin.” He interlaces his fingers with mine. “So this? I’m going to do this right.”
4.75⭐️
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards was something to behold. I enjoyed the entire thing from start to finish, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t usually enjoy enemies-to-lovers. Well, it’s more like rivals, obviously, but you get my meaning.
I first read The Nightmare Before Kissmas, which I gave 5 stars, but I’ve been stingier with my ratings this year. My fiancé said I hand out 5 stars too easily, so now I’m doing it to spite him (and myself, I guess). If this were last year, this would’ve been a full 5-star read, no question. But this year we’re going with a solid 4.75, which still rounds up to 5 stars on Goodreads, so who fucking cares.
Sebastian and Elethior are everything. I loved them, and I want more of them, though I’m excited to see Orok in the next book because I loved him too. Sebastian and Elethior had so much chemistry, it was fantastic. From the jump, you could tell Elethior wanted to jump Sebastian’s bones, so it wasn’t hard to watch them shift from rivals to lovers.
This book also deals with some pretty dark things, especially things that happen to Sebastian and Orok. I didn’t see it coming, and it hurt really bad. I cried a few times, and I fucking love that. I love being so invested in characters that I can shed tears for them. The world-building was also great, and it made me realize we need more magical university books out there that don’t suck.
Also, why is every other book I read about a dude named Sebastian? Just curious.
Overall, I thought this was fucking great. The only downside for me was the dramatic, almost cliché third-act breakup that really killed my mood, even if it only lasted two chapters. Still, fuck that shit.
4.75⭐️
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards was something to behold. I enjoyed the entire thing from start to finish, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t usually enjoy enemies-to-lovers. Well, it’s more like rivals, obviously, but you get my meaning.
I first read The Nightmare Before Kissmas, which I gave 5 stars, but I’ve been stingier with my ratings this year. My fiancé said I hand out 5 stars too easily, so now I’m doing it to spite him (and myself, I guess). If this were last year, this would’ve been a full 5-star read, no question. But this year we’re going with a solid 4.75, which still rounds up to 5 stars on Goodreads, so who fucking cares.
Sebastian and Elethior are everything. I loved them, and I want more of them, though I’m excited to see Orok in the next book because I loved him too. Sebastian and Elethior had so much chemistry, it was fantastic. From the jump, you could tell Elethior wanted to jump Sebastian’s bones, so it wasn’t hard to watch them shift from rivals to lovers.
This book also deals with some pretty dark things, especially things that happen to Sebastian and Orok. I didn’t see it coming, and it hurt really bad. I cried a few times, and I fucking love that. I love being so invested in characters that I can shed tears for them. The world-building was also great, and it made me realize we need more magical university books out there that don’t suck.
Also, why is every other book I read about a dude named Sebastian? Just curious.
Overall, I thought this was fucking great. The only downside for me was the dramatic, almost cliché third-act breakup that really killed my mood, even if it only lasted two chapters. Still, fuck that shit.
Want to read
February 14, 2025👀
June 13, 2025
magical rivals to lovers bliss
September 7, 2025
Oh man. I was so excited for this book - and it didn’t let me down. New to the queer romantasy genre, I remember reading the blurb for this and seeing the DND/critical role vibes and academic rivals to lovers - and thinking - this sounds awesome. A bit different, a lot spicy. It was such a fun good time, but also addressed some more serious issues with mental health and such.
In this magical collegiate world - there are two main kind of magics that this story is focused on - evocation and conjuration - and the two are usually at odds and in competition. Thus how the rivalry between Sebastian and Thio began. But when the grant they are both competing for gets awarded to … both of them, they have to work together on their projects. Sparks fly - in more ways than one. The past clashes with the present. And between family issues and academic pressures, they will both be tested. But when the tension between them reaches a boiling point - will their chemistry be enough to keep them together?
In this magical collegiate world - there are two main kind of magics that this story is focused on - evocation and conjuration - and the two are usually at odds and in competition. Thus how the rivalry between Sebastian and Thio began. But when the grant they are both competing for gets awarded to … both of them, they have to work together on their projects. Sparks fly - in more ways than one. The past clashes with the present. And between family issues and academic pressures, they will both be tested. But when the tension between them reaches a boiling point - will their chemistry be enough to keep them together?
August 27, 2025
This was everything I wanted. I cried, I laughed and I thought "HOT!" countless times. Sara Raasch just knows how to write chemistry, and almost immediately I knew this would be perfect.
I went in thinking it would be just a fluffy book, and it definitely isn't, there's a lot of darkness and trauma in these pages, but the pain is definitely worth it.
I loved this book so much, and now I'm desperate for the next one.
I went in thinking it would be just a fluffy book, and it definitely isn't, there's a lot of darkness and trauma in these pages, but the pain is definitely worth it.
I loved this book so much, and now I'm desperate for the next one.
August 12, 2025
OMG YALLL THIS BOOK!
This book had me in my feels for the entire last quarter! I ADORE Sebastian and Elethior (who has the best nickname - Thio), and their entire love story. And that ending?! A++.
If you want academic rivals to lovers, with forced proximity, excellent banter and UST, humor and pranks, all the feels, and really cute animal familiars - you need to pick up this book.
Sebastian and Elethior are in their last year of grad school, and they both applied for the same grant. Now the two will be forced to work together. I really loved the world in this - there is magic, but it's still very much our world.
For me, it was a love of seeing the two of them learn more about the other and destroying their preconceived notions of the other. There is also grief, trauma, and deep emotions in both of their pasts and childhoods. I've just finished this so my thoughts my change, but right now I enjoyed this one more than her prior series - it's a bit heavier, not so over the top in humor, and the whole story from start to finish just really worked for me.
Also - gotta give a shout out to Orok, who is the best best friend you can have. I'm SO glad we'll be getting more in this world and another book! He needs his HEA too!!
I received a review copy from the publisher. My thoughts are my own.
This book had me in my feels for the entire last quarter! I ADORE Sebastian and Elethior (who has the best nickname - Thio), and their entire love story. And that ending?! A++.
If you want academic rivals to lovers, with forced proximity, excellent banter and UST, humor and pranks, all the feels, and really cute animal familiars - you need to pick up this book.
Sebastian and Elethior are in their last year of grad school, and they both applied for the same grant. Now the two will be forced to work together. I really loved the world in this - there is magic, but it's still very much our world.
For me, it was a love of seeing the two of them learn more about the other and destroying their preconceived notions of the other. There is also grief, trauma, and deep emotions in both of their pasts and childhoods. I've just finished this so my thoughts my change, but right now I enjoyed this one more than her prior series - it's a bit heavier, not so over the top in humor, and the whole story from start to finish just really worked for me.
Also - gotta give a shout out to Orok, who is the best best friend you can have. I'm SO glad we'll be getting more in this world and another book! He needs his HEA too!!
I received a review copy from the publisher. My thoughts are my own.
July 28, 2025
CRITICAL ROLL FANFIC?!?!?!!
Edit: Okay I'm back the acknowledgments really threw me. This is a delightful turn your brain off read. I was extremely locked in during the first half and really enjoyed the characters. Unfortunately the plot took a backseat to the romance because this is a romance book and I wanted to know more about their research project and proposals. That's on me tho I'm stomping my clown shoes all the way to nerd town about that one!
Edit: Okay I'm back the acknowledgments really threw me. This is a delightful turn your brain off read. I was extremely locked in during the first half and really enjoyed the characters. Unfortunately the plot took a backseat to the romance because this is a romance book and I wanted to know more about their research project and proposals. That's on me tho I'm stomping my clown shoes all the way to nerd town about that one!
June 23, 2025
This book was SUCH a fun ride. I just finished the Sara Raasch’s first two books and devoured them, and this was absolutely on par. The way she blends real life with magic feels so natural, like of course there are wizards arguing in nursing homes and setting things on fire. It’s funny, fast-paced, and still manages to land some emotional punches when you’re not expecting it, like I CRIED.
The banter was so much fun, and everything I want in a rom com. I couldn’t get enough of it. The love interest is broody, tatted, leather-clad, emotionally unavailable, and basically made for me. Their dynamic was chaotic and I ate up every second. I already want to reread it just to hang out with them again. I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you to Net Galley and Tor/Bramble for this early copy!
The banter was so much fun, and everything I want in a rom com. I couldn’t get enough of it. The love interest is broody, tatted, leather-clad, emotionally unavailable, and basically made for me. Their dynamic was chaotic and I ate up every second. I already want to reread it just to hang out with them again. I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you to Net Galley and Tor/Bramble for this early copy!
August 18, 2025
ughhh 😭 I'm not okay. RTC
September 2, 2025
Set in a magical college divided by rivalry, this story follows Sebastian and Thio. Two students from opposing programs who are forced to work together on a high stakes project. What begins as a tense partnership slowly unravels into something deeper, as both characters confront their personal histories and challenge the assumptions they’ve made about one another.
The book shines a light on trauma, family expectations, and the complexities of forgiveness. Both protagonists are richly developed, and their emotional journeys are as compelling as the magical world they inhabit.
The book shines a light on trauma, family expectations, and the complexities of forgiveness. Both protagonists are richly developed, and their emotional journeys are as compelling as the magical world they inhabit.
September 3, 2025
This is a top read of the year for me. I've never read anything from Sara Raasch before, and now I can't get enough! This book was so funny! I laughed so much. I had happy tears at the end. The writing was beautiful -- made me feel the anger, the anxiety, the frustration, the love, the heattttt. All the feels basically. Well done. I loved how well thought out the characters were and I'm so excited to continue with Orok.
For the girlies who thought Ruhn Danaan, the Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae, was hot and fantasize seeing him with another guy -- this is your book.
For the girlies who thought Ruhn Danaan, the Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae, was hot and fantasize seeing him with another guy -- this is your book.
September 6, 2025
3.75⭐️
I appreciate this author for her consistency in keeping an aspect of depth to her stories. I know whenever I pick one of these up that I'll get a good romance and a good (usually a bit traumatic) secondary plot line.
That being said, this one didn't work as well as her other romance duology. I still enjoyed it, but it was missing the usual spark.
I appreciate this author for her consistency in keeping an aspect of depth to her stories. I know whenever I pick one of these up that I'll get a good romance and a good (usually a bit traumatic) secondary plot line.
That being said, this one didn't work as well as her other romance duology. I still enjoyed it, but it was missing the usual spark.
September 9, 2025
11/10. No notes. That's it. That's the review.
But in all seriousness, this book is everything I didn't know I needed right now. The vibes, the angst, the banter, the spice, the emotional depth, the narrator (Sam Stark). *chefs kiss* 🤌🏼 I immediately preordered next in the series!
Thank you to Mac Audio and Sara for the advance audio copy!
But in all seriousness, this book is everything I didn't know I needed right now. The vibes, the angst, the banter, the spice, the emotional depth, the narrator (Sam Stark). *chefs kiss* 🤌🏼 I immediately preordered next in the series!
Thank you to Mac Audio and Sara for the advance audio copy!
August 27, 2025
Okay, I loved Nightmare Before Kissmas and I LOVED Go Luck Yourself….but this? This might have been better than both of them?
No, I can’t say that…I love them each for their own reasons. But this book was SO GOOD.
Because of the silly covers and the light descriptions of her books I always forget this author packs in a LOT of emotional turmoil, drama, and plot around her romances.
I think this one might be close to my favorite because it lacked the third act breakup and the miscommunication that the other two sort of had. These two characters were very well rounded. And the way the conflict in both the relationship and the plot was resolved was fairly perfect.
And Orok. Dear, sweet Orok how will I ever manage waiting until next year for his book????
I picked up this book yesterday at 3 pm and it’s 7:30 the next morning that’s how fast I read it. Can’t wait to be ready for a reread!
No, I can’t say that…I love them each for their own reasons. But this book was SO GOOD.
Because of the silly covers and the light descriptions of her books I always forget this author packs in a LOT of emotional turmoil, drama, and plot around her romances.
I think this one might be close to my favorite because it lacked the third act breakup and the miscommunication that the other two sort of had. These two characters were very well rounded. And the way the conflict in both the relationship and the plot was resolved was fairly perfect.
And Orok. Dear, sweet Orok how will I ever manage waiting until next year for his book????
I picked up this book yesterday at 3 pm and it’s 7:30 the next morning that’s how fast I read it. Can’t wait to be ready for a reread!
August 31, 2025
There’s a special kind of joy in realising a book is playing three games at once: the frothy enemies-to-lovers rom-com, the razor-smart academic rivalry novel, and the quiet, compassionate study of how twenty-something learn to want something for themselves. The Entanglement of Rival Wizards nails that trifecta.
At its heart, this is the story of two rival wizards, Sebastian and Elethior “Thio,” forced into a joint research grant while finishing their master’s programs. Their departments have been at war for years; pranks and academic one-upmanship are practically traditions. But what begins as a battle of egos slowly becomes something richer—a story about legacies, expectations, friendship, and the terrifying, exhilarating work of figuring out who you are when the world already thinks it knows.
Sara Raasch gives us so much to love here. The academic setting is pitch-perfect: the long nights in the lab, the pressure of deadlines, the politics of funding and reputation. There’s a sly critique running under the surface—about money, power, and the way institutions claim progress while hiding the cost—that never interrupts the story but makes it feel real and relevant.
Sebastian and Thio, though, are the reason this book sings. Their banter is sharp, hilarious, sometimes petty in the best way, but it grows into trust, apology, and tenderness with such care. Both carry the weight of complicated families and self-doubt; both have to learn that love isn’t about meeting expectations but breaking free of them. The romance unfolds slowly, naturally, with moments of sweetness and vulnerability that hit all the harder because they feel earned.
The side characters shine, too! Orok’s friendship with Sebastian is warm and steady, the kind of friendship that grounds the chaos. Even the magical details, like Sebastian’s invisible familiar or the absurd campus pranks, give the world texture and humour without ever feeling gimmicky.
What impressed me most was the balance. Anxiety, prejudice, family pressure...none of it is played for drama or pity. It simply exists as part of these characters’ lives, shaping them in ways big and small, and watching them grow through it feels honest and hopeful.
I finished the audiobook grinning like an idiot, feeling both lighter and a little more understood. It’s witty, romantic, socially aware, and full of the kind of raw joy that reminds you why stories matter. Easily my favourite Sara Raasch book yet, and one I’ll be pressing into the hands of anyone who loves academic rivals, slow-burn romance, and characters who stumble their way into love and self-discovery with humour and heart.
At its heart, this is the story of two rival wizards, Sebastian and Elethior “Thio,” forced into a joint research grant while finishing their master’s programs. Their departments have been at war for years; pranks and academic one-upmanship are practically traditions. But what begins as a battle of egos slowly becomes something richer—a story about legacies, expectations, friendship, and the terrifying, exhilarating work of figuring out who you are when the world already thinks it knows.
Sara Raasch gives us so much to love here. The academic setting is pitch-perfect: the long nights in the lab, the pressure of deadlines, the politics of funding and reputation. There’s a sly critique running under the surface—about money, power, and the way institutions claim progress while hiding the cost—that never interrupts the story but makes it feel real and relevant.
Sebastian and Thio, though, are the reason this book sings. Their banter is sharp, hilarious, sometimes petty in the best way, but it grows into trust, apology, and tenderness with such care. Both carry the weight of complicated families and self-doubt; both have to learn that love isn’t about meeting expectations but breaking free of them. The romance unfolds slowly, naturally, with moments of sweetness and vulnerability that hit all the harder because they feel earned.
The side characters shine, too! Orok’s friendship with Sebastian is warm and steady, the kind of friendship that grounds the chaos. Even the magical details, like Sebastian’s invisible familiar or the absurd campus pranks, give the world texture and humour without ever feeling gimmicky.
What impressed me most was the balance. Anxiety, prejudice, family pressure...none of it is played for drama or pity. It simply exists as part of these characters’ lives, shaping them in ways big and small, and watching them grow through it feels honest and hopeful.
I finished the audiobook grinning like an idiot, feeling both lighter and a little more understood. It’s witty, romantic, socially aware, and full of the kind of raw joy that reminds you why stories matter. Easily my favourite Sara Raasch book yet, and one I’ll be pressing into the hands of anyone who loves academic rivals, slow-burn romance, and characters who stumble their way into love and self-discovery with humour and heart.
July 30, 2025
5/5 stars
Oh, this was exactly what I needed. Sara Raasch is a mastermind when it comes to juggling a silly storyline whilst making it have a serious backstory and undertone. Her books are always way deeper than they are presented. This book is easily her at her best! This is the third time I have ARC/ALC reviewed a book of hers and I can easily say she is, officially, an autobuy author.
There are a lot of funny jokes and references for people who love D&D but I personally believe this can be enjoyed without any prior background knowledge of the game. The humor of the characters is understood by anyone easily, but the background D&D jokes in the subtext? Chefs kiss.
These two have my heart. Both Sebastian and Elethior are outstanding 3-dimensional characters that just feel real. They are flawed in the best ways. The banter between them goes CRAZZZZYYYYY!!! Because I know there are people out there who want to know... this book gets 3.5-4 chilli peppers because of the sheer amount of times it happens. Also? No third-act breakup, you're welcome.
Apparently Orok is going to get a book? I can't wait to see that!!!
Go add this to your TBR if you haven't already.
Content Warnings include (but are not limited to): subconscious self-harm, institutional trauma, trauma bonding, sick parent/medical content, panic attacks/panic disorder
Oh, this was exactly what I needed. Sara Raasch is a mastermind when it comes to juggling a silly storyline whilst making it have a serious backstory and undertone. Her books are always way deeper than they are presented. This book is easily her at her best! This is the third time I have ARC/ALC reviewed a book of hers and I can easily say she is, officially, an autobuy author.
There are a lot of funny jokes and references for people who love D&D but I personally believe this can be enjoyed without any prior background knowledge of the game. The humor of the characters is understood by anyone easily, but the background D&D jokes in the subtext? Chefs kiss.
These two have my heart. Both Sebastian and Elethior are outstanding 3-dimensional characters that just feel real. They are flawed in the best ways. The banter between them goes CRAZZZZYYYYY!!! Because I know there are people out there who want to know... this book gets 3.5-4 chilli peppers because of the sheer amount of times it happens. Also? No third-act breakup, you're welcome.
Apparently Orok is going to get a book? I can't wait to see that!!!
Go add this to your TBR if you haven't already.
Content Warnings include (but are not limited to): subconscious self-harm, institutional trauma, trauma bonding, sick parent/medical content, panic attacks/panic disorder
September 6, 2025
Finished. 5 stars from me, no rounding required! ||Okay I honestly did not expect to love this so much. I mean obv I love the whole enemies to lovers forced proximity (especially coworkers, or in this case, co grad students), but so much worked for me in this book.
First, obviously I was picturing a tattooed dark-haired Draco for Thio the entire book, lol. ||
Second, as i5 said earlier, ||the spice was filthy yet intimate and romantic? I just loved it. And also I love when we see them laugh and have fun during sex, so that was another plus for me. And also I loved that they had reasonably healthy communication… Sebastian simply asked Thio out on a date when he was ready, and when they got in a fight he tried to text him to reassure him. ||
As Sporty mentioned, ||also loved that Sebastian and Orok were super powerful but they didn’t go on to like save the world or be super special or whatever, they just lived their lives doing what they wanted to.
Finally, this thing was just so dang cute that I was smiling so hard in the last chapter my cheeks hurt. I still have no clue what any of this has to do with Dungeons and Dragons, but I loved it.
Really looking forward to Orok’s book next year! And I definitely need to check out Sara Raasch’s other published works, cuz I enjoyed the heck out of this. ||
(Third person limited/single)
✅ feels
First, obviously I was picturing a tattooed dark-haired Draco for Thio the entire book, lol. ||
Second, as i5 said earlier, ||the spice was filthy yet intimate and romantic? I just loved it. And also I love when we see them laugh and have fun during sex, so that was another plus for me. And also I loved that they had reasonably healthy communication… Sebastian simply asked Thio out on a date when he was ready, and when they got in a fight he tried to text him to reassure him. ||
As Sporty mentioned, ||also loved that Sebastian and Orok were super powerful but they didn’t go on to like save the world or be super special or whatever, they just lived their lives doing what they wanted to.
Finally, this thing was just so dang cute that I was smiling so hard in the last chapter my cheeks hurt. I still have no clue what any of this has to do with Dungeons and Dragons, but I loved it.
Really looking forward to Orok’s book next year! And I definitely need to check out Sara Raasch’s other published works, cuz I enjoyed the heck out of this. ||
(Third person limited/single)
✅ feels
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2025
OMFG I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!! I mainly read it because of Ali’s glowing review, and I’m so glad I did! (Also, go read her review—I can’t improve upon it)
This is rivals to partners with benefits to true love. I ate up every single second between Seb and Theo. They both have a lot of past trauma that influences their motivations, and a lot of the time I just wanted to wrap them in a hug.
Along with an OMG SCORCHING hot romance, this book also manages to tackle the military-industrial complex, academia, trauma-bonding, familial trauma, and a really beautiful platonic relationship. I really cannot emphasize enough how fantastic this book is. And I’m so excited to see the next book will be about Orok!
Do yourself a favor and go read this!!!
This is rivals to partners with benefits to true love. I ate up every single second between Seb and Theo. They both have a lot of past trauma that influences their motivations, and a lot of the time I just wanted to wrap them in a hug.
Along with an OMG SCORCHING hot romance, this book also manages to tackle the military-industrial complex, academia, trauma-bonding, familial trauma, and a really beautiful platonic relationship. I really cannot emphasize enough how fantastic this book is. And I’m so excited to see the next book will be about Orok!
Do yourself a favor and go read this!!!
September 2, 2025
screaming, crying, throwing up isn’t enough!!! would lay down my life for these two boys. the banter! the sass! the GROWTH! Is it okay to read a book forever? when I say my chest actually hurt with happiness at that epilogue? I was aglow? five stars isn’t enough
August 14, 2025
This was very silly in a way that I initially loved, but then it became so cartoonishly horny that I had a hard time not rolling my eyes actively while reading it. I really love the way the author writes anxiety and trauma responses, and in previous books it worked a lot better for me, but in this story a lot of the vulnerability just felt like a vehicle to get to another sex scene which undermined the impact. I almost gave it 4 stars but the longer I sat with it the more I felt let down by how the relationship development happened.
July 19, 2025
the equivalent of literary candy…and I mean that in the best way!! utterly charming, funny, heartwarming, sweet, and oh, don’t forget spicy 🔥 so easy to love 💕
September 1, 2025
3.5 stars. Sara Raasch's THE ENTANGLEMENT OF RIVAL WIZARDS is an angsty MM romance between two grad students at the magical Lesiara University in Philadelphia. Sebastian and Elethior are academic rivals studying evocation and conjuration as a part of their Mageus programs. The two are forced to collaborate on a grant study that will combine their magical departments and also force them to be in close proximity to one another. Sebastian is in the evocation program - he's a hot, angry, blonde Clark Kent with a butt load of trauma. Elethior is in the conjuration program - he's giving major Ruhn Danaan vibes, is a momma's boy and comes from a problematic military family that was responsible for Sebastian's hellish former years at Camp Merethyl. What starts off as a tense and problematic pairing becomes something much hornier (and adorable). This book is basically giving the same vibes as an Ali Hazelwood STEM story, but gayer...and with magic! I loved watching Seb and Thio go from bickering to blow jobs and then eventually a deeper connection.
There's something profoundly sexy about finding out that the guy you've been hating has actually secretly liked you and that deep down you've actually felt the same. (Bites fist). These two bond over their traumas, their messed up families, their studies and their mutual attraction for each other's hot bods. My fave parts were admittedly the spicy scenes and let's just say these two "hate f**k each other's throats" like their lives depend on it - whether it's in the back of a car, on a kitchen counter or just about anywhere else. But beyond the hormones, these two are really there for each other in their times of need and help each other to heal and become better people. For those that love a HEA, you will be pleased. I equally loved Sebastian's brotherly best friend Orok and their unshakable platonic bond that felt more important than any romantic relationship Seb could've found. The sweetness, honesty and understanding that those two have is so commendable and I'm pleased to know that Book 2 will revolve around Orok because he really he is a G.
Although this is technically an adult/new adult mm romance, it feels very YA to me (with the exception of the spice). Those boys are guzzling fluids left and right, so definitely not YA, BUT there just seems to be a tonal schism between the magical lab stuff, the trauma stuff, and the spicy stuff. We go from zero to sixty real fast and it's hard to not find that rushed rivals to lovers trajectory a bit cringy or forced. The contrast from "omg I just kissed him" sweetness to buckets of c*m scenes is...QUICK and sometimes a tad silly the way Raasch writes these two. Don't even get me started on the absolute cheesiness of the final chapter. There's an underwhelming third act conflict that feels unnecessary and I had NO interest in any of the grant study stuff. Like, I would've been completely fine without it, even though that's the main point of them coming together in the first place. Either way, these two guys come together...A LOT. But what's more important is that Sebastian learned that you're not too broken to accept good things into your life. We could all learn a thing or two from that lesson.
Special thanks to Bramble and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
There's something profoundly sexy about finding out that the guy you've been hating has actually secretly liked you and that deep down you've actually felt the same. (Bites fist). These two bond over their traumas, their messed up families, their studies and their mutual attraction for each other's hot bods. My fave parts were admittedly the spicy scenes and let's just say these two "hate f**k each other's throats" like their lives depend on it - whether it's in the back of a car, on a kitchen counter or just about anywhere else. But beyond the hormones, these two are really there for each other in their times of need and help each other to heal and become better people. For those that love a HEA, you will be pleased. I equally loved Sebastian's brotherly best friend Orok and their unshakable platonic bond that felt more important than any romantic relationship Seb could've found. The sweetness, honesty and understanding that those two have is so commendable and I'm pleased to know that Book 2 will revolve around Orok because he really he is a G.
Although this is technically an adult/new adult mm romance, it feels very YA to me (with the exception of the spice). Those boys are guzzling fluids left and right, so definitely not YA, BUT there just seems to be a tonal schism between the magical lab stuff, the trauma stuff, and the spicy stuff. We go from zero to sixty real fast and it's hard to not find that rushed rivals to lovers trajectory a bit cringy or forced. The contrast from "omg I just kissed him" sweetness to buckets of c*m scenes is...QUICK and sometimes a tad silly the way Raasch writes these two. Don't even get me started on the absolute cheesiness of the final chapter. There's an underwhelming third act conflict that feels unnecessary and I had NO interest in any of the grant study stuff. Like, I would've been completely fine without it, even though that's the main point of them coming together in the first place. Either way, these two guys come together...A LOT. But what's more important is that Sebastian learned that you're not too broken to accept good things into your life. We could all learn a thing or two from that lesson.
Special thanks to Bramble and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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