Christmas Romance Books To Celebrate The Holiday Season
Name a better winter activity than being warm and cozy with a Christmas romance book? You can’t, can’t you? In my opinion, there are essentially two categories of Christmas romance books: books that feel like Hallmark or books with a winter vibe. Both types of books can be good, however it depends on what you are in the mood to read. Below you will find a reading list that is hopefully comprehensive enough for you to find at least one (and possibly more) book to read this holiday season!
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
Lovelight Farms is part of a series, where each book is set during a different season, and this book is set during winter. Sounds like a perfect Christmas romance book to read during the winter season.
Lovelight Farms is not what it used to be. It’s run down and possibly overtaken by a family of raccoons. Stella dreams of making the Christmas tree farm into a magical winter wonderland that she has loved since she was a child.
Of course, the only reasonable option is to enter a contest run by an Instagram-famous influencer Evelyn St. James. The publicity and cash prize is just what Stella needs to save the farm. However, this wouldn’t be a Christmas romance book without a catch. Stella lied on her application. It was just a small lie. In order to make the farm seem like a romantic destination, Stella said he owns the farm with her boyfriend. Except, there is no boyfriend. None at all.
Stella turns to her best friend Luka to help her out with her lie. As we already know with romance books, fake dating turns into real feelings. The fake relationship just may be the best Christmas gift for the both of them.
One Day in December by Josie Silver
If you want a Christmas romance book that has more winter vibes, then One Day in December may be the book for you!
Laurie doesn’t believe in love at first sight. She thinks it only happens in the movies. Until through a bus window on one day in December, she sees a man and instantly feels a connection. But, her bus drives away.
For a year, Laurie is determined to find him again by scanning every bus stop and cafe for him. She never found him when she was actively looking. While at a Christmas party, Laurie’s new friend excitedly introduces her to her new boyfriend Jack, who is the man from the bus.
For the next ten years, we follow Laurie, Sarah, and Jack through friendship, heartbreak, and second-guessing. I personally haven't read One Day in December, however, it sounds like the book explores the idea of the “right” person at the “wrong” time, which can be heartwarming and devastating all at the same time. Perfect holiday romance book, right?
Set The Record Straight by Hannah Bonam-Young
Set The Record Straight is a sapphic novella that is perfect to read in one, cold winter day. It’s the perfect Christmas romance book if you are looking for a fluffy, sweet romance that touches a bit on a few serious topics.
When Clara starts her dream job as an assistant to a photographer, she is caught in an assumption that results in her needing to bring a girlfriend to the gallery’s opening because she failed to correct her boss that she is straight.
Meanwhile, Evan is recently dumped and figuring her life out again. When she finds out her ex and new partner will be hosting the staff holiday party, she desperately needs a plus-one.
So, the easy solution is for these two life-long friends to fake date in order to get through the gallery opening and staff holiday party. Like previously mentioned for Lovelight Farms, fake dating leads to real feelings. Clara starts to develop feelings for Evan, and Evan realizes that it may not be the best idea to fake date your best friend who you’ve had a crush on.
In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Tis the season! Except for Maelyn. She’s living with her parents, hates her job, and is struggling with her romantic life. A great start for a Christmas romance book!
Worst of all, Mae will be spending the last Christmas at her favorite place — a snowy Utah cabin with her family. On the way to the cabin, Mae pleads with the universe to show her what will make her happy.
Then tires screech, metal crashes, and everything goes black. When Mae wakes up, she’s back on the airplane to Utah, where she begins the same holiday over and over again. Basically Groundhog Day meets Christmas. Now Mae must break the time loop and find her true love under the mistletoe.
If you’re looking for a funny and sweet Christmas romance book, then In A Holidaze may be the perfect read for you!
Season’s Scheming by Katie Bailey
Maddie’s life has hit rock bottom. Her longtime boyfriend (and cheater) dumps her on TV for everyone to see. And everything is just about to get even worse, since her parents announce that they’re spending the holidays with her ex’s family and her ex’s new partner.
On a drunken night out, Maddie runs into an infamous NHL player, Sebastian Slater. She asks him to pose as her new boyfriend (jokingly of course), but Seb has a counter offer — he doesn’t want to date, he wants to marry for the holidays.
A marriage of convenience Christmas romance book has a certain… j’en sais quoi. Something about the tension in those relationships just adds so much to the story. Season’s Scheming is described as a sizzling but closed-door romance that may be your next read for the holiday season!
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
Royal Holiday is an interconnected stand-alone that is part of the Wedding Date series. This book in particular explores a spontaneous trip that turns into a charming Christmas romance book.
Vivan has only been out of the country once, so when the opportunity arises to travel with her daughter’s work trip to England to style a royal family member, she takes the chance. She is excited to see British sites, but what she doesn't expect is to meet a charming and formal private secretary.
Malcolm has worked for the Queen for several years. He has never given a personal tour until he meets Vivian. Both Malcolm and Vivian are fine with a short holiday romance and ending it on New Year’s Day. However, the chance for romance may be worth the risk.
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
The Wake-Up Call is another Christmas romance book that has more winter vibes than Hallmark Christmas vibes.
The Forest Manor hotel is about to enter its busiest season, but it’s falling apart. Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel’s front desk, they have to put their differences aside and get through their shift.
The hotel needs some sort of Christmas miracle in order to stay afloat. When Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring, the reward is the golden ticket that will fix everything. With four rings still lost & found, Izzy and Lucas must reluctantly work together to save the hotel and their jobs.
With the book being a holiday romance book, of course the rivalry between Izzy and Lucas turns into something more. Now there’s more at stake than just the hotel’s future.
Love In Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello
Love In Winter Wonderland is described as a mix between A Sun Is Also A Star and You Got Mail in this young-adult Christmas romance book.
Trey has to balance both his school popularity and his job at his family’s bookshop called Wonderland. On the other hand, Ariel is quirky and creative and needs tuition for the art program of her dreams. So when there is an opening at Wonderland, Ariel takes it as an answer to her problem.
However, Wonderland is on the brink of closing down by a neighborhood gentrifier. Trey and Ariel team up to save the bookstore before the Christmas Eve deadline. Sounds like a love-to-hate holiday romance book that will warm your heart this holiday season!
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
Molly and Andrew are about to be on their way home to Ireland for the holidays, when a snowstorm ruins their flight plans. A classic start to a Christmas romance book.
They’re just friends. However, once a year for the last ten years, both Molly and Andrew sit next to each other on the last flight before Christmas from Chicago to Dublin. They spend the seven hour flight catching up and drinking horrendous airplane wine.
While Molly isn’t that bothered by Christmas and the missed flight, Andrew loves Christmas. She knows just how much getting to Ireland means to him. So she irrationally and spontaneously promises Andrew that she’ll get him back home in time.
Christmas is approaching. However, Molly is a planner. Just as long the long list of taxis, planes, boats, and trains are all on time, then this just might work out.
While on their new trip, Molly and Andrew who are just friends and are sure they are not meant for each other, might just have to reconsider those previous ideas.
Holiday Romance has When Harry Met Sally vibes but in a Christmas romance book setting. If you’re looking for a hilarious and romantic holiday book, then this would be the perfect option!
10. Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun
Kiss Her Once For Me is described as a “queer holiday rom-com that you’ll want to cozy up with next to the fire” and I would have to agree!
Last year, Ellie landed her dream job in animation in Portland. After a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore, Ellie is in love. However, the next morning results in a betrayal and loss of her new job. Ellie is now alone and in desperate need of money.
After finding a job at a coffee shop, Ellie is just trying to get through the days. Until the shop’s landlord Andrew proposes a shocking plan — a marriage of convenience. Andrew needs to be married to receive his inheritance and it would alleviate Ellie from her recent woes.
Ellie and Andrew plan to spend the holidays with his family to seal the ruse. When Andrew introduces Ellie to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover that his sister is Jack who was the woman at the bookstore. Now Ellie must choose between a fake marriage or a chance at something more real.
Kiss Her Once For Me sounds like the perfect Christmas romance book to read over the holiday season.
11. A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
Lauren could be described as the Grinch. She doesn't like Christmas, which is the exact reason why she rarely travels home to the Midwest for the holidays. She has plenty of stuff at home to keep her busy such as her job as a set decorator for a TV show.
However, this upcoming Christmas is different. Lauren’s brother and his wife are expecting a baby, so her brother graciously arranges a ride home for Lauren with his friend Will. However, this is not good for Lauren. And no it’s not just because she doesn’t want to ride with her brother’s friend for the next few hours. It’s actually because Will is Lauren’s childhood crush that she has been trying to forget.
They’re opposites. Lauren is convinced that people don’t change and Will is trying to prove to her that he has changed. A very long car drive and forced proximity can definitely change a lot of things — especially feelings.
A Cross-Country Christmas is a Christmas romance book that sounds sweet and heartwarming. The perfect happily ever after to cozy up and read during a cold winter day.
About the Author
Madi is an avid reader at heart. When she doesn't have her nose buried in a book, she enjoys creating social media content and watching romantic comedies. However, nothing beats a cozy night-in spent reading a book.
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