Top 10 Holiday Romance Book Recommendations

Top 10 Holiday Romance Book Recommendations

Not feeling the holiday spirit this year yet?

We have put together our top 10 seasonal romances you need to be reading this year to get you into that festive spirit! Our list features a healthy dose of spice coupled with some of the best holiday love stories that would melt your heart this winter.

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Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh

Lena says:

It's like a whole book of the classic romcom airport run but all set around Christmas. I loved seeing little snapshots of their friendship develop over the years, and then that friendship grow into love. The friends to lovers means there's a decade worth of slow burn tension building that will have you kicking your feet as well as drive you mad. I would recommend if you're looking for something really heartwarming and very funny to curl up with over Christmas.

"I'm sorry I wasted so many years trying to find someone else, when the only one I wanted was you."

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

Imi says:

We all know A Christmas Carol, but what if the Ghost of Christmas Past came to you on Christmas Eve and you were adamant you don't deserve to be haunted? And, you know, he's a surly but hot Irish fisherman from the 1900s so you obviously fall in love with him while the two of you try and work out why he's been sent to haunt you... Yeah, let me tell you, BK Borison never misses and this was another absolute winner for me (despite reading it in the height of summer)

"If he's a ghost, he's a handsome one"

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison available here
Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Yas says:

Those who know me know that I love a murder mystery, and I love a cosy festive romcom, so a romcom set at Christmas about two rival authors trapped in a manor in the English countryside, WITH a murder mystery? Consider me SOLD! This was the cosiest of mysteries and sweetest of romances, with endearing and compelling characters as well as truly funny banter. I found to be a perfect festive read!

"Of course, I'm not offended that you'd accuse me of murder. I'm offended you'd think I'd be bad at it."

Christmas Notch by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone

Christmas Notch by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone

Bec says:

What's better than a small town Christmas romance? Well, a small town Christmas romance where the love interests are the former bad boy of a boy group x a secret adult film star, of course. Oh, and did I mention that said former bad boy is a huge fan of his new co-star in her adult film career?

A Merry Little Meet Cute and the books following it in this series are the perfect holiday pick me up, mixing that cosy Christmas feeling with plenty of spice. Full of humour, yearning, and great sex positive and plus size rep, this series is absolutely one that should be on your TBR this holiday season!

"Everything smelled like sex, and coffee, and Christmas, and I didn't want it to end."

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Caitlin says:

There’s something about second chance romance + Christmas that I find really appealing. Possibly that a second chance with a lost love feels kinda miraculous, and Christmas is the perfect time for miracles?

This second chance romance comes with a dose of found family, forced proximity, and a little used but classic trope: pretending you don’t know someone you know very well as a kneejerk reaction and then having to style it out.

"Only music could really do that -- bring everything to the surface, make the memories alive"

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake available here
Love you a Latke by Amanda Elliot

Love you a Latke by Amanda Elliot

Romie says:

There’s nothing I love more than a small town, fake dating romance. Sprinkle some Hanukkah on top? You have the most perfect, comforting combo. I love how completely unapologetically Jewish this book is, how at its core it celebrates finding joy is reconnecting with your community and standing up for yourself. I found myself giggling and snorting whilst reading this book–I simply could not keep the joy in. The romance between Abby and Seth was so adorable; we love a man who falls first and harder. But most of all, I loved how they uplifted each other and always believed in the other.

"I just didn't want Christmas in my Hanukkah, the same way I didn't want to dip a grilled cheese in my cinnamon roll latte."

Under the Mistletoe with You by Lizzie Huxley-Jones

Under the Mistletoe with You by Lizzie Huxley-Jones

Debbie says:

If you reminisce about snow days, where the world seems to stop turning and everything turns still, then this is the book for you! Unfortunately (or fortunately) for Christopher instead of being stuck at home alone, he's instead holed up with his Hollywood idol. I love how real these characters feel to me, from the queer main characters to the conversations around disability. Set in Wales, it combines snow and forced proximity and baked goods into a sweet little package that will hook you from the very beginning!

For Nash, this Christmas was a chance to escape Hollywood, to go to a small town and hide away, alone, in a place where no one knows who he is.

Under the Mistletoe with You by Lizzie Huxley-Jones available here
What's A Girl Gotta Do To Get On The Naughty List? by Kimberly Lemming

What's A Girl Gotta Do To Get On The Naughty List? by Kimberly Lemming

Bec says:

It wouldn't be a holiday romance list without a Krampus romance… right? Kimberly Lemming brings her delightful brand of monster rom-coms to the festive side, with a twist - Daphne wants to draw the attention of Krampus and his ever so sweet punishments…

Can Daphne girlboss her way out of her punishment, or will the dark shadow of Old St. Nick have his wicked way with her? Probably both.

Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert

Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert

Caitlin says:

Abby and Will (best friends since childhood) are, of course, in love with each other. And each is, of course, oblivious that it is reciprocated. That’s about to change though, because Will has decided now is the time to quit Hollywood and officially pursue Abigail Farrell in a romantic capacity.This novella is the perfect bitesize Christmas read, full of banter so good it makes your stomach fizz. There’s also lots of panicked emotional flailing, confronting of feelings, and family interference.

Convincing clever, frosty Abbie to give Will a chance will take more than mistletoe, but hiding his lifelong crush on her is no longer an option.

A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli

A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli

Romie says:

This one is for the people who believe in holiday miracles, that everything happens for a reason. And that your soulmate is but one trip to India away. This truly reads like a good old hallmark movie, one you can cosy up with on your couch with a hot chocolate and your cat. This is such a fun and sweet read, full of love and rediscovering yourself, reconnecting with your roots and finally taking charge of your life.

One type-A data analyst discovers her free-spirited side on an impulsive journey from bustling Mumbai to the gorgeous beaches of Goa and finds love waiting for her on Christmas morning.