Sweet & Festive: 7 Holiday Romances Perfect for Hallmark Fans

The holiday season is here, and there’s nothing better than curling up with a sweet, heartwarming romance to get into the festive spirit. If you love the cozy charm and feel-good vibes of Hallmark Christmas movies, this list of closed-door holiday romances is for you. From fake dating and snowed-in cabins to second chances and unexpected connections, these stories capture the season’s magic with plenty of cheer—and no steamy scenes.

Whether you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud rom-com, a touching love story, or the perfect blend of holiday mishaps and mistletoe kisses, these books are guaranteed to leave you smiling. So, grab your favorite blanket and a mug of hot cocoa, and dive into these enchanting tales that celebrate the joy of love and the magic of Christmas.

Sweet Holiday Romance Book Recommendations (Closed-Door) 

12 Days of Mistletoe by Jen Atkinson 

In 12 Days of Mistletoe, Bonnie Miller, a rule-bending tenant hiding her emotional support dog in a no-pets building, finds herself at odds with her grumpy downstairs neighbor, Elliot Eaton. When her holiday card mix-up sparks a family misunderstanding, Elliot proposes a deal: Bonnie will pose as his fake girlfriend for Christmas photos, and he’ll help her keep her apartment. As fake kisses under the mistletoe turn unexpectedly sweet, Bonnie realizes there might be more to her neighbor than his grinchy exterior. A heartwarming and humorous closed-door rom-com brimming with holiday spirit and festive cheer.

Five Stolen Rings by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

In Five Stolen Rings, Stella Partridge returns to her hometown to house-sit for extra cash before Christmas. Her plans are upended when a thief breaks in—none other than Jack Piorra, her estranged childhood best friend. Jack claims he’s only there to retrieve what’s rightfully his, but Stella isn’t giving in without a fight. As old feeling festive cheer.

That Time I Kissed by Brother’s Best Friend by Julie Christianson

In That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend, Kasey thought she’d left the humiliation of her almost-kiss with Beau Slater—her brother’s best friend—far behind. But when their meddling mothers force them into a Christmas in July celebration, sparks from their shared past reignite. Determined to teach their families a lesson, Kasey and Beau agree to fake date. But as old feelings resurface and the lines between fake and real blur, Kasey must decide if risking her heart again is worth it for the man she’s never truly gotten over. A sizzling and heartfelt second-chance romance.

The Christmas Romance Wish by Ellie Hall 

In The Christmas Romance Wish, a woman who dreads both Christmas and her birthday finds herself snowed in with Alexander Armstrong, a retired SEAL officer and the man she’s been collaborating with on his biography. Though her heart aches knowing he’s taken, the truth about his situation begins to thaw her icy resolve. As they share glowing winter walks and mistletoe kisses in the quaint town of Holidayle, sparks fly despite the distance and scars separating them. Can the magic of the season and a newfound hope be enough to turn this unexpected connection into a lasting love?

Rent Yourself an Elf by Savannah Scott

In Rent Yourself an Elf, Noelle Furst is determined to skip Christmas, avoiding the painful memories tied to her late grandmother and her inherited fixer-upper home. But her plans to ignore the holiday are thwarted when her friends hire a holiday helper—aka a very muscular, very un-elf-like man in a Santa hat. Armed with a toolbox and a stocking-curling smile, he insists he’s there to help. As sparks fly and holiday cheer sneaks back into her life, Noelle starts to wonder if this unexpected “elf” might just be the gift she didn’t know she needed. A sweet, closed-door holiday romcom.

Cabin Mate by Leah Brunner

In Cabin Mate, a man sworn off dating after losing a bet to his brother finds himself in an impossible situation when his best friend—whom he’s secretly loved for years—asks him to be her fake boyfriend for her sister’s Christmas wedding in Vermont. Determined to help her through her heartbreak, he agrees, despite the risk to his self-imposed dating ban. Sharing a cozy cabin and pretending to be a couple, the line between fake and real begins to blur. As emotions and holiday magic heat up, he must decide if it’s worth breaking all the rules for a chance at love.

The Holiday Stand-In by Kortney Keisel

In The Holiday Stand-In, when her workaholic boyfriend bails on spending Christmas with her family, she convinces his identical twin brother to stand in as her date. The plan seems foolproof—reassure her family and avoid spending the holidays alone. But as sparks fly with the charming and attentive twin, she’s caught in a whirlwind of unexpected feelings. When her real boyfriend shows up, things get messy, leaving her torn between loyalty and the growing connection she can’t ignore. A closed-door romcom with holiday mishaps, snowed-in moments, and mistletoe kisses.

Merry Little Hate Notes by Jennifer Peel 

In Merry Little Hate Notes, Holly St. James dreads working closely with Brandon Cassidy—her annoying coworker, her brother’s best friend, and the guy who broke her heart after their first kiss. Avoiding him has been her strategy for years, but now she’s stuck assisting him through the holidays. Brandon sees this as his chance to win her back, reigniting their old childhood game of hate notes to get her attention. As they spar through playful jabs and buried feelings, Holly must decide if she can forgive the boy who hurt her and trust the man he’s become. A heartfelt holiday romance about second chances and rekindled love.

The holiday season is all about joy, love, and the magic of new beginnings—and these sweet, closed-door romances capture all of that and more. Whether you’re in the mood for a festive fake-dating trope, a heartwarming second-chance story, or a cozy winter escape, these books are sure to add a little extra sparkle to your holidays.

More Recommendations…

Looking for even more holiday book recommendations? Visit our Holiday Hub, where you’ll find curated lists of festive reads to keep your spirits bright, including:

• Christmas RomComs for laugh-out-loud holiday fun.
• 21 Holiday Books packed with seasonal charm and romance.
• New Year Romance Books to ring in the new year with love.

Get ready to fill your holiday TBR with heartwarming stories that bring the magic of the season to life! Click here to explore the Holiday Hub and discover your next favorite read.