2024 Holiday Romance Books You Can’t Miss: Christmas-Themed Reads for Every Mood
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As the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing like curling up with a cozy, heartwarming story to fill your days with joy, romance, and a sprinkle of seasonal magic. This year, we’ve curated a list of 21 enchanting Christmas titles to get you in the spirit, from lighthearted rom-coms to heartfelt family reunions and small-town adventures.
Whether you’re looking for tales of unexpected love under the mistletoe, rekindled relationships by the fire, or whimsical journeys to snowy escapes, these books offer something for everyone on your holiday wishlist. Dive into these delightful stories, perfect for any reader who wants to experience the magic, warmth, and love of the season through a well-turned page. Here’s to finding your next holiday favorite!
Best Christmas Romance Novels of 2024: Perfect for Your Holiday Reading List
Our Top Book Pick!
Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark
In Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark, the Belvedere siblings return to their famous mother’s country house just as the holiday season arrives, each carrying their own tangled mess. Eldest Liz, a Hollywood showrunner, grapples with high expectations for her show’s second season and her feelings for its lead actress, Violet. Meanwhile, Birdie, the rebellious middle sibling and comedian, faces a career standstill as her manager drops her—partly due to her more active love life than work ethic. Youngest Rafi, known as the hopeless romantic, experiences a public heartbreak after his proposal is refused.
With different fathers and distinct personalities, the siblings unite under the roof of their mother, Babs Belvedere, a glamorous star who always commanded the spotlight. This holiday, they vow to focus on self-reflection and career goals rather than romance. But as festivities unfold, the spirit of the season works its magic, stirring up unexpected romance and holiday joy, reshaping their lives in surprising ways.
Christmas All Around by Martha Waters
In Christmas All Around by Martha Waters, former child star Charlotte, who despises the holidays due to her past in a beloved holiday movie, flees to London to escape the pressure of a reboot. However, her plan backfires when she visits Eden Priory, a key filming location, and gets stranded. Graham, whose family owns the estate, offers her a ride back in exchange for her participation in an art workshop. As they collaborate on holiday projects, Charlotte’s perspective on Christmas—and romance—begins to change, leading to unexpected holiday magic.
A Jingle Bell Mingle by Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy
In A Jingle Bell Mingle by Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy, Sunny Palmer, a part-time adult film actress and struggling screenwriter, retreats to Christmas Notch, Vermont, hoping to reignite her creative spark for a holiday movie script. Meanwhile, Isaac Kelly, a former boy band star mourning his late wife, seeks solitude in a snow-covered mansion to work on his first holiday album. After a one-night stand at a mutual friend’s wedding, Sunny and Isaac unexpectedly become housemates. As they battle creative blocks together, they strike a deal: Sunny will help Isaac find inspiration, and Isaac will assist Sunny in uncovering local Christmas lore. Amidst the holiday magic, their partnership begins to bloom into something more.
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
In Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey, a down-on-her-luck woman named Stella finds herself critiquing the holiday décor of Manhattan’s famous Vivant department store. A charming stranger, Aiden, surprises her by revealing he owns the store and offers her a job to redesign the windows. Despite her difficult past, Stella seizes the opportunity to prove herself. As she pours her heart into her work, the attraction between her and Aiden becomes undeniable. Though she tries to keep things professional, Stella finds herself entangled in a steamy holiday romance that she never expected.
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I’ll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K Boone
In I’ll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone, Bee Tyler, overwhelmed by the relentless San Francisco tech scene and her seemingly perfect sister Beth, decides to escape to the countryside via a house-swap app, Vacate. Meanwhile, Clover Mills, grieving the loss of her mother and reeling from a broken engagement, seeks solace in the bustling city of San Francisco. As Bee settles into Clover’s cozy cottage in Christmas-obsessed Salem, Ohio, and Clover navigates Bee’s sleek city life, unexpected connections form. Bee grows closer to Clover’s charming ex-fiancé, Knox, while Clover finds herself repeatedly drawn to Beth. This holiday, both women discover that the change they needed might lead to unexpected love.
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Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
In Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake, Charlotte Donovan, a successful New York musician, reluctantly agrees to spend Christmas with her ensemble mate Sloane’s family in Colorado, hoping for some quiet practice time. Upon arrival, she’s shocked to find her ex-fiancée, Brighton, is also a guest. Five years after being left at the altar, Charlotte must navigate holiday festivities with the woman who broke her heart. As they are thrust into Christmas activities together, old memories resurface, and the music they once shared begins to thaw the ice between them. But can past wounds truly heal, or is it all too late?
Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot
In Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot, Abby Cohen is grappling with two challenges: planning her Vermont town’s first Hanukkah festival and dealing with her relentlessly cheerful customer, Seth. As the only Jew on the tourism board, Abby struggles to educate local vendors on Hanukkah’s traditions, leading her to seek help online. She discovers that Seth, her persistent café regular, is also Jewish. Seth offers his connections in exchange for Abby posing as his girlfriend during his family’s Hanukkah celebrations in New York. As they navigate holiday festivities together, Abby finds her heartwarming to both Seth and the possibility of love.
All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard
In All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard, Jessica, a struggling romance writer, longs for her own happily ever after while nursing a broken heart from her ex-boyfriend Nick, a now-successful author of love stories with unhappy endings. Their professional rivalry intensifies when they are forced to share a room at a remote inn just before Christmas due to a snowstorm. As they try to cure their writer’s block by channeling their frustration into fiction, the sparks begin to fly on and off the page. Jessica starts to question whether Nick, the man she least expected to love again, might actually be all she wants this Christmas.
The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy
In The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy, Callie is heartbroken and ready to skip Christmas entirely after being dumped by her childhood sweetheart. Determined to avoid the holidays—and her ex with his new partner—she plans to hibernate through the season. However, her sister Anita has other ideas. Anita creates an Advent calendar challenge filled with cheerful tasks to reignite Callie’s holiday spirit and belief in love. Reluctantly, Callie begins the challenge and soon encounters a charming baker who challenges her resolve. As they team up to complete the tasks, Callie starts to wonder if the Advent calendar might open more than just little doors—perhaps even her heart.
The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay
In The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay, best friends Holly Beech and Ivy Casey swap places to escape their respective heartaches. After Holly’s fiancé leaves her just before their honeymoon, she persuades Ivy to take the nonrefundable Hawaiian trip in her place while she hides away in Ivy’s Hudson Valley cabin. However, Holly’s retreat is disrupted by her high school rival, who has transformed into a ruggedly handsome Airbnb host. Meanwhile, Ivy’s art retreat turns chaotic when she encounters Holly’s ex-fiancé in Hawaii—with a new girlfriend. As both women navigate unexpected encounters and romantic sparks, they find that their swapped holidays might just deliver the Christmas miracles they need.
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The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans
In The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans, Melody Monroe is determined to revive her twin sons’ holiday spirit after the loss of their father. When the school’s cookie committee disbands, threatening to dampen their Christmas joy further, Melody steps in to take over, even if it means clashing with the stubborn school principal, Jonathan Braxton. What starts as a small disagreement escalates into a town-wide cookie bake-off. As the competition heats up, so do the unexpected romantic feelings between Melody and Jonathan. With a sprinkle of holiday magic, their rivalry might just turn into a sweet new beginning.
Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
In Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss, Harriet Smith is feeling anything but festive, especially after her daughter chooses to spend Christmas in Manhattan. Seeking a temporary escape, she indulges in a wine-fueled one-night stand, only to discover her fling is the lawyer for the Winter Theater’s elderly owner. When Harriet takes the fall for students who break into the theater, she’s roped into directing its final Christmas performance to keep the kids out of trouble. Despite her initial reluctance, working on the play—and with the lawyer—begins to reignite her Christmas spirit, reminding Harriet of the joy and warmth the season can bring.
Christmas Eve Love Story by Ginny Baird
In Christmas Eve Love Story by Ginny Baird, Annie Jones, a dedicated window designer for a New York City department store, finds herself trapped in a time loop, repeating Christmas Eve over and over. After her holiday display is ruined, a mysterious store Santa offers her a chance to start over. With the help of Braden Tate, a friendly security guard, Annie repairs the damage, only to wake up the next day to discover it’s Christmas Eve again. As she relives the day repeatedly, Annie begins to make choices that bring her closer to Braden and a life filled with love, friendship, and a newfound sense of community.
The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morganthaler
In The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler, Sienna Naples is struggling with loneliness on her family’s Idaho ranch after her parents’ passing and a painful divorce. Her quiet holiday season takes an unexpected turn when Guy Maple, a single father from Montana, arrives with his young daughter, Emma, in response to a marriage ad meant as a joke. Facing financial struggles and desperate to keep Emma, who needs a kidney transplant, on the transplant list, Guy proposes a marriage of convenience. Though Sienna agrees for Emma’s sake, the bond they form—filled with holiday magic, shared responsibilities, and unexpected affection—leaves Sienna questioning whether this marriage could become something real.
Christmas Sweater Weather by Jaqueline Snowe
In Christmas Sweater Weather by Jaqueline Snowe, Charlotte Calhoun finds herself trapped in close quarters with Hayden Porter, her brother’s best friend and the man who once rejected her, during her brother’s bachelor party at a snowy ski resort. Despite her efforts to move on, the holiday atmosphere—complete with mistletoe and cozy fireplaces—reignites her attraction to Hayden. For Hayden, being a single dad and a college coach leaves little room for romance, but he can’t deny his long-held feelings for Charlotte. As the holiday magic intensifies, a one-night stand seems tempting, but with two weeks until the wedding, keeping their secret from her brother becomes increasingly difficult.
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
In Snowed In by Catherine Walsh, Megan dreads returning to her small village for Christmas, where she’s notorious for leaving her ex, Isaac, at the altar four years ago. Now, with Isaac engaged again and Megan recently dumped, she braces for a holiday filled with drama. Meanwhile, Christian is tired of being the odd one out at his family’s Christmas gatherings. When Megan and Christian cross paths in a Dublin pub, they hatch a plan: they’ll be each other’s fake dates to survive the holiday season. A contract is made, promising a convincing display of love at each other’s family events. But as they navigate old flames, family pressures, and a snowed-in cabin, their pretend romance starts feeling all too real, leading to unexpected sparks and Christmas magic.
The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan
In The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan, Imogen, a successful marketing professional, hides behind a carefully crafted image of competence and fabricated childhood memories, particularly when it comes to her disdain for Christmas. But when burnout leads to a significant mistake at work, she’s forced to take an unwelcome break. Invited by her favorite client, Dorothy, to stay at a picturesque cottage in the Cotswolds, Imogen reluctantly accepts, hoping for some peace. Holly Cottage, with its idyllic charm, offers more than just a retreat—it’s a chance for both Imogen and Dorothy to heal and rediscover what truly matters. As Imogen begins to rebuild her life, Dorothy faces her own past, hoping that this Christmas will bring the courage needed for new beginnings and lasting connections.
One Big Family by Susan Mallery
In One Big Family by Susan Mallery, Julie Parker eagerly anticipates a quiet Christmas with Heath, the much younger man she’s secretly dating. Her adult children, Nick and Dana, plan to be away, giving Julie a rare chance for some cozy, one-on-one holiday time. However, her plans are upended when Nick and Dana request a family Christmas at their cabin to honor their late father. Unable to refuse, Julie agrees, even though it means revealing her relationship with Heath. As more unexpected guests, including Heath’s children and Blair’s estranged mother, join the festivities, Julie faces a holiday filled with surprises, laughter, and heartfelt revelations. Amidst the chaos, Julie learns that a big, happy family can grow even larger and more joyful when everyone is willing to let go of the past and embrace new beginnings.
The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts
In The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts, Frankie Lane is a well-meaning, meddling matchmaker who can’t resist trying to find love for everyone around her, even if her efforts often lead to chaos. Inspired by Jane Austen’s *Emma*, Frankie busies herself trying to pair up her divorced sister Stef, her shy employee Elinor, and her daughter Natalie, who she believes should start her own chocolate business. Frankie also sets her sights on her best friend Mitch, a kind-hearted hardware store owner who has been her rock since her husband’s tragic death. Determined to find Mitch the perfect partner, Frankie is oblivious to the fact that her own heart might be involved. As she stirs up holiday mischief, Frankie learns that sometimes love can’t be planned, and that true happiness might be closer than she thinks.
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The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne
In The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne, the holiday season in the quaint town of Haven Point brings together people seeking second chances and new beginnings. When Lily Martin, a single mother and talented artisan, is invited to participate in the town’s beloved December Market, she sees it as an opportunity to boost her fledgling business and create a better future for her daughter. But Lily’s life gets complicated when she reconnects with her high school crush, Jake Preston, who has returned to Haven Point to help his family. As they work together to make the market a success, old feelings resurface, and both Lily and Jake are reminded that the magic of the holidays can lead to unexpected love and a chance at a brighter future.
The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky
In The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky, Patrick Hargrave and Quinn Muller are newlyweds struggling with the realities of domestic life and financial stress. On Christmas Eve, their world is turned upside down when Patrick accidentally knocks out a man he mistakes for a burglar—only to discover it’s Santa Claus himself. An elf insists that the couple don Santa’s red suit and save Christmas. After a night of delivering presents, they find themselves transported to the North Pole, where they learn they must take over as Santa Claus and the first-ever Merriest Mister to prevent Christmas from being canceled. Faced with the challenge of running Santa’s workshop, Patrick and Quinn must navigate their strained relationship while bringing joy to children worldwide. As they work together, they question whether this magical role can also rekindle the love that brought them together in the first place.
Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle
In Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle, Sheila is drawn into the warmth of the enchanting mountain town of Chestnut Ridge when her best friend persuades her to help decorate a tree for the annual Christmas Tree Stroll fundraiser. What starts as a simple act of holiday cheer turns into a journey of self-discovery, as Sheila finds herself embraced by the close-knit community and the magic of the season. Meanwhile, Tucker, the town’s dedicated fire captain, is organizing a relief effort for a local family who lost their home to a fire just before Christmas. When Sheila volunteers to help, she and Tucker grow closer, and sparks of romance begin to ignite. As they work together to bring comfort to the family, Sheila discovers a sense of belonging she never knew she was missing. In a town where Christmas magic is in the air, Sheila and Tucker find love, community, and the true spirit of the holidays.
Christmas in Aspen by Anita Hughes
In Christmas in Aspen by Anita Hughes, editor Caroline Holt plans to escape the holiday season at her late mother’s cabin in Hudson, seeking solace from burnout and the pain of recent loss. While there, she discovers a mysterious love letter addressed to her mother, inviting her to meet in Aspen on New Year’s Eve. Intrigued, Caroline travels to Aspen to uncover the truth about her mother’s past love. As she investigates, she encounters a charming man in town who begins to thaw her heart. Through unexpected connections and revelations about her mother’s secrets, Caroline finds herself re-evaluating her own life and the possibility of love. By the end of the holiday week, she must decide whether to embrace a new beginning and rewrite her own destiny.
From snowy retreats and heartwarming reunions to festive towns brimming with charm, these 21 Christmas novels offer the perfect escape into a world of holiday magic and romance. No matter your preferred holiday read—whether it’s a tale of rekindled love, holiday mishaps, or family bonds strengthened by the season—there’s something here to make your reading time extra special this year.
So, grab a warm blanket, a mug of your favorite holiday drink, and dive into these unforgettable stories that celebrate love, joy, and the spirit of Christmas. Happy holidays, and here’s to finding a new favorite book (or two) to brighten your season!