The holiday season is the perfect time to snuggle up with a heartwarming romance novel that celebrates love, family, and the magic of the season. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy Christmas setting, a swoon-worthy winter wonderland, or a romantic New Year's Eve adventure, holiday romance books offer a delightful escape. These stories are filled with the joy and warmth of the holidays, reminding us that love can bloom even in the most unexpected moments. From contemporary romances to sweet holiday-themed tales, this list includes some of the best-known and most beloved holiday romance novels. So, grab a blanket and some hot cocoa, and get ready to fall in love with these festive reads!
This bestseller begins with a chance encounter when Laurie spots a man through a bus window and feels an instant connection. They lock eyes, but fate has other plans, and the two don’t meet again until a year later—when Laurie’s best friend introduces him as her new boyfriend. One Day in December spans ten years of missed opportunities, love, and friendship, as Laurie navigates her feelings for a man she can’t quite forget. Josie Silver creates a perfect blend of romance, longing, and holiday magic, making this a heartwarming story of destiny and timing. It’s a tale that proves love can find you in the most unexpected places.
If you love a classic twin switch storyline, The Holiday Swap is a delightful holiday romp with all the festive charm. Identical twins Charlie and Cass swap lives when Charlie, a chef on a reality baking show, loses her sense of taste and smell just before a big competition. Cass takes over Charlie’s life in the city, while Charlie returns to their hometown to run the family bakery. As they navigate each other’s worlds, sparks fly with unexpected romances. Maggie Knox’s sweet, light-hearted novel is filled with holiday cheer, humor, and the joy of finding love where you least expect it.
In this delightful time-loop holiday romance, Maelyn Jones is stuck in a Christmas wish gone wrong. After spending the holidays at her family’s cabin in Utah, Mae makes a desperate wish for happiness—only to find herself reliving the same holiday over and over again. As she tries to figure out how to break the loop, Mae grows closer to her longtime crush, Andrew, and discovers what really matters. In a Holidaze combines humor, heart, and a little bit of magic to create a feel-good story about love, second chances, and the holiday spirit.
When Kate Turner’s best friend signs her up for a matchmaking service offering twelve dates leading up to Christmas, she reluctantly agrees. What follows is a series of hilariously disastrous dates that make her question her desire for love. But as Kate navigates the dating scene, she also begins to realize that the person she’s truly meant to be with might have been right in front of her all along. Jenny Bayliss’s festive novel is full of charm, humor, and plenty of holiday spirit, making it a perfect read for anyone who believes in the magic of Christmas love stories.
Jenny Colgan is known for her sweet, feel-good novels, and Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop is no exception. Rosie Hopkins returns to the small English village of Lipton to help her aunt run a candy shop during the holidays. As she settles into the cozy community, Rosie finds herself falling for both the town and a certain someone who has captured her heart. This charming holiday romance is filled with warmth, delicious sweets, and the joy of finding love in unexpected places. Colgan’s delightful storytelling makes this a perfect book to curl up with during the holiday season.
If you love a good royal romance with a holiday twist, Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory is a treat. Vivian Forest is accompanying her daughter on a work trip to England over the holidays, where she meets Malcolm Hudson, the Queen’s charming private secretary. Sparks fly as they spend time together in the picturesque English countryside, but with Vivian’s life back in the U.S., the future of their romance is uncertain. This fun, feel-good story is filled with Jasmine Guillory’s signature humor, sweet moments, and the magic of a holiday love story fit for royalty.
In Snowed In at the Ranch, Lucy Drake has just one goal: deliver some important papers to a secluded ranch and return to her normal life. But a snowstorm derails her plans, leaving her stuck at the ranch with her ex-fiancé, Wade, who she hasn’t seen in years. As they wait out the storm, old feelings resurface, and Lucy realizes that maybe their relationship deserves a second chance. RaeAnne Thayne’s cozy, heartwarming romance is perfect for anyone who loves a snowy holiday setting and the promise of rekindled love.
This heartwarming holiday novel tells the story of two strangers, Elise and Nicholas, who meet in a food court and agree to fake-date for the holiday season. Both are trying to avoid loneliness during Christmas, but as their arrangement continues, real feelings start to develop. The Mistletoe Promise is a sweet, uplifting story about healing from past hurts and discovering the power of love during the most wonderful time of the year. Richard Paul Evans delivers a feel-good holiday romance that is as heartwarming as it is festive.
When Harper Devlin’s marriage falls apart just before Christmas, she takes her two daughters to Silver Springs to start fresh. There, she meets Tobias Richardson, a former prisoner who’s trying to rebuild his life. Despite their rocky pasts, the two are drawn to each other, and together they find healing, hope, and the possibility of a new beginning. Christmas in Silver Springs is a moving story about second chances, family, and the magic of the holiday season. Brenda Novak weaves a tender romance with emotional depth, making this book a heartwarming holiday read.
Debbie Macomber is a holiday romance staple, and Alaskan Holiday is no exception. Josie Avery has spent the summer working as a chef in a remote Alaskan lodge, but when it’s time to return to the city for her dream job, she starts having second thoughts. Especially when she realizes how much she’s fallen for Palmer, a local man who wants her to stay. This cozy, feel-good novel is filled with the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness and the warmth of a sweet holiday romance. Macomber’s storytelling makes this a perfect pick for fans of heartwarming holiday love stories.
In The Christmas Sisters, three sisters reunite at their family’s home in Scotland for the holidays. Each sister has her own struggles—work, relationships, and motherhood—and returning home brings them closer to one another while forcing them to confront their pasts. Sarah Morgan’s novel weaves together the warmth of family bonds with romantic love, all set against the backdrop of a snowy, festive Scottish winter. It’s a cozy, uplifting holiday story about love, sisterhood, and finding happiness even in the most complicated moments of life.
This small-town holiday romance from Jill Shalvis follows Ivy Snow, a woman with a troubled past who moves to the town of Sunshine to start fresh. When she meets Kel, a cowboy firefighter with his own emotional baggage, sparks fly despite their reluctance to open up to love. As the holidays approach, Ivy and Kel discover that they just might be the missing pieces in each other’s lives. Wrapped Up in You is a charming, funny, and sweet romance filled with holiday cheer and the promise of new beginnings.
Willa Davis runs a pet shop in San Francisco, and she’s feeling pretty good about her life—except for her complicated love life. When her old crush, Keane Winters, walks into her shop looking for help with his aunt’s cat, sparks fly, but their romantic history makes things complicated. With Christmas just around the corner, Willa and Keane must figure out if they’re ready to put the past behind them and embrace a new future together. Jill Shalvis delivers a fun, flirty holiday romance that’s as heartwarming as it is hilarious.
In Christmas in Winter Hill, Krista Galloway moves to a small town to start a new job and give her daughter a fresh start after a difficult year. The town of Winter Hill is known for its extravagant Christmas celebrations, but Krista isn’t in the holiday spirit—until she meets some new friends and begins to open her heart. Melody Carlson’s novel is a sweet, inspirational tale of new beginnings, holiday traditions, and finding love when you least expect it. It’s a heartwarming read for anyone who loves the magic of small-town Christmas stories.
Talia Hibbert brings her signature humor and steam to this holiday novella about Bailey, a sweet barista, and Cash, a tattoo artist with a rough exterior but a soft heart. Bailey has had a crush on Cash for a while, but their worlds seem too different. When Cash hires her to help out at his tattoo shop over the holidays, they grow closer, and sparks fly. Merry Inkmas is a fun, sexy holiday romance that mixes sweetness with a bit of spice, making it the perfect festive read for those who enjoy contemporary love stories with plenty of chemistry.
Sarah Morgan’s Holiday in the Hamptons follows Felicity Knight, a city girl who has built a successful dog-walking business in New York. When her grandmother falls ill, Felicity heads to the Hamptons, where she bumps into her ex-husband, Seth. The two of them haven’t seen each other in years, and old feelings come rushing back. The picturesque Hamptons setting, combined with Sarah Morgan’s blend of romance and humor, makes this a heartwarming and charming holiday read. The story is all about second chances and rediscovering love where you least expect it.
Becky Bloomwood is back in The Christmas Shopaholic, and this time she’s tasked with hosting the family Christmas dinner—something she’s hilariously unprepared for. As Becky navigates holiday shopping, party planning, and family dynamics, she also finds herself wrapped up in a bit of romantic chaos. Sophie Kinsella’s trademark humor shines through in this festive, laugh-out-loud novel that’s filled with holiday mishaps and heartwarming moments. It’s a delightful holiday read that blends romance, comedy, and Christmas spirit.
Set against the backdrop of a snowy London Christmas, We Met in December tells the story of Jess and Alex, who become housemates and quickly develop feelings for one another. But with timing, misunderstandings, and other romantic entanglements in the way, their love story is anything but simple. Rosie Curtis delivers a heartwarming, slow-burn romance filled with festive London charm, perfect for readers who love a good friends-to-lovers storyline wrapped in the holiday spirit.
In this holiday romance from the queen of romance herself, Nora Roberts weaves a magical tale of love and Christmas wishes. The Christmas Wish is about two people who are brought together by a twist of fate and a shared holiday wish. As they get to know each other, they realize that they’ve been given a second chance at love. Filled with warmth, holiday cheer, and Roberts' signature emotional depth, this is a holiday romance that will make you believe in the magic of the season.
In this sweet holiday romance, Polly Waterford is preparing for the festive season in the tiny Cornish village of Mount Polbearne, where she runs a bakery. With her partner Huckle, her pet puffin, and her love for baking, Polly’s life seems perfect—until holiday stress threatens to derail everything. Jenny Colgan brings humor, heart, and plenty of festive warmth to this cozy novel about love, community, and the magic of Christmas in a small town. It's a delightful, feel-good holiday story perfect for fans of romance and baking.
Holiday romance novels are the perfect way to celebrate the season of love, joy, and togetherness. Whether it's a chance meeting on a snowy Christmas Eve, rekindling an old flame under the mistletoe, or finding unexpected love in a small town during the holidays, these stories remind us that the magic of the season can bring hearts together. From charming contemporary tales to heartwarming romances filled with family and friendship, each of these books captures the spirit of the holidays in its own unique way. So, as the weather turns colder and the festive lights begin to glow, these books offer the perfect escape into a world where love always triumphs. Happy holiday reading!