There’s never been a better time to cozy up with a romantic holiday read than today when many of us are relegated to stay home. We all need the magic of the season, and through our imagination, holiday books can bring us the love, the care and the joy we’re craving. Add a warm or sparkly drink, and something sweet to nibble, and you can be transported to gorgeous settings with lovely characters and their swoony relationships. Earlier this month, I collaborated on a Christmas anthology with ten other authors called Christmas Actually, featuring eleven short, sweet romances and romcoms — we love the season so much!
Here are seven more suggestions to pick up this year:
In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren
After an errant kiss with a childhood friend leaves Maelyn questioning her choices, she finds herself in a time loop that replays the leadup to Christmas. But with a smidge of magic and a heavy helping of a childhood friends-to-lovers romance, Lauren brings us their signature storytelling with a satisfying HEA that’s sprinkled with laughter.
A Gingerbread Romance by Lacey Baker
A Gingerbread Romance
by Lacey Baker
Taylor, an ambitious architect, seeks to win a life-size gingerbread house-making contest, only to find out she is without a partner. Enter Adam, a single dad and baker, who shares more than his baking expertise. The perfect accompaniment to the Hallmark movie of the same name, this novelization by Lacey Baker brings all the senses to the page in addition to the unmistakable feeling of love.
Last Christmas in Paris by Heather Webb
A work of historical fiction, this novel is about Evie, Thomas and Will, beginning with Thomas at Christmastime in 1968 returning to Paris to reunite with Evie. What follows are the letters between the three, starting in 1914, that tell of the war, their friendship and a budding love story. Webb and Gaynor have penned, ultimately, an uplifting and hopeful read against the backdrop of war and the passage of time.
Holiday Home Run by Priscilla Oliveras
This novella is a perfect bite-sized romance that will bring joy in one sitting. In this companion story to Oliveras’s Matched to Perfection series, event planner Julia attempts to balance a career and find a home in Chicago despite family obligations in Puerto Rico. Add former pro baseball player Ben to the mix, and it becomes one glorious season for the couple and a wonderful read for us.
Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson
Ashley, who works at an upscale jewelry store in Manhattan, has a vision of what her Christmas would entail, only to be heartbroken. Instead of Paris with her boyfriend, she climbs on a train to Owl Lake for the holidays, alone. Christmas Charms has all the components of the perfect cozy, escapist read: a visit home with loved ones, a magical charm bracelet and a second-chance romance.
Miracles and Menorahs by Stacey Agedern
Sarah is intent on making Hollowville’s Hanukkah Festival the best and grandest it can be as the festival’s vice-chair. But in order to do so, she must elicit the help of Isaac, a metal sculptor most qualified to create a large metal menorah. The crux? Isaac believes in celebrating the holiday intimately. In this sweet romance, we see compromise, understanding and love flourish among the backdrop of traditions of Hanukkah.
Seasons of Joy by Annie Rains
Single dad Granger is not in the holiday mood after his tree farm goes up in flames. Joy, an artist, who exudes her name in both hope and ideas, uses her talent to help Granger. Their attraction is made complicated by their past, but as the title promises, joy shines through in this sixth book of the Sweetwater Springs series.
