Readers, I’m delighted to welcome our team member Leigh Kramer to the blog. Leigh is a longtime friend who serves as Modern Mrs Darcy editor and What Should I Read Next social media pro. I always love to hear what Leigh is reading, and whenever I’m contemplating reading a new-to-me romance author I always ask Leigh, “Would *I* like this?” When she floated the idea of a holiday romance post I couldn’t say yes fast enough. Welcome, Leigh! – Anne
I am a notorious winter grinch but I love winter holiday romance. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Lunar New Year—I’ll read it all. It’s much more preferable to read about characters who are stuck in a snowstorm or dealing with crabby family members from the comfort of my home.
With the winter holidays almost upon us, I’ve already started reading more seasonally appropriate offerings. But holiday romance is here for us all year round, no matter what holiday is next. It’s an easy way to lift one’s spirits. Reading a Christmas romance in the summer or July 4th romance in the winter makes for a good palate cleanser or reading slump-buster. But the real reason I read it all year? There are so many I still want to read!
There’s a holiday romance for every mood and preference. They range from light-hearted to angsty, which is pretty reflective of the holiday season if you think about it. Sure, there may be aspects of the holiday we look forward to, be it pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, twinkling Christmas lights, or simply gathering with loved ones. But the holidays can also be incredibly fraught, thanks to unmet expectations, dysfunctional family members, and our own private heartbreaks. The holidays remind us of what we celebrate, as well as what we lack.
I’m no stranger to a fun and frothy holiday romance but I am a true-blue angst lover. This will be no surprise to anyone who knows I’m an Enneagram Four. I love the catharsis of it all. Yanking my emotions all over the place helps me process my own complicated feelings about the holidays. Rumor has it not everyone enjoys crying while they read so this winter holiday book list has a mix of everything.
A few notes: novellas and short stories are very common in holiday romance and they’re often only available in ebook or Kindle Unlimited. But if you’re not an ebook reader, have no fear because there are plenty of full-length stories available in print and audiobook. This list is predominantly contemporary romance because that’s what I read the most but holiday romance exists for every subgenre. As a reminder, there are three categories of heat levels: chaste (nothing more than kissing), closed door (sex scenes are hinted at but not depicted on page), and open door (sex scenes are on page and explicit).
I’d love to hear about your favorite winter holiday romances or which ones you’re planning to read this season.
Happy holiday reading!
24 winter holiday romances that will make your season bright
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Vincent’s Thanksgiving Date
This is the SWEETEST short story! Socially anxious Vincent is shocked when his handsome neighbor Cory asks him to join his Friendsgiving celebration. He has no idea Cory has been looking for an opportunity to talk to him. The food and Cory’s friends make for a memorable meal. Cooper managed to do a lot with little and I was really impressed with how the story built and the promise of potential between Cory and Vincent. (Closed door.) More info →
Holiday Heat
When they meet at a grief support group, Carrie and Matt are drawn to each other but it’s only a physical thing at first. Their losses make it difficult to consider opening themselves up to love again but the holidays might give them a much-needed push forward. The exploration of grief for two twenty-somethings was pitch perfect, as was the way their relationship evolved. (Open door.) More info →
The Year of the Crocodile (Cyclone Book 3)
If you've read Trade Me, pick up this follow-up short story set during Chinese New Year! (You definitely need to read Trade Me first.) I enjoyed seeing how Blake and Tina are doing and watching their parents meet for the first time. The verbal sparring and repurposed Princess Bride quotes between the parents was the best! (Open door.) More info →
Her Naughty Holiday (Men at Work Book 2)
Read this just for the scene of Clover telling off her whole awful family. Talk about a memorable Thanksgiving! All Clover’s family wants is for her to get married and have babies so a fake relationship seems like the only way to get them off their back. But of course, once she and Erick give in to their mutual crush on each other, it turns out there’s nothing fake about their chemistry. It’s incredibly empowering to watch Clover reclaim her life and figure out what she wants out of it. Erick is the icing on the cake. I adore his relationship with his teen daughter and his ability to banter, not to mention his way with woodwork. I reread this almost every year. The other books in the series center around Halloween and Christmas/Hanukkah. (Open door.) More info →
Snow-Kissed
Marriage-in-trouble books can be a tricky needle to thread but Florand nailed it. Kai and Kurt’s relationship fell apart after a miscarriage. Kai is resigned to spending Christmas in a cabin on her own when her almost ex-husband unexpectedly shows up before a snowstorm sets in. Florand deftly handled their respective grief and acknowledged the undercurrent of anger that affects them in different ways. I loved watching them rediscover each other and see how they’ve changed during their time apart. Astounding prose, heartachingly good. (Open door.) More info →
After Midnight by Serena Bell
A steamy, moving New Year’s Eve romance! Nora and Miles kiss at midnight on NYE and then Miles has to unexpectedly leave the party early before they have a chance to exchange names. Once they finally reconnect, it’s not an easy road. The novella explores self-trust and how both have come to doubt their internal compass. I almost teared up at one point, which I was not expecting! That’s how invested I felt in their respective plights. (Open door.) More info →
A Wedding One Christmas
Angie and Ezra go through a lot together over the course of 24 hours. Fake relationship at a stranger’s wedding? Getting roped into playing Father Christmas and his wife in a parade? Ad-lib nativity play? That all happens but it never felt over the top. Their connection was real and yet it didn’t negate the issues they were each working through. Falling for someone after knowing them for a day may feel outlandish, especially because neither Angie nor Ezra feel they’re in the place to start a relationship, so the trick is whether they believe there’s enough there to give it a chance. I was riveted through the ups and downs. A charming, fun, and emotionally layered read. Heads up: Angie is dealing with major complicated grief after the death of her father from a brain tumor. (Closed door.) More info →
A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas (Holidays with the Wongs Book 2)
If 'only one bed' and 'snowed in' are your calling cards, this is the one for you! The title says it all. It’s a very cute second chance romance between high school sweethearts Greg and Tasha. They haven’t seen each other much in the intervening 15 years when Greg’s mom arranges for him to drive Tasha back to their hometown for Christmas. Travel-related hijinks ensue, which gives them a chance to reconnect. Funny and heartwarming, with some impressive snow fort building. (Open door.) More info →
Missing Christmas
After reading Beginner’s Luck, I was curious whether Ben’s best friend Jasper would ever get his own story and I’m delighted he did in this Christmas novella. Jasper has been in love with his business partner Kristen for 6 years but he doesn’t want to jeopardize their relationship so he has rules about not acting on his feelings. Until she tells him to kiss her after they close a deal. This is pure Kate Clayborn perfection, a heap of feelings wrapped around some of my favorite tropes: forced proximity, snowed in, and only one bed. (Closed door.) More info →
Merry Inkmas
Tattoo artist tortured by his past and it's written by Talia Hibbert? This was a steamy treat of a tale, largely because of the fierce heroine. When Cash invites Bailey to his family's Christmas so she won't be alone, she gets wrapped up in their world, all while proving to Cash that he is, in fact, capable of a long-term relationship. (Open door.) More info →
Every New Year (Love At Last Book 1)
Candace and Ezra have been friends who have been pining for each other for 18 years. They are convinced the other person isn’t interested in something more and they don’t want to risk losing the friendship. They both independently decide it’s time to get over this unrequited crush…only to land on the same plane to Quito, Candace as a flight attendant, Ezra as a passenger. I adored both of these characters. The structure choices are what really makes the book. We get scenes from various NYEs over the years interspersed with the present New Year’s Eve. I really loved how their romance came to be and what they both needed to realize about why it took so long for them to get together. Sweet, sexy, and moving. (Open door.) More info →
Shine a Light (Orchard Hill Book 1)
First, Jonah puts out a fire at Ellie’s apartment. Second, when she temporarily moves in with her sister, it turns out Jonah lives next door. Finally, they both get roped into helping direct the Hanukkah play. They have different visions: Ellie wants to live up to her deceased mom’s legacy, while Jonah wants to break down the wall between him and his rabbi father since he chose firefighting over becoming a rabbi himself. Clearly these two are meant to be, if only they’ll get out of their own way. My favorite aspect was how they lit the candles for their respective menorahs at the same time in some lovely window symmetry night after night. This is on the instalove side, which didn’t completely work for me, but I loved how Judaism and Hanukkah brought them together. (Chaste.) More info →
The Thanksgiving Game: A Holiday Short Story
Toi and Lennox turn a forced Thanksgiving with their respective parents and dealing with their barbs into a game where every insult earns them a sexual favor. I wasn’t sure why they didn’t put their parents in their place—boundaries are key!—but it still was a satisfying short story. This is technically a follow up story to The Hook-Up Before Christmas, which I haven’t yet read, but it stands fine on its own. (Open door.) More info →
The Naughty List
If you’ve ever thought, 'Santa can get it,' this is the short story for you! Silver fox Nikolai is rightly in awe of Kate when he delivers presents at her house. This was a fun read and I was glad that their Christmas dreams came true. Also: Nikolai wins for using his Santa powers to get Kate’s ex to finally sign their divorce papers. (Open door.) More info →
Hearts Alight
An utterly lovely Hanukkah romance. I loved everything about Dave and Amit and how their relationship unfolded. This isn’t a spoiler but what makes this story stand out is the fact that Amit is a Golem. Also, both men are characters who have jobs that are just jobs and who feel relatively okay about that, which was a nice touch and lets the novella focus more on their other interests, like Dave being really into Dungeons & Dragons. (Chaste.) More info →
A Boyfriend for Christmas
Tattoo artist Cal and posh Archie are total opposites. Cal won the lottery a while back and after helping his mom, buying himself a house, and giving to charity, he invested the rest. This is how he crosses paths with Archie, whose dad owns the investment firm. Archie is at loose ends after graduating college. He's closeted and doesn’t believe he has much to offer. Cal isn’t interested in anything serious…so we know how this is going to go. As their relationship deepens, Archie decides to come out to his family at Christmas, making for one moving and memorable holiday. (Open door.) More info →
Season of Love
Set at a Jewish-run Christmas tree farm, Noelle and Miriam are initially at odds when they discover they’ve inherited the tree farm along with Miriam’s cousin Hannah and Hannah’s ex Levi. Emotions are running high when Miriam decides she’ll stay to get Carrigan’s through this holiday season, to Noelle’s chagrin. The evolution from there was an absolute delight but this is not a romcom. In addition to grief, it delves into healing from trauma and there’s a dash of angst. I borrowed this from the library and immediately bought my own copy once I finished. (Closed door.) More info →
Eight Cozy Nights (The Sublime Book 5)
New neighbors Larissa and Yo’s relationship evolves over the course of 8 nights. When Larissa can’t find her menorah among the boxes she’s unpacking and Yo can’t find any candles, they decide to band together for one night and that leads to the next night and suddenly they’re taking full advantage of him not having work or her going to school that week. Yo takes her to the library and he brags about the wingspan of his snow angels! Is he my dream man? Did he make me swoon repeatedly? Absolutely on all counts. My heart bursts at the thought of them spending Hanukkah together for years to come. (Open door.) More info →
Dance All Night: A Dance Off Holiday Novella
Nik and Jess kiss on New Year’s Eve, then he leaves town for a Broadway gig. He’s got wanderlust and doesn't plan on settling down anytime soon. Until he finds himself thinking about Jess. Once Nik decides he wants something, he’s all in. But Jess has no idea that Nik has been thinking of her all year when he comes back into town just before Christmas. While they celebrate the season, including a snowed-in mountain getaway, Jess tries to figure out if she can trust his interest. The glimpses into Nik’s Ukrainian culture were a nice touch; they celebrate Christmas on December 25 and January 7, since his parents belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Such a fun read. (Open door.) More info →
Beary Christmas, Baby
Delightful shifter Christmas romance about long-time friends and colleagues! So much longing and seemingly unrequited love between polar bear shifter Liev and dragon shifter Sira until they figure out it’s very much 'requited.' Plus, snowstorm-induced forced proximity! (Open door.) More info →
The Lights on Knockbridge Lane (Garnet Run Book 3)
When Adam’s 8 year old daughter Gus decides all she wants for Christmas is for their house to have the most lights, he has no idea all that will unfurl from there, including starting a relationship with his neighbor Wes. They meet when Gus breaks into Wes’s house to get a better look at the lizards in his lab. Oops. Adam is an emotional sap (relatable) and scared of spiders, whereas Wes loves his tarantula and even has pet raccoons. Plus, he has extreme anxiety around people seeing him so he only leaves his house at night. Adam and Wes have to navigate their differences as the Christmas lights begin to accrue. While this is the third book in the Garnet Run series, you don’t need to have read the other books first. (Open door.) More info →
Party Favors (So Over the Holidays Book 4)
I absolutely love this erotic romance series! Each book is such a delight and this FF New Years Eve installment is no exception. Wren and Amanda’s have been internet friends for the past 5 years when Wren decides Amanda needs to come out for a visit and have a rollicking good time on NYE for once. They complete random, spontaneous 'old year’s resolutions,' which was a nice twist on the concept. Having a great friendship at the foundation empowers them to deal with insecurities and go after their dreams. If you enjoy this one, check out the books for Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Fourth of July. (Open door.) More info →
Eight Secret Nights
Super cute, fluffy Hanukkah romance novella! Mara isn’t sure who’s been leaving Hanukkah presents at her door but it sure would be nice if it was someone she’d be interested in. The secret admirer's identity was pretty obvious but I enjoyed seeing the thoughtful gifts and how everything came together. (Open door.) More info →
Maybe This Christmas
A friends-to-lovers, second chance romance novella that takes place over the course of 10 Christmases. Everything changes when best friends Alex and Lucas kiss the Christmas of their senior year of high school. Each Christmas vignette takes us through their relationship and the years apart, as well as how their respective families change. Some years their friendship is on track. Other years they’re barely speaking. But each Christmas they continue to be in each other’s orbit until they finally get it right. (Open door.) More info →
What are your favorite winter holiday romances? Please tell us all about them in the comments section!
P.S. 112 reader recommendations for festive holiday fiction, Patreon bonus episode 124: Sweet & spicy holiday romance, and Patreon bonus episode #86: A guided tour of the romance genre.
Leigh Kramer is the Editor and Social Media Manager here at MMD. Her go-to genres are romance, fantasy, and YA. You can follow Leigh on Goodreads.
40 comments
It just came out yesterday, so I haven’t read it, but I am looking forward to reading Whiteout by Angie Thomas, Dhoneille Clayton, Nicola Yoon, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfold, and Tiffany D. Jackson. It’s a YA linked-story collection by black authors featuring black teen romances. If it’s anything like their previous collab, Blackout, it’ll be great!
I also enjoyed Jean Meltzer’s “The Matzoh Ball” and Kristen Hannah’s “In a Holidaze”.
*Oops, meant Christina Lauren, not Kristen Hannah!
all the Hanukkah books are now on my kindle 🙂
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
I notice this list has more “open door” than the other two ratings combined. That being said, I do appreciate the rating system; it saves me a lot of time. Anyway, Debbie Macomber’s holiday stories are lovely, often with a miracle/spiritual element that I particularly enjoy. She has several about Mrs. Miracle and a series about a trio of angels, Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, who help folks along their way. I always appreciate your booklists, thanks!
I, too, saw that the majority of the books listed were open door. Thanks for reminding my of Debbie Macomber’s angel books…I think I’m going to re-read them during this holiday season!
I noticed that as well. Some more chaste and/or closed door options would be appreciated!
Yes please!
Chloe Liese’s The Mistletoe Motive
I just discovered Chloe Liese this year – she’s great!
Thanks so much Leigh for so many “new to me” authors.
You’re welcome! I hope you find some new favorites.
I enjoy Courtney Walsh’s books, including her Christmas novels. They are “closed door/chaste”. Her latest is “Merry Ex-Mas” that just came out a couple of weeks ago.
Thanks, Leigh! What fun — I love Christmas books and will check some of these (and the ones in the comments) out. On a separate note, it would be great to say “Lunar New Year” instead of Chinese New Year — I forget sometimes, too, and am trying to remember!
That’s a good note about Lunar New Year! The synopsis lists it as a Chinese New Year romance and the FMC is Chinese so that’s what I went with. I’ll do a little more research to see whether I should update the blurb.
The 12 Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss was very cute. I have a new stack for this year but haven’t read any of them yet.
Don’t miss Lovelight Farms by BK Borison. The entire series is set on a Christmas tree farm and is a delight but book 1 is set at the holidays.
I loved the 12 dates of Christmas too! I’d definitely recommend it.
My favorite holiday romance is Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison. Love the whole series but this one set at Christmas is my favorite!
I also suggest The Matzoh Ball by Jean Meltzer. Despite the title, it is a Chanukah rom com and it’s lots of fun. It came out just in time for last Chanukah!
Claire Kingsley (hands down, my favorite romance author) has a new Christmas book out on Nov 17th! Her books are all open door.
https://smile.amazon.com/How-Grump-Saved-Christmas-Romance-ebook/dp/B0BLDMDYT7
I was coming down here to the comments to mention the same book. I only read it for the first time last year but I can see making a holiday tradition of reading it annually.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison. First in a three-book romance series by the self-published author.
From Goodreads:
…In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, she enters a contest with instafamous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, she might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on the application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only … there is no boyfriend. Enter best friend Luka Peters…
I don’t watch the Hallmark channel and I don’t typically read romances. I am part of a Facebook book club & many members spoke so highly of this book that I broke down and bought it on Amazon. I read it in less than 24 hours. It was so, so good & I am now a little bit of a romance reader. The next two books in the series are just as good.
This post is exactly what I wanted exactly when I wanted it! Thank you!
I’m so glad!
Thank you for clearly marking them as open door, closed door, etc!! Saves times as others have commented. Unlike other commenters, I’m also thankful that there are more open door 😉
You’re welcome! I’ll read any heat level but I prefer open door. Since Anne generally prefers closed door, I wanted to take the opportunity to spice things up in MMD. 😂
I love this post so much, especially the inclusion of so many queer romances. Several of my faves are on here: Knockbridge Lane, Her Naughty Holiday, Eight Cozy Nights and The Naughty List. Other ones I love are Ben’s Bakery and The Hanukkah Miracle by Penelope Peters and The Remaking Of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish. And for me personally, if it’s not open door I feel like why bother!!
I bought Ben’s Bakery and the Hanukkah Miracle a few years ago but I haven’t gotten around to it yet! Fingers crossed this will be the year. The Remaking of Corbin Wale is one of my very favorite Roan books.
Romance is my favorite and I love seeing this list with a holiday theme. I enjoyed a historical romance, A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan. It is a novella part of the Brothers Sinister series which I loved. I read it a while ago but I think it was open door.
Ooh good to know! I’ve read (and loved) the Brothers Sinister series but haven’t gotten around to any of the novellas.
I also would have liked to see more closed door/chaste options, but here are some I’ve enjoyed:
Wrapped Up In Christmas by Janice Lynn
Anything by Amy Clipston. The titles I read were not specifically holiday books, but she has several Christmas titles.
I would love more recommendations of authors who tend to write chaste/closed door novels, doesn’t have to be holiday specific.
I like all the open door options! I recommend The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox. It’s a Hallmark movie in a book! A Will and a Way by Nora Roberts was very cute. Holiday in Death by JD Robb was fun. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas is a favorite, as is A Wallflower Christmas by the same author.
I’m addition to my annual Christmas reading of Little Women, these are some others that I love and return to:
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Christmas Everyday by Beth Moran
Christmas at the Waratah Inn by Lilly Mirren
Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by
Jenny Colgan
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Last Christmas in Paris by a Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
We Met in December by Rosie Curtis
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
The Christmas House by Victoria James
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
As far as I can remember, all of these are chaste or closed door. I look forward to checking out some of the ones you all have shared!
Every year I re-read The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Joanna Boulouri. It’s hilarious and snarky and I adore the central family. It’s set in Scotland and is the fake dating trope. Not 100% closed door, I’d say door slightly ajar, nothing too racy!
Just got the Kindle version! I love hilarious and snarky books.
Ten blind dates by ashley Easton is a sweet YA closed door holiday story with lots of funny family adventures set in Louisiana.
I am presently reading The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole. Only on pg. 15, but funny and seems like an uplifting read. Good storyline.
These comments are so helpful! I read primarily on audio – would love additional Christmas suggestions, any spice level (so many of Leigh’s picks sound delightful but aren’t available on audio).