‘Tis the season for holiday romance.
As soon as the calendar flips to November, it’s time to put away the Halloween romances and start diving into all of the best warm, fuzzy, spicy, and sweet romance novels that take place during the holiday season.
Whether you’re looking for something closed-door or extremely steamy, there’s going to be something out there that just might become your new favorite book. We’re not just talking Christmas, either; there are Hanukkah and Diwali romances, plus sweet books that just happen to take place in snowy weather.
These are just 21 of our favorites.
Right now, Amazon’s audiobook platform is currently offering three months for just $0.99/month, rather than the subscription’s typical one-month free. After three months—in which you’ll get three books for just $3 total—your subscription will revert back to the standard $14.95/month price.
About the book: Charlotte Donovan was ditched at the altar five years ago, but finds herself unexpectedly spending Christmas stuck in the same house with her ex, Brighton Fairbrook. They’re not speaking, but after a few days memories begin to slip through. Is their romance entirely in the past?
Readers are saying: “Have you ever read/listened to a book that was almost too good to continue? Not wanting to go further because that means it’ll eventually have to end and you’re not emotionally equipped to deal with that sort of loss? Well, you’ve found the right book for you!”
Audiobook narrator: Kristin DiMercurio | Run time: 10 hours and 25 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Hannah and Finn spend every Christmas together; her parents died and his family disowned him after he came out, so they spend every Christmas doing some kind of quirky adventure in New York City. Over time, the group expanded to include Priya and Theo and the found family was complete. This year is different, though. Finn announces an upcoming move to LA and is worried he’ll never be able to do anything about his feelings for Theo. Hannah is scared to lose her family as her boyfriend is pushing her toward more commitment. The book asks the question, “Does growing up mean growing apart?”
Our review: This book is so, so special. It has a focus on friendship — but really, what’s more romantic than friendship? As the quote from Carley Fortune on the cover says, this book is what “modern love” is all about. I couldn’t put this book down. I instantly felt so close to Hannah and Finn and was so invested in their friendship as the book moves back and forth in time to show readers how they met, and how others came to join their little club. But rest assured, there is romance, too, and it’s totally swoonworthy. You’ll be rooting for Finn to get his happy ending from the very first page.
Audiobook narrator: André Santana and Brittany Pressley | Run time: 9 hours and 23 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Stella Bloom enters a contest to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was kid. The only problem? She lied on the application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her (nonexistent) boyfriend. Enter Stella’s best friend Luka Peters, who just came home for some hot chocolate and somehow got a farm and a girlfriend in the process.
Readers are saying: “This book was all the things I didn’t know I needed. Just enough conflict to avoid constant anxiety, a beautiful sappy, joyful romance and just the right amount of sexy. This book made me so happy. “
Audiobook narrator: Pippa Jayne | Run time: 10 hours and 15 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
Lovelight series:
About the book: As the only Jewish person on her Vermont town’s tourism board, Abby Cohen is tasked with planning the Hanukkah festival and desperate for support, turns to Seth, the most annoying customer at her café. They broker a deal: Abby will go to Seth’s home in New York City as his pretend girlfriend for Hanukkah and in return Seth will introduce Abby to all of the vendors she’ll need to make her festival a success.
Readers are saying: “Love You A Latke” by Amanda Elliot is an enjoyable, reverse grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, forced proximity, Jewish romcom that is sweet, full of humor, heart, and holiday spirit. It’s a book that will warm you from the inside out, much like the best latkes do.”
Audiobook narrator: Kelli Tager | Run time: 9 hours and 25 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Niki Randhawa always makes practical decisions — she became an analyst instead of an artist, stuck close to family, dated guys who were “good on paper” — but after getting laid off, she throws caution to the wind and books a last-minute flight to India for her friend’s Diya’s wedding, landing just in time to celebrate Diwali. Niki meets musician Sameer Mukherji and is immediately drawn to him, and their attraction deepens at Diya’s wedding. The connection grows even stronger on a group trip, where Sam helps Niki get back in touch with her creative side and her Indian roots. A job offer back home will have Niki deciding what she wants in life — to go back to her practical ways ot take a leap of faith and live a bold life with Sam.
Readers are saying: “It is easy to say that if you like romance books, this will fit easily onto your shelf. It’s pretty typical as far as the genre goes, but I personally liked how inclusive it was. I haven’t read many books with Indian MCs, let alone characters, so I’m really glad I found this one and that it was still a very cute, well written book to read.”
Audiobook narrator: Richa Moorjani | Run time: 7 hours and 12 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Bee Hobbes has a successful career as an adult film star, but when her favorite producer casts her in a squeaky-clean Christmas romance movie, she’s forced to keep her other work under wraps. Bee’s co-star, Nolan Shaw, is a former boy band member (and Bee’s childhood crush!) trying to rehab his image. It’s not long, though, before things hear up between Bee and Nolan when he recognizes her from her… other line of work.
Readers are saying: “When I heard that two of my favorite authors were teaming up, I was downright giddy. I knew this book was going to be something special, and I’m so happy I was right. A plus size confident lead female character? Yes please! Bee was perfectly written, and Nolan? Oh, the way he looks at her is what all us girls wish for in a guy. And of course the spicy parts were spicy goodness. If you love adorable stories with great characters, don’t pass this one up. It’s quickly moved up to one of my favorite reads in a long time.”
Audiobook narrator: Joy Nash and Sebastian York | Run time: 11 hours and 5 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
A Christmas Notch series:
About the book: Vivian Forest is tagging along on her daughter’s work trip to style a member of the royal family, but she isn’t expecting to become instantly attracted to the Queen’s private secretary, Malcolm Hudson. Flirtatious banter turns into a mistletoe kiss and soon Vivian and Malcolm have a full-on fling — with the clock ticking on Vivian’s time in London.
Readers are saying: “I love Jasmine Guillory’s writing. Her lead characters are strong, independent women who are down to earth and very relatable. I love that the book is written from both main character’s perspectives with all the same insecurities and mental dialogue we all have when starting a new relationship. This story with the more mature point of view really hit home for me and was so sweet. Great read!”
Audiobook narrator: Janina Edwards | Run time: 6 hours and 50 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
Wedding Date series:
- “The Wedding Date”
- “The Proposal”
- “The Wedding Party”
- “Royal Holiday”
- “Party of Two”
- “While We Were Dating”
About the book: Patrick Hargrave and Quinn Muller have been married for less than a year, but their passionate romance is cracking under the pressures of domestic life and a cumbersome mortgage. That’s until Christmas Eve when Patrick wakes Quinn up with: “I think I’ve killed a man.”
Quinn realizes the “burglar” Patrick knocked out is none other than Mr. Claus himself. Instructed by a harried elf to don the red suit and take the reins of the reindeer-guided sleigh up on the roof, Quinn and Patrick work together to save Christmas.
Readers are saying: “So wholesome, so heartwarming, so hilarious, so unabashedly queer that it stole my breath – but especially my heart. I was immediately sucked into this very holly jolly modern gay retelling of “The Santa Clause” that updates the Christmas lore in a way I didn’t know I needed. I laughed, I cried, and I didn’t want to leave the North Pole and the titular Merriest Misters. My new favorite Christmas story, and in my opinion one of the best Christmas books ever written.
Thank you very much for the inclusivity and support for queer folk wrapped up in the narrative with sparkly neon ribbon! It’s exactly the kind of thing we all need right now and it’s absolutely in the spirit of Christmas. Which this book oozes so much I can’t believe golden sparkles haven’t spawned from it.”
Audiobook narrator: Mark Sanderlin and Zach Barela | Run time: 10 hours and 7 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Mel and Beat are the adult children of two former rock stars; they team up to reunite their estranged mothers and their band on live TV just in time for Christmas Eve. Mel and Beat are also former friends whose relationship could have been more if not for their mothers’ legendary feud, but as they scheme to reunite the band for one last show, it’s hard to ignore growing attraction toward each other…
Readers are saying: “I loved that both Melody and Beat were able to be themselves around each other in a way they couldn’t be with anyone else. They grew up in a unique environment that not many (if any) other people could fully understand. While there were some difficult family issues dealt with in the book it was overall incredibly sweet and swoonworthy. When I say sweet I don’t mean there’s nothing more than hand-holding in the book…that’s not the Tessa Bailey way, I just mean that the characters were so thoughtful and caring towards each other.”
Audiobook narrator: Brooke Bloomingdale and James Gloucester | Run time: 10 hours and 33 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: To help her twin sons get into the Christmas spirit, Melody Monroe takes over the school’s cookie committee, even if it means dealing with Jonathan Braxton, the infuriating school principal and Melody’s rival in the town-wide bake-off. But, as all great romances do,
Readers are saying: “This was the perfect book to get you in the mood for the holiday. I personally have a thing for baking books, so the Christmas cookie baking competition going on was my favorite part! Also, our FMC is a widow raising her two sons on her own, and she starts developing feelings for their — also single — principal. They are rivals in the cookie wars, and he is winning by a landslide! Her whole family basically bands together to help her try to win the competition. It was so cute and had all the warm and fuzzy feels you look for in a Christmas read. No spice at all. Kind of like a Hallmark movie. It was a little cheesy at times though. Still great to get in the Christmas spirit!”
Audiobook narrator: Eileen Stevens | Run time: 9 hours and 7 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Noelle (a “Christmas-loving ball of chaos”) is financially strapped and using her apartment as an Airbnb over the Christmas holidays, but when she comes down with an illness and can’t go home for Christmas, she’s forced to stay home — with the “neat-freak Scrooge” Kanton, who is renting her apartment. Will the holiday magic fizzle, or will these two spark a connection they didn’t realize they needed?
Readers are saying: “This book was exactly what I was looking for this week. Sweet, heartfelt, and full of cozy Christmas cheer. From the moment they met, the couples tension and banter radiated off the page. I love a FMC who isn’t afraid to speak up about exactly what she wants. Simone and Lewis are tied for my third fave characters. Lewis gave Luke Danes energy in the best way, and Simone is freaking hilarious. “Christmas in Spite of You” is the perfect fun holiday read!”
Audiobook narrator: Ebony Ford and Tony Roberts | Run time: 7 hours and 41 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Ellie Oliver is adrift. One year after a Christmas Eve meet-cute gone wrong, her entire life has changed; losing her job led to her finding work in a coffeeshop. The shop’s landlord, Andrew, proposes a drunken plan to Ellie: if they pretend to be engaged over the Christmas holiday, Andrew will finally get his inheritance and Ellie will get a cut. The only thing Ellie couldn’t plan on? Andrew’s sister is Jack, the girl from Ellie’s Christmas Eve meet-cute one year earlier…
Readers are saying: “Heartwarming and well written novel about growth, honesty, communication, family and unconditional love. This book is a breath of fresh winter air amidst so many dramatic, dishonest and self destructive queer novels. Thank you for creating a beautiful, enthralling and comical place to go for the holidays!
Natalie is a fantastic audiobook narrator. She gives compelling life and body to her characters and this performance is no exception!”
Audiobook narrator: Natalie Naudus | Run time: 10 hours and 38 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: It hasn’t been the most wonderful time of the year for Maelyn Jones, who is about to spend her last Christmas in her favorite place — a snowy cabin in Utah with two other families. As she’s driving away for the last time, she makes a wish: “Please. Show me what will make me happy.” Next thing Mae knows, she’s waking up back inside a plane, beginning the holiday all over again. She has to figure out a way to break out of the time loop and finally meet her true love under the mistletoe.
Readers are saying: “As someone who grew up watching and loving “Groundhog Day,” I was all little apprehensive over whether or not this would live up to my expectations. But phew! It did! It’s a story that makes my inner-romantic’s heart squee, with scenes that really did make me laugh out loud, and parts that made me cringe. Perfect romcom this holiday season. Christina Lauren did a lovely job in creating this beautiful story. In addition, Patti Murin did a great job bringing life to this story and characters.”
Audiobook narrator: Patti Murin | Run time: 7 hours and 40 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt has a secret… she loves Christmas. So much so that she keeps her career as a Christmas romance novelist a secret from her Jewish family. Her publisher is insisting that she writes a Hanukkah romance, and for inspiration, she tries to find her muse at the Matzah Ball even if it means working with her archenemy from summer camp, Jacob Greenberg. As they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah and Jacob in a way she never expected.
Readers are saying: “Jean Meltzer has become one of my favorite authors with her funny, warmhearted novels that feature characters dealing with chronic illnesses. It’s refreshing to see people with health challenges and disabilities represented in romance novels as strong, vibrant characters who live rich, rewarding lives. I also enjoy the Jewish-American settings. I find Meltzer’s books to be wonderfully inclusive, tolerant, and just plain fun to read. I highly recommend her books to readers looking for something different in romance.”
Audiobook narrator: Dara Rosenberg | Run time: 10 hours and 12 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: The Belvedere siblings are not in the holiday spirit. Eldest sister Liz is trying to figure out how to follow up the hit first season of her TV show and deal with her crush on its star, Violet Grace. Middle sister Birdie is facing one-hit wonder status as she spends more time wooing women than working on her stand-up comedy. Baby brother and golden boy Rafi is dealing with heartbreak, proposing to his co-worker girlfriend just to be turned down in front of everyone. Liz, Birdie, and Rafi head up to the Catskills to spend the holiday, work ob themselves, swear off love, and spend time with their mother, who is a famed actress and singer.
Readers are saying: “I love a good holiday romance and with “Most Wonderful” we get three chances at love when we meet the Belvedere siblings Liz, Birdie, and Rafi.
This book was a refreshing change from the usual light and fluffy holiday stories I tend to read. The author did a really good job balancing the happy and cheerful moments while also dealing with some seriously deep issues.
Each sibling has their own romantic subplot, and I found all their stories delightful. I even enjoyed all the love interests as well. This book is perfect if you love holiday stories and even more so if you love holiday stories with some family drama.”
Audiobook narrator: Patti Murin, Kristen Sieh, and Shawn K. Jain | Run time: 12 hours and 31 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: A flirty chance encounter between Murphy and her former classmate Ellie turns out to be just what Murphy needed to break a holding pattern when Murphy finds out Ellie’s mother is the professor who is ready to flunk Murphy for the second semester in a row. They could use each other, they realize, to get what they both want by pretending to date for a holiday weekend at Ellie’s, but fake feelings can become real so quickly…
Readers are saying: “The author did a very good job at weaving real issues that young adults all deal with as they get older into a really warm and engaging love story between Murphy and Ellie. I really enjoyed watching them come to in their own right and what they wanted in life and with each other.”
Audiobook narrator: Allison Grischow | Run time: 9 hours and 11 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: When Trey and Ariel learn that Wonderland, a beloved bookstore owned by Trey’s family, is on the brink of being shut down by a neighborhood gentrifier, they team up to stop the doors from closing before the Christmas Eve deadline—and embark on a hate-to-love journey that will change them forever. Heartwarming and romantic, this story is the gift that keeps on giving, no matter the season.
Readers are saying: “Representation matter and this author nailed it on the head, with this cute-sweet YA Christmas theme romance that takes place in London at an indie black-owned bookstore! I enjoyed this book from start to finish.”
Audiobook narrator: Ben Bailey Smith and Nneka Okoye | Run time: 7 hours and 32 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: The Bromance Book Club is matchmaking again, and this time, they’re pulling out the mistletoe. Country star Colton Wheeler’s “one that got away” is lawyer Gretchen Winthrop, and he’s struggling to push past it. Then, Gretchen comes to Colton with a proposition; she’ll be able to serve a purpose helping the community if she can convince Colton to become the face of her family’s whiskey brand. Colton says… only if she’ll go on three dates with him before Christmas to hopefully be convince that there’s still a spark between them.
Readers are saying: “This is my first ‘Bromance’ book (yes, I know it’s the last one), but I am HOOKED! This was so good! Laugh-out-loud funny, poignant, charming – and sexy fun, to boot. Colton and Gretchen were the perfect reverse-grumpy/sunshine trope, and I found myself smiling along as they fell in love. Learning more about how their past shaped their current actions also gave a depth to this story that’s lacking in so many books. An instant favorite!”
Audiobook narrator: Andrew Eiden | Run time: 9 hours and 41 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
The Bromance Book Club series:
- “The Bromance Book Club”
- “Undercover Bromance”
- “Crazy Stupid Bromance”
- “Isn’t it Bromantic?”
- “A Very Merry Bromance”
About the book: Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt are both mystery/thriller authors who also… happen to hate each other. They both accept a cryptic invitation by one of the biggest authors in the world, Eleanor Ashley, but the next morning, Eleanor is gone — vanished from a locked room. Maggie and Ethan will have to put aside their differences and band together if there’s any hope of saving Eleanor (and who knows, maybe it’ll lead to more?).
Readers are saying: “I am a huge fan of Ally Carter and have read all of her books. I intended to save this book when I got it but ended up listening to it almost right away. I love the humor that she injects into her stories. The mystery of the story and main characters was very engaging and fun. The narrators were very good also.”
Audiobook narrator: Saskia Maarleveld and Zachary Webber | Run time: 8 hours and 21 minutes | Buy in Hardcover | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: As strangers and seatmates Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson fly to Toronto over the holidays—Maryam to her sister’s impromptu wedding, and Anna to meet her boyfriend’s wealthy family for the first time—neither expect that severe turbulence will scare them into confessing their deepest hopes and fears to one another. At least they’ll never see each other again. And the love of Maryam’s life, Saif, wasn’t sitting two rows behind them hearing it all. Oops.
An emergency landing finds Anna, Saif, Maryam, and her sister’s entire bridal party snowbound at the quirky Snow Falls Inn in a picture-perfect town, where fate has Anna’s actor-crush filming a holiday romance. As Maryam finds the courage to open her heart to Saif, and Anna feels the magic of being snowbound with an unexpected new love—both women soon realize there’s no place they’d rather be for the holidays.
Readers are saying: “A favorite new holiday listen. I enjoyed this enough that I may re-listen to it next year. I love the town’s setting, the snow, the characters and towns people. Including the three holidays is great fun and adds to the festivities while also sharing diverse cultural traditions.”
Audiobook narrator: Ulka Simone Mohanty | Run time: 9 hours and 52 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
About the book: Miriam Blum is forced to return home when her great-aunt Cass passes away and leaves her as part-owner of Carrigan’s, a Jewish-run Christmas tree farm. The business is at risk of going under, though, which means Miriam must work with the grumpy farm manager, Noelle Northwood. Sparks are flying even though Noelle wants Miriam gone, but saving Carrigan’s will require trust, love, and risking it all.
Readers are saying: “A brilliant blend of my favorite romance tropes for the holidays written in fresh, nuanced fashion, and beautifully messy love presented with the kind of sweetness that Queer love stories deserve but don’t always get. I could not put this down, not even to drink tea.”
Audiobook narrator: Barrie Kreinik and Emily Lawrence | Run time: 9 hours and 44 minutes | Buy in Paperback | Buy Kindle e-book
Carrigan’s Christmasland series:
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