11 Holiday Romances to Read this Winter

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Quick Take: Eleven books to read this winter, including four new holiday romances I’ve hauled and some old favourites featuring a few grumpy Heroes.

This post combines a book haul with a holiday recommendation list since I’ve only recently hauled four Christmas romances. I haven’t done a single book haul in 2022, so I thought publishing at least one before the year was over would be a good idea. My last book haul was posted almost a full year ago on November 30th, My Hiemal Book Haul. I lucked out that the Holiday Season is right around the corner, and I decided to purchase some holiday romances!

For those new to my blog, the colours for each image signifies the book’s status: โค๏ธ TBR | ๐Ÿ’– Want-to-Read | ๐Ÿ’š Read | ๐Ÿ’™ Reviewed on my blog.

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Star-crossed lovers
๐Ÿท Closed-door romance
๐Ÿท Librarian Heroine
๐Ÿท Magical Realism

I wanted a book that captured the magic and wholesomeness of Christmas movies this holiday season. Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert follows Astera and Jack, who meet at the Julemarked, a magical market which visitors forget about once leaving.

Astra is reeling from a recent divorce, and Jack doesn’t leave the market since he’s one of the shop proprietors. But, their whirlwind meet-cute has them questioning whether their romance could last outside the Julemarked.

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
A one-of-a-kind Christmas market offers holiday magic in the new romance from the author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty–it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery.

For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley.

After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa.

All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox

I am a bit stressed that All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox has such a low Goodreads rating. However, the premise sounds so fun! The protagonists, Sadie and Max, compete on a reality singing show similar to American Idol. After they’re paired up for duet week, they realize making it to the finals requires them to fake a relationship… too bad they can’t stand each other.

While the premise sounds light-hearted, the book’s latter half explores serious topics such as grief, alcoholism and parental abandonment. With this realization, I’ve adjusted my expectations accordingly and might approach the book as contemporary fiction with a splash of romance to keep my expectations in check. ๐Ÿ˜…

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
True love wasn’t on their holiday wish list.

When Sadie and Max are selected as contestants on the famed reality singing show Starmaker, each thinks they’ve finally gotten their big Nashville break. But then they’re paired up for duet week and stun the world with their romantic onstage chemistry. With fans going wild for #Saxie the network demands that they remain a duo on and offstage, or exit the competition. Faking a relationship until their final performance in the Starmaker holiday special shouldn’t be too hard, except for one small problem–Sadie and Max can’t stand each other.

But with their dreams just within reach, they agree to the ruse. Will their fake relationship be exposed before they can win? Or will an unexpected trip to Banff spark real feelings by the Christmas finale?

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Fake dating
๐Ÿท Enemies to Lovers
๐Ÿท Grumpy-sunshine
๐Ÿท Hard-hitting topics

So This Is Christmas by Jenny Holiday

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Slow-burn romance
๐Ÿท Opposites-attract romance
๐Ÿท No strings to rings
๐Ÿท Grumpy-grumpy

I read the first book in this series, A Princess for Christmas, back in December 2020. You can read my review here. I enjoyed how realistic โ€“ and unromantic โ€“ the monarchy aspect was but was a bit put off by the formal writing.

However, the premise of So This Is Christmas sounds too fun to resist. Matteo, the king’s advisor, is quick to butt heads with the new financial consultant, Cara, from New York City, who is tasked with modernizing Eldovia’s dying luxury watch empire. Despite their differences of opinion on the best way to revitalize Eldovia’s economy, the more these two workaholics work together, the more they appreciate each other’s talent and perspectives.

The holidays are never complete without the staple royalty romance. I love that So This Is Christmas focuses on two highly accomplished people who work for a monarchy rather than being royalty themselves. However, I’ll note that most reviewers have mentioned this book is a sloooowww burn, and the plot is very focused on the protagonists’ jobs.

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Matteo Benz has spent his life serving at the pleasure of the Eldovian crown. His work is his life and his life, well…he doesn’t have much of one. When he is tasked to aid a management consultant who has been flown in to help straighten out the king’s affairs, he is instantly disturbed by her brash American manner–as well by an inconvenient attraction to the brainy beauty.

Cara Delaney is in Eldovia to help clean up the king’s financial affairs, but soon finds herself at odds with the very proper Mr. Benz. As intrigued by his good looks as she is annoyed by his dedication to tradition for its own sake, she slowly begins to see the real man behind the royal throne.

As they work together to return Eldovia to its former glory during the country’s magical Christmas season, Matteo discovers he is falling hopelessly in love with the unconventional American. But a man who has devoted his life to tradition doesn’t change easily. Can he become the man Cara needs, or will their love be another sacrifice to the crown?

Christmas at Silver Falls by Jenny Hale

I decided to buy Christmas at Silver Falls by Jenny Hale after watching Carmen, from Carmen GilFraguada, Christmas reading vlog (watch here), where she raved about its Christmas vibes.

The book follows Scarlett as she tries to save her grandmother’s beloved Inn. This leads Scarlett to Charlie, a property developer, also staying in Silver Falls. As Scarlett tries to convince Charlie to invest in her family Inn, sparks start to fly between the two very different characters.

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
White Oaks Inn has always been at the heart of Christmas celebrations for Scarlett Bailey and her family. Her adored gran has owned the rambling, old-fashioned hotel, filled with the scent of cinnamon and chocolate, since Scarlett was a little girl. But now her granโ€™s home is under threat. And it looks like it could be the Baileysโ€™ last Christmas together thereโ€ฆ

Over the holiday season, amidst much-loved festive traditions of baking cookies and decorating the tree, Scarlett throws herself into saving the hotel. When she hears that Charlie Bryant, a handsome, successful property developer, is spending December in Silver Falls, Scarlett is hopeful he might be the answer to their problems.

When they meet, sparks fly between impulsive Scarlett and business-like Charlie โ€“ as they both have very different ideas for the future of White Oaks. Scarlett is determined to show him how much White Oaks Inn means to her family and the guests who return there every year and, as they spend more time together, she begins to realize there is more to Charlie than his serious appearanceโ€ฆ

But Charlie is struggling with a secret from his own past. Will he be able to face it, or will it stop him from truly opening up and getting close to anyone? And can Scarlett share the true meaning of Christmas with him and save her granโ€™s beloved hotel along the way

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Small-town romance
๐Ÿท Friends to Lovers
๐Ÿท Eclectic cast of characters
๐Ÿท Extremely Hallmark-y
๏ปฟ

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Workplace romance
๐Ÿท Forced proximity (co-stars)
๐Ÿท Bisexual protagonists
๐Ÿท Mutal crushing before meeting

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone sounds like the perfect spicy Hallmark-esque read. The book follows Bianca and Nolan, who have been hired as the leads for a Hallmark-like Christmas movie. Consequently, Bianca has to keep her successful career as a plus-size adult film star a secret. Of course, her co-star Nolan, an ex-boy band member desperately in need of some stable income, not only recognizes her but is a member of her ClosedDoors (think OnlyFans) account.

Bianca and Nolan need this job, but their chemistry quickly finds them enmeshed in a secret relationship. Can they keep their relationship under wraps from the execs, their managers, … oh and the report sneaking around set long enough to finish this movie?

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldnโ€™t ask for more. But when Beeโ€™s favorite producer casts her to star in a Christmas movie heโ€™s making for the squeaky-clean Hope Channel, Beeโ€™s career is about to take a more family-friendly direction.

Forced to keep her work as Bianca under wraps, Bee quickly learns this is a task a lot easier said than done. Though it all becomes worthwhile when she discovers her co-star is none other than childhood crush Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Nolanโ€™s promised his bulldog manager to keep it zipped up on set, and he will if it means heโ€™ll be able to provide a more stable living situation for his sister and mom.

But things heat up quickly in Christmas Notch, Vermont, when Nolan recognizes his new co-star from her ClosedDoors account (oh yeah, heโ€™s a member). Now Bee and Nolan are sneaking off for quickies on set, keeping their new relationship a secret from the Hope Channelโ€™s execs. Things only get trickier when the reporter who torpedoed Nolanโ€™s singing career comes snooping aroundโ€”and takes an instant interest in mysterious newcomer Bee.

And if Bee and Nolan canโ€™t keep their off-camera romance behind the scenes, then this merry little meet cute might end up on the cutting room floor.

There’s Something About Merry by Codi Hall

I found There’s Something About Merry by Codi Hall while watching Booktube and instantly added it to my want-to-read list once I found out it’s an opposites-attract romance and the Hero is a single dad. ๐Ÿ˜…

The book also has You’ve Got Mail vibes. While Merry and Clark had a less-than-sweet meet cute, they’ve unknowingly been hitting it off on a dating app. But what happens when they realize the person they couldn’t stand is also the person they can’t stop thinking about?

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Merry Winters has the holiday blues. She’s spent the last year learning to love herself, and now she’s ready to find the right guy. But the pickings are slim in Mistletoe, Idaho, and itโ€™s just her luck that the man who catches her eye is the stoic new foreman at her familyโ€™s Christmas tree farm. Too bad he wants to keep a 39-and-a-half-foot pole between them.

Single dad Clark Griffin isn’t looking for romance, but he wouldn’t mind a friend to snuggle with on a cold winter’s night. When he signs up for online dating, he doesn’t expect to connect with the sassy, crafty Knottygirl25 and get wrapped up in every message she writes.

But when Merry turns out to be his blind internet date, his surprise causes him to miss his chance under the mistletoe. Can a little Christmas magic give these two a second chance at a first impression?

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Small-town romance
๐Ÿท Slow-burn romance
๐Ÿท Frenemies to Lovers-lite
๐Ÿท Single dad

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Slowish-burn romance
๐Ÿท Childhood friends to more
๐Ÿท Mutual pining
๐Ÿท Groundhog Day-like time loop

I’ve had In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren on my Up Next Shelf since last Christmas but decided to save it for this holiday season.

The book follows Mae after her worst Christmas yet: she has a dead-end job, lives with her parents, confesses her unrequited love, and just finishes her last Christmas at her favourite place in the world. But, after a car accident on the way home, she wakes up with the opportunity of a do-over. In a Groundhound Day manner, Mae gets to relive her Christmas holiday. As she figures out how to break the time loop, she gets to fix her mistakes, confront her insecurities and maybe even find true love.

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Itโ€™s the most wonderful time of the yearโ€ฆbut not for Maelyn Jones. Sheโ€™s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the worldโ€”the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awakeโ€ฆsheโ€™s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loopโ€”and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Laurenโ€™s trademark hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey

I love Tessa Bailey romances! Her books are the perfect blend of sweet romance with lots of steam. I rated Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey 4-stars. I particularly enjoyed how Window Shopping flips the grumpy-sunshine narrative by making the Heroine, Stella, the grump in the relationship.

Having just been released from prison, Stella is busy critiquing the luxury Vivant department store window dressing when Aiden asks Stella her opinion. Low-and-behold Aiden is the sunshine owner and manager of Vivant and hires Stella to revamp the window dรฉcor, despite her criminal history. Excited and stupefied that she’s been hired to do her dream job, Stella is thankful to get her life back on track. If only she could stop thinking about how hot and sweet her new boss is.

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan, shop windows are decorated in red and green satin.
I’m standing alone in front of the famous Vivant department store, when a charming man named Aiden asks my opinion of the dรฉcor.

It’s a tragedy in tinsel, I say, unable to lie.
He asks for a better idea with a twinkle in his eye.
Did I know he owned the place? No. He put me on the spot.
Now I’m working for that man, trying to ignore that he’s hot.
But as a down on her luck girl with a difficult past, I know an opportunity when I see oneโ€”and I have to make it last.

I’ll put my heart and soul into dressing his holiday windows.
I’ll work without stopping. And when we lose the battle with temptation, I’ll try and remember I’m just window shopping.

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Workplace romance
๐Ÿท Forbidden romance
๐Ÿท Grumpy-sunshine (where the Heroine is the grump)
๐Ÿท Insta-lust

The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Small-town romance
๐Ÿท Enemies to lovers
๐Ÿท Single dad
๐Ÿท Celebrity Heroine

If you love small-town romances and HGTV (home improvement reality TV), you’ll love The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score. The book follows renovation expert and reality TV star Catalina as she leverages her home improvement TV show to revitalize the town of Merry after a hurricane and in time for Christmas. Of course, the grumpy mayor of Merry, Noah, gets the wrong idea about Cat. What results are two strong personalities clashing as they try to save Christmas for the town of Merry.

I rated The Christmas Fix 4-stars and loved the opposites-attract romance between Cat and Noah. There are some misunderstandings, but the small-town Christmas vibes were so cute.

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
She’ll save Christmas just to spite him…

When a late season hurricane hits Merry, Connecticut, city manager and single dad Noah Yates has to inform the already devastated residents that there won’t be a Christmas Festival this year. No festival means no tourism dollars. A disaster of epic proportions for his hometown.

But when home renovation expert slash smoking hot reality TV star Catalina King shows up with a camera crew and a budget big enough to put the town back together again, Noah balks. Hard. The last time Cat was in town she stirred up trouble everywhere she went. (Residents are still talking about the town’s first and only bar fight.) Noah doesn’t need a TV diva capitalizing on his town’s tragedy or filling his daughter’s head with glitz and glam.

Cat is ready and willing to put Merry back in Christmas mode with a holiday special that will leave everyone believing in miracles and get her friends back in the home they love. But there’s one big problem standing in her way. And his name is Noah Yates. He’s wrong about her and she can’t wait to prove it. Ring those jingle bells because it’s on.

The Wedding Night by Kati Wilde

This book is one of my favourite holiday romances! I rated The Wedding Night by Kati Wilde 4.25-stars, and you can read my review here. The book follows Caleb, a mechanic set to inherit a fortune from his deadbeat paternal family, and Audrey, a business mogul. Caleb proposes a marriage of convenience where he uses Audrey’s money to hire a legal team to defend his inheritance from his greedy family, and Audrey gets dibs on the family land he wants to sell. However, neither imagined that their chemistry would burn so hot or they would have anything in common, given they were raised on opposite sides of the tracks.

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
When an opportunity to take everything from the powerful family who destroyed his motherโ€™s life falls into Caleb Mooreโ€™s lap, he needs help from the one person with more power and money than they have โ€” business mogul, Audrey Clarke. The trick is getting her attention. So he approaches the infamous ice queen with an unusual proposition: marriage.

The odds of a snowball surviving in hell are better than the chances of a rich, classy lady like Audrey Clarke marrying a mechanic from the wrong side of the tracks. He only hopes that she might consider a business partnership when sheโ€™s finished laughing at his marriage proposal.

He never expects her to say yes โ€” or that the ice queen could burn so hot. Because Audrey Clarke isnโ€™t cold at all. And if Calebโ€™s not careful, the only thing heโ€™ll give her for Christmasโ€ฆis a broken heart.

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Opposites-attract romance
๐Ÿท Fake Engagement
๐Ÿท Ice Queen and the Mechanic
๐Ÿท Billionaire Heroine

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler

Goodreads โœท The StoryGraph

Themes:
๐Ÿท Small-town romance
๐Ÿท Slow-burn romance
๐Ÿท Billionaire Heroine
๐Ÿท Soft Hero

I adored this book so much when I read it in December 2020 that I gave it 5-stars! You can read my review of Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler here.

The book follows Lana, a real estate developer, as she tries to revitalize Moose Spring’s tourism economy by building a luxury vacation condo. Of course, the townsfolk are against her plans and equate Lana to the Grinch who stole Christmas. Rick, the Hero, is the soft Hero of this story and has had it bad for Lana. What starts out as a holiday fling quickly turns into a desire for more on both their parts, but how can their relationship last when Lana’s job requires her to live out of a suitcase right now?

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
How the moose (almost) stole Christmas.

Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can’t stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana’s determined to prove that she belongs…even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town’s hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.

And really…how hard could it be?

The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it’s not getting any easier now that his dream girl’s back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it’s clear she needs help, fast…and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It’s an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong…together.

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