9 Christmas Romance Books to Read During the Festive Season

Are you a sucker for a Hallmark Christmas film? I certainly am, so in that spirit, here are some heartwarming Christmas romance books to add to your reading list.

Whether you’re cosying up by the fire or looking for an escape from the holiday chaos, these Christmas romance novels should put you in the festive spirit.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using a link, but at no cost to you. I’ve included Amazon links to each recommended book as well as Everand, Spotify, and Bookshop.org where available.

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1. The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Riley Kennedy and her colleague Kennedy Riley have never met in person, despite their emails constantly getting crossed.

That changes at the office Christmas party, where he turns out to be far more charming (and far more handsome) than she expected.

The Christmas Pact is a quick, funny novella built entirely around a fake-dating scheme — Kennedy agrees to pose as Riley’s boyfriend for her family Christmas if she’ll be his date to a wedding. It’s a short read, but it’s a genuinely sweet one.

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2. A Christmas to Remember by Jill Shalvis

This isn’t a single novel but a five-story anthology, each by a different bestselling romance author.

Jill Shalvis’s contribution, “Dream a Little Dream,” reunites former lovers when a firefighter is called to a blaze at his ex’s apartment building.

The other four stories (from Kristen Ashley, Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon, and Marilyn Pappano) each stand alone, so it’s an easy one to dip in and out of if you want a handful of quick Christmas reads rather than committing to a full novel.

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3. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

Gaby Summerhill’s four adult children have drifted apart in the years since their father died, and haven’t spent a Christmas together since.

That changes when Gaby announces she’s getting remarried, but refuses to reveal who the groom is until the big day.

The Christmas Wedding is more family drama than thriller, despite Patterson’s usual reputation; it’s really about a mother trying to bring her children back together, with one final surprise in store for them.

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4. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Maelyn Jones is dreading the fact that this is the last Christmas her family will spend at their beloved Utah cabin.

After a disastrous goodbye and a desperate wish to the universe, she finds herself reliving the same holiday over and over.

Each time round is a chance to get things right, and In a Holidaze has real charm in how it handles the repetition without ever feeling stale — funny, a little chaotic, and properly festive.

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5. Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan

Set on the remote (fictional) Scottish island of Mure, this one follows new mother Flora MacKenzie and her brother Fintan as they race to get a new hotel ready before Christmas.

Along the way, waitress-turned-hotel-worker Isla strikes up an unlikely friendship with Konstantin, who’s secretly the son of a duke.

Christmas at the Island Hotel is classic Colgan: cosy, a little chaotic, and full of Scottish island charm.

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6. One Day in December by Josie Silver

Not strictly a single-Christmas story, One Day in December follows Laurie and Jack across several years after a fleeting, unforgettable moment on a London bus one December.

Their timing is never quite right, which is really the whole point — this is a slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they that unfolds over years rather than weeks, making it a satisfying read if you like your romances with a longer arc.

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7. A Christmas Wish by Tilly Tennant

A woman returns to her hometown for the holidays and finds herself reconnecting with an old flame in The Christmas Wish.

As she gets swept up in the town’s Christmas celebrations, she has to decide what she actually wants from her life, and who she wants in it. A gentle, easy read if you’re after something low-stakes and cosy.

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8. Happily This Christmas: A Holiday Romance Novel by Susan Mallery

Wynn Beauchene, a single mum with a quiet crush on her neighbour, ends up spending far more time with local cop Garrick McCabe than she expected when he asks for her help preparing his home for his estranged daughter’s Christmas visit.

As the holidays bring them closer, Happily This Christmas has both of them confronting their own pasts before they can properly move forward together.

“Love heals. Love makes us better than we ever thought we could be. Loving someone, the act of loving, is a generous gift.”

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9. Christmas in the Snow by Karen Swan

Art consultant Allegra travels to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps to secure a business deal, only to discover a decades-old mountain hut uncovered in the snow, and a connection to her own family’s past that she never expected.

Christmas in the Snow blends romance with a proper mystery at its core, and the Alpine setting does a lot of heavy lifting — it’s an atmospheric, twisty read rather than a straightforward love story.

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More Christmas Romance Books

Whether you’re after something sweet or something a bit funnier, these Christmas books should warm your heart this holiday season.

If you’re after a gift idea, why not stick one in your loved one’s stocking this year, or put together your own book advent calendar?

Got a Christmas romance you think I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments.

Happy reading!

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More Fantastic Books & Where to Find Them

For more of what to read where, check out my full Travel Books Guide, filled with book recommendations for different destinations, the most beautiful bookstores around the world, tips on how to get the best deals on audiobooks and e-books, as well as more literary travel.