10 Holiday Romances That Spark Joy
- Joao Nsita
- Oct 9
- 17 min read
It’s a Wednesday afternoon in mid-September, and a new, more intimate energy is beginning to thread its way through London. The sun, while still warm, is casting longer shadows, and the first crisp edge in the evening air is a gentle but firm invitation to embrace the cozy season to come. As we trade our summer linens for chunky knits and our iced teas for steaming mugs of something spiced, our reading tastes begin to shift. We find ourselves craving stories that are imbued with warmth, magic, and the heart-swelling, hopeful spirit of the holiday season. It is, in every sense, the beginning of holiday romance season.
The holiday romance is a genre that has exploded in popularity, becoming a cherished and essential part of the festive tradition for millions of readers. On platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, the "#ChristmasRomance" and "#CozyBooks" hashtags are a dominant force, a glittering, global celebration of all things festive and romantic. We see readers showcasing their "TBR" (To Be Read) stacks against backdrops of twinkling fairy lights, sharing their emotional reactions to heartwarming "Hallmark movie" moments, and passionately debating their favourite holiday tropes, from fake dating under the mistletoe to snowed-in encounters with a grumpy hero. The trend is clear: we are all desperately in search of stories that spark joy.
This is your definitive, in-depth guide to the ultimate holiday reading list. We have curated a list of ten of the most enchanting, heartwarming, and utterly binge-worthy holiday romances, presented in descending order. These are the books that perfectly capture the magic of the season, the stories that feel like a warm, crackling fire and a cup of hot cocoa for the soul. We will take a deep dive into each of these festive treasures, exploring the beloved tropes, the unforgettable characters, and the unique, sparkling joy that makes each one a must-read.
From the charming small towns and their quirky traditions to the high-stakes, high-heat encounters that melt the winter frost, these are the ten books that will have you believing in the magic of the holidays. So, get your coziest blanket ready, and prepare to fall in love.
Enjoyed what you read? If you find this article insightful and it helps you discover your next great read, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth literary content. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!
10. Duke for December by Amalie Howard
The Vibe: A deliciously witty, incredibly steamy, and wonderfully festive historical romance that is a perfect, Regency-era treat for the holiday season.
The Premise: This is a classic, beloved trope executed to perfection: a "Taming of the Shrew"-style enemies-to-lovers romance set during a Christmastide house party. Our heroine is a fiercely independent and "unmarriageable" lady who would rather be anywhere else. Our hero is a stern, proper Duke who is determined to bring a bit of order to the festive chaos. When they are forced into close proximity by a snowstorm and a series of holiday shenanigans, their witty sparring matches and simmering tension inevitably ignite into a passionate, and very forbidden, affair.
Why It Sparks Joy: Amalie Howard is a master of the modern historical romance, and this book promises to be a perfect, sparkling addition to her catalogue. The "house party" setting is a classic for a reason; it creates a wonderfully claustrophobic and romantic atmosphere. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic, particularly in a historical context with its strict rules of propriety, is a recipe for incredible romantic tension. This is the kind of book that offers pure, indulgent escapism into a world of glittering ballrooms, snowy landscapes, and a love story that is as smart as it is sexy.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: The book is a perfect blend of a classic, cozy Christmas setting and a modern, feminist sensibility. It’s a story that will appeal to fans of Bridgerton and anyone who loves a sharp, witty, and unapologetically steamy historical romance. For more on the author's incredible body of work, you can visit the official Amalie Howard website. The book's complex and often fiery relationship is a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 7 Best Movies About Toxic Relationships.
Where to Buy: You can purchase Duke for December and other books by Amalie Howard on Amazon.
9. One Day in December by Josie Silver
The Vibe: A sweeping, poignant, and deeply romantic "what if" story that spans a decade of friendship, heartbreak, and missed connections, all kicked off by a single, magical moment at a bus stop.
The Premise: Laurie is on a bus in London one snowy day in December when she looks out the window and locks eyes with a man at a bus stop. It is a moment of pure, instantaneous, love-at-first-sight magic. But the bus pulls away, and for the next year, Laurie scans every bus stop and every crowded street in London for her "bus boy," with no luck. Then, at a Christmas party, her best friend and flatmate, Sarah, introduces her to her new boyfriend. And it's him. What follows is a ten-year journey of friendship, longing, and secrets, as Laurie and Jack navigate their undeniable connection while trying to be loyal to the person they both love.
Why It Sparks Joy: This book is a true emotional rollercoaster, and it is the perfect read for those who love a romance with a bit more depth and angst. It’s a story that beautifully captures the magic and the melancholy of the holiday season in London. The "missed connection" and "right person, wrong time" tropes are executed with a stunning, heartbreaking realism. It is a book that is not just about romantic love, but also about the profound, enduring power of female friendship.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: One Day in December is a modern classic of the genre, a book that has become a perennial re-read for thousands of fans. It’s a story that will make you cry, it will make you swoon, and it will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. It’s a perfect, contemplative read for a quiet winter's night. The show’s complex romantic dynamics are a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 7 Best Love Triangle Movies of All Time. For a deep dive into the book's enduring popularity, the Goodreads page is filled with thousands of passionate reviews.
Where to Buy: You can purchase One Day in December by Josie Silver on Amazon.
8. The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese
The Vibe: A wonderfully nerdy, deeply heartfelt, and incredibly cozy "enemies-to-lovers" romance set in a charming independent bookstore. It’s a modern love letter to classic rom-coms like You've Got Mail.
The Premise: Gabriella Di Natale loves Christmas, and she loves her job at Bailey's Bookshop. The only thing she doesn't love is her grumpy, and admittedly handsome, co-worker, Jonathan Frost, who is a veritable Scrooge. They have nothing in common, except for a shared passion for the bookstore. When the store's owners announce that, due to financial struggles, one of them will have to be let go in the new year, they strike a deal: whoever has the highest sales in December gets to keep their job. What follows is a festive and hilarious battle of wills, all while Gabby is unknowingly falling for her anonymous, online pen-pal, who is her one true confidante.
Why It Sparks Joy: This novella is a pure, unadulterated dose of cozy, bookish charm. Chloe Liese is known for her brilliant, neurodiverse characters and her incredibly witty banter, and this book is a perfect example of her talent. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is executed to perfection, and the bookstore setting is the ultimate cozy fantasy for any reader. The anonymous online pen-pal subplot is a brilliant, modern nod to classic rom-coms and adds a layer of delicious, dramatic irony.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: This is a story that is a true celebration of all things cozy: books, Christmas, and finding your person in the most unexpected of places. It’s a heartwarming, funny, and deeply romantic read that is perfect for a single afternoon. For more on the author's wonderful, inclusive romances, the Chloe Liese official website is a great resource. The show’s focus on a powerful romance is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 5 Best Romantic Movies of All Time.
Where to Buy: You can purchase The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese on Amazon.
7. A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
The Vibe: A hilarious, subversive, and incredibly spicy holiday rom-com that gleefully turns the wholesome, "Hallmark movie" genre on its head.
The Premise: Bee Hobbes is a successful and beloved plus-size adult film star who goes by the name Bianca Von Honey. When she is semi-accidentally cast as the lead in a squeaky-clean, family-friendly Christmas movie for the Hope Channel, she must keep her day job a secret. Her world is thrown into chaos when she discovers her co-star is her childhood crush, the former bad-boy pop star, Nolan Shaw, who is in desperate need of a career rehabilitation. Things get even more complicated when Nolan, a secret fan of Bianca Von Honey's work, recognizes her immediately, leading to a secret, high-heat, on-set romance that could torpedo both their careers.
Why It Sparks Joy: This book is an absolute riot. It is a brilliant, laugh-out-loud funny, and incredibly smart satire of the often-ridiculous tropes of the made-for-TV Christmas movie. But it is also a wonderfully sex-positive and body-positive romance with a huge amount of heart. The chemistry between Bee and Nolan is electric, and their story is a powerful and surprisingly sweet exploration of second chances and what it means to be your authentic self.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: The collaboration between the YA superstar Julie Murphy and the spicy romance queen Sierra Simone is a match made in heaven. The book is a perfect blend of sweet and steamy, a holiday romance that is both naughty and incredibly nice. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a traditional rom-com but wishes it had a whole lot more spice. This kind of bold, genre-defining work is always exciting, a quality it shares with the films on our list of The Top 5 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time.
Where to Buy: You can purchase A Merry Little Meet Cute on Amazon.
6. Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
The Vibe: A chaotic, hilarious, and unapologetically steamy rock-and-roll romance about two people forced to wrangle their diva rock-star mothers for a Christmas reunion concert.
The Premise: This standalone holiday rom-com from the undisputed queen of spice, Tessa Bailey, follows the adult children of two former, legendary rock stars who famously broke up their band in a blaze of glory. Melody Gallard, the daughter of one of the rock stars, is a quiet, bookish woman who wants nothing to do with the limelight. Beat Dawkins, the son of the lead singer, is a charming and camera-ready reality TV star. The two are forced to team up on a madcap, cross-country mission to convince their estranged and eccentric mothers to reunite for one last, televised Christmas Eve concert.
Why It Sparks Joy: This book is pure, chaotic, and hilarious fun. Tessa Bailey is known for her signature blend of laugh-out-loud humour and incredibly high heat, and this book delivers in spades. The "forced proximity" of a road trip and the "opposites attract" dynamic between the shy, intellectual Melody and the outgoing, charismatic Beat is a recipe for incredible romantic tension. The book is a wild, fun, and incredibly sexy ride.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: The book is a fantastic, unconventional holiday romance that is more about the chaos of family and the thrill of a new romance than it is about cozy, traditional Christmas cheer. It’s a perfect read for those who like their holiday stories with a bit of an edge and a whole lot of spice. The show’s complex heroes are a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 5 Favorite Movie Anti-Heroes of All Time.
Where to Buy: You can purchase Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey on Amazon.
5. The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
The Vibe: A charming, delightful, and wonderfully cozy romance that is a perfect, modern homage to the classic movie The Parent Trap, but with a festive, foodie twist.
The Premise: The story follows identical twin sisters, Charlie and Cass. Charlie is a high-flying chef and the star of a reality baking show in Los Angeles. Cass lives a quiet life, running the family's beloved bakery in their charming, snowy hometown. When a head injury leaves Charlie without her sense of taste or smell just days before her show's holiday finale, she begs Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. The sisters embark on a two-week identity swap, which becomes hilariously complicated when they each find themselves falling for a handsome local man who has no idea who they really are.
Why It Sparks Joy: This book is a pure, unadulterated delight. It’s a charming, low-stakes, and incredibly heartwarming story that is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face. The "twin swap" trope is a classic for a reason, and the book uses it to create a series of fun, romantic, and comedic mishaps. The small-town, bakery setting is the ultimate cozy fantasy, and the book is filled with delicious, mouth-watering descriptions of festive treats. For more on the magic of a good comfort watch, check out our list of 12 Binge-Watchable TV Shows for Cozy Winter Nights.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: The book is a perfect, modern, feel-good holiday romance. It’s a story about family, about finding the courage to change your life, and about the magic of a small-town Christmas. It is, quite simply, a perfect, cozy read. The show’s focus on a powerful family is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Family Movies of All Time.
Where to Buy: You can purchase The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox on Amazon.
4. The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score
The Vibe: A classic, heartwarming, and incredibly satisfying "grumpy-sunshine" romance set in a small town that is in desperate need of a Christmas miracle.
The Premise: The story is set in the charming, Christmas-obsessed small town of Merry, Connecticut. When a late-season hurricane devastates the town, it threatens to cancel their beloved, and economically vital, annual Christmas Festival. Enter Catalina King, a reality TV home-renovation star who, along with her show's big budget and her can-do attitude, is determined to save the town and "fix" Christmas. Her only obstacle is the grumpy, cynical, and incredibly handsome town manager, Noah Yates, a single dad who thinks she is just there to exploit his town’s misfortune for ratings.
Why It Sparks Joy: Lucy Score is a master of the small-town romance, and this book is a perfect example of her incredible talent. The "enemies-to-lovers" and "grumpy-sunshine" dynamics are executed to perfection, with a slow burn that is filled with witty banter and a huge amount of heart. The book is a beautiful and powerful celebration of community, as the entire town comes together to save their home.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: This book is the literary equivalent of a perfect Hallmark Christmas movie, but with the added bonus of Lucy Score's signature wit and steam. It is a story that is brimming with festive cheer, with a powerful sense of community, and with a deeply satisfying and heartwarming central romance. For more on the author's work, the Lucy Score website is a great resource.
Where to Buy: You can purchase The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score on Amazon.
3. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
The Vibe: A magical, charming, and wonderfully inventive holiday romance that is a perfect blend of Groundhog Day and a classic, feel-good Christmas movie.
The Premise: This book, from the beloved romance-writing duo Christina Lauren, follows Maelyn Jones. She is in her mid-twenties, living with her parents, hating her dead-end job, and has just made a romantic mistake of epic proportions. To make matters worse, this is the last Christmas that her family and their lifelong family friends will be spending together at their beloved, snowy cabin in Utah. As she is driving away from the cabin for the final time, she makes a simple plea to the universe: "Please. Show me what will make me happy." The next thing she knows, she is waking up on the plane, at the beginning of the holiday all over again, trapped in a time loop.
Why It Sparks Joy: This book is a pure, unadulterated, joyful delight. The "time loop" premise is a brilliant and incredibly fun device that allows for a series of hilarious mishaps and romantic do-overs. The book is a beautiful celebration of found family and the magic of Christmas traditions. The central, friends-to-lovers romance is a slow-burn, incredibly satisfying journey that will have you rooting for the main characters from the very first page.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: Christina Lauren are masters of the modern rom-com, and this is one of their absolute best. It’s a book that is funny, clever, sexy, and so full of holiday cheer that it’s almost impossible to read it without a huge smile on your face. It is a perfect, magical, and unforgettable holiday read. The show’s focus on a powerful found family is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies With An Ensemble Cast.
Where to Buy: You can purchase In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren on Amazon.
2. Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
The Vibe: A surprisingly sweet, incredibly steamy, and wonderfully unconventional holiday romance about second chances and finding your place in the world.
The Premise: This standalone holiday novel from the "queen of spice," Tessa Bailey, follows Stella, a determined young woman who has just been released from prison and is struggling to find her footing. In a moment of whimsy, she is re-arranging a terrible Christmas window display at a fancy Fifth Avenue department store when she is caught by the store’s handsome and incredibly kind-hearted manager, Aiden. Instead of calling security, he offers her a job as the store’s new window dresser. What follows is a beautiful and steamy reverse-grumpy-sunshine romance between the cynical, guarded Stella and the endlessly optimistic and supportive Aiden.
Why It Sparks Joy: This book is a wonderful and powerful subversion of the typical holiday romance. It’s a story about a "heroine in need of a second chance," a theme that is handled with a huge amount of sensitivity and heart. The chemistry between Stella and Aiden is absolutely electric, and their story is a beautiful testament to the power of kindness and believing in someone when no one else will. It is a book that is both incredibly sexy and deeply, profoundly romantic.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: This is a holiday romance with real depth and substance. It’s a story about redemption, about found family, and about the courage it takes to build a new life for yourself. It is a perfect blend of Tessa Bailey's signature high heat and a huge amount of genuine, heartfelt emotion. The show’s complex hero is a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Comedies With a Flawed But Lovable Protagonist. For more on the author's work, Tessa Bailey's official website is a great resource.
Where to Buy: You can purchase Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey on Amazon.
1. Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
The Vibe: The ultimate, quintessential, cozy holiday romance. It is a warm, sweet, and incredibly charming "friends-to-lovers" story set on a magical Christmas tree farm.
The Premise: Luka is the proud owner of Lovelight Farms, a charming but financially struggling Christmas tree farm in the idyllic small town of Inglewild. In a moment of desperation to win a social media contest that could save her business, she tells the organizers that she runs the farm with her handsome, loving boyfriend. The only problem? He doesn’t exist. She ropes her best friend, the charming and dependable Beckett, into playing the part for the duration of the contest. What she doesn't know is that Beckett has been secretly in love with her for years, and this fake dating scheme is both a dream come true and a special kind of torture.
Why It's at the Top: Lovelight Farms is number one on this list because it is the perfect, platonic ideal of a cozy holiday romance. It has every single element that fans of the genre adore: a charming small-town setting, a beautiful and festive Christmas tree farm, a cast of lovable and quirky secondary characters, and a central friends-to-lovers romance that is so full of pining, so sweet, and so deeply satisfying that it will make your heart ache in the best possible way. The book is a pure, unadulterated dose of joy, a low-angst, high-swoon story that is the literary equivalent of a warm hug and a cup of hot cocoa.
What Makes It a Holiday Classic: The book has become a true "BookTok" and "Bookstagram" sensation, and for good reason. It is a beautifully written, incredibly heartwarming, and deeply romantic story that perfectly captures the magic of the holiday season. It is the kind of book that you will want to re-read every single year. It is, quite simply, the perfect holiday romance. You can find our full, in-depth review of this wonderful book here: Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison | Book Review.
Where to Buy: You can purchase Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison on Amazon.
Conclusion
In a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming, the simple, profound pleasure of a great holiday romance is a true gift. The ten books on this list are more than just festive stories; they are a source of comfort, of joy, and of a deep, reassuring warmth. They are a testament to the power of a well-told love story to lift our spirits and to remind us of the magic of the holiday season.
From the charming, snow-covered Christmas tree farms to the glamorous, high-stakes world of rock and roll, these stories offer a diverse and delightful array of festive escapes. They are a celebration of our favourite tropes, our most beloved character archetypes, and the enduring, hopeful spirit of a happily ever after. As the holiday season approaches, we encourage you to make time for these wonderful, heartwarming reads. Your next favourite love story awaits.
Enjoyed what you read? If you found this article insightful and it helps you discover your next great read, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth literary content. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a "holiday romance"? A holiday romance is a subgenre of romance novels where the plot is set during a specific holiday season, most commonly Christmas. The themes, setting, and plot are often heavily influenced by the festive atmosphere of the holiday.
2. Why are holiday romances so popular? Holiday romances are incredibly popular because they offer a perfect, comforting, and nostalgic form of escapism. They combine the heartwarming, feel-good elements of a romance novel with the magical, festive spirit of the holiday season.
3. What are some common tropes in holiday romance novels? Common tropes include "fake dating" for a holiday event, being "snowed-in" with a love interest, "enemies-to-lovers" who are forced to work together on a holiday project, and returning to a charming small town for the holidays.
4. Are all holiday romances "sweet" or "clean"? Not at all! The genre spans a wide range of heat levels. While many holiday romances are sweet and closed-door (like a Hallmark movie), many others, like those by Tessa Bailey, are very spicy and contain explicit content.
5. What does "TBR" stand for? "TBR" stands for "To Be Read." It’s the term that book lovers use for the ever-growing list of books they want to read.
6. Where can I find more recommendations for holiday romance books? Goodreads has thousands of user-curated lists for this specific subgenre. Following "Bookstagrammers" on Instagram or "BookTok" creators on TikTok who specialize in romance is also a fantastic way to discover new titles.
7. Are any of these books part of a series? Yes. Lovelight Farms and The Christmas Fix are both the first and second books in their respective interconnected standalone series. This means that while the books are set in the same world with recurring characters, each book focuses on a different couple and can be read and enjoyed on its own.
8. What is "BookTok"? "BookTok" is the community of readers and authors on the social media platform TikTok who create videos recommending, reviewing, and discussing books. It has become an incredibly influential force in the publishing world, especially for the romance genre.
9. Are these books available as audiobooks? Yes, all of the books on this list are incredibly popular and are available as audiobooks on platforms like Audible. Listening to a holiday romance can be a wonderfully immersive and festive experience.
10. I'm new to the romance genre. Which holiday book on this list should I start with? The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox is a perfect starting point. It’s a charming, low-angst, and incredibly fun story that perfectly captures the feel-good magic of the genre.
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