11 Queer Winter Romance Novels to Melt Your Heart
- Joao Nsita
- 1 day ago
- 17 min read
It’s a Sunday evening in late September, and a new, more intimate mood is beginning to settle over London. The sun is dipping below the skyline earlier, the air is cooler, and the cozy, introspective season of autumn is in full swing, heralding the approach of winter. As we retreat indoors, a collective desire for warmth, for comfort, and for the soul-deep satisfaction of a truly great love story takes hold. And in the vibrant, ever-evolving world of romance, there is a powerful and beautiful movement towards stories that are as diverse as they are heartwarming.
The holiday romance, once a genre dominated by a very narrow and specific type of story, has undergone a glorious and vital transformation. On social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, the #QueerRomance and #SapphicReads aesthetics are a dominant and joyful force. We see a global community of readers celebrating the heartwarming, the hilarious, and the deeply, profoundly romantic stories that centre LGBTQ+ love. The trend is clear: we are all hungry for love stories that reflect the beautiful, diverse, and complex reality of the world we live in.
This is your definitive, in-depth guide to the ultimate, inclusive, and wonderfully cozy winter reading list. We have curated a list of twelve of the most iconic, beloved, and heart-melting queer winter romance novels, presented in descending order. This is not just a list of books; it is a deep dive into a collection of stories that are both a joyful celebration of the season and a powerful testament to the universal, and life-changing, magic of love in all its forms.
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11. A Holly Jolly Ever After 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, this time with a delightful M/M romance.
The Deeper Meaning: This sequel to the brilliant A Merry Little Meet Cute is another smart and funny satire of the entertainment industry, but at its heart, it is a wonderfully sweet and powerful story about second chances. It is a book about reclaiming your own narrative, about the courage it takes to be your authentic self in the public eye, and about the beautiful, transformative power of a love that sees and celebrates you for exactly who you are.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: The story follows Kallum, the sweet, lovable, and himbo-esque star of the squeaky-clean "Holly Jolly" Christmas movie franchise. He is in desperate need of a good PR story to save his wholesome image. The solution? A very public, and very fake, holiday romance with his new co-star, the former child actor and current "bad boy" of Hollywood, Oliver. The two men, who have a secret and complicated history, must pretend to be in love for the cameras, a charade that quickly becomes much more real than either of them expected. The behind-the-scenes, Christmas-movie-set setting is a fun, meta, and incredibly festive backdrop.
What Makes It a Top Read: This 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 and a lot more heart. The film's musical numbers are sure to be a highlight, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Musicals of All Time.
Where to Buy: You can purchase A Holly Jolly Ever After on Amazon.
10. Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
The Vibe: A charming, sophisticated, and wonderfully heartwarming romance that proves that it's never too late to find your own, real-life fairytale.
The Deeper Meaning: Royal Holiday is a beautiful and important book because it centres the love story of two, vibrant, and incredibly charismatic characters in their fifties. The book is a powerful and joyful reminder that swoon-worthy, passionate, and life-changing romance is not just the domain of twenty-somethings. It is a story about embracing new adventures, about taking a chance on love later in life, and about the joy of finding a partner who sees and celebrates you for exactly who you are.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: The setting is pure, wintery magic. The story follows Vivian Forest, who spontaneously accompanies her daughter on a work trip to the UK over the Christmas holidays. While her daughter is busy styling a duchess, Vivian finds herself charmed by a handsome, and very private, secretary to the Queen. The story is a delightful, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the traditions of a royal, Sandringham Christmas. The cozy, British, wintery setting is a character in itself. For more on the magic of a British Christmas, you can check out our list of 12 Classic British Christmas Movies Perfect for Festive Nights.
What Makes It a Top Read: The book is a perfect, feel-good, holiday escape. It’s a low-angst, high-charm romance with two fantastic, and refreshingly mature, protagonists. For a deep dive into the world of modern royalty, the official Royal Family website is a fantastic resource.
Where to Buy: You can purchase Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory on Amazon.
9. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
The Vibe: A fun, festive, and incredibly charming British rom-com that is a perfect, modern, and very funny take on the classic "quest for love" story.
The Deeper Meaning: At its heart, this book is a story about stepping out of your comfort zone and being open to love in all its unexpected forms. It is a celebration of community, of friendship, and of the courage it takes to put yourself out there. It is a book that understands that the journey to finding love is often a messy, hilarious, and deeply revealing process of self-discovery.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: The premise is a work of pure, festive genius. The story follows Kate, a 30-something designer living in a charming, English village, who is happily single. Her best friend signs her up for a "Twelve Dates of Christmas" dating service, which sets her up on twelve different, festive-themed dates with twelve different men in the 23 days leading up to Christmas. The book is a hilarious and heartwarming journey through a series of often-disastrous, but always entertaining, dates, from a disastrous Christmas-themed baking class to a surprisingly romantic, snowy walk.
What Makes It a Top Read: This book is a pure, unadulterated, joyful delight. It is a charming, funny, and incredibly cozy read that is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. For a huge list of affordable date night ideas, you can check out our guide to 60 Exciting and Affordable Date Night Ideas on a Budget.
Where to Buy: You can purchase The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss 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 Deeper Meaning: This novella is a pure, unadulterated dose of cozy, bookish charm. It is a story that celebrates the magic of a local bookstore, the joy of a shared passion for literature, and the surprising, and often very funny, ways that love can bloom in the most unexpected of places. It is also a beautiful and powerful story that features a neurodiverse heroine, a hallmark of Chloe Liese's brilliant and inclusive writing.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: The story follows Gabriella, a Christmas-loving bookseller, and her grumpy, Scrooge-like co-worker, Jonathan. When their beloved bookstore is in financial trouble, they are forced into a festive sales competition, a battle of wills that is complicated by the fact that Gabby is unknowingly falling for her anonymous, online pen-pal, who is her one true confidante. The bookstore setting is the ultimate cozy fantasy for any reader, a warm and inviting sanctuary from the cold winter weather. For a great guide to the best independent bookshops in the UK, The Guardian has a fantastic list.
What Makes It a Top Read: This is a story that is a true celebration of all things cozy: books, Christmas, and finding your person. It’s a heartwarming, funny, and deeply romantic read that is perfect for a single, blissful afternoon. The show’s complex heroes are a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of the The 10 Best Disney Princes, Ranked.
Where to Buy: You can purchase The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese on Amazon.
7. In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae
The Vibe: A classic, heartwarming, and incredibly satisfying "second-chance romance" set in a charming small town that is in desperate need of a Christmas miracle.
The Deeper Meaning: At its heart, this book is a beautiful and powerful celebration of community. It is a story about the resilience of a small town and the magic that can happen when people come together to support each other. It is also a classic, and incredibly well-executed, romance about two people who find their way back to each other after years apart, a testament to the idea that some loves are just meant to be.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: The story follows Morgan, a successful event planner from Los Angeles who, after a major career setback, reluctantly returns to her hometown of Fern Falls to help save her family's failing Christmas tree farm. Her return is complicated by the fact that her former best friend, and the woman whose heart she broke years ago, Rachel, is the one leading the charge to save the town. The "saving the small town" and "second-chance romance" tropes are classic, comforting, and perfectly suited for a holiday 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 The Top 5 Best Movies About Fathers.
What Makes It a Top Read: This book is the literary equivalent of a perfect Hallmark Christmas movie, but with the added bonus of a beautiful, and deeply satisfying, queer love story at its heart. It is a story that is brimming with festive cheer, with a powerful sense of community, and with a deeply, profoundly romantic central relationship. For more on the author's work, the official Courtney Kae website is a great resource. This is a key part of building a lasting connection, a theme explored in 10 Habits of Couples Who Stay Deeply in Love for a Lifetime.
Where to Buy: You can purchase In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae on Amazon.
6. Season of Love by Helena Greer
The Vibe: A warm, charming, and wonderfully unique holiday romance that is a beautiful and much-needed celebration of a queer, Jewish love story.
The Deeper Meaning: This book is a powerful and important story because it expands the landscape of the "holiday romance" genre beyond the world of Christmas. It is a beautiful and authentic celebration of Jewish culture and the warm, communal, and deeply meaningful festival of Hanukkah. It is a story about found family, about reconnecting with your heritage, and about finding love and a new sense of self in the most unexpected of places.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: The story follows Miriam, a talented but deeply broke artist who has just inherited a share of her great-aunt's beloved, and failing, Christmas tree farm. The only problem? She's Jewish, and she hates Christmas. Her co-inheritor is the farm's grumpy but incredibly capable manager, Noelle, who has dedicated her entire life to the farm. The two women, who are polar opposites, are forced to work together to save the farm, a partnership that is complicated by their undeniable, and deeply inconvenient, chemistry. For more on the traditions of Hanukkah, the My Jewish Learning website is a fantastic and authoritative resource.
What Makes It a Top Read: The book is a perfect, feel-good, "grumpy/sunshine" romance with a huge amount of heart. It is a warm, funny, and deeply romantic story that is also a fantastic and insightful cultural exploration. The film's incredible soundtrack is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs of All Time.
Where to Buy: You can purchase Season of Love by Helena Greer on Amazon.
5. 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 Deeper Meaning: 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. It is a story about redemption, about found family, and about the courage it takes to build a new life for yourself. It is a powerful testament to the idea that everyone, regardless of their past, is deserving of a happy ending.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: This standalone holiday novel from the "queen of spice," Tessa Bailey, follows Stella, a determined young woman who has just been released from prison. 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. The New York City, holiday-season setting is a classic, and the "window dressing" plot is a wonderfully festive and creative backdrop.
What Makes It a Top Read: This is a holiday romance with real depth and substance. It’s 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 10 Best Teen Romance TV Shows Ever Made. 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.
4. 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 Deeper Meaning: At its heart, this book is a beautiful and powerful story about taking control of your own destiny. It is a story about a young woman who is literally given the chance to "re-do" her life until she gets it right. It is a book about finding the courage to be honest about what you truly want, about taking risks, and about the beautiful, messy, and often very funny journey of finding your own, unique path to happiness.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: This book, from the beloved romance-writing duo Christina Lauren, follows Maelyn Jones. She is in her mid-twenties, and her life is a mess. 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, she makes a simple plea to the universe: "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. The snowy, Utah cabin setting is the ultimate, cozy, winter fantasy. The book is a beautiful celebration of found family and the magic of Christmas traditions.
What Makes It a Top Read: 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 family is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of the The 20 Best Christmas Movies Of All Time.
Where to Buy: You can purchase In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren on Amazon.
3. The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
The Vibe: A sharp, witty, and incredibly heartfelt romance novel that is a brilliant and loving deconstruction of the reality TV dating show.
The Deeper Meaning: At its heart, this book is a powerful and beautiful exploration of mental health and of the courage it takes to be your true, authentic self in a world that often demands a performance. It is a story about a man who learns that he is worthy of love, not in spite of his neurodivergence, but because of it. It is a profound and deeply moving testament to the idea that the greatest love stories are the ones that are built on a foundation of radical acceptance.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: The story follows Dev, a brilliant and hopelessly romantic producer on a popular, Bachelor-style reality dating show. He is tasked with handling the show's new, disastrous lead, a disgraced and deeply anxious tech-wunderkind named Charlie, who has reluctantly agreed to be on the show to rehabilitate his public image. What begins as a professional relationship soon blossoms into a deep, and very secret, romance, as Dev and Charlie discover that the most real and most beautiful love story is the one that is happening off-camera. For more on the reality TV phenomenon, the Vulture website has some fantastic, in-depth articles.
What Makes It a Top Read: The book was a massive, critical and commercial success, a true "BookTok" sensation that has been celebrated for its brilliant, laugh-out-loud humour, its huge, beating, emotional heart, and its powerful and important representation of mental health and neurodivergence in the romance genre. This is a key part of building a lasting connection, a theme explored in 10 Habits of Couples Who Stay Deeply in Love for a Lifetime.
Where to Buy: You can purchase The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun on Amazon.
2. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Vibe: A charming, witty, and incredibly swoon-worthy romance novel that is a perfect, modern, and inclusive fairytale for the 21st century.
The Deeper Meaning: At its heart, this book is a powerful and joyful story about the courage it takes to be your true self, even when the weight of the world is on your shoulders. It is a story that brilliantly and beautifully blends a classic, escapist, royal romance with a surprisingly smart, and deeply hopeful, political commentary. It is a book that is not just a love story; it is a story about the power of love to change the world.
Why It's a Perfect Winter Read: The story follows the secret, enemies-to-lovers romance between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the handsome, charismatic, and biracial First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry, the beautiful, reserved, and deeply closeted heir to the British throne. The book follows their relationship over the course of a year, and the Christmas and New Year's scenes are some of the most romantic and most pivotal in the entire story. The book is a perfect, and very binge-worthy, read for the cozy, holiday season. For more on the author's work, the official Casey McQuiston website is a great resource.
What Makes It a Top Read: The book was a massive, global, and word-of-mouth bestseller, a true "BookTok" phenomenon that has been celebrated for its sharp, witty writing, its huge, beating, emotional heart, and its beautiful, positive, and incredibly important queer representation. The recent, and equally successful, Prime Video adaptation has only cemented its status as a modern classic. The show’s focus on a powerful romance is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of the The 10 Best Teen Romance TV Shows Ever Made.
Where to Buy: You can purchase Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston on Amazon.
1. Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
Why It's at the Top: While every book on this list is a fantastic and cozy winter read, Alison Cochrun's Kiss Her Once for Me takes the top spot because it is the undisputed, reigning, and binge-worthy champion of the modern, queer, holiday romance. It is a book that is a perfect, and breathtakingly successful, distillation of every single thing we love about the genre. It is a story that is so full of warmth, so full of charm, so full of a deep, and deeply satisfying pining, and so brilliantly, cleverly constructed that it is, quite simply, the perfect, and most beloved, queer winter romance of them all.
The Vibe: A magical, charming, and wonderfully inventive holiday romance that is a perfect blend of While You Were Sleeping and a classic, second-chance love story, all with a brilliant, sapphic twist.
What Makes It the Best: The story follows Ellie, a down-on-her-luck animator who is still heartbroken over the one-night stand she had a year ago with a woman she is sure was the love of her life. In a moment of financial desperation, she agrees to a "marriage of convenience" with a handsome and kind-hearted man, a deal that will solve both their problems. But when she goes to spend Christmas with his family, she discovers that his sister is none other than Jack, the woman from that one, magical night. What follows is a hilarious, and deeply romantic, story of fake dating, of forced proximity, and of a second chance at a love that was written in the stars. The show’s complex and often fiery relationships are a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of the The 10 Best Rom-Coms of the Last 25 Years, Ranked.
Where to Buy: You can purchase Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun on Amazon. This kind of authentic connection is a key to a healthy partnership, a theme we explore in 8 Signs of a Healthy Relationship.
Conclusion
As the winter season unfolds, bringing with it a desire for stories that are as warm, as comforting, and as full of hope as the season itself, the world of queer romance has risen to the occasion with a truly spectacular and beautiful slate of offerings. The twelve books on this list are a testament to the incredible creativity, the emotional depth, and the enduring, popular appeal of love stories that are as diverse as they are universal.
From the light, joyful escapism of a holiday rom-com to the deep, and often heartbreaking, beauty of a second-chance romance, these are the stories that will not just keep you company on a long, cold winter's night; they will warm your heart, they will expand your mind, and they will make you believe, once again, in the transformative, and life-changing, magic of love.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does "queer" mean in the context of these love stories? "Queer" is an inclusive, umbrella term that is used to describe people who are not heterosexual or cisgender. In this context, it refers to love stories that are centred on relationships between people who are part of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and others) community.
2. Are all these stories "coming out" stories? While some of the stories, like Happiest Season (a film not on this list but in the genre), deal directly with the challenges of coming out, many others feature characters who are already out and are simply living their lives and falling in love. There is a growing and important trend for queer stories that are not solely defined by the trauma of coming out.
3. I'm new to the world of queer romance. Which of these would be a good starting point? For a fun, light, and incredibly accessible read, Red, White & Royal Blue is a massive, and very beloved, global phenomenon that is a fantastic entry into the genre. For a sapphic story, Kiss Her Once for Me is a perfect, modern classic.
4. Where can I find more recommendations for LGBTQ+ books? Goodreads has thousands of user-curated lists for every specific subgenre of queer romance imaginable. Following "Bookstagrammers" on Instagram or "BookTok" creators on TikTok who specialize in the genre is also a fantastic way to discover new titles. The website LGBTQ Reads is also a brilliant and dedicated resource.
5. Are all these books "spicy"? The spice levels on this list vary greatly. Books by authors like Sierra Simone are known for being very spicy and containing explicit scenes. Others are more of a "sweet" or "closed-door" romance. Always check individual reviews and content warnings.
6. What does "sapphic" mean? "Sapphic" is an umbrella term that refers to women who are attracted to other women. It is a more inclusive term than "lesbian," as it can also include bisexual, pansexual, and queer women.
7. Why is representation in holiday romance so important? Holiday romance is a huge and powerful part of our shared, cultural tradition. For a long time, these stories were almost exclusively about heterosexual couples. Inclusive holiday romances are a powerful and important way of showing that the magic of a holiday love story is a universal experience that belongs to everyone.
8. Are these stories only for a queer audience? Not at all. A great love story is a great love story, and the themes of love, of friendship, of family, and of finding your place in the world that are explored in these stories are universal and will resonate with readers of all identities.
9. What is "BookTok"? "BookTok" is the name for the community of readers and authors on the social media platform TikTok. It has become an incredibly powerful force for book discovery and has been instrumental in the recent surge in popularity of the queer romance genre.
10. What is a "midquel"? A "midquel" is a sequel that is set during the timeline of the original story. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas is an example of this, as it takes place during the winter when Belle is a prisoner in the Beast's castle, before the final events of the original film.
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