Holiday Romance Reads to Warm Your Soul
❄️It’s Cuddle Season! ❄️
Finally, ‘tis the season for oversized sweaters, decadent crockpot hot cocoa, super soft blankets, a Christmas classic in the background (Die Hard, anyone?), and twinkle lights. The only thing missing from this exceedingly cozy scene?
A stack of holiday romance books!
Romantic reads for the holidays are a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. They’re also a great way to slow down what is often an overly busy season. Also, we recognize that the holidays can be tough for some. Because of this, we’ve included some of our top self-care tips for the season.
When you Want Emotional Love Stories for Winter
The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury
While searching for her family’s long-lost heirloom ring, military widow Vanessa Mayfield meets handsome antique dealer, Ben Miller. The two are drawn to each other and forge a friendship that soon becomes a deep and breathtaking romance. But neither are sure that what they’ve found can last.
Loved the mystery of the missing ring! It added a nice bonus layer to this sentimental story which has been adapted into a film starring Kelsey Grammer, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Jana Kramer, and Jessie James Decker. It will be released in theaters this November!
Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace
From the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Icebreaker comes a sparkling holiday romance set in an ambitious small town. Clara Davenport wants to solve Fraser Falls’s biggest problem. According to Jack Kelly, Clara is Fraser Falls’s biggest problem.
The corporate company Clara works for is accused of stealing a doll design from an independent toy maker. It’s up to Clara to win over the town and, of course, the sexy toymaker.
Despite Jack’s best efforts, Clara’s charm breaks through his frosty demeanor and I was here for it!
When You Want to Believe in Love Again
The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer
Evelyn Schwartz has the perfect Hanukkah planned: eight jam-packed days producing the live-action televised musical of A Christmas Carol. Who needs family when you’ve got long hours, impossible deadlines, and your dream job?
That is, until an accident on set lands her in the medical bay and she’s shocked to find her ex-husband, David Adler, filling in for the usual studio doctor.
This hilarious romance asks a poignant question: are the embers of love ever fully extinguished? My favorite part was watching David fight for Evelyn despite all they’d been through.
“A tender second-chance romance bursting with Jewish joy, The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah shines as bright as a fully lit menorah.”—Amanda Elliot, USA Today-bestselling author of Love You a Latke.
Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman
A sentimental advertising creative and a blunt, no-nonsense bar owner find a second chance at love while binge-watching iconic holiday movies in this heartwarming romance, from the author of Charm City Rocks and All Together Now.
The new year had barely begun when Grace White and Henry Adler both lost their spouses. Now, nearly a year later, the first holiday season since their “Great and Terrible Sadnesses” approaches. No one understands what they are going through better than each other, and a delicate friendship is born.
Comfy cozy reads are delightful; however, I appreciated that this book had some bittersweetness to it. Grief is a challenging topic to address and Norman did so beautifully. If anyone deserves love, it’s Grace and Henry! You root for them from the very start.
Also, as a modest film buff, I enjoyed all of the Christmas movie references!
A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler
I just finished A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler, and honestly, it was exactly the cozy, twinkling escape I needed this holiday season.
From the very first page, it felt like stepping into a snow globe—full of warmth, laughter, and just the right amount of royal sparkle. Schaler’s signature charm (and yes, a dash of that A Christmas Prince magic) made me believe in love again, even if it’s the kind that arrives wrapped in tinsel and puppy kisses. The romance was light-hearted and a little over-the-top in the best way—like a Hallmark movie with a witty sense of humor. I caught myself grinning through the mix-ups, the mistletoe moments, and the irresistible royal dog who nearly steals the show. It’s the kind of story that reminds you not to give up on happily-ever-afters—especially at Christmas, when anything feels possible.
When You Want Books about Love and Healing
The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore
The highly anticipated new Dream Harbor romance from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Pumpkin Spice Café. As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business—sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street.
What’s cozier than a quaint small town at Christmas time? Probably nothing. Annie’s anger at Mac for their rocky past is pretty intense; however, that makes their chemistry and eventual romance all the more delicious.
It’s worth noting that this book has the highest rating on GoodReads for the Dream Harbor series.
Holly & Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant
When a Christmas-hating woman’s brother sets her up with a fellow Grinch and it backfires, she decides to out-Christmas her date by kicking off a festive battle of wills in this “irresistible” (Publishers Weekly) enemies-to-lovers holiday rom-com.
The title hooked me! I love a book that goes against the grain of its genre. This book is chock-full of crazy family dynamics and miscommunications. Holly is majorly relatable as she is the perfect representative of those who have birthdays around Christmas that often get overlooked.
While this romance had lots of laugh-out-loud moments, Holly and Nick’s chemistry grounds the story in the best way.
The Christmas Cure by Kristine Winters
ER physician Dr. Libby Munro travels back in time to the previous Christmas during her hometown’s rumored-to-be-magical Christmas tree lighting ceremony, where she must confront her past choices while navigating an unexpected romance that could rewrite her future.
This book was giving Gilmore Girls vibes with the small-town setting and townsfolk who go all out for holidays. Not gonna lie, I had a pretty serious crush on Liam, owner of the local bakery. Emerald green eyes and the ability to bake sweet treats? Yes, please!
The magical realism was a fun element. Winters gets it—Christmas needs magic!
When the Holiday Spirit is Elusive
Sometimes, the holidays can be hard. Seasonal depression, holiday overwhelm, unrealistic expectations, strained family dynamics, overspending, and even grief can ramp up during this time.
It’s our hope that the holidays are a time of rekindling joy. Here are some our recommendations for cultivating cheer:
- · Simplify- Prioritize only the most important and soul-nourishing events and activities. When it comes to additional calendar fillers, use “No” as the complete sentence it is.
- · Fast from social media- FOMO is very real during the holidays. Tune out the noise to better focus on the present moment. Also, the things you do participate in will be more enriching as a result.
- · Start a new tradition- Traditions can be fun, but they can sometimes leave us feeling trapped in the past. Do something different that makes sense to you.
- · Try a new recipe- Get in the kitchen and try your hand at making a Chirstmas classic like wassail (a spiced punch) or a comfort food like sausage stuffing. There’s something therapeutic about crafting delicious dishes.
- · Create a playlist- It doesn’t have to be holiday themed! Incorporate some tunes to lift your mood.
- · Give back- Volunteer at a local charity, bring some goodies to your co-workers, pay it forward in a drive-thru, or make a meal for your friends. Shifting focus to others can take the mind off of our own troubles.
- · Get crafty- Peruse Pinterest and get crafty! It’s a fun way to feel like a kid again or to tap into your artsy side.
- · Connect with loved ones- Visit or Facetime your family. Catching up is
- good for the soul.
