New Christmas Novels for 2021

Blame It on the Mistletoe

Author: Beth Garrod

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Romance

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 13 – 18

Plot

In this story Holly and Noelle swap homes for a week around Christmas. Holly wants to escape her ex-boyfriend (who is also her neighbor) and Noelle is out to win a social media challenge and prove herself as a teen influencer.

But as they get to know each other’s friends and family, their connection to each other grows too. And they learn a few Christmas lessons in the process.

Trigger Warnings

Bullying

Why Kirsten loves it

This is such a cute YA Christmas romance book. It’s a teenage version of The Holiday with the double romances to boot. I loved seeing Holly and Noelle explore the different traditions in the locations the were visiting and the ending just made me smile.

Find this book in: YA Christmas Books / Christmas Novels for 2021

The Holiday Switch

Author: Tif Marcelo

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Romance

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 13 – 17

Plot

In this YA Christmas book, two teenagers work at an inn where a famous holiday movie was filmed. Each is hiding secrets from their families but confiding in each other.

Why Kirsten loves it

This enemies-to-lovers romance is a charming and innocent, PG-appropriate story for teenagers. I loved all the cute Christmas scenes these two experienced together.

Find this book in: YA Christmas Books / Christmas Novels for 2021

So, This is Christmas

Author: Tracy Andreen

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Romance

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 13+

Plot

A cute YA Christmas romance novel about Finley, who is home from boarding school, and her classmate, Arthur, who shows up at her grandmother’s inn for Winter break.

Why is there? Because Finley told everyone all about the quaint town of Christmas, Oklahoma where she is from… but she exaggerated and now Arthur wants her to create a Christmas he and his aunt will remember.

Why Kirsten loves it

This was such a teen romance – truly these scenarios were ones that only work for this age group, but that’s why I like it! It’s hard to find romances that are great for teens.

Find this book in: YA Christmas Books / Christmas Novels for 2021

Holiday Swap

Author: Maggie Knox

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

When Charlie Goodwin gets a concussion, and cannot smell or taste, she doesn’t know what to do. Her job as a chef and the promotion she has been working toward is on the line.

She begs her twin sister Cass to switch places like they did when they were kids. She will take over the bakery and Cass will pretend to be her.

Why Jackie loves it

This adorable holiday romance is just the book to brighten your day and put a smile on your face. This is one of the best holiday books I’ve read!

Find this book in: Best Christmas Books Of All Time / Holiday Books / Books About Sisters / Best Canadian Novels / Books About Food / New Christmas Books 2021 / Bakery Romances

Mistle Text

Author: Whitney Dineen and Melanie Summers

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

When handsome, billionaire Archie is told he needs to go to his Godfather’s for Christmas, he hires Holly to be his personal Christmas shopper. Holly is happy to accept the extra money as she’s been strapped for cash since her sister and brother-in-law died, leaving her to raise her 5 year-old-niece, Faith.

When Archie finds out his godfather is planning to announce the new head of the company, and he wants to name a family man the new heir, Archie begs Holly to be his fake girlfriend.

Why Kirsten loves it

This was such a fun Christmas story for an indie writing duo. It was predictable and cozy, just like I wanted it to be.

Find this book in: Christmas Novels for 2021

Duke, Actually

Author: Jenny Holiday

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

More info: Christmas in Eldovia #2

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

The sequel to A Princess for Christmas is the love story of Leo and Marie’s man of honor (Max) and best woman (Dani). Dani is going through a divorce and Max begins to help her get over her ex in a strictly platonic way. But as their friendship grows, their feelings for each other deepen.

Why Kirsten loves it

The beginning and end of the story feature lots of Christmas scenes in NYC and Eldovia. Plus we get to see Leo and Marie’s wedding! I also loved the bi-racial relationship portrayed. It was fun to learn about Christmas traditions from Mexico.

Find this book in: Christmas Novels for 2021 / Friends to Lovers Romance Books

The Christmas Bookshop

Author: Jenny Colgan

Year: 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

More info: New York Times Bestseller

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Jenny Colgan is back with a stand-alone Christmas romance book about a failing bookshop and the woman who saves it. Carmen is stuck with no boyfriend, no job, and living at home, while her sister Sophie seems to have it all – a beautiful house, a great husband, a killer job, and 3 kids with one more on the way.

When she realizes her client is going to lose his bookshop and home, she overs Carmen up for the job of turning the shop around, offering her a room at her house to boot.

But the long-standing rivalry between the sisters is out in full force, Carmen seems to sabotage her own happiness in the romance department, and her bookstore boss might be hiding some family secrets that need uncovering.

Why Kirsten loves it

A charming contemporary fiction Christmas tale in true Jenny Colgan fashion, this heartwarming holiday book also has some appearances from beloved characters from previous books.

Find this book in: Best Christmas Books Of All Time / Best Holiday Books / Christmas Novels 2021

Christmas by the Book

Author: Anne Marie Ryan

Year: 2021

Genre: Fiction

Spice Rating: 💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

This is kinda like Love Actually in a bookshop. Nora and Simon’s bookshop is failing, but that doesn’t stop them from anonymously sending out 6 Christmas books to locals who need cheering up.

We see how their gifted books inspire changes in the lives of the recipients, how much their bookshop means to the community, and how all the of their lives intertwine.

Trigger Warnings

Death of a Child, Suicidal Thoughts

Why Kirsten loves it

I cried a few times while reading this heartwarming tale, but it deals with some pretty heavy subjects like the death of a child and suicidal thoughts/depression. It’s a wonderful book for the holiday season. Any true book lover will adore this Christmas tale.

Find this book in: Christmas Novels for 2021 / Christmas Books Of All Time / Christmas Book Club Books

The Matzah Ball

Author: Jean Meltzer

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

A Chanukah romance? Yes, please!!! I mean, I would have been happy to read this book based only on that but the fact Rachel is a Rabbi’s daughter who is secretly a best-selling author of Christmas romances hooked me.

This is a hilarious spin if you are looking for holiday romantic comedy books. Add in a splash of romance with Jacob, Rachel’s first kiss from summer camp/ arch nemesis and this book is the perfect light romance.

Why Jackie loves it

I loved the humor and sweetness of this book. And I would not turn down food from Jacob’s Bubbie. I wish more Jewish writers would write Hanukkah romances!

Find this book in: Best Holiday Books / Christmas Novels for 2021

Always, in December

Author: Emily Stone

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

This tear-jerking story blew me away. It was a romance story for the first 30% of the book, but then it became something much deeper.

Josie mails a letter to her deceased parents every Christmas, but this Christmas she accidentally hits a stranger named Max with her bike on the way to the post box.

As she explores the holiday season with Max her feelings start to grow, but when he leaves unexpectedly, she’s left to deal with the aftermath of the impact he had on her heart. But fate isn’t done with their story yet as they bump into each other throughout the year.

Why Kirsten loves it

Probably my favorite Christmas romance book of 2021, this one is a tear-jerker for sure. I sobbed for the entire last 10% of the book and it will most likely, emotionally wreck you. This book is a testament to the healing power of love and the kind of impact each of us can make on each other.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you are looking for a Christmas book that ends with a bow and smile, you may want to look elsewhere. Despite this, we needed to include this on our list of best holiday books. #gifted by

Find this book in:  Books That Will Emotionally Wreck You / Best British Books / Best Holiday Books / Best Christmas Books Of All Time / Best Christmas Romance Books / Christmas Book Club Books / Christmas Novels for 2021 / Emily Stone Books Ranked

Oh. What. Fun.

Author: Chandler Baker

Year: 2021

Genre: Short Story Fiction

More info: Amazon Original Story

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Oh. What. Fun. is a family drama that had me laughing out loud and cringing at the same time. It’s all about a mother gone missing at Christmas and her adult children trying to justify their terrible behavior before she disappears.

Why Kirsten loves it

I read it in one sitting, smiling the whole time because it HIT. This poor mother did all the work and only got a dinky robe. It’s literally a book version of the SNL sketch from last holiday season and I adored it.

Find this book in: Short Stories / Best Christmas Books 2021

The Christmas House

Author: Victoria James

Year: 2021

Genre: Fiction

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

This heartwarming Christmas story deals with a few heavy topics, including childhood abuse and abandonment. Charlotte comes to her grandmother Ruby’s B&B with her sister and her mother for the Holiday Season.

She is shocked to see her old friend, Wyatt, has moved in next door with his daughter. But as her romance with Wyatt begins to bloom, dark feelings and sad memories stir for both of them.

Trigger Warnings

Child Abuse, Abandonment

Why Kirsten loves it

This is not so much a Christmas romance, as a story about forgiveness and overcoming childhood trauma.

Find this book in: Christmas Novels for 2021 / Christmas Book Club Books

Christmas by the Coast

Author: Mandy Baggot

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Harriet has flown into the Hamptons for Christmas to help arrange her beloved grandma’s funeral. There, she bumps into Mack, a veteran amputee who used to correspond with Harriet during his time in Afghanistan. As they begin to reconnect over various Christmas festivities, they deal with the heaviness of grief and PTSD.

Trigger Warnings

PTSD

Why Kirsten loves it

I had tears rolling down my face numerous times while reading this story. I loved the mix of Christmas festivities and real-world heaviness too.

Find this book in: Christmas Novels for 2021 / Christmas Book Club Books