The Best Christmas Romance Books for an Enchanting Holiday

Nothing says Holiday Season like a stack of Christmas romance books! I love getting swept into a magical winter love story when I have a cup of cocoa in my hand and I’m snuggled under a blanket.
Whether it’s a second-chance romance, an enemies-to-lovers story, or even a love story with a little magic mixed in, there is a perfect Christmas romance novel for everyone on this list!
We’ve even got some thought-provoking Christmas romance books that would be perfect for a Christmas Book Club! So take a look below and find your perfect winter romance to read under the mistletoe.
Looking for more Christmas Books for kids and adults? Check out our Christmas Books Hub for book club guides, book lists, book-related present ideas, and more!
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.

The Best Christmas Romance Books for 2022

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
If you only read one Christmas book this holiday season, let it be Just Like Magic. I adored this funny romance from Sarah Hogle. The premise is amazing. Down-on-her-luck Bettie Hughes accidentally summons the magical Holiday Spirit, who can’t leave her until he raises her spirit level.
So going by the name of Hal, he poses as her boyfriend for her week-long family Christmas vacation. His use of magic throughout the week is hysterical. It also helps that the chemistry between Hal and Bettie crackles. It’s unlike any other Christmas story I’ve read in the best way possible!
I think this is my favorite 2022 Christmas book.

One Last Gift by Emily Stone
Emily Stone’s last book was my favorite Christmas book of 2021, so I knew I would love her newest book. This story is heartbreaking as well, but not in the same way.
Cassie has relied on her brother, Tom, since they were orphaned when she was 5. Each year, Tom creates a Christmas scavenger hunt for her, but after a sudden accident kills Tom, Cassie is left bereaved and celebrating Christmas without him.
Until she finds his final scavenger hunt. As she begins to solve the clues, her heart begins to heal, and love forms as well. This book is like the Christmas version of P.S. I Love You in the best possible way. I adored this novel about grief.

All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox
I can’t with this charming Christmas romance book about musicians by Maggie Knox. It’s like reading a Hallmark Christmas movie but with a lot of steamy bits put in!
Sadie and Max are competing in a Country music reality TV show (think American Idol or The Voice.) Their chemistry is off the charts on stage, so the execs ask them to team up for their performance.
As they learn to get along off-stage as well as they do on it, a passionate romance ignites. Until the machinations of the music industry drive a wedge between them. Can they reconcile before Christmas?
Fantasy Christmas Romance Books

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichart
I adored this Christmas romance with a magical premise. It’s all about a Christmas market and its residents who travel from town to town each Christmas. The baker, Jack loves to visit Milwaukee the most because he’s drawn to Astra, an average girl.
I loved hearing about each Christmas Jack and Astra met and how their loved formed. I also loved the magical elements of the market and how it played a crucial role in their story. This holiday book would be a great Christmas book for book clubs to discuss.

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Do you love Christmas movies? Are you obsessed with Romance books? Do you need to swoon? If you answered yes to any of those questions, stop everything and order In a Holidaze. This is possibly my favorite Christmas novel of all time and was a must for best holiday books.
I adored Mae and Andrew’s love story. It’s set up like Groundhog’s Day with Mae repeating the same Christmas vacation until she gets it right. Time travel romance at its best. And man… does she get it right. Peppermint kisses, sexy sledding, snowball fights, Christmas Tree trimming… this book is oozing with cheer-filled holiday goodness with a few scenes that are steamier than a cup of cocoa.
There is a reason this time travel book made our best books of 2020 list! This is an adorable magical realism book and a real must-read.

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses Book #4) by Sarah J. Maas
This short novel bridges the gap between the #ACOTAR trilogy and the next three books set in the same universe. It saw us catching up with all of our favorite characters during the Winter Solstice.
This holiday book is cute and fun with no real plot – just some stage setting for the next book. Think of it as an extended epilogue to A Court of Wings and Ruins. You can find our complete guide to ACOTAR as well.

Christmas Romance Books about Royals

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday
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. 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.

Royal Holiday (The Wedding Date #4) by Jasmine Guillory
Looking for a last-minute Christmas Read or the perfect holiday book? Royal Holiday was the perfect first read for winter break.
When Maddie gets Kirsten’s dream gig (styling a Royal or let’s face it, hanging out with a Royal), she brings her mom, Vivian, with her to England. Vivian meets a very handsome gentleman who happens to be the Queen’s private secretary.
Sparks fly but will this be more than just a holiday romance? This adorable read is a perfect holiday/vacation read, especially for those who love a royal romance, and is a must-read for anyone who loves Emily Henry Books. Whether or not you are reading the Jasmine Guillory books in order, this romance will be a perfect holiday read.

A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday
I loved this book from Jenny Holiday. It was one of the few holiday royal romance novels I’ve read. The charming setting of Eldovia in the snow with its various festivities made for a wonderful Christmas read.
The male lead from NYC and his charming younger sister made for a good balance to the sheltered princess. I wasn’t expecting such a steamy book based on the description. This one is definitely not for children and is the spiciest pick from this list of books about royalty.

Steamy Christmas Romance Novels

A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Technically this story is the 5th in the Bromance Book Club series, but it can be read as a standalone (which I know because I’ve never read any of the others!)
Jackie loved the first book in this series, so I knew I would probably want to dive into the Christmas tale. It’s all about Colton, a country star and total sweetheart, who is head-over-heels for Gretchen, a grumpy immigration attorney.
It was steamy and swoony and I loved every minute of this Christmas story that fulfills the grumpy sunshine trope with Christmas joy!!

Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
This is one Christmas romance that is unlike any other. The premise alone is hysterical – a female adult film star is accidentally cast in a cheesy Christmas movie. As Bee tries to keep her identity under wraps, she falls hard for reformed boyband member, Nolan.
The kinky things these two get into while working on the film made me blush. Add in a film crew that is half regular industry and half secretly adult film industry and you have a book that is absolutely hysterical.
Do NOT read this one if you are faint of heart. It’s definitely not a romance for your grandma…or maybe it is for the right grandmom. 😉

Mistle Text by Whitney Dineen and Melanie Summers
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.
LGBTQIA Christmas Romance Books

In The Event of Love by Courtney Kae
Morgan is headed back to her hometown to lick her wounds and restart her career. She’s agreed to help throw a Christmas festival to save the town – unwittingly signing up to work with her ex-best friend and former crush, Rachel.
While Morgan works to save the town and Rachel’s tree farm, sparks fly. I enjoyed watching Morgan gain self-awareness and learn to communicate with her old friends and family.

You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
Matthew Prince is young, rich, and selfish. After buying an island, his parents cut him off and banish him to his grandparents for the holidays. The problem is Hector, a grumpy local is living there too and getting under Matthew’s skin.
Soon these enemies need to put their differences aside while they work to host the town’s Christmas fundraiser. I loved the holiday seasons and the way the boys went from enemies to friends to more.

Sweet Christmas Romance Books

Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
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.
This adorable holiday romance is just the book to brighten your day and put a smile on your face. How could we not put it on a list of novels about food? This is one of the best holiday books we have read!

One Day in December by Josie Silver
December 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
This is another holiday book I absolutely adored. This second chance love story takes place over 10 years and you’ll be rooting for this couple the entire time.
The perfect winter romance – this one is a bit steamy – that will have you smiling from ear to ear. I listened to this one from my local library, but it would be just as good in print.

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
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.
Add in a splash of romance with Jacob, Rachel’s first kiss from summer camp/ arch nemesis and this book was the perfect light romance. 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! This is a definite must for any holiday book list.

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa De La Cruz
I picked up this book because I adore Pride and Prejudice and all things Jane Austen. I actually saw the Hallmark version of this book but be warned, the movie and the book are nothing alike!
Our female lead, Darcy Fitzwilliam is a workaholic, while Luke Bennett is the boy she grew up next to in their hometown of Pemberly, Ohio. As easy as it was to predict this story, there were a few surprises along the way.

A Winter Wedding at Willowtree Hall by Alison Sherlock
This charming story is being released as an audiobook this year and it’s a sweet Christmas romance book for 2022.
Will is back at Willowtree Hall after his recent tabloid scandal and loss of his job. He thinks he can move into the Willowtree Lodge he’s expecting to inherit until Skye shows up claiming she owns the Lodge too.
Soon Skye is being welcomed into the community and Will is catching feelings – even if he wants the Lodge for himself. As they work together to help Will’s older brother get the Christmas wedding of his dreams, their romance blooms in a delightful way. If you are looking for holiday books, this is a must-read.

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Jenny Colgan is back with a stand-alone Christmas story about a failing bookshop and the woman that 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.
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.

We Met in December by Rosie Curtis
This charming love story gave me One Day in December vibes because of its friends-to-lovers Christmas plotline. Set over the course of a year, Jess falls in love with her roommate, Alex.
I could see this book being made into a Hallmark movie- it’s got all the right ingredients and the perfect dose of romance and finding yourself.
We LOVE to support independent bookstores. You can shop our entire list of Christmas Romance Books on bookshop.org

Emotional Romance Books for Christmas for Book Clubs

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss
Nory, a used bookstore owner, is back in her hometown staying in a castle for her posh friend’s wedding. Reunited after years apart, this group of high school friends have lots of secrets and shared memories.
But during the week-long festivities, Nory is drawn to her former childhood nemesis, Isaac, who now runs the castle grounds and gardens.
I thought this would just be a charming Christmas romance, but it deals with the fallout from one of the friends in their group who had committed suicide a few years prior. Mental health, adultery, and classism are just a few of the heavier topics discussed in this book.
This one is the perfect Christmas book club pick for 2022.

Always, in December by Emily Stone
I was blown away by this tear-jerking story. It was a romance story for the first 30% of the book, but then it becomes 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 explored 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.
Probably my favorite Christmas 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.

25 Days ‘Til Christmas by Poppy Alexander
I read 25 Days ‘til Christmas because I wanted a lovely, romantic Christmas story. The contemporary fiction story is about a single mother who decides to do an advent calendar of activities in the hopes of bringing life back to her home.
A cute guy befriends them and I thought I was getting the romance I was looking for. In actuality, the book takes a dark turn and deals with loneliness, depression, childhood disabilities, and grieving.
It was so much deeper than I thought when looking at the peppy cover. I loved it. Truly. I wanted to personally walk into the pages of the book and lift her up when life knocked her down.
I got the happy Christmas ending I wanted, but in a more meaningful way than I initially expected. I can’t recommend this one enough.
YA Christmas Romance Books

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany B. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
You know a book is going to be fire when this many heavy-hitting authors are involved.
This Young adult Christmas book, written by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon, is the perfect ya romance to read on a snowy winter day.
It’s set in Atlanta during a rare snowstorm and features multiple love stories set on the same night and interconnected when a group of friends is trying to help their besties get back together.
I was swept by each of the love stories and I loved the warm and fuzzy feelings this book gave me. Save this book set in winter to read in front of the fire when it snows and you won’t regret it!

Talk Santa to Me by Linda Urban
Francie’s whole family works at the Hollydale Holiday Shop that her grandpa opened, but recently she’s been frustrated by all the changes her Aunt Carole has been making around the store. She’s recently become “Santa’s Intern” and her workload is piling up.
Add to that, the boys are her high school have been teasing her about the rumor that she’s a bad kisser. Soon, she’s plotting to save her family store from Aunt Carole, rehabilitate her reputation with her peers, and try to decipher her feelings for the classmate who works that Christmas tree lot across the street.
The story was sweet and heartwarming – a perfect holiday romance for any teens in your life!

Blame it on the Mistletoe by Beth Garrod
This is such a cute YA Christmas book. It’s a teenage version of The Holiday. 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.

So, This is Christmas is by Tracy Andreen
A cute YA Christmas romance 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.

The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo
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.
This enemies-to-lovers romance is a charming and innocent, PG-appropriate story for teenagers. I loved all the cute Christmas scenes these two experience together.
It’s the perfect pick for our Christmas book round-up.
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