The Best Winter Books
Mother Nature seemed to know the minute it was no longer summer and the weather changed overnight. With that in mind, I am already preparing my cozy winter books. As soon as the weather changed, I just wanted to snuggle up with hot chocolate and read under a warm blanket. That is why I made this list of my favorite winter books.
These books set in winter will leave you longing for summer but craving a crackling fire to keep you warm while you turn the pages. If you want some books with warmer temps in mind, check out these books set on the beach.
The Best Winter Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Fiction Winter Book
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy- Jump to Section
The Best Historical Fiction Winter Book
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn- Jump to Section
The Best Thriller Book Set in Winter
Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney- Jump to Section
The Best Mystery Book Set in Winter
Still Life by Louise Penny- Jump to Section
The Best Fantasy Winter Book
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeiries by Heather Fawcett- Jump to Section
The Best Romance Book Set in Winter
The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye- Jump to Section
The Best YA Winter Book
A Castle on the Clouds by Kersten Gier- Jump to Section
*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.
Contemporary Fiction Winter Books
Wild Dark Shore
Author: Charlotte McConaghy
Year: 2025
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: November 2025 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This novel is unique, compelling, and unputdownable. It’s the story of a tiny island near Antarctica that holds one of the world’s seed vaults, a place that holds the last parts of life should the world be destroyed. Due to climate change, the island is being swallowed by the sea, and the caretakers and scientists need to pack up the seeds to prepare to move them to a new location.
But the isolated island holds lots of secrets – including that none of the scientists remain, the communications lines to the outside world no longer work, and now a mysterious woman has washed ashore with secrets of her own.
Trigger Warnings
Destruction by fire, death
Why Kirsten loves it
I can’t stop thinking of this INCREDIBLE story. The premise, the set-up, and the writing combined to create a narrative that held me captive and had me gasping and crying in equal measure. I felt the ending in my bones as I reluctantly turned the last page. I’ll be recommending this book for years to come. #gifted
Why Jackie Loves it
This is a unique story that is scary in how relevant this story is with its references to fires and climate change. The story immediately captivated me, but I was even more invested with every chapter. This is a dystopian mystery thriller with family drama all rolled into one powerful book. The end had me gasping. #gifted
Find this book in: Winter Books / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Dystopian Novels / Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Best Reese Witherspoon Book Club Books / Reese Witherspoon Book Club 2025 / Best Books of 2025/ Best Winter Books
Plot
Ernt Allbright has come home from the Vietnam War traumatized and as his mental state deteriorates, his wife, Cora, and daughter, Leni, must learn to navigate the Alaskan wilderness on their own. It has elements of survivalists, anarchy, and mistrust for the world, but is tempered with young love, community, and hope.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic abuse, Alcoholism
Why Kirsten loves it
This isolation book is so haunting. I could not get it out of my head. Kristin Hannah is an amazing writer with wonderful characters. Her stories feel realistic almost to a fault. They are heartbreaking and heartwarming and utterly unforgettable. I did not think that I would like a book about Alaska but, I could not put it down.
Why Jackie loves it
Another Kristin Hannah story, another NYT best seller – and for good reason! I liked this coming-of-age story set in the Alaskan wilderness. The setting is truly its own character, bringing an element of desperation to that story that wouldn’t exist in another locale.
Find this book in: Books set in the 1970s / Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Isolation Books / Winter Books / Best Books of 2018 / Books Like Where the Crawdads Sing / Books Set in the 80s
Beartown
Author: Fredrik Backman
Year: 2016
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: Beartown #1
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is a heavy story that also has a lot of heart. It’s about a small-town hockey team and the fallout when the star player is accused of raping the General Manager’s daughter.
As the town takes sides and loyalties are tested, a gripping narrative of the complexities within a community emerges. This character-driven story is the first in a three-book series.
Trigger Warnings
Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
This was my first exposure to Fredrik Backman. I was instantly enthralled by his writing abilities. He took a coming-of-age story and wove in life lessons while simultaneously creating characters I will never forget.
Why Jackie loves it
Frederik Backman is a master storyteller. He doesn’t just tell a story but, he submerges his reader deep in the lives of his characters. This town will follow me for a long time. It’s my favorite of all the Fredrik Backman books.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults/ Winter Books / Books like Where the Crawdads Sing / Books like A Man Called Ove / Books About Sports / Best Winter Books
Winter in Paradise
Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Year: 2018
Genre: Fiction
More info: Paradise #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Irene Steele gets the shock of her life when she gets a phone call saying her husband has died in a plane accident while on a business trip. Traveling down to St. John to collect his things, she finds out that he actually has an entire second family.
With her two adult sons along for the journey, she realizes that not only is her world unraveling, but her sons have hidden secrets as well.
Why Kirsten loves it
Told across multiple points of view, this is Elin at her finest. I loved the unique setting and am looking forward to the other books in the series.
Find this book in: Books Set at the Beach / Books Set in Tropical Locations / Best Winter Books
Historical Fiction Winter Books
The Diamond Eye
Author: Kate Quinn
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 15
Plot
Kate Quinn’s stories of the women heroes of WWII continue to dazzle every time. The subject for this story is Soviet Sniper Mila Pavlichenko, commonly known as Lady Death.
The story flashes between her time on a diplomatic tour of the U.S., when she befriended Eleanor Roosevelt, and her life leading up to and during the war. We learn about what motivated her to become the most decorated sniper in the army, what life was like on the battlefields of war, and how love plays a role in her life.
But the tension is really heightened by the narration of an assassin out to kill President Roosevelt and frame Mila for the murder.
Why Kirsten loves it
I adored this biographical historical fiction story by Quinn
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / The Best Winter Books
Winterland
Author: Rae Meadows
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
I’ve always been a firm lover of the Olympics, so I was eager to read this historical fiction book set in the 70s and 80s Soviet Union about an Olympic gymnast. In it, Anya has been selected at 8 years old to compete in the USSR gymnastics program. As she strives to become the best gymnast in the country, she realizes just how ruthless the sport is, while also striving to uncover what was behind her mother’s disappearance all those years ago.
Trigger Warnings
Child abuse, Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
Having read a few books about gymnasts in the past, I was prepared for Anya’s ill-treatment at the hands of her coaches and trainers. I found the added elements of Russian communist life to be fascinating and helpful in creating a reason for her drive to be a legend.
Find this book in: Books Set in Winter / Books About Women in Sports / Books About Sports
Plot
I’ve been enthralled with the Romanovs since I saw my first Faberge egg. While most of my reading has focused on the fall of the dynasty, I was intrigued by this biographical fiction novel set after the reign of Peter the Great.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death
Why Kirsten loves it
It was FASCINATING to see the cultural backdrop of Russia’s imperial court. I loved learning about the court intrigue and the ruthless way power changed hands.
Find this book in: Cozy Winter Books / Royal Reads / Romanov Novels
The Last Grand Duchess
Author: Bryn Turnbull
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I love stories about the Romanov Dynasty. Ever since I saw a collection of Faberge eggs when I was a child, the story of the last members of the Russian Imperial family have always fascinated me.
This biographical historical fiction story revolves around the eldest daughter, Olga. Its dual timeline switches between the family’s life after the revolution and Olga’s childhood and the events that lead to the revolution in the first place.
Trigger Warnings
Murder, War
Why Kirsten loves it
We all know how this tragic story ends, so this book is all about the journey. I love that Turnbull focused on a sister other than Anastasia.
Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2022 / Romanov Historical Fiction / Biographical Fiction/ Best Winter Books
Thriller Books Set in Winter
Rock Paper Scissors
Author: Alice Feeney
Year: 2022
Genre: thriller
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This book by Alice Feeney is another great read. Her books always have me turning the pages. This novel starts with Adam and Amelia Wright headed to a weekend away in a remote Scottish getaway to save their marriage. It turns into a locked-room thriller that you will not be able to put down.
Told from the point of view of both Adam and Amelia, it is clear that one weekend away may not be enough to save what is left of their failing relationship. Each year of their marriage, Adam and his wife exchange traditional wedding gifts and she writes him a letter that she will not let him read.
When reading a thriller, you expect twists and turns because that is part of the fun and while I expected a few, some of the ones in this book were completely unexpected!
Why Jackie loves it
I love Alice Feeney as a writer. She never fails to surprise me with her books which is something I love. The twists never feel like they are too much, rather, I feel like I should have known all along!
Find this book in: Locked Room Mysteries / Domestic Thriller Books / Halloween Thriller Books / Hotel Novels / Alice Feeney Books in Order
With a Vengeance
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 15+
Plot
In 1954, Anna Matheson boards a luxury train with six people responsible for her family’s death. She lured them all to the train, where they will be the only passengers. She plans to expose their crimes and see them arrested by the FBI when the train arrives in Chicago the next day.
But when one of them is murdered, it derails Anna’s plans. She wants to see them pay for their crimes, not die. Now, Anna must find the killer and stop them before the train reaches its destination. Soon, the passengers are being picked off one by one, and she must risk her life to protect them.
Why Jackie loves it
This is Riley Sager at his best. I love this historical thriller. It was fast-paced and reminiscent of Agatha Christie. I thought the plot was smart and the main character was likable- I was rooting for her. This is one of my favorite Riley Sager books. I felt like it was different than his normal style and I loved it. #gifted
Find this book in: Historical Thrillers / The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked / Books Set on a Train / Best Thriller Books of 2025 / Best Winter Books
Blade
Author: Wendy Walker
Release Date: February 1, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: USA Today bestselling author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Who knew that Wendy Walker is a former competitive skater? She uses that background to give us a psychological thriller set in the world of elite figure skating. Ana Robbins was a skater vying for a spot on the Olympic team when a tragedy caused her to leave the skating world at 16. Now, she is 30 and a successful attorney.
When her former coach is killed, she is brought back to the world she thought she had left behind. She is defending Grace Montgomery, a young skater who is days away from facing a first-degree murder charge. Ana is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means exposing her own secrets.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Assault, drug use
Why Jackie loves it
This was the perfect book to read right before the Olympics. The craziest part is that everything that happened in both timelines seems like it is feasible, not beyond the realm of possibility.
Find this book in: Books Set in Winter
One by One
Author: Ruth Ware
Year: 2020
Genre: Thriller
More info: #1 New York Times bestselling author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
You would not think getting snowed in at a ski chalet in the French Alps would be bad. After all, there is a beautiful view and full-service food and housekeeping. But when you are stranded with co-workers who each have a reason to want someone dead, the Hotel may no longer be a relaxing place to be stranded. As a creepy thriller, this book is fast-paced and heart-thumping as one person after another winds up dead.
Why Kirsten loves it
As a mystery, I had a problem with the fact that I knew who the killer was from the very beginning. Although there were no surprises for me, this survival thriller had me cringing throughout. If you love novels about blizzards, check this isolation novel out!
Find this book in: Novels about Weather, Hurricanes, and Blizzards / Halloween Thriller Books / The Best Winter Books
The Sanatorium
Author: Sarah Pearse
Year: 2021
Genre: Mystery
More info: Detective Elin Warner #1 , February 2021 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Plot
Oh boy, was this a creepy haunted house book! I wish I had chosen to read it during the wintertime instead of the summer because seeing snow while reading it would have made it that much creepier.
With dead bodies piling up, and a blizzard keeping the guests of the fancy sanatorium-turned-hotel stuck inside, will Elin be able to solve the mystery before she becomes a victim herself?
Why Kirsten likes it
This is such a great blizzard book for mystery book lovers. It is creepy and everything else you want in a thriller and it’s an iconic book to read during a snowstorm!
Find this book in: Fiction Serial Killer Books / Locked Room Mystery / Isolation Book / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2021 / Best Winter Books
The Shining
Author: Steven King
Year: 2008
Genre: Thriller
More info: #1 New York Times Bestseller
One of Time‘s 100 Best Mystery and Thriller Books of All Time
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Jack Torrence is a recovering alcoholic with anger issues. He accepts a job as a winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel in the hopes of writing his first novel.
He brings his wife and son with him in the hopes of reconnecting with them. Obviously, things go terribly wrong.
Trigger Warnings
Alcoholism, Child Abuse, Violence
Why Jackie loves it
Steven King has a way of finding just the right blend of reality to add to his books to make them truly terrifying. The Shining is no exception. I don’t think there is anyone who has read this haunted hotel book who can think of an isolated cabin as a relaxing retreat ever again.
This book is one of the scariest thriller horror novels I’ve ever read. It is a classic book that shows the descent into madness. It is truly terrifying and a must-read thriller.
Find this book in: Book Set in the 70s / Winter Books/ Thriller Novels About Writers
Mystery Books Set in Winter
Still Life
Author: Louise Penny
Year: 2007
Genre: Mystery
More info: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1
Age Range: 13+
Plot
This is the first book in the New York Times best selling series of Chief Inspector Gamache. I fell in LOVE with the Inspector, the town of Three Pines, a small Canadian village just north of the US, and its residents. Louise Penny CAN WRITE.
The mystery was great (and I didn’t solve it) but what got me the most was Penny’s writing style and reflections on the human psyche. This first Louise Penny book has Chief Inspector Armand Gamache searching a piece of art for clues after its painter, Jane Neal, turns up dead.
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the best detective books I have ever read. You will fall in love with Three Pines and the people who live there. The wonderful community in this series is the best of what cozy books should be. If you love mystery novels and have not read this series, What are you waiting for?
Find this book in: Louise Penny Books in Order / Best Mysteries of all Time /Jackie’s Favorite Books / Best Winter Books / Adult Versions of Favorite Childhood Books
The Frozen River
Author: Ariel Lawhon
Year: 2023
Genre: Mystery
More info: December 2023 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I was so excited to read this pick from the 2023 book releases and let me tell you that I was not disappointed!
This historical mystery is inspired by the diary of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife, who never lost a single mother in over 1000 deliveries.
When a man found entombed in ice, also happens to be the same man accused of a horrible attack, Martha tries to seek justice for the women that nobody else wants to protect. This is a time when man’s word was the law.
Trigger Warnings
Rape, sexual assault
Why Jackie loves it
This book is brilliantly written and so well-researched that I could not put it down. The book starts slower as the characters develop, I was fascinated to read about Martha and how she became the educated woman that she was in a time when this was not the norm.
Find this book in: Best Books of 2023 / Best Winter Books / Best Books for Book Clubs / Best Celebrity Book Club Picks / Books Set in Maine / GMA Book Club List 2023
Plot
This book is so many things in one! It’s a mystery set on Christmas Eve about a train full of people who get snowbound – and then someone gets murdered! Luckily there is a former detective named Roz who will work the case and try to keep everyone safe.
Trigger Warnings
Rape, Domestic Violence
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s more than just a murder mystery though, it also addresses domestic violence and rape – so please go in prepared if those are triggers for you. It’s kind of odd to put all those things in one book, but it works! #gifted
Find this book in: Christmas Books 2023 / Best Christmas Books of All Time / Isolation Novels / Christmas Mystery Books
Fantasy Winter Books
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Author: Heather Fawcett
Year: 2023
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Emily Wilde #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13+
Plot
Emily Wilde is an expert on the study of faeries who is writing the first encyclopedia on faerie lore. She has traveled to the village of Hrafnsvik to study the Hidden Ones. She is much better with her dog and faeries than she is with people so she is not happy when Wendell Bamblely shows up uninvited. He is her handsome and lazy rival who is not opposed to making things up as he goes along.
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the best fantasy books of 2023! I knew I needed to read it as soon as I saw the name, but everything about it was wonderful. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The sequel, Emily Wilde’s Map of the Overlands is already of of my favorites of 2024.
Find this book in: Fae Books / Cozy Books / Best Books of 2023 / Adult Fantasy Romance Books /Adult Fantasy Novels / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Guide to Emily Wilde Series
A Fate Inked in Blood
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Year: 2024
Genre: Mythology
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
More Info: Saga of the Unfated Book 1 of 2
Age Range: 18+
Plot
I love Greek mythology retellings and recently have started reading mythology retellings from other cultures too! Outside of Marvel’s Thor movies, I don’t know much about Norse mythology, so I was particularly eager to dive into this book.
The first in a trilogy, the story follows Freya, who goes from being a fishwife to the kingmaker after her goddess blood is discovered. Sworn in oath to one man; but burning with passion for another, Freya is one of the fiercest heroines I’ve ever read.
Why Kirsten loves it
This STEAMY romantasy is filled with blood lust, battle scenes, and world-building. I was transfixed by Jensen’s ability to weave such a mythical world. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, especially after the way this one ended!!
Find this book in: Adult Fantasy Novels / Books set in Winter / Adult Fantasy Novels / Mythology Books / Fantasy Duology Books
The Bear and the Nightingale
Author: Katherine Arden
Year: 2017
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Book one of the Winternight Trilogy
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This fantasy book which is based on Russian folklore was a slow build. I wasn’t sure about it until about halfway through when I couldn’t put it down. In fact, I went out to buy the sequel (The Girl in the Tower) immediately because I needed to find out what had happened.
Vasya lives with her family on the edge of a Russian forest where they hear stories of the Blue-eyed winter demon and honor household spirits. When Vasya’s dad brings home a new stepmother who forbids these practices, misfortunes follow. Vasya now must use the gifts that she has kept hidden all these years.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a parent
Why Jackie loves it
The plot of this story is detailed and unlike anything I have ever read. I felt invested in following Vasya’s story. The writing is captivating and I loved this trilogy in its entirety. I felt like all three books were needed to make this a complete story.
Find this book in: Fairy Tale Retellings / Adult Fantasy Novels / Mythology Books / Best Winter Books
The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Year: 2011
Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The scene has been set for a magical competition between the pupils of two very powerful magicians. The stage: The Night Circus. The pupils, a man & a woman, are unsure of the rules, unsure of how to win, or when the competition will end.
As the competition continues, the opponents fall in love – a situation that only complicates their predicament. They are never quite sure of the rules or how to win.
Why Jackie loves it
Every word captivated me from beginning to end and I couldn’t put it down. The story was magical- both literally and figuratively and the descriptions are so vivid. This is one of my all-time favorite books. I have read this book a few times and each time, I get something different from the story.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is magic in a way that I never imagined it before. The story has twists and surprises that left me wondering how I didn’t see what was right there all along.
Find this book in: Best Romance Novels of all Time / The Best Carnival and Circus Books / Cozy Books / Best Adult Fantasy Novels
Find more like this: Books Like the Night Circus
Spinning Silver
Author: Naomi Novik
Year: 2018
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Nebula and Hugo Award Finalist
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Miryem’s family are moneylenders but her family is in poverty because her father does not collect his debts. In an effort to save her family, Miryem begins collecting the debts herself and soon a rumor begins that she can turn silver into gold. Soon, these rumors spread to the king of Staryk, and Miryem’s life changes forever when he comes to see if the rumors are true.
Why Jackie loves it
I adored this YA fantasy book by Novik. I loved the strong female characters, the story, and the writing. This book is a classic retelling of Rumplestiltskin that is complex and wonderful and the ending had me in tears.
Find this book in: YA Fantasy Books / The Best Winter Books / Fairy Tale Retellings / Books with Colors in the Title
Romance Books Set In Winter
The Hundred Loves of Juliet
Author: Evelyn Skye
Year: 2023
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
After a terrible divorce, Helene moves to a small town in Alaska to write a novel. When she meets Sebastian, a handsome fisherman, he is the personification of all the dreams she ever had of her perfect man.
Helene is determined to find the truth about her instant connection to Sebastian, but he’s determined to keep it from her.
Why Kirsten loves it
I don’t want to spoil exactly how this Romeo and Juliet retelling is connected to the original story, but it’s a lovely romance with many mini-romances scattered throughout.
Why Jackie loves it
This book will keep you turning the pages and smiling at the end. Kirsten and I both think this is one of the best romance books of 2023.
Find this book in: Best Books of 2023 / Cozy Books / Second Chance Romance / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Nonlinear Narrative Novels / Amnesia Books / Books With Numbers in the Title
One Day in December
Author: Josie Silver
Year: 2018
Genre: Romance
More info: December 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When Laurie sees a man through the bus window, she just knows it’s love at first sight. But the bus drove away before she could do anything about it. While she desperately looks for him for a year, she meets him once again, as the boy her best friend, Sarah, is dating.
Over the next 10 years, readers are privy to the ups and downs of Jack, Sarah, and Laurie’s lives and relationships with one another.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is another holiday book I adored. This second-chance love story takes place over 10 years, and you’ll be rooting for this couple the entire time.
Why Jackie loves it
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.
Find this book in: Best Holiday Books / Winter Books / New Year’s Eve Books / Best Christmas Books of All Time / Christmas Book Club Books / Best Christmas Romance Books / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2018
Whiteout
Author: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany B. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
Year: 2022
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13 – 17
Plot
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, features multiple love stories set on the same night, and is interconnected when friends try to help their besties get back together.
Why Kirsten loves it
You know a book is going to be fire when this many heavy-hitting authors are involved. Each of these love stories swept me up and I loved the warm and fuzzy feelings this book gave me. Save this book to read before the fire when it snows and you won’t regret it!
Find this book in: YA Christmas Romance Books / Books with Color in the Title / Books Set in Winter / Short Stories
The Bronze Horseman
Author: Paullina Simons
Year: 2009
Genre: Historical Romance
More info: Bronze Horseman #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This epic love story can almost rival that of Jamie and Claire in Outlander. This saga takes place over decades and all over the world. This is an epic love story that begins in Leningrad during WWII.
Tatiana Metanova meets Alexander, an officer of the Red Army. Amid the terror of the war, the two fall in love, but Alexander is keeping a secret that can devastate them all.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a fantastic story from a historical fiction perspective because of the attention to detail. I learned a lot about everyday life in that era. Like Outlander, it’s a whopping 1000 pages but I couldn’t stop!
Find this book in: Historical Romance / Books About WWII / Books Like Outlander / Cozy Books / Books with Colors in the Title/ The Best Long Books
Weather Girl
Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
Year: 2022
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
In this romance novel, weather girl Ari teams up with sports anchor Russ to get their feuding bosses back together Parent-Trap style. Along the way, they kindle sparks of their own! There are lots of fun weather puns, adorable scenarios for both romantic pairs, and love scenes that aren’t for the faint of heart🔥🔥🔥.
Trigger Warnings
Mental Illness, Fatphobia
Why Kirsten loves it
The best part of all is that the book deals with REAL life issues like depression, body image, teen pregnancy, and complex families.
Find this book in: Novels About Weather / Books Like Love Hypothesis / Office Romance / Best Winter Books
The Cafe by the Sea
Author: Jenny Colgan
Year: 2017
Genre: Fiction
More info: Mure Island #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Jenny Colgan churns out another light beach read with heart. Cafe by the Sea is set on the gorgeous island of Mure in Scotland. Scotland shines in this story about life in a town set in its ways and trying to resist the pull of modern life. Flora has returned home because her boss, Joel – who she is secretly in love with – asks her to. She thought she needed to leave Mure to be who she was destined to be, but being back and reconnecting with her family has her questioning who she really wants to be.
Why Kirsten loves it
There is a romance in this story, but the pull was also on the heroine reconnecting with her old life and family.
Find this book in: Bakery Romance Novels / Office Romances / Best Jenny Colgan Books / Books About Food
YA Winter Books
Plot
Taking place at a dated luxury hotel at Christmas time and culminating with a New Year’s Eve ball, there is an abundance of antics afoot. Sophie is a hotel intern there to make sure the guests have all they need. But when she is not expecting to deal with missing jewels, find a potential love interest, or be worried about ghosts – all in one holiday season!
Why Kirsten loves it
What a cute story! I loved the unique setting and hysterical antics. Jewel thieves, ghosts, kid-nappers, back-door dealings, and teenage drama fill this wonderful holiday book.
Find this book in Best Holiday Books / YA Christmas Books / Best Winter Books / Hotel Novels / New Year’s Eve Books / Best Winter Books
Ski Weekend
Author: Rektok Ross
Year: 2021
Genre: YA Thriller
More info: Dark Seasons Thriller Series 1/4
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Six teens and a dog go on a ski weekend, but how many of them will return? When Sam, her brother, and 4 friends go on a ski weekend, the last thing they expect is to crash in a snowbank with little food and no cell phone reception. What would you do to survive this isolation novel?
Trigger Warnings
Car accident
Why Jackie loves it
This YA survival thriller had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. I can see why it has won so many awards. Fair warning, if you read it before a ski trip, you might want to wait until you get back!
Find this book in: Best Winter Books
Expert Tip
There are quite a few genres on this list, and the thing they have in common is that they are all set in winter. If you are looking for a great book from this list, you can have a look at the descriptions and our thoughts. This should help you choose a book you will love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all of the books on this list cozy winter books?
No. Jackie and I love cozy books, but not all of these are cozy. These are all books set in winter. You will feel the need to get into a cozy blanket, but some of these are a little more thrilling than a cozy book allows.
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Epilogue
Did you find any books set in winter to add to your TBR list?
