YA Christmas Books
Are you looking for the best YA Christmas books this holiday season? I’ve got charming favorites to recommend for you to enjoy!
Each of these Christmas books for teens are perfect for the holiday season and while many are romantic in nature, they are all appropriate for teens.
The Best YA Christmas 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 New YA Christmas Book
Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll – Jump to section
The Best YA Romance Christmas Book
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan – Jump to section
The Best Unique Young Adult Christmas Book
Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin 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.
The Best New YA Christmas Books
Some Like it Cold
Author: Elle McNicoll
Year: 2024
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Jasper has arrived home from college for the holidays and to see her sister get married. Being back in town stirs up a lot of feelings and some unresolved issues stemming from how long she’s had to mask her autism and play the role of the perfect daughter. Meanwhile, Arthur, her arch-nemesis, is filming the leadup to her sister’s nuptials for a film competition.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved being inside Jasper’s head and learning more about how she views the world. It was incredibly eye-opening to understand the autistic experience firsthand from Jasper’s (and Elle’s) perspective. I wanted to throttle her family quite a few times, but I did fall in love with Lake Pristine and it’s townspeople.
Find this book in: YA Christmas Books / New Christmas Books 2024
Blame It on the Mistletoe
Author: Beth Garrod
Year: 2021
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹
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
Plot
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 is making around the store. She’s recently become “Santa’s Intern” and her workload is piling up.
Add to that, the boys in 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. At the same time, she wants to rehabilitate her reputation with her peers and try to decipher her feelings for the classmate who works that Christmas tree lot across the street.
Why Kirsten loves it
The story was sweet and heartwarming – a perfect Christmas romance novel for any teens in your life!
Find this book in: YA Christmas Books / Christmas Books for 2022
Romance Christmas Books for Teens
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares
Author: Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
Year: 2010
Genre: YA Romance
More info: Dash & Lily #1
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 13+
Plot
It’s no wonder this is one of the most popular ya Christmas books – it’s now a Netflix movie! It’s also the first of a 3 book series featuring Dash and Lily, two teenagers who find themselves connected through a red notebook they found in a bookstore.
While they trade secrets and dares, their challenges to one another morph into a heartwarming Christmas romance.
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s a charming young adult Christmas book about teen love that has quickly become a classic. The Netflic movie is just as cute!
Find this book in: YA Christmas Books
So, This is Christmas
Author: Tracy Andreen
Year: 2021
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹
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
The Holiday Switch
Author: Tif Marcelo
Year: 2021
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹
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
The Christmas Clash
Author: Suzanne Park
Year: 2022
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This YA story is about 2 enemies-turned-friends trying to save their respective parent’s restaurants from being evicted from the local mall during the holiday season. As the duo team up to save their parents and the other mall residents, sparks fly and they begin to fall in love. But can their budding relationship survive their parent’s feud and the impending closures?
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
I like that this story focused not just on Christmas, but on racism and other deep topics. Of course it all ends wrapped in a bow, but it’s important to get a little more depth in a teen romance.
Find this book in: YA Christmas Books / Christmas Books for 2022
Unique Young Adult Holiday 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
Eight Dates and Nights
Author: Betsy Aldredge
Year: 2023
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 12 – 17
Plot
Hannah Levin is upset that she is being forced to spend part of her winter vacation with her grandmother in small-town Texas. There is nothing she dislikes more than the tinsel of Christmas and wants to spend her Hanukkah with her friends and family in NYC.
When there is a snowstorm and her return flight home to New York is delayed, she is forced to spend Hanukkah in Texas. She meets Noah, who is annoyingly adorable and is determined to not only bring Hanukkah to his small town but teach Hannah that there are different ways to celebrate.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a holiday romance at its best. If you are looking for the best Hanukkah books, this young adult pick is a gem.
Find this book in: Best Holiday Books
Whiteout
Author: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany B. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
Year: 2022
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹
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
Plot
This YA book was quite clever as a modern retelling of Dicken’s classic. 17-year-old Holly was visited by the ghosts of Christmas because she was a total scrooge. But she woke up unaffected by the visit and died shortly thereafter. Now she has to work for Operation Scrooge as she tries to help other poor scrooges like herself.
She’s been the ghost of Christmas past for 5 years now but this year is different…this year something changes…and it might just be her!Â
Why Kirsten loves it
This paranormal book is such a great read for teens looking to be exposed to Dicken’s classic in a more modern setting.
Find this book in: Classic Book Retellings / Ghost Books / YA Christmas Books / Fantasy Christmas Books
Helpful Tips
- Just because these Christmas novels are for teens, doesn’t mean adults won’t enjoy them too!
- For more Christmas books for young adults, check out my list of the best Christmas books of all time. Many of those stories are OK for older teens!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best YA Christmas book?
I love the house-swapping premise of Blame it on the Mistletoe by Beth Garrod. It’s got magical Christmas scenes, a holiday in London, and two sweet romances!
Is Dash & Lily based on a book?
Yes! The hit Netflix show is based on Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. That book is the first in a trilogy about Dash and Lily created by the writing duo.
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Epilogue
These are the young adult Christmas novels that I adore. Which of these Christmas stories for teens are you planning to read? Did I leave off your favorite? Let me know below!
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