Best Holiday Romance Books (Fun & Festive Rom-coms!) | 2023

Meet Molly and Andrew and join them on a flight to Dublin, Ireland, a ritual they’ve repeated for over ten years. In fact, sitting next to each other on this 7-plus hour flight from Chicago is the only time they spend together each year. 

When a snowstorm grounds this year’s flight, Molly and Andrew are about to spend much more time together on many forms of transportation. As they embark on this misadventure, their hearts may also travel – from just friends to lovers!

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble

This new release treats us to a merry love triangle between Megan, Isaac, and Christian. Home again for the holidays, Megan is navigating Isaac, whom she left on the alter four years ago to pursue her big dreams in the city, and Christian, who physically bumps into a local Dublin pub.

As Megan and Christian try to survive the holiday madness as “fake dates,” everything gets a little messy in the best way!

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Brenda Malloy, who had a traumatic Christmas break-up last year involving her dog and a pair of women’s lacy underwear that were not hers, is determined to avoid Christmas. Instead, she’s transported rescue dogs two thousand miles from her home in Houston to a small town in the Catskills of New York.

While in New York, a snowstorm strands Brenda in the town just long enough to meet Adam Bellamy, single dad and paramedic. As Brends delivers each rescued dog to their new home,  she starts to feel the warmth and joy of Christmas again. (I’m guessing Adam may have something to do with Brenda’s newfound festive feelings!)

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Step into McCredie’s little Old Town bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland, and get to know the owner, Carmen. As Carmen tries to make ends meet with her little bookshop, she’s trying even harder to keep her personal life together in this delightful, cozy read. 

Jenny Colgan is becoming a Christmas tradition on my December booklists. Last year, I featured The Christmas Bookshop, which you may want to read first.
If you love Jenny Colgan, cozy up to Jenny Colgan’s Christmas Book Set: A sweet holiday collection including Christmas at Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop & Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble

Gracie, the “good elf,” has finally been pushed over the edge when her fiance-stealing sister cuts up her cherished grandmother’s wedding dress that she had planned to wear. Now, she’s seeking to sabotage her sister’s plans to marry her ex-fiance this holiday season by pretending to date a hot guy who’s precisely her sister’s type.

If you’re a fan of these rom-coms, then you know fake dating often leads to real dating (or at least, into bed!). 

Get ready to be entertained, but be warned that this novel spans an estimated 589 printed pages! At that length, it may be the only book you’ll need this holiday season. (Also, can I say how much I love the little pug on the cover?)

Buy on Amazon

I can’t disagree with the above statement! In this exciting new release novella, you’ll enjoy the sweet story of Kerry Tolliver, who left her family’s North Carolina tree farm to sell trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village.

Mix in Patrick, a single dad who lives in the neighborhood, and an elderly neighbor who goes missing, and you have the recipe for Christmas magic with a dash of romance.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

When severe turbulence terrifies Maryam and Anna, strangers and seatmates on a flight to Toronto, they divulge their deepest hopes and fears. Little did they know that Maryam’s ex-boyfriend, Saif, was sitting nearby and overheard everything. 

When the plane makes an emergency landing, Anna, Saif, Maryam, and her bridal party find themselves snowbound at a charming inn, where fate brings Anna’s actor crush, and love blossoms unexpectedly for both women.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

In this sexy, hilarious holiday rom-com, Beat Dawkins may be Melody Gallard’s exact opposite, but they share one thing: their rock-star moms who used to play for the same band. 

Now reunited as adults, Mel and Beat head quickly and chaotically into a dramatic Christmas Eve. At least they have each other!

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Stella wants to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid. To do it, she enters a contest that’ll get her the publicity she needs and a $100,000 cash prize. The catch? Stella lied on the contest form to make it seem like a romantic location.

With no romance in her life to sell this lie, Stella takes advantage of an old friend, Luka Peters, who stopped by for a hot chocolate. 

Can Stella and Luka create a fake relationship to win the contest? Or the better question is, does Stella and Luka end up together? I’ll wage $100,000 that they do!
Enjoy this novel as part of the 4-book Lovelight series that you can read all year long!

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million