Can you believe it?! It’s the time of year again. When the weather is getting colder and you finally get to utilise your vast collection of chunky scarves, where chocolate for breakfast is not only acceptable but encouraged and when we can finally crack open all those fantastic seasonal reads full of holiday magic. We’ve already been delving into the plethora of Christmas books and we thought we would give you some of our favourites. All of them are perfect for curling up by the Christmas tree and dreaming of mistletoe kisses, so if you are in the mood for some holiday reading, check out our recommendations below!
HOLIDAY WISHES by Jill Shalvis
My favorite author when it comes to holiday read, this novella in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis is one that you need to check out. Although short, it has everything that I love in a holiday story. Sweet but also uplifting, this short story is sure to have you falling in love with the holidays!
MAYBE THIS CHRISTMAS by Jennifer Snow
In my quest for holiday reads I often end up trying new authors every year and this year I found a winner! I completely adored this friends to lovers romance about a professional hockey player and his best friend/physical therapist. It has all the charm I look for in a holiday read down to some crotchety parents and a beautiful mountain getaway. I flew through this read and I can’t wait to go back and catch up reading the previous books in this series.
LOVE ME BY CHRISTMAS by Jaci Burton
Jaci is my go-to holiday read author and I was beyond excited to see she had a new story coming out this year. There’s something very comforting about her holiday stories and this was no different. Roommates to lovers but so much more. This is definitely a sweet romance. If you love your Hallmark Christmas movies, then you’ll enjoy this story!
DREAMING OF A WHITE WOLF CHRISTMAS by Terry Spear
As my first book by Terry Spear, I really had no idea what to expect. This is the first book in a new series, but it does springboard off of her other popular Heart of the Wolf series so I would suggest reading those first. But if you’re in the mood for something light and cheerful to get you into the holiday spirit, this is a good one to try. This book is a very fast-paced read so it’s great as a refresher to lighten up your mood and get you howling some Christmas carols.
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS EVE by Elizabeth Hoyt
As the last and final story in the Maiden Lane series, this book is a little bittersweet for me. I really don’t want the series to end, but I do feel like it has ended at a very good place. I love that Hoyt decided to end with a Christmas story because it really concludes the series well at a happy point. If you follow the series, you will know the hero of this story already and I didn’t think he was going to get a story, so it was a nice surprise to see him as the lead here. I love how Hoyt takes unexpected heroes and gives them a story. It’s not always redeeming in the most obvious way, but it’s still satisfying nevertheless.
*Musical Intermission*
CLOSE TO HEAVEN by Pamela Clare
In Clare’s Contemporary Romance series, this book has a more touching note to it. It follows a hero who has lots of repay and isn’t really in the mood for the holidays. But when he falls for his general manager, Joe starts to see what makes Christmas so special. A story of healing, this book takes a more serious tone that will no doubt warm reader’s hearts.
COWBOY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE by Lori Wilde
Twilight, Texas is one of those towns that’s full of holiday charm! This may be my favorite read in the series yet. Hot country star coming to a small town as a favor to a friend and the first time he sees the heroine his muse comes back to me. These two were so adorable and this is another sweet read with the perfect small town holiday setting.
THREAD THE HALLS by Lea Wait
From the Cozy Mystery genre, this book is part of the Mainly Needlepoint series. It’s a slower paced series that has the laid back vibe of the holidays. I think this is a great introduction to the genre if you’re new to Mystery. It has a cute lead heroine with lots of page time with the secondary characters. So if you like books that put a emphasis on community then this one is a great one to try!
Check out our previous years recommendations: 2016 | 2015| 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011
What are your holiday recommendations?
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Thanks for the list.
Oh my gosh, I love Christmas stories so much! I’m excited about all of these. Time to get the wallet out. Thanks, gorgeous ladies!
I loved holiday treasury by Christine feehan, and A vampires christmas carol by Cynthia eden!! Shared on all my socials!!
Great recommendations! Thanks!
Great list! I particularly loved Pamela Clare’s Close to Heaven – a Christmas story in the middle of a series I already love is my favourite :). Other recommendations… well, Clare’s Dead By Midnight, part of her romantic suspense I-Team series, is coming out on audio this year. So. Excited. Kaleo Griffith is the narrator *swoons*.
I have already read a few good Christmas novellas – Deck the Halls by Donna Alward, -Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne, With This Christmas Ring by Manda Collins and Mistletoe and the Major by Anna Campbell. I’m reading Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis & plan to read Holiday Wishes after that. Cowboy It’s Cold Outside is in my stack, as is Carolyn Brown’s Long, Tall Cowboy Christmas. I hope I have enough time!
Thanks for the recs!
Great list! I particularly loved Pamela Clare’s Close to Heaven – a Christmas story in the middle of a series I already love is my favourite :). Other recommendations… well, Clare’s Dead By Midnight, part of her romantic suspense I-Team series, is coming out on audio this year. So. Excited. Kaleo Griffith is the narrator *swoons*.
Thanks for the recs!
I loved holiday treasury by Christine feehan, and A vampires christmas carol by Cynthia eden!! Shared on all my socials!!
I have already read a few good Christmas novellas – Deck the Halls by Donna Alward, -Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne, With This Christmas Ring by Manda Collins and Mistletoe and the Major by Anna Campbell. I’m reading Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis & plan to read Holiday Wishes after that. Cowboy It’s Cold Outside is in my stack, as is Carolyn Brown’s Long, Tall Cowboy Christmas. I hope I have enough time!
Oh my gosh, I love Christmas stories so much! I’m excited about all of these. Time to get the wallet out. Thanks, gorgeous ladies!
Thanks for the list.
Great recommendations! Thanks!