the best holiday romance books for comfy and cozy reading

During the holidays is the perfect time to catch up on your reading, and books are a wonderful addition to your holiday wish list! I’ve gathered some wonderful book suggestions for you. Some fit the historical romance genre, while others are sweet romantic comedies. Keep reading for my recommendations of the best holiday romance books for comfy and cozy reading!

All of these recommendations are closed-door romances with no explicit content.

The best holiday romance books: historical romance

Regency Christmas Brides (four-book series)

This series features the love stories of four cousins, all of whom are involved in challenges to marry for love or affection by Twelfth Night. I highly recommend three of these books. (The other one has a “villain” from the heroine’s past who adds to the tension. It’s just not my cup of tea, especially when searching for cozy Christmas stories.)

• A Seasonal Pursuit by Rebecca Connolly–Rose is determined to remain a “spinster,” but her aunt’s challenge to wed by Twelfth Night comes with a beautiful cottage and the means to support herself. Allow me to gush about this one a bit–it’s delightful!! The characters, the banter, the emotion, the growth, the glimpses of family life, absolute perfection!
• Yuletide Bride by Kasey Stockton–Colin’s marriage of convenience isn’t turning out to be very convenient. It seems they both have a lot to learn, and the book is filled with scene after scene of heartwarming growth and tenderness. A perfect holiday read!
• Married by Twelfth Night by Anneka Walker–Richard and Grace enter a sham courtship, but things don’t go as either of them planned. This is a fun enemies-to-lovers romance. Filled with enchanting antics and special moments. Absolutely delightful!

The Belles of Christmas (five-book series)

This is a delightful collection of Christmas stories set in Regency England. Each is a standalone title, and you can read them in any order. When I went back to review the summaries of each of these books, I kept thinking, “Oh, this one was my favorite!” as I read each synopsis. They’re all diverting, and they’re all available in Kindle Unlimited.

• Unmasking Lady Caroline by Mindy Burbridge Strunk–Enjoy reading this hidden identity tale and learning about Regency masquerade balls.
• Goodwill for the Gentleman by Martha Keyes–Emma despises Hugh for jilting her sister. Her opinions change as she gets to know him better.
• The Earl’s Mistletoe Match by Ashtyn Newbold–The heroine is considered a “spinster” and devotes herself to assisting her sweet cousin. Her own love story surprises her.
• Nine Ladies Dancing by Deborah Hathaway–Fun challenges and meddling parents, what could go wrong?
• A Duke for Lady Eve by Kasey Stockton–Maybe this one really is my favorite! It’s a fun hidden identity tale with a twist.

Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair (five-book series)

These books are all set during a Frost Fair in London. A few scenes in the books overlap. I recommend that you read them in order to notice the subtle links between the books. These are definitely among the best holiday romance books.

The Frost Fair was an extraordinary event that took place during the “Little Ice Age” in the 17th to early 19th centuries, when the River Thames in London would occasionally freeze solid. When the ice was thick enough, Londoners held lively fairs on the river, featuring market stalls, games, food, and even temporary pubs. These fairs included everything from printing presses printing commemorative pamphlets to fox hunting on the ice. The most famous Frost Fair happened in 1814, the setting for these books. I enjoyed learning about the Frost Fair and other Regency Christmas traditions.

• Her Silent Knight by Ashton Newbold–Filled with a forbidden courtship and many secrets, this is a fun read!
• All is Mary and Bright by Kasey Stockton–A young earl struggling to live up to his late father’s expectations meets the daughter of a close family friend. But she’s already engaged.
• Thawing the Viscount’s Heart by Mindy Burbridge Strunk–A young man returns from the Napoleonic wars to bump into a young woman repeatedly–and she is French.
• On the Second Day of Christmas by Deborah Hathaway–A Mishap places Lucy in the care of a physician. The young doctor is Lucy’s former suitor whose proposal she refused. An engaging story!
• The Christmas Foundling by Martha Keyes–So beautiful! The featured couple is already married but struggling in their relationship due to infertility. Keyes tenderly and sensitively shares their special story.

The best holiday romance books: sweet romantic comedies

That Time We Kissed Under the Mistletoe by Julie Christianson

This is the fourth book in the Abieville Love Stories series set in a wonderful small town. (I suspect there are two more upcoming books in the series.) That Time We Kissed Under the Mistletoe features Sara Hathaway, who has her life in order and is focused on her career. She returns to Abieville and hopes to avoid Bradford “Three” Fuller, the guy who broke her heart in high school. But when the holiday season throws them together again, old feelings start to resurface. As they confront their shared past and the misunderstandings that separated them, Sara begins to wonder if Three might be right for her after all. This heartwarming holiday romance brings together themes of forgiveness, growth, and rekindled love, all wrapped up in festive holiday charm. It can be read independently of the rest of the series, but I recommend reading them all.

Mistletoe Face Off by Kate O’Keefe

If you’re a fan of hockey rom coms, you’ll have to check out this one. It’s the first in a series following the Chicago Blizzard hockey team. In this book, journalist Holly Coleman is covering a charity event for the team, leading to a staged media feud with star player Harrison Clarke, who also happens to be her high school crush. As they playfully “fake-hate” each other, real sparks fly, complicated by Holly’s responsibilities as a single mom and Harrison’s hidden past. This charming holiday romcom follows the duo as they navigate old feelings, career goals, and a budding romance amid festive hockey antics.

How to Ruin the Holidays by Becky Monson and The Holiday Ex-Files by Jennifer Peel

These two books go together. They share the stories of two best friends navigating their rocky roads to love. Delightful!

In How to Ruin the Holidays, Mara travels to the quaint town of Carole Cove on a work assignment, determined to keep things strictly business. But her plans are quickly disrupted when she meets Noel Holiday, a local with a festive name and a personality to match. As Mara navigates holiday events and quirky townsfolk, she finds herself drawn to Noel’s charm despite her initial reluctance. What begins as an inconvenient trip for work turns into a heartwarming experience as Mara discovers the magic of Christmas and the possibility of unexpected romance. Fans of Hallmark Christmas movies will enjoy the references.

In The Holiday Ex-Files, Cami is feeling less than festive after her marriage ends in a painful betrayal. To cope, she launches the (titular) humorous project about moving on from exes. Just as she’s starting to enjoy her independence, Noah—her ex-husband’s best friend—reappears in her life. Though he’s a reminder of her past, Noah is supportive, kind, and seems to see her in a new light. As they spend more time together, Cami realizes that healing and even new love might be possible after all. This holiday romance is both heartfelt and humorous, with themes of resilience and rediscovery.

Merry Little Hate Notes by Jennifer Peel

Holly St. James is determined to avoid her annoyingly charming coworker, Brandon Cassidy. He also happens to be her brother’s best friend and her first kiss. When they have to work together during the holiday season, Holly’s efforts to dodge him become challenging. Brandon resurrects their childhood game of “hate notes” to win her attention, revealing his true feelings along the way. This romantic comedy explores themes of love, misunderstandings, and holiday spirit.

A Holly Jilly Christmas by Emma St. Clair

This lighthearted novella is set in the charming town of Sheet Cake, Texas. The story follows Jillian, a location scout for Hallmark-style movies, who finds herself on an unexpected trip with her grumpy co-worker, Case. Though they haven’t had the best working relationship, circumstances force them to spend time together as they explore potential filming locations. Initially, Jillian determines to maintain a strictly professional attitude, especially since she has a crush on Case. However, as they navigate various mishaps and surprises, Jillian discovers a more humorous and kind side to him that sparks her feelings even further. There’s a whole series of books set in Sheet Cake. Strongly recommend!

Single All the Way by Kate Watson

A charming enemies-to-lovers story. The plot centers on Juliet, who finds herself stuck on an elevator with her annoying but attractive neighbor, Nate. This unexpected situation leads to an undeniable spark between them, pushing them to confront their feelings. Juliet typically shifts quickly from crush to crush, and Nate challenges her to see beyond her family’s negative views. As they navigate their growing connection, Juliet proposes a fake dating arrangement for the upcoming holiday season: she’ll bring Nate to her twin sister’s wedding, and in return, she must accompany him to his ambitious family’s holiday party. The story unfolds with humor and heartfelt moments as they each grapple with their real feelings amid the facade of a fake relationship.

What would you include in a list of the best holiday romance books?

Do you have some favorites I haven’t listed here? Let me know!

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Fondly,

Crysti