Best Christmas Romance Novels for 2024

Book Summary

Jessica may not have experienced her own happily ever after yet, but she’s great at writing them. She spends her days as a small-time romance writer, as does her ex-boyfriend, who has become her biggest writing rival. The difference is that Nick writes romances without happily ever afters.

When a shared professional obligation leaves them snowed in at a remote inn with only one room, Jess and Nick are both fuming. But it turns out that the friction between them might be exactly what these romance writers need to overcome their writer’s block. Soon, the pages start flying.

Book Summary

Christmas is a romantic time of year, but as the holidays approach, each Belvedere sibling has a love life crisis on their hands.

The oldest, Liz, is a Hollywood showrunner struggling to follow up on her show’s hit first season, not to mention her giant crush on the show’s star, Violet Grace.

Birdie is trying to turn her middle-child syndrome into a stand-up comedy career, but she’d be more successful if she spent more time writing material and less time wooing women (at least according to her manager, who just fired her).

And then there’s the youngest, Rafi, the golden boy. He just proposed to his girlfriend in front of the whole company, and she said no.

The three siblings have three different fathers but share one mother – famed actress and singer Babs Belvedere. This Christmas, looking to escape work and swear off love, Liz, Birdie, and Rafi are all heading to Babs’s house in the Catskill mountains. None of them could predict the delightful and festive ways in which their plans will be derailed.

Book Summary

Hailey dreams of becoming a professional songwriter, but for now, she’s working as an assistant band teacher at a Portland high school. As the holidays approach, Hailey knows that spending the traditional Christmas with her family means spending most of her time dodging her mother’s questions about her love life.

When a friend offers Hailey her family’s empty cabin in a small Oregon town for a solo holiday retreat, she decides to prioritize her own happiness this season. The cabin turns out not to be as peaceful as she imagined, though, because it’s been invaded by several wild animals. Luckily, a local man named Jay is willing to help. It doesn’t hurt that Jay is handsome, charming, and a former musician.

Hailey’s planned solo trip quickly becomes a romantic getaway as she and Jay enjoy all the festive holiday activities together. But when family drama from home disrupts her newfound peace and confidence, she’ll have to weather the storm.

Book Summary

Sienna’s family has lived on and cared for the same wild Idaho land for generations, but with her parents gone and her marriage over, it suddenly feels very lonely. Trying to make her feel better, Sienna’s best friend jokingly places a husband-for-hire ad in the paper. The man who responds, however, is taking it very seriously.

Guy is a handsome Montana construction worker with a young daughter battling stage-five kidney disease. Money is tight, and he can’t afford the anti-rejection meds Emma would need in order to receive a kidney transplant. He’s willing to do anything to help his daughter, even if it means marrying a stranger.

Sienna knows that this marriage of convenience is only about helping Emma, but she can’t help but notice how easily the guy fits into life at the ranch and how much more light and laughter result from his and Emma’s presence. The more time they spend as a fake family, the more she fears the very real loss she’ll feel when it ends.

Book Summary

Darcy recently broke up with a cheating boyfriend, and her friends are determined to set her up with a perfect blind date. But she’s too busy pursuing her PhD in Copenhagen and determined not to be distracted by a broken heart.

When an unknown portrait by Denmark’s greatest painter is discovered beneath another masterpiece, Darcy is tasked with uncovering the identity of the woman in the painting. Her research brings her into contact with some of the most powerful figures in the art world, including Max – the blind date.

She can’t deny the instant attraction, but she’s determined to keep things professional. Then, a discovery threatens to put her and Max on opposite sides forever.

Book Summary

Julie has been secretly dating a much younger man, so it’s very convenient when both of her kids have other plans for Christmas this year. She’s feeling practically giddy about the idea of one-on-one holiday time with Heath.

At the last minute, her kids decide to gather at the family cabin in memory of their late father (Julie’s ex). Julie dreads her kids’ reaction to her new man, but she can’t bring herself to refuse their request.

Before she knows it, the guest list grows to include her new daughter-in-law’s estranged mom, as well as her boyfriend’s precocious children. In this holiday comedy, one family will learn that more really is merrier if they can let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.

Book Summary

Saira has had a successful career as a romance writer, but she’s been in a recent slump, with her last three books failing to meet expectations. Her publisher has decided to put her current work-in-progress on hold and instead wants her to write a holiday book – Saira’s least favorite kind of romance novel.

Determined to save her career, Saira decides to pack her bags and head to Santa Claus, Indiana, in search of the holiday spirit she’ll need to complete this writing assignment. She makes arrangements to rent a property for her stay but doesn’t expect the rental manager to be a handsome volunteer firefighter and football coach.

Book Summary

Rachel has suffered a lot of loss recently – her best friend, her job, and a breakup. The upcoming holiday season is the last thing she wants to think about.

When her rich sister suggests that Rachel escape to her plush country house in Surrey for the season, all she asks is that Rachel dog-sit her spaniel. Soon, however, Rachel realizes that she’s also now responsible for caring for her elderly Grandpa Eric, not to mention cooking dinner for an entire village.

In the midst of it all, Rachel meets Ben, a handsome man who has experienced loss of his own. With his 6-year-old daughter in tow, he thinks he might be ready to slowly re-enter the dating scene. But grief makes the holidays particularly tricky.

When a major storm threatens to derail Christmas for everyone, will Rachel be able to bring the community together?

Book Summary

Harriet is not feeling bright and cheery this holiday season—or this year in general. To make things worse, her college-age daughter is not returning to the UK for Christmas. Harriet doesn’t handle this news well—she turns to wine, and the wine turns into a one-night stand.

Her lack of holiday plans is resolved when some of her students break into the old Winter Theater. The theater’s elderly owner requests that Harriet direct the washed-out stage’s final Christmas performance to make up for the break-in. When she agrees, she doesn’t know that the theater owner’s attorney is her one-night stand, and she’ll have to work with him on the Christmas play. Can she ignore her embarrassment for the greater good of the theater?

Book Summary

Amanda isn’t a fan of Christmas, but as the owner of a soap shop in a small town, she knows that a certain level of holiday cheer is good for business, so she’s participating in the town’s holiday giving market.

When Amanda’s 80-year-old grandmother starts dating a new resident at the Shelter Inn retirement community, Amanda smells trouble. Fortunately, the man’s grandson, Rafe, is equally dubious of the match. He and Amanda share a common goal of keeping their grandparents apart.

Rafe is a handsome firefighter and single father who has experienced heartache of his own. Despite the connection that Amanda feels to him as their paths continue crossing at the holiday market, she is afraid of getting burned.

Book Summary

Melody is a widowed mom with twin nine-year-old boys. They’ve started to question the point of Christmas, but Melody is determined to keep up every tradition and help them see the magic of the season.

When she learns that the school’s Yuletide Cookie Club has disbanded after drama with the leaders, she volunteers to step in and keep it going. She’s not thrilled about having to work with the infuriating school principal, Jonathan Braxton, but will do anything for her sons.

Then, a small argument between Melody and Jonathan turns into a head-to-head bake-off. But, it seems that thoughts of romance might have fueled their competitive spirits.

Book Summary

This fun twist on The Santa Clause brings us into the home of Patrick and Quinn, who have only been married a year but have found their relationship struggling under the weight of daily life. Then, on Christmas Eve, Patrick hears a noise in the middle of the night and attacks an intruder.

When they go to investigate, Quinn discovers that the ‘burglar” Patrick killed was Mr. Claus himself. An elf insists that he put on the red suit and take the reins of the reindeer-guided sleigh up on the roof in order to save Christmas.

After the dream-like evening, the couple is taken to the North Pole. There, they learn that they must assume the roles of Santa Claus and the first-ever Merriest Mister, or Christmas will be canceled forever.

Book Summary

When Anais receives a rundown Paris hotel as part of a divorce settlement, she initially plans to clean it up just enough to sell it as fast as possible. But when selling proves impossible, she devises a new plan. She envisions it as the perfect boutique bookish retreat, but the only way to make it financially feasible is to open it by Christmas.

Anais didn’t count on the grumpy American bar owner next door interfering at every step of the way. Nor did she expect to discover a mysterious room that holds the key to a 100-year-old secret. But as the first snowflakes begin to fall over the City of Lights, she knows that no matter what, this Christmas in Paris will be one to remember.

Book Summary

In a mountain town where tree farms blanket the hillsides, the Christmas Tree Stroll is a big annual fundraiser. This year, Sheila’s best friend has convinced her to help decorate a tree. What starts out as a seemingly simple task leads her on a journey of self-discovery as she feels herself wrapped in the embrace of the tight-knit community.

When a family with four young children loses their home to a fire just weeks before Christmas, Sheila and the town’s fire captain, Tucker, offer a helping hand.

Book Summary

Frankie might not have her own love life in order, but that doesn’t stop her from thinking she knows what is best for everyone else. She’s convinced that her divorced sister is too young to give up on love; her daughter really needs to start a business selling her homemade chocolates; and her best friend, Viola, and her shy employee, Elinor, would also be better off if they’d just take her advice. Never mind that her way always seems to end in disaster.

Then there’s Mitch. He’s the best man she knows and one of her closest friends. He’s been divorced for years and helped her through the devastating loss of her husband. To repay him, she’s determined to find him a love match, whether he likes it or not.

Book Summary

Jahleel is back home for the first time in eight years after an injury ended his NFL career. Despite his rocky relationship with his dad, home seems like the best place to heal, but he has no intention of staying in town.

He’s shocked to discover that his old high school sweetheart, Bebe, is also back in Peachwood Bay. She recently returned to town with her daughter after her divorce. When they bump into each other, old memories come rushing back, but Bebe isn’t willing to start something with Jahleel, knowing he has one foot out the door.

As the town’s Christmas festivities keep bringing them back together, they’ll have to decide if the sparks they feel could last throughout the year.

Book Summary

As a child actress, Charlotte starred in a classic Christmas movie, and her fans won’t let her forget it. Now, word is out that she’s the reason that plans for a reboot aren’t happening, and she needs a place to hide away.

She flees to London to spend the weeks leading up to the holiday with her sister. She goes to Eden Priory to view the extraordinary Christmas decorations, only to discover that it was also a filming location from her iconic movie. When a fan spots her, she ends up needing a ride back to London from the owner’s son, Graham.

Charlotte’s current career as an illustrator leads her to accept a commission to illustrate iconic holiday movie scenes from around London. Graham offers to escort her from site to site, as long as she agrees to host an art workshop at Eden Priory. He knows that a visit from a holiday star would help them raise much-needed funds to keep their historic house running.

Book Summary

Brandon Cassidy is not only Holly’s annoying co-worker, he’s also her brother’s best friend and was her first kiss, thanks to a dare. She’s not above hiding out in the women’s bathroom to avoid him when he’s in the main office, but this year, she’s been assigned to assist him throughout the holiday season.

Little does Holly know that Brandon has been in love with her since they were kids. He’s tried to move on, but it always comes back to her, so he’s excited to work closely with her. But when she won’t even talk to him, he decides to resurrect a game from their childhood to get her attention—the hate note game.

Book Summary

Each year, Noel, North Carolina, hosts a series of Christmas competitions. This year, a newcomer to town has decided to challenge the resident Christmas tree decorating champion.

Barrel racer and horse breeder Jordyn Banks was thrilled to discover affordable land for sale in the Appalachian Mountains. In addition to putting down roots for her business, she’s also hoping to find a real sense of home and family in the tight-knit community. She didn’t expect to inherit a controversial Fraser Fir.

Her neighbor, Nate, has been raising his six-year-old daughter alone since losing his wife during childbirth. He runs a thriving tree farm called Frosted Firs Ranch and is the nine-year reigning Christmas tree decorating champ (a tradition that started with his late wife).

Jordyn is determined to harvest a Fraser Fir from her property and compete for the best-decorated tree in the town square. This year, Nate will finally be challenged in more ways than one.

Book Summary

Noel’s latest entrepreneurial efforts have left her strapped for cash, so she decides to make some quick money by renting out her apartment as an Airbnb over the holidays while spending Christmas with her family. But when she gets sick at the last minute, she needs to cancel the reservation so that she can stay home.

Kincaid is already in town, though, and isn’t willing to give up the apartment he rented because his own business deal depends on it. Reluctantly, the two agree to be housemates for the holiday. Despite Noel’s efforts to stay out of his way, he finds her Christmas cheer particularly irritating.

Book Summary

After the sting of being dumped, Callie is feeling grinchy and just wants to hide away this holiday season. She certainly doesn’t want to go home where her ex will be right next door with his new partner.

But her meddling sister, Anita, is determined to break Callie out of both her relationship and holiday slump. Anita coordinates an Advent calendar challenge with tasks aimed at pushing Callie out of her comfort zone and into the holiday spirit. Callie reluctantly plays along, and in the process, she meets a charming baker. They strike a deal to complete the activities together, and opening the little doors on the Advent calendar might also open closed hearts.

Book Summary

Friends Shelley, Lena, and Pearl are tired of all the responsibility of holiday preparations falling on them. Each of them has hit her limit, so they decide to escape for the five days before Christmas. It’s time for their families to take up the grocery shopping, cooking, and prepping. Meanwhile, they’ll be sipping prosecco in the Scottish Highlands.

It was the perfect plan, right up until the moment they got snowed in 500 miles from home. Realizing they might not make it back in time for Christmas makes each woman face the truth about her reasons for needing to escape. For one, it’s a fiance with an obnoxious family; for another, it’s a son’s new girlfriend taking over the house; and for the third, it’s simply feeling taken for granted all year round.