10 Great Christmas Books Set in North Carolina

Book Summary

What if you could have one more day with someone you lost? That’s the underlying premise of this novel that blends It’s a Wonderful Life and Groundhog Day into a compelling holiday read.

Diana is no longer looking forward to Christmas. Her fiance, Linus, was critically injured in a bike accident, and she’s losing hope that he’ll ever open his eyes again. The night before Christmas Eve, she finds a hidden snow globe of their small town and realizes that Linus bought it for her before the accident. The next day should have been Christmas Eve, but instead, Diana wakes up on December 4th, the day of the accident.

She soon realizes that she’s in a loop of that day, experiencing a different variation of events each time. Along the way, she uncovers startling truths about herself, her relationship, and even her career.

Book Summary

When Maggie was 16 in 1996, she was sent to live with her aunt in Ocracoke, a remote village on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. She was homesick until she met Bryce, one of the few other teens on the island. He taught her about all the wonders of the town while introducing her to photography.

In 2019, Maggie splits her time between running a successful gallery in New York and photographing remote locations worldwide. However, as Christmas approaches, she is struggling to come to terms with a sobering medical diagnosis. As she grows more dependent on her assistant, she also begins to tell him the story of another Christmas, decades earlier—and the love that set her on a course she never could have imagined.

Book Summary

This heartwarming novel brings the magic of Christmas and is also a testament to the power of second chances!

Ivy Perkins is recently divorced and is looking to make a big change in her life. So, she buys an old farmhouse sight unseen. Ivy knows it will be a labor of love… but it might be more labor than she counted on.

As she sorts through all the junk the prior owners left behind, she comes across a beautiful, decades-old Santa suit. Tucked in the pocket is a handwritten note from a little girl whose Christmas wish was for her father to return home from the war. Ivy’s desire to learn more about the note’s author draws her into her new community and may even result in a second chance at love.

Book Summary

The beloved Mitford series is about Father Tim and his small community of Mitford, North Carolina. Book #8 in the series, Shepherds Abiding, lets us peak into what Christmas looks like in Mitford.

Father Tim has found a derelict nativity scene, and is determined to restore it. This isn’t easy as he’s always worked with his mind and not his hands. But, he’s determined to bring it back to life and he can’t wait to see how much his wife Cynthia will enjoy it.

Book Summary

When a hurricane threatens their town, three generations of Murphy women unite.

Caroline has just announced her divorce, and her 15-year-old daughter Vivi is not taking the news well. When she gets in trouble at home, Caroline decides Vivi needs a change of scenery and drops her off in Peachtree Bluff with her mom, Ansley, for Christmas break.

However, the storm changes everyone’s holiday plans. When Ansley, her husband Jack, and Vivi are forced to shelter in place, things look grim, especially since the bridge to the mainland is closed. It’s up to Caroline and her sisters to get to the island so they can help save their family and the town.

Book Summary

Joy is a successful market researcher in DC, but when her aunt takes a fall that lands her in a rehab center for the holidays, Joy heads home to take care of the family farm, even though the leave of absence may cost her a big promotion.

In addition to taking on the farm, Joy also finds that she has to contend with her former crush, Ben – who always helps Ruby with the annual Christmas Home Tour. And then there’s Molly, the little girl who shows up at the farm unexpectedly.

Book Summary

Sweetwater Springs is a small town in the North Carolina mountains. Kaitlyn recently lost her big city job but gets a new lease on life when she inherits her grandparent’s B&B in this quaint locale.

Unlike Kaitlyn, Mitch is trying to run away from his hometown. But then he learns that he’s unexpectedly become part owner of the Sweetwater B&B. Unfortunately, his headstrong (and pretty) partner in the business is making it very difficult to implement the changes he thinks are necessary to make a profit.

Book Summary

Lacy’s heard the legend of the Christmas Cottage – that any couple that spends the night will find everlasting love – but she doesn’t buy it. She doesn’t believe in happily ever after, but her best friend does, and she’s the one who is getting married – so it’s Lacy’s job to make sure the cottage is perfect for the newlyweds. But when she gets snowed in with the best man, all bets are off.

Book Summary

Donut shop owner Suzanne is shocked when her ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend, Darlene, is murdered at the Christmas festival.

When Max (the ex-boyfriend) becomes a suspect, Suzanne is left sifting through her mixed-up love life, looking for clues.