These 10 picks, including two Hanukkah stories and a New Year's Eve romance, are for adult readers. Descriptions are paraphrased from Book Riot's holiday roundups, linked below.
Fake dating for the holidays
Yours for the Season by Uzma Jalaluddin
A lawyer and a celebrity chef pretend to date after a party photo goes viral, and it gets complicated when her parents want to meet him.
Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell
A man who told his parents he has a boyfriend recruits a coworker to play the part over Hanukkah, and the closeness turns real.
Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot
A café owner planning a Hanukkah festival agrees to be a regular customer's fake girlfriend during his family visit, in exchange for help recruiting vendors.
The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton
After spilling coffee on a NASA astronaut right after running into her ex, a woman gets his help faking a relationship, and owes him a date for his sister's New Year's Eve party.
Second chances at home
The Christmas Catch by Toni Shiloh
A divorced woman returns to her Georgia hometown for the holidays and reconnects with her high school sweetheart, who is recovering from a career-ending injury. Both are adults now.
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander
A struggling comedian home for Christmas break has to face his feelings for the ex-boyfriend he left behind.
Rivals and holiday grumps
Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn
Two rivals compete in their town's annual holiday contest, and the hostility slowly turns into romance.
A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron
A woman opening a bed-and-breakfast in an English village clashes with a hotel heir who can't stand the holidays.
A little magic, and a little grief
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
A cheerful woman is haunted by the Ghost of Christmas Past, whose magic starts misbehaving the more time he spends with her.
Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman
Two widowed neighbors bond over a marathon of holiday movies while working through grief, and may find room for love again. Content note: grief.
What makes a good Christmas romance
- A deadline. Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or the end of a visit gives the romance a clock.
- Forced proximity. Snowstorms, family homes and one guest room.
- Tradition as plot. A festival, a contest or a family ritual gives the couple a reason to spend time together.
- A cozy ending. Readers expect warmth.
For more on the tropes, see our romance tropes list and second chance romance guide. Want closed-door holiday reads? Our clean and Christian romance books list has more.
Write your own holiday romance
Three original prompts with adult characters:
- Two strangers are snowed in at a tiny airport on Christmas Eve, and the only open restaurant has one table left.
- A professional Santa and the mall's overworked elf-team manager have three weeks to save the store's holiday season.
- A woman agrees to fake an engagement for her grandmother's last Christmas, and her fake fiancé is the neighbor she's been feuding with since summer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Christmas romance book?
A romance set during the holiday season, usually cozy and hopeful, with holiday traditions, family visits and winter settings driving the story.
What are good holiday romance books?
Yours for the Season by Uzma Jalaluddin and Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn are two recent picks. For something magical, try Good Spirits by B.K. Borison.
Are there Hanukkah romance books?
Yes: Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell and Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot are both Hanukkah romances.
When should I read Christmas romance books?
Many readers start in November. Most holiday romances are released in the fall, ahead of the season.
Sources
- 8 Holiday Romance Books to Snuggle Up with This Winter — Book Riot, Andy Minshew, December 16, 2025; checked October 27, 2026.
- Christmas rom-coms — Book Riot, Emily Martin, August 28, 2025; checked October 27, 2026.
Related articles
- Second chance romance books: 15 picks to read
- Contemporary romance books
- Romance books: a guide to every subgenre, and where to start
Our editorial approach
Be My Story publishes these guides and selected industry news. We check factual claims against linked sources, attribute company statements, and label our analysis. Send corrections through Support.
Explore Be My Story
Discover romance and drama stories shaped by your words in the mobile app.