16 New Christmas Books of 2026 to Add to Your Holiday TBR List

I love having a stack of Christmas books ready for the holiday season, especially when the stories include snowy small towns, complicated romances, magical adventures, and mysteries that keep me guessing.

The 2026 Christmas book releases have plenty to tempt me, from festive romances featuring childhood rivals to witchy adventures, Christmas baking competitions, and murder mysteries set in the most unexpected places.

I am particularly excited about the variety this year, because my holiday reading list always needs room for something beyond the usual Christmas romance.

Whether you are searching for new Christmas romance books for 2026, cozy fantasy novels with a festive atmosphere, young adult Christmas romances, or holiday mysteries to enjoy on a chilly evening, these releases offer plenty of possibilities.

I have gathered the unique titles mentioned in the supplied book roundup, bringing together their available publication information and the details that make each one worth considering for your holiday reading list.

1. The Little Shop of Merry and Bright by Jenny Bayliss

Publication Date: September 22, 2026

I am always curious about Christmas stories that give familiar holiday traditions an unexpected twist, and this contemporary retelling of A Christmas Carol immediately caught my attention.

Casey’s life took an unfortunate turn three years ago when her decision to decline her boyfriend’s marriage proposal went viral, leaving her dealing with the consequences long after the original embarrassment.

She has since chosen a job where public humiliation and romantic complications seem less likely, although that also means romance has little room to develop.

Things change when she meets Margo, the spirit of Christmas present, who offers to erase the infamous video in exchange for Casey experiencing five possible versions of her future.

I am looking forward to seeing how these alternate realities influence Casey’s understanding of what she actually wants from life.

The combination of holiday fantasy, humorous possibilities, and a woman reconsidering her choices makes this an appealing addition to my Christmas reading list.

2. Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano and Hannah Morrissey

Publication Date: October 13, 2026

A Christmas murder mystery featuring two competitive detectives sounds like exactly the kind of holiday reading that could keep me entertained between festive romances.

Holly and Mark are competing for the same position in Major Crimes, and both have already made mistakes that have put their professional reputations at risk.

Their opportunity to turn things around arrives when they are assigned to investigate a murder in a small town actually called Christmas.

With the town’s Jingle Bell Jubilee approaching in just twelve days, they need to identify the killer before the festivities begin.

Unfortunately, their working relationship is already complicated by a drunken encounter at a holiday party, leaving them with plenty of personal tension alongside their professional responsibilities.

I am especially interested in the contrast between the cheerful Christmas setting and the serious investigation unfolding around them.

The combination of romantic complications, contrasting personalities, and a ticking holiday deadline makes this a promising choice for readers who enjoy festive murder mysteries with a humorous edge.

3. A Taste of Magic by Tricia O’Malley

Publication Date: August 25, 2026

A magical Christmas baking competition involving witches and an old romantic flame is an easy way to get my attention, particularly when the story also promises a cozy fantasy atmosphere.

This second installment in the Scottish Charms series follows Lyra, a witch whose unpredictable magic has become increasingly difficult to manage because of a family curse.

Outside her magical troubles, Lyra works as a YouTube baker, and her latest opportunity takes her into a televised Christmas baking competition.

The complication is her assigned partner, Rabbie, the boy who broke her heart when she was sixteen.

As Rabbie helps her conceal her magical difficulties from the cameras, their old feelings and unresolved misunderstandings threaten to resurface.

I am curious about how their shared history will affect their partnership, especially when they must navigate both a competitive baking environment and magic that refuses to cooperate.

For anyone looking for a witchy Christmas romance with second chances, baking-show drama, and plenty of festive possibilities, this sounds like a fun addition to the season’s TBR list.

4. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Ally Carter

Publication Date: October 13, 2026

I cannot resist a Christmas mystery that combines childhood rivalry, romantic tension, and a murder investigation, so this second installment in the Kiss Merry Kill series has earned a place on my reading radar.

Ella Chambers insists that she did not kill Liam Montgomery, despite the suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance after a Christmas party at his family’s mansion.

The important detail is that Liam is still alive, and Ella knows it.

Unfortunately, she must find a way to prove the truth while Liam investigates the danger surrounding him and tries to identify whoever wants him dead.

Their complicated history makes the situation even more interesting, since Ella is the housekeeper’s daughter and Liam is the grandson of a billionaire.

I am looking forward to seeing how these childhood rivals manage to work together when neither has much reason to trust the other.

The snowy setting, mysterious disappearance, dangerous secrets, and slow-building romantic tension make this a particularly tempting choice for readers searching for Christmas mystery novels with a romance subplot.

5. The Twelve Loves of Christmas by Alexandria Bellefleur, Elise Bryant, and Other Contributors

Publication Date: September 29, 2026

An advent-style romance collection sounds like such a lovely way to count down to Christmas, especially for readers who enjoy discovering several different love stories within one book.

The Twelve Loves of Christmas brings together twelve holiday romances by multiple authors, including Sarah Hogle, with the stories presented in sealed sections that invite readers to open a new romantic surprise as the festive season approaches.

I love the idea of having a collection that can be enjoyed gradually rather than rushing through an entire book in one sitting.

The stories feature different romantic situations, including forced proximity and second chances, offering readers a variety of relationship dynamics to enjoy.

With twelve separate romances gathered into one festive collection, I am particularly interested in the range of characters, relationships, and holiday settings represented.

This looks like an appealing choice for anyone who enjoys contemporary Christmas romance anthologies, short romantic fiction, and the excitement of opening a new chapter of a reading advent calendar each day.

6. The Sugar and Spice Kitchen by Harper Graham

Publication Date: October 22, 2026

A small-town Christmas romance featuring a blizzard, a festive kitchen, and two people who cannot seem to get along sounds like a wonderful combination for my holiday TBR list.

The sixth book in the Maple Falls series follows Emily, who works in a cozy kitchen filled with seasonal treats and Christmas music.

When a blizzard leaves residents trapped around town, the kitchen becomes an important base for organizing food deliveries, forcing Emily to work alongside Cole, a local firefighter from a family that has been feuding with hers for decades.

Their existing rivalry makes an already stressful situation even more complicated, particularly when a baking competition adds another reason for them to compete.

I am curious about how their relationship will change as they work together and investigate the history behind their families’ long-standing disagreement.

The Christmas baking, small-town atmosphere, enemies-to-lovers tension, and festive emergency give this romance several elements I enjoy finding in holiday fiction.

7. Counting Down to You by Emily Stone

Publication Date: October 6, 2026

Some Christmas romances appeal to me because they promise a little escapism, while others catch my attention because they explore the difficult emotions that can accompany the holidays.

Counting Down to You brings those elements together through Ali, who is struggling with the death of her best friend, Robyn.

The two women shared an annual tradition of exchanging advent calendars filled with challenges, and Robyn leaves Ali one final calendar before her death.

Its first challenge sends Ali to a ski lodge in the Alps, a destination the friends had planned to visit together.

As Ali completes the challenges, a misunderstanding leads her to pretend that she is dating Leo, a man who is also dealing with grief.

I am particularly interested in the way the advent calendar connects Ali to her friend’s memory while giving her a reason to experience something new.

The combination of fake dating, a winter setting, friendship, and the possibility of finding love after loss makes this an appealing Christmas romance for readers who appreciate emotional depth alongside festive atmosphere.

8. A Knight Before Christmas by Cara Stout

Publication Date: October 20, 2026

Give me a Christmas romance with a fairytale theme park, a teenage dating show, and a relationship developing behind the scenes, and I will probably want to know more.

This second book in the Fairytale in Progress series follows Juliet, who helps her mother get a Christmas reality dating show for teenagers off the ground.

One of the show’s participants is Garrick, whose family operates a fairytale-themed attraction where he performs as a member of fictional royalty.

Although the dating show is intended to bring together potential couples, Garrick’s attention begins shifting toward Juliet, the girl working behind the cameras.

I am looking forward to the contrast between the romance being staged for television and the feelings developing away from the spotlight.

The setup also leaves room for the familiar complications of falling for someone in a situation where appearances and reality do not necessarily match.

For readers who enjoy young adult Christmas romance novels, fairytale-inspired settings, and sweet relationships with a reality television twist, this sounds like a festive option worth considering.

9. Christmas in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Publication Date: September 22, 2026

The idea of spending twelve days in a place inspired by Jane Austen’s world already sounds appealing to me, especially when the setting promises romance and the possibility of finding a sense of belonging.

Christmas in Austenland is the third book in Shannon Hale’s Austenland series and follows Kestrel, who arrives at Austenland hoping to make a change in her life.

She quickly develops friendships with the staff, creating the kind of found-family connection that can make a holiday novel especially appealing.

However, the peaceful atmosphere becomes more complicated when her ex arrives, bringing back painful memories of their relationship and difficult experiences from her childhood.

I am interested in how the story balances the romantic setting with Kestrel’s more serious personal struggles.

The book also addresses childhood abuse and toxic relationships, so readers looking for a completely lighthearted Christmas romance should be aware of those themes.

For my holiday reading list, this sounds like a thoughtful option for anyone who enjoys Austen-inspired fiction, complicated relationships, and stories about confronting the past.

10. The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson

Publication Date: Publication date not confirmed

I am always interested in holiday romances that explore the familiar experience of trying to make everyone else happy, particularly when the main character decides it is finally time to do something differently.

The Christmas Yes List follows Chloe, a chronic people-pleaser who has spent so much time accommodating other people that she decides to challenge herself in an unusual way.

Her plan is to seek rejection throughout the Christmas season, deliberately putting herself in situations where other people might say no to her requests.

The unexpected complication arrives when she meets a stranger who consistently refuses to reject her, making it increasingly difficult to stick to her original plan.

I am curious about how Chloe’s unusual experiment will affect her relationships and whether she will begin to approach her own wants and boundaries differently.

Melissa Ferguson’s first Christmas romance also has a film adaptation in development, giving readers another reason to keep an eye on the title.

For anyone looking for a sweet holiday romance with a light premise and a focus on people-pleasing, this book could be an interesting addition to a festive reading list.

11. Enchanted Village by Lily Starling

Publication Date: Publication date not confirmed

A magical village, a cozy pub, and a school filled with supernatural possibilities are enough to make this fantasy novel stand out on my Christmas reading list.

Enchanted Village follows Margaret, who has devoted her life to preserving The Toasty Owl, the pub previously run by her mother and grandmother.

Although she can add a little magic to the drinks she serves, Margaret worries about her limited abilities because she was rejected by Emberwind Academy years earlier.

Her circumstances become more complicated when Silas Birchwood arrives in town to teach at the academy, becoming its first non-magical teacher.

Meanwhile, a rival bar opens across the street, and its owner is determined to put Margaret’s family business out of operation.

I am particularly interested in how Margaret’s determination to protect her family’s legacy will intersect with the magic surrounding her community.

With a festive setting, magical creatures, a school for magic, and romantic possibilities, this first installment in a new series sounds like a promising choice for readers who enjoy cozy fantasy novels with Christmas charm.

12. A Curse for Christmas Past by Morgan Lockhart

Publication Date: September 22, 2026

A Christmas romance involving witches, a mysterious curse, and Russian folklore sounds like an especially interesting option for readers who enjoy their holiday fiction with a supernatural twist.

The second book in the Spell of Midwinter Heart series follows Hayleigh, whose life begins falling apart when she loses her job, discovers that her bank account has been hacked, and worries about her sick horse.

As strange experiences continue, she becomes convinced that a curse is responsible and travels to Elk Ridge, Washington, during its winter festival to investigate.

Hayleigh suspects that one of the local witches may have caused her misfortune, but Stephan Midwinter offers to help her uncover the truth.

As they investigate the curse together, Hayleigh also begins questioning whether returning to her previous life is really what she wants.

I am drawn to the combination of holiday magic, romantic tension, and the possibility of rethinking old ambitions.

The folklore references also make this a particularly interesting prospect for anyone looking for a witchy Christmas romance that offers more than a conventional festive love story.

13. Christmas Trees and Weak Knees by Katrina Emmel

Publication Date: October 27, 2026

A Christmas tree farm, music, and a romance between two people trying to figure out their futures sound like a lovely combination for a young adult holiday novel.

Christmas Trees and Weak Knees follows Paisley, who enjoys working at her family’s tree farm and has a strong interest in writing and music.

Unfortunately, stage fright and a terrible encounter with the band Six String Justice have left her reluctant to perform in front of an audience again.

Her plans begin to change when Kash Murray arrives at the farm seeking inspiration after his band breaks up.

The two discover that songwriting comes naturally when they work together, creating a new connection through their shared interest in music.

I am curious about how their growing relationship will influence Paisley’s confidence and the decisions she makes about her future.

The combination of a festive rural setting, creative ambitions, and a sweet developing romance makes this a promising choice for readers looking for young adult Christmas books with music at their heart.

14. Back Where We Started by Becca Freeman

Publication Date: October 13, 2026

Second-chance romances always make me curious about the choices that separate two people and what might happen when life gives them another opportunity to reconnect.

Back Where We Started follows Katie, who has achieved her dream of becoming a Hollywood actress but rarely returns to her hometown of Dutch Ridge, Pennsylvania.

Her reluctance is tied to Drew, her ex, whose memories remain closely connected to the place she once called home.

When a promise to her sister brings Katie back for Christmas, she finds herself facing the relationship and the memories she has tried to leave behind.

I am particularly interested in the contrast between Katie’s glamorous professional life and the complicated emotions attached to her hometown.

The novel moves between the past and present, allowing readers to see the history behind the relationship alongside the circumstances bringing the former couple together again.

For anyone searching for a contemporary Christmas romance about first love, second chances, and reconsidering the life you thought you wanted, this sounds like a compelling addition to the holiday TBR pile.

15. The Secret Santa Setup by Sarah Hutt

Publication Date: Publication date not confirmed

I have a soft spot for advent-style romances, especially when the setting includes a Christmas tree farm and the relationship develops gradually rather than rushing toward an immediate confession.

The Secret Santa Setup follows Amanda, who wants to spend the days before Christmas working at a tree farm while persuading her parents to let her travel abroad during the summer.

She also hopes to participate in a group Secret Santa exchange, but her plans become more complicated when she draws Luke’s name.

Luke is a boy who tends to ignore her, leaving Amanda uncertain about what gift could possibly appeal to him.

As she tries to choose something suitable and learns more about him, getting to know Luke gradually becomes more important to her than the original holiday activity.

I am looking forward to the combination of Christmas traditions, teenage relationships, and the anticipation created by sealed chapters.

For readers who enjoy young adult holiday romances with a slow-burn relationship, this sounds like a sweet choice for counting down to Christmas.

16. Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn

Publication Date: Publication date not confirmed

I love the idea of a Christmas thriller that takes place somewhere completely different from the usual festive settings, and a prison filled with wealthy criminals offers plenty of possibilities for suspense.

Payback brings six inmates together at a pay-and-stay prison in Los Angeles during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

These wealthy criminals usually visit the facility on weekends, but an offer of double days encourages them to remain there for the holiday period.

Their stay becomes considerably more dangerous when the correctional officer responsible for overseeing them turns up dead after the first night.

With a murderer among them, the inmates must work out which person is responsible before the investigation reveals more than they might want to know.

I am intrigued by the closed-circle mystery, where the unusual setting naturally limits the number of potential suspects.

The holiday timing also creates an interesting contrast between the season’s usual celebrations and the tense circumstances inside the prison.

For readers looking for a Christmas mystery thriller with an unconventional location and a puzzle to solve, this is one title worth keeping in mind.

My Christmas TBR list is already looking much more interesting with this mix of holiday romances, cozy fantasy adventures, young adult love stories, and festive murder mysteries.

I am especially curious about the magical baking competition in A Taste of Magic, the second-chance romance in Back Where We Started, and the unusual prison setting in Payback.

For something with a little more mystery, Home for the Homicides and It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder also sound like appealing choices for readers who prefer a murder investigation alongside their Christmas atmosphere.

If you are planning your holiday reading early, I would recommend keeping track of publication dates and placing library holds for the titles that interest you before the festive rush begins.

I also plan to keep an eye on the books with unconfirmed publication details so that my reading list stays accurate.

Which of these new Christmas books of 2026 would you most like to read first?