20 Hot Cocoa Christmas Romance Books for Your Coziest Night In

Every December I pair a mug of hot cocoa with a Christmas romance, and these 20 books are the ones I reread and recommend most. Find your next cozy holiday read here.
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Christmas is my favorite time of year, and my reading list shows it.

I save my coziest romances for December evenings with a mug of hot cocoa in my hands.

I put this list together for you if you’re hunting for hot cocoa Christmas romance books.

These are the stories I think about long after I finish them.

Pick a few, make your cocoa, and settle in.

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Make the Season Bright

Charlotte and Brighton used to date, and now they have to act like strangers while they spend Christmas together.

The Colorado setting and their shared history with music got to me.

I kept watching them do holiday things while old feelings pushed to the surface.

Music pulls them back toward each other, and I loved that.

Brew something strong for this one, because it’s a great pick for a cozy night in.

The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans

The Christmas Cookie Wars

Melody wants her sons to enjoy Christmas after the loss of their dad.

Her plan lands her in a cookie club competition against Jonathan, the school principal.

Their rivalry made me laugh, and I loved watching it turn into flirting over baked goods.

Melody finds love again while her kids start believing in the season.

Stack some cookies next to your cocoa for this sweet Christmas romance.

Wreck My Plans by Jillian Meadows

Wreck My Plans

Lena is an artist who comes home for Christmas carrying a secret.

Gavin, her brother’s best friend, turns up in town too.

The longing between them made my chest ache.

He is careful and serious, and she is bold and passionate.

I fell for how they kept shielding each other while failing to stay apart.

It mixes sweetness with steam, so read it after the kids are in bed.

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Royal Holiday scaled

Vivian goes to England for Christmas because her daughter has a styling job there.

She meets Malcolm, the Queen’s private secretary, who has a lovely accent and perfect manners.

I loved how fast they fell for each other, with kisses under mistletoe and stolen moments inside royal buildings.

London adds a glamorous backdrop to a short holiday window.

I kept hoping the clock wouldn’t run out on them.

The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman

The Christmas Orphans Club

Hannah and her friends built their own holiday traditions because they had nowhere else to go.

That chosen family became my favorite part of the whole book.

They share jokes, wild adventures, and tender moments.

This year, though, they all worry that change will pull them apart.

Finn’s hidden love for Theo moved me the most.

The story is about growing up, holding on, and letting go, so keep tissues near your cocoa.

A Festive Feud by Maren Moore

A Festive Feud

Emma and Jackson end up in jail after a ridiculous mishap.

Their families have fought for ages, and the two of them must plan a Christmas party together anyway.

Jackson is far too charming, and Emma notices his forearms more than she wants to admit.

I grinned the entire time they tried not to throttle each other over town party details.

This enemies to lovers Christmas romance has plenty of family drama and plenty of heart.

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert

Once Upon a December

Astra adores Christmas and travels to the Milwaukee market to recover from a hard divorce.

She meets Jack there, and for him December comes around every single year.

Kringle pastries and twinkling lights surround their sweet dates.

I swooned over every outing, and I worried about whether their love could leave the market behind.

The dreamy mood makes it perfect for a quiet evening with a mug of cocoa.

I’ll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow

Ill Get Back to You

Murphy feels stuck in her hometown and unsure of what comes next.

Then she runs into Ellie, a cute girl from her school days.

They decide to fake date through the holidays, and it made me laugh out loud.

Murphy is sarcastic and brave, while Ellie has a bolder streak hiding underneath.

Their banter and the messy holiday plans left me happy, so add it to your fake dating Christmas romance books list.

The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo

The holiday switch 1

I loved this one so much that I reviewed it right here on the blog.

Lila likes order and works hard to keep every detail perfect.

Her life flips when she accidentally trades phones with Teddy, who is adorable and chaotic.

A snowy small town, a cozy inn, and arguments over tangled lights set the scene.

Watching them uncover each other’s secrets and drop their differences made me smile.

It’s a perfect small town Christmas romance for a snowy afternoon.

Claus and Effect by Piper Rayne

Claus and Effect

Tessa is a messy, sweet baker, and Tre is a disciplined Army Ranger.

A Christmas road trip throws them together, and everything goes wrong along the way.

I enjoyed watching them lean on each other after each disaster.

Their opposite personalities made the tension cute and the banter fun.

They slowly share old hurts and big dreams, and that bond won me over.

Second Chance Christmas by Jahquel J.

Second chance Christmas

Faith moves back to her small hometown after years away.

She brings old wounds and memories of Rome, her first love.

Their story felt honest and raw, and it shows how love can outlast heartbreak.

Christmas gives them the push to heal and find each other again.

I cheered for them the whole way, and this is one of my favorite second chance Christmas romance books.

The Holiday Claus by Ann Einerson

The Holiday Claus

Lila helps everyone around her, even when that means sharing a bed with Brooks Claus.

Brooks is her brother’s hot best friend, and he is also broody and serious.

He gets very swoony when he kisses her under the mistletoe.

I enjoyed seeing Lila go a little naughty in the best way.

They fall for each other while planning a holiday wedding in a snowy setting.

All I Want for Christmas by Wendy Loggia

All I Want for Christmas by

Bailey loves everything festive, and her one wish is someone to kiss under the mistletoe.

She has her eye on Charlie, who is dreamy and mysterious.

I cheered for her loudly from my couch.

Her bookstore job, her holiday treats, and her fun friends gave the story so much charm.

Her faith in magic inspired me, so curl up under string lights with your cocoa.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone

A Winter Wish

Lexie inherits half of her dad’s holiday travel company.

Theo, who is grumpy but caring, owns the other half.

They must team up and travel the world to explore different holiday traditions.

I loved that Lexie is brave even when she wants to flee.

Theo hides a soft heart beneath his stubborn exterior.

Snowy scenes are lovely, but their growing bond is what I remember most.

Sneaking Around with the Player by Rebecca Jenshak

Sneaking Around with the Player by

Stella chats with a charming guy at the airport to avoid her ex.

She then learns that he is Beau, a rival football player.

Their chemistry was electric, and I rooted for them despite the secrets and the distance.

Beau surprises her over Christmas break, and I let out a happy sigh.

Her protective brother lives nearby, so the forbidden feeling stays strong.

This one is pure fun.

There’s Something about Merry by Codi Hall

Theres Something about Merry

Merry has a big heart and loves Christmas.

She falls for Clark, a sweet single dad who guards his feelings.

Their online chats made me smile, and his little boy is adorable.

Merry brings hope and sparkle back into their lives.

Tree farm outings, decorating, and flirting kept me blushing for hours.

Watch your favorite holiday movie after you finish, because the story feels just like one.

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy

The Christmas Countdown scaled

I adored this book from the start.

Callie feels like a Grinch after a painful breakup.

Her sister hands her an Advent calendar challenge to bring back her holiday spirit.

Every day delivers a surprise, and one of them is a charming baker who won my heart too.

Seeing Callie learn to trust herself again inspired me.

It’s a hopeful, colorful, sweet pick for anyone who needs to find their Christmas spirit.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch

Holly and Ivy are best friends who look alike, and they trade holiday plans after Holly’s wedding falls apart.

Holly hides in Ivy’s cabin and runs into her old academic rival, who is now gorgeous.

Ivy takes Holly’s Hawaiian honeymoon and lands in hilarious chaos with a hot bartender.

I loved how their friendship and their new romances grow side by side.

It convinced me that second chances can be magical.

Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

Kiss Me at Christmas

Harriet is sick of Christmas until a one-night stand changes her mood.

She takes the blame for some mischievous students and agrees to direct their Christmas play.

Her co-director turns out to be the same one-night stand.

The theater, the kids, and the whole town pulled her out of her sadness.

I found the English small town charming, and I enjoyed the sweet romance.

A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

A Very Merry Bromance by

Colton is a kind-hearted country star who gets another chance at love with Gretchen.

The lovable Bromance Book Club lends a hand.

Gretchen means business, yet she still pulls at your heart while she helps other people, even if that means using Colton.

I loved how fully Colton commits.

Mistletoe, loyal friends, and fresh starts after heartbreak made it feel joyful from beginning to end.

Which one is first on your list?

Now I want to hear from you.

Tell me in the comments which of these hot cocoa Christmas romance books you’ll read first.

I’m always hunting for new recommendations, so drop your own favorites too.

Meeting other readers and seeing what you’re reading is my favorite part of this blog.

Make your cocoa, pick a book, and enjoy your December nights.

Preye

Hi! I'm Preye ("pre" as in "prepare" and "ye" as in "Kanye"), and I am a lifelong book lover who enjoys talking about books and sharing bits and pieces of all the fascinating things I come across. I love books and, on this blog, I share everything from book recommendations to book reviews and writing tips, so feel free to stop by anytime you like!

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