25 Most Romantic Christmas Romance Novels Perfect for Hot Cocoa Season

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Christmas is easily my favorite holiday of the entire year, and I absolutely love reading books set during the season. 

Romantic books set around Christmas are a favorite of mine to read all year round, but there’s just something about reading them during Christmas that feels even cozier and more magical.

In the past, I’ve written about some super steamy Christmas romance books, as well as some Christmas romance books without spice that are just as amazing. 

For this post, I want to share my all-time favorite Christmas romance books. 

These books are truly the sweetest and most romantic, and I find myself thinking about them all the time.

I’ve read quite a few over the years, and with Christmas literally right around the corner, if you’re building your reading list for cozy holiday vibes, you should absolutely check out these books.

I just know you’re going to love them all. 

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert

Astra, who adores Christmas, heads to the Milwaukee market to heal after a tough divorce. 

There, she meets Jack, who lives in a magical December that repeats every year. 

Their sweet connection over kringle pastries and twinkly lights made me believe in Christmas miracles again. 

Astra and Jack go on adorable dates that made me swoon, but can their love survive outside the market’s magic? 

I just loved how this book wrapped up the dreamy feeling of the season, like marshmallows in cocoa.

It’s a romantic, sparkly hug of a story that reminded me why holiday love stories are my absolute favorite.

Sneaking Around with the Player by Rebecca Jenshak

Stella meets a charming boy at the airport to dodge her ex, only to learn he’s Beau, a rival football player. 

Their chemistry was electric and so fun to read. I really rooted for them, even with the secrets and long distance. 

When Beau surprises Stella over Christmas break, my heart melted. 

But with her protective brother close by, their love faces big challenges. 

I loved the forbidden vibe, the butterflies, and how Stella and Beau tried to fight for their feelings. 

It’s a perfect, fun Christmas romance that made me smile the whole time.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay

Holly and Ivy, best friends and total lookalikes, swap holiday plans after heartbreak ruins Holly’s wedding. 

Holly hides out in Ivy’s cozy cabin and meets her old academic rival, who is now totally dreamy. 

Meanwhile, Ivy takes Holly’s honeymoon in Hawaii and ends up in hilarious chaos with a hot bartender. 

Their adventures were so heartwarming and fun to follow, and I adored how friendship and new love bloomed together. 

It made me believe second chances can be magical. The whole book felt like a warm blanket of holiday cheer I could wrap myself in again and again.

Second Chance Christmas by Jahquel J.

Faith returns to her small town after years away, carrying so many old wounds and memories of her first love, Rome. 

Their story felt raw and real, showing how love can last even through heartbreak. 

I loved how Christmas brought them back together and gave them a chance to heal. 

Faith and Rome’s history made me ache in the best way, and I cheered so hard for them to reconnect. 

Seeing them fall in love again during the holidays was beautiful. 

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy

I adored this one! Callie is feeling super Grinchy after a painful breakup, but her sweet sister gives her an Advent calendar challenge to help her get back into the Christmas spirit. 

I loved how each day brought Callie new surprises, including a charming baker who stole her heart (and mine). 

Their flirty, fun moments were so cute, and the Christmas magic felt real and hopeful.

I found it so inspiring how Callie learned to believe in herself again. 

This story felt like a giant candy cane – colorful, cheerful, and totally sweet. It made me see that love and Christmas miracles go hand in hand.

Claus and Effect by Piper Rayne

Tessa, a sweet, messy baker, and Tre, a disciplined Army Ranger, end up on a wild Christmas road trip together. 

Everything that could go wrong does, and I loved how they had to lean on each other through every twist. 

Their differences made them such a fun pair, and the tension was adorable.

As they opened up about their hurts and dreams, I found their growing bond so sweet. 

It showed me how opposites can really attract, especially when Christmas magic is involved. 

Their journey felt like a snowy adventure filled with hope, love, and a bit of holiday sparkle.

All I Want for Christmas by Wendy Loggia

Bailey is a total Christmas girl, loving everything festive, but she’s wishing for someone to kiss under the mistletoe. 

She thinks that dreamy, mysterious Charlie could be the one, and I cheered her on so hard. 

Her cozy bookstore job, holiday treats, and fun friends made the story feel so warm. 

Watching Bailey go after her wish made me smile big, and her belief in magic was so inspiring. 

This is the perfect book to read under twinkling Christmas lights.

There’s Something about Merry by Codi Hall

Honestly, this one gave me all the warm fuzzy feels.

Merry is a big-hearted, Christmas-loving woman who can’t help falling for Clark, a sweet single dad with a guarded heart. 

Their online chats made me smile, and Clark’s little boy was the cutest.

I loved how Merry brought hope and sparkle back to their lives. 

Their tree-farm adventures, holiday decorating, and sweet flirting made me blush for hours. 

This book felt like a cozy holiday movie, the kind you watch in pajamas with hot cocoa. 

It made me so happy to see their love bloom, wrapped in Christmas magic and kindness.

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Vivian gets a chance to visit England for Christmas, tagging along with her daughter’s styling job. 

She didn’t expect to meet Malcolm, the Queen’s private secretary with a swoon-worthy accent and polite charm. 

I loved how they fell for each other so fast, sharing kisses under mistletoe and sneaking sweet moments in royal halls. 

Their chemistry was amazing, and the London setting made everything extra magical. 

Even with their short holiday timeline, I was rooting for them to find a happily-ever-after. 

The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans

Melody is trying to save Christmas for her boys after losing their dad, so she jumps into a holiday cookie club war with the handsome school principal, Jonathan. 

Their rivalry was so cute and funny, and I adored how their fighting turned into flirty baking fun. 

It was heartwarming to see Melody rediscover love while helping her kids believe in Christmas again. 

The cookie contest added extra sweetness, and the ending was like a big warm hug. 

A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Colton, a country star with a kind heart, gets a second shot at love with Gretchen, thanks to the lovable Bromance Book Club. 

Gretchen is all business but still tugs at your heart, while she tries to help others even if it means using Colton. 

Their spark is so strong, and the Christmas backdrop makes it all shine brighter. I loved how Colton went all in, and showed how love can get a fresh start even after heartbreak. 

With mistletoe, good friends, and second chances, this one made me really feel the holiday magic. It was simply joyful.

A Festive Feud by Maren Moore

Emma and Jackson are forced to plan a Christmas party together after a hilarious mishap lands them in jail. 

Their families have been feuding forever, which makes their growing attraction even more exciting. 

Jackson is annoyingly charming with those irresistible forearms, and Emma can’t help but swoon. 

Watching them try not to strangle each other while planning a town party had me smiling.

It’s enemies-to-lovers with all the holiday sparkle I adore. There’s so much warmth in the way they find love among family drama.

The Holiday Claus by Ann Einerson

Lila is a total sweetheart who always helps everyone, even if it means sharing a bed with Brooks Claus, her brother’s hot best friend. 

Brooks is broody and serious, but he’s also so swoony, especially when he kisses Lila under the mistletoe. 

Their chemistry was adorable, and it made my heart happy to see Lila get a little naughty in the best way.

I loved watching them fall for each other while planning a holiday wedding. 

The cozy, snowy setting gave me all the warm feelings. 

Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

Harriet is tired of Christmas until a one-night stand flips her holiday upside down. 

When she takes the blame for some mischievous students, she agrees to direct their Christmas play and ends up working with her one-night stand again.

I adored how the theater, the kids, and even the town pulled Harriet out of her sadness and back into Christmas magic. 

The sweet romance mixed with a cozy English town made it all feel so charming. 

The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo

This book made me grin from ear to ear and I wrote a review about it here on the blog.

Lila is organized and driven, and I loved how she tries so hard to keep things perfect. 

But when she accidentally switches phones with the adorable, chaotic Teddy, her world turns upside down. 

The snowy small town, the cozy inn, and their funny fights over tangled lights were all so sweet.

I adored how Lila and Teddy slowly learned each other’s secrets, melting away their differences. 

Their romance was warm, silly, and full of Christmas sparkle. I absolutely loved it.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone

Lexie inherits half of her dad’s holiday travel company, and she has to share it with Theo, who is grumpy yet deeply caring.

I adored how these two had to work together and travel the world, exploring traditions while slowly falling for each other. 

The snowy, festive moments were magical, but the real magic was their growing bond. 

I loved Lexie’s brave spirit, even when she wanted to run away, and Theo’s soft heart hidden under his stubbornness. 

This was a perfect holiday story about finding love and purpose.

I’ll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow

Murphy is stuck in her hometown, feeling lost, until she reconnects with Ellie, her cute former classmate. 

Their plan to fake-date for the holidays is hilarious and sweet, and I loved the queer joy woven through every page. 

Murphy is sarcastic and brave, Ellie is secretly bold, and together they create such lovely sparks. 

Their banter, their fake-dating scheme, and all the holiday chaos made me so happy. 

Wreck My Plans by Jillian Meadows

Lena, an artist, comes home for Christmas hiding a secret, only to find Gavin, her brother’s best friend, is back too. 

There’s so much tension and longing between them that my heart ached.

Gavin is so serious and careful, but you can tell how deeply he cares. Lena is brave and passionate, and they just fit together so perfectly. 

I loved the way they kept trying to protect each other, even when they clearly couldn’t stay away. 

This was the best mix of sweetness and steam, and I fell in love with all the characters. 

The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman

Hannah and her friends made their own Christmas traditions when they had nowhere else to go, so they essentially created a found family I adored. 

They share silly adventures, jokes, and heartfelt moments that warmed my heart. 

But this year, change is in the air, and they all fear growing apart. 

I loved how they faced their feelings, especially Finn’s hidden love for Theo – it was so moving.

This story is very much bout growing up, holding on, and letting go, all wrapped in holiday sparkle and I loved every bit.

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Honestly, this book was everything I love in a holiday romance.

Charlotte and Brighton are exes forced to pretend they don’t know each other while spending Christmas together. 

Their history, music, and the cozy Colorado setting made my heart ache in the best way. 

Watching them do holiday activities while struggling with old feelings was so beautiful.

I loved how music helped them reconnect, as they brought back the love they thought they’d lost forever. 

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Which of these do you think you’re going to add to your reading list? Let me know in the comments below.

Like I always say, I’m truly always on the lookout for recommendations. 

I love sharing books with the bookish community, meeting other readers, and seeing what everyone else is reading.