Wrap Up the Year with These Festive Holiday Reads

Your ultimate guide to holiday books—romances, mysteries, and more to cozy up with this season!

Laura Yamin

Dec 23, 2024

Transcript

closeup photo of Christmas tree with ornament and lighted lights — Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Hello!

As the year winds down, thank you for being here and sharing your reading journey with me. I hope this holiday season brings you moments of joy, rest, and plenty of time to get lost in a good book.

We’re wrapping up our holiday book recommendations with this post, but if you missed any of the earlier guides, you can check them out here:

Alongside this post, I’m sharing a video featuring an assortment of additional holiday book recommendations—from spicy romances to mysteries and festive classics. Watch for even more titles to add to your holiday TBR!

Whether you’re curling up with a steamy holiday romance, a festive mystery, or something in between, I hope these recommendations bring a little extra sparkle to your season.

Best Wishes,

Laura

🎄Even More Holiday Books to Read🎄

In this holiday-themed episode of Novel Nights, Francesca, Victoria, and Laura share various festive book recommendations, perfect for the busy holiday season. From short Kindle Unlimited novellas and cozy Christmas romances to atmospheric mysteries and classic anthologies, this episode has something for every reader looking to embrace the spirit of the holidays. Whether you love spicy romances, small-town charm, or thrilling whodunits, the trio has curated a versatile list to keep you entertained during the holidays.

Books Mentioned

Holiday Romances

Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood
It is a short, steamy second-chance romance featuring snowed-in vibes and heartfelt pining.
Only Santa’s in the Building by Alex Azaria
A festive neighbor romance where thoughtful holiday decorations lead to steamy sparks.
Meet Me in Los Feliz by Kelly Reynolds
A high-heat novella featuring feisty heroines and cinnamon-roll heroes set in Los Angeles.
A Very Bossy Christmas by Kayley Loring
A grumpy boss and his assistant fake-date their way through the holidays in this fun rom-com.
Big Nick Energy by Morgan Elizabeth
A wholesome romance featuring a Christmas tree farmer and an unexpected Elf-on-the-Shelf tradition.
Holiday Games by Lili Valente
A Vermont innkeeper competes in a festive reality show, where sparks fly with a reality TV producer.
A Merry Little Midlife Matchmaker by Lillian Monroe
A heartfelt story featuring millennial and Gen-X single parents finding love again.

Holiday Mysteries

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
A modern, suspenseful murder mystery set in an English manor house during the holidays.
Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop edited by Otto Penzler
An anthology of holiday-themed mysteries centered around a legendary NYC bookstore.
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
An interactive mystery told through letters and notes, featuring a Christmas play disrupted by murder.
Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson
A clever advent-calendar-style mystery filled with family secrets and magician intrigue.
The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries, edited by Michael Sims
A nostalgic collection featuring golden-age mystery icons like Arthur Conan Doyle and Dorothy L. Sayers.
Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie
A collection of short, atmospheric mysteries perfect for cozy holiday reading.

Books-to-Movie Holiday Picks

A December Bride by Denise Hunter
It's a sweet fake-dating novella adapted into a Hallmark movie.
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale
A heartwarming grumpy-sunshine romance with charming holiday vibes.
The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis
It is a steamy second-chance romance between a pet shop owner and her high school crush.
Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas
It is a magical, heartfelt novella about love, grief, and a young girl’s Christmas joy.
The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan
A women’s fiction novel exploring complex sisterhood and family bonds, set in the Scottish Highlands.
Meg and Jo by Virginia Kantra
It is a modern retelling of Little Women, with family struggles, romance, and holiday festivities.

Let’s Chat

I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite holiday reads? Leave a comment below with your go-to festive book or any new titles you’re excited to pick up this season.