Reviews for Holiday Romance Reads

To make things easier to navigate, I thought I would aggregate all of my reviews for holiday romance books – past and present. For holiday romances that I own and have yet to review (listed below), I will add them to this post as soon as I write a review.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen

TJ Alexander

A trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames, only to cross paths with his high school ex in this charming rom-com about family and second chances from the author of the Chef’s Kiss.

Publication Date: December 5, 2023

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The Takedown

Carlie Walker

An undercover CIA agent is sent home for Christmas to investigate her sister’s criminal fiancé but falls in love with his bodyguard along the way.

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

A Winter in New York

Josie Silver

A young chef stumbles on a secret family recipe that might lead her to the love—and life—she’s been looking for in this stunning novel from the New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December.

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

Did Not Finish

Resting Scrooge Face

Meghan Quinn

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a festive short romance about old flames and mistaken identities.

Publication Date: November 29, 2022

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Kiss Her Once for Me

Alison Cochrun

The author of the “swoon-worthy debut” (Harper’s BazaarThe Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister.

Publication Date: November 1, 2022

Rating: 4 out of 5.

All I Want for Christmas

Maggie Fox

A holiday romance about two oil-and-water reality-star country singers who must fake a relationship in order to win the opportunity of a lifetime.

Publication Date: October 4, 2022

Rating: 1.5 out of 5.

Window Shopping

Tessa Bailey

Stella has recently been released from prison when she is seen scowling at a department store window display by the manager. After a conversation, he encourages her to apply for a job as window designer. But with her difficult past and an instant attraction to the manager, Stella must watch her step to make sure she does not stumble and fall while she puts her life back together.

Publication Date: October 18, 2021

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Always in December

Emily Stone

Every December, Josie sends a letter to her parents who died on Christmas Eve over ten years ago. But this year, on the way to post the letter, Josie nearly runs over a stranger. Feeling incredibly sorry about the accident, Josie invites the stranger out for a drink that ends up changing her life.

Publication Date: October 12, 2021

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Holiday Swap

Maggie Knox

A feel-good, holiday-themed romance about identical twins – both bakers – who switch lives in the days leading up to Christmas.

Publication Date: October 5, 2021

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Eight Perfect Hours

Lia Louis

In this romantic and heartwarming novel, two strangers meet in chance circumstances during a blizzard and spend one perfect evening together, thinking they’ll never see each other again. But fate seems to have different plans. 

Publication Date: September 28, 2021

Rating: 2 out of 5.

The Mistletoe Pact

Jo Lovett

On Christmas Eve eight years ago, friends Evie & Dan made a pact to get married if they were still single when Evie turns 30. Then they wake up on Christmas Eve after a night of drunk debauchery in Las Vegas and realize they actually did it. Surely, if they just get a quickie divorce, they can go back to the way things used to be, right? Except moving on is easier said than done when you’ve secretly loved each other forever…

Publication Date: September 28, 2021

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The Santa Suit

Mary Kay Andrews

Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen after her divorce. Upon arriving at her new home, she discovers that the last family left all of their things, including a Santa suit complete with a Dear Santa letter in the pocket. Ivy takes it upon herself to figure out the mystery behind the letter as…

Publication Date: September 28, 2021

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Nick & Noel’s Christmas Playlist

Codi Hall

After Nick returns from the military, his long-term girlfriend breaks up with him. Luckily, Nick has his friends and family to bring him joy and comfort. After a night out takes an unexpected turn, Nick discovers he has romantic feelings for his best friend Noel. 

Publication Date: November 24, 2020

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The Twelve Dates of Christmas

Jenny Bayliss

Kate is happy with her life but has not fully given up on finding love. With some nudging from her best friend, Kate signs up for a dating agency’s twelve dates of Christmas to find love before the holidays. Will Kate find love with one of her twelve dates or give up all together?

Publication Date: October 13, 2020

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Reviews to Come:

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
A Very Merry Bromance by
Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
It’s a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer
One Day in December by Josie Silver
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss
Mistletoe & Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler
Reasonable Adults by Robin Lefler
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak
Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade