Books to get in mood for Christmas

Reading lists

Books to get you in the mood for Christmas

Best Christmas romance books

The best Christmas romance books to fall in love with this winter

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Mood-lifting books with only happy endings

Kooky Spooky Love

From the bestselling author of One Day in December comes a new irresistibly romantic novel, full of humour and supernatural charm.'I loved all of the ghostly chaos in this book' 5 STAR READER REVIEW 
 
'I fell completely in love with this.' 5 STAR REVIEW 
 
'Like the first book, it’s a fun read and I can’t wait for more of this series ' 5 STAR REVIEW 
 
'I loved every haunted, hilarious second.' 5 STAR REVIEW____________ 
 
 
When the new owners of Maplemead Castle need their ghostly inhabitants gone, they call Melody Bittersweet and her Ghostbusting Agency. 
 
Melody quickly identifies the main troublemaker: Britannia Lovell, a stunning trapeze artist who plunged to her death a century ago. But was it a tragic accident, or something far more sinister? 
 
To solve the mystery, Melody must team up with her charming yet roguish ex, Leo Dark, and the infuriating yet irresistible reporter, Fletcher Gunn. With a castle full of ghosts refusing to spill their secrets and her heart pulled in two directions, this is Melody’s toughest case yet. 
 
Can Melody help Britannia find peace and finally untangle her own love life, or will they both be haunted by past mistakes forever? 
 
___________ 
 
&#128123; Ghostly mystery 
&#128150; Paranormal romance 
&#128293; Enemies to lovers 
&#128149; Second-chance romance 
&#127984; Haunted castle 
&#128270; Amateur sleuth 
&#10024; Supernatural romcom

Josie Silver is the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of five irresistible 'what if...?' love stories, One Day in December, The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, One Night on the Island, A Winter in New York and Slow Burn Summer. She has been published in 34 languages (and counting) and has previously been featured in Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine Book Club. Josie is an unashamed romantic and lives with her husband, their sons and an ever-changing cast of animals in Shropshire.

One Day in December

This festive season get ready to be whisked off your feet by the Sunday Times bestseller that's stolen a million hearts around the world 
 
'The sweetest love story . . . you're going to LOVE it' Marian Keyes, Grown Ups 
'You'll fall head over heels for this book' Reese Witherspoon 
 
----- 
 
Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist. After all, life isn't a scene from the movies, is it? But then, through a misted-up bus window one freezing day, she sees a man she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic... and then her bus drives away. 
 
Laurie thinks she'll never see the boy from the bus again. But at a party later that year, her best friend Sarah introduces her to the new love of her life. Who is, of course, the boy from the bus. 
 
Determined to let him go, Laurie gets on with her life. But what if fate has other plans? 
 
Following Laurie, Sarah and Jack through ten years of love, heartbreak and friendship, One Day in December is an uplifting and immensely moving love story for fans of Jojo Moyes, Sarah Morgan and Coleen Hoover. 
 
----- 
 
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT One Day in December 
 
'The perfect book to read this winter' Rebecca 
 
'I laughed, I cried, I shouted at the characters and I absolutely loved this story' Jennifer 
 
'This book NEEDS to be made into a film' Louise 
 
'I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book' Viccki 
 
'I can't wait to reread it over and over' Nikita 
 
'I just didn't want this book to end . . . I shall be singing its praises from the rooftops' Cassie

Gorgeous...readers are going to love it!

Sucked me in and didn't let go. It made me laugh, cry, ache and shout at the characters. Utterly captivating...one of my favourite books

A feel-good, heart-wrenching tribute to the female friends we cannot do without, as well as the men that we fall for. Josie Silver is one to watch

The love story you've been waiting for ... I loved it!

Miranda Dickinson, author of 'Fairytale of New York'

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist. After all, life isn't a scene from the movies, is it? 
 
But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away. 
 
Laurie thinks she'll never see the boy from the bus again. But at their Christmas party a year later, her best friend Sarah introduces her to the new love of her life. Who is, of course, the boy from the bus. 
 
Determined to let him go, Laurie gets on with her life. But what if fate has other plans? 
 
Following Laurie, Sarah and Jack through ten years of love, heartbreak and friendship, One Day in December is a joyous, heart-warming and immensely moving love story that you'll want to escape into forever.

Crazy Spooky Love

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME' KIRSTY GREENWOOD'This is a series I would read again and again' 5 STAR READER REVIEW___________ 
From the bestselling author of One Day in December comes the first novel in an irresistibly romantic series, full of supernatural charm. 
 
Seeing ghosts has always been part of Melody Bittersweet’s life – a quirky inconvenience at the best of times. 
 
But on her 27th birthday, she decides to finally make a career out of it by setting up her very own ghostbusting business. 
 
Her first case brings Melody to a house haunted by three brothers with a heap of unfinished business. To complicate matters, her fame-hungry ex, Leo Dark, and sceptical yet maddeningly gorgeous reporter, Fletcher Gunn, are also on the case. 
 
As Melody tries to uncover the truth, the undeniable chemistry between herself and Fletcher becomes increasingly distracting – which is less than ideal considering he's her sworn enemy hell-bent on discrediting her. 
 
Can Melody solve the mystery? Or will her feelings for Fletcher end up haunting her more than the ghosts? 
 
__________ 
READERS ARE FALLING IN LOVE WITH CRAZY SPOOKY LOVE 
'I can’t wait for the next book!' 5 STAR REVIEW 
 
'I absolutely loved this!!!' 5 STAR REVIEW 
'The pacing is brisk, the characters are delightfully eccentric, and the plot offers enough twists to keep readers hooked.' 5 STAR REVIEW 
 
'Silver blends heart, humor, and a touch of ghostly intrigue as her characters navigate love, loss, and second chances.' 5 STAR REVIEW 
 
'Perfect for spooky season and for anyone looking for a fun, easy read that's sure to have you equal parts entertained, emotional, and swooning.' 5 STAR REVIEW 
 
'Get in the van gals, we’re going ghostbusting! I had so much fun reading this one, I can’t wait to read the sequel.' 5 STAR REVIEW 
 
'Fun, quirky, and full of ghostly charm!' 5 STAR REVIEW 
 
'Absolutely delicious in every sense of the word! I could not get enough of this ghostbusting trio' 5 STAR REVIEW

Seeing ghosts has always been part of Melody Bittersweet’s life – a quirky inconvenience at the best of times. 
 
But on her 27th birthday, she decides to finally make a career out of it by setting up her very own ghostbusting business. 
 
Her first case brings Melody to a house haunted by three brothers with a heap of unfinished business. To complicate matters, her fame-hungry ex, Leo Dark, and sceptical yet maddeningly gorgeous reporter, Fletcher Gunn, are also on the case. 
 
As Melody tries to uncover the truth, the undeniable chemistry between herself and Fletcher becomes increasingly distracting – which is less than ideal considering he's her sworn enemy hell-bent on discrediting her. 
 
Can Melody solve the mystery? Or will her feelings for Fletcher end up haunting her more than the ghosts?

Slow Burn Summer

'Clever, funny and gloriously romantic.' Cathy Bramley 
 
'Josie Silver is my ultimate comfort author and Slow Burn Summer might just be her best book yet.' Catherine Walsh 
 
'A completely romantic and life-affirming story about survival and loss and the lengths we'll go to for love.' Annabel Monaghan 
 
'A warm, delicious treat of a book, with the perfect balance of sunshine, sizzle and stormy scenes to keep you turning the pages.' Cressida McLaughin 
 
---- 
 
The delicious new summer romance from the Sunday Times bestselling author of the Reese’s Book Club Pick One Day in December. 
 
Sometimes pretending to be someone else helps you figure out who you really are… 
 
Freshly divorced and in need of a job – Kate Elliot’s life needs a rewrite. So when she unearths an old letter from her ex-talent agent, Jojo Francisco – she takes it as a sign from the universe to brush off her old acting skills and become someone else entirely. 
 
Meanwhile, Charlie Francisco is back from LA, leaving his dumpster fire of a life behind. He may be well over his head in filling the shoes of his late eccentric father but he is determined to prove he can, and he might just have the job for Kate: to pose as the author for a novel that the real writer wants nothing to do with. It’s not quite the glamorous gig she was hoping for, but he’s looking for a nobody and she needs cash fast. 
 
When Kate and Charlie meet they’re all friction and sparks, but they have one thing in common – they’re determined to play their parts. But as the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines or will they go off-script? 
 
A steamy and sweet love story set in the steamy heat of a London summer, from the queen of the 'what if?' romance Josie Silver. 
 
---- 
PRAISE FOR JOSIE SILVER 
 
'A gorgeous warm hug of a novel!' Beth O'Leary 
 
'Sexy, funny and poignant' Sophie Cousens 
 
'Pure, romantic escapism!' Sun 
 
'Both the perfect romance and the story of self-empowerment every woman deserves' Jodi Picoult 
 
'Deliciously romantic - I loved everything about it' Libby Page

If you like your romance novels served up with a side of humor and a look behind the curtain of publishing, SLOW BURN SUMMER is for you. It’s a completely romantic and life-affirming story about survival and loss and the lengths we'll go to for love.

Josie Silver is my ultimate comfort author and Slow Burn Summer might just be her best book yet. A gorgeous cast of characters and heartfelt, emotional writing had me devouring Kate and Charlie’s story in a day. I laughed, I swooned, I loved every page!

Slow Burn Summer is a warm, delicious treat of a book, with the perfect balance of sunshine, sizzle and stormy scenes to keep you turning the pages.

Sometimes pretending to be someone else helps you figure out who you really are… 
 
Freshly divorced and in need of a job – Kate Elliot’s life needs a rewrite. So when she unearths an old letter from her ex-talent agent, Jojo Francisco – she takes it as a sign from the universe to brush off her old acting skills and become someone else entirely. 
 
Meanwhile, Charlie Francisco is back from LA, leaving his dumpster fire of a life behind. He may be well over his head in filling the shoes of his late eccentric father but he is determined to prove he can, and he might just have the job for Kate: to pose as the author for a novel that the real writer wants nothing to do with. It’s not quite the glamorous gig she was hoping for, but he’s looking for a nobody and she needs cash fast. 
 
When Kate and Charlie meet they’re all friction and sparks, but they have one thing in common – they’re determined to play their parts. But as the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines or will they go off-script? 
 
A steamy and sweet love story set in the steamy heat of a London summer, from the queen of the 'what if?' romance Josie Silver.

A Winter in New York

'A tender, heart-felt read, with the perfect blend of ingredients: New York, food, family and romance!' Sophie Cousens 
 
----- 
 
Where better to start again than New York? 
 
Iris arrives in the city of dreams, intent on restarting her culinary career, and leaving her recent heartache behind. 
 
Wandering the streets at a famous food festival, Iris feels like she's living in a movie. Then she stumbles upon a gelateria that looks strangely familiar. Inside, she meets Gio: a perfect leading man with an irresistible smile - and a crisis of his own. 
 
As fate would have it, Iris is the one person with the answer to his problem. She just can't tell him that . . . 
 
So, can Iris finally let go of the past - and let herself fall in love? 
 
A sumptuously cosy seasonal love story set in sparkling New York, from the queen of the 'what if?' romance Josie Silver. 
 
----- 
 
'Joyous, uplifting and heart-racingly romantic. I devoured it. You'll find me in Little Italy licking gelato off a hot Italian stallion's chest' Cathy Bramley 
 
'A unique and gorgeously written love story bursting with characters you'll want to protect' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn 
 
'Deliciously romantic - I loved everything about it' Libby Page 
 
'A magical love story that had me hooked from the first page' Cressida McLaughlin

'The sweetest love story . . . you're going to LOVE it'

'Heartbreakingly beautiful, butterfly-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny'

Paige Toon on THE TWO LIVES OF LYDIA BIRD

Sophie Cousens on ONE NIGHT ON THE ISLAND

Where better to start again than New York? 
 
Iris arrives in the city of dreams, intent on restarting her culinary career, and leaving her recent heartache behind. 
 
Wandering the streets at a famous food festival, Iris feels like she's living in a movie. Then she stumbles upon a gelateria that looks strangely familiar. Inside, she meets Gio: a perfect leading man with an irresistible smile - and a crisis of his own. 
 
As fate would have it, Iris is the one person with the answer to his problem. She just can't tell him that . . . 
 
So, can Iris finally let go of the past - and let herself fall in love?

Escape to a remote island with this chemistry-filled love story

One Night on the Island

ONE COTTAGE. TWO STRANGERS. 
EVERY GREAT LOVE STORY STARTS SOMEWHERE . . . 
 
'No waiting for it to kick off and absolutely no filler' READER ***** 
'The most wonderful depiction of love that I have read. Maybe ever!' READER ***** 
 
-------------------------------- 
 
FROM THE AUTHOR OF ONE DAY IN DECEMBER, COMES AN IRRESISTIBLE LOVE STORY 
 
Cleo writes about love stories every day. She just isn't living one of her own. 
 
When the editor of her dating column asks her to marry herself on a remote Irish island - a sensational piece to mark Cleo's thirtieth birthday - Cleo agrees. She's alone but not lonely, right? She can handle a solo adventure. 
 
Cleo arrives at her luxury cabin to find a tall, dark, stubborn American who insists it's actually his. Mack refuses to leave, and Cleo won't budge either. With a storm fast approaching, they reluctantly hunker down together. It's just one night, after all . . . 
 
But what if one night on the island is just the beginning? 
 
-------------------------------- 
 
Your favourite authors can't get enough of One Night on the Island 
 
'A gorgeous warm hug of a novel!' Beth O'Leary, The Road Trip 
 
'Sexy, funny and poignant' Sophie Cousens, This Time Next Year 
 
'Utterly delicious - every single ingredient for the perfect love story is here in this wise and witty story' Rosie Walsh, The Love of my Life 
 
'Belly-laugh hilarity, and the coziest Irish setting you can imagine' Christina Lauren, The Unhoneymooners 
 
'Comfort food in book form' SARAH TURNER, The Unmumsy Mum 
 
'I swooned. I laughed. I felt every degree of emotion' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, Yinka, Where is your Huzband? 
 
'Both the perfect romance and the story of self-empowerment every woman deserves' Jodi Picoult, Wish You Were Here 
 
'Josie Silver is on top form in this wonderfully romantic story' Daily Express 
 
'A propulsive, gorgeous romance, filled with whimsy and overlaid with the stand-out theme of empowerment' Off The Record 
 
'Pure, romantic escapism!' Sun 
 
'A love story with added self-empowerment' That's Life Magazine

The perfect romance and the story of self-empowerment every woman deserves

A gorgeously romantic love story for anyone who has ever thought ‘What If?’

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird

What if you could live your great love story again? 
 
'Fans of P.S. I Love You will adore this new romantic novel from Josie Silver' Cosmopolitan 
 
_______________ 
 
 
Lydia and Freddie. Freddie and Lydia. They've been together for almost a decade, and are just about to get married. But then, on Lydia's 27th birthday, Freddie dies in a tragic accident. 
 
Then something unbelievable happens. Lydia gets another chance at her old life with Freddie. 
 
But what if there's someone in her new life who wants her to stay? 
 
A gorgeously romantic love story for fans of PS I Love You and Me Before You, this novel will make you laugh, cry and remind you of what a wonderful gift it is to love and to be loved. 
 
FROM THE AUTHOR OF ONE DAY IN DECEMBER 
 
'A beautiful, emotional gift' Jodi Picoult 
 
'Gorgeous' Marian Keyes 
 
'Butterfly-inducing, laugh-out-loud funny' Paige Toon 
 
_______________ 
 
 
WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING ABOUT THE TWO LIVES OF LYDIA BIRD 
 
'Original, emotional and utterly absorbing' Heidi Swain 
 
***** 'I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book' Netgalley reader 
 
'Lydia Bird is a character that will stay with me for a very long time' Emma Cooper 
 
'Heartbreakingly beautiful, butterfly-inducing and laugh out loud funny - you've never read a love triangle like this before!' Paige Toon 
 
***** 'Anyone who has been through the loss of someone will be able to relate to this. Heartbreaking, heartwarming, bittersweet, emotional... one of the best romantic reads of the year. Josie Silver has done it again and stolen another chunk of my heart' Netgalley reader 
 
'Funny and moving and marvellous. Read with a box of tissues and a box of chocolates' Teresa Driscoll 
 
***** 'I'm an emotional mess yet again. The story was just so heart felt, emotional and unputdownable and it will stay with me for a long time' Netgalley reader 
 
'Josie has done it again! This is heart-breaking, heart-warming, and heart-felt... it broke me to pieces and built me right back up again. Beautiful. Generous. Hopeful' Laura Jane Williams 
 
***** 'Well she's done it again.. Hooked, loved, adored' Netgalley reader 
 
'A brave and clever novel...funny, wise and profoundly comforting' Keith Stuart 
 
'Heart-breaking and hopeful - I loved Lydia Bird' Sarah Morgan

Fans of P.S. I Love You will adore this new romantic novel from Josie Silver

I read THE TWO LIVES OF LYDIA BIRD in a single sitting - crying, laughing, and rooting for the heroine, who reminds us that the people we love - and the people we lose - change us, and that who we are at the beginning of our story is never who we are at the end of it. What a beautiful, emotional gift Josie Silver has given us

Jodi Picoult, author of SMALL GREAT THINGS

Heartbreakingly beautiful, butterfly-inducing and laugh out loud funny - you've never read a love triangle like this before!

Paige Toon, author of FIVE YEARS FROM NOW

On the hunt for a romantic novel which will make you feel all the feels? This book by Josie Silver is definitely one for fans of a good old chick-lit (you can't go wrong)

Original, emotional and utterly absorbing. I couldn't put it down

Heidi Swain, author of THE CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

This beautiful book had me crying within the first few pages. From the first page, I knew that Lydia Bird was a character that would stay with me for a very long time

Emma Cooper, author of THE FIRST TIME I SAW YOU

Josie has done it again! This is heart-breaking, heart-warming, and heart-felt... it broke me to pieces and built me right back up again. Beautiful. Generous. Hopeful

Funny and moving and marvellous. Read with a box of tissues and a box of chocolates

Teresa Driscoll, author of I WILL MAKE YOU PAY

A moving and thoroughly engaging tale of and love and loss ... Clear your weekend, switch off your phone and prepare to be entertained

Mike Gayle, author of THE MAN I THINK I KNOW

A brave and clever novel...funny, wise and profoundly comforting

Keith Stuart, author of A BOY MADE OF BLOCKS

Heartbreaking and hopeful - I loved Lydia Bird

Sarah Morgan, author of A WEDDING IN DECEMBER

Moving, heartfelt, achingly sad, yet hopeful and touching, this book will stay with me for a long time. Bravo to Josie

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird excels as a portrait of grief and our rose-tinted view of the past . . . heavier and sadder than its predecessor, yet the ending is hopeful, lending a heartwarming touch to a bittersweet story that is very nearly excellent

Lydia and Freddie. Freddie and Lydia. They've been together for almost a decade, and Lydia thinks their love is indestructible. 
 
But she's wrong. Because on her 27th birthday, Freddie dies in a tragic accident. 
 
So now it's just Lydia, and all she wants to do is hide indoors and sob 'til her eyes fall out. But Lydia knows that Freddie would want her to live her life well. So, enlisting the help of his best friend and her sister Elle, she takes her first tentative steps into the world and starts to live - perhaps even to love - again. 
 
Then something unbelievable happens, and Lydia gets another chance at her old life with Freddie. But what if there's someone in her new life who wants her to stay?

Josie Silver

Melody Bittersweet’s Christmases are more haunted than holly jolly, and this year may be her most complicated yet. 
 
When the death of its owner leaves beloved department store Libertines facing closure, Melody – who inconveniently sees ghosts – is called in to help save it. Teaming up with the heir determined to protect her family’s legacy and one very persistent ghost, Melody throws herself into the case. 
 
But the job also reunites her with Fletcher Gunn: her sceptical, infuriating, still-very-tempting ex. Fletcher doesn’t believe in ghosts, but as sparks fly once again, Melody must untangle family secrets, restless spirits, and the feelings she thought she’d buried long ago. 
 
Can she save Libertines before Christmas – and risk her heart one more time?

Josie Silver

Books by Josie Silver

Series by Josie Silver

Spooky Love

Articles featuring Josie Silver

Books to get you in the mood for Christmas

The best Christmas romance books to fall in love with this winter

Mood-lifting books with only happy endings

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Books to get you in the mood for Christmas

The best Christmas romance books to fall in love with this winter

Mood-lifting books with only happy endings

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