The best Christmas romance books to fall in love with this winter
You’ve probably seen your fair share of Christmas romance films – think Love Actually, The Holiday and, some would argue, Bridget Jones’ Diary. But if you want to really immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, nothing beats a cosy winter read.
Love stories are the ultimate form of escapism, but Christmas romances transport us to an even cosier world of snowy landscapes, wholesome meet-cutes and second chances where, unlike a lot of modern romances, it’s not about the spice.
So, what can you expect from a Christmas romance book? We’d argue that this subgenre has five tell-tale characteristics:
- It’s set during the festive season. Usually, the action starts a month or two before the holidays, building to a climax on Christmas Day (or Betwixtmas).
- There’s a magical atmosphere. Think snow-covered rooftops, market stalls that smell of chestnuts, a roaring fireplace. Christmas romance novels contain all the best parts of the wintry season.
- Family and friendship are at the heart of the story. Yes, there’s a romance between the two lead characters, but a Christmas romance would be nothing without its warm, eclectic cast of supporting characters – usually all brought to life in a small-town setting.
- There are classic romance tropes. You can expect second-chance romances, enemies-to-lovers storylines and grumpy-sunshine pairings in a Christmas romance. Whoever said tropes were a bad thing?
- The story has a happily ever after. A romance set during the run-up to Christmas is almost guaranteed to have a happily ever after (or HEA, for those on BookTok).
With such comforting characteristics, it’s no surprise that these love stories are so popular at this time of year. Below, we’ve rounded up the best Christmas romances – so pop the kettle on, grab your warmest blanket, and enjoy.