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 – and they make for excellent gifts, too. Below, we’ve rounded up the best Christmas romances, so pop the kettle on, grab your warmest blanket, and enjoy.