Reading Recommendations: Holly Jolly Romance

A new month means another batch of reading recommendations! This month’s theme is Holiday Romance! It’s that festive time of the year which means I love to read all things holiday-themed. Here are some holiday romances I’ve enjoyed and recommend to you.

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The Anti-Social Season

For Thea Martinelli, burnout is real. After working as a firefighter for the Emergency Services Department over the last ten years, she can’t stomach any more close calls. Just when she’s ready to hang up the hose for good, she’s offered an out: stay on as the station’s new social media coordinator. It’s a move that would keep her on the squad and off the truck—if she makes it through the probation period.

Basically, she needs to learn everything there is to know about social media…fast.

Librarian and social media coordinator Simon Osman is shocked to learn his new responsibilities include showing Thea Martinelli—his high school crush—the ins and outs of digital engagement. And the fact that she doesn’t even remember him? Not helpful. Still, this could be his chance to finally turn his part-time role into something long-term.

But as the chaos of the holiday season unfolds, Thea and Simon find that the closer they work together, the hotter their attraction burns. Yet giving in to these feelings could mean giving up their careers. Are they willing to risk everything they’ve worked toward…for each other?

This holiday rom-com is steamy and unconventional compared to the usual Holiday Romance novels I’m reading. The grumpy sunshine paring is displayed well through the main characters, Simon and Thea’s point of views. I thought the pairing male librarian and a female first responder was unique, however, at times they both misunderstood too many moments between them. Putting that aside, it is a easy and fast paced read and I’m curious if these characters make an appearance in other books of the First Responders series. I recommend this novel if you like second chance romances!

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Three Holidays and a Wedding

As strangers and seatmates Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson fly to Toronto over the holidays—Maryam to her sister’s impromptu wedding, and Anna to meet her boyfriend’s wealthy family for the first time—neither expect that severe turbulence will scare them into confessing their deepest hopes and fears to one another. At least they’ll never see each other again. And the love of Maryam’s life, Saif, wasn’t sitting two rows behind them hearing it all. Oops.

 An emergency landing finds Anna, Saif, Maryam, and her sister’s entire bridal party snowbound at the quirky Snow Falls Inn in a picture-perfect town, where fate has Anna’s actor-crush filming a holiday romance. As Maryam finds the courage to open her heart to Saif, and Anna feels the magic of being snowbound with an unexpected new love—both women soon realize there’s no place they’d rather be for the holidays.

The premise of this novel intrigued me from the very start, as I haven’t found too many Holiday Romance novels that cover not only Christmas, but also Hanukkah and Ramadan. I loved that the novel takes the time to highlight all three holidays and give the characters a chance to share their traditions for them as well. This book doesn’t just solely focus on Romance, but also the narrative of found family/friendship. The friendship that develops between Anna and Maryam was my favorite part of the story and the ensemble cast of characters kept me engaged with this sweet story.

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A Wild Winter’s Warning

Neva, an ice sculptor, is desperate to pay off her family’s debts and end their slavery to a powerful witch. When the witch offers her a tempting deal – steal the magic of winter in exchange for freedom – Neva seizes the opportunity.

But when she travels to the mountainside cottage where the magic is hidden, she does not find the grumpy old hermit she was promised. Instead, a handsome young woodsman, with pointed ears, is in his place.

Iyken is a loner. Years ago, he lost his family due to a promise he made in his youth. When Neva appears on his doorstep asking a favor, he immediately suspects her of nefarious intentions. In an attempt to get rid of her, and be chivalrous at the same time, he decides to escort her back to the village.

However, on their way down the mountain, a terrible accident sends them careening off the mountainside. Trapped in the valley, Neva and Iyken work together to survive the wild winter while accidentally falling in love.

I love Ford’s Romantasy novels so much! This romance novel is not an outright Christmas love story, but has more of an overall Winter setting (making it a great read for Winter in general!). The story is set in an industrial-era world that has some steampunk elements and some action-packed scenes. As always Ford’s romances are a mixture of sweet and steamy scenes. The most exciting part of the novel is the adventure aspect of the story and the main characters having to skirt danger in order to complete their journey.

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Love in Winter Wonderland

Charming, handsome Trey Anderson balances the pressures of school popularity with a job at his family’s beloved local bookshop, Wonderland.

Quirky, creative Ariel Spencer needs tuition for the prestigious art program of her dreams, and an opening at Wonderland is the answer. When Trey and Ariel learn that Wonderland is on the brink of being shut down by a neighborhood gentrifier, they team up to stop the doors from closing before the Christmas Eve deadline—and embark on a hate-to-love journey that will change them forever.

Heartwarming and romantic, this read is the gift that keeps on giving, no matter the season.

Books and Christmas! What more could a reader ask for?! I devoured this book in a few days during the last holiday season and it had all the cozy feels that you want in a Holiday Romance novel. The story is set in a Black-owned bookshop which made Bello’s story so much more meaningful as we are constantly losing indie bookstores (especially POC owned ones) every year. This novel has more of the Hallmark movie vibes, but the cheesiness of it all is what gave this novel its special charm.

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Whiteout

Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas, but the warmth of young love just might melt the ice in this novel of interwoven narratives, Black joy, and cozy, sparkling romance—by the same unbeatable team of authors who wrote the New York Times bestseller Blackout!

As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. But will they be able to make it happen, in spite of the storm?

No one is prepared for this whiteout. But then, we can’t always prepare for the magical moments that change everything.

I wish there was a YA novel like this growing up, but I’m so glad there is an anthology like this for teens now. This is probably one of my top favorite Christmas themed stories that have multiple point of views and interwoven stories. I could also see the potential for this novel adapted for the screen! It’s very fluffy, and some of the moments seem a bit over the top for a teenager, but I think its worth the read for those who enjoy the sweeter side of romance. I think this collection of stories also does a great job of not only highlighting relationships, but friendships as well during the holiday season.

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Lovelight Farms

A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.

In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, Stella enters a contest with Instagram-famous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, Stella might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on her application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only…there is no boyfriend.

Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just stopped by for some hot chocolate and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process. But fake dating his best friend might be the best Christmas present he’s ever received.

The holiday romance trope of a Christmas tree farm is essential to these stories, so reading a story with the farm as a focus was a delight. This novel has the fake dating trope mixed with the friends-to-lovers narrative. The small town and its residents were entertaining to read about and I love the tight-knit nature of all of the relationships portrayed in this book. This book is not only about romance but also focuses on the holidays bonding with our loved ones and how there is no one definition of family. It showcases many reasons why Christmas is so special to many.

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That concludes my reading recommendations for holiday romance reads! What books do you recommend or what are your favorites? Comment below