New Christmas Romance Books 2025
Here’s my list of New Christmas Romance Books 2025! Whether you are looking for Christmas Romance Books With Spice or Sweet Holiday Books with Closed Door Romance, I have got you covered!
New Christmas Romance Books 2025
I’ve rated these new Christmas Romance Books I have read on:
- Holiday vibes: do we have snow, Christmas sweaters, warm beverages, cookie baking and fun holiday traditions?
- Spice Level: these are holiday romances so I’m looking for a very sweet yet slightly spicy story. Like hot cider!
- Romance: Christmas romance tropes include friends to lovers, second chance at love, and holiday meet cutes!
Quick Recommendations from Jen:
- If you prefer your Christmas romances sweet (closed door) and not spicy: Grace and Henry’s Movie Marathon, Ruff Royal Christmas, Christmas People, The Cornish Christmas Book Club
- If you want plenty of holiday spice: A Date Night in December, Holiday Ever After, Good Spirits (slow burn but it does heat up!)
- Enjoy some snark and humor in your Christmas romance: Christmas People, Christmas Fling, While It Was Snowing
- Looking for a bittersweet chocolate feel in your Christmas stories? Grace and Henry’s Movie Marathon or A Merry Little Lie have a women’s fiction feel. Good Spirits has a poignant old-fashioned feel that feels like a classic Christmas movie.
- Want it all? Holiday vibes, romance AND spicy scenes? You Make it Feel Like Christmas, Christmas Fling, Good Spirits
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison (Avon/libro FM)
- Bittersweet, nostalgic feel of a classic Christmas movie
- Paranormal romance with tons of pining and longing
- Small town antiques store vibes. And a cat
- Lonely main character who is alienated from her family
- Thanks to Avon Books for the advance copy
My Ratings of Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
As I said above, Good Spirits has a wistful, romantic vibe that feels like a cozy Classic Christmas movie. Laughter and tears in this one!
Holiday Vibes in Good Spirits
I was going to call them low, but I don’t think that’s fair. Good Spirits has more of an old-fashioned holiday vibe. No ugly Christmas sweaters, drunked Christmas karaoke, etc.
Romance in Good Spirits
This is for those who love a slow burn romance that keeps you a little worried. Can these two, a ghost and a human, really be together?
Spice in Good Spirits
Me: can a ghost even … you know? Well, apparently he can! Slow burn to some very spicy open door scenes! My maximum rating for a Christmas romance is four peppers. This isn’t kinky dark romance we’re reading here!
while it was snowing by Julia london
- A harried divorced mom of teens
- A professional golfer recovering from might be a career-ending injury
- One North Texas lake house that both of them think they rented to be alone
- They will NOT be alone for long
- Thanks to the NYPL for my borrowed copy!
my ratings of While it was snowing
While it was Snowing was more of an old school romance for fans of authors like Annabel Monaghan or Susan Elizabeth Phillips. It had an older (yay) couple and a lot of humor.
Holiday Vibes in While it was Snowing
Yes, it was in Texas and on a lake, but the holiday vibes were strong, with Christmas shopping, a present exchange, many festive gatherings, and a dog who wears a costume.
Romance in While it was Snowing
I love a story about two characters who have lived a little!
Spice Level in While it was Snowing
This romance proceeded at just the right speed and had several open door scenes that were not extremely explicit.
Christmas People by Iva Marie Palmer (St Martins Press)
- Main character who hates Christmas
- Magical realism
- Not one but TWO exes show up
- Holiday baking competition
- “Help I’m trapped in a Hallmark movie”
- Thanks to St Martins for the advance copy
MY RATINGs OF CHRISTMAS PEOPLE
Christmas People has more of a rom com vibe, with a snarky Christmas-hating main character who gets trapped in Sweetville, a perfect Christmas town.
Holiday Vibes in Christmas People
Four and a half gingerbread men. Being trapped in Sweetville was funny and fun.
Romance in Christmas People
There was a sort of love triangle, which worried me a little, but it all worked out in the end.
Spice Level in Christmas People
If you prefer a Christmas romance with low spice (just a kiss or two) this should be on your list!
Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace (Atria)
- Hallmark Movie tropes and set-up
- Big city girl heads to a small town
- Evil corporation vs. small town
- Main character who learns the meaning of Christmas
- Thanks to Atria for the advance copy
My Ratings of Holiday Ever After
Holiday Ever After definitely drew on Hallmark movie tropes. At times I think it took them too literally, with a main character who seemed a bit too naive.
Holiday Vibes in Holiday Ever After
There are good holiday vibes in Holiday Ever After, including a toy theme, a reindeer, a toy fire, a dog named Elf, and a lot of small town charm.
Romance in Holiday Ever After
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romance in this book, but you might feel differently. The main character was constantly described as rich and beautiful (doll-like, even?) and felt a little naive to me.
Spice Level in Holiday Ever After
For a Christmas romance, this book was on the spicier side, with some fairly explicit sex scenes.
A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron (Forever)
- A sweet opposites attract romance
- A Christmas fanatic who dreams of living the UK meets a Christmas skeptic who’s committed to his life in Canada
- Since there’s an attraction, they agree on a fling
- But of course nothing goes to plan!
- Thanks to Forever books for the advance copy!
My Ratings of A Little Holiday Fling
A Little Holiday Fling celebrates that fact that Christmas can be universal. There’s a fun UK/Jane Austen trip/homage in the book. The story highlights both found family and a close knit biological family.
Holiday Vibes in You Make it Feel Like Christmas
High! Ruby’s infectious enthusiasm for the holiday is so much fun!
Romance in A Little Holiday Fling
Fling-turned-to-true-love is not my very favorite trope, and the romance in this was pretty slow burn for a fling.
Spice Leven in A Little Holiday Fling
These two definitely had sparks, though they kept it pretty tasteful.
You Make it Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan (St Martins)
- This companion book to two of Sophie Sullivan’s other books, with some crossover characters
- I had not read these other books, so felt a bit confused at times with all the characters.
- Set in the Pacific Northwest, this book pairs up an aspiring photographer with an injured hockey player.
- Thanks to St. Martins Books for the advance copy!
my ratings of You make it feel like christmas
You Make it Feel Like Christmas was everything you expect in a Christmas Romance: a great physical connection between the characters combined with a lot of sweet and festive holiday celebrating.
Holiday Vibes in You Make it Feel Like Christmas
Small town vibes, a farm, a Christmas scavenger hunt, a Winter Solstice celebration, and a snowball fight!
Romance in You Make it Feel Like Christmas
What happens when your one night stand shows up at Christmas? Awkward! But these two will get past that!
Spice Level in You Make it Feel Like Christmas
The book had several open door scenes that were not super-explicit.
Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman (Ballantine)
- A grief book and second chance at love book
- The book focuses more on grief and healing than romance
- The movie theme was really cute and I enjoyed that aspect a lot
- Thanks to Ballantine for the advance copy!
My Ratings of Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon
Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon The book is about two people who have lost their spouses and slowly become friends and then more!
Holiday Vibes in Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon
The book did focus on holiday movies, but the story spanned about a year. So I’m not sure that it 100% qualifies as a Christmas romance, but it is super sweet and touching!
Romance in Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon
Given that this is also a grief book, I have to round up on the romance rating. It’s about love more than romance, I’d say. But it is a very touching book!
Spice Level in Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon
If you prefer your Christmas romances on the lowest possible spice range, this is the book for you!
Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (Gallery)
- A retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, set in New York’s East Village
- College sweethearts are separated by their post-graduation plans, have a painful break-up, and then reunite years later
- Themes of reconnecting with your youthful hopes and dreams
- Thanks to Gallery Books for the advance copy.
My Ratings of Anne of Avenue A
Anne of Avenue A is a retelling and part of the “For the Love of Austen” series
Holiday Vibes in Anne of Avenue A
The holiday vibes in this book aren’t the strongest, but the book starts during the Christmas season and then picks up in that season eight years later.
Romance in Anne of Avenue A
I love a good second chance at love story, but I wanted a little more LONGING. The story did get there in the end though!
Spice Level in Anne of Avenue A
There are two moderately spicy open door scenes, but nothing too explicit.
christmas fling by Lindsey Kelk (Putnam)
- A 90s/00s style rom com with a high stakes premise (fake dating at the holidays + a How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days twist)
- Scottish Highlands location
- A main character who is pursuing a career as a neurosurgeon after the loss of her mother to a brain aneurysm
- Two hilarious best friend side characters (required in a rom com)
- Thanks to Putnam Books for the advance copy
my ratings of Christmas fling
Christmas Fling was so much fun to read and is getting great early reviews! If you love a true rom com, definitely put this one on your list!
Holiday Vibes in Christmas Fling
Who doesn’t love the ides of Christmas in Scotland?
Romance in Christmas Fling
If you hate insta-love, this is for you. This couple to work for it: a hostile family, a gorgeous ex-girlfriend, all the lying and conspiring…
Spice in Christmas Fling
Slow burn that turned into a spicy inferno. There was one open door love scene, but it was spicy!
Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay (Putnam)
- A fun “twin swap” premise in which two lookalike best friends swap holiday trips and fall in love
- Two holiday locations: small town Hudson Valley NY and Kauai HI!
- Great themes of friendship and self discovery
- Thanks so much to Putnam/PRH for the advance copy.
My Ratings of Holiday Honeymoon Switch
This fun dual plot line book has some readers feeling that two romances in one book felt rushed, and I understand that.
Holiday Vibes in Holiday Honeymoon Switch
Winter in Hawaii didn’t give me all the cozy vibes I was craving.
Romance in Holiday Honeymoon Switch
I did feel that Ivy’s romance felt a bit rushed, but I appreciated the nod to my favorite movie, The Holiday!
Spice Level in Holiday Honeymoon Switch
Two romance plots = double the holiday hanky panky
A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan (Harlequin)
- A story that follows all the hopes and dreams of one family at Christmas
- Multiple plotlines with three siblings and their partners
- Has a Love Actually feel
- Thanks to Harlequin for the advance copy
MY RATINGS OF A MERRY LITTLE LIE
A Merry Little Lie is perfect for women’s fiction readers and those who just want a sweet holiday story without the traditional romance plot.
Holiday Vibes in A Merry Little Lie
The Balfour family goes all out for the holidays!
Romance in A Merry Little Lie
It was interesting to have the three siblings at different points in their relationships: a married couple, newlyweds, and a brand new romance.
Spice in A Merry Little Lie
Low spice in this – they are all staying at their parents’ house!
The Cornish Christmas Book Club by Angela Britnell (JOffe)
- A small town Cornwall, UK location
- A women’s book club
- A new guy in town
- Multiple relationships at different stages, with one main closed door romance
my ratings of A cornish Christmas Book Club
A perfect pick for readers who want a cozy, small town setting, the warmth of multiple relationships, and closed door romance.
Holiday Vibes for A Cornish Christmas Book Club
I love a good small town setting at Christmas! There was a church service, a free Christmas lunch at the pub for anyone who needs a place to celebrate, holiday baking, and the stores decorating for the holidays.
Romance in A Cornish Christmas Book Club
I enjoy a good second chance at love romance. Tamara has grown children and Gage is looking for a home after the itinerant life of the military.
Spice in A Cornish Christmas Book Club
This book is perfect for those who want a cozy romance with no explicit content!
Date Night in December by Jaqueline Snow (Grand Central)
- A spicy second chance at love Christmas romance
- A neglected wife leaves her workaholic husband, who gets her to agree to date him all December before leaving him for good
- Sweet small town setting
MY RATINGS OF DATE NIGHT IN DECEMBER
This book has a well-rounded balance of romance, holiday cheer, small town vibes, and spice!
Holiday Vibes in Date Night in December
A small town with a lot of charm, cute destinations, and plenty of snow!
Romance in Date Night in December
I love a good second chance at love romance with lots of sexual tension. Plus this showed a couple after the “I Do” making an effort to work out their issues, which I liked a lot!
Spice in Date Night in December
Whew. Is that an icicle in your pocket? There were quite a few explicit love scenes, so if you want some spice in your holiday reading, look no further. (Four is my maximum rating for holiday romance, because I wouldn’t include anything truly dark or super freaky!)
Other New Christmas Romance Books You Might Enjoy:
A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler
By the writers of The Christmas Prince. A dog trainer hired to work with the mischievous dog of a queen falls for her aloof daughter.
My Favorite HolidaTE by Lauren Blake
A woman starts a fake dating relationship with her single dad boss. Features the Evergreen Falls Annual Best in Show Winter Competition, a cat named Penguin, a costume contest, and Christmas mojitos!
More New Christmas 2025 Romance Reviews coming soon!
