The Best Christmas Romance Books
What are the Best Christmas Romance Books? Which Christmas Romance novels are the highest rated by avid romance readers? I have done the research, crunched the numbers, and I am here to reveal all!
What are the Highest Rated Christmas Romance Books?
Um, here’s the awkward truth about Christmas romances: many of them have really low ratings. Are they too jolly? Too merry? Are reviewers Scrooges or what?
My criteria for this list: each book must have a 4.0 rating or higher on Goodreads and have at least 100 reviews. Here’s the list!
Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace (Atria)
- Hallmark movie format
- Big city girl and small town guy
- Woman learns the true meaning of Christmas
- Release date: September 30, 2025. Thanks to Atria for the advance copy!
A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan (Harlequin)
- In Northern England, the members of the Balfour family prepare to celebrate Christmas
- Mom Jenny is concerned that her newly retired husband is depressed
- Married daughter Rosie worries that her marriage is fraying
- Son Jamie has a secret
- Single daughter Becky is forced to share a ride with someone she dislikes. Or does she?
- If you like a women’s fiction feel, a lot of family chaos, and minimal spice, this is the book for you.
- Release Date: October 7, 2025. Thanks to Harlequin for the advance reader copy!
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison (Avon)
- A lonely woman who runs an antique store is suddenly haunted by Nolan, an Irish ghost
- Nolan has no idea why he was assigned to Harriet and even more confused when he starts exploring his own past.
- Is there a connection between them?
- Can this relationship work?
- Release Date: October 21, 2025. Thanks to Avon and Libro.fm for the advance listening copy.
While It was snowing by Julia london
- A divorced mom who just wants some peace and quiet is annoyed to find that she’s sharing her overbooked vacation rental with a handsome stranger.
- A nearly 50 year-old professional golfer is the handsome stranger. He also needs some peace and quiet to figure out his life.
- Will things heat up during a snowstorm?
- Release Date: October 28, 2025.
Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman (Ballantine)
- After the tragic death of her husband, Grace is now a single mom to two kids.
- Henry’s wife perished in a plane crash.
- They become friends, watching and discussing movies together over the course of a year.
- But could this friendship be more?
- Release Date: October 14, 2025. Thanks to Ballantine for the advance readers copy!
christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk (putnam)
- a 90s/00s style rom com with fake dating and fun hijinks
- A smart and ambitious main character training to be a doctor
- Scotland! Kilts are worn
- Two hilarious best friends to add snark and sass
- Family dynamics and small town vibes
- Release date October 14, 2025. Thanks to Harper Collins for the advance copy
A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron (Forever Books)
- Grumpy sunshine Christmas romance
- Cranky hotelier meets a Christmas fanatic
- Will she move to the UK to realize her dream?
- Release date: October 21, 2025 by Forever Books.
My Favorite HolidaTE by Lauren Blakeley (Atria)
- When your single dad billionaire boss agrees to be your pretend boyfriend
- Set at a Christmas wedding
- Week-long Christmas competition
- Open door spicy Christmas romance
- Release Date: October 7, 2025. Thanks to Atria books for the advance copy
Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (Gallery)
- A modern-day retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen set in New York’s East Village
- Part of the For the Love of Austen series BUT these are standalones. Though some characters from the first two books make a quick cameo in this one
- A sweet second chance at love story
- Themes of family pressure and wistful regret
- Thanks to Gallery Books for the advance copy! Release date: October 28, 2025
All I Want For Christmas is You by Miranda Liaison (Forever Books)
- One night stand + pregnancy
- Fake dating, but they are really falling in love?
- Have you read this? Let me know in the comments!
Merry Ex-Mas by Courtney Walsh (Independent)
- A woman competing for a morning show anchor job
- What can land the job: her hometown’s Christmas traditions
- But there’s an annoying ex-boyfriend there too….
- Have you read this? Give me your thoughts in comments!
Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel (Independent)
- When you end up fake-dating your work enemy
- And get through Christmas with your family
- At a Vermont lodge
- Did you read this one? Tell me what you thought below in comments!
A Very Merry Mistake by Lyra Parrish (Independent)
- Cinnamon roll lumberjack
- A no-strings relationship
- Forced proximity, a spunky heroine, and tons of Southern Christmas goodness.
- Have you read this one? I want to know what you thought!
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