7 Holiday Books for the Rom-Com Addict That I Am Absolutely Adding to my TBR
I am a hardcore rom-com addict. I devour any classic rom-com movie, book, or now in 2020, podcast (my favorite is RomCom Pods!). There’s just something about the romance trope that excites me and gets me in the spirit of love. (Even though I am hopelessly single.) I’ve been searching for new books to add to my TBR. Every time I finish a book, I grow tense at finding a new book to read. Here are seven books for the rom-com addict that will get you in the holiday spirit!
Disclaimer: I have not read all of these. These are books that I want to add to my TBR. That being said, I am pulling the descriptions from book seller descriptions.
One Day in December by Josie Silver
This book came out in 2018, and it took the book world by storm. There’s no surprise that this was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick, because it’s the perfect book to get lost in the holiday season.
Bookshop.org description: Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story. Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away. Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they reunite at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be. What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
I love anything that Jasmine Guillory writes. I am very excited to add this to my TBR. The fourth book in her Wedding Date series, The Royal Holiday portrays Vivian Forest, the mother of Maddie (main character in “The Wedding Party”). This is different than her four other books in that it portrays an older couple—and I love that! Again, I am excited to read this.
Bookshop.org description: Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality. Malcolm Hudson has worked for the Queen for years and has never given a personal, private tour--until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling. Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy affair come New Year's Day. . .or are they?
Merry & Bright by Debbie Macomber
Whew, romance is alive! Debbie Macomber is an author that my mother and even my grandmother reads. But I’ve seen this author pop up in #bookstagram and holiday romance books. And, on Bookshop.org, it’s only $6.99!
Bookshop.org description: Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She's taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry's well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her--minus her photo--and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl. Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects--or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.
Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Does anyone remember the movie, “Confessions of a Shopaholic”? Becky Bloomwood is a main character in a big series authored by Sophie Kinsella. She returns in “Christmas Shopaholic,” she’s now Becky Brandon and a married lady! She returns to her hometown and adores the Christmas traditions; but does the stress of the busy Christmas season interrupt all of that? You’ll put down this book feeling warm and snuggly inside and wanting a hot chocolate (and wanting to shop all the deals online).
Bookshop.org description: ‘Tis the season for change and Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is embracing it, returning from the States to live in the charming village of Letherby and working with her best friend, Suze, in the gift shop of Suze's stately home. Life is good, especially now that Becky takes time every day for mindfulness--even if that only means listening to a meditation tape while hunting down online bargains. But Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas: Her parents hosting, carols playing on repeat, her mother pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the neighbors coming 'round for sherry in their terrible holiday sweaters. Things are looking cheerier than ever, until Becky's parents announce they're moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch--unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocados--and ask Becky if she'll host this year. What could possibly go wrong? Becky's sister demands a vegan turkey, her husband insists that he just wants aftershave (again), and little Minnie needs a very specific picnic hamper: Surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old boyfriend-turned-rock star and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear. But as the countdown to Christmas begins and her bighearted plans take an unexpected turn toward disaster, Becky wonders if chaos will ensue, or if she'll manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas after all.
The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli
Imagine if your grandmother set you up on blind dates. But when she’s setting you up on dates with bachelors back to back? Raina Anand struggles with this, and struggles to let her grandmother know that she doesn’t want to be set up in an arranged marriage/relationship. She must figure out a way, but does she find love along the way? This is more of a classic rom-com, but it’s a nice read for the holiday season!
Bookshop.org description: Raina Anand may have finally given in to family pressure and agreed to let her grandmother play matchmaker, but that doesn't mean she has to like it--or that she has to play by the rules. Nani always took Raina's side when she tried to push past the traditional expectations of their tight-knit Indian-immigrant community, but now she's ambushing Raina with a list of suitable bachelors. Is it too much to ask for a little space? Besides, what Nani doesn't know won't hurt her. As Raina's life spirals into a parade of Nani-approved bachelors and disastrous blind dates, she must find a way out of this modern-day arranged-marriage trap without shattering her beloved grandmother's dreams.
The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody
This is one of the cutest and incredible descriptions that I’ve read. Set on New Year’s Eve, Ryn finds herself trapped in the Denver International Airport. She accidentally swaps phones with Xander, another individual who finds himself trapped in the airport. There’s a little mystery in this story, with the unread text message that she can’t get out of her head. That, and New Year’s Eve is the one-year anniversary of Ryn’s best friend’s death.
Bookshop.org description: Ryn has one unread text message on her phone. And it's been there for almost a year. She hasn't tried to read it. She can't. She won't. Because that one message is the last thing her best friend ever said to her before she died. But as Ryn finds herself trapped in the Denver International Airport on New Year's Eve thanks to a never-ending blizzard on the one-year anniversary of her best friend's death, fate literally runs into her. And his name is Xander. When the two accidentally swap phones, Ryn and Xander are thrust into the chaos of an unforgettable all-night adventure, filled with charming and mysterious strangers, a secret New Year's Eve bash, and a possible Illuminati conspiracy hidden within the Denver airport. But as the bizarre night continues, all Ryn can think about is that one unread text message. It follows her wherever she goes, because Ryn can't get her brilliantly wild and free-spirited best friend out of her head. Ryn can't move on. But tonight, for the first time ever, she's trying. And maybe that's a start. As moving as it is funny, The Chaos of Standing Still is a heartwarming story about the earth-shattering challenges life throws at us--and the unexpected strangers who help us along the way.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
I am currently reading this. This is my second Christina Lauren that I’m reading, and it does not disappoint. If you’re a fan of the movie “Groundhog Day,” you’ll enjoy this book. To be honest, the book description was the one that really drew me in.
Bookshop.org description: It's the most wonderful time of the year...but not for Maelyn Jones. She's living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions. But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world--the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy. The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake...she's on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop--and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.