12 Holiday Books That Are On My Shelf This Holiday Season

I have to admit: I’m not a big fan of holiday-themed books. I don’t typically read Halloween-related books neither holiday-themed books. But I looked up recently some holiday reads to get me in the Christmas spirit or books I want to add to my TBR this upcoming holiday season … especially books that are coming out this year!

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy

Julie Murphy is a cool author who I have my eye on. As the author of “Dumplin',” I was pleasantly surprised to see she has a new book out! This book focuses on Bee Hobbes, who is a successful plus-size adult film star. What a dynamic story so far. She is set to star in a movie for the Hope Channel (a parody of the Hallmark Channel if you know what I mean) and learns that her new co-star is her childhood crush, Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Well, one thing leads to another, and Bee and Nolan are sneaking off on set together, keeping their relationship a secret. This childhood friends to lovers and secret romance will be a great holiday read! (With a few steamy scenes I’m sure!) I’m excited to add this to my TBR.

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss 

I started listening to this on audio a couple of weeks ago. The part that sold me was learning the main character, Elinor Noel, or Nory for short, is a secondhand bookstore owner in London. When she gathers with old school friends in at a castle near their old school, the reunion brings some fond memories and not-so-fond memories. She also falls—literally, falls—into the castle’s head gardener, who she develops a growing attraction with. I can’t wait to continue listening to this and will give my full review!

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun 

Are all holiday romances set in bookstores? Set in Portland, Ellie Oliver has a Christmas Eve meet cute with a woman in a bookstore that was love at first sight. However, with a betrayal and financial woes, she finds herself alone and desperate for money. Later, she finds work at a local coffee shop. Andrew, the shop’s landlord, comes up with a drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s financial woes and isolation. They plan to spend the holidays together with his family. But when Andrew introduces Ellie to his family, Ellie realizes that Andrew’s sister is the woman who she fell for on Christmas Eve. Fall in love with this queer rom-com who wrote THE CHARM OFFENSIVE this Christmas.

You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky 

Another queer rom-com, but this one is alluding to The Grinch, one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. This is perfect for fans of IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER by Tessa Bailey and gives off the grumpy/sunshine romance trope vibes. (Or should I say, grinch/sunshine vibes?) I can’t wait to start reading this one.

Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth 

Hear me out: this book is perfect for fans of LEGALLY BLONDE. What do you do when your rich boyfriend won’t propose with his grandmother’s ring and instead breaks up with you for “not being serious enough.” You go to law school. What, like it’s hard? That’s Elle Woods—just kidding, it’s Abbie Keller in TIS THE SEASON FOR REVENGE by Morgan Elizabeth. I’m sure this book is delightful and enjoyable and has a fun Christmas twist. Abbie begins dating her ex-boyfriend’s boss at the law firm, so I’m sure there are a lot of fun hi-jinks in this one. Curl up with your favorite winter beverage for this one.

A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams 

I love The Bromance Book Club and the entire series. When I found out there’s going to be a fifth one based on Colton’s story/POV, and it’s Christmas-themed, I was so excited. I read this in a matter of days. It’s incredibly charming and delightful and honestly, I almost gave it five stars. But it’s still so good and I highly recommend! The story follows Colton Wheeler, a country music superstar, and Gretchen, an immigration attorney who comes from a wealthy Southern family that owns a popular whiskey brand. This is a great grumpy/sunshine romance and of course, I loved it because one of the main characters is a country music artist. Gretchen, feeling like Scrooge, doesn’t celebrate Christmas too much when her clients are scrambling to afford their rent. When her wealthy family reaches out to her for an opportunity to better serve the community, she can’t say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family’s whiskey brand. They just don’t know that Gretchen and Colton spent a night together a year prior. Highly recommend this book!

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella 

I loved the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher while growing up. It’s based on a book of the same name by Sophie Kinsella and comes from a long series with the main character, Becky Brandon (Bloomwood). When the holiday season is approaching and is looking very overwhelming for Becky, Becky wonders if chaos will ensue or if she’ll manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas after all.

The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo 

I put this on my holiday TBR last year but never got around to reading it. The main character, Lila, is on her last winter break of high school and earning cash working at a local inn while moonlighting as an anonymous book blogger. However, when her boss’s nephew Teddy becomes her coworker, she realizes he’s the exact opposite of her. They can’t stop butting heads. When the two switch phones, they both realize the other has secrets of their own. Will their secrets and an unexpected snowstorm bring these rivals together?

The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish 

This book sounds like it’s perfect for fans of the Cameron Diaz cult-classic film, The Holiday. Greta needs to get out of her Maine hometown, her small town, and away from her family for a vacation while Truman’s heart is crushed that his boyfriend has a secret husband and daughter. A mutual friend comes up with the idea of swapping homes for the holidays. Honestly, this sounds SO good and I can’t wait to read this!

Home for Christmas by Camilla Isley 

This book markets itself as an enemies to lovers winter vacation romantic comedy and honestly, that’s all I need to go pick up this book. The main character, Riven, is a writer with a writer’s block who escapes to the mountain cabin for a writing retreat. But due to a double booking disaster, a family that is as large as his invades his personal writing sanctuary. Add in a one-bed romance trope where he has to share a bunk bed with Wendy, this novel is a good enemies to lovers book.

All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox 

When I found out that this book is set in Nashville and has country music involved, I immediately picked it up. I think fans of Christina Lauren would love this book. Sadie and Max are contestants on a reality singing show Starmaker, and each thinks they’ve gotten their big break. They pair up for a duet and everyone loves their chemistry together … only they hate each other off screen. Fake dating ensues (because naturally) and I’m so excited to start reading this.

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

I’ve seen this on #bookstagram already so I know it’s going to be a good one. I would say, from reading the description alone, this book is It Happened One Summer meets Ebenezer Scrooge: A Christmas Carol meets Alexis from Schitt’s Creek. Excited to read this one!