Romance, Cozy Mysteries, and Festive Chaos for Every Mood!
There’s nothing quite like a holiday read to make the season feel magical. Whether you’re a cozy-by-the-fire type, a candle-and-cocoa reader, or someone who sneaks in a few pages between holiday parties and school performances, this year’s lineup of 2025 holiday releases is here to deliver major festive feels.
This year, we’re seeing everything from small-town second chances to fake-dating royalty, mystery markets, chaotic choirs, and more than a few “Nicks” vying for your bookish heart.
With cozy vibes, snowed-in romances, and laugh-out-loud comedies, this list has something for every kind of holiday reader.
Ready to jingle all the way to your bookshelf? Let’s unwrap the list!
Big Nick Energy by Kristen Bailey
Genre: Holiday Rom-Com
Tropes: Love Triangle, Librarian MC, Two Nicks!, Found Family
She’s caught between two Nicks and both feel like Christmas magic.
Librarian Kay’s ex returns just as she meets another swoon-worthy Nick who rescues her from a literal tangle. What’s a girl to do with two Nicks and a heart full of confusion?
A chaotic, heartfelt rom-com for fans of love triangles, found family, and unexpected gifts.
Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk
Genre: Fake Dating Holiday Romance
Tropes: Sleeper Train Meet-Cute, Scottish Highlands, Big Family Chaos
She’s pretending to be his girlfriend. But the chemistry is very real.
Laura’s last-minute trip becomes a holiday adventure when she fakes a relationship in a charming Scottish town. But playing pretend has never felt more real…
Cozy, swoony, and full of kilts...yes, please!
Christmas at Sturcombe Bay by Susanne McCarthy
Genre: Small Town Holiday Romance
Tropes: Second Chances, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn
Three women. One village. Endless festive magic.
Jess, Shelley, and Kate each find love and hope in a quiet coastal town bursting with holiday spirit.
A Hallmark-esque multi-POV novel perfect for fans of Love Actually.
Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant
Genre: Enemies to Lovers
Tropes: Fake Dating, Grumpy x Grumpy, Hidden Feelings
She’s over the holidays. He’s her holiday blind date. Cue chaos.
When two Christmas cynics fake a relationship for their families, sparks and sass fly in this delightfully frosty rom-com.
Perfect for fans of reluctant swoons and festive one-liners.
You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan
Genre: Sports Romance / Holiday
Tropes: Second Chances, One-Night Stand, Tree Farm Setting
She didn’t expect the hot one-night stand to be her host’s brother. Oops.
Maisie’s holiday week turns messy fast when the man she ghosted turns out to be family. But maybe he’s also the one to bring her holiday cheer?
Hockey player + holiday hijinks = a TBR winner.
The Best Christmas Choir Ever by Elizabeth Hribi
Genre: Cozy Holiday Romance
Tropes: Exes Reunited, Senior Citizens, Choir Competition
A second chance romance with twerking grandmas and off-key solos.
Charlie and Julian must lead a hilariously chaotic choir to competition glory—while navigating their old feelings.
Like Pitch Perfect, but with snowflakes and second chances.
Ghosted at Christmas by Holly Whitmore
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Exes Reunited, Family Shenanigans, Forced Proximity
They broke up. He ghosted her. Now he’s back—and invited to Christmas dinner.
Mia’s family invites her ex to Christmas, and now they’re trapped in a cabin together. Emotional mess incoming.
For fans of tension, groveling, and spicy forgiveness arcs.
Home This Christmas by Sue Roberts
Genre: Small Town Romance
Tropes: Baking Contest, Exes as Co-Judges, Snowed In
Holiday nostalgia, gingerbread competitions, and an ex you can’t shake.
Returning home means facing the past and the man she left behind. But love might be the secret ingredient.
Cozy up with this snow-globe-worthy romance.
Christmas with the Princess by Hannah Langdon
Genre: Royal Romance
Tropes: Private Nurse, Grumpy/Sunshine, Family Secrets
One manor. One grumpy royal. One very inconvenient attraction.
Nurse Laura didn’t plan to fall for the heir while working a holiday shift in the royal household. But hearts have a mind of their own.
A charming slow burn for royal romance lovers.
Christmas at the Scottish Lodge by Donna Ashcroft
Genre: Second-Chance Romance
Tropes: Snowed In, Cabin Retreat, Exes
A blizzard, a woodsy lodge, and the man she never got over.
What could possibly go wrong when you’re stuck in the Highlands with your ex and mistletoe?
If The Proposal met Snowed Inn, it’d look like this.
The Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer
Genre: Speculative Holiday Rom-Com
Tropes: Magical Realism, Time Loop, One That Got Away
She’s trapped in a Christmas movie and she’s the lead.
Jill wakes up in a picture-perfect version of her hometown, with a script she doesn’t remember and an ex she’s definitely not over.
For anyone who loves to hate Hallmark movies!
The Christmas Market Murder by Peter Boland
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Tropes: Retiree Sleuths, Locked Stall Mystery, British Whimsy
A murder in a holiday market? These ladies are on the case.
When a body turns up among the twinkle lights and gingerbread, three feisty retirees dig up more than just clues.
A warm, witty mystery perfect for fans of Murder, She Wrote and mulled wine.
Final Thoughts
No matter your reading mood this holiday season this year’s holiday releases are sure to deliver. Whether you’re craving swoony fake dating, snowed-in second chances, or a little murder with your mistletoe there is something for every mood!
Which one are you most excited to read? Tell us in the comments! Are you a big Nick energy reader or more of a Christmas market murder fan?
Follow @inkandimaginings on Instagram for even more holiday book recs, cozy reading vibes, and printable TBR lists.
