When I start to review Christmas books in August, I’m always very aware that there will be many who really aren’t too interested in such things until we reach December. I thoroughly enjoy every single one, but with no more Christmassy reviews to come (although there are many more books that have caught my eye, I’ve forced myself to resist!), I thought it might be a nice idea to remind you about the (23!) Christmassy books I’ve read in the long run-up to the big day. Some might not instantly come to mind as Christmas reads, rather being set during the festive season – do forgive me if you think any shouldn’t have been included, and I know so many of them would be every bit as enjoyable at any time of year.
In fact, this has been a particularly special year for Christmas reading – and I started to break out into a cold sweat wondering what on earth I was going to do when it came to pulling together my Books of the Year list at the end of the year! So, very reluctantly, and with apologies to the authors, I’ve decided not to include Christmas reads in my list for 2024 – but can honestly say that there isn’t a single book I’ve mentioned in this post that wouldn’t have been a very strong contender.
So here they all are, with their glorious covers and blurbs, a short quote from me and a link to my review – I’ve also included the price for a kindle copy (checked this morning), whether it’s available free (Kindle Unlimited or Prime), and if you click on the title you’ll be taken to the Amazon page. So, let’s go back and start from August again…!
Christmas at Polkerran Point by Cass Grafton
Fate may have brought them together, but secrets seem destined to keep them apart…
An accident and a lost passport mean Gemma’s six-month sabbatical to go travelling is not off to a strong start. She heads to Polkerran Point to stay at her aunt’s while her new passport is processed and to find temporary work in the meantime.
Enter musician Matt. Newly moved into a secluded, renovated mill – complete with a recording studio – Matt is preparing for his band’s big reunion tour. Focused on writing new music for the album, he needs a live-in housekeeper.
Even as sparks fly, Gemma can sense Matt’s keeping secrets and with her role ending once Christmas is over, will there be anything to keep her in Polkerran?
A cosy, festive Cornish romance for fans of Phillipa Ashley and Cressida McLaughlin.
“This really is the most gorgeous series, and this was a perfect addition – filled with warmth and the most perfect festive touches, wonderful characters and a touch of mystery, a perfectly drawn location and such a well-told story. If you’ve missed the two earlier books, do read it as a standalone – I loved spending time with old friends, but a visit at Christmas would be just fine (and, if you then want to, you can always catch up later…). A really lovely read – and one I’d heartily recommend.”
Just 99p for kindle – you’ll find my full review here.
Last Christmas by Clare Swatman
‘Bea was always early for everything. Even, it turned out, when she was running away from her life.’
As Christmas approaches, Bea Preston has a choice.
Looking up at the departures board in Heathrow airport, her flight to New York boarding soon, she knows that getting on that plane changes everything. Her life in London has grown stale, her relationship with boyfriend Dom has run its course, and New York has always been her dream. But it’s a risk – she’ll miss her parents, her friends, her job.
What if Bea could live both lives? In one she goes back home for Christmas, and in another she heads to the Big Apple. Would her fate remain the same, or can one decision really change everything?
In a grand sliding-doors love story that spans oceans, years and lives, Clare Swatman’s unforgettable tale of fate and friendship is perfect for all fans of Jojo Moyes, Beth Moran and Ruth Jones.
“This was such an accomplished piece of work, highly original, but also a moving and particularly compelling story. I loved it – and it’s a book I’d highly recommend to all.”
Just 99p for kindle, or free via Amazon Prime – you’ll find my full review here.
Christmas Ever After by Jaimie Admans
A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca Andrews has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she needs a Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open… But there’s one man standing in her way – expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.
Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for bringing lovers together, a myth that Raff continues to exploit, much to Franca’s annoyance! But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each other and only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn’t know how her handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff’s magical snow globes, especially at the most magical time of the year!
Franca’s determined to prove Raff’s business is built on lies. But when disaster strikes, and she’s left unable to make anything, she needs help. It’s just very frustrating that the only person offering is her gorgeous, annoying, nemesis himself!
As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring and funny. . But unless she can prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together, she’s going to lose everything…
But maybe it’s not too late for them to put aside their differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?
“I just love spending time on Ever After Street – it’s the perfect place to be at the most magical time of the year, wrapped in the warmth of the community who pull together to bring the dream to life for everyone who visits. This really is a book that needs to be on everyone’s Christmas list, and perhaps my favourite in the series so far – completely engaging, very moving, and as beautifully written as always.”
Just 99p for kindle, or free via Amazon Prime – you’ll find my full review here.
A Christmas Murder by Mary Grand
Susan didn’t plan on being an amateur sleuth and, after two successful investigations, she’s looking forward to a quiet Christmas. So, when local businesswoman Meera is in desperate need of help, Susan agrees rather reluctantly.
The task should be easy enough. The infamous press mogul Duncan Fern is coming back to the Isle of Wight, the scene of his family’s childhood holidays, to celebrate Christmas with his grown-up children and their partners, his new glamorous wife Kirsten who is forever dripping with diamonds, and the spikey editor of his paper the Morning Flame, Antoine. The newly-refurbished luxurious Bishopstone Manor is the perfect setting for a festive break and all Susan has to do is help Meera host.
But when a snowstorm descends over the island, and the following morning a body is found, Christmas at the Manor takes a darker turn. Can Susan get to the bottom of the mystery before the murderer strikes again…
“Perfectly paced, with a nice ramping up of the tension as the story approached its unexpected but wholly satisfying conclusion, this was a read I thoroughly enjoyed – and should the Christmassy romances I usually recommend not be quite to your taste, this really would be a perfect choice to hunker down with when the festive season comes.”
Just £1.99 for kindle, or free via Amazon Prime – you’ll find my full review here.
The Tanglewood Bookshop by Lilac Mills
A rural book shop. A chance to start over. But can she make her dream a reality?
Kazz used to love the excitement of her London life, but lately her passion for expensive city living has begun to wane. So when she’s given the opportunity to open a bookshop in picturesque Tanglewood, she jumps at the chance.
But village life is much quieter than she anticipated – is she actually suited for rural living? Resigned to a boring and uneventful Christmas, when she meets gorgeous Saul she is more than ready to have some fun and enjoy the festivities. If only Saul didn’t have a reputation for being a player…
Will Kazz become the heroine in her own Christmas romance, or will he love her and leave her under the mistletoe?
This gorgeous festive romance is perfect for fans of Kiley Dunbar, Rachel Lucas and Sue Moorcroft.
“It’s Christmas – with all the feels, and all the lights and tinsel I could possibly have asked for. The whole book was an absolute delight – read in one sitting, and finally set aside with a smile on my face and a satisfied sigh at its perfect ending. I’ll be very much looking forward to returning to Tanglewood – and if you share my taste, this is a book I’d very highly recommend. I really loved it…”
Just 99p for kindle – you’ll find my full review here.
Bella’s Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston
An uplifting festive romance perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies and authors such as Phillipa Ashley, Trisha Ashley, Sue Moorcroft, Rebecca Raisin and Donna Ashcroft.
Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.
Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.
A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.
But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas…
“Beautifully written, with a few emotional moments (and some unexpected twists and turns too), but also plenty of well-judged humour – and the romance at the book’s centre was absolutely everything I wanted it to be. This was such an enjoyable read, and one I’d encourage everyone to add to their Christmas reading list – totally delightful.”
Just £1.99 for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited – you’ll find my full review here.
The Start of the Story by Jane Lovering
Rowan Thorpe can be forgiven for living with one foot in the past.
Since having to say goodbye far too young to the future she had planned, moving on still feels a daunting task. So, when historian Connor O’Keefe strides purposefully into her office and life, looking far too handsome for his own good and threatening to undermine the local legends she holds close to her heart, she is more than a little unsettled.
Connor has a past too, and his own reasons to keep his heart under wraps. But when a combination of fate and an unexpected snowstorm mean that Rowan and Connor have all the time in the world to swap stories, it may finally be time for an end and a new beginning.
“With characters in whom I became so deeply invested, such a vividly drawn setting – very much woven into the fabric of the story – and a really intriguing (and particularly touching) historical thread, this really was quite wonderful writing. And as for the romance – well, that was something particularly special. Such an emotionally engaging read – and one I really couldn’t recommend more highly.”
Just £1.99 for kindle, or free via Amazon Prime – you’ll find my full review here.
Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe
A hidden secret
Live every day as if it were your last – that’s the motto Bess has lived by since her father died unexpectedly. As a critical care paramedic, Bess sees every day just how easily life can be taken away. But carefree living has risks, and as Bess’s debts mount, she discovers her actions could have terrible consequences…
An unexpected arrival
Nothing gives Gio more joy than his work saving lives in the fire service. And on the days when his call-outs put him in the path of the air ambulance, and one paramedic in particular, things are pretty perfect. Until Gio’s world is spun on its head, first by the arrival of his estranged mother on his doorstep, and then by an accident that could put his career on hold indefinitely.
A new beginning?
Gio and Bess have always worked well together, but could they be the solution to each other’s problems beyond the frontline as well? And will they let their guard down enough to give each other a chance before snow falls over Whistlestop River?
“This was a really lovely emotional read – two damaged people finding strength through each other – with quite a few difficult issues so sensitively handled… And the book’s emotional depth is all the greater because it’s Christmas, that time of year when everything should be festive and bright – a time for family, and having fun in the recently fallen snow. And there is a good measure of joy and laughter, as Bess and Gio begin to grow closer – a slow burn romance I really enjoyed – and the future begins to look a little brighter for everyone. I’ll certainly be looking forward to the next in the series – this was a book I very much enjoyed.”
Just £1.99 for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited – you’ll find my full review here.
Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands by Bella Osborne
Olivia Bingham has bad luck with men.
She’s been ghosted more times than she can count, but this Christmas she’s finally met someone really special online: Fraser Douglas, a Scottish chef working at an idyllic hotel in the Highlands. He’s sweet and sensitive, thoughtful and funny – not to mention incredibly good looking.
Just when she thinks things couldn’t be going any better, Fraser’s dating profile vanishes, and Olivia fears the worst. Frustrated and wounded, Olivia decides she’s going to drive all the way out to Loch Lochy Hotel and confront Fraser.
But when she arrives, things don’t go exactly as she hoped. Worse still, Fraser doesn’t seem to have any idea who she is…
“What a totally delightful read – ok, a word I’m perhaps overusing these days, but this really was a totally delicious and immensely enjoyable Christmassy read with a bit of everything I most enjoy.”
Just 99p for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited – you’ll find my full review here.
The Promise of Tomorrow by Samantha Tonge
Elena Swan believes she’s going to die. And soon.
She’s not ill. She’s not in imminent danger. But she is sure it’s going to happen.
Because many years ago… she’d made a promise to a stranger, in the woods. Elena’s mother was in hospital, after a life-threatening accident. The promise would keep her mother safe, but put Elena’s own life at risk, instead, when she grew up and turned thirty.
Elena put the promise to the back of her mind, over the years. But she’s twenty-nine now, and when something happens that puts her life in danger, she remembers. And she knows.
But Elena hasn’t done everything yet. She’s not brave like her daredevil friend Rory. But she’s also not ready to give up on life. Not before she’s been to Paris. She always wanted to skydive too. She’s never even fallen in love.
Without the promise of tomorrow, can she fulfil all her dreams before fate comes for her?
A romantic uplifting story, about friendship, love, and fate, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, David Nicholls and Faith Hogan.
“This book was unlike anything that I’ve ever read before – a really original premise, difficult subjects dealt with so very beautifully, the warmth of the bond between two very different people slowly overcoming the dread and fear and finding strength in each other, and a story about the power of love that moved me really deeply. I really loved it – and couldn’t recommend it more highly.”
Just £1.99 for kindle, or free via Amazon Prime – you’ll find my full review here.
Home for Christmas by Heidi Swain
Bella is living her best life in Wynbridge, with her beloved Spaniel, Tink. She’s found a way to keep the house she inherited from her grandparents while expanding her dream business – Away With the Fairies – and she’s ecstatic that Christmas is on the horizon!
In fact, everything is perfect until family friend, Catherine Connelly asks Bella if she’d be willing to rent part of the house to freelance author, Jude who is researching the history of the Connelly Clan and Wynthorpe Hall ahead of turning his findings into a book. The plan had been for Jude to stay at the hall, but he can’t cope with the chaos and Bella reluctantly agrees to open her door to him.
Initially, the pair clash but then friendlier feelings begin to grow and Bella finds herself wondering if Jude could become more than just another guest before it’s time for him to leave. That is, until he announces he has no time for Christmas!
With her favourite time of the year suddenly in jeopardy, will Bella ever feel like she’s home for Christmas?
“This really was one of those perfect Christmas reads – filled with everything that makes the time of year so very special, and an absolute treat.”
Just 99p for kindle – you’ll find my full review here.
A Winter Wedding at Primrose Hall by Jill Steeples
As the year draws to an end at Primrose Hall, Pia and her Lord of the Manor fiancé Jackson are putting the finishing touches to their annual Carols by Candlelight evening.
The past twelve months have not all been plain sailing – Jackson’s father Rex had a serious health scare, his long-lost brother Tom appeared unannounced, and Jackson himself had his own disaster. So the family are thrilled to finally be able to look forward to Christmas together and the event of the year – Jackson and Pia’s long-awaited wedding.
With the idyllic backdrop of Primrose Woods, the dream venue, and a community ready to celebrate with them, Pia and Jackson are counting the days until they are husband and wife. Now they just need to cross their fingers that the dramas of the previous year are all behind them…
Welcome back to Primrose Hall for the wedding of the year and guaranteed laughter, friendship and romance. Perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston.
“This book is really all about the love and romance – although maybe that should be in the plural, with some of the loveliest unexpected moments to bring a tear – and it’s all so beautifully done. But alongside all that, there’s the same focus on community, friends and family that has made this whole series such a joy, along with the perfectly drawn location.”
Just 99p for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited – you’ll find my full review here.
Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea by Eliza J Scott
A festive treat brimming with the magic of bookshops and Christmas…
In the seaside town of Micklewick Bay, Florrie Appleton and Ed Harte are gearing up for a magical Christmas at the Happy Hartes Bookshop. Florrie’s book-themed decorations are the talk of the town, while Ed’s dazzling window displays could have been plucked straight from a fairytale. With romance in the air, this promises to be their best holiday season yet.
But after a surprise phone call from his father, Florrie worries that Ed is keeping a secret. Why is he spending so much time in the attic? And what’s making him act so distantly?
Determined to make this Christmas unforgettable, Florrie packs their days with festive treats from gingerbread hot chocolates to sleigh rides under the stars. But when Ed disappears just a few days before Christmas, Florrie fears the worst. Will her holiday dreams shatter like a dropped bauble? Or is Florrie in for a Christmas surprise of her own?
The perfect festive read to get you in the holiday spirit, Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea will delight fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.
“It was such an enjoyable read, full of everything that makes Christmas special – and a book I’d very much recommend to others.”
Just 99p for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited – you’ll find my full review here.
Christmas at the Board Game Café by Jennifer Page
Kate seems to have it all – wonderful friends, a successful career and an idyllic life in the quirky Yorkshire town of Essendale. But under the surface Kate’s lonely, and she longs to feel part of a family – especially during Christmas.
With the holiday season fast approaching, and the town desperate to attract more visitors, Kate conceives a brilliant plan: an enchanting living Advent calendar. Each December evening, a captivating window display will be unveiled across town. With local businesses struggling, including her best friend’s board game café, she’s feeling the pressure.
But Kate’s picture-perfect plans take an unexpected turn when her ex-boyfriend arrives in Yorkshire, insisting on creating the Christmas Eve display. Can Kate trust him to deliver a show-stopping window? And can she finally put the past behind her and embrace the future she’s always dreamed of?
“The important question – is it all Christmassy enough? Oh my goodness, I couldn’t have asked for more… I loved it! This was most definitely one of my favourite Christmas books this year, and I really couldn’t recommend it more highly…”
Just 99p for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited – you’ll find my full review here.
A Little Place in Prague by Julie Caplin
It’s been years since Anna has seen Leo Knight. And of all the apartments in all the cities in all the world, he just happens to walk in to her cosy new attic home – as her new housemate.
As the two walk the cobbled streets of Prague, taking in the sights and sounds from Wenceslas Square, frosted with snow, to the soft glow of candlelit Charles Bridge, the enchantment of the City of a Hundred Spires soon starts to work its magic on them…
“This was such a special book, and I have to say I loved every single moment – the beautifully drawn setting, the gorgeous romance, the emotional ups and downs, the friendships, the happy ever after I so hoped for but doubted would ever happen. Quite magical, and the perfect read for the long dark nights – do add it to your Christmas reading list, because I’m quite sure you’ll love it every bit as much as I did.”
Just 99p for kindle – you’ll find my full review here.
A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft
Under the winter stars, anything is possible…
Ezzie Wynter can’t wait for Christmas on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Her island home sparkles at this time of year thanks to the snow-capped mountains and frosty winter walks, topped off with family gatherings with those she loves the most.
But her peaceful Christmas idyll is upended when she hears that the Larsson family – the owners of Rothach Hall – are flying in from Sweden for the festivities. As Manager of their grand Scottish manor house, Ezzie suddenly has decorations to hang, food to source and itineraries to organise.
Life only becomes more difficult when Mats Larsson turns up. The owners’ handsome, self-assured son is used to doing things his own way – and he is only another headache to add to her overflowing list.
Yet when unexpected visitors arrive looking for Ezzie, nothing else matters as she is left questioning everything she ever knew about herself. But amidst the Christmas chaos, she might also discover that, when all is lost, it’s sometimes those we least expect who come to our aid…
A beautiful, escapist festive tale to curl up with by the fire this Christmas. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan.
“The Skye setting is absolutely stunning – there’s a particularly strong sense of place throughout, the dramatic scenery showing a different face in the depths of winter, but every bit as nurturing for the troubled mind. And, of course, I loved the fact that it was all set at Christmas – I learned such a lot about Swedish food and traditions, but also really enjoyed the added Scottish dimension… This was a book I really loved – most definitely a personal favourite – with everything I enjoy about the author’s writing.”
Just 99p for kindle – you’ll find my full review here.
Someone Like You by Sandy Barker
What do you do when you realise you’ve fallen for your best friend, but he sees you as the sister he never had? And to make things worse, you’re stuck in the middle of a matchmaking scheme to find him someone else!
Best friends Gaby and Raff are inseparable and know each other inside out. But with Raff’s string of disastrous relationships and his newfound fame as Britain’s Best Baker, it’s time to enlist the Ever After Agency to help him find true love.
At first, Gaby is all in – Raff is a catch, after all. But as she secretly helps to find his perfect match, she’s hit with unexpected pangs of jealousy. And before she can act on her feelings, Raff falls for one of his dates.
Can Gaby keep her emotions in check, or will she risk ruining their friendship to find out if Raff feels the same way?
Set in London and Seattle, this romantic and festive romcom is perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Mhairi McFarlane and Lindsey Kelk.
“The most wonderful romance… and it’s Christmas – with all the feels – and in a beautifully drawn location that the author plainly loves, and with that focus on the warmth of relationships with family and friends that she always does so very well.”
Just £1.99 for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited – you’ll find my full review here.
Escape for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley
Sophie used to adore everything about Christmas. Hot chocolate and velvet bows, fairy lights and mince pies.
Until the December her fiancé jilted her.
Since then, Sophie opened Sunnyside Hotel, a quaint guesthouse nestled deep in the Cumbrian countryside.
And, though it might be winter at Sunnyside, it’s never Christmas.
Marketing her hotel to those who wish to avoid the festivities, Sophie is busy preparing for a season full of joy and laughter, but without the tinsel and mistletoe.
Yet, as she finds herself growing closer to her gorgeous neighbour, Brody, her heart begins to melt.
Will this Christmas bring the touch of magic Sophie needs to give love another chance?
“I always so enjoy a story about fresh starts and new beginnings – the setting is beautifully drawn too, and the four-legged characters are every bit as wonderful as the humans. The whole book really was an absolute delight – fabulously festive, gloriously romantic, and the most perfect Christmas read. You will add it to your list, won’t you? This is one I’d really urge you not to miss – I totally loved it.”
Just 99p for kindle – you’ll find my full review here.
And we’ve reached the end of November – and I do hope the five authors whose Christmas reads I reviewed in December will forgive me if I don’t include all the details of their books in this post (it’s very long, and I’m getting a bit tired!). But just in case you missed them…
A Christmas Surprise in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen – £2.99 for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited (review here)
The Silver-Haired Sisterhood by Judy Leigh – £2.99 for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited (review here)
Winter Star in the Scottish Highlands by Lizzie Lamb – £2.99 for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited (review here)
A Recipe for Christmas by Jo Thomas – £2.99 for kindle (review here)
Mix-Up under the Mistletoe by Margaret Amatt – 99p for kindle, or free via Kindle Unlimited (review here).As I do every year, I must tell you that these are just the Christmas books I’ve read – and I loved every single one. But if you’d like to see some much more comprehensive lists of Christmas reads, do take a look at the wonderful posts Jill has pulled together, for the umpteenth year running, at her Book Cafe. You’ll find Murder and Mystery at Christmas, LGBTQ+ Romance, Christmas in Times Past, Feel-Good Fiction and two enormous lists of romance and rom coms by trope, whether you prefer Age Gap to Grumpy Sunshine or Hallmark Christmas to Workplace Romance. As I collapse in a little heap after finishing this one, and know what hard work these posts can be, my admiration for her effort is immense – well done Jill!
Thank you so much for including A Christmas Murder among this wonderful selection of Christmas reads xxx
My pleasure – and I’m so delighted others have enjoyed it as much as I did! xxx
Wow, that’s a lot of Christmassy books! We have a few in common of course. There are still two or three I’m hoping to read before Christmas but it’s not looking promising at the moment!
Thanks so much for including A Skye Full of Stars in your lovely, festive post, Anne. 😊💐🥰❤️
My pleasure Sue! xx
Ooh so many I want to read! I saw Last Christmas and immediately started singing the Christmas song 🤣
Thank you so much for including Bella’s Countryside Christmas with all these lovely festive books! 🙂 Happy Christmas! xx
My pleasure Claire – and I hope you have the loveliest Christmas! xx
Thank you for including me in this Christmas Cavalcade. I poured my heart into mybook.to/WinterStar and I’m thinking carfeuly about what I write next.
Thank you so much for including my book in this fabulous list. Sending warmest wishes for the new year! J x