In this list of the best new Christmas romance books for 2023, you’ll find a delightfully cozy mix of love stories. Whether it’s snow storms or fake relationships bringing people together, discover your new favorite festive romance that fits whatever your heart craves.
And now for a list of the best new Christmas romance books for 2023!
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
We kick off this list of the best new Christmas romance books for 2023 with Mary Kay Andrews’ Bright Lights, Big Christmas. This warm contemporary romance book follows spunky country girl Kerry as she leaves her family’s Christmas tree farm to help her brother and his sweet dog selling trees on a corner in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Soon Kerry gets pulled into the world of quirky New Yorker neighbors in her cozy new home, and, when one of them goes missing, she tries to locate him. Then she meets Patrick, a handsome single dad with a precocious young son. Sparks fly between Kerry and Patrick, but will their attraction melt? You’ll flip through this sweet story.
How to read it: Purchase Bright Lights, Big Christmas on Amazon
Christmas at the Cat Café by Jessica Redland
If you like fiction with a frisky theme, check out Jessica Redland’s Christmas at the Cat Café. This festive feline treat is set in charming Coastal Yorkshire. It’s there that Tabby accomplishes a long-held dream to work with cats. She opens a cat café with her boyfriend, but he leaves her in the lurch. It’s up to Tabby to launch the business when some locals are skeptical. Can she make it a smashing success in time for Christmas? And will she find new love? I love the disability rep in this book (Tabby has fibromyalgia) and, of course, the cat characters! (PS: If you want more cat books for adults, check out our roundup of the best books about cats for adults here on this blog!)
How to read it: Purchase Christmas at the Cat Café on Amazon
The Christmas Letter by Emily Stone
One of the most promising Christmas romance books for 2023, Emily Stone’s The Christmas Letter is both spicy and sentimental. Holly faced tragedy when she was young. Now every Christmas she exchanges letters with a new pen pal who is also all alone on the holiday. But this year, Holly believes she can help Emma, the letter writer she’s been paired up with. Emma is trying to reconnect with Jack, her estranged grandson. Holly jumps at the chance to make someone else happy and commits to trying to find Jack. But when she does, she realizes she’s met him before—and, not only that, but their first meeting was an electric connection. Will their chemistry heat up the chilly season? Read it and find out!
How to read it: Purchase The Christmas Letter on Amazon
The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman
The holidays can be the loneliest time of the year, but friends Hannah and Finn always make Christmas special together despite Hannah having lost her parents and Finn being disowned by his family after he came out. The tradition started in college, but now, as adults, Hannah and Finn make it a point to share the holiday with each other and new friends Theo and Priya. But this year, Finn is about to move to L.A. after Christmas. Hannah is sad at the prospect of losing her best friend while her boyfriend pushes her towards a commitment she’s not sure she wants. For his part, Finn has feelings for Theo that stretch beyond friendship. Will Hannah find a boyfriend who finally gets her? Will Finn and Theo finally get together? Read this festive heart-warming friendship novel this Christmas to see for yourself! The Christmas Orphans Club is definitely one of the best new Christmas romance books for 2023.
How to read it: Purchase The Christmas Orphans Club on Amazon
The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy
Warm up with this enemies-to-lovers romance novel! Bella is an ambitious real estate developer from L.A. who sees the perfect opportunity to acquire the building that houses the local Christmas shop in quiet Maple Falls. But Jesse, who stands to inherit the family business, doesn’t want to sell. Bella and Jesse decide to compete against each other in the town’s Maple Falls Holiday Games. If Bella wins, she gets to buy the shop and the work promotion she wants. If Jesse defeats her, he’ll keep the store. But soon they start falling for each other… will these enemies blossom into lovers? Enjoy this swoonworthy Christmas romance books for adults.
How to read it: Purchase The Christmas Wager on Amazon
Holly vs. Mr. Ivy by Amanda P. Jones
There’s nothing better than the delicious treats we eat at Christmas time. I, for one, love baking Christmas cookies with my niece and nephew. And if you, like me, associate Christmas with the coziest comfort food, you’ll love Amanda P. Jones’ Holly vs. Mr. Ivy. In this closed-door romance novel, Holly is a curmudgeonly chef struggling to get by and pay for her mother’s expensive medical bills on her meager salary. But the restaurant where she works is on the verge of closing. Holly’s asked to pair up with friendly Rhett, the general manager, to try to rescue the business. Holly can’t stand Rhett… he’s sunny, chipper, and maddeningly attractive. Can Holly and Rhett’s chemistry go beyond the kitchen and revive her guarded heart?
How to read it: Purchase Holly vs. Mr. Ivy on Amazon
Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey
This heartwarming romance is the perfect treat for your holiday reading! Laurel is the social media magazine for an Ohio tourism magazine and website. After a misunderstanding, Laurel has to pose as the owner of the farm her twin, Holly, runs. And posing has her husband? Her rival, Max. Laurel and Max only plan to keep up their ruse for one night. But then a snowstorm blows in, trapping them together. And thats when the fiery feelings between them begin to heat up…
How to read it: Purchase Faking Christmas on Amazon
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
In this delightful book, Kallum is a former star. Once upon a time, he was part of a popular one-hit-wonder boy band. Now he owns a pizza slice business. When he needs some dough, he agrees to act in a holiday romance movie. His co-star is Winnie, a former child actress. But Winnie doesn’t have much experience at all in the realm of romance. As research, she recruits Kallum to teach her the ways of love… and sex… so she can seem believable on screen. Soon what’s strictly for learning melts into pleasure, and the ten-years of romantic energy between her and Kallum threatens to erupt. Will Kallum and Winnie find their relationship goes off script—and into something real?
How to read it: Purchase A Holly Jolly Ever After on Amazon
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
I love Scottish author Jenny Colgan, who pens dazzling contemporary women’s fiction (a.k.a. “Chick Lit”) that always feature spunky, spirited female characters who embark on new futures in cozy settings. So I’m so excited that she’s out with one of the best Christmas romance books for 2023, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop. This special story—the sequel to The Christmas Bookshop—is set in Edinburgh where Carmen owns a quaint bookstore in the oldest part of the city. When a Hollywood production company decides to set its Christmas romance movie in the neighborhood, Carmen uses the quick cash to improve her store. But what she’s not expecting is a romance of her own is just around the corner…
How to read it: Purchase Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop on Amazon
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
In this delightful rom-com, friends Christian and Megan need each other this holiday season… Megan is trying to make her hometown believe she’s moved on from abandoning Isaac at the alter four years ago, and Christian is trying to avoid the pity that surrounds him as a helpless, hopeless singleton. The two draw up a contract in a bar, agreeing to be each other’s date for Christmas. But they don’t anticipate it when their feelings start to blur the lines between fact and fiction…
How to read it: Purchase Snowed In on Amazon
Snowed in for Christmas by Jacqueline Snowe
Snowstorms make for the perfect mix of romantic energy… when two people are stuck with each other while the beautiful snow falls outside, sparks can burn into a fiery passion. And in Jacqueline Snowe’s Snowed in for Christmas, Becca is trapped in the middle of a mega blizzard with Harrison, her handsome neighbor… who she once kissed. When Becca’s heat goes out, she moves in temporarily with Harrison. This spicy romance has the perfect mix of spice and snow, making it one of the best new Christmas romance books for 2023.
How to read it: Purchase Snowed in for Christmas on Amazon
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
One of the best Christmas romance books for 2023, A Winter in New York is set in, well, New York City! That’s where chef Iris moves to start a new chapter in her life, armed with her family’s top-secret recipe for the world’s best gelato. Then Iris stumbles upon a gelato shop that uses the same coveted recipe. Gio, the nephew of the owner, is on the verge of closing since his uncle is in a coma, and nobody knows how to make the special gelato. Iris agrees to help. It’s not long before Gio and Iris find a flame of attraction them… will their flirtation cross into something real? You’ll want to find out!
How to read it: Purchase A Winter in New York on Amazon
Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale
Fifty years ago, the village of Piney Peaks hit it big with a holiday romance movie, Sleighbells under Starlight, set at its infamous Christmas house. This year, hometown girl Elisha, who now works in Hollywood, has managed to secure the rights for a sequel to Sleighbells under Starlight. The man who inherited the house, city slicker Ves, is a bit of a loner. After years of bitter disappointment, Ves is used to sad and single Christmases. When Elisha tries to convince Ves to allow for the new movie to be shot at the landmark house, the two find they are drawn to each other…
How to read it: Purchase Wrapped with a Beau on Amazon
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
From bestselling author Tessa Bailey, Wreck the Halls is among the best Christmas romance books for 2023. In Wreck the Halls, Melody and Beat are the children of a legendary female rock duo. When they have the chance to reunite their now-rival moms for a revival performance on TV, opposites Melody and Beat have to overcome their long-standing aversion to each other and team up. You’ll fall for this swoonworthy steamy holiday love story. Tessa Bailey made our list of the 15 top contemporary romance authors in this list here on the blog… head on over to that article for 14 of the other best contemporary romance writers!
How to read it: Purchase Wreck the Halls on Amazon
You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
We close out our list of the best Christmas romance books for 2023 with Toni Shiloh’s You Make It Feel Like Christmas. Starr is our unforgettable heroine. Reluctantly returning to her small hometown for her sister’s marriage… to her ex-boyfriend… New York City gal Starr finds companionship with her sister’s fiancé’s best friend, Waylon, whose family owns a Christmas-themed shop. But when the snow melts, will Starr head back to New York, or embrace a new life—and love—back home?
