11 Best Holiday Romance Books of 2025
We can’t deny that our TV remotes have been stuck on the Hallmark Channel since November 1 (or possibly earlier), so we know you’re looking to find more cozy holiday romance content! The holiday goodness isn’t just contained in our TV — it’s in the pages of books as well. This year has plenty of seasonal romances sure to make you believe in the power of small towns, Christmas trees, and maybe just a little bit of magic.
Now that we’re in the thick of the holiday season, Swooon has assembled the 11 best holiday romances of 2025. Whether you’re looking for a steamy Christmastime romp or a YA holiday novella, the year 2025 has provided a refreshing variety of holiday romances. So, find your favorite blanket and prepare for the holiday shenanigans with these picks are perfect to put under the tree (or mistletoe)!
Have you read any of these holiday romances? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Good Spirits
B.K. Borison
As the Ghost of Christmas Past, Nolan was expecting to haunt some deservingly evil human this holiday, but he’s sent to Harriet, who is quite possibly the sweetest person alive. Confused by his assignment, the pair decides to work together to try to uncover why he’s been sent to haunt her, but soon learn that their paths have crossed in more ways than one. Nolan must make peace in order to move on, but doing so will mean unraveling both of their pasts. Will revealing the depths of their history be what keeps Nolan in this realm, or will it be the undeniable attraction growing between human and her ghost?
The Cuffing Game
Lyla Lee
Lyla Lee offers up an undeniable wintry treat about two teens who can’t help denying their feelings for one another. Mia Yoon has a one-track mind: She needs to complete her reality TV show project in order to get into film school, no matter the cost. The cost this time means asking Noah Jang, the hottest guy in school, though she would rather die than admit it, to be a part of the show in order to gain the eyeballs it needs. Noah, who is perplexed by Mia’s lack of interest in him, agrees to date on camera on her show in order for the opportunity to get to know her. But as the two grow closer, watching Noah date from behind the camera becomes increasingly difficult for Mia, and dating girls who aren’t Mia doesn’t interest Noah. But breaking the fourth wall could ruin Mia’s chances at getting into the film program, and she must ask herself if that’s a risk she is genuinely willing to take.
Mistletoe and Mishigas
M.A. Wardell
M.A. Wardell’s latest installment in the Teachers in Love series, which got a re-release this fall, is the perfect enemies-to-lovers holiday romance you have been waiting to add to your TBR. First-grade teacher Sheldon and custodian Theo are what one would consider polar opposites. Sheldon can’t stop his nervous chatter, while Theo is a stoic wall of silence. However, when Sheldon is invited to his ex’s wedding and needs a hot date, he can think of no one else who will drive his ex mad with jealousy than Theo. To ensure their fake dating scheme goes off without a hitch, the pair agrees to practice dates, where they slowly warm up to the idea of truly getting to know one another past face value. The result is two deeply charming and chaotic characters finally getting what they truly need: to be seen by someone who understands them. This one is a charmer for sure.
Yours for the Season
Uzma Jalaluddin
Holiday layoffs haunt the halls of a firm in Uzma Jalaluddin’s latest romance. Sameera can smell blood in the water at her law firm and is desperate to keep her job as an associate when she encounters Tom, a YouTube chef with dreams of starring in his own cooking show. When a video of the two bonding at an event goes viral, they both spot an opportunity to advance their careers and agree to fake-date and publicize their relationship for mutual benefit. However, family shenanigans get out of hand when both families spot the potential in the relationship before Tom and Sameera do, leading to a holiday weekend away that forces the couple to face the reality that maybe all this faking had led to something real.
Joy to the Girls
Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick
For those looking for a light bite of a read, married collaborators Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick have just the holiday serving. Three years after the events of She Gets the Girl, Molly and Alex are preparing for their biggest challenge yet: the real world. Graduation is looming, and while all has been smooth sailing thus far, this forthcoming season is a particularly large bump in the road. They head off for a wintery getaway with plans to set up their two friends, not knowing that their relationship is the one potentially on the fritz: Molly has applied to an MFA in England, while Alex has found a perfect job here at home. Though little in size, the story is mighty in its ability to pierce through miscommunication and deliver a sweet holiday romp.
Holiday Ever After
Hannah Grace
Business and pleasure are surely not for mixing in Hannah Grace’s satisfying holiday romance. The Davenport toy business is the crown jewel of the Davenport family, and all Clara Davenport wants is to be a part of her family’s legacy. But when the company is accused of stealing a toy design from an independent company, Clara is sent in to make things right in the world of publicity. But Jack Kelly, the creator of said stolen design, isn’t looking to make peace with anyone, especially not Clara, the cheery representative clearly here to quiet him instead of making things right. As Clara does her best to prove to Jack and the community that she’s invested in doing the right thing, Jack’s frosty reception soon warms as he discovers that the company wars could stand in the way of something greater.
My Favorite Holidate
Lauren Blakely
Fable Calloway may be having the worst holiday season ever. Her boyfriend has just dumped her to date the caterer of her sister’s wedding, and she is still expected to show up to the wedding all smiles. Best man to the groom and billionaire Wilder has grown tired of set-ups and knows this wedding will be more of the same. The two strike a deal: Fake-date until the wedding is over to save Fable the embarrassment and Wilder the hassle. What emerges from their scheme is a romance full of desire to help the other, and the hope that they realize that the best gift they can give themselves is allowing themselves to fall in love.
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
Mariama J. Lockington
High school senior and influencer Lyric has big hopes to eventually become the best cosmetology student and makeup artist the world has ever seen. The only problem is that the program costs money, the one thing a high school student is unlikely to have. In hopes of utilizing her social media following, Lyric runs into classmate Juniper and asks to take a cute holiday photo next to the Capitol Christmas Tree, and the last thing either expects is for the post to go viral. Juniper and Lyric have become the internet’s favorite queer couple, and since they’re both in need of money, they decide to capitalize on the moment, fake dating (and posting) to put more money into Lyric’s creator fund, which the pair will split. But amid all the holiday frolicking, it’s hard for the two girls not to acknowledge how close they’ve come, and with the countdown on their fake breakup looming, they’re questioning what parts are fake and what parts they’ve given their hearts to.
The Holiday Hookup List
Alexis Daria
It’s unlikely that anyone has spent the 12 days of Christmas the way the stars of Alexis Daria’s delightfully explicit novella have. Lawyer Valencia is determined to spend the holidays having fun after being suddenly and brutally dumped by her ex. The last person she expects to reunite with is her high school rival, Gideon, who tormented her for years, but is now hot and apologetic about his behavior. What starts as a one-night stand extends into more once the pair learns why they are both running solo for the holidays. They make a plan to enjoy a fun holiday outing matched with a provocative game in the bedroom. The holidays have never been hotter.
Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
Meghan Quinn
Meghan Quinn turns the comedy up in her rom-com follow-up to How My Neighbor Stole Christmas. There is little that Max won’t do for the sake of his family (and for a bit of fun), so upon learning that a rival Christmas tree farm is opening next door, he is ready to declare war. Unbeknownst to this war is the rival shop’s owner, sunny and sweet Betty, who has arrived to help her uncle’s farm find its footing amid a hectic holiday season. Max plans to make Betty fall in love with him, then break her heart, so her focus will no longer be on the shop, but his grinch-like plans are a bust when he finds himself falling for her.
Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside
Maisey Yates
Sheena Patrick doesn’t need anyone’s help. It’s been years since her father died, and she was left to take care of her family, and now that she has an empty home, she’s looking towards her own future of opening a bar. Despite her headstrong ways, the money isn’t lining up, and the last person she wants helping her with startup costs is Denver King, the son of the late con man who robbed her father. But Denver, who has dedicated his life to righting his father’s wrongs in any way he can, is happy to help, despite Sheena’s frosty acceptance of his assistance. As the two work together to get this business up and running, the ghosts of both their pasts threaten what could be both a profitable and loving future.
