Over the last month another awesome bookstagram - Kristin at MomReadsRomance - and I have run through a bunch of holiday novels/ novellas and had a pretty fabulous time doing it! Some are our annual rereads (because coziness demands it!) and many were new to us and many are now on that annual reread list!
Five Stars
A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan
Looking for something more serious? Courtney Milan has you covered. Sex, unwed motherhood and one very hot and awkward doctor celebrate the holiday.
How the Duke’s Stole Christmas (Anthology)
Four dukes in four different times and places all need a little Christmas magic!
- "Meet Me in Mayfair" by Tessa Dare
- "The Duke of Christmas Present" by Sarah MacLean
- "Heiress Alone" by Sophie Jordan
A Very Highland Holiday (Anthology)
Five short stories that are all just a little connected and all take place after the battle of Culloden. There is no need to have read other books by the authors for these short stories to work. Emotional, a little steamy and super great read!
The Knight of Christmas Future by Kathryn Le Veque
Fiona and the Three Wise Highlanders by Jennifer Ashley
One Knight’s Stand by Tanya Anne Crosby
The Earl of Christmas Past by Kerrigan Byrne
Highland Hearts by Darcy Burke
The Highlander Who Nearly Stole Christmas by Eliza Knight
Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz
Clover is a smart, moderately well adjusted, strong, independent woman who owns and runs her own highly successful business. Does her family see that? Do they appreciate that she is all these things? Definitely not. So when she suddenly has to host Thanksgiving - she is seriously contemplating taking her seventeen-year old assistant's advice and hiring an escort... Erick is much better than an escort. And just happens to be her assistant's hot contractor dad. But this is all for show - right?
Just One Kiss by J. Saman
One kiss - nearly ten years ago - and suddenly Miles is rescuing the only girl he has ever loved from a snowy car wreck. Can he finally be bold enough to grab on to London with both hands and never let go?
The Captain’s Midwinter Bride
Phillip and Annalise have been married for 25 years, but Phillip has been away at sea for most of that time as a Navy captain. When he retires and comes home for Christmas, can he learn how to be a parent to his grown children? And will his marriage-of-convenience wife, who he’s been enamored with from afar for 25 years, want to build a life together?
A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong by Cecilia Grant
Oh-so-proper Andrew travels to Norfolk to buy a falcon for his sister for Christmas. There he meets Lucy, an unconventional young woman who intrigues him and infuriates him with her disregard for propriety. Through a series of unfortunate events, they have to pose as husband and wife while stuck in a tiny village for Christmas. A stuffy virgin hero, one bed, and gorgeous writing from Cecilia Grant.
Four Stars
Wrapped Up In You by Talia Hibbert
Will has a plan - well most of a plan - to get Abigail to fall in love with him so slowly she doesn't notice it happening... Unfortunately... his plan immediately goes awry. Abigail is sure that Will is having an immediately, temporary bout of insanity or maybe a midlife crisis. But either way... no feelings should be exchanged...
A Lady Most Willing (One story told in three parts!)
Three authors join forces to tell one story about a highland party… well… more like a highland abduction. Three couples and some very hairy retainers are all snowed in together. What possible shenanigans could possibly happen? Includes: Julia Quinn, Connie Brockway and Eloisa James.
Holiday By Gaslight by Mimi Mathews
Want to curl up with a short and sweet romance that is lighter on the steam meter? Mimi Mathews has you covered. Fiances of convenience with little in common suddenly have a magical holiday and warm to each other.
Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert
In peak Talia Hibbert fashion there are emotionally constipated almost lovers who so badly want each other and who both have traumatic (albeit very different traumas) backgrounds that weighs down their individual baggage and complicates them getting together. It is also wildly touching, searingly sexy (like WOAH sexy) and has a lovely holiday atmosphere that doesn't overwhelm the story.
His Holiday Crush by Cari Z (Out December 13)
Max begrudgingly goes to his hometown for the first time in a decade at his best friend's request. But after sliding into a snowbank and being hauled out by the cutest deputy in town - Max finds more on his holiday to-do list than he meant to. Dominic did not expect that his working the holiday graveyard shift would bring him face to face with the guy he had crushed on for years - who just happens to be his big brother's best friend…
One Hot December by Tiffany Reisz
A Christmas and Hanukkah story wrapped up in one! Ian is the CEO of his politician dad’s construction business. Veronica aka “Flash” is the only female welder on the crew, and also a metal sculptor. It’s against company rules for them to be in a relationship, but once Flash quits to pursue her art more seriously, will they be able to find a way to be together?
Three Stars
Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle
Steve Springfield moved back to his hometown with his kids in tow in hopes of finding a safe harbor - and maybe surviving being a single dad. He never expects that the local eccentric artist will not only steal his heart but will making everything that much warmer this Christmas. Camille remembers Steve Springfield - but he is so much more than her childhood crush now - will she be willing to take the risk to be with him and his amazing children?
A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
Read the Wallflowers? Read this little novella about one of the Bowmans comes to England for the holiday and see what happens as the Wallflowers get up to their usual hijinx.
Merrily Ever After by Jenny Holiday
A marriage in trouble story. Jay never wanted kids. His wife, Elise, can’t have kids, and thought that she had come to terms with not being a mother. A surprise pregnancy at Christmas has both of them reevaluating what they want and asking if they will be able to move forward, together.
It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Scandal by Stacy Reid (3 holiday novellas!)
So you need a good helping of heat with your historical? Stacy Reid gives you that gift. Three short stories, all featuring forbidden love. A governess and second son torn apart by his family, a stepbrother and stepsister, and TWINS loving on the same lady. Scandalous, indeed.
Love in the Stacks by Delilah Peters
Two librarians are snowed in at the library after the annual staff holiday party. How many places can they do it before they’re discovered in the morning? A holiday erotica, featuring a neurodiverse man-brarian and his geeky hot lady librarian love interest.
Honorable Mentions
Once Upon a Winter’s Eve by Tessa Dare
A stranger blows in to Spinster’s Cove in the middle of a ball - who is he and why does he know Violet Winterbourn the most scandalous lady in town?
At the Christmas Wedding (Anthology)
Three stories all taking place at the same snowed-in Christmas house party in the country. There’s illicit liaisons, an undercover Duke, and a surprise wedding. Featuring Caroline Linden, Katherine Ashe, Maya Rodale
Miracles and Menorahs by Stacy Agdern
A holiday novel that - gasp - isn’t actually just about Christmas?! Small town and slow burn story about two people just trying to celebrate Hannakah.
Mismatched Under the Mistletoe by Jess Michaels
Cavandish has been in love with Emily for 9 years, when she was first engaged to his best friend. When his friend unexpectedly dies, Cav and Emily bond over their shared grief and build a true friendship. Now out of mourning, Emily hosts a 12 Days of Christmas themed house party, and Cav, our pining hero, decides it’s now or never to win her heart. A sweet and steamy Regency!
Write Before Christmas by Julie Hammerle
A PG Hallmark-esque story about recently divorced single-mom, Dani, who is hired as a cook/housekeeper for famous writer Matt. Matt is on deadline and cannot be distracted by his hot cook. Or can he?