Looking for the perfect Christmas books to get you into the holiday spirit? December is one of the coziest times of the year, and there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book when it’s cold outside. Whether you love heartwarming holiday romances, thrilling murder mysteries and classic detective stories, this list has something for everyone. In the post below, you’ll find 12 of the best Christmas books to cozy up with this December. So grab a blanket, make some hot cocoa, and dive into these festive reads!
For more Christmas content, check out our post about how to make your home cozy for the cold season and our top 10 cheesy Christmas movies.
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12 Best Christmas Books To Curl Up With This December
Take Me Home for Christmas by Miranda Liasson
In “Take Me Home For Christmas”, Mia D’Angelo, a dedicated pediatric resident, finds herself in a sticky holiday situation after her parents insist on meeting the “perfect boyfriend” she’s been gushing about. The only problem is that she broke up with said boyfriend, Dr. Braxton Hughes, and lied to her parents to make her ill mom happy. But Brax actually agrees to be her fake boyfriend for the holiday.
This is a small-town holiday romance that is easy to read. The book is perfect if you want to get into the Christmas mood. It’s also great for fans of workplace romance and fake dating.
TRIGGER WARNING
Mia works with children who have cancer and her twin sister died of cancer when they were 8.
The Noel Bridge by Jenny Hale
In “The Noel Bridge”, Alicia Silver is struggling with the idea of spending her first Christmas without her late fiancé. In the search for some divine help, she heads to the Smoky Mountains where a covered bridge is believed to have healing powers. But she doesn’t expect to encounter someone else there. Leo Whitaker is also looking for something. Or someone, to be exact – his father who is suffering from dementia has gone missing.
This is an emotional book about grief, healing, new beginnings, and the importance of friends and family. It’s a small-town cozy story that’s sure to stir up your Christmas spirit.
The Inn at Evergreen Hollow by Fiona Baker
Nora Stoker, an event coordinator in Boston, returns to her hometown of Evergreen Hollow after being dumped by her fiancé just before Christmas. Once home, she must find a way to mend fences with her estranged sister and help her family’s business –Mistletoe Inn – be prosperous again. And of course, there’s a certain handsome local carpenter, Aiden Masters, she keeps bumping into.
Get your favorite hot drink and curl up with this feel-good and hopeful romance!
Memories of Mistletoe by Carrie Elks
In “Memories of Mistletoe”, Mason Parker brings his younger brother to an abandoned cabin in the woods in an attempt to straighten him out. Little did he expect to have a free-spirited and pure romantic woman like Alaska Winter as a neighbor. While he’s not interested in love, especially with a woman who’s the complete opposite of him, he can’t help but notice her – what she wears, how she plays with her dog in the snow…
The small-town charm, the winter scenery, and the touch of romance make “Memories of Mistletoe” a great choice for a November-December read to get you into the holiday spirit. It’s also great for fans of grumpy sunshine romance books.
The Murder Before Christmas by Michele Pariza Wacek
In “The Murder Before Christmas”, Charlie Kingsley, who runs a tea and tincture business, investigates the murder of one of her client’s husband. The main suspect? Her client, aka the wife, Courtney, who weirdly enough, asked Charlie for poison to kill her cheating husband three weeks before Christmas. It all leads to the conclusion that Courtney is the one who poisoned her husband, but she insists she’s innocent.
So who did poison the husband? Charlie starts her own investigation in this cozy murder mystery that takes place on Christmas Eve. Set in the 1990s in Wisconsin, this book also has that classic feel of old detective stories.
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
In “How My Neighbor Stole Christmas”, Storee Taylor returns to her hometown to care for her aunt who broke her hip. What she isn’t prepared for, however, is to compete in the town’s Christmas competition. But when she finds out that her old nemesis Cole Black is going to be her competition, she’s determined to crush him. With Cole intent on not letting her win either, they fight heart and soul against each other.
This steamy enemies-to-lovers holiday romance is a great choice to wind down with on a cold winter night. So curl up under your cozy blanket and start reading! Witty banter and great chemistry are guaranteed.
Snowed in For Christmas by Sarah Morgan
In this Sunday Times bestselling Christmas romance, Lucy Clarke heads to the Scottish Highlands to make a business proposition to Ross Miller in an effort to keep her job. Little does she know she’ll be snowed in for Christmas with a family that isn’t hers. During her stay with the Millers (Ross, Alice, and Clemmie), some people fall in love, while others deal with some family drama.
“Snowed in For Christmas” is not just a holiday romance, but also an interesting family fiction about relationships and personal growth. Cozy up on the sofa and prepare to laugh a lot!
Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger
In “Christmas Presents”, true crime podcaster Harley Granger starts digging into a cold case before Christmas, leading him to bookshop owner Madeline Martin. A few years ago, Madeleine was the victim of killer Evan Handy, the only one who survived. But something doesn’t add up according to Granger, especially since three other women have gone missing in similar situations, even though Handy has been locked up for a decade.
In this chilling Christmas thriller novel, Madeline must confront her past and find out what happened to the missing women. The book’s picturesque setting and suspenseful plot make for a great holiday read for fans of the genre.
The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict
In “The Christmas Murder Game”, Lily Armitage receives a letter from her late aunt asking her to participate in a Christmas Game, an annual tradition organized at their family home, the Endgame House. Though reluctant to return to the house, her aunt’s promise that she will find out who really killed her mother twenty-one Christmases ago convinces her to accept.
However, what seems to be a typical game of unraveling the riddles with her estranged cousins, soon becomes a fight to survive the holidays. Curl up with a warm blanket and dive into this holiday murder mystery.
A Christmas Party by Georgette Heyer
“A Christmas Party” features Scotland Yard’s Inspector Hemingway who is called in to investigate a murder that took place at a festive gathering. The victim has been found locked in a room, leading Inspector Hemingway to suspect that one of the guests is the killer. It’s clear that they all have something to hide, even though their alibis seem to check out. But what has really happened inside the house?
This is a vintage and cozy detective story that’s perfect for fans of “Knives Out” and “Murder Mystery” movies.
Murder at the Christmas Carols by Izzie Harper
In “Murder at the Christmas Carols”, Ellie Blix teams up with her daughter and mother-in-law to find the person who killed Andrea Burdett, Ellie’s friend, a killer who is terrorizing the snowy village of Lower Wootton.
This book is a great holiday read thanks to the idyllic village, intriguing mystery, and likable characters. So if you’re a fan of murder mysteries, this is a good choice for you.
Christmas Fudge Fatality by Addison Moore
Lottie Lemon, the town baker, has the ability to see the dead. Not just people, but most commonly their furry friends who died and come to Lottie to announce her of their owner’s impending death. This is what happens before Christmas when Lottie stumbles upon another dead body while approaching the jolly old elf. So with the help of the ghost pet, Lottie investigates the case, while running her bakery and getting ready for Christmas.
“Christmas Fudge Fatality” is a nice holiday murder mystery novel that also has a touch of romance in the form of a love triangle between Lottie and two of the town’s most eligible bachelors.
Hope you found a few perfect Christmas books to cozy up with this December! Happy reading and may your holiday season be full of warmth, wonder, and plenty of page-turners. If you’re looking for more great reads or holiday inspiration, check out our other posts below.
