There is nothing like the holiday season and if you’re someone who likes to cozy up with a Hallmark movie, you’re fully ready to roll into the celebration. Once you’ve made your way through this year’s lineup, make sure to check out these books that will give the joy, mishaps and merriment of the season.
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Movie: ‘Twas the Date Before Christmas
Book pairing: The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Fake dates and holiday mishaps collide in this charming tale of unexpected romance. Riley Kennedy and Kennedy Riley have never met in person, their only connection being the constant email mix-ups caused by their similar names. But everything changes when a work event finally brings them face to face. Striking an unusual deal, Kennedy agrees to pose as Riley’s boyfriend for her Christmas party if she’ll accompany him as his date to a wedding. What begins as a reluctant and businesslike arrangement soon turns into something far deeper, sparking a connection neither offering more than they bargained for.
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Movie: Holiday Crashers
Book Pairing: Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes
Snowy Vermont is an idyllic location for unexpected romances and Emma is looking for her second chance in a quaint town during the holidays. After finding her college boyfriend’s engraved watch at a pawn shop in Manhattan, Emma takes it as a sign and follows it all the way to Vermont. However, she finds that her ex now has a child and a fiancee. Heartbroken but determined, Emma throws herself into her new role as the children’s coordinator at a struggling inn, hoping for a holiday miracle. Though she arrived searching for a lost love, Emma ends up discovering something even more unexpected.
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Movie: Scouting for Christmas
Book Pairing: The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans
Being a single parent during the holidays is no easy task, especially when the season’s sweetness is tinged with loss. Melody Monroe wants nothing more than to restore her 9-year-old twin boys’ holiday spirit since they lost their father. Her solution? Taking on the school’s dismantled cookie committee—and going head-to-head with the infuriating yet intriguing principal, Jonathan Braxton. What begins as a competitive bake-off soon turns into something much warmer, bringing a touch of holiday magic that might be just what her family needs.
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Movie: Operation Nutcracker
Book pairing: The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews
For readers seeking a heartwarming Christmas romance with a hint of mystery, The Santa Suit delivers. Newly divorced Ivy Perkins impulsively buys the charming Four Roses farmhouse, hoping for a fresh start. What she doesn’t expect is the treasure trove of belongings left behind by the previous owners. Among them, she finds a mysterious note hidden in a Santa suit, sparking a quest to uncover its author and unravel the secrets of the Rose family. What Ivy discovers goes far beyond her imagination, rekindling her faith in Christmas magic and the promise of new beginnings.
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Movie: Christmas Charade
Book Pairing: The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose
Love is full of mystery and intrigue and Molly is all too familiar with the follies of both. In this novella, Molly’s boyfriend, Juan, is on a mission to reignite her Christmas spirit, which faded after the loss of her grandmother. Molly hopes Juan’s efforts can restore her holiday cheer, but things take an unexpected turn when a Secret Santa gift presents a mystery that shakes her confidence. Can she trust Juan as much as she thought or is she in for another surprise?
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Movie: The 5-Year Christmas Party
Book Pairing: Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
Friends to lovers, but with a 10-year slow burn. Molly and Andrew have been seat-mates on a flight from Chicago to Dublin for a decade, but when a snowstorm grounds them Molly makes it her mission to get Andrew home for his family Christmas dinner. While she’s not a fan of the holiday herself, she knows how much it means to him—and how much their once-a-year tradition means to her. With a carefully crafted plan in place, Molly is determined to make it work, but fate might have other ideas.
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Movie: A Carol for Two
Book Pairing: The Holly Dates by Brittainy Cherry
Love triangles are a tried and true trope that never fail to keep romance readers hooked. After being left at the altar, Holly Jackson refuses to give up on love and begins frequenting the same restaurant with various dates. Bearing witness to her nightly quest for love is grumpy restaurant owner Kai Kane. In a fit of annoyance, Kai sets Holly up with someone only to regret it when feelings of jealousy creep in as Holly’s relationship with his choice of suitor starts to develop further. Now he’s on a mission to be her next and last first date, but with Holly in a budding relationship, she’ll have to choose if he’s worth throwing it all away.
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Movie: Our Holiday Story
Book Pairing: Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
Holidays are a time for the magic of chance encounters. When Charlotte Donovan agreed to join her Rosalind Quartet ensemble mate Sloane’s family for the holidays she did not anticipate that Sloane’s sister would also be bringing a guest who just so happens to be her ex. Recently kicked out of her band, Brighton Fairbrook was hoping to enjoy her holiday with a friend, but instead, she is forced to pretend the girl she left at the alter five years ago is a stranger. While Charlotte is actively trying to avoid speaking to Brighton they keep getting grouped together and old feelings start to resurface.
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Movie: Holiday Mismatch
Book Pairing: The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish
Family meddling has its limits and Greta Russakoff has reached hers. While she loves her family, her being a lesbian in a small town and her family’s misguided but well-intended interventions have her needing space. Truman Belvedere thought he had the perfect partner but when he discovers that his boyfriend isn’t only cheating but has a daughter he also needs a quick getaway. The solution? A good old-fashioned house swap for the holidays. With both seeking an escape from their lives, they form new lives and new ties that may keep them from switching back altogether.
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Movie: Trivia at St. Nick’s
Book Pairing: Mangos and Mistletoe by Adrianna Herrera
Opposites attract and a little baking competition is sure to spice things up. Pastry chef Kiskeya Burgos left Dominican Republic for Scotland for one reason: to win the Holiday Baking Challenge and prove she can make it in the culinary world. Sully Morales is turning in her family caregiver apron for a chance at her dreams of being a baker. With both of their eyes on the prize, the teammates are having a hard time keeping their eyes of each other along the way.
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Movie: Santa Tell Me
Book Pairing: The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
Sometimes, magical intervention is exactly what’s needed to find love. Holly Chase had her chance to change her bah-humbug ways when she was visited by three ghosts—but she missed it. Now, five years later and deceased, she’s stuck working for Project Scrooge as the Ghost of Christmas Past. It’s not a job she loves, but this year’s “Scrooge” might just be the spark she was searching for all along.
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Movie: ‘Tis the Season to Be Irish
Book Pairing: The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
For readers who want to escape to the British Isles, but this time to a bookshop in desperate need of renovation in Scotland. Carmen is not thrilled about the idea of moving in with her sister Sofia and her idyllic family, but it’s the holidays and she’s out of options. When she takes a job to help revamp an old bookshop in historic Edinburgh she gets inspired by its potential and an author becomes just as inspired by her. But is it enough to save the shop and heal broken familial relationships?
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Movie: Christmas with the Singhs
Book Pairing: A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
A whirlwind wedding in India becomes a journey of self-discovery and romance. After being laid off from her job, Niki Randhawa decides to break her habit of playing it safe by jumping on a last minute flight to India for her friend’s wedding. While celebrating Diwali she meets musician Sameer Mukherji whose playful banter and free spirit quickly draw her in. As they join the wedding party on a group honeymoon, Sam’s adventurous outlook inspires Niki to reconsider the life she’s been living. When the trip ends, she faces a choice: return to her practical, safe routine or embrace the bold, untamed life she’s always held herself back from.
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Movie: Jingle Bell Run
Book Pairing: Face Off by Chelsea Curto
Did someone say hockey? While Face Off isn’t strictly a holiday story, it delivers a fiercely competitive and romance-fueled tale of two teammates with undeniable chemistry. Professional hockey player Emmy Hartwell has finally secured a spot on the NHL roster for the D.C. Stars. Meanwhile, team captain Maverick Miller is determined to pull his team out of their losing streak and is willing to play nice with Emmy for the sake of winning. But when their passion for the game ignites sparks off the ice, what was meant to be a one-night stand turns into a season-long friends-with-benefits arrangement.
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Movie: Confessions of a Christmas Letter
Book Pairing: The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
The lengths we go to for family knows no bounds, and the Goodwin sisters are proof of that. Charlie Goodwin’s life is right on track as a successful baker with her own baking show, that is until an accident leaves her without her sense of taste and smell. Meanwhile, her sister Cass is overwhelmed, juggling the demands of running their family bakery in their hometown. When Charlie persuades Cass to switch places, the result is a delightful whirlwind of Christmas chaos. Along the way, both sisters discover not only unexpected new love interests but also fresh perspectives on their own lives.
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Movie: Christmas on Call
Book Pairing: Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert
Workplace romances may be forbidden fruit, but sometimes they’re impossible to resist. Tattoo artist Cash Evans has admired his barista, Bailey Cooper, from afar for months, convinced she’s too good for him. Determined to keep his distance, he sticks to being a silent observer—until one fateful Christmas, when he unexpectedly becomes her boss. Suddenly, keeping his feelings in check is no longer an option. Bailey, meanwhile, has sworn off men, including Cash—until she starts to see the man behind the ink. As he reveals his true colors, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to uncovering all his secrets.
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Movie: Three Wiser Men and a Boy
Book Pairing: One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery
Meeting Mom’s new boyfriend always adds an unexpected twist to family affairs. Julie wasn’t quite ready to introduce her much younger boyfriend to her two kids, but when their plans change and they insist on spending Christmas at the family cabin, she has no choice but to face the moment she’s been avoiding. As the guest list grows—and each visitor brings surprises of their own—the holiday quickly turns into a merry mess of cheer, chaos, and unexpected revelations.
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Movie: To Have and To Holiday
Book Pairing: The Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park
Family interventions during the holidays are inevitable, especially when you find yourself falling for your family’s rival. Chloe Kwon and Peter Li have been raised to despise each other, their hatred rooted in their families’ rivalry as owners of competing restaurants in the Riverwood Mall food court. But when a developer plans to demolish the mall to build condos, Chloe and Peter must set aside their differences and team up to save the mall—and their family businesses. What begins as a partnership driven by ambition soon turns into something much more complicated. As they work together, sparks fly, threatening not only their families’ livelihoods but also the fragile truce they’ve built.
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Movie: Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle
Book Pairing: A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss
Siblings reconnect during the holidays through a journey of loss and inheritance. Sisters Maggie, Simone, and Star once spent their summers at Rowan Thorp, the enchanting and mysterious home of their eccentric father, Augustus. Years later, they’re summoned back to the estate for the reading of his will, only to discover he’s left behind a series of challenges they must complete in to claim their inheritance. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, the sisters embark on a heartfelt journey of love, loss, and reconciliation, rediscovering both their father’s legacy and the bond they once shared.
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Movie: A ’90s Christmas
Book Pairing: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
If you’re looking for a Groundhog Day-style cure for the holiday blues, Christina Lauren’s In a Holidaze is the perfect pick. Maelyn Jones is stuck in a rut—she hates her job, is back living with her parents, and can’t muster any holiday cheer. When she heads to a snowy Utah cabin for a final holiday celebration with the families she grew up with, an unexpected twist leaves her trapped in a time loop, reliving the same trip over and over. As she navigates the bizarre repetition, Mae must figure out why she’s stuck—and whether it has anything to do with the boy she’s secretly loved for years.
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Movie: Deck the Walls
Book Pairing: The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score
The holidays are a time for giving, and what better way to give back than by helping rebuild homes—or even entire towns? TV star and renovation expert Catalina King is on a mission to restore the town of Merry, Connecticut, after it was devastated by a hurricane. However, city manager Noah Yates isn’t sold on her intentions and is wary of anyone profiting from his town’s misfortune. But with the annual holiday festival looming and the town’s survival depending on its success, Noah reluctantly agrees to work with her. As desperation forces collaboration, Noah keeps a watchful eye on Catalina—only to find himself falling for the very woman he set out to distrust.
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Movie: Believe in Christmas
Book Pairing: I’ll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone
Escaping the holidays always seems like the best way to avoid the holiday spirit, but sometimes it’s just what you need to restore it. Bee Tyler and Clover Mills each have their reasons for needing a break, especially with the holidays fast approaching. When they both discover the app Vacate, they decide to swap homes just in time for the season. While on holiday from their own holiday chaos, they discover that the charm of each other’s lives brings the Christmas magic they’ve been missing—and perhaps a little unexpected romance along the way.
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Movie: Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
Book Pairing: The Christmas Catch by Toni Shiloh
After a career-ending injury forces NFL wide receiver Jahleel Walker to return to his hometown of Peachwood Bay, Georgia, for the holidays, he unexpectedly runs into Lucille “Bebe” Gordon, a woman from his past. Bebe, who came back to Peachwood Bay three years ago after a divorce, is hesitant to rekindle their connection, especially since Jahleel has no plans to stay. As the town’s Christmas festivities bring them closer, Jahleel must decide if he’s only home for the holidays or if the love rekindled between them can last beyond the season.
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Movie: The Finnish Line
Book Pairing: Running Wild by K.A. Tucker
Following the theme of sled dog races and tangled emotions, veterinarian Marie Lehr has sworn off unrequited love ever since her best friend married someone else. But with her biological clock ticking, she’s determined to find the right person to share her future with. While volunteering at Alaska’s iconic Iditarod Sled Dog Race, she crosses paths with musher Tyler Brady. Though she initially writes him off as arrogant, her growing attraction becomes hard to ignore. The catch? His heart belongs to someone else, and Marie isn’t sure she can settle for just friendship when her feelings are pulling her in deeper.
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Movie: The Christmas Quest
Book Pairing: The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky
Marital bliss has its struggles, and for newlyweds Patrick and Quinn, those struggles are all too real. But when Patrick accidentally knocks out Santa Claus, the couple is suddenly tasked with the ultimate holiday mission: saving Christmas. As dawn breaks, they find themselves transported to the North Pole, where they must take on the roles of Santa and the Merriest Mister for an entire year to keep Christmas alive. Will this unexpected adventure mend the cracks in their marriage, or will the pressure of saving the holiday season break them for good?
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Movie: Private Princess Christmas
Book Pairing: Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
If a royal romance is what you’re dreaming of, Vivian’s journey delivers in spades. While accompanying her stylist daughter on a work trip to London, Vivian expects sightseeing and some well-deserved relaxation. What she doesn’t expect is the instant spark with Malcolm Hudson, a dashing and reserved private security officer. What begins as a fleeting holiday fling soon has Vivian wondering—can their connection last beyond her trip, or is it destined to remain a royal holiday romance?
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Movie: Sugarplummed
Book Pairing: Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert
A traveling Christmas market is the perfect touch of holiday magic. Astra Noel, a Christmas enthusiast, refuses to let her recent divorce keep her from enjoying her annual trip to the Milwaukee Christmas Market. Jack Clausen, on the other hand, quite literally lives for the Christmas spirit as he traverses from one December to the next every 4 weeks. Jack has always appreciated the charm of the season, but he’s never been captivated by anyone quite like Astra. As their connection deepens, they must navigate whether their romance is built to last or simply a fleeting spark of holiday cheer.
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Movie: Leah’s Perfect Gift
Book Pairing: The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
For those who cherish the spirit of Christmas but also appreciate the traditions of Hanukkah, this story offers the perfect blend. Rachel, a Jewish woman with a secret love for Christmas, has built her career writing Christmas romance novels. When she’s tasked with branching out and writing a Hanukkah romance, she turns to the Matzah Ball for inspiration. To her dismay, she’s forced to collaborate with her childhood camp nemesis, Jacob. But as their rivalry gives way to something more profound, Rachel begins to see both Jacob and the Festival of Lights in a way she never anticipated.
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Movie: Hanukkah on the Rocks
Book Pairing: Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot
From Chicago to Vermont, Hanukkah is in the air. As the only Jewish member of her small-town tourism board, Abby Cohen has been tasked with planning the town’s first Hanukkah festival and it could not be going worse. Frustrated and out of ideas, she turns to an online community for help, only to discover that the only other Jewish person in town is Seth, her overly chipper customer. He agrees to help her—on one condition: Abby must pretend to date him to satisfy his parent’s persistent requests to find a Jewish girlfriend. However, the more time they spend together, the more Abby finds herself softening toward his sunny demeanor, and maybe even to the idea of something more.
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Movie: The Santa Class
Book Pairing: Christmas Camp by Karen Schaler
Haley Hanson usually spends her Christmases working abroad in tropical destinations, far from the holiday hustle. But this year she is on a mission to secure a Christmas toy company and her boss sends her to a Christmas camp to find some much-needed holiday spirit. Upon arriving at the cozy inn, Haley tries to ignore her immediate attraction to the owner’s son, determined to focus on her mission. However, as she begins to embrace the magic of the season, sparks fly between them. But when unexpected challenges arise, Haley must decide if the spirit of Christmas is enough to keep their romance alive.
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Movie: Following Yonder Star
Book Pairing: Christmas in Spite of You by K.C. Mills
Renting out your apartment to a stranger during the holidays is one thing—but having to share the space with them? That’s exactly what happens to Noel Anderson. When her business plan takes a hit, Noel decides to rent out her apartment while she visits family for the holidays to earn some extra cash. However, her plans are derailed when she falls ill and has to cancel the reservation. Unfortunately for her, Kanton Joseph, her renter, is not about to back down. On a mission to close a major business deal, Kanton refuses to vacate, forcing them to share the space. Noel’s festive obsession and Kanton’s disdain for the holidays initially put them at odds, but as the days pass, he can’t help but be charmed by her. Soon, their frosty dynamic begins to melt, and a surprising connection starts to grow
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Movie: Happy Howlidays
Book Pairing: The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Lizzie Shane
Furry companions not only make the season brighter but also have a special way of bringing people together. In Pine Hollow, Ally Gilmore’s holiday plans shift when her family’s dog rescue shelter loses its funding, leaving her just four weeks to rehome a dozen dogs. Determined to save the shelter, she confronts Ben West, the gruff councilman responsible, only to find he’s unexpectedly kind—and irresistibly charming. As they team up to find homes for the dogs, sparks fly, small-town gossip stirs, and amid the holiday magic, Ally and Ben discover that Pine Hollow might be the perfect place for a fresh start—and lasting love.
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