I’m love a good Hallmark Christmas movie. But I am a total sucker for a good Christmas book. With this being my first December in Florida, the lack of cold and snow has really been messing with my holiday spirit. I’ve watched a couple Christmas movies but needed the additional boost of spirit that I knew Christmas books would give me. So, if you’re like me, and are in need of some additional Christmas Spirit, I have a list of 5 books that may just send you over the holiday spirit edge!
Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely
When Rowan’s teammates gift him a holiday matchmaking experience for the holidays, he never anticipated it would be with the one woman he’s always wanted, but never could have – his teammate’s sister. But he is determined to spend as much time with her as possible to act like he’s learning how to date other women, fully believing he will be alone with his daughter only for ever. But when lines between fake and real become blurry, Roman makes a play to keep Isla for real.
This story is best experienced in FULL CAST audio for the full immersion reading experience!
There’s No Place like Gnome by Katie Stearns
When Lacey Murdock gets fired from her job in the clothing industry, she decides that a drive to see her best friend is in order. On her way, Lacey hits a deer with her car. She meets the town cop, Lee, and his best friend and town mechanic, Lars, at the scene. Lee warns her that hitting the deer is considered bad luck by the people of Larkspur. He takes her to his family’s bed and breakfast that his brother Will runs. In the spirit of Christmas, Will decides to bring Lacey along to all the town’s holiday festivities. Will also introduces Lacey to his family. Lacey and his sister share an instant connection over their love for clothing and Lacey begins to reassess her own life. Desperate not to go back to the constant work and demands of the fashion industry, Lacey decides that she wants to branch out on her own and work for herself. The town of Larkspur grows on her and she can see her life in this little town with the handsome inn keeper by her side. But will she be able to convince Will that this is the life she sees for herself? And will Will be able to finally speak up for himself to make his own dreams come true?
A Cross Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
Lauren Richmond has avoided going home for Christmas for years. She despises the holiday in fact. But her older brother and his wife are expecting their first baby any day and she is excited to meet her niece or nephew. Lauren’s fear of flying means she had to drive home with her brother’s best friend. Unfortunately for Lauren, she has had a crush on Will Sinclair since she was 12 years old. But the crush is not reciprocated and it broke Lauren’s heart. Lauren quickly realizes that Will has no plan for this trip home and that stresses her Type A personality out. The two spar over their road trip plans as Will stops at every roadside attraction without much thought. But as their trip progresses, Will begins to erase everything Lauren thought she knew about her brother’s best friend and old feelings begin to resurface. Is Will really different from the boy that broke her heart long ago? Why is Will on this road trip? Does Will return Lauren’s crush despite her brother’s warning? Can they make it home for Christmas? Will they make it home in time to meet Lauren’s niece or nephew?
Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn
After a nasty break up, Nola retreats to her home town for some peace and quiet. The only downside to Bay Harbor, Maine is that her ex-boyfriend, Caleb, still lives in town. Caleb broke her heart when he refused to move to New York with her all those years ago and Nola still cannot face him. While spending her time out in town, trying to avoid Caleb and the Christmas spirit, the town’s mailman gives her a letter from another resident of Bay Harbor who has also lost their Christmas Spirit. Little does Nola know, the mysterious sender is none other than Caleb. When the letters take a flirtatious turn and Caleb shows up to help her on a project, Nola is torn between the mystery man in the letters and the boy turned into handsome man who broke her heart. Does time really heal all wounds? How will she react when she learns Caleb and the mystery sender are one and the same?
**Bonus recommendations: try How My Neighbor Stole Christmas, a grinch inspired romance, or Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal, a Home Alone inspired rom-com.**
Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr
Don’t let the fact that this is #19 in the Virgin River series scare you off, this book can stand alone! After the death of her mother, Kaylee Sloan retreats to the beautiful mountain town of Virgin River. When she arrives to find the cabin she planned to use to finish her novel ablaze, she must rely on the generous people of Virgin River to take care of her. Landry Moore, a dog trainer, offers her his guest house and the two quickly become friends. When Kaylee finds a kitten and a litter of puppies abandoned in the snow, she leans on Landry more than ever to help her take care of the new additions to her life. As Kaylee and Landry work to train the puppies in preparation for Christmas time adoptions, a piece of Landry’s past comes back into his life and threatens to rip him and Kaylee apart. With the Christmas spirit all around them, will Kaylee and Landry be able to move their relationship forward? Will Kaylee finish her novel before the deadline? Will she stay in Virgin River?
I hope these books (or even just one of them) help you find your Christmas Spirit!
First published 12/6/22, updated by an Orlando Mom Editor 11/14/25
