Here in the US Thanksgiving is only 2 days away! How did this happen? I should start fasting so I have room for all of the turkey.
(Kidding… kidding…)
For me and my family, once our Thanksgiving dinner plates are empty we go into all out Christmas mode! 99.9% of the time we wait until the day after. But… I’d be lying if I said there hasn’t been the Thanksgiving night or two where we’ve decided to put the tree up while watching Miracle on 34th Street. (To be fair - that movie starts on Thanksgiving day so… it’s totally okay.)
Last Christmas, I learned I loved reading holiday romances. In fact, that was all I read. I did some re-reads of old favorites, and everything else was holiday themed. It was so fun! I absolutely love the holidays and loved having things which were fun and light to read. The holidays can be stressful enough, I don’t need heavier literature and fantasy to add to it. (Not that I don’t love dramatic/serious books. I do! Just… not in December.) If I’m crying, I want it to be because I’m happy or laughing.
So… I might have gone a tad overboard with my ebook buying for my holiday TBR. A couple of months ago I saw them popping up on Amazon and on my Twitter feeds and… well… you’ll see. On the plus side, all of these books were under $4.
What as even better, is that all of these also work for the ‘Tis the Season-a-Thon happening December 3-9!
(Yes, all of these are romance, they’re all adult, and I’m assuming they all have at least one steamy scene.)
Frozen by LA Casey
No… this book isn’t about the Disney movie. Although… a Snow Queen inspired holiday romance book actually sounds like a great idea. ::adds to my stories to write someday list::
This book is a hate-to-love holiday romance where the characters have hated each other since childhood and are now vying for the same last minute Christmas gift for their niece and nephew. The catch? There’s only one left at the toy store. So… basically it’s Jingle All the Way minus Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad and add romance.
I also can totally see myself one day being this aunt for my niece. Her saying she wants a certain toy for Christmas and I go battle it out on Christmas Eve at the toy store.
Let the Hunger Games begin!
Love Rekindled at Christmas by Evelyn Issacks, Elizabeth Kysian, Diana Lloyd, Eve Pendle, and Elizabeth Watson
Firstly - all 2018 proceeds for this book go toward Planned Parenthood.
All of these are historical romance holiday novellas about couples who may have had some steam in the past and it’s being reignited. Second chances, childhood sweethearts, being snowed in, scandals, road trips… basically everything you could possibly want in this genre of book. I’m liking the idea of novellas and short stories around the holidays because if you didn’t like one story it’s okay since it didn’t take you too much time and there’s more to follow! Also, you don’t feel as stressed out trying to finish a whole book. You can read one story and feel accomplished. No stress!
How the Dukes Stole Christmas by Tessa Dare, Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, and Joanna Shupe
Okay… if it wasn’t for the fact that all of these authors are fabulous, the title alone sold me. I also really want to wear the cover model’s dress.
Each of these novellas are re-imaginings of classic holiday stories and they all feature dukes. So… what else do we need to know? It’s going to be amazing and probably the first book I pick up the moment I’ve finished my Thanksgiving turkey.
Joy to the Earl by Nicola Davidson
Another one where the title alone sold me on reading this book. What can I say? I love a cheesy holiday pun.
Our hero has a disability who finds out that he just so happens to have a secret inheritance. (And I’m assuming looses his shirt somewhere along the way if the cover is any indication.) Woo hoo! Merry Christmas! Apparently, he’s also a virgin which I happen to find super swoony. Most of the time you have heroes who are rouges and ladies men. Instead, it’s the woman who has the reputation. So, I find this refreshing.
Let it Snow by Jessica Calla, Jennifer Acres, Joel Bain, JP Dailing, Cindy Dorminy, Jordin Kay, KD Proctor, and Larissa Weatherall
Another anthology! This time, it’s contemporary romance and all of the novellas take place in the same town. Each story stands alone, but they do have some interweaving characters. I think it’s such a cute idea! Like Love Actually but the story lines may or may not all come together in the end.
Once Upon a Winters Eve (Spindle Cove #1.5) by Tessa Dare
I love love LOVED Tessa Dare’s first book in the Spindle Cove series, so naturally when I saw this novella was set in the same series it was an instant add to my holiday TBR.
A Christmas Brothel by Annabelle Anders, Tammy Andresen, KC Bateman, Katherine Bone, Dawn Brower, Jane Charles, Elizabeth Essex, Aileen Pish, Susan Gee Heino, Rose Gordon, Virginia Heath, Alanna Lucas, Amanda Mariel, Deb Marlowe, Nadine MIllard, Kate Pearce, Sandy Raven, and Ava Stone
I saw the title of this one and I knew I had to download it. It’s another anthology where they all take place in the same location and each story stands alone. It says it’s a set of “Canterbury Christmas Tales” which tells me that this is more medieval setting, which I think is super cool. Usually in historical romance you get regency and Victoria eras.
Also - proceeds for this book go for Toys for Tots!
What’s even better, is that most of these books will work for the challenges for the ‘Tis the Season-A-Thon hosted by some of my Booktube friends! (December 3-9) Their challenges are:
Read a book with red/green on the cover (Love Rekindled at Christmas, A Christmas Brothel, Joy to the Earl, and How the Dukes Stole Christmas all work for this one!)
Read a book while listening to holiday music (Which I’ll probably be doing anyways so - check!)
Read a warm and fuzzy book (Which… is basically all of these because I’m sure every single one of these books will be warm/fuzzy/happy books)
Read a short book - under 250 pages (Once Upon a Winter’s Eve fits this challenge!)
Read a holiday themed book (um… that’s all of them.)
Then, their group book is Snow in Love by Melissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Friedman, and Kasie West which means… I went ahead and requested it from my library.
What books do you all plan on reading during the holiday season? Anyone else get completely suckered into buying any holiday romance book that has a pretty dress on the cover? (And the shirtless men too -let’s be real.) Just me?
Like what you read? Consider buying me a coffee.