Curl up with cocoa, turn on the twinkle lights, and settle in — your next festive read is right here.

Tip: the Instagram carousel features the full 100+ list with cover art, this blog shares a curated “highlight” selection plus blurbs and affiliate links.

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💕 Holiday Romance Recs

Sweet, swoony, and full of festive cheer — these are the romances I’ve read and adored.

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah — A tender, heartwarming rom com centered on family, tradition, and second chances during Hanukkah.

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal — Irreverent, spicy, and unexpectedly emotional, perfect for readers who like their holiday romance with attitude.

Merry Little Kissmas — Sweet, cozy, and full of holiday mischief—ideal for fans of laugh out loud meet cutes.

Good Spirits — A warm, witty romance with a touch of magic and lots of seasonal charm.

The Christmas List — A nostalgic, cozy story about love, mistakes, and the miracle of second chances at Christmastime.

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🎁 Holiday Romance TBR

If your e reader is ready for seasonal sparkle, these are next on my list.

Three Holidays and a Wedding — An emotional holiday romance about family, reunions, and one unforgettable festive celebration.

Snowed In — Classic snowbound trope with sparks, secrets, and the perfect forced proximity setup.

Christmas Fling — A flirty holiday romance made for cozy winter nights.

How the Grump Saved Christmas — Grumpy x sunshine holiday energy with tender moments and lots of heart.

Christmas Eve Love Story — A sweet, cinematic romance that feels like your favorite holiday movie in book form.

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🔪 Holiday Thriller TBR

Prefer your holiday reads on the darker side? These chilling thrillers bring murder, mystery, and a touch of tinsel.

I’ll Be Alone for Christmas — A tense, psychological holiday thriller about isolation and the danger of being alone on Christmas.

The Christmas Party — An old friends reunion that goes terrifyingly wrong—perfect for readers who love locked room tension at Christmas.

The Christmas Killer — Chilling, relentless, and set against a deceptively cozy holiday backdrop.

Last Christmas — A twisty festive thriller that will keep you guessing until the final pages.

The Christmas Guest — A short, sinister holiday novella where seasonal cheer turns cold and dangerous.

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☕ Cozy Mystery Recs

For those who love crime with cocoa and clues with candy canes — these festive whodunits are perfect fireside reading.

Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off — Baking mishaps, small town charm, and a deliciously twisty mystery.

Mistletoe Murder — Classic cozy energy: holiday traditions, nosy neighbors, and a puzzling murder to solve.

Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen — A festive small town mystery with holiday events and plenty of red herrings.

Murder with a Hint of Peppermint — A sweet sleuthing romp with peppermint lattes and cozy clues.

The Diva Cooks a Goose — Light, funny, and full of culinary chaos—mystery meets kitchen hijinks.

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🔍 Cozy Mystery TBR

Still can’t get enough? These upcoming holiday cozies are next in my queue.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year — A festive, puzzle filled cozy that reads like a gingerbread house of clues.

A Holiday Homicide — Small town drama and a seasonal whodunit that’s perfect with a cup of cocoa.

Peppermint Cookie Murder — A charming bakery mystery that pairs perfectly with cookie baking and sleuthing.

Death of a Christmas Caterer — Catering drama, family secrets, and a holiday themed mystery that’s delightfully suspicious.

Deck the Hallways — Festive campus hijinks and a cozy mystery vibe that’s quirky and fun.

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That’s 25 festive reads to get you through the season — and my full 100+ books Holiday Reading Guide (with every genre + cover art) is on Instagram if you want every single recommendation.

Follow @novelgossip on Instagram for the complete carousel and more holiday reading inspo.

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