I love everything about Christmas – the lights, the jumpers, the music, the movies and of course, the books. They’re usually set somewhere super Christmassy, they’re usually comfortingly predictable and they always have a happy ending – so what’s not to love?
I have an unwritten rule where I only read Christmas books in December and this year will be no exception. I lost my reading mojo for a while there and I realised I haven’t posted a festive reading round up since 2020 (say what!) but fear not festive friends, I’m back on board the Christmas reading train.
Some people start their Christmas shopping early but this year, I’ve started my Christmas reading early just so I can deliver you the Christmas reading goods. If you’re looking for a good book to curl up with this festive season, I got you boo!
I can always make time for more books so if you have any festive reads to add to the list, please let me know in the comments!
A Season in the Snow – Isla Gordon
This is a delightful gem from Lisa Dickenson writing under her pen name, Isla Gordon. When I had the pleasure of interviewing Lucy in Author Corner way back in 2020, she told me that Isla’s books are softer, more romantic and deal with bigger issues and that’s definitely the case with Season in the Snow.
Alice has a great job, a loving family and an absolutely fabulous group of friends but when tragedy strikes bringing with it Bear, a puppy with a big heart and even bigger energy levels, her world is turned upside down.
She retreats into herself and into her flat but a small one bedroom flats is not ideal if you have a growing Bernese Mountain dog. So Alice takes herself out of her comfort zone and into Bear’s natural habitat, the mountains of Switzerland where she hopes to put the past behind her. This is a poignant story of healing, hope, loss and letting go. Lisa tackles some difficult themes with sensitivity and humour.
Even if you’re not a dog person, it is almost impossible to not fall in love with Bear, a character who is inspired by Lisa’s own dog, Kodi Bear. Bear shows how special dogs are and how in many ways, all dogs are therapy dogs and bring so much joy and comfort to their humans.
As this story spans several months, it is more a seasonal read than a traditionally Christmas one but with the snowy setting, Christmas markets, mulled wine and so many feels this ticks all the Christmas reading boxes.
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day – Milly Johnson
When I interviewed Milly in 2020, she told me that “strange forces were at work” in this book, she wasn’t wrong! Christmas is approaching as fast as the snow is falling deep in the heart of the Yorkshire Moors. Six strangers find themselves stranded in a little inn in a tiny hamlet, Figgy Hollow, a place that none of them have ever heard of.
So there’s 6 people, 1 inn, a lorry load of food and drink and no internet connection. Over the holidays, the Figgy Hollow Six learn as much about themselves as they do about each other. If you can get past the magic/strange forces, this is a thoroughly festive and utterly delightful read. If this was a movie, it would be like the Yorkshire version of ‘The Holiday’!
It’s very British – from the funny place names to the weird weather and of course, Milly’s trademark humour. This book has magic, romance and all the festive feels. It’s as much about knowing when to hold on, when to let go. There’s also love, laughter and friendship… And mince pies, well it is Christmas after all. It’s like mulled wine in book form, it’s sure to leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.
This Christmas – Emma Heatherington
More of ‘The Holiday’ vibes with this heartwarming festive read from Emma Heatherington. This Christmas has all the ingredients required for the perfect Christmas romance – think two strangers (and their exceptionally cute dogs,) one double booked cottage and a picture perfect setting – this is definitely going to be a Christmas to remember!
The story is told by the two main characters Charlie and Rose (in alternate chapters) who for different reasons, both find themselves trying to escape Christmas and both book the same cottage in a rural Irish village. The story gets off to a slow start but soon warms up and I’m not just talking about the roaring log fire!
The pair decide to share the tiny one bedroom cottage with some strict rules and although the plot is a bit far fetched, it’s always good to lean into it because it’s Christmas after all. As their relationship develops Charlie and Rose help each other to heal and discover the joy of Christmas again.
It’s not all fluff and frolics though. This Christmas deals with some difficult themes and sensitively explores how as happy a season Christmas can be, it can also be a tough and challenging time.
Overall, it’s a lovely, wintry, escapist read. I didn’t even mind that it was a bit predictable because who doesn’t love a happy ending?
Tis the Damn Season – Fiona Gibson
I loved this so damn much – it was such a fun and festive read and so refreshing for women of a certain age to be the principal characters.
I find middle aged women overlooked so often in romantic fiction and similarly long term friends, Pearl, Lena and Shelly are feeling overlooked by their families and partners especially in the run up to Christmas. In an effort to escape their respective stresses, they book a spontaneous pre-Christmas getaway to the Scottish Highlands.
Scottish weather is famously unpredictable and when the weather takes a turn, there’s a strong possibility that the friends might not be home for Christmas. As the friends make the most of their time away and reevaluate their lives, each wonders what they will be returning to when they get home and reflect on how this trip has changed them.
I loved Pearl, Lena and Shelly and was really rooting for them – they are women who have lived and experienced life and the kind of women I’d choose to be friends with in real life – their close knit friendship is well written and believable.
Tis the (damn) season is funny, witty and entertaining and a great pick if you’re looking for a festive read about friendships and new beginnings. I didn’t want to put it down!
Calling Mrs Christmas – Carole Matthews
I’ve been reading Carole Matthews for as long as I can remember and I was lucky enough to interview her too for Author Corner. 2020 was a very good vintage! Carole really knows how to craft a Christmas tale. This one is very different but very Christmas.
Since getting made redundant earlier in the year, Cassie has been really struggling emotionally and financially but then she creates her own perfect job role – Mrs Christmas – a winning combination of her love of Christmas and her ninja organisational skills. No job is too big or small, Cassie will take on them all!
Cassie has a legend of a partner in Jim but her heart starts to flutter when she gets a gig with local moneybags and entrepreneur Carter Randall. As part of Cassie’s job, she accompanies Carter and his kids to Lapland and well, let’s just say despite the snow, things start to heat up and when she returns, Cassie is forced to choose between Carter and Jim.
I especially enjoyed the sub plot of Jim helping to rehabilitate two of the boys from the young offenders institution where he works, despite it being a little far fetched, I think this part of the story shows what Christmas is really all about – being grateful and being kind to others.
If I’m honest, I found Cassie fickle and selfish and really wanted to bop her on the nose. However, I’m probably just a bit jealous because Mrs Christmas would be my dream job! Despite my feelings about Cassie, I loved the supporting characters and of course, the armchair adventure to Lapland (I’ve always wanted to go.) The main take away from this book is that it’s not how much you have at Christmas that counts but who you have – all you need is love.
