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There are a ton of recommendations for summer romcoms, and so many books out there marketed as “Your perfect beach read “, yet there are actually so many great winter romance reads to brighten those cold, dark days!
December is the perfect time to crack open a Christmas-time romance, and as an avid winter-romance reader myself, I love to find cozy romances perfect for reading with a hot chocolate by the fire. Rather than trading a romcom for a thriller in the winter, here are seven recommendations for the perfect winter romcom novel.
- The Love of My Afterlife – Kirsty GreenwoodÂ
fantasical, amusing, upbeatÂ
This book follows our recently deceased main character, Delphie, who meets who she thinks is her perfect match in the afterlife. But after he gets sent back to Earth and she is still very much dead, Delphie is given a chance to go back to the land of the living to find and fall in love with her supposed soulmate. She quickly realizes that finding the perfect man in a sea of a million other people is not the easiest task. This novel is hilarious, but also heartfelt, and reminds us to appreciate the things we may take for granted.Â
- With Love, from Cold World – Alicia ThompsonÂ
lively, festive, silly
This book gives all the amazing Christmas feels with the backdrop of a winter-themed tourist destination in sunny Orlando, Florida. Lauren and Asa are coworkers at the snow-filled attraction spot Cold World, and complete polar opposites. But when the two are given a chance to liven up the foot traffic at their beloved workplace, they enter a competition that teaches them they might not be as different as they thought. This is one of my favorite winter reads because the characters are so lovable and the story is so easy to get lost in.Â
- Book Lovers – Emily HenryÂ
relaxed, intimate, charming
Emily Henry has recently been dubbed the queen of rom-coms because her books are so popular — and the hype is definitely not misplaced. Book Lovers is a story about two rivals in the literary world who are staying in the same small town, and for some reason, cannot stay away from each other. This is the perfect Emily Henry rom-com for readers who love to lose themselves in a story.Â
- Kiss Her Once for Me – Alison CochrunÂ
cozy, domestic, convivial
Another Christmas-themed novel, Kiss Her Once for Me, gives a twist to the popular fake dating trope. After Ellie loses her dream job, she is left working at a local coffee shop and going through the motions of her everyday life, until the shop’s landlord proposes a marriage of convenience that will give him his inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s recent financial problems. In order to trick his family, they make a plan to spend the holidays with them, but when Ellie finds herself falling for his sister, she also finds herself risking the safety of her new marriage.Â
- You Deserve Each Other – Sarah HogleÂ
playful, mischievous, hilariousÂ
One of my personal favorite romcoms of all time, this book follows a pair of recent fiancées who want out of their way-too-perfect relationship — but whoever calls it off must pay the hefty, nonrefundable wedding bill. In order to get the other to call it off, Naomi and Nicholas enter an all-out prank war; however, along the way, they realize that they may not be as miserable as they thought. This unique and hilarious novel is an absolute joy to read, and is even being turned into a movie!
- Better Than The Movies – Lynn PainterÂ
sweet, cinematic, swoonyÂ
Another popular-for-a-reason Young Adult romance pick, Better Than The Movies is an extremely charming tale about a young girl waiting for her happily ever after. In order to gain the attention of her long-time crush, Liz teams up with her neighbor, Wes, who has been annoying her for as long as she can remember. Yet Liz’s alliance to find love leads her to a different romance, one that she may have been missing her whole life. Â
- Romantic Comedy – Curtis SittenfeldÂ
comedic, heart-warming, witty
Romantic Comedy is a (surprise) hilariously written rom-com perfect for fans of complex female characters with a side of commentary on the modern dating scene for women. Sally has sworn off love to focus on her job as a sketch comedy writer for a late-night show —but hits it off with one of the guest stars. But someone like Noah Brewster would never date someone like Sally, right? Romantic Comedy is a funny but important novel about the world of rom-coms, and an extremely enjoyable read.Â
While there are definitely some more Christmas-themed romances out there, these are some of my personal favorites — and the ones I think are the most festive. It can also be super fun to crack open a beach read in the wintertime if you’re feeling nostalgic for the summer sun. Winter is the perfect time to romanticize the cold weather and get yourself into the holiday mood, and what better way to do it than with a winter romance!