19 New Holiday Romances Ranging from Sweet to Spicy

'Tis the season for holiday romances! They go down as easily as our favorite delicious festive drinks. But, like the drinks, there are a range of options available. Are you looking for a love story that's sweet, like a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine? Or would you prefer a juicy tale that's a bit more spicy, like a brandy flip or rum-spiked cider? Pick your pleasure with one of these nineteen charming new or soon-to-be-released holiday gems.

Sweet

If you prefer dreamy over steamy, these tender, heartwarming holiday novels will set you on the right path.

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman

It's been nearly a year since Grace White and Henry Adler both lost their spouses. Although their mothers hatch a matchmaking scheme, it's clear that neither is ready to date again. Nonetheless, Grace agrees to Henry's suggestion of a Christmas movie marathon. But just as friends, of course . . . 

A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler

Princess Ava's perfectly planned Christmas Eve charity event goes awry when she loses Stormy, the Queen's mischievous new border collie. Reluctantly, Ava teams up with Justin, a laid-back American dog trainer. Sparks fly as Justin's rule-breaking free spirit clashes with Ava's determination to follow royal protocol.

A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Facing their first Christmas without their beloved Grams, the woman who lovingly raised them, siblings Reed and Avery decide to spend the holiday together at Reed's Pacific NW home. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when Avery's ferry stalls in the middle of Puget Sound.

Christmas Fling by Lindsay Kelk

When Laura accidentally walks in on Callum, her sexy (and naked) landlord, the situation is further complicated when his parents arrive on the scene and assume she's his mystery girlfriend (who doesn't exist). Next thing Laura knows, she's continuing the charade at the family's Highland estate for the holidays.   

Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant

Getting fired on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, aka Christmas, makes Holly hate the day even more. Making things worse, her brother is using the occasion to set her up with his best friend, fellow Grinch Nick. Despite the fact that she's attracted to him, Holly resolves to teach Nick a lesson, one ho ho ho at a time.   

Joy to the Girls by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

For college seniors Alex and Molly, the last three years have felt like Christmas every day. So what better way to celebrate than a romantic holiday getaway? But as they try to help their friend Cora woo the girl of her dreams, can Molly and Alex hold on to each other when they're both keeping secrets.

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer

Workaholic Evelyn is spending all eight days of her Hanukkah producing a televised musical of A Christmas Carol. Who needs family when you've got your dream job? Until an accident on set lands her in the medical bay and she's shocked to find her ex-husband, David, filling in for the usual studio doctor.

A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron

For Ruby the holidays mean memories of her late mother and their dream of opening an English inn. Rashid doesn't get all the holiday hype, but when he sees Ruby dragging home a Christmas tree alone, he offers to help. When Ruby learns that Rashid's family owns a hotel chain in Britain, she offers him a proposition.

A Mannequin for Christmas by Timothy Janovsky

Newly single and facing another family Christmas alone, Henry makes a desperate wish. The next day when he arrives at the vintage shop he manages, he finds that a gorgeous mannequin has sprung to life. As he teaches the magicked man how to be human, he begins to wonder: Could this be the answer to his wish?

The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore

Bakery owner Annie dreams of a love life to match her sweet business. But instead, she's locked in a sparring contest with Mac, the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street. As snowflakes fall in Dream Harbor, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?

Spicy

If you're looking to inject a bit of heat into your holiday, these titillating tales should do the trick.

Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

In this follow-up to How My Neighbor Stole Christmas, fan favorite Atlas "Max" Maxheimer takes center stage as he tries to keep his family's Christmas tree farm in business. Enter Betty: new in town, full of holiday cheer, and helping her uncle open up a rival tree farm next door. Cue the holiday chaos. 

Good Spirits by B. K. Borison

As The Ghost of Christmas Past, Nolan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other. But then he's faced with the sweetest assignment he's ever had. Harriet has no idea why she's being haunted. But as she and Nolan begin to dig into her past, they discover the threads that bind them together.

Merry Me by C. R. Jane

Natalie has one Christmas wish: to get through her sister's wedding without losing her mind. That means avoiding her ex, best man Easton, now a Hollywood heartthrob. But Easton has spent the last two years rehearsing how to win Natalie back. Now, he has this one weekend to convince her to be his leading lady.

Go Luck Yourself by Sarah Raasch

Someone has been stealing Christmas's joy, and there's only one clue—a single shamrock. In the newest Royals and Romance novel, Kris, the Spare Prince of Christmas is sent to investigate. But the Crown Prince of St. Patrick's Day turns out to be Lochlan, the fellow student Kris has been sparring with at Cambridge. 

He Knows When You're Awake by Alta Hensley

Jewelry designer Sloane dreams of launching her own custom line. But with no funding, it'll take a Christmas miracle. That's when Cole, a mysterious stranger, offers her a lifeline. This Christmas, it's all about getting what you really want in this dark billionaire stalker sequel to He Sees You When You're Sleeping.

The Holiday Hookup List by Alexis Daria

After calling it quits with her cheating fiancé, Valencia isn't exactly feeling the Christmas spirit. And when she runs into Gideon, her infuriatingly sexy high school nemesis, she figures she must be on Santa's naughty list. But their impulsive hookup leads to twelve days (and nights) decking each other's halls.

Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding

Nearly a decade after Anne dumped Freddie for accepting a job overseas, he returns to New York and is shocked to find that Anne is not only his new neighbor, but also the former resident of his Greenwich Village penthouse. Jane Austen's Persuasion meets the Big Apple in this swoony holiday retelling. 

Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace

When her family's toy business is accused of stealing a doll design from a small-town toy maker, Clara Davenport is tasked with solving the PR nightmare. But when she prances into town hoping to convince Jack Kelly that Davenport is not the enemy, he's determined not to be fooled twice.

Yours for the Season by Kate Cochrane

JT Cox never fit into Hart's Landing. Playing on the boys' hockey team and coming out young didn't help. Now, with an Olympic gold medal, she's getting a warmer welcome. Especially from her former crush, newly divorced Ally Porter. When they team up for the town's holiday contest, it leads to snow-melting chemistry.

Whether you're feeling naughty or nice, looking for sweet love stories or spicy trysts, hopefully there's something here that fits your holiday romance flavor profile.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon