Author Picks: 6 Holly Jolly Reads to Brighten Your Holidays

If you want books with warmth that leave your heart feeling happy, ones by Bella Osborne never disappoint—and ONE FAMILY CHRISTMAS is no exception. Bella’s easy, conversational, zingy style is completely devourable, and you’ll find yourself roaring through the pages. When Lottie decides to throw one last big family Christmas at the old manor house she grew up in, she gets more than she bargained for. Not only does her first love walk in nine years after he walked out, but this family has secrets—lots of them! This is a fun, heartwarming, and relatable holiday book, and a perfect story to snuggle up with.

Ever since I read ONE DAY IN DECEMBER, I’ve thought of it often, which for me is always a sign of a truly brilliant book. From the unforgettable opening scene, to the *gasp* moment that follows, and those final, romantic, heart-singing chapters, Josie Silver absolutely nails the heartfelt and heartbreaking holiday novel.

When Laurie lays eyes on a man from a snowy bus window and falls in love at first sight, she can’t stop thinking about him. Then she sees him again—but he’s introduced as her best friend’s new boyfriend. The perfect romantic dilemma, right? Full of longing and heartbreak, this novel is the ultimate impossible romance. I loved it.

If you like total escapism and curling up with a novel that’ll take you far, far away, MEET ME IN LONDON by Georgia Toffolo is the perfect choice. Especially if you love the fake relationship trope (and London, of course!).

When Victoria’s boutique dreams are threatened by the opening of a huge department store, she agrees to be the pretend girlfriend of Oliver Russell—a member of the family responsible for opening the department store—on the promise he’ll help her showcase her own designs. But then the fake relationship starts to feel real, and just in time for secrets of Victoria’s past to start surfacing. Filled with London magic and plenty of holiday vibes, this is yet another easy-to-read page-turner by Georgia Toffolo.

I really adored this book by Sophie Cousens. It’s one of those romance novels that under the surface has so much more to it. This book not only deals with achingly romantic themes, such as fate and timing and “missing” that person you’re meant to be with, but it also touches on some serious issues, like mental health and those family ties that are sometimes so hard to shoulder, but ones we do our best to, for love. The perfect easy, cry-and-laugh-in-equal-measure read for the holiday season.

It started with a letter. It ended with a love story.

When I saw the hook for Emily Stone’s ALWAYS IN DECEMBER, I was sold. I wanted to read it immediately, and I’m very glad to have this saved up, ready for the festive period. I love the holidays, almost as much as I love letters, especially unread letters like in this novel—and a romantic chance encounter thrown in for perfect measure, of course! I can’t wait for this one.

Josie Morgan posts a letter every single year that she knows will never be read. Until one of her letters leads her to someone by chance—handsome Max Carter. And their chance encounter is about to change their lives in the most remarkable way.

I love anything by the talented team that are Christina Lauren, and I know, without a doubt, that IN A HOLIDAZE will knock my (Christmas) socks off. This one even has the “speculative” element of a time-loop, which totally has my heart before I’ve even opened the book. I love nothing more than a Groundhog Day sort of story (and Groundhog Day itself, especially at Christmas!), and this sounds like the perfect romantic, festive version.

THE KEY TO MY HEART is out now!

Sparkly and charming Natalie Fincher has it all—a handsome new husband, a fixer-upper cottage of her dreams, and the opportunity to tour with the musical she’s spent years writing. But when her husband suddenly dies, all her hopes and dreams instantly disappear. Two and a half years later, Natalie is still lost. She works, sleeps (well, as much as the sexually frustrated village foxes will allow), and sees friends just often enough to allay their worries, but her life is empty. And she can only bring herself to play music at a London train station’s public piano where she can be anonymous. She’s lost motivation, faith in love, in happiness…in everything.

But when someone begins to mysteriously leave the sheet music for her husband’s favorite songs at the station’s piano, Natalie begins to feel a sense of hope and excitement for the first time. As she investigates just who could be doing this, Natalie finds herself on an unexpected journey toward newfound love for herself, for life, and maybe, for a special someone