Merry Christmas! There’s only three more sleeps until Christmas morning dawns. If you’re like me, you’ll have a to-do list for this week that’s too long and you’ll be wondering how you can get everything done by Christmas Eve. My list also includes catching up on spring cleaning that didn’t get done during spring for various reasons. Now summer has arrived in Australia, it’s those jobs like cleaning the pantry cupboard that are still awaiting my attention.
I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read our Inspy Romance posts during what can be one of the busiest weeks of the year. Today I thought I’d talk about Christmas romance books that I’ve read (or reread) this year.
Shannon Taylor Vannatter shared a helpful post on November 27 that provided a list of Inspy Christmas Reads. I’ve reread books on Shannon’s list that I won’t be including in today’s post. I’m sharing a few books that are a mix of new releases in 2021 and older titles I’ve reread this year.
The first three books: Nowhere for Christmas, A (kinda) Country Christmas, and Poles Apart are the books that Elizabeth, Valerie, and I chose to talk about in our latest StoryChats @ InspyRomance podcast/YouTube Christmas Episode #52 that aired on December 17. If you like reading Christmas romance books and haven’t had a chance to listen, go check it out. I’ll be listening to episodes from a number of podcasts while I catch up on my spring cleaning, lol.
Nowhere for Christmas by Heather Gray
Book Description:
Two virtual strangers, one teen, and the worst rental car in the history of mankind…
Let the road trip begin.
Avery Weston is a journalist and mom to teenager Eli. Gavin Eastly is an enigmatic photographer.
A botched schedule lands them all in a rental car for Christmas. With everything that goes wrong, it’ll take a miracle to get them anywhere. But miracles come in surprising packages – like a bait shop owner moonlighting as a mechanic and a deputy whose family can’t agree on how to remove a skunk’s stink.
It’s the perfect recipe for romance.
Join Avery, Eli, and Gavin as they learn that reaching the destination doesn’t mean the journey’s over. God has so much more in store for them.
After all—anything can happen on the road to Nowhere.
Narelle’s Thoughts: This book is hilarious and I re-read it quickly because I couldn’t put it down! Everything that can go wrong will go wrong in this story. If you’re looking for a fun Christmas rom com novella with a lovely faith message, this is a great one to read.
Read a first chapter sample at Amazon.
A (kinda) Country Christmas by Krista Phillips
Book Description:
Celebrate the holidays with this sweet contemporary inspirational romance novella (with a splash of humor!) about a woman who is surrounded by Christmas and a man who could – eh- do without it.
Sadie Jenkins lives and breathes Christmas every, single day of the year. Owner of Bethlehem’s Boutique in the tourist mountain town of Gatlinburg, TN, she has no room for the bad boys of her past and devotes her whole life to the struggling boutique and her teenage daughter, Maribelle. She’s perfectly happy with her country-living life until he walks into her store.
Nate Myers travels the globe for his job and has the bank account to prove his success. The former “bad” boy is in town for a short visit with his sister and is determined to not get caught up in all the Christmas hype. But then he falls for the beautiful shopkeeper—quite literally.
Will these two (sorta) opposites be able to find a happily-ever-after together?
Narelle’s Thoughts: This is another fun Christmas rom com novella with a relevant faith message that will have you LOL all the way. The meet cute in the Christmas store is hilarious, and the humor in the story is like a snowball that rolls down the hill and keeps getting bigger and better.
Read a first chapter sample at Amazon.
Poles Apart by Marion Ueckermann
Book Description:
Writer’s block and a looming Christmas novel deadline have romance novelist, Sarah Jones, heading for the other side of the world on a whim.
Niklas Toivonen offers cosy Lapland accommodation, but when his aging father falls ill, Niklas is called upon to step into his father’s work clothes to make children happy. Red is quite his color.
Fresh off the airplane, a visit to Santa sets Sarah’s muse into overdrive. The man in red is not only entertaining, he’s young—with gorgeous blue eyes. Much like her new landlord’s, she discovers. Santa and Niklas quickly become objects of research—for her novel, and her curiosity.
Though she’s written countless happily-ever-afters, Sarah doubts she’ll ever enjoy her own. Niklas must find a way to show her how to leave the pain of her past behind, so she can find love and faith once more.
Narelle’s Thoughts: The quintessential Christmas romance novella set in Lapland, the home of Father Christmas. Our dear friend Marion will live on in our memories through her delightful books, and this one successfully combines the legend of Santa with the Christmas story of Jesus.
Read a first chapter sample at Amazon.
Upon A Midnight Snow by Tari Faris
Book Description:
Can a return home find the answers they are both searching for?
Interior Design student Ellie Matthews has escaped to New York City, leaving behind her small town of Heritage, and most importantly, the boy who almost derailed her dreams, Kade Paxton. Sure, she’s excited to return home for Christmas, but she’s fixed her gaze on her future. Even when her sister, Olivia begs her to plan the annual Heritage Christmas Ball. And then her partner in planning shows up…
Wanna-be painter, current mechanic Kade Paxton can’t believe the girl who walked out of his life is back…and that in order to keep his promise to his aunt, he’ll have to actually work with her. The last thing he’s going to do let Ellie in to break his heart all over again. But, with the opportunity to showcase his paintings, this might be his one chance to grab ahold of his dreams…But working together stirs up old dreams, and soon they find themselves caught up in the holiday magic…but what happens when the ball is over? Is there a future beyond the small town and snowflakes?
It’ll take some miracles under a Midnight Clear to find the answer. Return to Heritage one more time with this heartwarming Christmas novella.
Narelle’s Thoughts: This one is a treat for fans of the Restoring Heritage series. A charming small town high school sweethearts reunion romance story. NYC vs. small town Michigan, who will win? A fun, short romance novella with cameo appearances of beloved characters and Otis the hippo!
Read a first chapter sample at Amazon.
A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
Book Description:
Lauren Richmond isn’t a fan of Christmas.
Which is why she rarely makes the trip home to the Midwest for the holidays. After all, she has plenty to keep her busy—namely, her duties as a set decorator on a TV sitcom.
But this December, Lauren‘s brother and his wife are expecting a baby, so her brother arranges a ride home for her with his good friend, Will.
Unfortunately for Lauren, she’s been trying to forget college baseball coach and childhood crush Will Sinclair for more than ten years.
Now, thanks to her fear of flying, she’s stuck in a car with him from California to Illinois.
She’s circumspect and organized. He’s flirty and spontaneous.
She’s convinced that people don’t change. He’s trying to prove to her (and himself) that he has.
On this cross-country road trip, they’ll both discover that history doesn’t exactly repeat itself. . . but like any good Christmas carol, it does have a second verse.
Narelle’s Thoughts: Another fun road trip Christmas romance story for fans of the ‘I-hate-you’ and ‘brother’s best friend’ romance tropes. The characters are adorable and hilarious. Their road trip detours on their journey home for Christmas from California to Illinois are super fun to read.
Read a first chapter sample at Amazon.
The books sound good. I have a couple on the kindle. Ironically I have only read one Christmas book this year. Christmas in the Alps by Melody Carlson. It is her yearly Christmas book and I loved it. Christmas is in France near the Swiss border.
I have read a ton of movies.
Being single I have less on the too do list. I had to make something to give away but due to some heat I ended up making gingerbread instead yesterday morning. I made enough for the people I needed to give a gift to. (My physio is retiring and she Tuesday was her last day). I use to give more at Christmas but a few of the people are either no longer with us (some passed away, some moved) and some people who helped like the bike shop is now incorporated in a new business which isn’t as helpful so not cookies for them. Also with no events to go to the Gingerbread was enough. I do however want to mow the lawn before Christmas
Nowhere for Christmas is my favourite go to when I need a laugh, anytime of year. Doesn’t matter how often I read it, it never gets old.
I have started a novella set, An Heirloom Christmas, but keep getting sidetracked by other non Christmas stories that I just have to read…
Thanks for the list. I’ve not read any of those yet. We have only two sleeps, since we celebrate Christmas on the 24th. :-)
Hi Jenny, I’ve just checked my Kindle and I haven’t read Christmas in the Alps but it sounds fun. I did buy a Melody Carlson ebook the other day (The Christmas Swap) that’s on my tbr list. I love watching Christmas movies. There’s always yard work to do, especially after all the rain. We have gingerbread to make, too. Enjoy your Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Margaret, yes, Nowhere for Christmas is such a fun, LOL book! I have a few Christmas novella sets to read, too. I think I have the Heirloom set in my Kindle. There are too many stories and not enough reading time, lol. Enjoy your Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Milla, You’re very welcome. I hope you’ll have time to indulge in some Christmas reading. Yes, there’s only two more sleeps (or 25 hours where I am in Australia) until it’s Christmas Eve! Enjoy your Christmas. 😊
Thank you for sharing this list. I’ve read several LI Christmas books that I enjoyed. Merry Christmas blessings.
I wrote to a pen pal from Ohio one year, and she did her spring cleaning early because she traveler to follow a band around in concert. crazy, but that was her.
I too love Christmas books as well.my sister i n law and I read books all year arond. Its fun.
Hi, thank you for sharing this list, they all sound like Great reads! I have not read any of them yet. Have a great day and stay safe.
I’m reading Persuaded by the Hero by Elle E Kay – love it!
Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber was fun.
I enjoyed both Liwen and Jessie’s books in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, but I know the rest will be just as sweet. I also know I’ll be adding some of the books you mentioned here to my list. :) Merry Christmas!
Hi Lucy, You’re very welcome. The LI Christmas books are fun reads. Enjoy your Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Shari, Spring cleaning early (in winter) is smarter than leaving it until the summer temps have risen. Happy Christmas book reading and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Alicia, You’re very welcome. I hope you’ll have a chance to read some Christmas books. Enjoy your Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Natalya, yes, this one’s on my list! Enjoy your Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Mary, I haven’t read a Debbie Macomber book in a while. Her Christmas books are fun. Enjoy your Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Priscila, yes, the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series are great reads. We can never have too many books on our tbr list, lol. Enjoy your Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Thank you so much for sharing. I read Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber. It was good. Merry Christmas. God bless you.
I’ve read “The Anderson Brothers” & it’s first story isn’t really Christmas but the 2nd story is Christmas for sure. I love it.
I like Aspen Faraway “Diary Of A Teen Mom Series 1-11”. There is some Christmas in those books for sure
All these books sound so interesting to read.
I read quite a lot of Christmas romance books over the past month! I’ll probably be still reading some into January as well :-)
The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham (so good, funny, and sigh-worthy), A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson (love her Christmas stories every year), Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck, Operation Mistletoe by our very own Elizabeth Maddrey, Somewhere This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger…..
Really I could go on, but you get the picture! I love Christmas stories starting in November until January and will devour just about anything from full length novel to novellas or short stories.
Hi Debra, That sounds like a fun read. Merry Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Amy, Series with Christmas stories are fun. Merry Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Sylvain, I haven’t read this series but it sounds interesting. Merry Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Julie, I hope you’ll have a chance to read some Christmas books. Merry Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trixi, I can read Christmas books all year round, lol. Sometimes during our Southern Hemisphere winter I’ll look for snow books to read, and they’re often Christmas books. Your list includes a few that are on my list to read or reread. Merry Christmas and thanks for commenting. 😊