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Looking for a fresh way to stay warm this winter? Why not curl up with a new Christmas romance novel?
Whether you get your romance content through the latest in trendy audiobook erotica, cheesy Hallmark movies or through traditional print books or e-books on your Kindle, these reads have everything you could want, including different sub-genres, tropes, and varying heat levels. You can treat yourself this holiday season by picking out some of the best Christmas romance novels for adults of 2021. If you don’t know what tropes or plots you might be into, don’t worry — this list includes an array of diverse settings, characters, and relationships, so you’re sure to find your next favorite book.
So fire up an amazing-smelling candle, put on your very merry playlist, and read one of these steamy romances that will keep you warm during the holidays and last you through Valentine’s Day.
1. The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan
Featuring a vacation, secrets, and female friendship, relationships take center stage in this adult fiction that follows two best friends, Christy and Alix, whose friendship is tested when Christy sends Alix in her place on a vacation with Zac, and a budding romance ensues.
Amazon, $13
2. Reindeer Falls Series by Jana Ashton
The Reindeer Falls series’ six books can stand alone, and they are naughty with merrily-ever-afters. Elves with Benefits follows the Christmas-apathetic Ryan Sheppard to his hometown to sell his house but runs into trouble from a town cop (sounds like enemies to lovers to me). One Night with a Nutcracker follows Jake Sheppard’s smutty adventures with a squatter, and newest addition The Bachelor on the Shelf centers on Carter Sheppard’s entanglement with the town librarian. Short and spicy, this series’ novellas are perfect to binge.
Amazon, $16 for the series or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
3. Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
The Christmas romance publishing industry could always use more queer representation, and Written in the Stars is a great example of getting it right — this meet-ugly, fake-dating plot is sure to make you smile and root for Darcy and Elle.
Amazon, $14
4. The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo
This lighthearted YA novel features two rival coworkers who have to deal with accidentally swapping phones — plus a huge snowstorm — and Marcelo has been praised for her depiction of Filipino-American family life.
Amazon, $9
5. The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny by Willa Nash
Natalie is reunited with her high school crush while working as his daughter’s nanny, which ensures some challenges and delayed gratification. Try it for the romance but stay for the Hallmark-level cheesy names: this is part of the Holiday Brothers series, because is he really a Christmas love interest without a Christmassy last name?
Amazon, $10
6. Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend by Willa Nash
In another cute Holiday Brothers offering by author Willa Nash, Stella’s wish to get with her brother’s best friend, Heath Holiday, isn’t her only fulfilled fantasy.
Amazon, $10
7. Second Chance Santa by J.J. Knight
Sitting on mall Santa’s lap takes on an entirely new meaning in this Christmas romance book — especially when he used to be your law school rival.
Amazon, $4 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
8. A Very Bossy Christmas by Kayley Loring
Boss-employee forbidden relationship, fake dating, and pining tropes converge in this holiday-themed adult fiction. What more could you want?
Amazon, $2 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
9. Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday
Following 2020’s A Princess for Christmas but able to stand alone, this slow burn focuses on a playboy baron and a woman who has said goodbye to love.
Amazon, $11
10. The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese
The Mistletoe Motive features another amalgamation of BookTok’s favorite romance tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, slow burn, and enemies to lovers.
Kobo, $5
11. Holiday Hideout by Logan Chance
Women hate Fender Fallon after his ex-girlfriend releases a music album about their relationship. Sound familiar? Good thing this is a work of fiction that allows the audience to root for his relationship with his housekeeper.
Amazon, $3 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
12. Jingle Lady by Melissa Williams
Jingle Lady is a spicy Christmas novella with a clumsy main character and hot firefighter love interest. It’s bound to get you in the right mood for the holidays.
Amazon, $1 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
13. His Christmas Gift by Crystal Monroe
Katrina Woods’ and Daniel Jacobs’ one intense night from years ago suddenly becomes a lot more. Five years later with a four-year-old child, Katrina needs to tell Daniel of his parental status after his return to her life as her new boss.
Amazon, $13
14. The Naughty List by Vanessa Booke
Part of a series called Curves for Christmas, this collection includes short holiday love stories filled with great friendships and sexy men.
Amazon, $1 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
15. Faux Ho Ho by Nathan Burgoine
Silas and his personal trainer Dino end up becoming roommates, friends, and possibly more in this queer romance. There’s a wedding, a lie, and a lot of feelings that Silas has to work through toward his family, himself, and Dino.
Amazon, $5
16. Knotty or Nice by Ines Johnson
This one is part of a series called “A Filthy, Dirty Christmas,” so you know exactly what you’re getting into. Knotty or Nice is about an adult toy designer who’s determined to get a genuine positive reaction to his newest adult toy. It leads to him and his employee working over-time, and, well… you can guess the rest.
Amazon, $1 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
17. Santa Claus Is Going To Town On Me by Marie Lipscomb
Some porn-with-plot, this piece of erotica combines fantasy with angst during Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve. As one Goodreads user described, Santa Claus is Going To Town On Me is a “fun, ridiculous, a little bit cheesy, and also hot as hell” read.
Amazon, $3 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
18. Falling Snow by Alexis Adaire
This novella’s utilization of the forced proximity trope encourages steamy scenes and Snow Wyatt’s character development in her reconsideration of her life’s priorities.
Amazon, $1 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
19. The Naughty List by Ellie Mae MacGregor
This is a twist on Santa coming down the chimney that’s perfect for those who enjoy silver foxes and big hands (which, let’s be honest — isn’t that all of us?).
Amazon, $1 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription
20. Lumber Snack by Mae Harden
You’ll find mutual pining and another dozen steamy tropes in this 12 Days of Kissmas series of holiday novellas. And come on, who doesn’t want a lumberjack?
Amazon, $1 or available on Kindle Unlimited with a $10/month subscription