Snow falling, candles glowing, and the perfect romance in your hands—here are 20 winter reads you’ll adore.
Winter is the season of soft blankets, steaming mugs, and getting lost in a romance that warms you from the inside out. Whether you love small-town holiday settings, emotional second-chance stories, or sweeping historical romances, this curated list brings together twenty books that feel like comfort and magic.
If you love seasonal reading lists, be sure to visit my Romance Books archives for even more inspiration.
Why Winter Romance Hits Different
There’s something uniquely comforting about a romance set in winter. Snowstorms force couples into close quarters. Holiday traditions reveal vulnerabilities. Long-buried feelings resurface when characters return home. And of course…nothing beats a slow-burn kiss under twinkling lights.
Below are twenty winter romances — a mix of contemporary, small-town, holiday, and historical picks — perfect for cozy nights and snowy weekends.
20 Cozy Winter Romance Books to Read This Season
1. All I Want for Christmas – Maggie Knox
A Nashville holiday romance with forced proximity, fake dating, and sweet chemistry. Perfect for readers who love music-industry tension wrapped in holiday charm.
2. The Christmas Wish – Lindsey Kelk
A charming time-loop rom-com where repeating Christmas may be the key to a second chance at love — and healing old wounds.
3. The Simple Wild – K.A. Tucker
Set in rugged Alaska, this emotional slow-burn is perfect for readers who crave depth and snowy wilderness vibes.
4. Window Shopping – Tessa Bailey
A festive opposites-attract story set in a holiday window-display competition with Bailey’s signature warmth and banter.
5. The Holiday Swap – Maggie Knox
A twin-swap rom-com brimming with bakery magic, small-town sparks, and Hallmark-movie charm.
6. Meet Me at Christmas – Jenny Hale
A heartwarming, small-town Christmas romance filled with twinkle lights, family traditions, and gentle Hallmark-style charm.
7. Once Upon a December – Amy E. Reichert
A magical-realism romance set inside a Christmas market that appears once a year — enchanting and tender.
8. A Highlander for Hannah – Mary Warren
A fun, time-travel Highland romance with snowy danger, sizzling chemistry, and a swoony Scottish hero.
9. The Twelve Dates of Christmas – Jenny Bayliss
Twelve dates. One small town. One slow-burn romance worth rooting for.
10. A Very Merry Bromance – Lyssa Kay Adams
A sunshine-meets-grumpy holiday romance tied to country music and heartfelt vulnerability.
❄️Explore My Holiday Romance Reviews
Want even more cozy, festive romance? Browse my collection of holiday book reviews filled with charm, warmth, and winter magic.
View Holiday Romance Reviews →11. Home Sweet Christmas – Susan Mallery
Small-town sweetness, community warmth, and a heart-forward love story perfect for holiday reading.
12. The Christmas Bookshop – Jenny Colgan
Books, Edinburgh snow, and a grumpy-sunshine dynamic that feels perfectly wintry.
13. Snowed In – Catherine Walsh
A cozy, small-town holiday romance where past regrets and new sparks collide during a perfectly snowy getaway.
14. Sleigh Bells Ring – RaeAnne Thayne
A tender family-centered Christmas romance set in snowy Wyoming.
❄️ Featured Holiday Romance Review
Craving a heartfelt, contemporary holiday romance? Don’t miss my review of Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace — a cozy, feel-good story perfect for this season.
Read the full review of Holiday Ever After →15. Reindeer Inn – Debbie Mason
A warm, small-town holiday romance filled with charm, community spirit, and Mason’s signature blend of heart and festive magic.
16. A Cold Creek Christmas Story – RaeAnne Thayne
Another winter gem from Thayne, filled with healing arcs and cozy community.
17. A Rose in Winter – Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
A classic historical romance with gothic winter atmosphere and sweeping emotions.
18. The Winter Sea – Susanna Kearsley
Part historical, part contemporary, and entirely atmospheric — ideal for readers craving depth and history.
19. The Christmas Sisters – Sarah Morgan
A sisterhood-focused winter romance set in the snowy Scottish Highlands.
20. The Perfect Christmas – Debbie Macomber
A wholesome, cozy romance from one of the queens of holiday storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Winter is the perfect excuse to slow down and reach for stories filled with hope, warmth, and heart-fluttering chemistry. Whether you’re in the mood for small-town sweetness, a cozy cottage romance, or a touch of magical realism, this list has something for every reader.
Related Blog Post to Read
Looking for even more festive reads? Check out my curated list of the most anticipated holiday romances of the year.
Best Christmas Romance Books of 2025: New Releases & Cozy Holiday Reads →🎄Bonus Holiday Romance to Explore🎄
If you love historical holiday romance, you’ll enjoy my curated Bookshop list for Erica Ridley’s delightful 12 Dukes of Christmas series — filled with charm, wit, and cozy winter vibes.
View the 12 Dukes of Christmas Bookshop List →
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