I love the holidays as much as the next person. The Christmas trees, hot toddies, cozy sweaters, reading by a fireplace. But I gotta tell ya, most Hallmark Christmas romances don’t give me the warm fuzzies. Heartwarming too often crosses over into twee and treacly. So, instead, here are three new 2020 Christmas romances that fall into the “totally not twee” category.
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In a Holidaze is a return to form for Christina Lauren, with everything I’ve come to love about their writing — the humor, the true-to-life characters and even a bit more steam than we’ve seen in their recent novels.
Maelyn finds herself in a Groundhog Day like time loop waking up over and over at the beginning of the Christmas week she spends with her extended family. But it turns into a chance to really figure out who and what’s important in her life. Andrew, a friend she’s crushed on for more than half her life, is chief among them.
I absolutely loved In a Holidaze. Christina Lauren sidesteps all the usual twee trappings of holiday romances and delivers a story with heart, heat, and humor. A must read. I was wrecked in the best way at the end of this one. If you also loved CLo’s Love and Other Words, this is a one-click.
Get In a Holidaze from The Ripped Bodice | Bookshop.org | IndieBound| Amazon | Apple Books
Jenny Holiday, you clever minx! With a wink and a nod to Hallmark and Netflix Christmas movies, she’s bringing the sexy sizzle to this potluck. In this gender-swapped Cinderella story, Princess Marie of Eldovia (yes, EL-dovia) is in New York on business for her family’s watchmaking operation. When she finds herself in a jam getting cross town to an important event, cabbie Leo Ricci saves her. And she ends up employing him as a driver for her remaining appointments before she returns home.
I loved that Princess Marie had aspirations beyond her duties as a member of the royal family. She’s an engineer by education, and she’s got a better grasp of the real world than the typical holiday princess. Add in a straight-talking New Yorker single-parenting his younger sister, and you get a holiday fantasy grounded with a modern sensibility. It makes for a longer tale than most readers are probably used to with Christmas romances, but it’s what puts Jenny Holiday’s stamp on the story. Not to mention the grilled cheese.
As these two fall for each other, you’ll discover Leo is a bit of a dirty talker. [Eyebrow waggle]. Thank you, Jenny for fanning the flames, stoking the fire in a sub-genre that’s usually glowing embers at best. More please. Definitely recommend.
The next book in the series, Duke, Actually, is due out in Winter 2021.
CW: grief/loss of a parent
Read an excerpt from A Princess for Christmas
Get A Princess for Christmas from The Ripped Bodice | Bookshop.org | IndieBound|Amazon | Apple Books
Delightful! I loved the concept of 12 Dates of Christmas. You know there are going to be good, maybe even great dates, and some real disasters in a book that’s built on that premise. As an American reader, I loved that this one was in a village a train ride away from London, rather than in London proper. And, it’s got a cast of characters who feel real versus so many other books that fall into quirky caricature.
Kate Turner is a 34-year fabric designer for Liberty, with a baking side hustle for the Pear Tree Cafe, now owned by a childhood friend. She’s roped into 12 dates in the lead up to Christmas. It’s casual, kind of a “It’s Just Lunch” thing, and who knows she just mind find love. Doubtful, but maybe, she thinks. I actually enjoyed that this one isn’t dating app driven, but some readers may find that old school.
You sort of always know where you’re headed with Christmas romances. And I had a feeling early on where Kate would end up, but I wanted to see how it would all play out. Sticking to the 12 dates sometimes feels like you’re taking the scenic route. And there are some plot machinations I’d side eye at any other time but Christmas, but it’s still totally satisfying.
This one’s closed door, for those who want to know.
Get The Twelve Dates of Christmas from The Ripped Bodice | Bookshop.org | IndieBound| Amazon| Apple Books
ALSO ON MY HOLIDAY READS TBR:
AVAILABLE NOW:
12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS by Rilzy Adams (it’s also free with Kindle Unlimited)
Publisher’s Blurb:
Rashad Cole and Zia Ralph weren’t just friends. They were friends plus. Friends, plus fondness. Friends, plus undeniable chemistry. Friends, plus passion. Zia cuts off their friendship unexpectedly and six years fly by. After an unexpected meeting, Rashad wants a chance to convince Zia that although they had been good as friends, they would make better lovers. Can these twelve dates throughout Christmas convince Zia to give their love a chance? Or will Rashad spend another Christmas without her by his side?
HOLIDAY HOME RUN by Priscilla Oliveras (previously published and currently available in the anthology, A Season to Celebrate)
Publisher’s Blurb:
Event planner Julia Louisa Fernandez dreams of a life in Chicago. But her family in Puerto Rico expects her to take over the catering business. Former pro baseball player Ben Thomas knows what that’s like—and when they meet, he might be the one to inspire a winning strategy, just in time for the holidays . . .
COMING SOON:
SWEET ON YOU by Carla de Guzman
AVAILABLE OCTOBER 19
Publisher’s Blurb:
For barista and café owner Sari Tomas, Christmas means parols, family and no-holds-barred karaoke contests. This year, though, a new neighbor is throwing a wrench in all her best-laid plans. The baker next door—“some fancy boy from Manila”—might have cute buns, but when he tries to poach her customers with cheap coffee and cheaper tactics, the competition is officially on.
And Baker Boy better be ready, because Sari never loses.
Foodie extraordinaire Gabriel Capras wants to prove to his dad that his career choice doesn’t make him any less a man. The Laneways might not be Manila, but the close-knit community is the perfect spot to grow his bakery into a thriving business. He wasn’t expecting a gorgeous adversary in the barista next door, but flirting with her makes his heart race, and it’s not just the caffeine.
It’s winner takes all this Christmas. And more than one competitor might just lose their heart for the holidays.
For more holiday reads by BIPOC authors, check out 7 Romance Novellas to Read in November. It includes reads from Jackie Lau and Rebekah Weatherspoon.
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