An Unreliable Book Reviews holiday chaos guide

Let me be clear: I approach holiday romance books the same way I approach eggnog. Suspicious. Hesitant. Ready to be personally victimized.

BUT — shockingly — a few festive little love stories managed to charm me, warm my heart, and only mildly assault my patience with gingerbread clichés.

So if you’re craving snow-kissed banter, small-town chaos, or a man who learns the true meaning of Christmas via making out…
Here are the holiday romances worth reading (and worth gifting).

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🎁 **1. The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox**

Vibes: Twin-swap shenanigans, small-town bakery chaos, two cinnamon-roll men who could fix you.
Unhinged take: This book feels like Hallmark drank a double espresso and committed to the bit.
Perfect for: Readers who want fluff, frosting, and zero emotional damage.
👉 BUY IT HERE

🧣 **2. A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone**

Vibes: Plus-size heroine, adult-film-star energy, small-town Christmas festival, chaos.
Unhinged take: This book said “holiday spirit but make it spicy” and honestly? Thank you.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants their festive romance with a side of scandal.
👉 BUY IT HERE

🌨️ **3. Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey**

Vibes: Grumpy/sunshine gender-flip, designer window displays, holiday flirting that escalates quickly.
Unhinged take: Tessa Bailey said “Christmas but horny.” And she delivered.
Perfect for: People who love banter, tension, and morally questionable workplace decisions.
👉 BUY IT HERE

🎄 **4. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren**

Vibes: Groundhog Day loop, found family cabin, soft love interest, snow-globe-level charm.
Unhinged take: This book trapped a woman in a time loop until she picked the right man. Queen behavior.
Perfect for: Cozy readers who love destiny and cocoa.
👉 BUY IT HERE

🍪 **5. The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman**

Vibes: Found-family grief-healing, cozy NYC vibes, warm and bittersweet.
Unhinged take: This is a romance-adjacent, heart-hurty, friend-family masterpiece. I cried. You might cry.
Perfect for: People who want emotional depth with their twinkle lights.
👉 BUY IT HERE

🎀 **6. Icebreaker (Holiday Edition) by Hannah Grace**

Vibes: Not a Christmas book but VERY winter-core, hockey romance, tension so thick you could spread it on toast.
Unhinged take: This book is winter romance crack.
Perfect for: Readers who prefer their holiday books “snowy but slutty.”
👉 BUY IT HERE

⭐ **7. Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison**

Vibes: Best friends to lovers, small-town Christmas tree farm, fake dating.
Unhinged take: This is a cupcake of a book. Sweet, comforting, soft man energy.
Perfect for: People who want warm hugs in book form.
👉 BUY IT HERE

🔥 **8. A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams**

Vibes: Grumpy heroine, sunshine hero, forced proximity, family drama.
Unhinged take: A man with emotional intelligence during the holidays? A rare gift.
Perfect for: Readers who want both spice and character growth wrapped in garland.
👉 BUY IT HERE

🎅 **9. The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk**

Vibes: British holiday chaos, list-making heroine, self-reflection arc, rom-com fun.
Unhinged take: This has that perfect “Bridget Jones but festive” energy.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants to laugh AND feel things.
👉 BUY IT HERE

🧁 **10. Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun**

Vibes: Sapphic romance, fake engagement, snowstorm meet-cute, feelings everywhere.
Unhinged take: The emotional yearning? Illegal.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants messy, soft, queer holiday magic.
👉 BUY IT HERE