Happy Friday, friends! Whew, what a week it has been! The news coverage for the election has basically consumed my life, and I haven’t read a single page in about 3 days. I think we could all use a little Christmas cheer right now! When I asked y’all a few weeks ago when you wanted to start seeing Christmas book recommendations, most of you said November. I personally am waiting a couple of more weeks before starting any Christmas reads, but I have my TBR lists made! Today I’m going to share my top 5 most anticipated Christmas reads for 2020. These are the 5 Christmas books that I know I’m going to read this holiday season. š
A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday
Jenny Holiday is one of my favorite romance writers. She wrote the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series and the Paradise Cove series, which I loved! I am so excited that she has a Christmas themed romance this year.
Synopsis:
Leo Ricci’s already handling all he can, between taking care of his little sister Gabby, driving a cab, and being the super of his apartment building in the Bronx. But when Gabby spots a “princess” in a gown outside of the UN trying to hail a cab, she begs her brother to stop and help. Before he knows it, he’s got a real-life damsel in distress in the backseat of his car.Ā
Princess Marie of Eldovia shouldn’t be hailing a cab, or even be out and about. But after her motherās death, her father has plunged into a devastating depression and the fate of her small Alpine country has fallen on Marieās shoulders. Sheās taken aback by the gruff but devastatingly handsome driver who shows her more kindness than sheās seen in a long time.Ā
When Marie asks Leo to be her driver for the rest of her trip, he agrees, thinking heāll squire a rich miss around for a while and make more money than he has in months. He doesnāt expect to like and start longing for the unpredictable Marie. And when he and Gabby end up in Eldovia for Christmas, he discovers the princess who is all wrong for him is also the woman who is his perfect match.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Christina Lauren+Christmas= no brainer. Of course this is going to be one of the Christmas books I am most excited about! It’s suppose to be a Christmas version of Groundhog Day. I love the repeating the same day over and over storyline, so I’m excited about this one!
Synopsis:
Itās the most wonderful time of the yearā¦but not for Maelyn Jones. Sheās living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.
But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the worldāthe snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe:Ā Please. Show me what will make me happy.
The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awakeā¦sheās on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loopāand finally get her true love under the mistletoe.
Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Laurenās trademark ādownright hilariousā (Helen Hoang, author ofĀ The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.
Holidate by Monica Murphy
Holidate was a Christmas book I didn’t get to last year, but I definitely want to this year. It’s part of a series I think, but each can be read as a stand alone. The cover is just adorable, so the storyline must be, right? š
Synopsis:
Candice Gaines loves Christmas. Not only does she bask in the twinkling lights, sing Christmas carols and go crazy with the decorations, sheās also in the giving spirit, donating much of her time and wealth to various charities in the local area.
Charlie Sullivan despises Christmas. Though it keeps his family afloat, considering they own Sullivan Family Christmas Tree Farm, the main provider for Christmas trees on the Monterey peninsula. Heād much rather work among the trees versus have to deal with people.
But Charlieās parents are taking on more philanthropic projectsāand as their oldest child, they want him to be their official public representative. He just has to play nice and convince everyone heās not a total holiday hater.
When Charlieās mom asks Candice to accompany him to a variety of holiday parties and events, she reluctantly agrees. She thinks Charlie is a big olā Grinch, but is determined to change his mindset and help him spread Christmas cheer. Charlie finds Candice too chatty, too sweet, too much. Do people like her really exist?
Why yes, yes they do. The more time they spend togetherāalong with a few kisses under the mistletoeāthe more they start to like each other. Hopefully Charlie can convince Candice he doesnāt have a heart thatās two sizes too small before the ball drops on New Yearās Eve.
Mistletoe & Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler
This one is another book that is part of a series, but I haven’t read the first. Each can be read as a stand alone, and since this one is Christmas themed, I’ll be starting with it! I’ve been seeing this one around bookstagram a ton, so I want to see what all the hype is about. It sounds SO cute!
Synopsis:
Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can’t stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana’s determined to prove that she belongs…even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town’s hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.
And really…how hard could it be?
The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it’s not getting any easier now that his dream girl’s back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it’s clear she needs help, fast…and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It’s an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong…together.
25 Days ‘Til Christmas by Poppy Alexander
This last book is one that I saw last year, but didn’t really look into. I just adore the cover! When I saw it on Book Outlet a couple of months ago, I knew it was a sign to make it a Christmas read for me this year.
Synopsis:
Kate Potter used to love Christmas. A few years ago, she would have been wrapping her presents in September and baking mince pies on Halloween, counting down the days and hours to Christmas. But that was before Kateās husband left for the army and never came home. Now she can hardly stand December at all.
Kate canāt deny sheās lonely, yet she doesnāt think sheās ready for romance. She knows that her son, Jack, needs a Christmas to rememberājust like Kate needs a miracle to help her finally move forward with her life. So sheās decided if there isnāt a miracle on its way, sheāll just have to make her own.
As Kateās advent countdown to the best Christmas ever begins, she soon realizes that even with the best laid plans, you canāt plan for the unexpected. For when the path of the loneliest woman in town crosses with that of the loneliest man, these two destined hearts might find a way to save the holiday for both of them.Ā
Be sure and check out my other Friday Five posts.
