There is nothing like a feel-good book to add to your holiday cheer. Most of the time Christmas stories are fairly predictable but let’s be honest in these unpredictable times a little comfort and joy is just what we all need. I’ve pulled together a collection of Christmas books I’ve read over the last two years, most are sweet, one is a take on an old classic and another hits very differently than it did when I read it at the start of 2019. So light a fire, grab a hot chocolate and cozy up with one of these books to welcome in the holiday season.

“One Day in December” by Josie Silver

On her way home from work on a particularly miserable December day, Laurie is staring out of the window of her overly crowded bus when she locks eyes with a handsome stranger waiting on the bench at the bus stop. All at once she is overwhelmed with a sudden urge to rush off the bus and meet him. Clearly feeling the same, she sees him get up and rush towards the bus as it begins to pull away. He is left standing on the side of the road and Laurie left wondering if she will ever see “bus boy” again. Over the next year Laurie and her best friend Sarah keep their eyes peeled for the mystery man anytime they are out with no luck. Sarah however has managed to snag a new dreamy boyfriend that she has fallen head over heels for. She can’t wait to introduce him to Laurie at their annual Christmas party, only Laurie has already seen him before. Sarah’s new boyfriend is none other than “bus boy” who’s name turns out to be Jack. Neither Jack or Laurie decide to tell Sarah about their previous meeting leaving an unsettled chemistry between the three. “One Day in December” follows the trio over a decade and changes perspective between Jack and Laurie. This is lovely story was the perfect escape from the holiday crazies. I really didn’t want it to end and actually shut the book with a smile on my face.

Pick up a copy of “One Day in December” here.

“Seven Days of Us” by Francesca Hornak

Disclaimer: This book might hit differently in 2020 than it did when I first read it at the start of 2019. If you have Covid exhaustion (and let’s be real, a lot of us do) this might not be the book for you right now.

After completing her time in Liberia treating patients with the deadly Haag virus, Olivia is being sent home to England. Due to her being high risk for contracting the illness she must undergo a mandatory seven day quarantine once she lands. Unfortunately for Olivia, this means she will be trapped with her parents and sister at their estate over Christmas. The Birch family has not been together for the holidays in years, mainly due to Olivia volunteering in one country or another making this forced family time all that more awkward. Olivia and her younger sister Phoebe have almost nothing in common, her relationship with her father Andrew is non-existent and her mother Emma will spend the next week trying to keep the peace. As the week drags on the secrets they think they have all buried deep creep to the surface. “Seven Days of Us” is filled with heartbreak, loss and life-altering changes. Told from each of the Birches perspectives, Hornak has created the anti-fairytale giving the reader a taste of real life family drama at its finest.

Pick up a copy of “Seven Days of Us” here.

“25 Days ‘Til Christmas” by Poppy Alexander

Kate loved Christmas more than anything but that was before her husband went to Afghanistan, tragically never to return leaving her to raise their then two year old son alone. For the last four years, Kate has done everything to try and keep her head above water while she and Jack adjust to their new normal. As Christmas once again approaches Kate vows that this year will be different. With the help of her friend she creates an activity advent calendar for Jack determined to bring back some of the Christmas spirit she lost. Between all of Kate’s overtime hours, new challenges Jack begins to face at school and mounting financial hardships counting down to Christmas just seems to get bleaker. What Kate doesn’t know yet is that there is someone else in Bristol who is just as lonely as she is. “25 Days ‘Til Christmas” isn’t your typical Christmas story. Kate has to go through emotional and gritty moments that are very real for people during the holiday season. Never fear though, Poppy Alexander has ultimately written a heartwarming, feel-good read that will leave you feeling all the Christmas warm and fuzzies.

Pick up a copy of “25 Days ‘Til Christmas” here.

“Christmas Shopaholic” by Sophie Kinsella

Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) is up to her old antics again in the latest addition to Sophie Kinsella’s “Shopaholic” series. Becky is tasked with hosting Christmas for the first time after her parents gave up their home for the holidays to Becky’s sister. Nothing is going to stop her from making this the most amazing Christmas her family has ever had. From finding this year’s “in” ornament, figuring out what a vegan turkey is for her sister, sewing the most fabulous Christmas pageant costume and going to the most extreme lengths to get her husband Luke the perfect gift, Becky is determined to be a Christmas rock star. When her guests all begin making demands on what she should serve, what they should watch or how she should decorate for the day Becky fears that this could end up one massive disaster. I am a big fan of Sophie Kinsella but oddly enough this was my first time reading a “Shopaholic” book. If you’re like me, never fear, you can join in the Christmas fun as this book could really be a stand alone. Becky gave me perspective on how crazy we can get sometimes trying to make a day into something it doesn’t have to be. Nothing like Christmas to bring out the crazy!

Pick up a copy of “Christmas Shopaholic” here.

“Marley” by Jon Clinch

Ever wonder how Ebenezer Scrooge turned into the man we all met in Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol”? What could make a man become such a cold-hearted miser? Who exactly was his partner Jacob Marley in life before he warns Scrooge of his coming fate should he not change his ways? In Jon Clinch’s “Marley” you find the answers to these questions and more. Ebenezer meets Jacob as young boy at boarding school where Jacob has already began deceiving the naive with his schemes. As young men in London the two begin their infamous partnership, Ebenezer solely dealing with the accounting leaving Jacob to maneuver their dealings. Unbeknownst to Scrooge, their firm is expanding rapidly thanks in large part to slave trade something Belle’s family is firmly against. When Scrooge is given an ultimatum to remove himself from this business or not receive Belle’s father’s blessing in their marriage, Ebenezer decides he must convince Jacob to find another way for their firm to make a profit. Jacob, however, is too far gone to live an honest life even if that means risking the only person he has ever loved, Fan Scrooge. “Marley” is a must read for fans of the Christmas classic. While reading this it reminded me of Gregory Macguire’s book “Wicked” and how misunderstood the Wicked Witch was when you learned of what came before Dorothy landed in Oz. Be sure to add “Marley” to your Christmas season TBR pile.

Pick up a copy of “Marley” here.

“We Met in December” by Rosie Curtis

On the verge of turning 30, Jess is venturing out on her own for the first time. Taking a chance with a new job she decides to move to London after a friend offers her a room in a house she just inherited in the sought-after Notting Hill neighborhood. Alex, one of Jess’s new roommates, gives her instant butterflies when they meet for the first time just before the holidays. Jess can’t seem to get him out of her mind but when she returns home from her New Year ski trip early one morning she finds one of her other roommates sneaking out of Alex’s room. Not knowing she is aware of his friends with benefits relationship with Emma, Alex decides to become Jess’s personal tour guide showing her around London and all its secret spots while the two become each other’s confidants. Now Jess has to squash her feelings for the man of her dreams in order to keep living her dream life in the city in a house she can actually afford. As the book progresses over the course of a year this dual narrative will have you feeling all the warm and fuzzies. Rosie Curtis has written the perfect feel good story for the upcoming cold weather though not exactly a “Christmas” book per say it is a great addition to you holiday reading collection.

Pick up a copy of “We Met in December” here.

“In a Holidaze” by Christina Lauren

For as long as she can remember Maelyn Jones has spent her Christmas holidays at the cabin in Utah surrounded by her parent’s friends from college that have become their family. Also, for as long as she can remember Maelyn has been in love with Andrew. Spending the week with him has become the best part of her year but also pure torture because Andrew has no idea how she feels and if Mae has anything to do about it he never will. When Mae wakes up on their last morning at the cabin completely hungover from the night before she realizes she has made a catastrophic error and to add to Mae’s distress it’s announced that her favorite place in the world, the cabin, is being sold. They just experienced their last Christmas together without even knowing it. As they drive away from her happy place Mae asks the universe “Please show me what will make me happy”. Next thing she knows Mae is waking up on the plane to Utah, six days in the past, destined to relive the last 6 days over again, only now she has the chance to do it right and maybe hold on to everything she loves the most. “In A Holidaze” has all of the ingredients you need for the perfect Christmas read – unrequited love, a cozy cabin setting, family drama, and all of the holiday adventures one could dream up.

Pick up a copy of “In a Holidaze” here.

“The Twelve Dates of Christmas” by Jenny Bayliss

Kate Turner’s love life has gone completely stale and living in the tiny village of Blexford isn’t helping matters. Kate isn’t too bothered by this though, her career as a designer is thriving and she loves baking for her old friend Matt’s café on the side. Kate’s best friend, Laura, however thinks she needs to remedy her single status ASAP and signs Kate up for a holiday dating service. The “Twelve Dates of Christmas” special promises to match dates up based on compatibility and lets their clients choose what activities they want to participate in. Twelve dates, twelve different men…the odds have to be in her romantic favor, right? As Kate bounces from ice skating, to trivia, to dancing, to gingerbread house building, she begins to learn more about who she is and exactly why she is still single. Could Kate actually find love on these crazy dates as the countdown to Christmas ticks on? “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” drips with the classic predictability of a Hallmark movie but in the most delicious way. I want to move to Blexford, have a brownie at the Pear Tree Café and visit the Manor’s Christmas market immediately. If you are looking for a feel good Christmas rom-com, do not miss this one!

Pick up a copy of “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” here.

“All About Us” by Tom Ellen

Ben’s life is at an all time low. His career is in the toilet, his marriage is on the rocks and he can’t get the idea out of his head that he somehow made a wrong turn somewhere in life. Ben always goes back to that night in college when he and Daphne shared their first kiss. What if Daphne hadn’t been the first to find him in the maze that night? What if it had been Alice, the girl Ben always imagined as the one who got away. Ben is ruminating over all of this when he meets an old man on Christmas Eve 2020. The man, who reminds Ben of his grandfather, gifts Ben a watch before quickly walking out of the bar. It’s only once he’s gone does Ben notice that the watch doesn’t even work, its hands frozen at one minute ’til midnight. When he wakes up the next morning, however, Ben realizes that the man gave him much more than a broken watch – he gave him a chance to do it all over again. You see, Ben woke up fifteen years in the past, the night he chose Daphne and left the idea of Alice behind. Tom Ellen’s “All About Us” is a modern day take on “A Christmas Carol”. It’s heartbreaking, thoughtful, and not your typical cheesy Christmas read.

Pick up a copy of “All About Us” here.

“The Christmas Project” by Maxine Morrey

Kate Stone has finally met the worst client she’s ever had. Unfortunately for Kate this new client of Stone Organization has been taken on as a favor to his best friend Janey. Michael O’Farrell needs all the help he can get and not just with getting his home ready to host Christmas for his family. Kate has never met anyone so rude in her life. Not only was he an hour late for their first meeting but he openly admits to being a single woman’s nightmare. His house and his life are so unorganized that Kate knows she can’t say no to helping Michael no matter how much she wants to. With just a few weeks to go before Christmas Kate will need a Christmas miracle to get the job done without killing Michael in the process. “The Christmas Project” is a sweet (but very predictable) read. Despite the title Christmas really is a background character in the book. Yes, it takes place during the month of December but it isn’t too heavily mentioned. I really enjoyed “The Christmas Project” despite knowing exactly how it would play out from page one. Everyone could use a book that makes you smile right now and this one is a guarantee.

Pick up a copy of “The Christmas Project” here.

Til next time and Happy Holidays,

The Booked Mama

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