Christmas Fiction Books

25 days, 25 chapters. This December, the countdown to Christmas will chill you to the bone. Hoping to bring his family closer together, Adam Gray arranges a vacation in a remote cabin on a snowy mountain. Things take a dark turn, however, when someone starts leaving gifts in the Christmas stocking mounted on the barn door. Each morning brings something new, and with every passing day, the contents become more terrifying. Soon, the family makes a spine-chilling realization: they've been dragged into a deranged game of Secret Santa, and if they want to survive, they will have to fight. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781806170890 • Author: Per Jacobsen • Publisher: Bonnier Books UK Limited • Format: Paperback

The day Clara started her new (dream) job as an assistant to her photography idol, she was met with an assumption that caught her off guard and stunned her silent. Suddenly, she has to bring a girlfriend to the gallery's opening in a few weeks – all because she choked up and failed to correct her boss that she is, in fact, straight. Evan was recently dumped by her fellow teacher fiancée for a mutual co-worker and is still trying to figure out where it all went wrong. So when she gets the news the happy new couple will be hosting the staff's holiday party, she feels utterly horrified by her single status and looks for a quick solution. Together, these two life-long friends make a plan to get through the gallery opening and holiday party by pretending to date one another. Easy... right? That is until Clara starts developing real feelings for Evan, shocking herself. All the while Evan realizes that perhaps pretending to date your straight best friend, who you've had a crush on for half your life – isn't the best idea. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781835016640 • Author: Hannah Bonam-Young • Publisher: Bedford Square Publishers Ltd • Format: Paperback

As his fellow citizens decorate their quaint town, brimming with carols and glad tidings, Cole wants nothing more than to hibernate the winter away. But his dreary plans are thwarted when his nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Immediately his new neighbour turns his world into a real-life nightmare-before-Christmas, especially when she decides to enter the town's Christmas Kringle contest - which she's determined to win. But Cole's got other ideas in mind. Entering the competition himself, he's planning to beat Storee at her own game by pretending this grump's heart has grown three sizes this season, and he's fallen for the girl next door. But the competition isn't the only thing that's starting to heat up - so are Cole and Storee's feelings for each other. Before they know it, things are starting to get very complicated, and all it takes is one night for someone to steal it all... ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781399739207 • Author: Meghan Quinn • Publisher: Hachette UK • Format: Paperback

Christmas is coming, but crime never stops for the Women's Murder Club. Sergeant Lindsay Boxer is looking forward to spending time with her family over the holidays. But when she receives a tip-off that the biggest heist ever to hit San Francisco is being planned for Christmas Day, everything changes. The architect of the ambitious attack unleashes chaos across the city, laying traps and false alarms to distract Lindsay and the SFPD from his ultimate goal. As time runs out, will Lindsay be able to save the people of San Francisco from a Christmas they'd never forget? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781787461833 • Author: James Patterson • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback

This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents … Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret? Rosie married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart? Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping? All this secrecy could derail everyone's happy holidays. Can the siblings open up to each other in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9780008744397 • Author: Sarah Morgan • Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers • Format: Paperback

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . Get kissed by Christmas with this twenty-four-day advent calendar filled with twelve stunning and original Christmas romances and twelve beautifully crafted advent gifts. Inside this gorgeous box, there’s a treat to reveal every day. Alternate between sweeping festive reads and curated handmade gifts to make every day of December count. Each novella is a beautiful collectable paperback with bespoke cover artwork and a numbered spine, safely concealed inside an individual sleeve to keep the surprise intact and ready to reveal. In between your festive reads, open numbered envelopes with handmade postcards, bookmarks, baubles and posters, all inspired by the novellas themselves, to let the Christmas magic truly fly off the page. These stunning novellas are brought to you by your favourite and soon-to-be favourite authors, from big bestsellers to new voices to fall in love with: Maleah Butterfield • Lisa Dickenson • Miranda Dickinson • Helen Gaskell • Sophie Green • Stacey Kennedy • Nicola Marsh • Gemma Morr • Emily S. Morris • A. T. Qureshi • Simone Soltani • Lucy Jane Wood An advent calendar made to last, share and keep you falling in love over and over again. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781037416828 • Author: Macmillan Distribution Limited • Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Limited

He's the Ghost of Christmas Past. But she's not exactly Scrooge… Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday season exactly like every other; haunting the terrible people of Annapolis in his aimless existence as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Harriet York is a good person – or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. So, when Nolan is assigned the sweeter-than-candy-canes antique shop owner for his holiday haunting, neither of them have any idea why. To escape one another, Harriet and Nolan must unravel the threads that bind them together – all by Christmas Eve. Hand in hand, they uncover each other’s pasts, but why is it that Nolan doesn’t want to let go? And might Harriet be the key to giving the Ghost of Christmas Past … a future? Product Information: • ISBN: 9780008760434 • Author: B.K. Borison • Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers • Format: Paperback • Pages: 384 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.4 cm

The brilliant laugh-out-loud festive novel from the Number One bestselling author. Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) adores Christmas. It's always the same – Mum and Dad hosting, carols playing, Mum pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the next-door neighbours coming round for sherry in their terrible festive jumpers. And now it's even easier with online bargain-shopping sites – if you spend enough you even get free delivery. Sorted! But this year looks set to be different. Unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocado, Becky's parents are moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch and have asked Becky if she'll host Christmas this year. What could possibly go wrong? With sister Jess demanding a vegan turkey, husband Luke determined that he just wants aftershave again, and little Minnie insisting on a very specific picnic hamper – surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old boyfriend and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear . . . Will chaos ensue, or will Becky manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781784166403 • Author: Sophie Kinsella • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback

On the night before Christmas, Detective Alex Cross is at home celebrating with his family. But when Cross's phone rings, he knows that this won't be a merry Christmas. A father has taken his children and ex-wife hostage. Armed to the teeth and high on crystal meth, the man is dangerously unstable. The lives of everyone in that house are hanging by a thread. As this suburban nightmare is unfolding, another far greater threat is approaching. It will be a terrorist attack on a scale never before seen in Washington, DC, and when nobody expects it. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9780099576440 • Author: James Patterson • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback

It is Christmas Day and at Champton Rectory, Canon Daniel Clement and his mother Audrey are joined by the residents and guests of the big house to drink, eat and be merry. At the festive feast, peace and goodwill prevail. Until two meet under the mistletoe. One of them falls down dead. And Daniel suspects murder has returned to Champton . . . Can Daniel and Detective Sergeant Neil Vanloo solve the crime and catch the Christmas killer? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781399621489 • Author: Richard Coles • Publisher: Hachette UK • Format: Paperback

'Every choice changed the road you were on and it was too easy to end up going in the wrong direction' Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her family and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and travelled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But these two estranged women come together at their father’s deathbed standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, to hear the one last promise he extracts from the women in his life. It begins with a story like no other. A captivating, mysterious love story that spans sixty-five years and moves from war torn Leningrad in the 1940s to modern-day Alaska. The three women are brought together by a story so unexpected and extraordinary that when Meredith and Nina finally learn the secret of their mother’s past and uncover a truth so terrible, it will shake the very foundation of the family and who they think they are. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529089578 • Author: Kristin Hannah • Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Limited • Format: Paperback

At Ravendale Castle, nestled in the snowy heart of the Lake District, Lara is busy preparing for the Winter Spectacular — a glittering light trail that will fill the grounds with the magic of Christmas. It’s the perfect distraction from her recent heartbreak until Flynn, the ruggedly handsome technical manager, arrives and sparks start to fly. Flynn is determined to prove he’s worth taking a chance on. But just as Lara begins to believe in love again, someone from Flynn’s past arrives at the castle, bringing a secret that could tear them apart. As Christmas draws closer, can Lara and Flynn take a leap of faith toward the happily ever after they’ve always wanted? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781804966112 • Author: Phillipa Ashley • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback

Can the happiest time of year heal the most broken of hearts? Georgine loves Christmas. The festive season always brings the little village of Middledip to life. But since her ex-boyfriend walked out, leaving her with crippling debts, Georgine’s struggled to make ends meet. To keep her mind off her worries, she throws herself into organising the Christmas show at the local school. And when handsome Joe Blackthorn becomes her assistant, Georgine’s grateful for the help. But there’s something about Joe she can’t quite put her finger on. Could there be more to him than meets the eye? Georgine’s past is going to catch up with her in ways she never expected. But can the help of friends old and new make this a Christmas to remember after all? Curl up with this wonderfully cosy, festive story from the Sunday Times and million copy bestseller, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9780008765194 • Author: Sue Moorcroft • Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers • Format: Paperback

Is a new beginning waiting for her this Christmas? When Imogen leaves her fiancé at the altar and escapes to her grandmother’s cottage by the sea, the only thing she wants to do is disappear. But in a village curious about their new arrival, Imogen finds hiding out harder than expected, especially with the charming local baker Dexter around to distract her. As secrets unravel and the festive season draws near, Imogen wonders if she’s been running from the wrong things all along. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9780008623838 • Author: Cressida McLaughlin • Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers • Format: Paperback

Liverpool, 1942 As the threat of war draws closer, Isla Donahue seeks solace in her sweetheart, Rory. Their love for one another has never been stronger, but Isla struggles to ignore doubts surrounding her beau’s tainted past. So when Rory unexpectedly comes face-to-face with his first love, her world is shaken. Can Isla draw on her own grit and determination to build a brighter future? And can she make her dreams of a perfect white wedding come true this Christmas? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781804966280 • Author: Katie Flynn • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback

One fake romance. One magical Christmas. One chance to fall in love. Laura was all set for a quiet solo Christmas – just her, a bottle of wine, and flat-sitting for a stranger. But when the stranger’s parents mistake her for his mystery girlfriend, she’s swept off to the snowy Scottish Highlands with Callum and his whole family. Between the cosy sleeper train, charming pubs and breathtaking views, this could be the no-strings-attached Christmas of Laura’s dreams. But stranger Callum is hot, hilarious and their ‘fake’ chemistry is off the charts. So is this just a Christmas fling? Or the start of something more? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9780008687724 • Author: Lindsey Kelk • Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers • Format: Paperback

On a cold winter’s day, a storm is brewing in the village of Weirbridge… Georgie Dern has the chance to swap her empty nest for the job of a lifetime in Los Angeles. Can she chase her dream if it means letting down the woman who has given her the world? Jessie McLean should be counting down the hours until she jets off to spend her retirement years in the sun. But when a devastating betrayal resurfaces, she has to choose between a fresh start and staying behind to settle old scores. Alyssa Canavan has spent years building the business she adores. Now a legal letter has threatened her home and livelihood, but how does she fight a family that doesn’t give a damn? Lachlan Morden is forced to return to Scotland to face the people who almost destroyed him. Will coming home reopen old wounds, or will a memory from the past lead him to the perfect revenge? One snowy day, four lives, but who will have a bright new future when the snow is gone? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781807439613 • Author: Shari Low • Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited • Format: Paperback

December, 1938 Rozalin Sachs has grown up in the vibrant city of Frankfurt. But with the Nazi Revolution gaining power, her family is forced to flee Germany. When a tragic accident separates Roz from her parents, she finds herself aboard the Kindertransport bound for Holland. Here Roz meets a young lad called Felix and they vow to stick together as their journey takes them to England. Eventually they find themselves in Liverpool with the promise of a new life, until a devastating incident takes Felix away. And, in a desperate attempt to escape the terrible situation she has found herself in, Roz decides to join the Women's Land Army. On the sprawling farm at Hollybank, Roz meets Bernie, a dashing farmer's son, who has more than just friendship on his mind. Roz is flattered by his affections, but will he win her heart, or will her love for Felix remain as strong as ever? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781807842000 • Author: Katie Flynn • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback

Eighteen passengers. Seven stops. One killer. In the early hours of Christmas Eve, the sleeper train to the Highlands is derailed, along with the festive plans of its travellers. With the train stuck in snow in the middle of nowhere, a killer stalks its carriages, picking off passengers one by one. Those who sleep on the sleeper train may never wake again. Can former Met detective Roz Parker find the killer before they kill again? All aboard for . . . Murder on the Christmas Express. ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781398519855 • Author: Alexandra Benedict • Publisher: Simon & Schuster • Format: Paperback

A SCHOOL REUNION... A PARTY TO DIE FOR. December 1937. Daphne King is attending the twentieth anniversary reunion at her secondary school, Midwinter Academy. It is a weekend of resurrected rivalries and alliances. A string of peculiar incidents prompts Daphne to suspect that she and her friends are being sent messages - or warnings - related to the disappearance of a classmate twenty years ago. It was a mystery which clouded their final year at the school - and one which Daphne, as a budding eighteen-year-old sleuth, solved. But now, the morning after the reunion, another of Daphne's old school friends is found dead; and Daphne finds herself in the role of investigator once more. Are the two cases linked? And has Daphne learned from the mistakes of her past? ​​​​​​​Product Information: • ISBN: 9781787305939 • Author: Ada Moncrieff • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback