10 Best Books to Read on Christmas Eve
Laurie Gilmore
Genre: Romance
Why we love it:
- It’s everything you want in a cosy small-town Christmas romance with a sprinkling of enemies-to-lovers...
- Packed with festive feels, witty banter, and moments that’ll make you laugh and swoon.
If your ideal Christmas Eve includes a little sugar, a little spice, and a whole lot of romantic tension, The Gingerbread Bakery is the festive read for you. From the bestselling author of The Pumpkin Spice Café, this heartwarming Dream Harbor romance follows Annie Andrews, proud owner of the town’s beloved Gingerbread Bakery. Her pastries are sweet, but her love life? Not so much, especially when it comes to Mac Sullivan, the annoyingly charming bar owner just down the street. Their banter is as frosty as a snow-covered windowpane, but with a big holiday wedding on the horizon, they’re about to be thrown together more than ever. As the snow begins to fall and sparks start to fly, Annie might just discover that the man she loves to argue with is the one she’s been craving all along. It’s the perfect enemies-to-lovers treat to curl up with by the fairy lights — best served with a gingerbread biscuit (or three!).
Sarah Morgan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
Why we love it:
- A snowstorm, a mistaken identity, and a house full of secrets — what more could you want?
- A feel-good read with found-family vibes and a heroine who stumbles into the holiday she didn’t know she needed.
If you love your festive reads with a side of mistaken identity, family drama, and snowstorms, Snowed in for Christmas is the perfect book to curl up with on Christmas Eve. Set in the snowy Scottish Highlands, this heartwarming story follows Lucy Clarke, who’s meant to drop off a business proposal and dash, but ends up stranded with the Miller family after a blizzard hits. The only catch? They think she’s Ross Miller’s girlfriend. As secrets swirl and tensions rise, Lucy finds herself tangled in a holiday she never planned, with a family that isn’t hers. It’s funny, heartfelt, and full of festive charm — ideal for fans of cosy chaos, found family vibes, and stories that unwrap unexpected connections just in time for Christmas.
Alex Pine
Genre: Thriller
Why we love it:
- A snow-covered village, a Santa suit, and a murder — it’s festive crime fiction at its finest.
- Perfect for fans of cosy crime with a darker edge and a detective you’ll want to root for.
If your idea of a perfect Christmas Eve read includes snow, suspense, and a chilling mystery, The Killer in the Cold delivers in spades. Set in a sleepy Cumbrian village blanketed in snow, this gripping festive thriller follows DCI James Walker as he investigates a murder that’s anything but merry. When a body dressed as Santa turns up in the snow, James hopes it’s a tragic accident, but the truth is far darker... As more bodies surface and the storm closes in, James must race against time to catch a killer before the evidence melts away. Atmospheric, tense, and packed with twists, this is the kind of book that’ll keep you turning pages long past midnight.
Hannah Grace
Genre: Romance
Why we love it:
- A sparkling enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of festive tension and charm.
- Perfect for fans of small-town settings, slow-burn chemistry, and stories with heart and humour.
If you love your festive romance with a splash of sass, a dash of enemies-to-lovers tension, and a charming small-town setting, Holiday Ever After is the perfect pick. From the bestselling author of Icebreaker, this standalone story follows Clara Davenport, a city girl on a mission to fix a PR disaster in Fraser Falls — a town that’s not exactly thrilled to see her. Especially Jack Kelly, the local bar owner who’d rather never hear the name Davenport again. Sparks fly, tempers flare, and beneath all the frosty banter is a slow-burn romance that’ll warm you right up. With snowy streets, community spirit, and a heroine who’s determined to win hearts (and maybe lose hers), this is a festive read that’s equal parts witty and heart-melting.
B.K. Borison
Genre: Romance
Why we love it:
- A festive romance with a ghostly twist — think A Christmas Carol meets The Holiday.
- Sweet, soulful, and just the right amount of quirky.
If you’re craving a festive read with a supernatural twist and a heart full of holiday magic, Good Spirits is a Christmas Eve must. Nolan Callahan is the Ghost of Christmas Past, doomed to haunt the worst of Annapolis, until he’s assigned to Harriet York, the kind-hearted antique shop owner who’s more peppermint than Scrooge. Neither of them understands the mix-up, but as they dig into each other’s histories, they begin to unravel something deeper than either expected. With ghostly charm, emotional depth, and a romance that glows brighter than fairy lights, this story is a delightful blend of whimsy and warmth. It’s perfect for readers who love a little paranormal sparkle with their seasonal swoon.
The Christmas Fix
Lucy Score
Genre: Romance
Why we love it:
- A steamy enemies-to-lovers romance with festive flair and renovation chaos.
- Cat and Noah’s chemistry is off the charts, and their banter is pure holiday gold.
If you love your holiday romance with sizzling tension, banter, and a dash of DIY drama, The Christmas Fix is the perfect festive escape. When reality TV renovation queen Cat King rolls into Merry, Connecticut, she’s determined to save the town’s Christmas festival — even if it means clashing with grumpy town manager Noah Yates. He’s a single dad with zero patience for glitz, glam, or celebrity chaos, and Cat is everything he doesn’t want… except maybe exactly what he needs. As sparks fly and tempers flare, these two opposites must team up to rebuild the town — and maybe their hearts — before Christmas arrives. It’s enemies-to-lovers with a holiday twist, and it’s as spicy as it is sweet.
Ada Moncrieff
Genre: Crime and Mystery
Why we love it:
- Eccentric characters, snowy suspense, and a murder game that turns deadly.
- Ideal for fans of Agatha Christie, cosy crime, and historical whodunnits with a seasonal edge.
If your ideal Christmas Eve read involves candlelit corridors, eccentric guests, and a deadly twist, Murder at Maybridge Castle is the festive mystery to reach for. Set in 1937 at a crumbling castle-turned-hotel in the snowy Cumbrian countryside, this whodunnit brings together a gloriously oddball cast for a grand re-opening — and a game of murder-in-the-dark that turns chillingly real. With sherry flowing, secrets simmering, and a killer hiding in plain sight, Ada Moncrieff delivers a classic locked-room mystery with all the charm of Christie and a dash of modern flair. It’s the perfect book to curl up with by the fire, especially if you love your Christmas stories with a body count and a clever twist.
Dilly Court
Genre: Historical Fiction
Why we love it:
- A classic Victorian-style Christmas tale with grit, grace, and a touch of romance.
- Perfect for fans of historical fiction with strong heroines and richly drawn settings.
For fans of historical romance with a Dickensian twist and a heroine who refuses to be broken, The Christmas Card is a beautifully bittersweet festive read. Alice’s world is cold and unforgiving — quite literally — as she’s cast out by a cruel aunt and forced to earn her keep in a grand house full of secrets. But beneath the hardship lies hope, and a slow-burning connection with the kind-hearted Uncle Rory who sees more in Alice than anyone ever has. With snowy streets, scandal, and a heroine who clings to dignity and dreams, this story is a heartfelt reminder that even in the darkest winter, Christmas spirit can light the way.
J. K. Rowling
Genre: Children's Fiction and Fantasy
Why we love it:
- A timeless tale of friendship, courage, and magical discovery.
- Hogwarts at Christmas? Pure wonder. From enchanted snow to feasts in the Great Hall.
If you’re looking for a magical escape this Christmas Eve, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the ultimate nostalgic read. The first book in J.K. Rowling’s beloved series introduces us to Harry Potter, a boy who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he’s a wizard — and not just any wizard, but one with a mysterious past and a lightning-shaped scar. Whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry finds friendship, adventure, and danger as he uncovers the secrets of the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. With enchanted corridors, talking portraits, and a trio of brave young heroes, this story is pure festive magic for readers of all ages.
Charlie Mackesy
Genre: Non-Fiction
Why we love it:
- A beautifully illustrated journey through resilience, friendship, and hope.
- Gentle, poetic, and perfect for quiet reflection by the fire.
If you’re looking for a gentle, soul-soothing read this Christmas Eve, Always Remember is a quiet masterpiece of comfort and wisdom. In this follow-up to the bestselling The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Charlie Mackesy reunites his four unlikely friends as they wander through wintry landscapes, facing life’s storms together. With tender illustrations and simple yet profound reflections, this book is a reminder that love, kindness, and cake can carry us through even the darkest days. It’s a perfect companion for a peaceful evening — one to read slowly, reflectively, and with a warm drink in hand
Find Your Festive Page-Turner
So, which book will you curl up with this Christmas Eve? Whether you’re in the mood for a swoony romance, a laugh-out-loud comedy, or a gripping festive thriller, our list has something to match your mood. Let the fairy lights glow, the pages turn, and the world slow down — just for a little while.
Here’s to a peaceful, story-filled Christmas Eve and a holiday season full of warmth, wonder, and well-earned time well spent.
