This time of year has many of us stressed – from budgeting for presents, dealing with papercuts from gift-wrapping, and the yearly argument about untangling the Christmas lights, there is a lot to make us forget to embrace the Christmas spirit. But we shouldn't let these things stop us from enjoying the weeks leading up to the biggest holiday of the year. When you need to take a moment for yourself and decompress, pick up one of these holiday romance books to remind you of the cozy holiday cheer! 

1. All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox

All I Want for Christmas follows rivals Sadie and Max as they compete on a fictional reality show called "Starmaker", which gives budding artists a platform through various singing challenges. Sadie and Max are prepared to do anything to win this cutthroat competition and achieve their dreams of becoming famous singers. So when they are paired up for the duet challenge, they decide to hide their dislike for one another and give it their all. After a successful duet performance with apparent chemistry on stage, the pair are pressured by fans to date. Though the pair does not share the attraction for one another that the fans claim is rampant, the show's views skyrocket because of the rumors. Latching on to this success, the network gives Sadie and Max an ultimatum: pretend to be a couple or be next to be eliminated from the competition. 

2. Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert

Once Upon a December follows Astra Snow, a newly-divorced librarian who loves Christmas. Since her ex was bent on isolating her from her friends and was keen on putting down the things she loves, Astra is excited to spend her first Christmas as a single woman reconnecting with her pals and embracing the holiday spirit she so deeply missed. When she discovers a Christmas market in her city, it becomes her new favorite place -- and not just because of the cozy drinks and delicious food. There she meets Jack Clausen, a talented baker who travels with the Christmas market. Things seem to be warming up between the two, but there’s a secret about the Christmas market that may hinder their relationship. Jack lives in a world of magic, where snowfall and Christmas lights never cease. For him, it is December forever, and when the market closes down for the year, everyone’s memory is wiped to forget it ever existed. Will Astra be able to remember the man of her dreams, or will the magic of the Christmas market keep them apart? 

3. Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe follows Elinor Noel, a bookshop owner who receives an invitation to travel to the English countryside for a holiday reunion with her old private school friends. Elinor knows she should attend the reunion, especially since it is part of the celebrations leading up to her friend's wedding, but she hesitates because she questions whether or not she will fit in. While Elinor was attending the prep school on scholarship and barely making it through, her friends were the image of luxury, with designer clothes, trust funds, and posh houses. Nonetheless, Elinor decides to accept the invitation and prepares for a complicated week of reconnecting. The only problem: she finds out that the castle gardener who is helping set up the wedding is none other than her childhood nemesis, Isaac, who hates her for becoming a snobby, elite private school girl. Though he could not be more wrong, Elinor has to fight against this image and convince him that she is not who he pegs her as. As the two interact more and more throughout the week leading up to the wedding, they both are confronted with unexpected feelings for one another. The question is, who will act first?

Happy reading and Happy Holidays!