Cosy, Cuddle-up Christmas books for you and yours

By Elloise Alexander

One of my favourite parts of the holidays is the books I read in the lead up to Christmas. I have compiled the best romantic Christmas book list that you will want to revisit every year!

Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop - Kiley Dunbar

1. Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar - I'm the kind of girl who loves books so much I read books about books, and this has been by far one of the best books I’ve ever read. Run-away Alexandra Robinson finds herself washed up on Clove Lore Beach only to be pulled from a wreckage by temporary bookshop owner Magnús Surluson. They become closer during the weeks before Christmas, but will their bond be washed away when the village floods? This book has Kiley Dunbar’s unique community charm that she fills all her books with. It had an unexpected tragedy that I truly didn't expect in the form of the flood.

Available for purchase at Waterstones.

2. The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker – My favourite Christmas movie is The Holiday. If you can relate, then The Christmas Swap will become your favourite Christmas book. Three women have fell out of love with Christmas and need a change. They swap Christmas. Chloe, a woman from America has a sunny Christmas in Australia, Lucy the Brit heads to America to spend her Christmas and Australian, Christmas-hater, Jules swaps sun for rain and spends Christmas in England. Personally, my favourite story was Lucy’s because she was just like Iris from The Holiday.

I enjoyed the comparison of Christmas traditions celebrated by different countries and the ending was the cutest part but you'll have to read it, no spoilers!

Available for purchase at WHSmith.

3. The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan - Another book about books, don’t be surprised, they’re my favourite! Set in a tiny, failing bookshop in Edinburgh, Carmen, freshly dismissed from her job and in dire need of another finds a place in Mr McCredie’s bookshop. She has been tasked with making a profit over Christmas so the bank doesn't take the shop, making Mr McCredie destitute. Achieving this goal is no small feat, luckily, she meets some curious friends on the way; an actor, a quaker and a witch. Away from the bookshop Carmen stays with her sister, two nieces, nephew and the most annoying nanny in the world.

Available for purchase at Waterstones.

The Christmas Castle in Scotland - Julie Caplin

4. The Christmas Castle in Scotland by Julie Caplin – Have you ever seen the Netflix movie A Castle for Christmas? This book is like an unofficial gender reversal of the film’s characters. Izzy McBride is the new owner of the crumbling Kinlochleven Castle and has started the rocky journey of transforming the castle into a B&B with the help of her eccentric overzealous mother, intent on spending all of Izzy’s money. Izzy’s mother has invited guests before the repairs to the castle have been made, one of which being author Ross Ardair.

Will they be finished before the Christmas guests have arrived?

I both liked and disliked this one. I enjoyed the castle and the relationship that bloomed between Ross and Izzy but was so frustrated by Xanthe, Izzy’s clueless, overzealous mother.

Available for purchase at Waterstones.

5. Let It Snow by Beth Moran - I didn’t think it would be possible to fit every Christmas theme into one book but Beth Moran achieved this by writing the craziest string of events I’ve ever read! Weather girl Bea Armstrong avoids family gatherings like the plague and it’s no wonder that she does when she returns home for Christmas to find that the school her parents run is closing and they've invited the man she can’t stand, Henry Fairfax, for Christmas. With everyone busy preparing for the school Christmas show there’s no one to take Bea to an impromptu job interview in Scotland, except for Henry.

What’s the worst thing that could happen… a snowstorm maybe? This book has so many themes but somehow makes it work. A work nemesis, the strangest job interview ever, a cabin in the woods, a snowstorm, a talent show and a near death experience. What more could you want?

Available for purchase at The Works

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