Believe it or not, Christmas is now only six weeks away and it’s always around this time that I start to get the holiday vibes. I want to cozy up with a soft throw, light some candles, make myself a holiday beverage (like Santa’s Little Helper) and read a fun, holiday novel.
While I don’t usually read a lot of romance, for some reason, this all changes during the holiday season. 2020 has been incredibly stressful, and when I’m feeling stressed, I need a feel-good novel. I can’t read thrillers or stories that contain too much sadness or too much “realism”. I want to escape. I need something light-hearted. I find that most Christmas books do this for me. They help me get away from it all and fill me with a sense of calm and contentment.
Here are some of the new releases for 2020 that I have put on my holiday TBR list. And if you are anything like me, and looking for something lighthearted, you may want to as well!
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
This book is a Christmas Groundhog’s Day! Maelyn Jones heads to the snowy Utah mountain cabin where she has spent most of her childhood holidays. Even after spending the holidays with her family and close family friends, she is still unhappy and unfulfilled. As she heads back to civilization after Christmas, she blacks out only to find herself back on the plane headed to Utah. This cycle keeps repeating and Maelyn begins to realize that she must change before the cycle stops. Sure sounds like Christmas magic to me!
This one is already on my wait list at the library!
Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
Kate Turner lives in a cute little village in Blexford, England, which is already a reason I want to read this book! She has almost completely given up on ever finding the man of her dreams when her best friend tells her about a new website that promises to find her a match before the holidays. With only 23 days before Christmas, Kate gets set up with 12 different men to go on 12 different dates. And each one is worse than the last! Will Kate find true love by Christmastime?
This is one I definitely have to read before the holidays. It sounds super cute and incredibly funny. Just the thing I need right now!
A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide by Rachel McMillan
True confessions – I am also a binge-watcher of Hallmark Christmas movies. These movies give me the same comfy, warm feeling Christmas books do. I always feel better when I watch these!
This book is a themed compilation of cozy holiday cable movies organized into categories for people such as The Baker, The Animal Lover and, wait for it, The Book Lover! It also has suggestions for new holiday traditions based on the movies and fun festive facts. This may be a book I actually have to buy rather than get at the library!
Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber
Everly Lancaster is a career-driven real estate executive who doesn’t know the meaning of the word relax. Forced to leave work for the entire month of December, Everly decides to let her assistant book her a trip, ready for a holiday of fun in the sun. Her assistant books her a trip to the Amazon Rainforest instead. There isn’t even any wifi! Will the dashing naturalist on her cruise be able to convince Everly that there is beauty all around her? And will she get the message before the holidays end to make real change in her life?
I have to admit, I don’t know if I see a cruise in the Amazon Rainforest as a Christmas book, even if it takes place around Christmas. This one is a maybe.
