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Cozy (and a Little Merry) Christmas Reads on My TBR List
It’s that time of year again the season for cocoa, twinkle lights, and stories that make you want to curl up and stay up just one more chapter. I’ve been stacking up my Christmas reads for the next few weeks, and whether they lean mystery or rom-com, they’ve all got that warm, festive spark I love.
Here’s what’s on my holiday reading list this year (and I’ll be reviewing a couple of them in December!).
Fake It Til You Sleigh It by Melissa Ryun
I’ve already read this one, and it’s pure fun! A movie director who secretly hates Christmas ends up fake-dating her leading man to save her job set against the backdrop of sunny Florida, boat parades, and family chaos. It’s a little on the spicy side (not a closed-door romance), but the story itself felt straight out of a Hallmark movie. I really enjoyed it!
Holidays & Homicides: A Short Story Collection by various authors
I love a good short story between longer books, especially during the busy season. This anthology mixes mystery and cheer with plenty of quirky small-town charm and murder under the mistletoe. These bite-sized stories are perfect for sneaking in between rounds of gift-wrapping or binge-reading with a cup of cocoa in hand. I’ll be sharing my review on December 12, so if you’re a short-story lover, stay tuned!
A Mysterious Christmas Collection: A Charlie Kingsley / Redemption Crossover by Gretchen Rue and Michele Pariza Wacek – Coming Nov. 19th
This charming Christmas cozy mystery collection actually gives you two stories in one! You get a mystery from the Charlie Kingsley series (Secret Santa Murder) and one from The Redemption Detective Agency (The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf). Even better, characters from both series make crossover appearances in the other story, which is such a fun twist.
Here’s a peek at each story:
- Secret Santa Murder: A Secret Santa party goes off the rails when a guest is murdered right after opening their gift. Can Charlie figure out who did it in this locked-room mystery?
- The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf: Emily and the gang take on a case to help a young mother overcome her childhood Christmas trauma. Can they solve the mystery of a dead elf in time to save Christmas?
I’ll be reviewing this one on December 21, just in time to get cozy with it for the holidays.
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
You can’t go wrong with Stephanie Plum at Christmas! Plus, this one has two of her stories! Between the bounty-hunting chaos and a mysterious new man named Diesel appearing in her kitchen, it’s fast-paced, funny, and just the right amount of festive chaos. I read this one years ago, but it still earns a spot on my annual reread list.
A Little Christmas Matchmaking by Carolyn Brown
I met Carolyn Brown at TropiCon this year, and after chatting with her during her panel, I knew I had to dive into one of her holiday stories! She even shared her fun “flowers on the cover, the door is shut” tip. Well, this one has Christmas flowers on the cover, so you know it’s a holiday read through and through.
In A Little Christmas Matchmaking, Tripp Callahan’s leather shop in Spanish Fort, Texas is swamped with Christmas orders, and he’s ready to hire help. Enter Hank Gibson, a former leather shop owner, and his feisty granddaughter Willa Rose Gibson. But with Great Aunt Bernie on the scene hanging mistletoe in every doorway, Tripp might just be in trouble… in the best, most festive way.
Santa Claus Surprise by Tonya Kappes
In Holiday Junction, the town’s live nativity turns deadly when a body is discovered behind the manger scene. Between festive decorations, small-town gossip, and holiday chaos, there’s plenty of humor, heart, and a mystery to unravel before Christmas is saved.
That’s my Christmas stack for this year! Some are mysteries, some are rom-coms, and all promise to make December feel a little brighter.
🎄 Want More Christmas Cozies?
If you can’t get enough of festive mysteries, a few of our visiting authors this month have you covered! From cozy small towns dusted in snow to suspenseful holiday secrets, these sleuths know how to make spirits bright while solving a murder or two.
✨ Christina Romeril – Deck the Halls With Homicide (Killer Chocolate Mysteries)
Visiting November 6 – Author Guest Post -The Delightfully Predictable World of Cozy Mystery Tropes
Christina’s taking us behind the scenes of what makes these familiar patterns so irresistibly comforting. Read Here
🎁 Deena Alexander – Missing at Christmas (Love Inspired Suspense)
Visiting November 7 – Character Guest Post
Meet Noah Thompson, a man driven by loss, justice, and an unexpected partnership that could change everything. Take a look a Deena’s suspenseful Christmas tale and peek inside their heart-pounding holiday adventure. Read Here
🕯️ Jeanne Quigley – The Holiday Photo Murder (A Robyn Cavanagh Mystery)
Visiting November 20 – Author Guest Post
Jeanne captures the sparkle of the season—and a chilling dose of suspense—in this festive, photo-filled mystery.
Curl up with a mug of cocoa and explore these merry murders as part of this month’s author lineup!
I’ll be sharing thoughts and reviews throughout December, but if you’ve already read one of these (or have your own favorite cozy holiday read), I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations!
