Readers' Favorite

December 13, 2020

12 Books for People Who Love Hallmark Holiday Movies

by Donna Huber


I don't want to panic anyone but there are only 12 days until Christmas! One of my favorite things to do in the lead up to Christmas is to binge watch Christmas movies and read Christmas books. Christmas is about the only time I really seek out romance novels. I know the movies and books are often predictable, but I think this year in particular we want predictable and definitely need light and fluffy. As Christmas books are often quick reads, here are 12 books (one for each day) that give you everything you expect to find in a Hallmark movie. You might discover some sound familiar as some of these authors have had their books turned into movies.
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The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker

The Christmas Swap
Three best friends decide to swap their Christmas traditions. Chloe, who usually spends Christmas with friends in Australia, wants a traditional family Christmas. What is more traditional than an English Christmas? She spends Christmas with Lucy's parents in their small village - no one warned her of the hot celebrity that also calls the village home. Lucy trades a slushy, gray Christmas for the white Christmas of her dreams with Jules's family in Colorado - will sparks fly between Lucy and Jules's brother? Jules, who hates cold and snow and winter in general, is all too happy to jump on a plane for summer in Australia with Chloe's friends - why didn't Chloe ever mention her winery friend? Of course, fun and mayhem reign for all of them, but there is also plenty of sentimental sweetness. Check out my review if you need further convincing that this book should be on your Christmas list this year.

Buy The Christmas Swap at Amazon
(Awesome deal - the ebook is only 99 cents!)

Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber

Jingle All the Way
Single city gal who is a bit of a workaholic is booked on an Adventure Cruise by the millennial assistant seeking revenge. Everly, who is expecting a luxury cruise, is shocked to discover more than a trip down the Amazon aboard this cruise. A small, but lively group of fellow travelers provide insight and entertainment. There's also a cute naturalist serving as the guide. He doesn't ever think he can find love and leave the wilds his job allows him to explore. Everly isn't the only one surprised with her life getting turned upside down. But it might just be what she and Asher need to get their priorities straight. Want to know more? Check out my review.

Buy Jingle All the Way at Amazon

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas
Did you know Debbie Macomber is known as the Queen of Christmas Stories? So it isn't surprising that I'm including two of her books on my 12 Days of Christmas Books list. If you haven't read one of her Christmas books then you are really missing out. And if you are a true Hallmark Holiday movie fan, then she is a must read as several of her books have been made into movies, including Dashing Through the Snow which premieres tonight. Mrs. Miracle is one of my favorite characters and the books in the Angelic Intervention series are among my favorite Christma stories. Three of the Christmas stories have been made into movies. A Mrs. Miracle Christmas is a touching, heartwarming story about love, hope, and Christmas miracles. Unlike many Christmas novels, it is not a romance. I would classify it more as women's fiction. Check out my review.


A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise

If the title (and cute puppy on the cover) isn't enough to convince you that this is perfect for Hallmark Holiday movie fans, then read MK French's review. Vanessa is tasked with shutting down a family-owned fruitcake factory at Christmas time. Will the owner, a widower with a teenage daughter, be able to capture her heart? Naigle is no stranger to the perfect Hallmark plot; her 2016 Christmas book Christmas Joy was made into a movie. 




Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle

Christmas Angels
And because Naigle is so good at the Hallmark movie-worthy plots, I had to include a second book of hers on the list. MK French called it "a cute contemporary romance with relatable characters' in her review. Liz discovers her grandparents' Bed & Breakfast up for auction and buys it. It is pretty rundown - cue handsome handyman who she grew up with (and he had a crush on her). The plot is as sweet as Christmas sugar cookies.

Buy Christmas Angels at Amazon





Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken

Unexpected Gifts
A cute holiday romance where two people who aren't looking for love wind up trapped together at an inn for the holidays. Andi just wants to forget about Christmas and Colin wants to experience all the wintery fun. When there is a mix up with Andi's reservation, she is forced to share Colin's villa. It is what you typically expect from a holiday romance. If you are a true Hallmark Holiday movie fan, then you know what happens. Even so, it is still entertaining and a delightful way to spend the day. Read my review.

Buy Unexpected Gifts at Amazon
(the ebook is FREE!)





Mistletoe at the Lakeside Resort by Susan Schild

Mistletoe at the Lakeside Resort
Jenny Beckett is a new innkeeper and she needs to draw in a crowd for Christmas if she is going to end the year in the black. But has she over-promised the dazzling Christmas festivities? Susan Roberts highly recommends this book in her review.

(the ebook is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers)








Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer

Let It Snow
I've always enjoyed Thayer's summer beach reads and I was surprised to learn last year that she wrote a Christmas book. It is so good. As I stated in my review, it lived up to all my expectations. Christina and the rest of the business owners along the pier face closures as their rent in being drastically increased. A little girl and her good-looking uncle may be the answer to saving Christina's business, but will love complicate or help things?

Buy Let It Snow at Amazon







The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Star
If you are a true holiday movie buff, then you have probably seen one or two or six movies based on books by Donna VanLiere. In The Christmas Star, seven-year-old Maddie plays matchmaker with her favorite volunteer at Glory's Place; she's sure Amy's perfect match is among the staff at her elementary school. A sweet and joyous romance ensues. Definitely worthy of a sugar cookie or two. Don't take my word for it, check out MK French's review.

Buy The Christmas Star at Amazon








Christmas at the Falling-Down Guesthouse by Lilly Bartlett

Christmas at the Falling-Down Guesthouse
What is more important at Christmas than family? When her aunt takes ill, Lottie and her daughter rush to Wales. What Lottie finds there is a Guesthouse in disarray and an important hotel reviewer as a guest. With the help of a local taxi driver, Lottie may turn around not only the Guesthouse but also her own life. Check out my full review.

(the ebook is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers)








Miss Christmas by Gigi Garrett

Miss Christmas
Holly is in charge of finding the perfect tree for Rockefeller Center. The only thing standing between her and that tree is the handsome farm owner Sam. Does this plot sound familiar? Miss Christmas was a 2017 Hallmark holiday movie. Have you watched the movie? You should definitely read the book. Susan Roberts called it "a must-read novella" in her review.

Buy Miss Christmas at Amazon
(the ebook is only 99 cents!)







Merry Wishes by Karen Pokras

Merry Wishes
Carly has come through an ugly divorce and is looking forward to a merry Christmas. Will she find new love with handsome contractor Jason or will her ex return to interfere with this budding relationship?

Buy Merry Wishes at Amazon
(the ebook is 99 cents!)


If you are like me, you can never read too many holiday stories. If you are looking for more holiday books, check out this list of books that Hallmark movies are based on. Also, join us starting next Sunday when we feature holiday reads all week. If you have a holiday book that you recommend I would love to know about it, please leave a comment.






Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour


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3 comments:

  1. I haven't watched many holiday Hallmark movies, but I've watched some Netflix ones, which I think are very close to the same thing. These all seem like books that match up to that theme quite nicely!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't think I have ever seen a Hallmark movie, but I am intrigued about the books on this list. I may have to make some extra reading time this month to check some of them out.

    ReplyDelete

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