The time is here for the Christmas in July books edition. As I do every year, I tend to get some really great Christmas book arcs in July, So I do a little reading andsuggestion of some of the titles that should be on your radar when they come out in September and October, of what you want to buy and what you wanna read during the Christmas season. This time we have a bunch of Christmas books, but wee also have a New Year’s book which is exciting (and a lot of New Year’s pacts books). There are still some great holiday books that I don’t have and will look forward to reading during Season?On my future radar, the new Grim Tidings, which is a continuation of the ghosted series and you know I loved Good Spirits . I’m definitely looking forward to the Abby Jimenez Christmas book and will be buying it. I also want to check out the Christmas short stories of Disney’s Meant to be Series. But without further ado, this is what I actually read during July
Back Where We Started by Becca Freeman
Goodreads blurb: A rising Hollywood star explores the road not taken with her first love in this tender second-chance romance by the author of The Christmas Orphans Club . Katie’s wildest dreams have come true. She’s a Hollywood actress, booked and busy, and campaigning for her first Oscar. Sure, she still struggles with sexist media malignment and unimaginative roles, but from where she stands today, her hometown of Dutch Ridge, Pennsylvania feels far away—and that makes it all worth it. Because Dutch Ridge can only ever represent Drew. Every street is filled with memories of their shared adolescence, how they were each other’s first everything, the hours they spent planning for the future. Drew was the only person in Dutch Ridge who didn’t make Katie feel crazy for dreaming big, because he did, too. Was it their extraordinary level of ambition that brought them together at sixteen? It was definitely what drove them apart in the years after. But now, a promise to her sister forces Katie to return for Christmas to Dutch Ridge, where she runs into Drew, who seems to have followed a different path from the one they once dreamed up. And strangely, he seems…happy. As their run-ins heat up and the two can’t keep themselves away from each other, Katie begins to wonder whether her accolade-filled Hollywood life really fulfills her after all. Back Where We Started is an emotional second-chance romance, a story about allowing oneself to change, the addictive nature of achievement, and how we make room in our lives for what matters most
my take: 4.5 out of 5. OK, this is probably the most Christmas-adjacent book on this list, but it’s close enough, so we’re keeping it. It also happens to be one of my favorites. I absolutely loved The Christmas Orphans Club and ranked it incredibly high when it came out, so the second I saw Becca Freeman had a new book, I knew I was going to read it. Then I saw someone include it on a list of Christmas books and realized that while it isn’t technically a Christmas romance, it definitely has enough holiday vibes to make the cut. And honestly, it has everything I love. Hollywood. A Hallmark-style actress. Returning to your hometown. Childhood friendship. Romance. Give me all of it. It was warm, emotional, funny, and just the kind of book I wanted to sink into. There were tears. There was laughter. There was a romance I was completely invested in. Like some of the other books on this list, it may not be fully centered on Christmas, but it’s one of the strongest romances I’ve read this year, holiday or not. Put it on your list, have a little cry, have a little smile, and then come tell me what you thought.
In Every Future, It’s Us by Katie Naymon
Goodreads blurb: When childhood neighbours and best friends Florence Parker and Tom Sinclair were on the precipice of graduating college, they made a pact they hoped would link them every year at their families’ lavish New Year’s Eve party, they’d each write five secret predictions about the other’s year ahead. Whoever got the most guesses correct would make one big life decision for the other. So it went for nearly a decade-until the final year, when one letter shattered their friendship. Now, Tom and Florence are home for the holidays and haven’t spoken in over a year. To keep up appearances, they’re forced to plan the New Year’s Eve party together. But hidden in the tense silences and charged interactions is a wealth of history they can’t escape, and feelings they’ve never spoken aloud. It’s their last opportunity to make amends before Florence moves away, but are they willing to take a chance on a future they can’t predict?
my take: 4.25 out of 5. This is technically a New Year’s book, but I’m counting it as a Christmas read because, honestly, all the holiday books blend together for me—Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, bring them all on.This book was spectacular. It follows two childhood friends who have a tradition of making Christmas predictions for the coming year, sealing them away, and then seeing who got the most right the next year. I absolutely loved that concept. The prize for winning is a little unhinged, and honestly it’s what pushes the story into “I kind of want to shake all of you” territory at times, but the idea itself is so much fun.The last year, they take it a step further and make decisions and resolutions for each other, which, unsurprisingly, turns into a complete disaster. That’s really where the conflict comes from and where everything starts to unravel. But what makes the book work so well is the sixteen years of friendship, longing, missed chances, and emotional buildup underneath it all.I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers, and this one absolutely delivers. The romance feels earned, the chemistry is fantastic, and the emotional payoff is worth every page. This isn’t great for a holiday romance—it’s just great, period. In fact, I think it’s going to be one of the best romances i read all year
The Little Shop of Merry and Bright by Jenny Bayliss
Goodreads blurb: From the “Christmas book queen” (PEOPLE) comes a charming wintertime tale about a young woman who is given a chance to right a wrong…but at what cost?
Three years ago, Casey declined her then-boyfriend’s marriage proposal . . . and it went viral. Her face became a meme. After years of dealing with the backlash online, Casey now leads a quiet life, working as a stock replenisher for a family-owned department store. No risk of public humiliation, and . . . no possibility of a boyfriend.
Until the night before Christmas, during a work shift, Casey notices a strange woman in the homeware department. But when the police arrive, the intruder is nowhere to be seen. It soon becomes clear that this woman, Margo, is the Spirit of Christmas Present, who has chosen to sit this holiday out.
Casey attempts to exorcize the spirit until finally Margo makes a she will use her powers to erase the meme that made Casey notorious. There’s just one catch. Casey must witness five of her alternate realities—in which the meme never happened—and if after all five she still wants it wiped, Margo will grant her wish. But what might Casey lose in the process? What if the life she’s led has actually been brighter than she’s ever let herself believe?
My take: 4 out of 5. Jenny Bayliss is my other queen of Christmas—and honestly, she may have been my favorite holiday author a year or two ago. Naturally, this was one of the first books I picked up for Christmas in July, and it was absolutely charming. It offers a modern twist on A Christmas Carol—with only one ghost rather than several—but it still captures that same heartwarming holiday magic. And really, is there a more perfect Christmas setting than a grand old department store? The atmosphere alone made me want to step right into the story. While the premise that the heroine could remain completely hidden because of an internet meme stretched credibility a bit, I was willing to go along with it because the book never takes itself too seriously. Instead, it delivers exactly what it’s meant to: a fun, festive, feel-good romance that leaves you smiling and thoroughly in the Christmas spirit
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Ally Carter
Goodreads blurb: A billionaire’s grandson and the housekeeper’s daughter square off in this cat-and-mouse holiday romance-mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year.
Ella Chambers didn’t kill Liam Montgomery.
If she had, she certainly wouldn’t have done it outside his family’s mansion during the Christmas party of the year. She definitely wouldn’t have loaded his body into the trunk of her car. And she absolutely would not have announced to the town that the boy who ruined her life ten years ago was “so dead to her.” But now Liam is missing—nothing but a bloody spot on the drive and a host of unanswered questions—and Ella is the only person who knows he’s still alive.
So it’s up to her to prove it.
Liam Montgomery didn’t want to die.
But, it turns out, when you’re the sole heir to a billionaire, someone might want you dead. Luckily for Liam, being dead works for him. Now he’s on the hunt for a killer. Unfortunately, Ella is on the hunt for him. She’ll have to prove he’s still alive to clear her name, but that’s easier said than done in a quaint mountain town where everyone knows your story but no one knows the truth. Can the billionaire’s grandson and the housekeeper’s daughter join forces to catch a killer? Or is their past too steeped in secrets and lies? As the storm of the century blows in, every step will bring these two childhood rivals closer to a killer—and each other.
Because, this Christmas, only one thing is it’s beginning to look a lot like murder.
My take: 4 out of 5. Her previous book, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, was one of those books that everyone seemed to adore and I just… liked. I definitely felt like I was in the minority there. This one, though? I completely fell for it.It’s the perfect mix of Christmas, crime, and romance. The enemies-to-lovers storyline actually felt earned, and I loved that we got enough backstory to understand where all that tension came from after twenty years of history between them. The slow burn was so good.
The mystery was equally strong. It’s a classic closed-circle whodunit, and I had a great time watching everyone band together to figure out what was going on. And unlike some holiday books where Christmas is basically just decorative, Christmas is woven throughout this story, with flashbacks to past holidays that made everything feel even more special.Overall, this was such a solid holiday read—whether you’re here for the romance, the murder mystery, or ideally both.
Cozy Little Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne
Blurb: hristmas in Shelter Springs is the season of twinkling lights, open hearts and unexpected second chances. And for Hannah Goodwin, it also brings the one person she never wanted to see again… Hannah’s built a full life for herself in the warmth of her close-knit town, with her family, her work and her music. And when her dear friend Morgan desperately needs her help, Hannah temporarily steps in to care for Morgan’s children. That’s what friends do—especially at the holidays. But she never expected to run into Wes Kenner…
Moving back home is the last thing K9 law enforcement officer Wes Kenner ever wanted. It’s where he fell in love with Hannah—and where an accident changed his mother’s life forever. But when his grandfather needs a helping hand, he can’t say no. It’s the perfect opportunity for him and his beloved K9, Kodiak, to recover. Still, seeing Hannah again fills him with regret—and hope.
After all this time, Hannah still represents all of the joy and light Wes pushed out of his life. Everything he’s desperate to get back. And as Hannah brings much-needed holiday magic to Morgan—and her kids—he realizes this is his chance. Because this Christmas, all he wants is her.
my take: 3.75 out of 5. It actually turned out to be the third book in the Shelter Springs series, which I had absolutely no idea about when I started. I really wish NetGalley would tell us when a book is part of a series because I always find out halfway through after falling down a Goodreads rabbit hole. At this point, I’m probably not going back to read the first two, but honestly, it worked perfectly fine as a standalone.
And it was adorable. Completely, unapologetically adorable. I read it in a day because I genuinely wanted to know what happened next.
Now, are these people almost comically stereotypically Christmas? Yes. We have music therapy, elderly residents, sick kids, a soldier returning home, an injured dog… I mean, if you tried to build the most Hallmark Christmas movie possible, this would be it. It is every Christmas cliché in the book, wrapped up with a bow.
But you know what? It worked for me. It was warm, sweet, cozy, and exactly the kind of Christmas comfort read I was in the mood for. I thoroughly enjoyed it
Counting Down to You by Emily Stone
Goodreads blurb:A young woman travels to the Alps to complete her best friend’s last request—and finds a love that’s closer to home than she realizes in this heartfelt romance from the author of Always, in December and Yours for the Season.
Ali has always loved Christmas, but this year she doesn’t think she’ll get through it. Christmas was always her and her best friend Robyn’s holiday—every year they made each other an advent calendar with challenges to complete before Christmas. Tell the hot guy at the coffee shop you like him. Delete your terrible ex’s phone number. Throw out the bathroom scales.
But this Christmas, there is no Robyn, because she didn’t get the heart transplant she desperately needed.
There is a calendar, though. Robyn gave it to Ali before she died and made her promise to open it come December. And Ali is going to keep her promise, no matter how much it hurts.
The very first challenge sends Ali to the Alps, where she takes up a seasonal job at a ski lodge she and Robyn had planned to visit. But when another challenge leads her co-workers to mistakenly assume that Ali is dating her boss—stoic, seriously hot Leo—things get much more complicated.
To save her from embarrassment, Leo offers to keep up the charade until Ali leaves. As Ali spends more time with him, she realizes Leo is grieving too—though for who or what, she doesn’t know. And as he begins helping her complete her advent challenges, she realizes she might just want to date him for real.
But there’s a lot they still don’t know about each other, and the truth behind Leo’s grief could bring them closer than before… or tear them apart forever.
My take: 3.5 out of 5. First of all, Emily Stone remains the undisputed queen of Christmas. Her novels are always at the top of my holiday reading list, and this year was no exception. I was thrilled to receive an ARC, and it ended up being the very first book I picked up for my Christmas in July feature. One thing about Emily Stone is that her writing has a very distinctive style. It can feel familiar from book to book, but in the best way—you know you’re settling in for an emotional story with a touch of romance and at least a few tears along the way. I actually guessed the major twist around the halfway point, so it didn’t hit me quite as hard as it might have otherwise. But honestly? I still cried, and I still loved every minute of it. What truly captured my imagination was the advent calendar concept woven throughout the story. An advent calendar filled with daily challenges and experiences sounds like so much fun, and now I’m completely obsessed with the idea. I’d love to do something like that with my friends—25 days of thoughtful, fun, or meaningful tasks. In fact, it’s the kind of thing I’d love to create for people I care about. So, who’s in?
At the end of the day, you can never go wrong with an Emily Stone Christmas novel. She knows exactly how to deliver the cozy, emotional holiday atmosphere that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a cup of tea. This book will make you cry, it will put you firmly in the Christmas spirit, and it’s absolutely worth adding to your holiday reading list.
Meet Me at Midnight by Sophie Sullivan
Goodreads blurb: After an unexpected one-night-stand, two people must navigate the outcome in this sparkling rom-com from Sophie Sullivan.
This will be Kyra Grand’s year. As the clock strikes midnight and the ball drops, she resolves to finally go after what she wants. This will be the year she leaves behind the family business and makes something of her own. However, a magical one-night-stand with her brother’s best friend throws a massive wrench in her plans.
Ethan Reynolds didn’t think he was the type to settle down. Scared of jeopardizing his friendship with Kyra’s older brother, he resolves to never cross that line again. But when an unexpected consequence of their night together complicates things, Ethan and Kyra must grapple through everything standing in their way, to find love that’s waiting on the other side.
my take: 3.25 out of 5. Okay, this might not technically be a Christmas book, but we’ve already agreed that New Year’s counts, so onto the New Year’s list it goes. And since it’s Sophie Sullivan, of course I was happy to pick it up. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it cute? Absolutely. Did I want it to be a lot better? Also yes. The problem is that we’ve read better New Year’s books, and honestly, This Time Next Year did this premise so much better. If you don’t want to read that one, at least watch the movie on Prime—it’s stellar. This was sweet. Carol was sweet. The relationship was sweet. Everything about it was sweet. My issue wasn’t the romance itself, it was how quickly everything happened.
Spoilers ahead, so stop here if you don’t want them.
The book describes the pregnancy as an “unexpected consequence” of their night together, but the whole situation felt a little off to me. The moment she finds out she’s pregnant, there doesn’t seem to be much discussion about… well, anything. Are they getting together? How are they going to handle this? What do they each want? There isn’t even a conversation about all the options available to them. Not because I needed the story to go in any particular direction, but because it felt unrealistic that everyone moved so quickly from “surprise, we’re pregnant” to “okay, we’re having a baby and here’s the plan.” It just felt rushed, and it pulled me out of the story a bit. a bit insta family. I’ve lo
The Holiday House Swap by Lauren Appelbaum
Goodreads blurb: Two homes, two holidays, and one spontaneous switch changes everything for women in this warm and festive holiday rom-com perfect for readers of The Holiday Honeymoon Switch and A Winter Wish.
My take:2.75 out of 5. I think I might have a problem with adaptations, inspirations, or whatever we’re calling them these days, because this was basically The Holiday with different names and locations. Don’t get me wrong—I love when authors take a classic story and give it a fresh, modern spin. But this felt less like a reimagining and more like, “Let’s just tell the same story again.” Now, The Holiday is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies, so of course I was going to read this, and honestly, of course I was going to enjoy parts of it because the blueprint already works. But I wanted a little more creativity, a little more originality. The differences just didn’t feel significant enough to make the story stand on its own. That said, my biggest issue wasn’t even the similarities. It was the characters. Both female leads were so insecure and made so many frustrating decisions that I spent most of the book annoyed with them. I don’t want to call them dumb… but there were definitely moments where I was questioning every single choice they made. Because of that, I never really rooted for them, and combined with the repetitive storyline, this ended up being one of my least favorite Christmas reads of the season.
Merry Spooky Love by Josie Silver
Goodreads blurb: Melody Bittersweet’s Christmases are always more haunted than holly jolly, and this year is shaping up to be her most complicated yet.
When the town’s beloved Libertines department store faces closure following the death of its owner, Melody — inconveniently able to see ghosts — is the obvious person to call to try and save it. Teaming up with Fleur, the only heir determined to protect her family’s legacy, and one very determined ghost, Melody throws herself into the case.
Unfortunately, the job also reunites her with Fletcher her sceptical, infuriating, still-very-tempting on-off boyfriend. Fletcher doesn’t believe in ghosts — and as their undeniable chemistry starts to simmer, sparks fly and working together proves harder than either of them expected.
With Christmas fast approaching and Libertines’ future hanging in the balance, Melody must race to save the store, confront the ghosts of her past, and decide whether love is worth fighting for.
My Take: 2.75 out of 5. This one is interesting because my relationship with the Melody Bittersweet series has always been a little love-hate. Do I love these books? Not really. Do I always want to know what happens next? Absolutely. Do I keep hoping Josie Silver—or in this case, Kitty French—will give me something better? Yes. Am I still going to read every book? Also yes.
Of the three, this might actually be the one I liked the most, mostly because it leans hardest into the Christmas and romance elements. The funny thing is that it’s also the least Ghostbusters-y of the bunch. Most of the plot is really just a regular mystery chase that gets kicked off by a tip from one of the ghosts, but unlike the earlier books, the ghost-hunting side of things barely matters. I missed some of that paranormal chaos that made the others stand out.
That said, setting it in a department store at Christmas gives it all the festive vibes, and it felt like a sweet way to wrap up the series. And honestly? Let’s make this the last one.
Side note: the whole “tiny rhinos” metaphor for sexual attraction drove me absolutely insane. Once or twice, fine. By the twentieth mention of tiny rhinos running around, I was ready to start charging them rent.
The Twelve Loves of Christmas: An Advent Romance Collection
By: Alexandria Bellefleur, Elise Bryant, Olivia Dade, Alexis Daria, Sarah Hogle, Zakiya N. Jamal, Rebecca Jenshak, Jessica Joyce, Susan Lee, Joss Richard, M.A. Wardell, Rebekah Weatherspoon
Goodreads blurb: Count down to Christmas with twelve sealed holiday love stories by beloved romance authors.
The Twelve Loves of Christmas is a swoon-worthy short story collection about finding love during the most magical time of the year. Including a playful forced proximity romance featuring a woman and her older brother’s grinchy (yet unexpectedly endearing) best friend, a tender love story of two neighbors who decide to skip Christmas together, a second-chance spark reignited between exes stranded at the airport, and many more festive love stories, there’s a little holiday magic waiting for every reader.Open one sealed story each day in the lead-up to Christmas to unwrap a season full of love, warmth, and happily-ever-afters.
My take: Absolutely lovely holiday concept and, as someone who is obsessed with advent calendars (you all know I post my favorite ones every year), the idea of an advent calendar book was basically made for me. Instead of chocolates, you get 12 little holiday romances to unwrap one at a time, and honestly, what’s not to love about that? Are all the stories amazing? No, some are definitely stronger than others, but they’re all short, sweet doses of Christmas happiness that feel like a little treat tucked into your stocking. I ranked them below in terms of my preference, but the key here is that these stories aren’t trying to change your life. They’re the book equivalent of those Amazon holiday shorts—quick, festive, and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. If you’re looking for something cozy to dip in and out of during the season, this absolutely delivers. I also think this would make the perfect gift for the romance reader in your life—not even as a Christmas present, but as an early December surprise to make the holiday season a little more fun One completely random observation: why were there so many kindergarten teachers? I swear three of the stories had kindergarten teachers as the main characters. Is this a thing in holiday romances? It felt incredibly Hallmark and I found myself laughing every time another teacher showed up. I don’t know why, but I needed everyone else to notice it too.
This is my ranking:
- Hope this helps
- A merry little Christmas
- Holiday blackout
- A solstice kiss
- All roads lead home
- I’ll be home for ex mas
- Is it new years yet
- Decking his halls
- skipping Christmas
- Twelve se ones to forever
- Someone to hold on to
- Ho ho o no
Tati's Tidbits 