It’s that time of year, as the snow and cold weather arrive, when every spare moment seems to involve either baking or shopping or decorating or wrapping or cooking or writing or, or, or… Well, I’m here to say it’s okay to take time for yourself!

Put down whatever it is you’re doing, pick up a book full of cozy things, make yourself a nice, hot drink (cocoa, mulled wine, tea… you decide), wrap that fuzzy blanket around you, get a nice chill mix of music playing and put your feet up! You’ve earned it! This is hygge at it’s hyggiest!

Here’s a list of some of my favorite cozy reads for this holiday season. Enjoy!

Cozy Reads for Christmas

One Day in December by Josie Silver

On a snowy London evening right before Christmas, Laurie is on the upper deck of a bus on her way home when she locks eyes with a mystery man standing at the bus stop. It feels like love at first sight but, before either of them can do anything about it, the bus pulls away.

Laurie will spend the next year looking for her mystery man. When she finally finds him, it turns out he’s her best friend’s new boyfriend. Over the next 10 years, Laurie, Jack, and Sarah will navigate friendship, romance and sex, and what comes next.  

Make sure you have plenty of reading time when you start this. It's pretty un-put-downable!
 

Prince in Disguise by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Dylan’s pageant queen sister Dusty is the star of the reality series Prince in Disguise, and now she’s nabbed her prince—err, make that Scottish Lord, Ronan Murray. Much to Dylan’s dismay this means she must now spend Christmas in Scotland filming the Prince in Disguise wedding special. In no way does she want to end up the B plot or breakout star of some second rate reality show but she has no choice.

Dylan is soon shipped off to a drafty castle filled with crazy in-laws and manipulative TV producers, where she meets Jamie, one of Ronan’s groomsmen, who’s funny, smart and awkward, with the bluest blue eyes she’s ever seen. Christmas in Scotland might not be so bad after all.

An unexpected gem full of charm, wit, and lovely, swoony surprises, that leaves you with lots of warm and fuzzy feelings by the end. One of my faves of 2018. 
 

Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh

It’s Christmas and Colin, Lord Hodges, should be looking for a suitable bride but the beautiful widow Elizabeth catches his eye. Almost 10 years Colin's senior, Elizabeth (and Colin) knows there can be no question of marriage, but a magical Christmas day has them rethinking what makes a suitable match.

In A Very Special Christmas, a Mary Balogh holiday novella collection, Balogh brings the full force of English country Christmases with all the festive trimmings. Mistletoe is always hung and emotional wounds are always healed. 

Mary Balogh is a master at writing the perfect Regency Christmas story.  If that's your jam, you'll love these!

Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan

On the remote Scottish island of Mure, the Christmas season is stark, windy, icy and… festive. It's a time for getting cozy in front of whisky barrel wood fires, and enjoying a dram and a treacle pudding with the people you love—unless, of course, you’re Flora and you've accidentally gotten pregnant by your ex-boss, and don't know how to tell him.

Meanwhile, Saif, a doctor and refugee from war-torn Syria is trying to enjoy his first western Christmas with his sons on this remote island, where he’s been granted asylum. His wife, however, is still missing and her absence hangs over what should be a joyful celebration.

Travel to the beautiful northern edge of the world and join the welcoming community of Mure for a Highland Christmas you'll never forget.

Jenny Colgan might be the inventor of the hygge holiday romance. Her Christmas novels are the warmest, coziest, bakiest novels I've ever read. 
 

Christmas at the Chalet by Anita Hughes

It’s Christmas week in the exclusive Swiss Alps town of St. Moritz. Wedding gown designer Felicity is there for the biggest fashion show of her career. When her boyfriend gives her a spa day instead of ring, she thinks that she may never walk down the aisle in one of her own creations.

Nell, a model in Felicity’s show, is planning her dream wedding to her dream guy but her bickering family is ruining the fairytale. Surrounded by stunning vistas, snow-capped mountains, and the magic of the season, Felicity and Nell both need some good, old-fashioned Christmas miracles.

If you're in need of a little jet-setting this holiday season, Anita Hughes is your girl!

The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen

It’s Christmas 1933 in Scotland and Lady Georgiana Rannoch may be 36th in line to the British throne but she is also penniless and freezing! So when she gets a job hosting a holiday gathering down south in the tiny village of Tiddleton-under-Lovey, she leaves as soon as she can.

Spending the holiday in such a picturesque place should be like something straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Instead, Lady Georgiana finds herself surrounded by villagers and partygoers dying in "accidents." Luckily, Lady Georgiana is pretty handy around a crime scene.

Lady Georgianna mysteries are akin to 1930s screwball comedies filled with all your favorite British eccentricities, and a solid mystery to keep readers guessing.

Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners by Gretchen Anthony

For Violet Baumgartner, the family’s annual holiday letter proves the perfection and success of the family. This year, the big event in the letter will be her husband’s retirement party. But the party becomes a disaster when, in front of 200 guests, Violet's daughter Cerise confesses a shocking secret.

Violet, Cerise, and the rest of the Baumgartners are soon embroiled in an epic battle of wills and family dysfunction with their friends and relatives ensnared as witnesses to their very un-Baumgartner-like behavior—that will definitely not be making their holiday letter.

A debut novel that is a smart, hilarious, easy read. It might make your family dysfunction look simple by comparison. Fingers crossed. 
 

What the Dead Leave Behind  by Rosemary Simpson

As the Great Blizzard of 1888 cripples New York City, heiress Prudence Mackenzie awaits her fiance’s safe return but as the next day dawns, her fiance is one of the hundreds found frozen to death on the streets. However, he also has his head bashed in and an ace of spades in his hand

Still filled with grief from her father’s recent death, Prudence is convinced her fiance’s death is no accident. Surrounded by people who may not have her best interests, she must rely on a complete stranger, an old friend of her fiance, who was once a Pinkerton detective.

This is one of my favorite new historical mystery series: a female character to be reckoned with, a promise of romance, and a lot of great Gilded Age New York details.
 

Carols and Chaos by Cindy Anstey

It’s 1817 and the joys  of the Yuletide season abound at Shackleford manor. However, lady’s maid Kate Darby and valet Matt Harlow hardly have any time to enjoy the holiday. Between their duties at Shackleford and caring for their own families, they are too busy to do much celebrating. This would be a very inconvenient time for them to fall in love.

But ignoring their feelings becomes the least of their worries when shady dealings come to Shackleford’s gates, and Kate and Matt get swept up in the intrigue! A stand-alone companion to Suitors and Sabotage.

The author lovingly sends up everyone's favorite Regency romance tropes to create thoroughly orginal new stories full of wit and charm. Perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen. 
 

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale

Single mom Abby Fuller has never regretted putting her dreams of becoming an interior designer on hold for a more lucrative job, to better raise her son, Max. But when a friend recommends her for a small decorating job before the holidays, she jumps at the chance. Businessman Nick Sinclair needs his mansion decorated with all the trimmings before his family descends. What he doesn’t need is a distraction—even if it is almost Christmas.

With snow falling all around, a huge mansion to decorate, and a gorgeous, brooding man stalking the halls, Abby has her hands full this holiday!

A novel full of festive charm and cheese. If you love a Hallmark Christmas movie, this just might be the perfect book for you!
 

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Irene’s idyllic life in Iowa comes to a crashing halt one cold, wintry evening when she gets a phone call telling her that her husband, away on business, has been killed in a plane crash on the faraway Caribbean island of St. John. She and her two sons soon arrive in paradise, shocked to learn that her beloved husband had been living a secret life.

Crushed by betrayal and desperate to unravel the lies and intrigue her family’s life has been built on, Irene finds that she and her sons may be finding a new beginning for themselves on their new island home.

Hilderbrand leaves behind her usual setting of Nantucket to head south to the Caribbean for a new series, with wonderful results. 
 

The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan

Up in the snowy Scottish Highlands, Suzanne McBride wants nothing more than her three adopted daughters to make it home for a cozy Christmas. It may be their mother’s dream, but the three sisters are stressing out.

Workaholic Hannah is hiding a life-changing secret; stay-at-home mom Beth is having a personal crisis, wondering if she should go back to work; and Posy isn’t exactly living her best life, not sure if she’s ready for any big changes, including falling for her sexy neighbor Luke. All hail a family Christmas, whether the family wants one or not.

Bonus Recommendation

Snowdrift and Other Stories by Georgette Heyer

A pragmatic governess is rescued from an overturned carriage in the snow, a naive girl breaks into a house to ask for mercy for her feckless brother, a silly schoolgirl returns home for the holiday, two friends find themselves in a duel over a woman, a governess and a soldier of the Peninsular War seek shelter at the same inn… 

These are just a few of the charming stories from this thoroughly entertaining and witty collection of short romances and stories of independent women, enigmatic men, and silly flibbertigibbets.

For something more sinister, try Heyer’s mystery A Christmas Party. As a myriad of guests gather for a festive, holiday party they discover there’s a killer in their midst when their universally reviled host is found dead in a room locked from the inside!

Georgetter Heyer is a favorite author who never disappoints. These are fun, quick reads if you don't have a lot of time on your hands. 

For even more reading suggestions try our 2017 list, Cozy Christmas Reads.

And for even more fun, check out my Spotify playlist, A Hygge Christmas, created especially for this post. Happy holidays, everyone!