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I love a seasonal read. Right now, my bedside table is stacked high with Halloween-themed books from horror to paranormal romance that I’m desperately trying to finish before November. Romance readers seem to agree: every fall, The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore reappears on the Goodreads “most read” list. And in December, Christmas romances dominate.
If you search for holiday romance books, almost all the results will be Christmas-themed. But there are so many more holidays in the year that perfectly pair with a love story. That’s why task #22 of the 2025 Read Harder Challenge is “Read a holiday romance that isn’t Christmas.”
Today, I have a selection of holiday romance books to share with you, including Diwali, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Hanukkah. Of course, because of the day this is going up, I’m going to start with a couple of Halloween romance books.
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
A witchy romance is always a good choice for an October read, but this one is especially appropriate, because it features a magical ritual performed at midnight on Halloween. Dina is a kitchen witch who owns a café, selling magical pastries. She’s attending her best friend’s wedding, but she’s given up on her own love life because she’s cursed to have her partner experience debilitating bad luck. At the wedding, she meets museum curator Scott, and sparks fly. But can their chemistry overcome the hex?
A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love by Ann Rose
Five years ago, Pepper was tricked by the Keeper of the Store. Ever since, when The Dead of Night Halloween store appears overnight, she does, too. And when the store disappears, so does she. She’s sworn to herself not to do the same thing to someone else, but when Christina walks in the doors, she changes everything. As they fall for each other, Pepper desperately wishes for more time. She has to find a way to end her curse, or she’ll vanish two days after Halloween, along with all of Christina’s memories of her.
All Access members, read on for five more holiday romances featuring Diwali, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Hanukkah.
A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
A Holly Jolly Diwaliis a delightful holiday romantic comedy that sees type-A data analystNiki Randhawadiscover her fun side after being laid off and realizing that being practical and responsible isn’t working out for her like she thought it would. And so she books a last-minute trip to Mumbai for her friend Diya’s wedding andarrives in India just in time to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. There,she meets Sameer Mukherji, a free-spirited London musician who helps Diya get in touch with her creative side as well as her Indian roots. —Emily Martin
Every New Year by Katrina Jackson
Ezra and Candace can never get their timing right. Since their first meeting, when they were still teenagers, they’ve both known there was something between them. Although obstacles keep them apart, there is something neither is willing to give up on: their yearly meeting on New Year’s Eve. After almost two decades, however, both Candace and Ezra decide that they have to move on…only for a chance encounter to prove that, maybe, there is a reason they never could.
Bonus: Katrina Jackson has another New Year’s Eve romance that’s also a heist story: Grand Theft N.Y.E. —Carolina Ciucci
The Valentine’s Hate by Sidney Halston
Lizzie hates Valentine’s Day, ever since the Most Disastrous Valentine’s Day of All Time™. But her best friend is getting married on February 14th, and she’s the maid of honor. (Yes, this is another holiday wedding romance!) Unluckily for her, Brian is also attending the wedding—aka, the person who ruined Valentine’s Day for her. They immediately start bickering, but they’re forced to put their animosity aside when someone Brian desperately wants to avoid also turns up—and somehow, Lizzie is convinced to pretend to be his girlfriend. It’s friends to enemies to lovers! Second chance! Fake dating! Holiday romance!
I’ll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow
Don’t let the wreath and snow on the cover fool you: this is a Thanksgiving romance. Murphy is currently stuck living with her parents and is failing the last class she needs to graduate… again. The lesbian dating scene in small town Illinois leaves a lot to be desired, but things seem to be looking up when she bumps into Ellie. Their flirtation comes crashing to a stop when Murphy learns that Ellie’s mom is the one flunking her, but they do decide to fake date during the upcoming holiday weekend, and we all know where fake dating leads…
A Homemade Hanukkah by Eliana West
Physical therapist Noah finds himself wandering into the wilderness as a favor. He’s asked to check in on injured soccer player Gideon at his remote mountain cabin, only to end up being snowed in with him right on the brink of Hanukkah. The last thing Gideon wants is company, but he can’t resist this cheerful physical therapist who went out of his way to help him. This grumpy/sunshine pairing promises to delight readers who love a good snowed-in story! (Me. It promises to delight me.) —Jessica Pryde
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