20 holiday fiction books to cozy up with in 2025

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Every year when the holidays roll around, I can’t resist curling up with a stack of festive reads—books filled with snow-covered towns, second chances, family drama, and a little magic (or murder). Whether you’re the type who loves a heartwarming romance set in a twinkly small town or you lean more toward darkly funny mysteries with a festive twist, I’ve got you covered.

In this list, I’ve rounded up 20 of the best new holiday fiction releases of 2025 that deserve a spot on your nightstand (or your e-reader for those holiday travels). There’s a new Laurie Gilmore novel that practically smells like gingerbread, a Christmas market mystery, some ghostly winter tales, and a feel-good Christmas romance about love, second chances, and finding your happily ever after under the mistletoe. I’ve also tucked in a few books that stretch the definition of “holiday” a bit—stories set in the quiet days between Christmas and New Year’s, or in beautiful winter landscapes… the ones that capture that strange mix of nostalgia and hope that always hits in December.

And if you are wondering how you will finance all these book purchases, here’s a holiday offer from Audible that will give you access to 3 audio bestsellers or new releases for pennies.

The best new holiday fiction and Christmas romance novels of 2025

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