What I Read in December 2024
cozy romances and a festive mystery
What a great month for holiday romances! There are so many of these I hope you’ll add to your TBR list for next holiday season. My top recommendations are Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss, Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot, The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morganthaler, Snowed In by Catherine Walsh, and The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter. Hopefully, by next year you’ll be able to borrow these from your local library!
I recently joined Fable after the gals in the Daily eBook Deals Discord chat convinced me. If you join me on Fable, we’ll each get a $5 credit to use on an ebook. Just sign up using this link and then download the app! So far it’s very visually appealing and I like that you can track books and shows in the app. I’m looking forward to using it in 2025.
Keep scrolling to read all my December book reviews!
December Book Reviews
A Very Irish Christmas by Debbie Johnson
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Pages: 308
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
Cute and cozy on audiobook, especially with the Irish accents and humor. I read another Christmas book with an altar ditch (The Holiday Honeymoon Switch) earlier this season that I preferred to this book. There wasn't enough tension between the supposed love triangle for me to feel compelled for Cassie to end up with either of the guys. I prefer a bit more angst in my romances. Eejit was my favorite character by far even though I was tired of hearing his name by the end of the book. If you enjoy women's lit with characters overcoming realistic hurdles in life, you'll find comfort in this book.
Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Pages: 397
Format Read: Physical Copy (owned)
I can always count on Jenny Bayliss for a cozy, feel-good holiday novel. It's been a long time since I've sat down and read 100 pages of a book in one sitting. If you liked The Best Christmas Pageant Ever as a kid, this is like a grown-up version. Harriet is a 40-something single mom who works in pastoral care. She ends up being in charge of putting together a production of A Christmas Carol to save the town's Winter Theater from destruction and keep her students out of trouble for trespassing. The catch? She's got to work together with the owner's lawyer, James, who happens to be Harriet's hunky one-night stand. While there's a bit of romance in this story, the real star is the found family in the diverse cast of characters. Bayliss does a great job of representing disabilities and different socioeconomic statuses. The small town setting shines and there's even an easter egg reference to the town in Bayliss's previous novel A December to Remember! Kiss Me at Christmas was heartwarming and I think it'll be a new favorite to recommend.
This Winter by Alice Oseman
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 115
Format Read: Physical Copy (borrowed from the library)
This Heartstopper novella was surprisingly heavy. Each chapter is written from the POV of one of the Spring siblings. There’s a lot of discussion about eating disorders and mental health that is written in a way that’s sensitive towards teens dealing with similar struggles. You get a bit of cheer from Charlie and Nick’s interactions, of course. I haven’t read the Heartstopper series (yet) but I’ve been enjoying the TV series on Netflix! I was surprised to see this new book at my library and had to pick it up.
Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Pages: 368
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
Love You a Latke is a delightful holiday romance with rich Jewish representation and of course festive Hanukkah traditions. While the story focuses on Abby's struggles with past family trauma and finding community, her romance with Seth is sweet and genuine. Abby's character growth shines as she confronts her past, embraces her heritage, and finds her place in Seth’s world while coming into her own. Kelli Tager narrates beautifully, and the contrast of the small-town Vermont and New York City settings adds the perfect amount of wintery charm. For fans of Jewish romance, check out The Matzah Ball, which gets a special mention in a scene toward the end of the book!
A Five-Letter Word for Love by Amy James
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Pages: 368
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
This was one of my most anticipated romances this year because building a romance around Wordle seemed like such a unique concept. Unfortunately, the romance fell flat. It has small town, slow-burn vibes but the attraction between Emily and John was hard to believe. I did love the Canadian setting. Emily spends a lot of time in this novel trying to figure out what she wants from life, making it perfect for young adults. It felt more like a coming of age story and honestly, I was disappointed in the end by a big decision Emily made.
The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morganthaler
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Pages: 304
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
This book is truly a gem. Sienna, who is newly divorced, meets Guy, a single father with a four-year-old daughter named Emma who is suffering from kidney failure. After Guy responds to an ad Sienna's friends listed as a joke, she discovers that Emma might lose her place on the transplant list due to complications with insurance. To help Emma keep her spot, Sienna and Guy decide to marry so that Emma can gain access to the necessary insurance. In a sea of lighthearted Christmas novels, this one stands out as deeply heartfelt. It is somber, emotional, and devastating, yet the ending provides a sense of hope for the world and the future.
Christmas With the Lords by Hannah Langdon
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Pages: 286
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
Penny Windlesham is heartbroken after her boyfriend dumps her before Christmas. She takes a short-term nanny job at a manor house in Dorset. Her spirits lift when she arrives at the charming home and meets the quirky family, including the grouchy uncle, Lando Lord. Despite avoiding him at first, a spark ignites between them when he asks Penny to model for his Nativity carving for a local church. Christmas with the Lords is fun on audiobook. It gave off major Sound of Music vibes in the beginning. It’s a slow burn romance that’s more about family dynamics and the coziness of the holiday season.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Irish literature
Pages: 128
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
A short Irish novel with heavy nods to A Christmas Carol that embodies the lyrics "a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices". This is a working man's Christmas story that touches on a part of Irish history I wasn't previously familiar with. It's about power, abuse, and class dynamics. While sorrowful and painful, Furlong's hope for the world is beautiful. I love that despite how introspective this novella is, the ending leaves the reader with questions. I choose to believe Bill and his daughters find peace.
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Holiday Romance
Pages: 336
Format Read: Kindle (owned)
I love the Fitzpatrick family, and hearing Christian's story felt like a redemption arc for the playboy. If you read Holiday Romance, you'll get a bit of a continuation of Molly and Andrew's story, so I highly recommend reading it first. Megan and Christian's fake dating romp is funny and sexy. He's so protective of her without coming off like too much of an Alpha character. He really sees Megan and gives her what she needs. I loved the small-town Irish setting, dual POVs, and festive family gatherings. This book was everything I want from a holiday romance. I hope we get more Fitzpatrick Christmas novels.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Middle Grade Holiday Classic
Pages: 128
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a classic for a reason. What a delight! The seemingly unlovable Herdman children become endearing almost overnight as they take on their roles in the church Christmas pageant. They ask all the right questions and in the end, it really is the best Christmas pageant ever! Barbara Robinson perfectly captures the chaos of Christmas with kids while reminding you of the true reason for the season. I can't wait to read this to my kids year after year.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery/Holiday Romance
Pages: 304
Format Read: Audiobook (purchased during a Libro.fm sale)
I had so much fun with this cozy mystery/Christmasy rom-com. It sounds like a hodgepodge of genres but it works together well! I loved the cozy English countryside setting. There's just a touch of Christmas so you could almost read this any time of year. The story is centered around enemies turned lovers who also happen to be best-selling authors. When the Duchess of Death goes missing, it's up to Maggie and Ethan to play the game and solve the clues to figure out whodunnit. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is told from dual POVs and alternating timelines which always make for an entertaining read. Was the grand reveal predictable? Yes. But I enjoyed it anyway.
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Holiday Romance
Pages: 356
Format Read: Physical Copy (owned)
Izzy and Lucas are receptionists at a hotel in England that’s literally falling apart. When Izzy finds a collection of rings in lost property, she’s determined to find their owners. Izzy and Lucas despise each other after a misunderstanding that happened a year ago, but they have to work together to save their jobs. The plot had a lot of potential but I couldn’t buy into the romance. There was a lot of telling but not enough showing. Even though it’s written in a dual POV, there wasn’t enough distinction in the voice of each main character. I adored the setting but overall, this book missed the mark for me. If you haven’t read any of Beth O’Leary’s works, I’d recommend The Switch, The Flatshare, or The No-Show over this book.
What’s up next in January
No pressure on any of the books on my TBR list, but January tends to be the month I read a 5-star book. In previous years I’ve fallen in love with Ninth House and Hell Bent, Bridge to Terabithia, The Glass Hotel, Black Cake, The Secret History, and the After series in January.
Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with something dark and atmospheric. I’m hoping to read Manacled, a Dramione fanfic, and looking forward to the 3rd Emperyan novel, Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, when it releases later in the month. If I can find the time, I’d like to listen to the graphic audiobook version of Iron Flame to refresh my memory before the new book.
From my NetGalley shelf, I’ll be reaching for Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz. This upcoming book is set in Charleston and features a single mother pitching the home renovation TV pilot of her dreams--one with a historic preservation twist. I went to College of Charleston and studied Historic Preservation so it feels like this book was made for me to read! I can’t wait to report back to you.
You can keep up with my reading journey in real time on Goodreads or The Storygraph!
Happy reading,
I’ve linked to Bookshop.org where titles are available. If you purchase using the links above, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Bookshop.org supports Independent Bookstores! It’s a win-win.
Can’t wait to see what you read in January! Going to check out fable too. Thanks for the reccomendation. xx
I love Christmas romances! Too bad I found this after Christmas, some of them look like fantastic reads!