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By Nicole Danielle
Christmas in July: Romance Reads to Keep You Cozy (Even in the Heat)
While some people spend July soaking up the sun and sipping sangria, we at Romance on the Rocks are cranking up the A/C, lighting a pine-scented candle, and diving into the snowy, swoony world of Christmas romance novels. Why? Because Christmas in July is a full-blown vibe and weβre here for it.
If you’ve already listened to ourΒ Christmas in July-themed podcast episodes, “Uff da! It’s Christmas in July!“, “Christmas ‘Comes’ Early,“ and “Sleigh My Name”, you know weβre all about blending heat with holiday sparkle. So here’s a list of recommended books to keep the theme going (because you know we love to be on-theme).
πΒ A Holly Jolly Ever AfterΒ by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
If you lovedΒ A Merry Little Meet Cute, you’re in for another spicy stocking stuffer.Β A Holly Jolly Ever AfterΒ follows a grumpy former boy band member and a sunshiney adult film star turned holiday movie hopeful. It’s funny, flirty, and gives serious Hallmark-after-dark energy. These authors know how to bring the steamΒ andΒ the snow.
πΒ A Merry Little Meet CuteΒ by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
The book that kicked off this holiday duoβs reign of festive smut! Bee Hobbes is a curvy adult film star accidentally cast in a squeaky-clean Christmas movie opposite her pop star crush, Nolan Shaw. Itβs sex-positive, body-positive, and bursting with bisexual joy.
πΒ Kiss Her Once for MeΒ by Alison Cochrun
Looking for a sapphic story that feels like the queer cousin ofΒ While You Were Sleeping? This oneβs for you. Ellie, down on her luck and stuck in Portland snow, agrees to a fake engagement β¦ only to find out her fake fiancΓ©’s sister is her ex-holiday fling. Cozy, complicated, and full of mistletoe-induced yearning. An absolute must-read for the LGBTQ+ crowd and allies alike.
π π½Β Season of LoveΒ by Helena Greer
This Jewish, queer, slow-burn romance features a woman reluctantly returning to run her familyβs Christmas tree farm β yes, irony intentional. There she meets Noelle, the tough-as-nails farm manager. With strong themes of grief, second chances, and found family,Β Season of LoveΒ blends diversity, warmth, and holiday charm seamlessly.
βοΈ White Wedding by Carla Luna
After a disastrous relationship and an even more disastrous blackmail scheme, Victoria Blackwood has spent years trying to escape her controlling father’s grip. When a holiday wedding unexpectedly reunites her with Rafael Sanchez, the chef she left behind five years earlier, old feelings quickly resurface. Filled with family drama, second chances, delicious food and plenty of wine,Β White WeddingΒ serves up a heartfelt Christmas romance that’s well worth the read.
You can check out my full book review of White Wedding here. And it’s featured in our podcast episode, Sleigh my Name.
ποΈ Donβt Miss Our Christmas in July Podcasts:
- “Uff da! It’s Christmas in July!” β We’ve got two delightfully different holiday romances that prove festive love stories work beautifully year-round. Meghan’s got a fab enemies to lovers trope with a struggling romance writer and Nicole kicks off Christmas in July with her first cowboy Christmas book from one of our all-time favorite authors.
- “Christmas ‘Comes’ Early” β We deep dive into spicy Christmas books, including one about a shape-shifter moose guy. (Yes, you read that right.) And Nicole’s got another cowboy Christmas novel … but by a completely different author and a trope that goes against cultural norms.
- “Sleigh My Name” — Celebrate Christmas in July with Nicole and Meghan as they review two festive romances, pair them with holiday-inspired cocktails and discover whether Christmas magic still works when it’s 90 degrees outside.
Find all our episodes wherever you get your podcasts, or head over to our podcast page to stream them directly.
Whether you’re decking the halls or just trying to beat the heat, these romances will fill your heart (and your Kindle or headphones) with joy. So grab a frozen hot chocolate, throw on your favorite ugly Christmas tank top, and let love snowball. Which of these holiday books will you read this month or save for the holidays? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Reading & Happy Holidays (in July!),
π Nicole Danielle
