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Curling up with a comforting Christmas romance novel might seem like a strictly December activity. But our latest podcast episode makes a compelling case for enjoying these heartwarming stories any time of year. Romance on the Rocks hosts Nicole and Meghan dove into their first “Christmas in July” theme, exploring how holiday romance novels create the perfect escape regardless of the season.
The episode features two distinctly different Christmas romances that demonstrate the range within the subgenre.
Nicole Danielle’s Book: Cowboy, It’s Christmas by Heatherly Bell
First up: “Cowboy It’s Christmas” by Heatherly Bell. The novel is part of her popular Men of Stone Ridge series. This contemporary cowboy romance centers around Daisy Carver, a 26-year-old auto mechanic, and Wade Cruz, a 33-year-old former rodeo star recovering from a career-ending arm injury. Their story incorporates the classic fake dating trope when Daisy proposes they pretend to date to help Wade avoid being selected for a reality TV show casting in their small Texas town. The novel weaves in complex family dynamics — including questions about Daisy’s biological parentage — creating depth beyond the central romance.
What makes Bell’s writing particularly appealing is her realistic dialogue and well-developed characters. The hosts note how naturally the story flows, making it an easy, enjoyable read that doesn’t feel overly Christmas-focused despite its holiday setting. This accessibility makes it perfectly appropriate for summer reading while still delivering those cozy Christmas vibes romance readers often crave.
Meghan Leigh’s Book: All I Want is You by Falon Ballard
The second book we discuss is “All I Want Is You” by Falon Ballard, published in 2024. This contemporary romance follows Jessica Carrington, a struggling romance author who works as a barista, and her ex-boyfriend, Nick Matthews. He’s a successful author who writes romances without happy endings (considered sacrilege in the genre). When Jess must present an award to Nick at their publisher’s Christmas party, they end up snowed in at a hotel together — complete with the classic one room one bed trope — and are tasked with collaborating on a novel together.
What makes this book particularly interesting is Ballard’s insider perspective as a romance author herself. The hosts highlight several passages that offer insights into the writing process and genre conventions. These include characters discussing the challenges of creating believable reasons for a breakup in second-chance romances, and the frustration with miscommunication tropes. These elements add an extra layer of enjoyment for readers who are familiar with romance novel conventions.
Comparisons & Conclusions
The hosts also compare the writing styles of both books, noting that while “Cowboy It’s Christmas” is written in the third person (which seems to be more common in romance novels), “All I Want Is You” is written in first person. This difference initially created an adjustment period for Meghan, highlighting how reader preferences and expectations can shape our reading experiences.
Both books receive positive recommendations, though they varied in spice level. Nicole gives “Cowboy It’s Christmas” a poblano (milder) ranking while Meghan ranks “All I Want Is You” at a jalapeño (medium heat) level. This variation demonstrates Christmas romances offer options for readers who prefer different levels of explicit content, making the subgenre accessible to a wide audience.
Coming Up Next
Our Christmas in July theme continues and Meghan and Nicole have revealed their next romance selections. Meg accepted a coworker challenge and is going for “Merry Cris Moose,” featuring a moose shifter romance. Yep, you read that right. And it just goes to show holiday romances can be found across all romance subgenres, from the conventional to the fantastically bizarre. Nicole will be reading Snowed in with the Cowboy … and the synopsis has Meghan a little freaked out. You’ll just have to mark your calendars for July 22 when the next episode airs.
Have you read either of these Christmas romance novels? What did you think of them? Comment below! We’d love to hear from you. Interested in reading these books? They make a refreshing escape during the summer heat AND they’ll warm your hearts in the winter. You can purchase “Cowboy, It’s Christmas” from The Ripped Bodice here or Amazon here. For “All I Want is You”, use this Amazon link or this The Ripped Bodice link.
To learn more about author Falon Ballard, click here. And be sure to check out her podcast, Happy to Meet Cute, here! To learn more about author Heatherly Bell, click here. And be sure to check out our podcast episode featuring an interview with Heatherly here. Want to listen to the podcast episode? We’re available on pretty much all your favorite podcast streaming services. Or you can visit our podcast player page here.
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