I know we all love a moan when the Christmas decorations and festive food start hitting the shops in October, before we’ve even had Halloween, but in publishing, festive fiction can arrive as early as September, and to be perfectly honest, I am here for it!
Whether you want a cosy Christmas romance or a mistletoe murder to sink your teeth into, here’s a round-up of the best festive fiction of 2025 to add to your TBR list.
A Poisoning at Castle Gloaming by Kay Blythe
After a two-day train journey, peripatetic dressmaker Jemima Flowerday makes the final approach to her new job on foot, following the canal to Castle Gloaming, which stands in the rugged North Wales countryside overlooking the foaming River Dee.
Jemima has come to clothe Mrs Cornelia van Doorn, a wealthy South African widow who has leased the castle from its impoverished aristocratic owner, intending to launch herself and her young stepdaughter, Honour, into London society. But on her arrival, she’s told she’s actually been summoned to investigate the disappearance of the girl. Even in a place still haunted by mystery and magic, the seventeen-year-old can’t have melted into thin air…
The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright
It’s Christmas Eve at the Merry Monarch.
Nestled amongst the Yorkshire Dales, the pub is preparing to host its annual scavenger hunt for its rabble of regulars. There’s the landlord, Mickey, his wife Sofia and their wayward son, James; local policeman Alex and his supernaturally minded deputy Don; as well as Sita, Mrs Fazarkaley, the Kapoors and Curtis, who’s never far from his beloved dog Barkley. Quite the crowd.
And this year, they are interrupted by a knock at the door from Maddie Marlowe, a journalist who was homeward bound to Edinburgh for Christmas, only to be stranded by car failure, and by the snowstorm that’s closing in on the village.
But Maddie’s arrival won’t be the only surprise of the night. When the power is cut off and darkness descends, the hunt turns deadly. Maddie and her unexpected Christmas companions must try to find the murderer amongst them, as it seems one of the group would kill to win . . .
Murder Under the Mistletoe by Richard Coles
It is Christmas Day, and at Champton Rectory, Canon Daniel Clement and his mother Audrey are joined by the residents and guests of the big house to drink, eat and be merry.
At the festive feast, peace and goodwill prevail.
Until two meet under the mistletoe. One of them falls down dead. And Daniel suspects murder has returned to Champton . . .
The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan
Mirren Sutherland didn’t expect an old book in her great-aunt’s attic to change her whole world. But one minute she is staring resentfully at the sparkly London Christmas lights, dreading the thought of another Christmas alone. And the next, she is being whisked away on a secret night train to a grand old house in the highlands…
Jamie McPherson is desperate to save his family home – and he needs Mirren’s ability to sniff out an antique to do it. There is a very rare, very valuable, and very lost book somewhere in the nooks and crannies of his family’s crumbling estate. And if Mirren can find it, they might just be able to save the McPhersons from financial ruin.
But the house has its secrets, and when a snowstorm traps Mirren and Jamie in, along with rival book hunter Theo Palliser, they realise that there is much more than just a book hidden in the halls. With old feelings and new sparks slipping through the cracks, it’s a race against time – and snowfall.
With the help of a sprinkle of Christmas magic, will Mirren uncover the clues and find the book – without losing her heart?
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Hayley Dunlop
Can life be like a made-for-TV Christmas movie?
Mally Allister prides herself on being nice and predictable, just like the trope-filled festive films she turns to for comfort every winter.
But when she faces the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her London flat, Mally is sent on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas movie experience in her humdrum British hometown.
With the help of familiar faces from her formative years, including her teenage crush Tom, Mally starts ticking off the classic holiday romance movie tropes in unexpected ways.
But can real life ever live up to the magical movie experience?
Jingle Spells by Emily Grimoire
Delilah hates Christmas. She’s a strong, independent witch who has finally left her hometown of Oak Haven and is off forging her own path. But an emergency drags her back just in time for the holidays.
Jasper is a human who also hates Christmas. He’s attempting to avoid festivities when he stumbles into the magical world of Oak Haven – a place which definitely isn’t supposed to exist – and sees things which should be impossible.
When chaos erupts in the town, Delilah and Jasper must join forces to restore order. They should be the perfect team. Their only problem? Their growing attraction to each other might be distracting them from their work…
Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn
There are two things you should know about Atlas ‘Max’ Maxheimer. One: he has the presence of a six-foot-four lumberjack with a knack for making people smile. Two: he lives and breathes the holidays. Not only is he the reigning victor of the annual town Christmas contest, but his family have a literal Christmas tree farm. ‘Tis his damn season.
And she’s going to ruin everything.
Betty is new in town, full of holiday cheer and, worst of all, is helping her uncle open a rival tree farm next door. Max is convinced she’s out to destroy everything he loves. Betty thinks Max might be one sleigh short of a winter parade.
And they’re having way too much fun trying to outdo each other.
After Christmas chaos, public humiliation and booby traps that Home Alone would be proud of, it only takes a blizzard, a romantic cottage and only one bed for the sparks between Max and Betty to ignite…
And if you want to know what I’m reading right now, follow me on Instagram where I’m constantly sharing reading recommendations and everything bookish!
Don’t forget to grab your copy of my novel, The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop, now if you want a last bit of summer before the winter really hits!
