Courtney has been reading and collecting books almost as long as she's been alive. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Creative Writing. Courtney has been writing with Book Riot since 2019, and is a Bibliologist with TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations. She's currently brainstorming for her next creative project. You can follow her on Instagram.
Forget the tropical beach vacation and summer sun. Take me away to the snow! The appeal of winter romances is the setting. Outdoor ice skating. Shimmering lights. Snowstorms that could keep the love interests in forced proximity for hours! Snowy winter scenes are the perfect backdrop for flirty competition, fake dating, and enemies-to-lovers romances. There’s something about the cold weather that brings out the best and worst of romance characters.
Holiday romances are the most common trope for winter romances: the warmth and sparkle are hard to resist! There’s also winter sports romance or try a romance set in a faraway country to experience winter elsewhere. Celebrate wintertime with these winter-themed romances and a big mug of hot cocoa.
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
This book is vaguely Christmas-y, but is best described as “Gelato Mamma Mia.” Chef Iris moves from London to New York to restart her life and stumbles into a little Italian gelateria. The owner, Gio, tells her the shop might have to close because the keeper of the gelato recipe, his uncle, is in a coma. Iris samples the gelato and realizes it tastes exactly like her mother’s special gelato. As Gio and Iris attempt to recreate the gelato all winter long, they grow closer—and family secrets begin to pour out.
The Cuffing Game by Lyla Lee
Inspired by K-dramas and Pride and Prejudice, this YA romance is perfect for winter break reading. Bisexual film student Mia Yoon is using her skills to her advantage with a new campus dating show, called “The Cuffing Game”. She’s enlisted her secret crush Noah to star in the show. Noah’s social media presence and campus popularity are sure to bring in the views Mia needs. Over winter break, they film the show at a snowy cabin. Soon, their bickering turns to flirty bantering and everyone notices.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
In the competitive world of winter sports, nothing gets in the way of perfection, not even romance. At the University of California, Maple Hills, a facilities mix-up means the ice hockey team is sharing the rink with the pairs figure skating team. Anastasia’s got her eyes on Olympic gold, but when her partner is injured, she looks to hockey captain Nate for help. Their clashing personalities generate undeniable chemistry on and off the ice. Irresistible and entertaining, this novel takes place over the fall-winter semester.
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A Kiss For Midwinter by Courtney Milan
For a wintry novella, try this historical romance set in 19th century England. Miss Lydia’s love for Christmastime can’t hide her pain about her past. Now that Doctor Jonas Grantham is finishing up medical school, Lydia knows he could tell everyone the truth about her past. Lydia wishes she could be rid of him and the way he makes her feel! Jonas has been holding his own secret for more than a year. To win Lydia over, Jonas proposes a wager that will show Lydia his true self. Part of the Brothers Sinister series, A Kiss for Midwinter can be read on its own.
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
After a bad blind date, Darcy just wants her matchmaker brother to stay out of her business. Darcy’s last relationship ended in heartbreak and she just wants some time to figure it out. When Darcy meets Elle, a social media astrologer, she strikes a bargain to fake a relationship with her until New Year’s. Elle’s free spirit clashes with Darcy’s punctual and logical personality, but could there be something there? This Sapphic Pride and Prejudice retelling takes place in Seattle.
Yours For The Season by Uzma Jalaluddin (December 1)
Chef Tom meets Sameera while working a party at her law firm. Tom is thrilled when his post goes viral, until everyone starts assuming he and Sameera are a couple. They decide to keep up the pretense for a while so Tom can help Sameera land a major client and his social media can get a boost. When Sameera’s Muslim family invites Tom’s Not-Muslim family for Christmas in Alaska, they’re sure they’ll be found out. Full of wintry shenanigans and misunderstandings, this novel is warmhearted and hilarious.Yours For The Season is expected to publish December 1, 2025.
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander
This one’s for everyone who lives where it doesn’t get very cold in the winter. After a scandal threatens his career, Eli returns to his Florida hometown for the holidays. Eli hasn’t been back since his transition or since getting sober. Eli’s loud and chaotic family just doesn’t get it. Eli bumps into his high school ex, Nick. Nick’s busy life can’t keep him from his curiosity about getting to know Eli again. Over beach excursions and time with Nick’s daughter, Eli and Nick rekindle their friendship into something more.
A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron
Ruby’s finally making her and her late mother’s dream of running a cozy British inn come true, but she needs some help getting started. Hotelier Rashid notices Ruby dragging a Christmas tree home from the market and offers to help, even if he doesn’t get all the hype about holidays. When Ruby realizes his hotel background, she volunteers to help him give his nieces a picture-perfect Christmas in exchange for hotel connections. Ruby’s dreams feel more complicated as she and Rashid get closer. Ruby will have to decide what she wants to pursue most. This holiday romance is like stepping inside a magical little snow globe.
What’s on your winter reading list? Relax on a cold winter day with some bookish puzzles or try a new romance trope: the grumpy x grumpy.
English (US) · 