5 Heartwarming Christmas Books That Will Leave You Feeling Warm & Cozy

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It's that time of the year when even the simplest moments feel a little magical. Maybe it's the soft glow of Christmas lights or the jolly holiday tunes that return every December, but there's just something about the final month of the year that encourages people to take a step back and slow down. While things get a bit chaotic outside as everyone's caught up in gift shopping or even getting the perfect Christmas nails for that upcoming holiday party, it's the perfect time to pick out a heartwarming book or two for when you're cozied up at home. 

A good heartwarming Christmas story with some jazzy holiday tunes in the background is the gentle escape so many book aficionados crave this time of year. After all, the last thing anyone needs is an intense read packed with too many things to process when the season is already filled with enough bustle on its own. This is the perfect opportunity to read something that lets you unwind and lean into stories that provide warmth, kindness, and a sense of serenity that'll make the holiday more meaningful.

Whether you're curled up on the couch with a decadent cup of hot chocolate or just want a break from all of the holiday festivities and chaos, there are plenty of heartwarming books to really get you in the holiday spirit. These are stories you'll want to add to your TBR for the Christmas season that'll leave you feeling all warm and cozy inside.

Claire Keegan's "Small Things Like These" wasn't just selected for Oprah's Book Club, which also has some amazing romance picks, and shortlisted for The Booker Prize for no reason. This book is one of those rare, heartwarming Christmas stories that's also perfect for historical fiction lovers. Oprah said, "It's a small book, but with a mighty story," and that's exactly what makes it stand out in a season filled with lighthearted reads. This book gives all the cozy feelings, but will also nudge you to reflect a bit more deeply on kindness, courage, and the choices that mold a person's character. 

Through a gentle yet resonant storytelling, Keegan tells the tale of Bill Furlong, a small Irish town's trusty coalman. As he makes his way through the town to fulfill his winter deliveries, he notices small moments of generosity, empathy, and the struggles of the townspeople. When he comes across a troubling situation, Bill faces a choice that will test his compassion and courage. This story feels like a big, warm hug to readers, leaving them with a sense of hope in humanity. 

An Amazon reviewer gave the book five stars, writing, "What a simple parable of a story which reminds readers of the impact of day-to-day gentle, sincere kindness." Another reviewer simply couldn't get enough of the book, as they said, "I've probably read this story 6 or 7 times now. It's a story that really makes you think about doing what is morally right despite the consequences. A powerful story." 

Whether it's for Thanksgiving or Christmas, Reese's Book Club knows how to pick some feel-good reads. "One Day in December" by Josie Silver was selected as Reese's Book Club's December 2018 pick. As she introduced the book, she said, "Get ready to be swept up in a whirlwind romance. It absolutely charmed me." Silver's debut novel follows Laurie and Jack, who have a chance encounter that sparks a decade-long journey of a love worth waiting for, missed connections, and finding their way back to each other. 

Silver tells a fuzzy and warm love story that's both uplifting and cozy. You'll find Laurie and Jack's story is full of humor, heart, and the most relatable human moments that will surely put a smile on your face and leave you rooting for them every step of the way. Silver herself recognized the story's comforting vibe, telling Books & Lovely Things, "If you're a fan of romantic books that are best read curled up with a blanket and a steaming cup of coffee, then you may well love 'One Day in December.' I hope you do!" 

An Amazon reviewer wrote, "I finished this one day before Christmas, and what perfect timing. Heartwarming, well-written, flawed characters that you still root for. Reminded me a lot of those holiday romance stories." They're not wrong. Silver's story is the perfect Christmas romance story that will definitely have you feeling all warm and cozy inside. 

If you're familiar with Jenny Bayliss, you probably know that she loves to write about Christmas and all of its cozy cheer. Her book, "A December to Remember," leans into everything fans adore about her work. If you're looking for small-town Christmas vibes, newfound family warmth, and some holiday sparkle here and there, this story truly has it all, and Bayliss delivers it in the most therapeutic way. 

The story follows three estranged half-sisters who reunite in a quaint English village after their father's passing. While they assumed they were simply there to receive their inheritances, they quickly learn their father has left behind some unexpected instructions which force them to spend time together. The three sisters navigate old tensions and resentments, as well as the awkwardness of trying to reconnect after all of these years apart. Will their father's last wish and the season be able to work their magic to help the sisters find their way into each other's lives again? 

An Amazon reviewer said they wanted to give the book five shining stars, adding, "The cover of this book truly matches the lovely plot and atmosphere inside the book, and when it comes to Christmas books I really just want to feel like I'm living inside a small town Christmas wonderland and that's exactly how this book felt." If you're leaning more toward a family-centered holiday story, this book will be perfect for you.

If there's anyone who can make you feel warm and cozy after reading a book, it's Jenny Colgan. From "Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe" to "The Bookshop on the Corner," it's clear Colgan writes to make readers feel like they're wrapped up in a comfy blanket, feeling all of the sweetness her writing has to offer. So, it should be no surprise that her holiday-themed novel, "The Christmas Bookshop," delivers that cozy magic. 

Carmen is seriously strapped for cash after being let go from her job, and she'd rather do anything than spend Christmas with her seemingly perfect sister, Sofia. So, she takes on a job at an old bookshop in Edinburgh, and she makes it her goal to bring the store back to life. On this little mission, she'll discover friendships in the most unexpected ways, some romance, and the chance to reconnect with her family. It's truly the perfect Christmas tale to get you into the holiday spirit. The best part? This book has a sequel! 

Library Journal described the book as being "full of references to books, descriptions of the twisty insides of a bookshop," and added that there are so many "fun details about Scotland, Quakerism, and the centuries-old Great Yew Tree of Ormiston. Get ready to root for these charming characters as they bungle their way toward a merry Christmas." 

Pamela Kelley is another author who knows how to give readers the coziest feelings with a heartwarming story. Her books are famous for being filled with warmth and gentle humor; she's practically one of the queens of Chick Lit, a genre that explores various themes of modern womanhood with lots of wit and charm. In her holiday novel, "The Christmas Inn," Kelley tells the story of Riley Sanders, who loses her job and finds herself back in her hometown, Cape Cod, lending a hand at her family's inn. What starts as a simple holiday stay ends up becoming just what Riley needed after all. A season full of laughter, festive cheer, lots of cookies, and making unforgettable memories with her family. 

This is one of those books you'll want to add to your Kindle and curl up with when you're looking for a feel-good, heartwarming read. It's the kind of book you can easily pick up and put down without losing any of the magic or feeling like you have to go back and reread sections. An Amazon reviewer said, "If you're looking for a feel-good story about love, family and second chances, I highly recommend reading 'The Christmas Inn' by Pamela Kelley. This is the perfect book to kick off your holiday reading season." 

In order to put together this list of heartwarming Christmas books that make readers feel all cozy and warm, we geared our focus toward books that don't rely on high-stakes drama. The last thing we want is to keep our readers on the edge of their seats, enduring intense emotional turmoil with all of the holiday chaos going on outside of the book. Reading during Christmas should be all about relaxing and just enjoying the story. So, instead, we sought out the kind of books that offer calming and comforting narratives to put readers at ease. 

We wanted everyone to be uplifted and comforted while reading. There was also hope that people would feel as if they were wrapped in a weighted blanket and drowning in soft nostalgia and holiday cheer. After gathering a list of books that are often most recommended as holiday reads, we evaluated each one for tone and emotional impact. We asked ourselves, over and over again, whether or not the story evoked warmth, joy, or even gentle magic. Our goal was to seek out stories that focus on themes like soft romance, unbreakable family bonds, and friendship. 

Pacing and narrative style were also on our priority list of elements, as we wanted the story to be easy to follow. While ratings may not have been one of our main considerations, we still made sure the overall consensus for the book was positive.