We’ve got a big gift for you! Our list of ten recommendations for old-school Christmas romance reads doesn’t need to be unwrapped, and best of all, it’s mess-free.
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‘Tis the Season for Christmas and Retro-Romance Novels
It’s that time of year again!
Christmas is the season for love, family, and romance. This is the perfect time to curl up with good, old-school Christmas love stories.
There are many Yuletide-themed books, from tales ending with sweet kisses to heart-wrenching dramas. You might not know where to begin. Sweet Savage Flame’s list of 10 great Christmas romance novels from the 1980s and 1990s should help you.
10 Christmas Romances We Recommend
Are you looking for a feel-good Christmas read?
Get into the holiday spirit with these ten excellent Christmas romance novels! Whether you’re an avid romance reader or new to the genre, we hope these enchanting stories will make you feel romantic and merry this holiday season.
Many of these novels are in digital format, so you can take them on your e-reader for holiday travels!
From contemporary category lines (like Harlequin and Silhouette) to historical romances to stories with supernatural elements, we’ve picked something for everyone.
1. Too Many Husbands by Elise Title, 1990
Elise Title’s Too Many Husbands will make your belly jiggle like Santa’s as you laugh and laugh. This hilarious romp set in a beautiful New England town is too much!
Naughty and Nice…
All Casey Croyden wanted for Christmas was a husband. Not a permanent one – just a man to play the part and help her impress the traditional Japanese businessman she was entertaining over the holidays. Sounded simple enough. Hire one from Actor’s Equity.
When John Gallagher arrived on her doorstep, the attraction between them was no act. And the debonair Mr Gallagher was no actor! Casey didn’t have the faintest idea who he was, but she had no time to trifle over details. Especially over the other minor glitch in her plan…what to do with him when the lights went out.
Too Many Husbands by Elise Title
2. The Snow Garden by Bethany Campbell, 1989
The Snow Garden by Bethany Campbell is a charming story about growing up, finding yourself, and coming to terms with your past. It is great for anyone looking for a lighthearted read during the holidays—or anytime!
She was filled with Christmas dread—
Why did Hedy’s new home have to be on Holly Street—where everyone “Made a big deal of Christmas”—and right next door to irresponsible maniac extraordinaire, Ty Marek?
“If there’s anything wrong with this house—I know what it is,” Hedy told Ty after fe’d introduced himself by shattering her prettiest window and best mirror with a baseball gone wild, “it’s next door to you!”
Yet without him the house seemed unnaturally quiet. Infuriating as he was, Ty radiated vitality—and something elusive that reminded her of happier times when Christmas had filled her with cheer.
The Snow Garden by Bethany Campbell
3. The Present by Johanna Lindsey, 1998
If you’re looking for a heartwarming holiday read, then The Present by Johanna Lindsey is an excellent choice. This love story occurs at Christmas at the head of the Malory clan’s manor. Lindsey weaves a beautiful tale of romance that will have you rooting for not one but two main couples from the very beginning.
As the entire Malory family gathers at Haverston to celebrate the season, a mysterious present arrives anonymously. The gift is an old journal—a tender and tempestuous account of the love affair between the second Marquis, Christopher Malory, and a dark gypsy beauty named Anastasia, who seeks a love match with a non-gypsy in order to save herself from a prearranged marriage to a brute.
Though the dashing English lord Anastasia sets her sights upon burns for the exquisite, exotic miss, Christopher could never consent to wed such a lowborn lady. But miracles have been known to happen in this season of peace, giving, and love as two extraordinary people separated by circumstances of birth begin a passionate dance of will and will.
And in the miraculous blossoming of a glorious romance at a long ago Christmastime, there are wise and well-learned lessons that will enrich the hearts of the Malory descendants—and, indeed, of everyone who has ever dreamed.
THE PRESENT BY JOHANNA LINDSEY
4. Merry Christmas by Emma Darcy, 1997
This timeless romance by Emma Darcy is one of the best holiday love stories you will ever experience. It will make you fall in love all over again. Plus, what could be more Christmassy than a romance called Merry Christmas?
A daughter she doesn’t know and the lover who doesn’t know her!
As a pregnant teenager, Meredith Palmer had been devastated to discover from Nick Hamilton’s sister that he’d had an accident and had no memory of their golden summer romance. Bereft, Meredith had brokenly accepted Denise’s offer to adopt Kimberly. But now, twelve years later, Denise is dead and Nick has become the girl’s guardian.
Kimberly’s eagerness to meet her real mother has brought Nick to Meredith’s doorstep this Christmas. He can’t remember having seen this intensely alluring woman before, but there is something about her…some tantalizing glimmer of a dream, a memory…that he must pursue.
Merry Christmas by Emma Darcy
5. The Trouble with Angels by Debbie Macomber, 1994
Debbie Macomber’s The Trouble with Angels is the second book in her Angels Everywhere series and is a favorite of many. This book has a feel-good storyline, perfect for holiday reading.
The series has seven books, but here are the ones from the 1990’s:
- A Season of Angels, 1993
- The Trouble With Angels, 1994
- Touched by Angels, 1995
- Christmas Angels, 1996 (All three books in the Angels Everywhere series)
A Season for Giving…and Loving
It is a time of joy and gladness–yet even the wonder of Christmas cannot brighten lives burdened by loneliness and despair. So when three “rush” prayers fly up from the City of Angels, three real angels fly down to Earth to answer the call. And this is no ordinary celestial trio, but Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy–incomparable, irrepressible, and somewhat outrageous heavenly helpers dedicated to abolishing sadness in their own special fashions. It will take more than one miracle, however, to mend the broken hearts they’ve come to repair. But Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy are on the case–and they’re not going to disappear before they deliver the best holiday gift of all: love!
The Trouble with Angels by Debbie Macomber
6. Christmas Angel by Jo Beverley, 1992
Christmas Angel by Jo Beverley is the third book in her Company of Rogues trilogy and is an excellent book for fans of old-school romance novels.
HE HAD NO INTEREST IN LOVE
Leander Knollis, Earl of Charrington, was tired of gadding about the Continent on diplomatic missions. It was time he settled down in his family home with a wife at his side and enjoyed a proper English Christmas. But his search for an intelligent woman without fanciful notions of romance was a frustrating one indeed…until he met the very sensible Judith Rossiter. Her figure was most attractive, her manner most pleasing, and her heart kind and gentle. All he wanted was a marriage of convenience, but soon he began to wonder whether his eminently practical mind would be overruled by his surprisingly foolish heart.LOVE WAS ALL SHE COULD OFFER
Christmas Angel by Jo BeverlEy
It was an odd sort of marriage proposal which left Judith perplexed. Why would an earl, and a most attractive one at that, have any interest in marrying an impoverished widow with two children? It was a peculiar notion to consider but the opportunity to better her family’s fortune, particularly in the advent of the approaching holiday season prompted her to accept his offer. It seemed an ideal arrangement in which she had nothing to fear…unless it was losing her heart to this most enigmatic earl!
7. A Christmas Charade by Karla Hocker, 1991
A Christmas Charade by Karla Hocker is a Regency romance perfect for cozying up by the fireplace!
Elizabeth Gore-Langton was hardly in a position to refuse to accompany Lady Astley to the Christmas party at Stenton Castle. After all, a paid companion must follow her employer’s wishes. It scarcely signified that Elizabeth would be forced to face the man who had unknowingly broken her heart years ago during her first season. Most likely, the Duke of Stenton wouldn’t even recognize her. But once she looked up into his dark, piercing eyes, she knew this was a man who forgot very little and forgave even less. Well, she was no longer a blushing schoolgirl, and the dashing duke would soon find that a broken heart, once mended, could be formidable, indeed!
Clive Rowland, Fifth Duke of Stenton, was in no mood for a holiday gathering. But the Christmas gala would provide the perfect cover as he investigated reports that French agents were doing a brisk trade in stolen documents along the Sussex coast. It would be devilishly difficult to play the host while tracking down traitors, but Clive was up to the task provided he kept his wits about him and didn’t get distracted by yule logs and Christmas folderol or the delightful charms of the disturbingly familiar Elizabeth. The little minx was hiding something, to be sure, she was about to learn that he liked nothing better than unveiling a lady’s secrets!
A Christmas Charade by Karla Hocker
8. A Timeless Christmas by Patricia Chandler, 1994
A Timeless Christmas by Patricia Chandler is a Western category romance with a paranormal twist.
Christmas Past
In a freak snowstorm on Christmas Eve, Miguel de Pima was hanged for an unspeakable crime–loving Dorthea McAllister, the beautiful, red-haired daughter of the self-appointed judge of Los Realer.
Christmas Future
As justice of the peace in Los Realer, Dallas McAllister had seen some strange things, but nothing like a man materializing out of thin air. His clothes hung in tatters around his waist, revealing his smooth, dark-skinned body–a body Dallas found achingly familiar. Miguel claimed to be her long-lost lover, but a de Pima had never loved a McAllister–not since his death a hundred years ago.
A Timeless Christmas by Patricia Chandler
9. Always Christmas by Eva Rutland, 1992
Get cozy this holiday season with Eva Rutland’s Always Christmas.
It was like falling in love with Santa Claus!
When Karin Palmer jokingly asked a handsome stranger for $3,345.85 to repair her tour bus, she certainly didn’t expect to receive that exact amount a day later! But Blake Connors was a man who made things happen. A Santa Claus, Karin called him.
It turned out that he was in the business of rescuing other businesses—not that Karin was so sure she wanted her tour company “rescued.” She liked her own casual approach, which left time for painting and gardening, time for family.
The trouble was, she’d fallen headlong in love with Blake Connors. And she couldn’t imagine Christmas—let alone the rest of her life—without him!
Always Christmas by Eva Rutland
10. Her Secret Santa by Day Leclaire, 1997
Day LeClaire’s Her Secret Santa is a fabulous gift you can give yourself!
Five-year-old River Sierra wants a mother—a mother just like the beautiful fairy in her storybook. So when J.J. Randell turns up on her daddy’s doorstep, it seems her wish has come true. Only River’s dad is less convinced. Raven Sierra has turned his back on love. Now he’s torn between his tortured past and his little girl’s dreams.
J.J. realizes the situation is hopeless. But River is convinced that her miracle mommy can do anything – even persuade her difficult daddy to take another chance on love!
Her Secret Santa by Day Leclaire
Final Thoughts on Christmas Romances
From heartwarming love stories to erotic, steamy reads, we hope our list of seasonal romances will make your Christmastime a bit more cheerful. If you want to curl up with a book on Boxing Day or enjoy some light holiday reading, these books are sure to please!
So snuggle up and relax this Christmas with some throwback romance novels.
Your Opinion
Christmas is a joyous time to celebrate with our friends, family, and loved ones. In between all the merriment, don’t forget the importance of self-care. We recommend relaxing with a cozy blanket and curling up with an old-school holiday romance.
What do you think about holiday-themed novels in general? Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, let us know your plans for the winter season.
As always, we’d love to hear what you think. Please drop a comment, and let’s talk romance!
My favourite Christmas romance would be a great one for your list: Kathleen Creighton’s One Christmas Knight: a pregnant heroine, a younger man, a trucker, a storm in the Texas panhandle, who rescues her. A great Christmas story retelling with humour and heart.