The snowy winter season sets the perfect scene for the most cozy winter romance books to curl up with. As a mood reader who indulges in as many snowy love stories as possible each January and February, especially as Valentine’s Day approaches, I share below my curated genre book list of only the top recommendations for every romance fiction book reader’s tastes from clean to spicy and historical to contemporary.
Trust me, these are the types of books that warm your heart race and feel as hot as the fireplace. There’s just something about winter love, so let’s get literary!
Best Winter Romance Books From Christmas Through February
TOP 3 PICKS
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is an emotional, atmospheric historical fiction book set in Alaska during the Vietnam War era.
One Day in December by Josie Silver is a popular (and not too festive) contemporary romance that’s the perfect mix of Love Actually, Bridget Jones, and Serendipity.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens is a popular contemporary romance about fate around the New Year.
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden
- A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
- The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
- One Day in December by Josie Silver
- The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner
- The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman
- This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
- The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler
- Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
a Note from jules
This list includes just a few December holiday-themed books and several books beyond festive winter themes so you can have a diverse romance reading experience all winter.
My Reviews of These Cozy Winter Romance Novels
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Plot: This one sentence sums up a long and meaty Russian classic: Anna Karenina tells the tragic love story of a married woman having an affair with dire consequences, and it simultaneously intertwines some Russian history.
My Review: Anna Karenina just feels like winter. Not only are there wintery Russian scenes, but the book’s massive length also makes them feel like something to indulge in when you are stuck inside.
Let me tell you, this is one juicy love story! Despite the book’s length, it’s not extremely difficult to read, and it’s well worth exploring its themes of familial versus romantic love amidst a 19th-century Russian backdrop.
Reading Tip: Check out my review of Anna Karenina for tips on reading this long, translated classic more easily.
Related Post: Quotes from Anna Karenina
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Plot: The Bear and The Nightingale is the first in the Winternight trilogy series, beloved by fantasy book lovers. It’s a coming-of-age Russian fairy tale in which young Vasilia and her family brave the Medieval Russian wilderness each winter. Together with the Frost King, she must face the brutality of the Winter King to save the village.
My Review: Overall, I enjoyed this unique read and know it’s so beloved by fantasy fans.
Reading Tip: There’s a Russian glossary at the end to help you keep track of the unfamiliar language.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
Plot: A Court of Frost and Starlight is the fourth book in the bestselling ACOTAR book series. The characters are still rebuilding after the war’s devastation. As Winter Solstice draws near, they look forward to a well-deserved break, but lingering scars from the past overshadow the season’s joy.
My Review: This short book is considered a bridge between the events of the third and fifth books in the series. That said, I thought it still captured the same magic as the longer books in the series (albeit without a ton of action). I fully soaked in the snowy Winter Solstice vibes and even a few spicy romance scenes! Maas always excels at conveying the beauty of nature.
Reading Tip: This book should only be read after books one, two, and three in the ACOTAR series.
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Plot: The Great Alone is a romance novel set in Alaska about family, love, and survival in a harsh climate. One of Kristin Hannah’s best books, its moody Alaskan setting sets the stage for one extremely emotional love story.
While teen Leni’s family grapples with the PTSD of her father, Ernt, a recent POW in Vietnam, she befriends the local Matthew. As the long and brutal winter approaches, Leni’s friendship blossoms into more. At the same time, life becomes a battle against nature in a series of dramatic and consequential events.
My Review: The Great Alone has stayed with me since I first read it. I have searched “Alaska 1970s” on numerous occasions to get a clear picture of the alluring state that became the backdrop for 13-year-old Leni’s love life.
It’s a breathtaking story about love and survival in the wilderness, both beautiful and devastating. It’s also one of my top picks for winter book clubs.
Related Post: Review of The Great Alone
One Day in December by Josie Silver
Plot: In One Day in December, a British woman sees the man of her dreams and is shocked to learn he’s her best friend’s new boyfriend. Over the next ten years, this unlikely love triangle is teased out.
Review: This bestseller remains a popular Christmas book, though it’s not overly festive and can be read at other times during winter, too. It’s the perfect mix of Love Actually, Bridget Jones, and Serendipity— a no-brainer!
The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner
Plot: In The Second Chance Year, Sadie had a very bad year, losing her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend.
She wishes for the chance to re-do the year, then wakes up on January 1st of last year. This time, she sees the red flags of her past in a new light.
My Review: It’s a light and escapist palate cleanser about self-discovery and second chances. It makes for an easy, breezy post-Christmas read.
The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman
Plot: In The Secret of Snow, Sonny Dunes is a single, middle-aged California meteorologist whose job is replaced by a virtual meteorologist. When this causes her to break down, the only station willing to hire her is in the Michigan hometown she’s been avoiding. Snowy Michigan reminds her of her younger sister, who loved the snow–and died because of it.
As her charming Midwestern mother welcomes her back home and helps her navigate her new life, Sonny is also forced to face her grief and her disdain for the snow head-on. Covering the small town’s winter events, she forms newer, better memories of the snow and has a second chance at life and love.
My Review: It’s a beautifully written story about coping with grief that I couldn’t put down. Filled with snow-related metaphors, this is one wintery book fans of meaningful contemporary women’s fiction will not want to miss.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
Plot: In This Time Next Year, Minnie believes her New Year’s Day birthday is unlucky all because of Quinn Hamilton– a man she’s never met. Their mothers gave birth to them at the same hospital, but Quinn was awarded for being the first baby born in London that year.
When Minnie unexpectedly runs into Quinn at a New Year’s celebration on their thirtieth birthday, she deems him a gorgeous, charming business owner whose streak of luck has continued. At the same time, Minnie is about to lose both her pie-making company and her home.
But they keep bumping into each other, and each encounter leaves them wanting more.
My Review: It’s a unique and engaging Near Year’s book about fate around this holiday. It’s been popular with readers this time of year for several years now, so it’s a great one to pick up this winter. Cousens is an engaging romance writer who is not to be missed.
The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler
Plot: In The Tourist Attraction, Zoey is on her dream two-week vacation in Alaska when she visits Graham’s diner. He’s a local who’s unenthused about serving food to visitors. But Zoey is so kind interacting with the locals that she may change his heart.
My Review: It’s a lighthearted book like Gilmore Girls (Luke and Lorelai) that’s romantic but not too steamy. It keeps you entertained with humor amidst its unique Alaskan setting. There’s even a rogue moose!
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
Plot: Winter in Paradise is the first of three books in Elin Hilderbrand’s Paradise series. It’s a very different kind of book set in Winter, but it’s also one of Elin Hilderbrand’s best books.
Winter in Paradise will whisk you away to St. John for a change of scene. As a middle-aged Irene Steele rings in a cold Midwestern New Year, she learns that her beloved husband, Russ, who was away on “business,” was killed in a helicopter crash on the Caribbean island.
After Irene and her two sons, Baker and Cash, arrive at St. John, they discover that Russ was living a secret life involving some of the locals. In coping with their shock and grief, they, too, begin to develop bonds with the islanders he knew.
My Review: It’s pure drama and winter escapism with some heart. Visiting a new location through Hilderbrand’s trademark (usually set on Nantucket) writing was also fun. It’s a great “pool” read, which I still see being devoured by readers at the pools I visit.
Reading Tip: You should read all three books in this series, as they feel like three parts of the same plot rather than three separate stories.
Recap: Where to Start
SHOP THE TOP 3
Get started with the best winter romance books on this list overall:
- One Day in December: Best in December
- This Time Next Year: Best in January
- The Great Alone: Best in February
Related Winter Posts
Get more winter lifestyle tips:
- Winter Thriller Novels
- Winter Reading Challenge For Adults
- Winter Book Quotes
- Winter Self-Care Bucket List
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
