The best cosy Christmas feel-good books

When Eleanor Evans lands a spot at London’s most prestigious culinary school, her dreams finally feel within reach. Desperate to scrape together the cash for her tuition, she accepts a last-minute agency position as a chalet girl, and is whisked away to Maplewood Creek, a quaint, snow-kissed town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. As she navigates the challenges of her new job, mastering gourmet dishes and catering to the whims of her discerning employers, the affluent Hawthorne family, Elle discovers an unaccounted for distraction: Charles Hawthorne, the family’s charming and undeniably sexy eldest son.

Darcy Cotterell’s Christmas in Copenhagen is shaping up to be anything but ordinary. Newly single and far from festive, Darcy plans to bury herself in her art history PhD, determined to identify the mysterious woman in an undiscovered painting by Denmark’s most celebrated artist. But her best friend, Freja, has other plans – namely, signing Darcy up for three blind dates to spark some holiday romance. What Darcy doesn’t expect is that bachelor number one, the charming but infuriating lawyer Max Lorensen, will also be key to her research. As professional tensions heat up alongside their undeniable chemistry, Darcy is torn between her heart and her instincts. 

Whitney is not having a merry Christmas. In the last three weeks she’s lost her boyfriend and a promotion; and now she's forced to gather at her grandparents’ cosy cabin for the holidays with her large family. Then, to make matters worse, she discovers her old boyfriend, Eli, on the doorstep. Now she’s stuck for a week with Eli, the only man to ever break her heart. And he’s ready to win her back. The Plight Before Christmas is a second-chance, Christmas-themed sexy romance from Kate Stewart, author of the Ravenhood series.

Half-sisters Maggie, Simone, and Star are forced to rekindle their broken relationship following the death of their father, Augustus. They are confronted by Augustus's will, which requires them to navigate trials together to unlock their inheritance. Spending the winter months at Rowan Thorp, a charming village where they spent much of their childhood, stirs up feelings with forgotten flames, and makes the sisters confront the lives they’ve left behind. As old wounds resurface and long-buried secrets come to light, the sisters must learn to work together if they hope to succeed.

In Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, Jenny Bayliss, author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas, brings us a festive romantic comedy. As the only single person at a school friend's lavish wedding, Nory seeks a moment of peace. But, this is soon interrupted as she encounters Isaac – the castle's gardener and her former school rival. Soon, an astonishing secret about Isaac's past unravels and Nory finds herself in a unique position to help right this wrong . . . 

Travel to Wales in the 1940s and meet Veronica, a young romantic who's fallen for the completely unattainable film star Jack Bannock. Her other passion is St Elfwy, the windswept jewel of an island off the coast of Pembrokeshire. It becomes her retreat, a refuge from war and a place to recover from lost love. But even peaceful St Elfwy cannot prevent tragedy and heartbreak. Now in the present day, Romy has arrived on St Elfwy, now a bird sanctuary and retreat, with only has the enigmatic warden for company. As she devotes herself to understanding the lure of this beautiful, haunting place, she is drawn into the past and the tale of Veronica Mindenhall. . .

Christmas with the Teashop Girls stars Rose Neville and the staff of Lyon's Teashop in Margate as they navigate life at war, along with love, family drama and, for Rose, an upcoming Christmas Eve wedding to her dashing fiancé, Captain Ben Hargreaves. This heartwarming 1940s-set Christmas love story is packed with nostalgia, bravery and hope. 

Full of magic and mischief, David Baldacci's Christmas novel is perfect for fans of The Christmas Chronicles and Just Another Christmas. It's the story of disillusioned journalist and modern-day Scrooge Tom Langdon, who – after a misunderstanding at the airport – is forced to take the train across the USA to reach his family in time for Christmas Day. With a cast of characters who take Tom on a journey of self-discovery, this novel will win over even the most dedicated Grinch this Christmas. 

It's the holiday of a lifetime for Vivian Forest, when she gets to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a member of the royal family. Excited to spend the holidays taking in the sights and sounds of Britain, Vivian doesn't expect to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, whose charming accent and unyielding formality warm her heart. Malcolm Hudson has never given a personal tour in his time with the royals – until now. When Vivian's return flight approaches, she and Malcolm will have to decide if this is simply a holiday romance or a love affair to change their lives.

Cosy up by the fire with your furry friend and this feel-good festive read, ideal for fans of Netflix Original A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale. A Dog's Perfect Christmas is the poignant story of a family who open their hearts to new possibilities and meet a very special puppy along the way.