Winter is the perfect season to curl up with a story, and if you love contemporary winter romance or swoony fantasy winter romance, you’re in for a treat.
In this guide to the best winter romance books to read right now, we’ve gathered the coziest, most enchanting, and most binge-worthy titles that pair perfectly with frosty evenings and steaming mugs of cocoa.
Whether you crave small-town love stories, snowy second-chance romances, or magical worlds filled with slow-burn tension, these winter reads deliver all the escapism the season calls for.
If you’re searching for your next unforgettable cold-weather read, this list of must-read winter romances is the ideal place to start.
Contemporary Winter Romance Books
Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
Tropes:
- Childhood friends to Enemies, Friends with Benefits, found family, Forced Proximity, grumpy and sunshine, Small Town, she is a librarian, they love books, complicated relationships, a lot of antagonizing stemming from love, a damaged hero.
Plot Summary
Lucian and Sloane were neighbours since childhood. From the moment he climbed through the window in her room, they became best friends. But one tragic night changed the course of their lives.
Since they share the same friend group, they spend a lot of time together. Regardless, their animosity is a mystery even to them.
There’s a thin line between love and hate; what should have been a one–night stand quickly became an enemies-with-benefits situation.
Lucian craves power and control, while Sloane wants stability and a family. But Lucian is not prepared to forgive her, nor let her go.
Set in winter, a found family in their 40s having fun in the snow, makes this one of the best winter romance books.
Writing Style
- Dual POV
- A mystery element.
- Witty banter
- Character-Driven Storytelling.
- Emphasizes the emotional struggles and growth
Why You’ll Enjoy It
- Complex characters
- Found family
- Fast-paced character-driven story
- Spicy
Fake Skating by Lynn Painter
Tropes
- Childhood friends, Hockey Sports Romance, Fake Dating, Close-knit family, Small Town, Found Family, He falls first, It’s always been you.
Plot Summary
In the small Minnesota town where Dani spent every summer with her mom and grandparents, she and Alec grew up inseparable.
But everything shattered when a fight between Dani’s grandparents ended with her and her family leaving for good.
With her parents now divorced, Dani returns to Minnesota to repair her strained relationship with her father while also reconnecting with her grandfather.
Alec isn’t prepared to have the girl who once broke his heart back in town. Or worse, walking the same school hallways. He’s no longer the clumsy boy she remembers; he’s now a rising hockey prodigy with scouts watching his every move.
But one reckless decision threatens to derail his future career. At the same time, Dani’s own path to her dream school is starting to crumble. So, when Alec pleads with her to pretend to be his girlfriend to salvage his reputation and promises to help her in return, she has no other choice but to agree.
As they navigate their fake dating arrangement, the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur. Dani sees a soft side to Alec; she remembers. Alec tries to find his sassy friend, who has decided to shield herself from the world due to her insecurities.
They truly do bring out the best in each other, but can they start to trust each other again and let go of all the resentment built up over the years they spent apart?
Writing Style
- Humor
- Witty banter
- Fast-paced
- Lighthearted
- Dual POV
Why You’ll Enjoy It
- Relatable Characters
- Vivid Setting
- Heartwarming family themes
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
Tropes
- Sibling bonds/ twin telepathy, Magical realism, Second chance romance, Mystery, Small town, Childhood Friends, Murder mystery and second chance romance, heavy on grief and dealing with past, atmospheric read
Plot Summary
James and Johny Golden shared more than just a twin bond. They could feel each other. She could feel something terrible happening to him, even before she picked up her phone, and the information that she is now all alone set in.
She returns to Hawthorne, a rural town in California, to settle her brother’s affairs. Once there, she is faced with her and Johnny’s mysterious past, and the only person who can help her is Michah. She and Johnny are best friends and the only men she has ever loved. Especially now, when her connection with her twin brother is there again, and the only thing emerging are secrets, making her wonder if she ever knew her brother at all.
Mystery elements and an eerie setting make this book perfect for winter romance books TBR.
Writing Style
- Atmospheric
- Moody and eerie small-town setting
- Lyrical and immersive
- Vivid setting
- Mystery/plot-driven story
Why You’ll Enjoy It
- Haunting
- Atmospheric
- Evocative descriptions
- Supernatural elements
- Slow–burning mystery
Fantasy Winter Romance Books
Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1) by Rebecca Ross
Tropes
- War-Time Romance, Secret Correspondence, Rivals to Lovers [rival journalists], Historical fantasy, Magic-Infused World, Star-Crossed Lovers, Strong female protagonist, Soulmates, Letters as a plot device, Hidden Identity, War Among Gods
Plot Summary
Once upon a time, the underworld and upperworld were joined by marriage. However, instead of peace, a war that threatens all humans ensued.
The story follows Iris Winnow, an aspiring journalist who is struggling with the recent disappearance of her brother and the weight of her family’s troubles. To cope, she pours her heart into her writing and sends letters to her brother, even though she doesn’t know if he will ever read them.
Unbeknownst to Iris, her letters mysteriously end up in the hands of her rival, Roman Kitt, who works at the same newspaper. Roman, dealing with his secrets and burdens, begins to read Iris’s letters and is moved by her honesty and vulnerability. Despite their professional rivalry, Roman finds himself drawn to her words.
As the war between the gods escalates and darkness looms over their world, Iris and Roman are forced to confront their deepest fears and desires. Their paths intertwine in unexpected ways as they navigate the perils of war, the power of words, and the complexities of their growing bond.
With enchanting prose, magical elements, and an emotional journey, Divine Rivals explores themes of love, resilience, and the human connection that transcends even the divine.
Writing Style
- Lyrical
- Immersive
- A vivid world with detailed descriptions
- Includes elements of magical realism
Why You’ll Enjoy It
- Complex Characters
- Enchanting World-Building
- Romantic Tension
- Gripping romance
- Intricate world-building
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Tropes
- Enemies to Lovers, Deal with the Devil, Love Triangle, Cursed/Fated Love, Forbidden romance, Reluctant Allies, Fairy Tale Elements, Star-Crossed Lovers, Morally Gray Characters, Magical Realism, Whimsical Fantasy.
Plot Summary
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber is a spellbinding tale set in a world where magic, curses, and romance entwine. As the first book in the series, it quickly draws readers into a richly imagined, fairytale-inspired landscape where nothing is as it seems.
The story follows Evangeline Fox, a hopeless romantic who believes in true love and happy-ever-afters. When Evangeline learns that Luc, her true love, is about to marry another woman, she is devastated. Desperate, she turns to Jacks, the charismatic and dangerous Prince of Hearts, known for granting wishes—though always at a cost.
Jacks agrees to help stop the wedding, but in return, he demands three kisses at a time and place of his choosing. Despite knowing the risks of trusting a Fate like Jacks, Evangeline accepts the deal. As a result, she finds herself immersed in a world of magical curses, twisted destinies, and hidden dangers.
As she navigates enchanted ballrooms, cursed objects, and mysterious allies, Evangeline uncovers dark secrets and a plot that threatens everything she holds dear. Meanwhile, she must confront her naivety, distinguish illusion from reality, and grapple with her complicated feelings for Jacks.
Writing Style
- Lush
- Evocative
- Fast pacing
- Plenty of twists and turns
Why You’ll Enjoy It
- Enchanting World-Building
- Compelling Characters
- Romantic Tension
- Fairy Tale Vibes [perfect for winter romance setting]
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Tropes
- Academic/Scholar Protagonist, Magical Realism, Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamic, Opposites Attract, Slow Burn Romance, Mythical Creatures/Faeries, Enchanted Forest
Plot Summary
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett is a charming and whimsical cozy fantasy novel that blends academic intrigue with the enchanting world of faeries.
The story follows Emily Wilde, a brilliant yet socially awkward scholar specializing in dryadology, the study of faeries. Currently, she is working on An Encyclopaedia of Faeries, a comprehensive guide to fae creatures. To complete her research, Emily travels to a remote village in the far north to document a particularly elusive type of faerie.
While Emily is at ease with books and faeries, she struggles with the villagers, leading to awkward interactions. Nonetheless, she is determined to uncover the secrets of the Hidden Ones, a mysterious group of faeries rumored to inhabit the area.
However, her solitary work is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of her colleague, Wendell Bambleby. Wendell is charming, handsome, and effortlessly sociable—everything Emily is not. Despite their contrasting personalities and a complicated history, Wendell’s presence adds professional rivalry and personal tension to Emily’s quiet life.
As they collaborate to unravel the faeries’ mysteries, Emily discovers more than just the secrets of the Hidden Ones. She realizes that Wendell has hidden depths and that the faeries are far more dangerous and beautiful than she ever imagined.
Writing Style
- Whimsical
- Enchanting
- Light, humorous tone
- Told from Emily’s perspective, often through journal entries
- Personal and introspective
Why You’ll Enjoy It
- Unique Premise
- Magical and Cozy Atmosphere
- Perfect Winter Romance Setting
- Lighthearted humor with moments of emotional depth
- Entertaining and heartwarming story
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