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Cute YA books to bring warmth to the winter holidays
Find a cozy reading nook and warm your heart this winter with these YA books about falling in love during Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day.
Published on December 3, 2023
Finding My Elf
David ValdesCam, a floundering NYU theater student, takes a seasonal job as a Christmas elf at the local mall. If he can play the part of Santa’s cheeriest helper, he stands to win a cash prize. But he’s got competition: Marco, his overly merry (and very cute) coworker. Valdes’ YA Christmas rom-com is also a soul-searching journey, making the festivities all the more heartwarming.
My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Stephanie PerkinsSome of the biggest names in YA — including Rainbow Rowell, Gayle Forman, and David Levithan — contributed to this romantic collection of holiday short stories, making each tale feel like a special gift.
Whiteout: A Novel
Dhonielle ClaytonThe authors of “Blackout” return for a fresh tale that sparkles with young love and Black joy. Rather than summertime NYC, “Whiteout” unfolds in snow-blanketed Atlanta, where Stevie enlists the help of her friends after an AP science experiment lands her in hot water with her girlfriend, Sola. Plenty of side romances, quirky personalities, and friendships create a rich, relatable world.
How to Excavate a Heart
Jake Maia ArlowInstead of a meet cute, Arlow’s sapphic, Jewish romance starts with a near-miss car accident. After Shani nearly runs May over during a snowstorm, the two aren’t exactly in love. But being snowed in together might change that — if Shani can work through her recent breakup.
The Christmas Clash
Suzanne ParkTwo Asian American teens whose families run rival restaurants must team up to save their families’ businesses in this delectable enemies-to-lovers romance. This Christmas season, Chloe and Peter have competing holiday-themed jobs at the local mall, where their feuding parents also have their eateries. But mall tenants get the worst gift of all: Scrooge-like eviction notices right before Christmas. Together, Chloe and Peter use the power of love to save the mall and put an end to their family’s rivalry. (Warning: Don’t read on an empty stomach!)
Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling
Elise BryantReggie and Delilah — the lead singer in a punk band and a Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master, respectively — meet for the first time on New Year’s. They meet again on Valentine’s Day. And again on St. Patrick’s Day. And … well, you get the picture. Repeated holiday meet-cutes allow the teens to get to know an attractive version of the other. But will the attraction hold on a non-holiday, when they’re not donning their crafted personas? (Spoilers: Yes, of course, because this book is adorable.)
Together at Midnight
Jennifer CastleAn affecting novel about two teens spreading kindness around NYC that encapsulates the “magical spark of New York City in wintertime.” It’s an inspirational story for the new year.
The Do-Over
Lynn PainterIs it Valentine’s Day, or is it “Groundhog Day”? After having the worst Valentine’s Day ever — crashing her car, losing a fellowship, catching her boyfriend kissing his ex — Emilie can’t wait for February 15th. But it never comes, and instead she just keeps crashing right into Nick — who is admittedly very attractive. The repeated heartbreak and hijinks never get dull in this fast-paced YA romp for fans of “Better Than the Movies.”
The Afterlife of Holly Chase
Cynthia HandA new twist on Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol.” Years ago, Holly Chase was warned by three ghosts on Christmas Eve that she needed to change her stuck-up ways. She didn’t, and she ends up dying in a freak accident. In the afterlife, she now has to work for Project Scrooge, becoming a ghost herself. Though her mortal life may have ended, Holly still goes on a profound spiritual journey, and has a cute romance to boot.
You Can Go Your Own Way
Eric SmithPinball gets heated in “You Can Go Your Own Way,” where once-friends, now-enemies Adam and Whitney get stuck together in Adam’s dad’s pinball arcade during a snowstorm. Whitney’s dad has actively been trying to take over the establishment, and the two teens have been trading barbs on social media as a result. But once the ball gets rolling and the snow starts to pile up, both their hearts begin to thaw in this quirky, touching romance.
Recommended for You
Laura SilvermanThis novel is recommended for anyone who loves books (which is clearly you!). Shoshana Greenberg is working her dream job at the struggling bookstore Once Upon, striving to get the holiday bonus designed to motivate employees. The problem is new coworker Jake Kaplan, who’s giving Shoshana a run for her money. Their growing attraction and Jewish identity unite them through the ups and downs of the holiday season in this witty and diverse romance.
Talk Santa to Me
Linda UrbanFrancie is working at her family’s year-round Christmas store, determined to help it stay afloat in the wake of her jolly grandfather’s death (and without too much interference from her overbearing aunt). She’s also hoping to catch the eye of Hector, who works at the Christmas tree lot across from Hollydale Holiday Shop. Money troubles, grief, and bullying are all exposed and eradicated under the bright holiday lights in this YA novel that still manages to be full of cheer.
One Way or Another
Kara McDowellAnxiety-ridden Paige has a choice to make this Christmas: She can either go to a mountain cabin with her friend and longtime crush, Fitz, or she can take a dream trip to New York City with her mom. After a bump on the head, Paige’s timeline splits, and we follow her as both realities play out in alternating chapters. This book is a refreshingly honest look at living with anxiety in a highly stressful time of year.
Love and Other Train Wrecks
Leah KonenThis witty, swoon-worthy story is for anyone who’s ever been stuck on Amtrak in a snowstorm in New York hoping to find their one true love. (Note: One of our editors has been stuck on Amtrak in that scenario, minus the true love bit.)
The Chaos of Standing Still
Jessica BrodyTrapped in an airport during a busy, blizzard-filled New Year’s Eve night when all she wants is to be alone, a grieving Ryn goes on many an emotional journey thanks to the eccentricities of strangers. Add this to your pile of favorite meet-cute stories.
Shiver (Shiver, Book 1)
Maggie StiefvaterFor those who simply love walking in a winter wonderland (and wolves!), check out Stiefvater’s “Wolves of Mercy Falls” series. This romance between a wolf boy and a human girl will melt your heart.
Decked with Holly
Marni BatesA funny, light-hearted holiday read about a girl named Holly who winds up getting dragged along on a family Christmas cruise. (“Decked with Holly” is going for all the puns!) While at sea, she ends up becoming the fake girlfriend of Dominic, the drummer for a hot band. You know where this is going, but just like a cruise, the journey still ends up being quite fun despite being cheesy.
Blame It on the Mistletoe
Beth GarrodSocial media influencers Holly and Elle decide to swap places for Christmas, to hilarious ends. Increasing their follower count is the goal, but holiday hijinks, learning about new cultures, and, of course, falling in love, are the real gifts.