NEW TO CHRISTMAS FICTION SHELVES 2023
The arrival of all things Christmas is something I’ve never prepared for. Not literally speaking (because very few of us are ever ready for Christmas by this point), but rather in the way of I’m-not-ready-to-see-Christmas yet. However, society has different ideas by shoving the season in my face through the arrival of its wonderland in stores or the release of its Christmas novels. In fact, looking over the incoming list, most of this Christmas fiction of 2023 is already on shelves. Meaning, once again, while I thought I was getting this published earlier, I am in fact, according to publishers, quite late with this.
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🎄❄️🎅🏻NEW TO CHRISTMAS FICTION SHELVES 2023🎅🏻❄️🎄 Talking about some of the Christmas fiction novels on store shelves in 2023. #Christmas #ChristmasFiction #Fiction #NewBooks #NewReleases #Books #BookReleases Share on XWe’ll still share the 2023 releases though and hope there’s a novel for everyone on our list. From royalty to sadness, cheerful covers and New York, there are plenty of elements to find in one or more of the Christmas novels on our list below. Let’s meet the 2023 novels in this our annual list of Christmas fiction.
CHRISTMAS FICTION of 2023
Note: most of these are secular novels. If you don’t like books that have a PG-13 rating, check into the content of each of these, some of which will have profanity and sexual content.
A ROYAL CHRISTMAS, MELODY CARLSON (SEPTEMBER 5)
This is the one novel I did read thanks to the publisher. It’s a sweet story though nothing unusual within the genre; a woman discovers she is actually a princess, but finds that she won’t be able to get to know her father, the king who is quite ill. Goodreads
Content: normal Christian fiction fare, nothing outside of a kiss or two, and some “tense” moments
ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND CHRISTMAS, SARAH MONZON (SEPTEMBER 5)
All about some competition between co-workers at Christmas. Goodreads
Content unknown; this is Christian fiction
YOU MAKE IT FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS, TONI SHILOH (SEPTEMBER 5)
Follows a woman back home to attend her sister’s wedding… to her ex, only to maybe be charmed by an unexpected newcomer. Goodreads
Content unknown; this is Christian fiction
CHRISTMAS AT THE CAT CAFÉ, JESSICA REDLAND (SEPTEMBER 16)
The dream in this one is all about a heroine who wants to have a cat café. When she takes steps to follow this, her life kind of falls apart… Goodreads
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS, MARY KAY ANDREWS (SEPTEMBER 26)
Reviewers describe this one as a Hallmark-esque (albeit one that’s PG-13) story about a woman who heads each year to New York to sell family Christmas trees. This year she bonds with a charming single father. Goodreads
Content unknown; reviews say it’s more innuendo and some language
THE CHRISTMAS WAGER, HOLLY CASSIDY (SEPTEMBER 26)
Two people compete in some local seasonal “games” where the winner will walk away with a local and charming shop; one is looking to earn a promotion, and the other, a grandchild of the owner, isn’t so ready to give up the business. Goodreads
Note: reviews say this one is more of a PG-rating
SNOWY SERENDIPITY, MELISSA FERGUSON (SEPTEMBER 16)
Penned by the best-selling (and popular social media star,too!) Christian author, this contains two stories in one cute little book. Released in years prior in other collections with other authors, Melissa released her novellas Dashing through the Snow and Pining for You in this book, both of which will like re-charm readers and find some new ones, too! Goodreads
LOVE, HOLLY, EMILY STONE (SEPTEMBER 26)
A woman tries to help her pen pal heal a rift in her family all while juggling challenges of her own. Goodreads
Note: reviews say this one is more of a PG-13 rating
🎄❄️🎅🏻NEW TO CHRISTMAS FICTION SHELVES 2023🎅🏻❄️🎄 Talking about some of the Christmas fiction novels on store shelves in 2023. #Christmas #ChristmasFiction #Fiction #NewBooks #NewReleases #Books #BookReleases Share on XFAKING CHRISTMAS, KERRY WINFREY (SEPTEMBER 26)
This one has a very Christmas in Connecticut theme; a woman’s boss comes to mistakenly believe that she owns a farm that her sister actually owns. Goodreads
Content unknown
THE CHRISTMAS CAFE, ELIZA EVANS (SEPTEMBER 26)
All about a company filming in a charming small town, and a woman determined to save a quaint café. Goodreads
Content unknown
A WINTER IN NEW YORK, JOSIE SILVER (SEPTEMBER 26)
I haven’t been Silver’s biggest fan (I read her debut, I think), but many adore her novels. This one will be about Iris, a woman who moves to New York to restart her life where she also happens to meet a handsome gentleman. Goodreads
Content unknown
‘TIS THE DAMN SEASON, KIMI FREEMAN – OCTOBER 24
A starlet “caught in a scandal” reunites with the guy she “never got over” in this novel described as a “new adult,” which likely means PG-13 or above content. Goodreads
Content unknown
IT HAPPENED ONE CHRISTMAS, CHANTEL GUERTIN – OCTOBER 31
Tells the tale of a Christmas movie director and a sexy but annoying mayor. Goodreads
Note: reviews say this one is more of a PG-13 rating including an “open door” sex scene.
THE HOLIDAY PRIZE, MEGAN REINKING – NOVEMBER 2
Set in Hawaii (which seems fun!) this one features a “top” real estate agent who places dating on the back burner. Until maybe she doesn’t? Goodreads
Content unknown
A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER, JENNY BAYLISS – NOVEMBER 9
Estranged half sisters come together for an unusual inheritance request during Christmas in a way that just may heal all of their heartbreak. Goodreads
Content unknown
MORE to CONSIDER
THE EX-MAS HOLIDAYS, ZOE ALLISON (SEPTEMBER 2023) • Goodreads
THE HOLIDAY MIX-UP, GINNY BAIRD (OCTOBER 2023) • Goodreads
THE CHRISTMAS ORPHAN’S CLUB, BECCA FREEMAN (SEPTEMBER 2023) • Goodreads
THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING, UZMA JALALUDDIN, MARISSA STAPLEY (SEPTEMBER 2023) • Goodreads
Are you going to add any of these to your TBR? Have you read any of them? Are you a fan of Christmas novels? Which ones would you recommend? Do any standout? Let’s hear all of your thoughts below in the comments section.
Thank you for visiting; please come again soon.
I’m definitely not ready to embrace Christmas yet! I’m still in pumpkin mode and the leaves are just barely changing in my state. But I am in the mood to plan late year reading, so I’m happy you’ve shared this list of Christmas stories. I’m aware of some of these, like Shiloh’s and Monzon’s, but several are new to me! Based on the cover, A December to Remember is adorable. And as a cat person, I’m interested in the Cat Cafe one!
Which of these are you most excited about reading?
We have leaves STARTING to change and some trees are prettier than others. But at home here, they are still mostly green. Not sure how pretty they’ll be this year, but so far, things are looking good! :)
So many of these covers are fun and pretty, and I’m curious! I THINK I just ordered The Christmas Wager and I’d like to get Sarah’s, too. I keep hearing how fun and good Toni’s are so I need to read more of hers too. I think I read one by her that was a Christmas book a couple years ago. It was more of a novella though. I also love the look of Jenny’s. It just has that cozy, perfectly winter vibes that seem like there could be a good story inside. :)