🎁A Bookish Gift For You.
4 Free books to download today and 1 honorable mention.
If you are looking for a last minute Christmas story to enjoy, I’ve found some free romances to treat yourself to. As a Christmas Eve, four of these are free and the last one is not free but my top recommended historical romance to read during the holidays.
Wishing you all a very happy holiday season!✨
A sexy cinnamon-roll lumberjack offers me a ride into town, a stay at his cozy cabin, and eventually his bed. All things I can’t refuse.
After several flirty glances and heated mistletoe kisses, we create rules: no strings attached and no falling in love. Agreeing to the impossible might be my biggest mistake yet.
I visited the small town for one reason only: to prove a point to my father.
Now I’ve got a fake boyfriend.
A secret to keep hidden.
And a choice to make that will determine more than just my future.
If you’re searching for a spicy holiday romance with a protective cinnamon-roll lumberjack and sassy heroine, this book is for you! A Very Merry Mistake is a standalone with a sweet-as-gingerbread happily ever after. This small-town contemporary romance has a dash of grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, secret identity, and tons of Southern goodness. Fade to black is NOT included!
Check it out HERE.
One grumpy movie-star dad + one nanny = holiday Christmas magic in a small town.
The small-town teacher
I never imagined I'd get stuck in an elevator with Ronan Masters, a grumpy, gorgeous action star, and his adorable daughter. But then again, nothing has gone as expected over the last few months. Not losing my beloved job as an art teacher or my fiancé dumping me.
The giant of a man may not smile much, but at least his little girl likes me. I try to keep the crush I'm feeling on Hollywood’s hottest dad under control. But all bets are off when he asks me to be his temporary nanny over the holiday season.
And the action star
I'm in Snowflake Harbor to film a movie while adjusting to being a parent to a daughter I only recently met. When I get stuck in an elevator with Poppy O'Brien, I'm not sure what to think of her. She smiles too much and has a Mary Poppins purse full of glitter glue, goody bags, and snacks. And she makes my solemn child smile like no one else. Soon, we’re both under her spell.
Becoming the new nanny, though, makes her strictly off limits. I can’t afford distractions and I don’t do commitment. I also don't do holidays. But as the countdown to Christmas continues and the date we have to leave comes closer, Poppy has me rethinking everything.
Star-Crossed Christmas is a steamy, slow-burn holiday romance and Book 2 in the Falling for Famous celebrity romance series.
It features:
grumpy-sunshine main characters
Christmas vibes
small town romantic comedy
nanny and single-dad romance
A Hollywood action hero
Check it out HERE.
An enchanting set of Regency Christmas romances.
CHRISTMAS WISHES
Miss Hero Appleby distrusts noblemen, especially self-indulgent rakes like Lord Caruthers. However she was desperate for money to support her children this Christmas, so it is to him she must go. Perhaps it had been wrong of her to point out his many faults so boldly, but the man drove her to distraction and all thoughts of lady-like behavior disappeared in his infuriating presence.
Max didn't remember much of his first meeting with the annoying Miss Appleby, thanks to the after effects of one drink too many. But he vaguely recalled he'd promised her something, just to get her out of his house so he could suffer in peace. Unfortunately peaceful was the last word to describe her as he found out the next day. She was unlike any woman he knew - opinionated and rude certainly, but she worked selflessly to provide for children that were not even of her blood. Max had believed himself incapable of strong emotion yet Hero was changing that belief. Could his long forgotten Christmas wish really come true?
THE EARL FROM CHRISTMAS PAST
A feisty regency Miss and a cold arrogant Lord. Can a sweet kiss under the mistletoe, and a dangerous secret be enough to rekindle what they once shared?
Gabriel Lord Lockhart wants nothing to do with the woman his childhood friend has become. Calculating, and aloof, Maddie’s beauty is now just a façade, and she is nothing like the mouthy hellion he remembers. That was until the day he found her on a dirty street in one of the seediest areas in London, championing children. He soon realizes how wrong he’s been about her, and that the feelings he’d once had for her had grown into something powerful. Now all he has to do is keep her safe!
Miss Madeline Spencer loathes society but has promised her parents she will behave so she can keep her freedom. Everything is going to plan until Gabe stomps back into her life. He uncovers her secret, and demands she stop taking risks. She soon realizes that the gentle boy she once loved is now a man with an iron will, but she can’t allow him to deter her from what must be done. Even if it means she can’t be with the man she loves.
MISTLETOE AND THE MARQUESS
Marriage was something Miss Partridge had hoped to delay indefinitely, but due to her father's reckless behavior she is now expected to save the family from ruin. Determined to have one last night of freedom before marrying a man she detests; Jemma attends a Christmas Masquerade Ball. When a handsome highwayman awakens something inside her, with stolen kisses and whispered promises, she flees, vowing to forget about the man who touched her soul.
From the moment the Marquess of Harrington sees the Grecian Goddess enter the ball, he wants her. Harry is not usually one for irrational impulses - indeed his life does not allow for that - but this woman makes him lose all reason. Her touch ignites a fire inside him, and her kisses sear his soul. When she runs from him he is determined to find her and finally unmask the woman who has captured his heart.
Check it out HERE.
I spent all my life being in love with Landon Miller.
I'm tired of pretending to be immune to that wide jaw, taut body, and woodsy scent.
Am I in love with him?
Sure, but he's happy being a single dad and treating me like one of the guys.
Me on the other hand...
I'm getting ready to leave Kentbury for a new life.
A fresh start: it's my Christmas present to myself.
That is until my best friend and his adorable daughter decide that they can't let me go...
Now I have to choose between a new promising life and the two people I've been yearning for my entire life.
Check it out HERE.
A Courtship of Convenience
Sophie Appersett is quite willing to marry outside of her class to ensure the survival of her family. But the darkly handsome Mr. Edward Sharpe is no run-of-the-mill London merchant. He's grim and silent. A man of little emotion--or perhaps no emotion at all. After two months of courtship, she's ready to put an end to things.
A Last Chance for Love
But severing ties with her taciturn suitor isn't as straightforward as Sophie envisioned. Her parents are outraged. And then there's Charles Darwin, Prince Albert, and that dratted gaslight. What's a girl to do except invite Mr. Sharpe to Appersett House for Christmas and give him one last chance to win her? Only this time there'll be no false formality. This time they'll get to know each other for who they really are.
I know this one isn’t free, but if you love historical romance and want to escape into a book for a few hours, you can not go wrong with Holiday by Gaslight. I reread this every year and I will be enjoying it this afternoon while sipping a cup of tea.☕
Check it out HERE.
Join me for more romance and historical fiction recommendations in 2025!
Happy reading,
Melissa❤️
*I have not read all of these recommendations, but as always, I only select books with at least a 4 star rating and I do my best to vet the quality before sharing them with you.
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First two give the Hallmark vibes I love! Thanks for the recommendations!