Holiday romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

When you’re querying a holiday romance, choosing the right comp titles can make or break your chances of being published because agents and publishing house editors use comp titles as a quick way to gauge the genre of your book along with its market potential.

I regularly update this list of holiday romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn holiday romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!

If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.

1. A Cross-Country ChristmasAuthor: Courtney WalshYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
2. A December to RememberAuthor: Jenny BaylissYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
3. A Ferry Merry ChristmasAuthor: Debbie MacomberYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
4. A Heart for Christmas: Advent RomanceAuthor: Sophie JomainYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Roman, book club, christmas, contemporary, holiday, young adult
5. A Heart for Christmas: My Advent NovelAuthor: Sophie JomainYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Roman, book club, christmas, contemporary, holiday, young adult
6. A Holly Jolly DiwaliAuthor: Sonya LalliYear published: 2021Genre and themes: India, adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
7. A Holly Jolly Ever AfterAuthor: Julie MurphyYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
8. A Merry Little LieAuthor: Sarah MorganYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
9. A Season for Second ChancesAuthor: Jenny BaylissYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
10. A Very Merry BromanceAuthor: Lyssa Kay AdamsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, rom com
11. A Very Merry MistakeAuthor: Lyra ParishYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, forced proximity, holiday, small town
12. A Winter WishAuthor: Emily StoneYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, holiday
13. All About UsAuthor: Tom EllenYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, time travel
14. All I Want for ChristmasAuthor: Wendy LoggiaYear published: 2020Genre and themes: christmas, contemporary, holiday, rom com, young adult
15. All I Want Is YouAuthor: Falon BallardYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, forced proximity, holiday, second chance
16. All Wrapped Up in YouAuthor: Rosie DananYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, novella, short stories
17. Always, in DecemberAuthor: Emily StoneYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
18. Bright Lights, Big ChristmasAuthor: Mary Kay AndrewsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
19. Carving for CaraAuthor: Melissa McSherryYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, halloween, holiday, horror, novella, smut
20. Christmas at Holiday HouseAuthor: RaeAnne ThayneYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, womens fiction
21. Christmas by the BookAuthor: Anne Marie RyanYear published: 2021Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, books about books, christmas, contemporary, holiday
22. Christmas FlingAuthor: Lindsey KelkYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, rom com
23. Christmas in Peachtree BluffAuthor: Kristy Woodson HarveyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday, womens fiction
24. Christmas in Spite of YouAuthor: K.C. MillsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: African American, adult, christmas, contemporary, forced proximity, holiday
25. Duke, ActuallyAuthor: Jenny HolidayYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, friends to lovers, holiday, rom com
26. Fall at OnceAuthor: Nora EverlyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, firefighters, halloween, holiday, small town
27. Fall Too WellAuthor: Erin BranscomYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, holiday, rom com, second chance, small town
28. Good SpiritsAuthor: B.K. BorisonYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, fantasy, holiday, paranormal
29. Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie MarathonAuthor: Matthew NormanYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, grief, holiday
30. Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie MarathonAuthor: Matthew NormanYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, grief, holiday
31. Happily This ChristmasAuthor: Susan MalleryYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
32. He Knows When You’re AwakeAuthor: Alta HensleyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, dark, forced proximity, holiday, smut
33. He Sees You When You're SleepingAuthor: Alta HensleyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, dark, holiday, smut
34. Holiday Ever AfterAuthor: Hannah GraceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, holiday
35. Holiday StarAuthor: Melissa DymondYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, holiday
36. HollyAuthor: Adalyn GraceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: christmas, fantasy, gothic, holiday, novella, paranormal, romantasy, young adult
37. Home Sweet ChristmasAuthor: Susan MalleryYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
38. I Think We've Been Here BeforeAuthor: Suzy KrauseYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, family, fantasy, holiday, literary fiction, science fiction
39. If This Was a MovieAuthor: Morgan ElizabethYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, forced proximity, found family, holiday, rom com, second chance, small town
40. In a HolidazeAuthor: Christina LaurenYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
41. Love You a LatkeAuthor: Amanda ElliotYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Jewish, adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday
42. Lovelight FarmsAuthor: B.K. BorisonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, fake dating, friends to lovers, holiday
43. Make My Wish Come TrueAuthor: Rachael LippincottYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, christmas, contemporary, holiday, lesbian, queer, young adult
44. Make the Season BrightAuthor: Ashley Herring BlakeYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, lesbian, queer
45. Meet Me Under the MistletoeAuthor: Jenny BaylissYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
46. Merry and BrightAuthor: Ali RosenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, fake dating, holiday, novella, short stories
47. Merry Christmas, You Filthy AnimalAuthor: Meghan QuinnYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, holiday, rom com
48. Merry Little KissmasAuthor: Lauren BlakelyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, fake dating, holiday, sports
49. Merry MeAuthor: C.R. JaneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, forced proximity, holiday, rom com, second chance
50. Mistletoe and Mr. RightAuthor: Sarah MorgenthalerYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, rom com
51. Mistletoe Meet CuteAuthor: Bella MatthewsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, football, forced proximity, holiday, novella, small town, sports
52. My First MistakeAuthor: Sadie KincaidYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, holiday, second chance
53. Once Upon a DecemberAuthor: Amy E. ReichertYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, fantasy, holiday, magical realism
54. One Christmas EveAuthor: Shari LowYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
55. Penelope in RetrogradeAuthor: Brooke AbramsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, holiday, humor
56. Santa CruiseAuthor: Fern MichaelsYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, humor
57. Second BiteAuthor: S.J. TillyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, celebrity, christmas, contemporary, holiday, novella, rom com
58. Sleigh Bells and SnowstormsAuthor: Claire KingsleyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, small town, suspense
59. Snow Place Like HomeAuthor: Laura PavlovYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, friends to lovers, holiday, novella, short stories
60. StrandedAuthor: Selena WintersYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, adult, christmas, crime, dark, erotica, forced proximity, holiday, novella
61. Take Me HomeAuthor: Melanie SweeneyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, holiday
62. The Book Club HotelAuthor: Sarah MorganYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
63. The Bright Side of ChristmasAuthor: Morgan ElizabethYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, holiday, rom com, small town
64. The Brightest StarAuthor: Fern MichaelsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
65. The Christmas BookshopAuthor: Jenny ColganYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Scotland, adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
66. The Christmas InnAuthor: Pamela M. KelleyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
67. The Christmas RingAuthor: Karen KingsburyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Christian, adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, holiday
68. The Christmas SwapAuthor: Talia SamuelsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, lesbian, queer
69. The Christmas Tree FarmAuthor: Laurie GilmoreYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, cozy, holiday
70. The Ex-Mas HolidaysAuthor: Zoe AllisonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, second chance
71. The Four LeafAuthor: Lee JacquotYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, adult, contemporary, dark, erotica, friends to lovers, holiday, novella, smut
72. The Gingerbread BakeryAuthor: Laurie GilmoreYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, cozy, holiday
73. The Holiday SwapAuthor: Maggie KnoxYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
74. The Holiday SwitchAuthor: Tif MarceloYear published: 2021Genre and themes: christmas, contemporary, holiday, young adult
75. The Key to My HeartAuthor: Lia LouisYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, grief, holiday
76. The Matzah BallAuthor: Jean MeltzerYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Jewish, adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
77. The Mistletoe MysteryAuthor: Nita ProseYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, cozy mystery, holiday, mystery, novella, short stories, thriller
78. The Most Wonderful Crime of the YearAuthor: Ally CarterYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, holiday, mystery, thriller
79. The Plight Before ChristmasAuthor: Kate StewartYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, holiday, second chance
80. The RewindAuthor: Allison Winn ScotchYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, second chance
81. The Second Chance YearAuthor: Melissa WiesnerYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, magical realism, time travel
82. The Secret Christmas LibraryAuthor: Jenny ColganYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Scotland, adult, book club, books about books, christmas, contemporary, holiday, mystery
83. The TakedownAuthor: Carlie WalkerYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, mystery, thriller
84. The Twelve Dates of ChristmasAuthor: Jenny BaylissYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
85. The Twelve Dogs of ChristmasAuthor: Susan WiggsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, animals, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
86. The Wake-Up CallAuthor: ["Beth O'Leary"]Year published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, holiday
87. The Wedding WitchAuthor: Erin SterlingYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, fantasy, holiday, magic, paranormal, witches
88. The WishAuthor: Nicholas SparksYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
89. Theirs for the HolidaysAuthor: Eva AshwoodYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, fake dating, forced proximity, holiday, second chance, smut, why choose
90. This Time Next YearAuthor: Sophie CousensYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
91. Three Holidays and a WeddingAuthor: Uzma JalaluddinYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
92. Winter Nights at the Bay BookshopAuthor: Jessica RedlandYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
93. You Better Not PoutAuthor: Mia SosaYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, novella, second chance, short stories
94. You're a Mean One, Matthew PrinceAuthor: Timothy JanovskyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, holiday, queer
95. Yours for the SeasonAuthor: Uzma JalaluddinYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
96. Yule Be MineAuthor: Piper RayneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, holiday, novella, second chance

Other resources to assist with your querying journey

Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:

• Developmental editing services
• Pre-querying package
• Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
• Romance tropes list
• Random romance trope generator

Frequently asked questions

How recent do comp titles need to be?

Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.

Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?

Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.

How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?

You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.

Can I use a series as a comp title?

You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.

What if I can’t find a holiday romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!”