6 uplifting books to read over the festive season

After a long and stressful year, the joys of the festive season are here to add a little magic to our lives. If you’re looking for a heart-warming Christmassy book to enjoy over the holidays, here are six that guarantee all the warm and fuzzy yuletide feels.

Christmas by the Coast by Mandy Baggot

Harriet Cookson has worked hard to put her life back together after a terrible heartbreak. But when her beloved grandmother passes away, Harriet drops everything to fly out to the Hamptons to be with her grieving grandpa. Arriving in Montauk, Harriet bumps into ex-soldier Mack Wyatt – the one that got away. He’s determined to win Harriet back but can they reconnect and heal the wounds of their past? With Christmas by the Coast, Mandy Baggot captures the heartfelt spirit of Christmas – family, forgiveness and festive traditions – with a sweet romance that hits all the right emotional beats. (Head of Zeus)

The Air Raid Girls At Christmas by Jenny Holmes

For fans of wartime sagas, this festive story follows sisters Connie and Lizzie, along with their friend Pamela, as they juggle jobs with church choir duties and their night shifts as air raid wardens and ambulance drivers. But when the sisters’ dad falls ill, and their respective sweethearts are called up by the Royal Navy, the girls must work even harder to hold everything together. Set in the run-up to Christmas, this is an evocative and nostalgic book about love, family, friendship and fortitude. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoyed the original Air Raid Girls book. (Corgi)

So, This Is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

When Finlay returns to Christmas, Oklahoma for the holiday season, the last person she expects to see is Arthur Chakrabarti Watercress, her uptight British boarding school classmate, who – due to Finlay’s exaggerations about her festively named hometown – is expecting the perfect all-American Christmas experience. Cue an entertaining Hallmark movie-esque YA romance as Finlay sets out to create a host of authentic festive activities for her guests to enjoy. Expect secrets, revelations, cute romance and festive near-disasters in this entertaining yuletide tale that’s reminiscent of Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares. (Viking Books for Young Readers)

One More Christmas at the Castle by Trisha Ashley

Elderly widow Sabine is determined to make her last Christmas in her beloved home, Mitras Castle, one to remember. So she employs Dido Jones of Heavenly Houseparties to help with the occasion. Dido is instantly enchanted by the imposing castle – a connection that only gets stronger as Christmas day approaches. But as the snow begins to fall and Sabine’s family arrive – including Dido’s teenage crush Xan – tensions rise and long-buried secrets come to light. Trisha Ashley’s Christmas themed books are always full of charm, wit and beautifully picturesque settings. One More Christmas at the Castle is no exception – in fact, it’s one of the author’s best festive novels to date. (Bantam Press)

Underneath the Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain

Heidi Swain is always top of the list when it comes to feel-good books. Her latest cosy Christmas story follows Liza Wynter as she returns to her father’s Christmas tree business when his business partner decides to retire, handing over the reins to his son, Ned. Liza agrees to handle the transition and help over the holiday season, but in the process she might just find a reason to stay for good. Featuring snow, seasonal delights and heart-warming romance – not to mention a lovely sense of community spirit – Underneath the Christmas Tree is an uplifting festive delight. (Simon & Schuster)

Celebrations at the Chateau by Jo Thomas

For a book that features festivities but isn’t all about Christmas, look no further than Jo Thomas’ Celebrations at the Chateau, which is set against the elegant backdrop of a French chateau from autumn through to New Year’s Eve. Inspired by Escape to the Chateau, Jo Thomas’ latest novel centres on Fliss and her sisters as they inherit a beautiful French house, only to realise it needs major work and there’s a sitting tenant. Fliss is determined to spruce up the place and open a B&B but hostility from the locals – specifically the town mayor Jacques – make things more difficult than she anticipated. This is a complete charmer of a book – perfect for seeing in the New Year with. (Corgi)