Recommendations based on "Festivities and Familiars"

"Morgan is a masterful storyteller…. For fans of Jojo Moyes, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Stacey Ballis. —Booklist What happens if the only Christmas celebration you want to attend is one you haven't been invited to? USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan delights with this hilarious and heartwarming Christmas cracker of a novel! A family gathering This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal—to avoid their well-meaning family’s endless stream of prying questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention. An uninvited guest Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job. Unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller, the season promises to be anything but festive. She’ll just deliver her proposal to his family home and then leave. After all, she wouldn’t want to intrude on the Miller family’s perfect Christmas. A Christmas to remember When Lucy appears on the Miller family’s snow-covered Highland doorstep, she's mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend. By the time the confusion is cleared up, they're snowed in—she can’t leave, even if she wants to! But does she want to? As secrets spill out like presents from an overstuffed stocking and the chemistry between her and Ross ignites, this is going to be either Lucy's worst Christmas ever or the best mistake of her life. Don't miss USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan's next cozy beach read, The Summer Swap, where a widow's plan to spend the summer in Cape Cod is upended by an unexpected guest and a secret that could change everything... Get lost in more captivating stories by Sarah Morgan: The Summer Swap - Coming May 2024! The Book Club Hotel The Island Villa Snowed In For Christmas Beach House Summer

For something that happens every year of our lives, we really don't know much about Christmas. We don't know that the date we celebrate was chosen by a madman, or that Christmas, etymologically speaking, means "Go away, Christ." Nor do we know that Christmas was first celebrated in 243 AD on March 28—and only moved to December 25 in 354 AD. We're oblivious to the fact that the advent calendar was actually invented by a Munich housewife to stop her children pestering her for a Christmas countdown. And we would never have guessed that the invention of Christmas crackers was merely a way of popularizing sweet wrappers. Luckily, Mark Forsyth is here to unwrap this fundamentally funny gallimaufry of traditions and oddities, making it all finally make sense—in his wonderfully entertaining wordy way.

St Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it's always cocktail hour somewhere... Escape to Cornwall with this uplifting and feel good standalone novel from the bestselling author of The Little Wedding Shop by the Sea There's nothing more magical than a winter wonderland wedding but when photographer Holly North returns to the cosy village of St Aidan she's determined to avoid romance and the festive season full stop. She's doing one small favour for a friend's wedding and then her plans involve diving under her duvet and avoiding any sign of Christmas cheer - and gorgeous but insufferable Rory Sanderson - for the rest of December! That is until Christmas arrives at Brides by the Sea, Cornwall's enchanting and most adorable little wedding shop. The champagne is on ice while mistletoe hangs from every nook and Holly's friends at the shop are determined she'll live up to her festive name. It's the most wonderful time of the year, and romance is most definitely in the crisp winter air with promises, proposals and Christmas kisses aplenty... What readers are saying about this cosy Christmas romance: 'You can almost smell the Christmas trees and taste those mince pie muffins...the perfect book to cuddle up with' My Chestnut Reading Tree 'A real cracker' Annie Cooper's Book Corner 'An absolute delight' Bookworms and Shutterbugs 'A really warm and cosy read...it has got me so excited for Christmas!' Jessica's Book Biz 'This book has it all, romance, entertainment, charm, cheerfulness, friendship, small miracles, Christmas magic and lots of warmth...I absolutely loved this fantastic book' With Love for Books

"There's a dash of action, a sprinkle of cheer, and a lot of love to warm up this sweet, sexy wintertime tale." --Publishers Weekly on Moonlight Over Manhattan, starred review Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list--dealing with Madi's temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry. Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi--how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple--he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel. Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all--letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas? Don't miss Sarah Morgan's next book, The Summer Seekers!

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles—and love.  Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it. But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help having doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true… Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she’s hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually…perhaps even sharing her life with him. Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together…in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

NOW A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Sometimes forgiveness is the best present. After discovering he has a toddler daughter, engineer Evan Dukas needs all the help he can get—even if it comes from Vanessa Johnson, the woman who once crushed his heart. With financial worries mounting and Christmas just around the corner, the single mom agrees to be little Lily’s temporary nanny, and vows not to let working for Evan derail her recovery from an eating disorder. With her service dog, Snickers, at her side, Vanessa is on the path to healing, and soon old feelings reawaken between her and Evan. But when buried secrets regarding Vanessa’s son are revealed, they must decide if what they have is worth fighting for… From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope. K-9 Companions Book 1: Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner Book 2: Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter Book 3: The Veteran's Vow by Jill Lynn Book 4: Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain Book 5: Earning Her Trust by Brenda Minton Book 6: Guarding His Secret by Jill Kemerer Book 7: An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh Book 9: A Reason to Stay by Deb Kastner Book 10: The Veteran's Holiday Home by Lee Tobin McClain Book 11: An Alaskan Christmas Promise by Belle Calhoune Book 12: A Steadfast Companion by Myra Johnson Book 14: A Friend to Trust by Lee Tobin McClain Book 15: Her Alaskan Companion by Heidi McCahan Book 16: A Companion for Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain Book 17: Her Christmas Healing by Mindy Obenhaus Book 18: Finding Their Way Back by Jenna Mindel Book 19: Their Inseparable Bond by Jill Weatherholt Book 20: Bonding with the Babies by Deb Kastner Book 21: Her Son's Faithful Companion by Jill Weatherholt Book 22: Training the K-9 Companion by Jill Kemerer Book 23: A Companion for His Son by Lee Tobin McClain Book 24: Her Loyal Companion by Heidi Main Book 25: A K-9 Christmas Reunion by Lisa Carter Book 26: His Christmas Salvation by Lee Tobin McClain Book 27: Guarding Her Christmas Secret by Jill Weatherholt Book 28: A Faithful Guardian by Louise M. Gouge Book 29: The Veteran's Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain Book 30: Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter Book 31: An Unexpected Companion by Mindy Obenhaus Book 32: Earning the Veteran's Trust by Lisa Jordan Book 33: Holding Onto Secrets by Lee Tobin McClain Book 34: His New Companion by Jill Kemerer Book 35: The Soldier's K-9 Companion by Belle Calhoune Book 36: Her Surprise Neighbor by Lee Tobin McClain Book 37: Healing the Veteran by Ciara Knight Book 38: An Unexpected Christmas Helper by Lee Tobin McClain Book 39: The Rancher's Christmas Gift by Jolene Navarro Book 40: An Unexpected Texas Reunion by Heidi Main

From New York Times bestselling author Courtney Cole, the Magic of the Christmas Season sends a woman back in time to the 1940s where she meets her own grandmother and learns the true meaning of family and the holiday. Piper McCaulley doesn’t know which way is up or down. Her gran, her last remaining family, died two weeks before Christmas, leaving Piper to reevaluate her life. Did she really want to stay chained to the family business just to hang on to this old house? She didn’t care that her great-great-great grandpa had built it with his own hands. How could she make huge life decisions if she’d never even been outside of Alaska? She needs to leave the snowy wilderness that’s her backyard and see the world, and since her gran left her a battered old compass, Piper takes this a secret message from her beloved grandmother: to follow her heart. But before she is even a foot outside the door, Piper finds herself caught in a blizzard and wakes up in 1945 in the original home that her ancestors had built—a time when her gran was just a girl Piper’s age. Once she has gotten over the shock, Piper has the joy of getting to know her grandmother in a whole new way, a way that sheds light on everything Piper had come to know and not know about her own past.  Over the course of one magical holiday season, Piper must go on a journey through time to learn the meaning of real love, home, and how a family legacy can connect one another forever.   A touching holiday read Perfect for fans of uplifting winter romances A delightful Christmas gift

Escape to Cornwall for Christmas in this Top 10 bestselling new romance. ‘Sparkling and festive, as satisfying as figgy pudding and clotted cream – loved it!’ Milly Johnson Christmas in Cornwall is just around the corner... But after last Christmas revealed a shocking family secret, Scarlett’s hardly feeling merry and bright. All she wants this Christmas is to know who her real father is. So Scarlett heads to the little Cornish town of Porthmellow, where she believes the truth of her birth is hidden. She just didn’t bargain on being drawn into the Christmas festival preparations – or meeting Jude Penberth, whose charm threatens to complicate life further. Everything will come to a head at Porthmellow’s Christmas Festival ... But can Scarlett have the perfect Christmas this year, or are there more surprises on the way? Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour. ‘A transporting festive romance, full of genuine warmth and quirky characters’ Woman’s Own ‘A page-turner of a festive read’ My Weekly ‘Serious festive escapism ... like a big warm hug’ Popsugar Praise for Phillipa Ashley: ‘Warm and funny and feel-good. The best sort of holiday read’ Katie Fforde ‘Filled with warm and likeable characters. Great fun!’ Jill Mansell ‘A delicious festive treat with as many twists and turns as a Cornish country lane’ Jules Wake

Another breathaking adventure featuring the main character from the New York Times bestseller The Christmas Wish!  When Anja discovers an abandoned reindeer baby in the woods, she cares for it and raises it as her own. They become dear friends and have many adventures together, but as the reindeer grows he wishes to rejoin his kind. So Anja leads him to join the greatest reindeer of all—those of Santa’s sled team.Don't miss the other "Wish" books:The Christmas WishThe Tiny WishThe Brave Little PuppyThe Puppy's Wish -- coming soon!

It's the new school term and, as the baby inside Mum's tummy gets bigger and bigger, the family begins to plan for Christmas. There are lists to be made and presents to be wrapped. But could an unexpected Christmas gift be just around the corner?