Book picks similar to
Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Pamela Fryer


romance
holiday
contemporary
contemporary-romance

Santa Wore Combat Boots


Barbara Witek - 2011
    Three years later she’s doing the best she can for her children and moving through life on autopilot. She doesn’t believe true love can happen twice in a lifetime. As a matter of fact, she doesn’t believe in much anymore. Putting her trust in one honest man might be just what she needs to move forward.Bound by duty Jake Nicklaus never imagined he’d cross the line and fall in love with the woman he swore he’d watch over. If only he’d died on that chopper instead of her husband, she wouldn’t be hurting. The only way to heal her heart is to show her how to live again. Finding the magic in Christmas is the perfect way to start.Will one kiss under the mistletoe change their lives forever?

Yours for Christmas


Lilian Monroe - 2020
    Makes me think that my future could involve something more than a loveless marriage to an old, well-titled man.Treats my body with reverence, and shows me E-X-A-C-T-L-Y what I’ve been missing in my prim and proper life.But the Duke has secrets he’s not ready to share, and my time is running out…...and that’s before I find out I’m pregnant.Now I need to decide—do I pursue a life with a reclusive duke, or turn my back on love to make sure my baby has a stable future?Yours for Christmas is a contemporary royal romance novella. This steamy, short read will have you wishing you were on the naughty list!

The Christmas Hims


Heather Henle - 2017
     Easier said than done, especially when everyone in town believes she’s the reason for the divorce between her and town Golden Boy, Lance. Two years after her divorce, and with a push from her best friend Marcus, she’s taken the plunge into the dating pool. Rachel gets more than she can handle when every date is almost too good to be true, or so it seems. Now she must choose her perfect match, between him, him, him, him and him. The Christmas Hims is a light-hearted, clean holiday romance that will make you believe that true love does exist, especially at Christmas.

The Inn at Cranberry Cove (Cranberry Cove Series Book 1)


June Foster - 2020
    She’s inherited her aunt’s B&B and is determined to carry on her legacy. Upon preparing for guests, she learns of a century-old tale of treasure within the inn. Many have searched for the illusive gems but to no avail. She discovers a man working on the inn’s grounds, but is he the gardener Gina Price hired? Perhaps he’s searching for the hidden treasure.James Atwood, corporate executive, works in the Atwood’s thriving cranberry business. Tragedy strikes, and he’s numb and riddled with guilt. Befriended by Gina Price, he finds solace working evening and weekends in the fresh earth, fescue grass, and aromatic blossoms of the inn’s gardens, helping to divert his mind from his dishonest cousin Robert, bent on destroying the Atwood business. He continues tending the grounds after Gina passes, and the new owner believes he’s a gardener. After she calls late one night upon hearing a prowler, James races to her rescue and discovers his feelings are more than protective.Ashton’s first guests, the Claxton’s, appear out of nowhere saying they’ve had reservations for a year though she finds no record of a deposit. She chalks the failure up to faulty accounting before she arrived. When an elusive intruder continues to make frightening midnight visits, Ashton fears for her own safety and that of the Claxtons. But then, their odd comings and goings cause Ashton to wonder. Are they really vacationing visitors from California, or do they have other motives for staying at the inn?Can two people allow the majestic northwest and fragrant coastal air heal their wounded hearts? Will they discover the secret of The Inn at Cranberry Cove?

Dirty Little Lies


Clare James - 2014
    (Yeah, she knows it’s stupid name, so don’t start.) But most importantly, Stevie’s lost herself. As she shuffles through her days in worn-out Hello Kitty PJs—eating ice cream, sipping wine, and contemplating her next move—a magazine article catches her attention. Blaring black letters read: "How to Get Your Sexy Back in Six Easy Steps."Stevie studies the article in the trashy magazine like the good student she is and immediately knows what she has to do. With the magazine article in hand, and a bottle of red in her bag, Stevie embarks on a journey to reclaim her life and win back her ex. Until she meets Gabe Shannon. Gorgeous, single, and on a quest of his own, Gabe introduces Stevie to a lifestyle that is sure to help get her sexy back and then some. If she doesn’t chicken out … (Oh, you know where this is going.)What follows is a story of self-discovery, romantic gestures, erotic encounters, and following one's heart--even if it leads in unexpected directions.Portions originally published online as The Club e-series, Dirty Little Lies now has 70% more content, chapters from Gabe's point of view, and a sizzling conclusion to this steamy tale.

Anything You Ask


Lynn Kellan - 2013
    Her prodigal brother-in-law offers an unusual solution. He'll pay off her debt in exchange for the deed. She agrees to a temporary marriage to transfer the farm, but can she trust a man with too many secrets?Thrown off the farm by his father, Hale vows to reclaim the land where he was raised. Helping Danielle provides a perfect way to redeem himself, but his feelings complicate matters. He wants to make their marriage a real one. Problem is, Danielle won't tolerate any more secrets, and he can't tell her why his family disowned him.Now more is on the line than just the farm. Staying together will require a special kind of courage. Are they strong enough to let go of their painful past and embrace the future?

A Special Kind of Advent


S.J. Crabb - 2018
    The girl who against all the odds managed to claw her way through school and rise above the expectations of her peers. She is ruthless, unrelenting and driven. She works hard and has no room in her life for anything else. She has no friends and even her own mother flinches when she visits. Her staff fear her and she rips them apart as though they are candidates for the Apprentice. The one focus in her life is making it to the top and today that dream is about to come true. There is only one man standing in her way. Charlie Monroe. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth he had his future mapped out for him from an early age. He was born to wealthy parents and lived the life others could only dream of. He went to Eton and then Oxford and has never had to try for anything because where his brain fails, his looks win. Loved by everyone and desired by many. Popular with his staff and everyone’s friend. Victoria hates him. They are both in the running to take over the company where they work when Mr Rowanson retires. However, to win the company they must complete a set of challenges. One for every day of December and on Christmas Day the winner will be chosen. There is one condition. They must work together and have no other help. Every morning on the stroke of 8 they must open the Advent Calendar to discover their challenge. These challenges will determine the winner and failure is not an option. This is no ordinary Advent calendar and they are not children. This time it's war and the winner takes it all. Prepare for a special kind of Advent where anything can happen……even the unexpected!

Mistletoe & Margaritas


Shannon Stacey - 2011
    So, after two years, she's not surprised by the steamy dreams telling her it might be time to start moving on. But she didn't expect her friend Justin to have the starring role. Justin McCormick has loved Claire since the moment he first saw her, but his best friend got there first. Now that Claire is ready to move on with her life, Justin is finding it harder than ever to hide his true feelings. And when they both get caught up in the holiday spirits at a party, their simmering mutual attraction boils over into a night neither of them can forget...20,000 words

Christmas at Copper Mountain


Jane Porter - 2013
    Taking the temporary job at the Copper Mountain Ranch as widower Brock Sheenan’s housekeeper seems perfect for her. But her calm cocoon is invaded with the arrival of Brock’s pre-teen twins, Mack and Molly who’ve never experienced a proper Christmas and before she knows it, Harley’s determined to make their holiday perfect. Annoyed at first by Harley’s interference, Brock is secretly pleased she’s changed Mack and Molly’s world. It doesn’t hurt that he finds Harley incredibly attractive, fierce, smart and passionate. It’s also an added bonus that she’s not afraid to challenge him and get his blood heated! But when sparks fly and the attractions sizzles between them, Harley’s not so sure she can handle something permanent with this dark, taciturn cowboy who doesn’t know how to let her in. But Brock is determined to hold on to her and praying for a Christmas miracle…

Home in Time for Christmas


Heather Graham - 2009
    Melody Tarleton is driving home for Christmas when a man--clad in Revolutionary War-era costume--appears out of nowhere, right in the path of her car. Shaken, she takes in the injured stranger, listening with concern to Jake Mallory's fantastic claim that he's a Patriot soldier, sentenced to death by British authorities. The last thing he remembers is the tug of the noose.Safe at her parents' house, Melody concocts a story to explain the handsome holiday guest with the courtly manners, strange clothes and nasty bump on the head. Mark, her close friend who wishes he were more, is skeptical and her family is fascinated--though not half so fascinated as Melody herself. Jake is passionate, charming and utterly unlike anyone she's ever met. Can he really be who he claims? And can a man from the distant past be the future she truly longs for?With the aid of enchanted petals, ancient potions and the peculiar magic of the season, Melody and Jake embark on an unimaginable Christmas adventure--and discover a love that transcends time.

It Takes Two


Lily Zante - 2015
    She loves her husband very much.But something's missing. The sparkle, the fairy dust, the magic.Her life can't all be about dirty laundry and diapers. Can it?Rona Fernández left Verona with a clutch of happy memories. Her late night and frequent visits to the charming Gioberti's restaurant had raised some eyebrows but nobody was overly suspicious of why she would go alone each evening.Not even her husband.But back in Denver discontent soon pushes its way back into Rona's world and life soon pales in comparison to the memories of heady nights in Italy.Married and still looking hot despite a baby and almost seven years of marriage, Rona prides herself on looking good and getting noticed.It's just a shame that her hard-working husband is too busy working to pay her much attention.So when her sister asks for her help, back in Verona, how can she refuse?Especially when Gioberti's restaurant and its intriguing customers provide a pull for her that she finds hard to ignore.After all, a harmless flirtation every now and then isn't such a bad thing. As long it stays that way.But what happens when reality doesn't live up to expectations? Will it be too late to realize that what she had all along was far more precious than the things she thought she wanted?Maybe winning her husband back will be the hardest thing of all.Rona's story, is the first in the Italian Summer Series. It is a standalone story with a HEA and contains no cheating or cliffhangers.

The Plight Before Christmas


Kate Stewart - 2021
    And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.Fa la la la la, la FML.

An Evergreen Christmas


Tanya Goodwin - 2012
    Holly Green hasn't celebrated Christmas since age thirteen when her parents were killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve. An intense surgeon but a social wallflower, Holly successfully dodges the hospital holiday party every year, except this year when she meets Dr. Noel Shepherd, sexy new surgeon on the block who's determined to end her absenteeism.The polar opposite of Holly, Noel revels in the Christmas spirit, sporting a penguin print necktie and Santa sticker on his beeper.From the moment Holly bumps into Noel in the operating room, she can't deny her attraction to him. Noel likewise lights up around Holly.When their relationship heats up over the holiday season, Noel purchases an evergreen tree that he and Holly could decorate. But his surprise quickly sours when Holly refuses to have anything to do with the tree. Has Noel crossed the line, catapulting Holly into a Christmas she isn't ready to celebrate?

The Mistletoe Promise


Richard Paul Evans - 2014
    Three years earlier, her husband cheated on her with her best friend, resulting in a bitter divorce that left her alone, broken, and distrustful. Then, one November day, a stranger approaches Elise in the mall food court. Though she recognizes the man from her building, Elise has never formally met him. Tired of spending the holidays alone, the man offers her a proposition. For the next eight weeks—until the evening of December 24—he suggests that they pretend to be a couple. He draws up a contract with four rules: 1. No deep, probing personal questions2. No drama3. No telling anyone the truth about the relationship 4. The contract is void on Christmas Day The lonely Elise surprises herself by agreeing to the idea. As the charade progresses, the safety of her fake relationship begins to mend her badly broken heart. But just as she begins to find joy again, her long-held secret threatens to unravel the emerging relationship. But she might not be the only one with secrets.

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses


Jenny Hale - 2015
    Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, when a friend recommends her for a small design job she jumps at the chance. How hard can it be? Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit – and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multi-million dollar business – even if it is Christmas. When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble… With the snow falling all around, can Abbey take the chance to make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?