We are continuing our festive journey through the Holiday Season Reading with a wonderful indie Christmas stories roundup. We bring you reads from 12 indie authors who promise a compelling plot and the kind of heartwarming magic only independent writers can deliver.

These Christmas books offer a unique blend of pleasing charm, sparkling romance (many of them, indeed), cosy mysteries, and even hilarious adventures. You will find a great mix of engaging, contemporary, and cohesive festive reads – from a fancy trip to a glamorous New York City flat, a secret world where Santa’s Order protects humanity, to a second chance at love in a snow-dusted small town.

Here they come:

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Cosy & Charming Chaos

Trevor Saves Christmas by Colin B Wade

When Santa’s sleigh crash-lands squarely into Trevor Philpott’s house on Christmas Eve, a rather ordinary evening instantly turns into a riotous, high-stakes adventure. It is suddenly down to Trevor, the most unlikely of heroes, and his new, diminutive companion – Sparkle Twinkletoes the elf – to rescue the holiday. This delightful, fast-paced tale sees the haphazard duo race against time to deliver the remaining presents to the good children of the town. Dive into this genuinely fun Christmas story packed with humorous encounters, unexpected twists, and lots of challenges. It is a great read when you need a feel-good festive chaos and proof that even the most unassuming person can save the day.

The Twelve Days of Catmas by Kysa Steele

Nothing says Christmas quite like a grumpy legend being ambushed by holiday spirit, and this story delivers just that with a sharp, funny twist. Krampus has spent five centuries doing Santa’s dirty work and is more than ready for peace and quiet when Holiday HR sends Yule – a not‑at‑all ordinary cat who embodies the Spirit of Festive Misrule. What follows is a whirlwind of increasingly unhinged magical manifestations, from talkative partridges to demanding hens and other delightfully unmanageable gifts, all piling up in Krampus’s once‑orderly home. If you enjoy cat-themed chaos and holiday spirits, this is a delightful, light-hearted festive read that combines adorable animals, a blossoming romance, and the unique challenges of pet-sitting during the most wonderful (and hectic) time of the year.

Mysteries & Adventure

Pies, Lies, and Alibis: A Millwood Mystery by Kim Beatty

Kim Beatty delivers a delicious Christmas cosy mystery telling the story of City of Pies bakery owner, Kendall Howard, who is getting ready to celebrate the season with the lovely residents of the Willowhaven Care Center. The festive cheer quickly turns to foul play, however, when one of the residents is found dead. Plunged into a sudden investigation, Kendall must put her amateur sleuth skills to the test, following a trail of clues and crumbs to catch the culprit before the local gossip mill utterly ruins her reputation (and that of her baked goods). Expect charming small-town life, a delightful sprinkle of light romance, and plenty of clever intrigue as Kendall hunts for justice in this engaging holiday whodunit.

Called of Kristoff: A Santa Chronicle / Rings of the Santa Order (Tales of the Santa Order) by Eric P. Johnson

Move beyond the traditional Christmas tropes and plunge into a rich, fantastical world where Santa is far more than just a figure in a red suit. This YA collection introduces readers to the Santa Order, a secret lineage of magical protectors led by Saint Nicholas himself. Called of Kristoff follows the journey of a young German boy who is forced into the ranks of the Nazi regime during the WWII. His compassionate heart cannot be broken, and he discovers the existence of divine magic and the power of belief when he meets no one but Santa Claus himself. Meanwhile, Rings of the Santa Order delves deeper into the powerful artefacts and complex laws that govern this extraordinary society when Asher finds out he is the guardian of an ancient, powerful ring.

Dating Chaos by D.W. Brooks

Dating Chaos by D.W. Brooks is a short, spicy holiday romantic suspense that follows Jamison, a driven doctor still reeling from a near‑death experience, as she agrees to a first date that turns unexpectedly dangerous. What should have been a simple evening with a detective quickly spirals into a tangle of old family secrets, a long‑lost relative and a stalker who seems determined to keep Jamison from her hard‑won future. This is a fast‑paced festive tension, insta‑lust, and a punchy blend of mystery, romance and seasonal chaos as Jamison navigates red flags, sizzling chemistry and the question of whether this second chance at life – and love – is worth the risk.

Swoon-Worthy Romance

The Cowboy Christmas Glow Up/ A White Lie Christmas (Christmas in the City Collection) by Suzy Langevin

Get ready for double the festive cheer with this charming collection of Christmas romance from Suzy Langevin, offering both city sparkle and rural romance. If a contemporary, fake-dating scenario is your preferred style, look no further than A White Lie Christmas. Here, doctoral student Juliana, desperate to avoid a dreaded family holiday interrogation, fabricates a nonexistent boyfriend. Unfortunately, she needs to produce the goods when her family announces a surprise visit. Her solution? Enlisting the grumpy, Christmas-cynic, Chris, who happens to be staying in her apartment, to play the part. The Cowboy Christmas Glow Up whisks you away to Montana, following handsome Levi Dearborn as he navigates family expectations surrounding his ranching fortune and the future he is expected to inherit. Pick up this collection when you are craving sweet holiday romance with plenty of spark and undeniable chemistry.

Only Ever You by Emma Sewell

A wonderfully cosy and heartfelt best-friends-to-lovers story, this novel is guaranteed to warm your cockles. When bakery owner Faye finds herself utterly stranded without heating in her London flat, her best friend, Sébastien – or ‘Bash’ – takes her away to his family’s quaint countryside home for the holidays. What Faye does not know is that Bash has been hopelessly in love with her for a decade. The already tense situation ratchets up a notch when a disruptive uncle arrives, forcing Bash to give up his room and share one with Faye – a scenario they have experienced before, but never under such emotionally charged circumstances. This is a truly delightful slow-burn romance, perfect for curling up with a mug of something hot and escaping into the irresistible tension of forced proximity.

Love at First Light by Luna Hayes

Escape to the charming small town of Lockhart Falls in this sweet, found-family romance. Brokenhearted after a devastating split, Erin Winters heads back to her grandparents’ old town to press the reset button. While she intends only a brief stay before returning to the big city, Erin soon finds herself falling – both literally and figuratively – for her handsome, albeit slightly grumpy, new landlord and neighbour, Jamie Burns. With a whole town of welcoming friends, a burgeoning connection with Jamie, and a dash of family secrets to uncover, Erin’s plan to leave is quickly complicated. Featuring an enchanting small-town atmosphere, the delightful grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic, and the promise of romance under the stunning Northern Lights, this book explores what happens when your heart desperately wants to stay home.

Lighting Up Christmas by Katie Rose

Twelve years ago, Brennan Morgan, a boy with dreams of rock-star fame, left Crystal standing alone. Now, he is back in Cascade Falls, still possessing his dangerous rockstar swagger, and Crystal’s heart has not quite forgotten him. The problem? They are forced together to work on the local Christmas festival entertainment committee, involving countless hours of planning, tree-picking, and stringing festive lights. A second-chance romance with sizzling chemistry, this story sees Brennan fight to prove he has changed after battling his own personal demons. Set against a picturesque small-town backdrop dusted in snow, this festive novel blends the nostalgia of a childhood connection with the compelling heat of rediscovered love and the enduring power of redemption.

When Words Waver by Sana Khatri

When Words Waver by Sana Khatri is a sweet holiday romance that follows Carina – a young woman who has been selectively mute since childhood trauma – and Myles, the patient, quietly determined man who falls for her. Set against a cosy festive backdrop, the story blends insta‑love, family drama and gentle emotional healing as Carina navigates complicated relatives, communication barriers and her growing feelings for Myles. You can expect a heartwarming mix of tenderness, soft angst and seasonal charm, with a focus on learning to trust, finding one’s voice and letting love in during the most magical time of the year.

5th Avenue Serendipity by Genevieve Fischer

5th Avenue Serendipity tells the charming New York‑set Christmas romance that pairs Aaron Sullivan – a down‑on‑his‑luck actor – with Raina Turnner, a high‑society runaway determined to escape her gilded cage. A chance encounter on Fifth Avenue pulls them together just as both are trying to reinvent their lives, and soon they find themselves sharing snow‑dusted city streets, glittering holiday windows and more than a few secrets as their worlds unexpectedly collide. You’ll find a whirlwind of festive chemistry, class‑crossing tension and serendipitous moments as Aaron and Raina discover that the best Christmas gifts are the ones they never saw coming.

A Dance of Sugarplums and Power Plays: A Nutcracker Retelling (Fairytale Season Book 1) by Jess Christine

This is not your average Christmas story – it is a contemporary romancethat reimagines the beloved Nutcracker ballet. A Dance of Sugarplums and Power Plays is a magical, modern Nutcracker retelling that pairs Claire – a ballerina whose career and confidence have both taken painful hits – with Everett, a hockey player whose own dreams have not gone to plan. When a snowy‑night mishap and a touch of fairytale magic throw them back into each other’s paths, the two are drawn into a second‑chance romance filled with on‑ice tension, backstage vulnerability and the glow of Christmas lights. Dive into this cosy blend of holiday sparkle, sports romance energy and emotional healing, as Claire and Everett navigate past heartbreak, lingering chemistry and a story that blurs the line between festive reality and fairytale wonder.

So, which of these fantastic Christmas stories will you be curling up with first? As you pick your read from an independently published author, be kind and remember that indie books sometimes come with a few rough edges – but they also bring surprises you will not find on the most polished traditionally published best-sellers.

Merry Reading!

In the next Holiday Season Reading, we will bring you wonderful Christmas stories originally written in other languages that were translated into English. See you there.