Holiday Beach Reads
Sure, our beaches shine all summer long, but the holidays are when 7 Mile Beach really sparkles. Picture Dune Drive and 96th Street glowing with twinkling white lights, shop windows dressed to impress, and the whole island giving off major Hallmark-movie vibes. It’s the perfect backdrop for cozy strolls, festive shopping, and kicking back with a good book. Once you’ve checked off your holiday list, grab some cocoa and dive into these new seasonal reads guaranteed to boost your holiday cheer.
“You Make It Feel Like Christmas” by Sophie Sullivan
What happens when a no-nonsense photographer and a sidelined hockey star find themselves snowed in on the same holiday week at a family Christmas tree farm? Sparks, snark, and maybe a second chance. Maisie Smart has always kept her eyes forward, whether chasing her career behind the camera or trying to forget the one-night stand that ghosted her six months ago. Unfortunately, fate (and family) landed her right back in the path of Nick King, the very same hockey player who slipped out the morning after. Nick, meanwhile, is nursing more than just his injury. Haunted by the mistakes he’s made, and the woman he can’t stop thinking about, he shows up at his sister’s farm hoping for a breather. What he doesn’t expect is Maisie, still fiery, still gorgeous, and still furious. Cue the holiday magic: twinkle lights, tree-cutting, and plenty of awkward proximity. As the week unfolds, so does the possibility that Christmas might just hand them both the do-over they didn’t know they needed.
“Yours for the Season” by Emily Stone
What could possibly go wrong when your ex shows up in the Scottish Highlands before Christmas begging you to fake-date him? For Melanie, the answer is: pretty much everything and maybe something surprisingly right. Mel’s year has been one long disaster reel: a stalled career, a best friend who moved half a world away, and a humiliating public breakup courtesy of Finn, the guy she thought was forever. So, when Finn lands on her doorstep with a desperate request, Mel is torn between slamming the door and hearing him out. The deal? Pretend to be back together for one week to keep his mother’s “perfect Christmas” dream alive. In return, Mel gets the satisfaction of dumping him, publicly, at the end of it all. Revenge wrapped up in tinsel? Count her in. But Christmas in the Highlands has a way of softening sharp edges. Between cozy cottages, family traditions, and moments that feel a little too real, Mel begins to wonder if playing pretend with Finn might not be an act after all.
“The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah” by Jean Meltzer
Evelyn Schwartz has her holiday mapped out to the minute: eight whirlwind nights of running a televised musical of “A Christmas Carol.” Family time? Not on the schedule. But her perfectly controlled plans unravel when a set accident sidelines her and the doctor stepping in is none other than her ex-husband, David Adler. Two years have passed since their marriage ended, but the spark between them hasn’t burned out. David still sees the same driven, stubborn Evelyn who sacrifices everything for her career, even her health. And when Evelyn starts seeing “ghosts” of her past heartbreaks, visions that all circle back to David, their paths become impossible to untangle. With eight nights to confront old wounds, shared regrets, and the undeniable chemistry still simmering between them, Evelyn and David must decide whether this season holds just memories … or the chance to start over. It may take more than candlelight to bring them back together, but Hanukkah has never been short on miracles.
“Date Night in December” by Jaqueline Snowe
A heartwarming holiday romance about love, second chances, and the magic of coming home, perfect for readers who adore festive, feel-good stories. This December, one man has just 30 days to work a Christmas miracle. Laney Reynolds is back in Cherrywood Creek, the quaint town of her childhood, to mend a heart broken by years of neglect. Surrounded by twinkling lights, cozy festivals, and the charm of snow-dusted streets, she’s ready to leave behind the stress of city life and a marriage that no longer felt like a partnership. Connor, however, isn’t ready to give up. Realizing what truly matters, he’s willing to leave the corporate world behind and embrace small-town magic to win Laney’s heart again. But rekindling their love will take more than festive treats and romantic evenings. It will take genuine effort and heartfelt connection. Can Connor show that being a devoted husband outweighs any professional success?
“A Sea Glass Christmas” by Davis Bunn
A heartfelt holiday story set on North Carolina’s picturesque Outer Banks, where the past and present collide to open the door to second chances. Some places, and people, leave a lasting mark. Brody Reames left the Outer Banks at 21 to chase his dream of a life at sea. Years of racing across oceans and crewing on distant vessels gave him freedom, but when family needs and his mother’s heartfelt request call him back home, Brody returns just in time for the holidays. Home to familiar shores, a crisp winter breeze, and a woman he never forgot. Rae Alden has built a life full of adventure and purpose, from managing a luxurious oceanfront resort to caring for her aunt. Yet despite her accomplishments, she feels the sting of past heartbreak. Seeing Brody again after eight years rekindles memories of a summer romance that ended too soon, stirring emotions she thought were long behind her. As old feelings resurface amid family drama and secrets waiting to be uncovered, Brody and Rae must navigate love, forgiveness, and hope. This Christmas, their journey proves that sometimes the heart knows the way home and that second chances can be the greatest gift of all.
“In a Holidaze” by Christina Lauren
A delightfully chaotic holiday romance where one wish, two charming brothers, and a second chance at love collide in a snow-covered wonderland. Maelyn Jones isn’t exactly feeling festive. Stuck living with her parents, trapped in a dead-end job, and reeling from a romantic blunder, she’s ready to leave behind her beloved Utah family cabin for the last time. In a moment of exasperation, she makes a simple plea to the universe: Show me what will make me happy. The result? A spectacularly unexpected twist. Mae wakes up to relive the same Christmas over and over, with each attempt filled with hilarious misadventures, awkward encounters, and a growing realization about love, friendship, and what truly matters. Packed with holiday spirit, laughter, and heart, Christina Lauren’s charming story reminds readers that sometimes the path to happiness is full of loops, mishaps, and the perfect mistletoe moment.
