Note: as we have written about before, the current landscape of Christmas publishing is very white, cis, and heteronormative. As such, there are no authors of color on this list of bookish Hallmark Christmas movies.
The Goodbye Bride by Denise Hunter
The basis for Christmas On My Mind, this book shares the story of amnesiac Lucy, who wakes up with a wedding dress in her hand. She thinks she’s late to her wedding to Zac—but actually, she’s forgotten the past two years, and is engaged to a different man. Of course Zac is ready to help her fill in the gaps in her memory, and both find old feelings reigniting during the Christmas season.
Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale
Weeks before Christmas, Abbey is hired to decorate the estate of businessman Nick. She must break down the wall between her and Nick, all while keeping the holiday spirit alive.
The House of Wooden Santas by Kevin Major
This one is a bit of a stretch to call an adaptation, but go with us here. Major’s picture book is about hand-carved wooden Santa figurines, which also feature somewhat prominently in the Hallmark film Nostalgic Christmas, which is about a woman returning to a small town to help close up her father’s wooden toy shop.
A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsay
The basis for A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas. In both book and movie, hotel manager Willow returns to her stunning Virginia hometown to help her sister plan a Christmas wedding at the inn her family once owned. She must work with the inn’s current owner, single dad David, who wants to let go of the past.
A Family Under the Christmas Tree by Terri Reed
The basis for Picture A Perfect Christmas. In this one, an extreme sports photographer returns home for the holiday to look after her grandmother. Wouldn’t you know, she winds up helping a handsome neighbor who needs assistance watching his nephew.
The Mistletoe Secret by Richard Paul Evans
In this one, Aria Eubank convinces a famous travel writer to do a feature story on her beloved hometown to try and help the town’s tourism drop. But when the travel guru and his ghostwriter both show up, Aria finds her heart torn between the two men.
Godwink Christmas: Stories by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt
The basis of A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love. Multiple coincidences bring Alice and Jack, two strangers from very different family backgrounds, together for a weekend wedding celebration. Meanwhile, more and more Godwinks – those coincidences that aren’t really coincidences at all – bring Alice and Jack closer as each attempt to balance the newfound attraction with their complicated professional lives.
The Christmas Wish by Barbara Ankrum
The basis for Holiday Hearts. While planning an annual Christmas party, Peyton is forced together with Ben to care for a friend’s daughter. While finding their Christmas spirit, will there be some romance along the way?
A Gift to Remember by Melissa Hill
The basis for Cherished Memories: A Gift to Remember 2. In this continuation of last year’s amnesia-based romance, Darcy and Aiden (who now has his memory back) are ready to celebrate their second Christmas together when an unexpected guest and a fight to save the beloved community center unite everyone for an unforgettable holiday.
The Christmas Club by Barbara Hinske
Two busy strangers, Olivia and Edward, meet when they help an elderly woman find her lost Christmas savings. Thanks to fate and Christmas magic, they also find something they were both missing: true love.
The Christmas Town by Donna VanLiere
The basis for Christmas Town. Lauren leaves everything behind in Boston to embark on a new chapter in her life and career. But an unforeseen detour to the charming town of Grandon Falls has her discover unexpected new chapters – of the heart and of family – helping her to embrace, once again, the magic of Christmas.
