The best cosy Christmas feel-good books

Darcy Cotterell’s Christmas in Copenhagen is shaping up to be anything but ordinary. Newly single and far from festive, Darcy plans to bury herself in her art history PhD, determined to identify the mysterious woman in an undiscovered painting by Denmark’s most celebrated artist. But her best friend, Freja, has other plans – namely, signing Darcy up for three blind dates to spark some holiday romance. What Darcy doesn’t expect is that bachelor number one, the charming but infuriating lawyer Max Lorensen, will also be key to her research. As professional tensions heat up alongside their undeniable chemistry, Darcy is torn between her heart and her instincts. 

Whitney is not having a merry Christmas. In the last three weeks she’s lost her boyfriend and a promotion; and now she's forced to gather at her grandparents’ cosy cabin for the holidays with her large family. Then, to make matters worse, she discovers her old boyfriend, Eli, on the doorstep. Now she’s stuck for a week with Eli, the only man to ever break her heart. And he’s ready to win her back. The Plight Before Christmas is a second-chance, Christmas-themed sexy romance from Kate Stewart, author of the Ravenhood series.

Half-sisters Maggie, Simone, and Star are forced to rekindle their broken relationship following the death of their father, Augustus. They are confronted by Augustus's will, which requires them to navigate trials together to unlock their inheritance. Spending the winter months at Rowan Thorp, a charming village where they spent much of their childhood, stirs up feelings with forgotten flames, and makes the sisters confront the lives they’ve left behind. As old wounds resurface and long-buried secrets come to light, the sisters must learn to work together if they hope to succeed.

In Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, Jenny Bayliss, author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas, brings us a festive romantic comedy. As the only single person at a school friend's lavish wedding, Nory seeks a moment of peace. But, this is soon interrupted as she encounters Isaac – the castle's gardener and her former school rival. Soon, an astonishing secret about Isaac's past unravels and Nory finds herself in a unique position to help right this wrong . . . 

After years of IVF, Olivia and Dan’s beloved twins are born. Overjoyed, the young family move to Renninston Hall, a huge Elizabethan house belonging to absent friends, and it would seem that Olivia and Dan are set to have a picture-perfect winter. But as they begin to enjoy the life they've always dreamed of, a secret at the heart of their family begins to unravel – one that Olivia does not yet know. And the house, too, holds dark secrets within . . . 

Sitting on the edge of a loch in the west of Scotland, Ballintyre House has always attracted romance. There's Helen, who years ago fell for charismatic Hamish, now shelters in the house with him from the scandal that cost him his job. When his brother's wife goes missing, only Helen seems to notice or care. Back in the late 60s, Tigs has fallen for James Ballintyre, and her heart is broken when he marries Josephine. Generations of love and obsession come together, as Helen searches for a missing woman, and confronts difficult truths about her own decisions.

Christmas with the Teashop Girls stars Rose Neville and the staff of Lyon's Teashop in Margate as they navigate life at war, along with love, family drama and, for Rose, an upcoming Christmas Eve wedding to her dashing fiancé, Captain Ben Hargreaves. This heartwarming 1940s-set Christmas love story is packed with nostalgia, bravery and hope. 

Full of magic and mischief, David Baldacci's Christmas novel is perfect for fans of The Christmas Chronicles and Just Another Christmas. It's the story of disillusioned journalist and modern-day Scrooge Tom Langdon, who – after a misunderstanding at the airport – is forced to take the train across the USA to reach his family in time for Christmas Day. With a cast of characters who take Tom on a journey of self-discovery, this novel will win over even the most dedicated Grinch this Christmas. 

It's the holiday of a lifetime for Vivian Forest, when she gets to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a member of the royal family. Excited to spend the holidays taking in the sights and sounds of Britain, Vivian doesn't expect to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, whose charming accent and unyielding formality warm her heart. Malcolm Hudson has never given a personal tour in his time with the royals – until now. When Vivian's return flight approaches, she and Malcolm will have to decide if this is simply a holiday romance or a love affair to change their lives.

Cosy up by the fire with your furry friend and this feel-good festive read, ideal for fans of Netflix Original A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale. A Dog's Perfect Christmas is the poignant story of a family who open their hearts to new possibilities and meet a very special puppy along the way.

More than a writer, Angelou is a wise historian, an advocate for peace, and a champion for the climate, as well as a patriot, a mentor, and a friend. The wisdom and poetry of Maya Angelou proves there is always cause for celebration. Celebrations is a collection of timely and timeless poems that are an integral part of the global fabric. Several works have become nearly as iconic as Angelou herself. She writes of celebrations public and private, a bar mitzvah wish to her nephew, a birthday greeting to Oprah Winfrey, and a memorial tribute to the late Luther Vandross and Barry White. A collection to be cherished and shared.

Jenny Colgan's feel-good fiction is all about the magic of new beginnings, and so this Christmas story set in Cornwall is perfect for fans of 2006 movie The Holiday. Polly is looking forward to baking up a storm at her Little Beach Street Bakery and settling in for her first Christmas with boyfriend Huckle, until a storm threatens to cut off the island's power and ruin everything. With her perfect Christmas at stake, it's up to Polly and the villagers to save the day.