Calling all book baddies,
Welcome to Sunday, cozy Sunday. It’s Day 3 of Boobsmas, and today is all about slowing down, treating ourselves to something sweet, and collectively pretending we’re living inside a charming small town holiday romance where our biggest responsibility is choosing which ugly sweater to wear to the winter festival.
In between writing my next baseball romance, I’m also wrapping up my umpteenth rewatch of Ted Lasso—and thoroughly enjoying watching my roommate see it for the first time—and as far as Christmas themed episodes of T.V. shows go, “Carol of the Bells” from the second season might be my favorite.
Personally, I think Jason Sudeikis is singlehandedly responsible for bringing back the mustache, too. And he wears it so well, don’t you think?
Below, you’ll find your holiday romance book recommendations along with the official Boobsmas Cozy Reading Playlist, but before we get to those…
The stars have spoken—and apparently they’re hungry.
Here’s your cosmically assigned holiday treat, chosen by the universe to match your energy, your aesthetic, and your December comfort cravings. 🍪❄️
Pour something warm, settle in, and let astrology feed you. And don’t forget to let me know below which treat is your favorite…
♈ Aries — Gingerbread Men with Extra Snap 🔥
Bold spice, crisp edges, and a hit of ginger that wakes your soul. Perfect for a sign that refuses to enter a room quietly.
♉ Taurus — Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread 🍫
Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth bliss with a silky chocolate finish. Pure decadence for the zodiac’s ultimate comfort connoisseur.
♊ Gemini — Holiday Macarons 🎀
Colorful, chatty, multi-flavored delights. A treat with as many personalities as you have unread books in your TBR.
♋ Cancer — Iced Sugar Cookies 🧁
Soft, sweet, and full of nostalgia. Smells like vanilla, tastes like childhood, and brings immediate emotional stability.
♌ Leo — Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël) ✨
Rich chocolate rolled into a show-stopping swirl, dusted with cocoa “snow.” Dramatic, photogenic, and absolutely the main character.
♍ Virgo — Perfectly Frosted Snowflake Cookies ❄️
Delicate royal icing, symmetrical patterns, gentle crunch. This is baked precision—and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
♎ Libra — Chocolate Peppermint Bark 💕
Layers of dark and white chocolate balanced with cool peppermint. Pretty, harmonious, and ideal for sharing with someone you adore.
♏ Scorpio — Dark Chocolate Truffles 🌑
Lush, intense, and secretly soft in the center. Best consumed slowly, preferably while staring into someone’s eyes for dramatic effect.
♐ Sagittarius — Cinnamon Rolls the Size of Your Face 🙌
Warm, gooey, and unapologetically extra. A treat for the sign that says “Why not?” and means it every time.
♑ Capricorn — Almond Biscotti ☕
Crunchy, sophisticated, and reliable. Pairs perfectly with a to-do list, a steaming mug, and your deeply practical heart.
♒ Aquarius — Meringue Kisses 🌀
Airy, whimsical, slightly eccentric. Melts instantly on the tongue like a fleeting idea you’ll later turn into brilliance.
♓ Pisces — Cranberry-Orange Tea Cake🌙
Soft and citrusy—the perfect blend of sweet and tart. A tender, dreamy slice that tastes like a warm hug from the universe.
Let’s get straight to today’s holiday romance recommendations. One’s sporty, one’s a shorty—three shorties, in fact. Be sure to add them to your December reading list…
Hat Trick Holidate by Kristin Lee
Synopsis: I’m eight years into my professional hockey career when I come face to face with my one-night stand from my rookie season. Her auburn hair and full body makes me crave a second helping. Hell, maybe even a five course meal.
But right now, I have a daughter that was dropped off at my door. She won’t speak to me and I have no idea how to raise a child, much less a girl.
So, as much as I want to tell the ruby haired vixen that I remember who she is and that night is never far from my mind, I can’t. She’s my new teammate’s sister and the woman that volunteers to be my new little girl’s nanny.
Holiday Weekends by C.L. Collier
Synopsis: A steamy boxed set with three short stories connected to the What I Never Knew series.
Weekend Away: Between raising three kids and the stresses of life, Krista and Ben finally have the chance to get away. Will this trip to the mountains be their chance to reconnect… and have a little fun?
Weekend Proposal: The past two years with Cat have been incredible. She’s everything I ever wanted and I have the perfect proposal planned. But with an unexpected storm, Cat receiving upsetting news, and my ex-girlfriend working at the hotel we’re staying at, will my romantic proposal be doomed?
Weekend Travels: Krista’s sister, Heather, is flying home to Seattle when she strikes up a conversation with the handsome stranger sitting next to her. As fate would have it, their connecting flight is canceled and they have to spend the night in Charlotte, NC… in only one hotel room.
Snuggle into your fluffiest blanket and get lost in warm winter vibes and soft romance energy. I recommend enjoying it alongside a good book, hot beverage, and ideally, a cinnamon roll lumberjack. ❄️☕
“Winter Song” — Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
“Christmas Lights” — Coldplay
“River” — Joni Mitchell
“Silver Lining” — Rilo Kiley
“Holocene” — Bon Iver
“Northern Wind” — City and Colour
“Roslyn” — Bon Iver & St. Vincent
“Turning Page” — Sleeping at Last
“Bloom” — The Paper Kites
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” — Kina Grannis
“Flightless Bird, American Mouth” — Iron & Wine
“Everything” — Michael Bublé
“Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” — Rufus Wainwright
“Christmas Time Is Here” — Vince Guaraldi Trio
“Let It Snow” — Ella Fitzgerald
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” — Phoebe Bridgers
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” — Michael Bublé
“The Christmas Waltz” — She & Him
“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” — Kacey Musgraves
Thank you for joining me for this calm, candlelit chapter of Boobsmas. In a month that often feels loud and rushed, I hope today offered a moment of softness—a small reminder that slowing down is not only allowed, but encouraged.
Don’t ever feel guilty claiming the quiet you need. Rest is not a luxury; it’s a kindness you offer yourself, and you deserve it. Until tomorrow…
Be feral. Stay dangerous.
And happy holidays.
xo
Want to join my Facebook reader group, Kelly’s Book Baddies? It’s a welcoming and inclusive space for ALL romance lovers to talk about their favorite books. 🌈 We have weekly discussion topics, monthly giveaways, and the occasional recipe swap.
Need a few more holiday romance recs? Great news! I have a series of spicy novellas, all of which take place between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, and feature a cast of queer, plus-size baddies. Plus, they’re set by the beach, and you know what that means? Crop tops at Christmas.
When you subscribe to my Substack, you’ll automatically receive exclusive access to my sapphic shortie, “Love is in the Air.” 🏳️🌈👩❤️💋👩 This spicy short was originally published in the (now out of print) Queer and Cute anthology.
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