Books Like...
The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese is a charming holiday novella that follows the story of Gabriella Di Natale, a bookstore employee with type 1 diabetes, autism, and demisexuality. The book explores themes of trust, representation, and romance as Gabriella navigates a budding relationship with Jonathan Frost, her love interest and co-manager at the struggling bookstore. The storyline, filled with tropes like enemies to lovers and workplace romance, is fast-paced, predictable yet cute, and heartwarming, with a touch of Christmas magic and online friendship.
If you liked The Mistletoe Motive, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
'To Sir, With Love' by Lauren Layne is a modern romance novel set in Manhattan, following the story of Gracie Cooper, who is struggling to keep her family's champagne shop afloat. Gracie, a dreamy romantic at heart, finds solace in her online relationship with a mysterious man known as Sir. However, her world is turned upside down when she discovers that the real estate businessman trying to buy out her shop is none other than her online pen pal, leading to a mix of tension, attraction, and conflicting emotions. The book explores themes of family, love, pursuing dreams, and finding unexpected connections in a light and charming writing style that keeps readers engaged.
Gracie's journey of self-discovery and growth, along with the witty banter between characters, the charming interactions between Gracie and Sebastian, and the heartwarming family relationships depicted in the story, make 'To Sir, With Love' a delightful and feel-good read for fans of romantic comedies. The book weaves together elements of enemies-to-lovers, strangers-to-lovers, and classic romantic tropes, providing a mix of humor, romance, and a touch of whimsy that keeps readers smiling throughout the narrative.
I drop my cell phone back into my bag and turn my full attention to the baby settled on my thighs, my hand resting protectively over his warm tummy. I wipe a tiny bit of drool from his adorable mouth.... - #2
'Mr. Wrong Number' by Lynn Painter follows the story of Olivia, a walking disaster who moves back to her hometown after losing her job, boyfriend, and apartment. There, she meets Colin, her brother's best friend, and the two develop a relationship through witty banter and steamy scenes. A mistaken text message provides a light distraction for Olivia from the mess of her life, leading to unexpected connections and revelations between the characters.
The book is a romantic comedy filled with smart, sassy, and sweet moments, intertwined with humorous banter and a developing relationship between Olivia and Colin. The plot includes elements of mistaken identities, quirky characters, and a light-hearted tone that keeps readers entertained and engaged throughout the story.
ONCE THE STELLA started making me tired, I decided to shower—bye-bye, smoky hair—and go to bed. I dug through my duffel for clothes, but then I remembered—duh—the fire. All I had were the clothes that... - #3
"Hana Khan Carries On" by Uzma Jalaluddin is a heartwarming story set in Toronto's Golden Crescent neighborhood, where Hana navigates the challenges of balancing her family's struggling halal restaurant with her dream of a career in radio broadcasting. Facing competition from a new halal burger restaurant opening across the street, Hana relies on her family's support and an anonymous online friendship with a loyal listener of her podcast. As she grapples with issues of racism, family loyalty, and personal aspirations, Hana's journey unfolds through a mix of light-hearted humor and deeper themes of identity and community.
The novel skillfully weaves together elements of romance, family dynamics, and cultural exploration, offering a fresh perspective on the Muslim experience in North America. Through engaging storytelling and relatable characters, Uzma Jalaluddin captures the essence of Hana's struggles and triumphs, highlighting the importance of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of love in the face of adversity.
According to inaccuratestatistics.com, most podcasts don’t make it past month four, so you’ve beat the odds! I’d send you flowers, but that would imply I knew your name, mailing address, and flower pr... - #4
Thank You For Listening is a story that delves into the lives of two audio book narrators, Sewanee and Brock McNight, who are both struggling with personal challenges. The plot revolves around their broken circumstances and the efforts of the secondary characters to help them heal. The book touches on themes of family, friendship, love, and the struggles of the entertainment industry, particularly the world of audiobooks. The writing style is described as poignant, witty, and engaging, with a mix of humor and emotional depth that keeps readers invested in the characters and their journey.
THINGS WERE HEATING UP WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF COOLING DOWN. Not this time. She could see it in his eyes. His pupils were throbbing. The gentleman of the last three weeks was gone. He was now anything ... - #5
'I Love You, I Hate You' by Elizabeth Davis is a contemporary romance novel that explores the dynamics of online relationships, enemies-to-lovers trope, and the complexities of modern-day romance. The story follows the characters of Owen and Victoria, who initially have a rivalry but eventually find themselves falling for each other through online interactions. As their online personas start to influence their real-life interactions, they are forced to confront their fears and insecurities, leading to a journey of self-discovery and emotional growth. The book combines elements of humor, steamy romance, and insightful social commentary, making it a compelling and engaging read for fans of the genre.
The writing style of 'I Love You, I Hate You' is described as witty, romantic, and engaging, with well-developed characters that evoke both laughter and tears from the readers. The author, Elizabeth Davis, skillfully weaves a narrative that tackles important themes such as inequality, class, and corporate corruption, while also delivering a heartfelt and raw portrayal of relationships. The book is praised for its realistic depiction of online friendships, flawed characters, and the gradual evolution of a romance that is both passionate and tender.
Victoria dropped her head back against the wall and Owen’s lips found her collarbone. Of all the decisions she had made in her life, this one was either the worst or the best. Years of enmity, all und... - #6
'My Fake Bad Boyfriend' by Sara Whitney is a heartwarming Christmas novella that follows Darby St. Claire as she enlists the help of Gabe to pose as her fake bad boyfriend in an attempt to appease her family's relentless pressure to find a partner. Despite their initial intentions, the fake relationship takes an unexpected turn as real feelings start to develop between Darby and Gabe. The plot unfolds over a short time span filled with humorous and heartwarming moments, as the characters navigate the complexities of their fake relationship turning into something genuine.
The writing style of 'My Fake Bad Boyfriend' is described as entertaining, fun, and engaging, with a mix of humor and heartfelt moments. The story follows Darby and Gabe's journey as they confront their feelings and fears, leading to a heartwarming and satisfying conclusion that explores themes of family, love, and self-discovery.
- #7
'Goal Lines & First Times' in the series 'CU Hockey' by Eden Finley is a heartwarming story about Cohen and Seth, two main characters questioning their sexuality and embarking on a slow burn romance. The book beautifully portrays the journey of their relationship, starting as a secret online connection and evolving into a deep emotional bond. The writing style captures the essence of healthy relationships, focusing on communication, acceptance, and reassurance between the characters. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, keeping the readers engaged with moments of humor, romance, and self-discovery.
The book delves into themes of sexuality, friendship, and self-acceptance within the LBGTIQ community, offering a fresh take on demisexuality and asexuality through the characters of Seth and Cohen. The narrative skillfully weaves together the individual struggles and growth of the characters, creating a story that is both heartwarming and emotionally impactful.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series CU Hockey ) - #8
Hold Me by Courtney Milan is a smart New Adult romance novel set in the Cyclone series, focusing on the characters Jay and Maria. The plot revolves around Maria, who runs a blog about post-apocalyptic scenarios and maintains an anonymous online relationship with a commenter named Jay, who is actually a wealthy scientist. When they meet in person, they clash due to misunderstandings but are unaware of their online connection. The book explores themes of bisexuality, transgender identity, academia, online relationships, and personal growth, all wrapped in witty banter and emotional depth.
Instead, my brother is running late—no surprise, as he plays the role of absentminded scientist a little too well. He double-booked dinner tonight. He forgot that he was supposed to find me after my c... - #9
'Alex, Approximately' by Jenn Bennett follows the story of Bailey, a teenage film buff who moves to California to live with her father and possibly meet her online friend Alex, a fellow movie enthusiast. However, things take a turn when Bailey finds herself developing feelings for a co-worker named Porter. The novel explores themes of real-life versus online relationships, taking risks, and the importance of honesty. The writing style is described as absorbing, charming, and filled with depth in portraying the characters and their relationships.
After all, I don’t know what Alex looks like. I don’t even know his real name. I mean, we’ve been talking online for months now, so I know things that matter. He’s smart and sweet and funny, and we’ve... - #10
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey is a festive holiday romance that follows the story of Stella, an ex-convict trying to rebuild her life, and Aiden, the manager of a Manhattan department store. Their unlikely romance blossoms during the Christmas season, filled with themes of trust, communication, personal growth, and second chances. The book is described as a short, cozy Christmassy read with a mix of charming, heartwarming, and steamy moments. The writing style is praised for its delightful, comical, and romantic elements that keep the reader engaged.
If I was a girl who believed in magic, I would say there was a tingle of Christmas magic in the air that propelled me east, carrying me through the shopper’s paradise on a wintery gust of wind. Or I w...