Bringing A Hint of Magic with this Christmas in Summer Reading List
This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of Harlequin. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting those brands that support Afternoon Espresso.
Christmas in Summer Reading List
Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. From the Christmas baking, to spending time with family, to binge-watching all of the cheesy movies on Netflix, I love that toasty holiday feeling, and I can’t stop thinking about it! I’ve recently made it a goal for myself to start reading more, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to compile a Christmas in Summer Reading list! There is nothing wrong with adding a little holiday magic to your summer! I actually even contemplated putting up our Christmas tree! It wouldn’t be the craziest thing that happened this year!
As you all know, baking is a regular pastime in this family, so I wondered what we could come up with that would feel warm and cozy like Christmas time, but still enjoy the bits of Summer we have left. S’MORES! The answer was so simple, and I thought this would be so fun to do with Charlie. We started a little fire and I taught her how to make the most perfect toasted marshmallow. (There is an art to it, you know!)
Now onto the books! I’m so excited to start reading and have a little escape from everyday life. Each of these stories are filled with love, family, and lots of Christmas coziness!
The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan
If you are feeling the need for family right now, this book is a must-read! The story revolves around Suzanne McBride and her three adopted daughters. Each daughter is dealing with her own personal struggles as they arrive home for Christmas, so tensions are running high! It is up to Suzanne to bring her daughters together in order to have the perfect Christmas. I’m sure that I’ll want to give Charlie so many cuddles as I read this one!
A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr
This story appears to be a little bittersweet, but its themes of love and redemption are perfect for getting in the holiday mood. Marcie Sullivan has come to Virgin River to find the man who saved her late husband’s life in the marines so that she had three more years with him before he passed away. She discovers Ian Buchanan and finds that he is emotionally wounded with a hard exterior but very sweet soul. Together, the two help each other heal from the past and move forward into a new love.
Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery
This book is definitely right up my alley! The story centers around a small-town bridal boutique owner who ends up falling for the incredibly handsome movie star brother of the bride! I love the cozy, small-town charm that this story offers, and the touch of romance makes it even more exciting–it’s exactly what I want to curl up with as I dream about Christmastime.
Season of Wonder by RaeAnne Thayne
A beautiful story about second chances at love, Season of Wonder is about a woman named Dani who feels like she never truly belonged anywhere. After landing a new job and relocating her family to a charming mountain-town, she begins to fall in love with Ruben, the first guy who checks off every box and brings some magic back into Dani’s life. The holiday season can’t come soon enough with this story–it really feels like a classic Christmas movie that I can’t wait to finish!
Christmas in Icicle Falls by Sheila Roberts
The spirit of the holidays is all about giving and being thankful for the things we have, and this book truly embodies that sentiment! Muriel Sterling orders a Christmas tree online that turns out to be far uglier than she imagined. Instead of giving up on it, though, she sees the tree’s potential and turns it into her new project. This inspires others in the neighborhood to not give up on each other and find the beauty and good in their surroundings. Christmas in Icicle Falls is the perfect feel-good holiday story about appreciating the things that you have and the value of friendship and romance!
You can find the original list and descriptions of each of these books here! Let me know which ones you are most interested in and how you plan to create a little “Christmas in July” for your own family! I know that we’ll be munching on cookies and dreaming of snowflakes over here!
Photography by Julie Kahlbaugh