How to Write a Cozy Winter Romance Readers Will Fall in Love With
Well everyone, it’s that time of year again—the season when we curl up next to the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and dive into a cozy winter romance.
Now, I know everyone’s favorite trope: the corporate girlie rolls into town to buy the land out from under a sexy lumberjack whose family has owned their Christmas tree farm for the past 100 years. Classic. But what really makes a cozy holiday novel special? What makes a writer want to follow a story through the twelve days of Christmas it takes for two main characters to fall in love?
Fear not—I’m here with all the tips and tricks you need to write a cozy winter romance readers won’t want to put down.
1. Choose the Perfect Cozy Winter Romance Theme
First things first: pick your theme. A cozy holiday romance can take place just about anywhere, which is part of the magic.
You might write:
A traditional cozy Christmas romance set in a snowy small town
A fantasy holiday romance with magical elements
A story set in a different time period to heighten the atmosphere
Imagine Regency-era England with stone buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and elaborate winter gowns. The setting alone can add instant charm and coziness to your story.
2. Pick a Beloved Holiday Romance Trope
Second things second—what’s your main trope?
Is it:
Enemies to lovers (hello again, business girl vs. hot lumberjack)
A small-town romance where feelings have been simmering for years
A second-chance romance sparked by a holiday return home
Stories involving children are especially heartwarming during the holidays—after all, who are we buying all those presents for?
You can also play with the idea of a mysterious stranger who sweeps your main character off her feet… only for her to discover he’s not as much of a stranger as she thought.
3. Decide Where Your Cozy Holiday Story Takes Place
Third things third: location matters.
Will your story unfold in:
A charming small town
A bustling city filled with holiday lights
Somewhere unexpected—like Hawaiʻi?
Think outside the box. A cozy holiday romance doesn’t have to mean snow. Maybe a family vacation sets the stage for love, and your main character meets a local who isn’t quite honest about who he is.
Starting a relationship with a lie is never ideal… but let’s be honest, it’s often how great romance plots begin.
4. Most Important Rule: Have Fun Writing It
Fourth thing fourth—have fun.
The holidays are about magic, joy, and bringing people together. Most cozy winter romances aim for a happy ending, but even if yours doesn’t—and instead takes a wild turn into slasher territory—go for it. Writing is for everyone, and romance can exist in any genre.
The most important thing is that your joy shows on the page. Readers can feel it when you’re having fun—and that’s what makes a cozy winter romance truly unforgettable.
Hopefully you all had a wonderful winter holiday and this helps you write the perfect cozy winter romance.
xoxo Alex
