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Ranked guide

The best Christmas romance audiobooks

Christmas romance audiobooks ranked on the recording: the narrators, the production, listener ratings and the length, plus the heat level for each.

Read vs Listen·Last checked ·13 min read
Summary

The best Christmas romance audiobook is One Day in December by Josie Silver, read by Eleanor Tomlinson and Charlie Anson. It has 4.5 stars from 18,528 Audible US ratings, the most of any Christmas and holiday romance audiobook checked. For a recording made for audio first, Not Another Christmas Rom Com is an Audible Original read by two narrators and runs 6 hours 7 minutes.

What the terms mean

Multi-narrator
Two or more narrators, usually one for each main character or each part of the book.
Audible Original
A recording Audible made for audio first. A Kindle edition may not exist.
Heat
How explicit the romance is, from kisses only to open-door sex scenes, as labelled by the source named on each entry.
From 1 December
Minutes a day at normal speed to finish the audiobook by 24 December if you start on 1 December. Calculated.

How we ranked: every pick scored the same way on recording awards, production, listener ratings and the book's standing. Full method

Time you have

The top 3 Christmas romance audiobooks of all time

Christmas and holiday romance audiobooks ranked on the narration, the production, listener ratings and the book's standing.

No.1 One Day in December by Josie Silver, cover
Best overall

One Day in December

Josie Silver · Standalone novel, 2018

The One Day in December audiobook, read by Eleanor Tomlinson and Charlie Anson, has 4.5 stars from 18,528 Audible US ratings, the most of any Christmas romance audiobook on this list. It runs 10 hours 27 minutes.

Narrator
Eleanor Tomlinson, Charlie Anson
Production
Multi-narrator (two narrators)
Length
10h 27mAudible US and UK
Recording
Random House Audio (US) and Penguin Audio (UK), 2018
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.5 from 18,528Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.5 from 2,373
Heat
not confirmed
From 1 December
27 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Two narrators share the book, Eleanor Tomlinson and Charlie Anson. The listings do not say who reads which character. Library Journal's audiobook review, published in January 2019, said the two narrators "ably voice characters of different ages, genders, nationalities, and social classes". Audible US included the recording in its editors' list of holiday rom-coms in December 2025.

Why it ranks here

The only Christmas romance here with more than 10,000 Audible US ratings. It also has named praise for the narration, a place on Audible's editors' list, and a #1 New York Times bestseller label on its Audible listing.

Good to know: The story covers ten years, told a year at a time, and each year comes back to December. Audible UK sells the Penguin Audio edition, with the same two narrators and the same length. No companion PDF is listed.

Sources Audible listing Library Journal review Audible editors' holiday list

Read or listen?EitherPraised narration and a long book, against jumping timelines across ten years. Full verdict
No.2 In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren, cover
Coming to Netflix

In a Holidaze

Christina Lauren · Standalone novel, 2020

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren, read by Patti Murin, is an instant New York Times bestseller, and Simon & Schuster says it is soon to be a Netflix film. It runs 7 hours 40 minutes.

Narrator
Patti Murin
Production
One narrator
Length
7h 40mAudible US and UK
Recording
Simon & Schuster Audio, 2020
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.2 from 3,674Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 3.8 from 56
Heat
Warm (All About Romance)
From 1 December
20 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Patti Murin reads the whole book on her own. The story stays with one character, Maelyn Jones, who keeps waking up on a plane to Utah as the same family Christmas at a snowy cabin starts again. Audible US included the book in its editors' list of holiday rom-coms in December 2025, without naming the narrator.

Why it ranks here

Simon & Schuster sells it as an instant New York Times bestseller, with starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and BookPage. Kirkus called it "a winning rom-com full of heart and holiday cheer".

Good to know: Audible US has a second English listing with the same narrator and length; whether it is the same recording is not confirmed. Audible UK sells the same recording, read by Patti Murin.

Sources Audible listing Simon & Schuster Kirkus review

Read or listen?ListenOne protagonist and one narrator, with nothing confirmed that points to the printed book. Full verdict
No.3 The Twelve Dates of ChristmasJenny Bayliss
Best with recipes

The Twelve Dates of Christmas

Jenny Bayliss · Standalone novel, 2020

The Twelve Dates of Christmas, read by Elizabeth Knowelden in the US edition, comes with a downloadable PDF of recipes and has 4.4 stars from 1,629 Audible US ratings. It runs 10 hours 24 minutes.

Narrator
Elizabeth Knowelden (US edition)
Production
One narrator
Length
10h 24m US, 11h 31m UKAudible US and UK
Recording
Penguin Audio, 2020
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.4 from 1,629Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.3 from 122
Heat
Kisses (All About Romance)
From 1 December
26 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Elizabeth Knowelden reads the whole book on her own. Audible's editors wrote that she "captures the hilarity" of the book in their December 2025 list of holiday rom-coms. Kate Turner goes on twelve dates arranged by a dating agency, in the village of Blexford, England. The Audible US listing says the audiobook includes a downloadable PDF of recipes.

Why it ranks here

Named praise for the narrator from Audible's editors, a place on their holiday list, and 4.4 stars. Penguin Random House labels the book a bestseller but does not name a list.

Good to know: Audible US also lists a separate recording read by Laura Kirman, 11 hours 31 minutes, with no recipe PDF mentioned. That is the recording Audible UK sells. Check the narrator's name before you buy.

Sources Audible listing Penguin Random House Audible editors' holiday list

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.

The top 3 multi-narrator Christmas romance audiobooks

Recordings with two or more narrators, ranked the same way.

No.1 Not Another Christmas Rom ComA.J. Pine
Best multi-narrator

Not Another Christmas Rom Com

A.J. Pine · Audible Original, 2024

Not Another Christmas Rom Com is an Audible Original read by Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton, with 4.4 stars from 5,721 Audible US ratings. It runs 6 hours 7 minutes.

Narrator
Andi Arndt, Teddy Hamilton
Production
Multi-narrator (two narrators)
Length
6h 7mAudible US and UK
Recording
Audible Originals, 2024
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.4 from 5,721Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.2 from 632
Heat
Spicy (Audible Originals summary)
From 1 December
16 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Two narrators read the book, Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton. The listing does not say who reads which character. Audible's editors called them "a fan-favorite romance narrator duo" in their December 2025 list of holiday rom-coms. Molly confides in a stranger on a flight home, then finds he is one of the family sharing her Christmas rental house.

Why it ranks here

The most Audible US ratings of any multi-narrator recording here, a place on Audible's editors' list, and named praise for the two narrators.

Good to know: Made for audio first, so a Kindle edition is not confirmed. The publisher's summary calls it a "spicy romance". It was released on 5 December 2024.

Sources Audible listing Audible editors' holiday list

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.
No.2 Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, cover
Biggest cast

Last Christmas in Paris

Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb · Standalone novel, 2017

Last Christmas in Paris, by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, is read by nine narrators led by Alex Wyndham, and has 4.7 stars from 1,348 Audible US ratings, the highest score of any ranked pick. It runs 8 hours 8 minutes.

Narrator
Alex Wyndham, Billie Fulford-Brown, Morag Sims and six others
Production
Multi-narrator (nine narrators)
Length
8h 8mAudible US and UK
Recording
not confirmed (released 2017)
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.7 from 1,348Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.7 from 73
Heat
not confirmed
From 1 December
21 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

The novel is told in letters between Evie and Thomas during the First World War, and the Audible description says the letters carry the story. Nine narrators read the recording: Alex Wyndham, Billie Fulford-Brown, Morag Sims, Gary Furlong, Greg Wagland, Antony Ferguson, Derek Perkins, Jane Copland and Mary Jane Wells. The listing does not say who reads which letters.

Why it ranks here

The largest cast of any Christmas romance found, and the highest listener score among the ranked picks, from fewer ratings than the pick above.

Good to know: A historical novel set mostly during the First World War, with a 1968 frame story in Paris. No companion PDF is listed. Audible UK sells the same nine-narrator recording at the same length.

Sources Audible listing

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.
No.3 Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, cover
Best young adult

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan · Dash & Lily, book 1, 2010

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, is read by Ryan Gesell and Tara Sands and became a Netflix series. It runs 6 hours 40 minutes.

Narrator
Ryan Gesell, Tara Sands
Production
Multi-narrator (two narrators)
Length
6h 40mAudible US and UK
Recording
Listening Library, 2010
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.3 from 459Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.0 from 48
Heat
not confirmed
From 1 December
17 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Two narrators read the book, Ryan Gesell and Tara Sands. Two teenagers in New York at Christmas trade a red notebook of dares, first left on a bookshop shelf. The listing does not say who reads which character. The recording was first released in November 2010. No critic review of the recording was found.

Why it ranks here

Two narrators for a story shared by two teenagers, 4.3 stars from 459 Audible US ratings, and a Netflix series. No award for the recording was found.

Good to know: Written for teenagers: Random House Children's Books lists it for ages 12 and up. Audible US sells three listings with the same two narrators; the Netflix tie-in edition has the most ratings.

Sources Audible listing Random House Children's Books

Read or listen?EitherNo criterion could be confirmed on either side, so neither format is favoured. Full verdict

The top 3 cosy Christmas romance audiobooks

Small towns, bookshops and family Christmases.

No.1 The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan, cover
Best cosy

The Christmas Bookshop

Jenny Colgan · Christmas Bookshop, book 1, 2021

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan, read by Eilidh Beaton, is set in a snowy Edinburgh a month before Christmas and has 4.3 stars from 3,237 Audible US ratings. It runs 11 hours 23 minutes.

Narrator
Eilidh Beaton
Production
One narrator
Length
11h 23m US, 11h 24m UKAudible US and UK
Recording
Hachette Audio UK, 2021
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.3 from 3,237Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.4 from 844
Heat
Kisses (All About Romance)
From 1 December
29 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Eilidh Beaton reads the whole book on her own. She also reads Jenny Colgan's other recent Christmas books, including The Secret Christmas Library and The Christmas Book Hunt. Audible's editors put the book on their December 2025 holiday rom-com list but did not name the narrator. No critic review of the recording was found.

Why it ranks here

The most Audible US ratings of the cosy picks, a place on Audible's editors' list, and an author Hachette UK describes as a Sunday Times bestseller.

Good to know: The romance is a small part: All About Romance's reviewer noted that the heroine "doesn't connect with her hero till almost the end of the book". The sequel, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop, runs 10 hours 45 minutes.

Sources Audible listing Hachette UK Audible editors' holiday list

Read or listen?EitherNo criterion could be confirmed on either side, so neither format is favoured. Full verdict
No.2 Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison, cover
Best small-town series start

Lovelight Farms

B.K. Borison · Lovelight, book 1, 2021

Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison, read by Pippa Jayne, opens the Lovelight series and has 4.2 stars from 902 Audible US ratings. Pan Macmillan calls it a "sweet and steamy romance". It runs 10 hours 15 minutes.

Narrator
Pippa Jayne
Production
One narrator
Length
10h 15mAudible US and UK
Recording
Dreamscape Media, 2022
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.2 from 902Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.1 from 51
Heat
Sweet and steamy (Pan Macmillan)
From 1 December
26 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Pippa Jayne reads the whole book on her own. Dreamscape Media released the recording in 2022. Pan published the paperback in the UK on 8 June 2023, and Berkley published it in the US on 6 June 2023. No critic review of the recording was found, so it ranks here on listener ratings and the book's standing.

Why it ranks here

4.2 stars from 902 Audible US ratings, and a New York Times quote on the Penguin Random House page calling it "so witty and cozy". No named bestseller list was found for this book.

Good to know: Book 1 of the Lovelight series. Pan Macmillan describes book 2 as "cosy, spicy fun", so expect more heat than The Christmas Bookshop.

Sources Audible listing Pan Macmillan Penguin Random House

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.
No.3 Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh, cover
Best Irish Christmas

Holiday Romance

Catherine Walsh · Standalone novel, 2022

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh, read by Shelley Atkinson, follows two friends trying to get home to Ireland when a snowstorm grounds their flight. It has 4.4 stars from 534 Audible US ratings. It runs 10 hours 5 minutes.

Narrator
Shelley Atkinson
Production
One narrator
Length
10h 5mAudible US and UK
Recording
Bookouture, 2022
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.4 from 534Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.4 from 50
Heat
not confirmed
From 1 December
26 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Shelley Atkinson reads the whole book on her own. According to the publisher's summary, Molly and Andrew are flying from Chicago to Dublin for the holidays when a freak snowstorm grounds their flight. The publisher calls it a friends-to-lovers festive romance. Bookouture released the audiobook in October 2022. No critic review of the recording was found.

Why it ranks here

4.4 stars from 534 Audible US ratings, the highest score of the three cosy picks. No award or critic review was found for the recording.

Good to know: Audible lists it in a series called Catherine Walsh Christmas Romcoms, without a book number. Audible UK sells the same recording, read by Shelley Atkinson, at 10 hours 5 minutes.

Sources Audible listing

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.

The top 3 Christmas rom-com audiobooks

Christmas romances written mainly to be funny.

No.1 Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, cover
Best rom-com

Christmas Shopaholic

Sophie Kinsella · Shopaholic, book 9, 2019

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, read by Nathalie Buscombe, has 4.4 stars from 1,595 Audible US ratings, and Kirkus praised its "spirited narration and charismatic English accent". It runs 12 hours 3 minutes.

Narrator
Nathalie Buscombe
Production
One narrator
Length
12h 3mAudible US and UK
Recording
Recorded Books (US) and Penguin Audio (UK), 2019
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.4 from 1,595Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.4 from 457
Heat
not confirmed
From 1 December
31 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Nathalie Buscombe reads the whole book on her own, and Becky tells the story in the first person. Kirkus's audiobook review says she gives Becky's daughter Minnie "an adorable childlike voice" and that the audiobook is "reminiscent of a favorite Christmas movie". Becky hosts the family Christmas while an old boyfriend, now a rock star, comes back into her life.

Why it ranks here

Specific praise for the narration from Kirkus, and 4.4 stars from 1,595 Audible US ratings. That puts it level with the top 3 overall on points.

Good to know: Book 9 of the Shopaholic series. Becky is married here, so the romance is a smaller part of the story than in the other picks. Both English listings on Audible US are read by Nathalie Buscombe.

Sources Audible listing Kirkus audiobook review

Read or listen?ListenOne narrator, praised narration and a long book, with nothing confirmed pointing to print. Full verdict
No.2 Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey, cover
Best two-narrator rom-com

Window Shopping

Tessa Bailey · Standalone novel, 2021

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey is read by two narrators, Alexa Morden and Sam Rushton, and has 4.0 stars from 851 Audible US ratings. It runs 7 hours 38 minutes.

Narrator
Alexa Morden, Sam Rushton
Production
Multi-narrator (two narrators)
Length
7h 38mAudible US and UK
Recording
Hachette Audio UK, 2021
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.0 from 851Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.0 from 76
Heat
Warm (All About Romance)
From 1 December
20 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Two narrators read the book, Alexa Morden and Sam Rushton. The listing does not say who reads which character. The recording is a Hachette Audio UK production, released on 14 December 2021. No critic review of the recording was found. All About Romance's reviewer wrote that it is "not the best example of Bailey's spicy style".

Why it ranks here

Two narrators and 851 Audible US ratings put it above The Holiday Swap. It ranks below Christmas Shopaholic, which has a critic review of the narration.

Good to know: At 7 hours 38 minutes, it is the shortest of the three rom-coms, and the only one with two narrators. No companion PDF is listed.

Sources Audible listing

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.
No.3 The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox, cover
Best clean rom-com

The Holiday Swap

Maggie Knox · Standalone novel, 2021

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox, read by Stephanie Cannon, follows identical twins who swap lives for the twelve days before Christmas, and All About Romance rates its heat as Kisses. It runs 9 hours 39 minutes.

Narrator
Stephanie Cannon
Production
One narrator
Length
9h 39mAudible US and UK
Recording
Penguin Audio, 2021
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.2 from 756Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 3.9 from 25
Heat
Kisses (All About Romance)
From 1 December
25 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Stephanie Cannon reads the whole book on her own, including both twins, Charlie and Cass. Charlie, a chef and television judge, loses her sense of taste and smell after a head injury, so Cass takes her place. No critic review of the recording was found. The listing quotes Taylor Jenkins Reid calling the book "an utterly adorable, pitch-perfect romance".

Why it ranks here

4.2 stars from 756 Audible US ratings, and a book Penguin Random House sells as an international bestseller. One narrator and no critic review keep it third.

Good to know: For readers who want a clean romance: Kisses is the lowest heat rating on All About Romance's scale. No companion PDF is listed.

Sources Audible listing Penguin Random House

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.

The top 3 short Christmas romance audiobooks for one evening

Under 5 hours at normal speed.

No.1 On a Night Like ThisLiz Maverick
Best for one evening

On a Night Like This

Liz Maverick · Winter Nights, book 3, 2023

On a Night Like This by Liz Maverick is an Audible Original read by Dara Rosenberg and Andrew Eiden, with 4.5 stars from 3,013 Audible US ratings. It runs 3 hours 34 minutes.

Narrator
Dara Rosenberg, Andrew Eiden
Production
Multi-narrator (two narrators)
Length
3h 34mAudible US and UK
Recording
Audible Originals, 2023
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.5 from 3,013Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.4 from 122
Heat
not confirmed
From 1 December
9 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Two narrators read the book, Dara Rosenberg and Andrew Eiden. Audible's editors described their narration as "often funny and always adorable" in their December 2025 holiday rom-com list. Cher does a holiday house swap to spend her first Hanukkah in New York, and her neighbour Eliot offers to show her around.

Why it ranks here

The highest listener score of the short picks, from the most ratings, plus named praise for both narrators from Audible's editors.

Good to know: Book 3 of Audible's Winter Nights series, but the summary reads as a complete story. It is set at Hanukkah rather than Christmas. Made for audio first, so a Kindle edition is not confirmed.

Sources Audible listing Audible editors' holiday list

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.
No.2 Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood, cover
Shortest

Cruel Winter with You

Ali Hazelwood · Under the Mistletoe collection, short story, 2024

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood, read by Vivienne LaRue, is a short story from the Under the Mistletoe collection, with 4.2 stars from 2,824 Audible US ratings. It runs 2 hours.

Narrator
Vivienne LaRue
Production
One narrator
Length
2h 0mAudible US and UK
Recording
Brilliance Publishing for Amazon Original Stories, 2024
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.2 from 2,824Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.0 from 162
Heat
Delightfully sexy (Amazon Original Stories summary)
From 1 December
5 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Vivienne LaRue reads the whole story on her own. Audible's editors wrote that the story "is hilariously narrated by Vivienne LaRue" in their December 2025 holiday rom-com list. A paediatrician, Jamie, needs to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner and ends up snowed in overnight with Marc, her best friend's brother, now a tech billionaire.

Why it ranks here

Named praise for the narrator from Audible's editors and 4.2 stars from 2,824 ratings. It scores level with the pick above, which has more ratings.

Good to know: The publisher calls it "a delightfully sexy short story", so it has more heat than the other two short picks. The Under the Mistletoe collection also has stories by other authors, including Tessa Bailey.

Sources Audible listing Audible editors' holiday list

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.
No.3 The Christmas Book HuntJenny Colgan
Shortlisted for a prize

The Christmas Book Hunt

Jenny Colgan · Short story, 2024

The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan, read by Eilidh Beaton, was shortlisted for the Shorter Romantic Novel Award at the 2025 Romantic Novel Awards. It runs 3 hours 26 minutes.

Narrator
Eilidh Beaton
Production
One narrator
Length
3h 26mAudible US and UK
Recording
Brilliance Publishing for Amazon Original Stories, 2024
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.1 from 703Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.2 from 108
Heat
not confirmed
From 1 December
9 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Eilidh Beaton reads the whole story on her own; she also reads The Christmas Bookshop. Mirren searches for a hand-illustrated childhood book for her ill great-aunt, Violet, visiting rare bookshops in London, Hay-on-Wye and Edinburgh, and meets Theo, who wants the same book. No critic review of the recording was found.

Why it ranks here

The only ranked pick with a book prize shortlisting, from the Romantic Novelists' Association. It has the fewest Audible US ratings of the short picks, 703.

Good to know: Mirren and Theo's story continues in The Secret Christmas Library, which Eilidh Beaton also reads (10 hours 16 minutes). Audible labels this one a short story.

Sources Audible listing Romantic Novel Awards 2025 shortlists

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.

The top 3 spicier Christmas romance audiobooks

Open-door romances, each with a named source for the heat level.

No.1 How My Neighbor Stole ChristmasMeghan Quinn
Spiciest

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas

Meghan Quinn · How My Neighbor Stole Christmas, book 1 of 3, 2024

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn is read by five narrators, led by Vanessa Edwin and J.F. Harding, and Hachette UK labels it "A lot of spice". It runs 13 hours 26 minutes.

Narrator
Vanessa Edwin, J.F. Harding, Robert Hatchet, Emma Wilder, Shane East
Production
Multi-narrator (five narrators)
Length
13h 26mAudible US and UK
Recording
Hot-Lanta Publishing, 2024
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.3 from 6,190Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.4 from 207
Heat
A lot of spice, three chillies (Hachette UK label)
From 1 December
34 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Five narrators read the book. The Audible listing names Vanessa Edwin as the heroine and J.F. Harding as the hero; Robert Hatchet, Emma Wilder and Shane East are listed without roles. Hachette UK's trope labels are enemies to lovers, small town, forced proximity and fake dating. No critic review of the recording was found.

Why it ranks here

The second-most Audible US ratings of any Christmas romance here, 6,190, after One Day in December, and a five-narrator cast.

Good to know: Book 1 of a series. Book 2, Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal, is ranked below; book 3, Christmas Staycation, came out on 20 October 2026 (14 hours 15 minutes). The UK edition is titled How My Neighbour Stole Christmas.

Sources Audible listing Hachette UK

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.
No.2 Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn, cover
Biggest spicy cast

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal

Meghan Quinn · How My Neighbor Stole Christmas, book 2 of 3, 2025

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn is read by six narrators, and Hachette UK labels it "A lot of spice". It has 4.5 stars from 3,730 Audible US ratings. It runs 12 hours 6 minutes.

Narrator
Samantha Brentmoor, Teddy Hamilton, J.F. Harding, Vanessa Edwin, Robert Hatchet, Shane East
Production
Multi-narrator (six narrators)
Length
12h 6mAudible US and UK
Recording
Hot-Lanta Publishing, 2025
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.5 from 3,730Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.5 from 110
Heat
A lot of spice, three chillies (Hachette UK label)
From 1 December
31 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Six narrators read the book: Samantha Brentmoor, Teddy Hamilton, J.F. Harding, Vanessa Edwin, Robert Hatchet and Shane East. The listing does not say who reads which character. Four of the six also read book 1. Hachette UK's trope labels include rivals to lovers, forced proximity and one bed. No critic review of the recording was found.

Why it ranks here

The largest cast and the highest listener score of the spicier picks. It ranks second because it has fewer ratings than book 1, which scores the same.

Good to know: Book 2 of the series, released on 14 October 2025. Hachette UK publishes the UK print edition, and Audible UK sells the same recording at 12 hours 6 minutes.

Sources Audible listing Hachette UK

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.
No.3 A Merry Little Meet CuteJulie Murphy and Sierra Simone
Hottest critic review

A Merry Little Meet Cute

Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone · Christmas Notch, book 1, 2022

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, read by Joy Nash and Sebastian York, was called "so deliciously hot" by Kirkus. It runs 11 hours 5 minutes.

Narrator
Joy Nash, Sebastian York
Production
Multi-narrator (two narrators)
Length
11h 5mAudible US and UK
Recording
Avon, 2022
Awards
None found
Listener rating
4.1 from 884Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 3.9 from 52
Heat
So deliciously hot (Kirkus review)
From 1 December
28 minutes a day (calculated)

The recording

Two narrators read the book, Joy Nash and Sebastian York. The listing does not say who reads which character. According to the Audible summary and Kirkus, the story is set on the shoot of a Christmas television film, and the heroine is an adult film star. No critic review of the recording was found.

Why it ranks here

A Kirkus review that names the heat, two narrators, and 4.1 stars from 884 Audible US ratings, the fewest of the spicier picks.

Good to know: Book 1 of the Christmas Notch series. Kirkus called it "a sexy holiday romp". Audible US has two listings with the same narrators.

Sources Audible listing Kirkus review

Read or listen?Not yet checked by Read vs Listen.

Honourable mentions

Strong Christmas romance recordings that just missed a top 3.

BookNarratorLengthWhy it is here
Carol (The Price of Salt)
Patricia Highsmith
Cassandra Campbell10h 37m4.3 from 3,431 ratings; only the opening is set at Christmas
Let It Snow
John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
Rebecca Soler, Brandon Gill, Ali Ahn8h 9m4.1 from 201 ratings; one narrator per story
A Married Little Christmas
Abby Jimenez
Anthony Palmini, Patti Murin and four others6h 51m4.7 from 63 ratings; released 20 Oct 2026
Snowed In for Christmas
Sarah Morgan
Ruth Sillers12h 31m4.5 from 196 ratings
A Christmas Duet
Debbie Macomber
Andi Arndt5h 45m4.6 from 192 ratings
Christmas at the Island Hotel
Jenny Colgan
Eilidh Beaton10h 31m4.4 from 445 ratings; Mure book 4
The Christmas Tree Farm
Laurie Gilmore
Regina Reagan8h 7m4.3 from 892 ratings; Dream Harbor book 3
The Christmas Wish List
Heidi Swain
Karen Cass10h 23m4.4 from 88 ratings

Ratings and lengths: Audible US, 25 October 2026.

How long each Christmas romance audiobook is

Lengths at your speed
BookNarratorUK length
One Day in DecemberEleanor Tomlinson10h 27m10h 27m
In a HolidazePatti Murin7h 40m7h 40m
The Twelve Dates of ChristmasElizabeth Knowelden10h 24m11h 31m
Not Another Christmas Rom ComAndi Arndt6h 7m6h 7m
Last Christmas in ParisAlex Wyndham8h 8m8h 8m
Dash & Lily's Book of DaresRyan Gesell6h 40m6h 40m
The Christmas BookshopEilidh Beaton11h 23m11h 24m
Lovelight FarmsPippa Jayne10h 15m10h 15m
Holiday RomanceShelley Atkinson10h 5m10h 5m
Christmas ShopaholicNathalie Buscombe12h 3m12h 3m
Window ShoppingAlexa Morden7h 38m7h 38m
The Holiday SwapStephanie Cannon9h 39m9h 39m
On a Night Like ThisDara Rosenberg3h 34m3h 34m
Cruel Winter with YouVivienne LaRue2h 0m2h 0m
The Christmas Book HuntEilidh Beaton3h 26m3h 26m
How My Neighbor Stole ChristmasVanessa Edwin13h 26m13h 26m
Merry Christmas, You Filthy AnimalSamantha Brentmoor12h 6m12h 6m
A Merry Little Meet CuteJoy Nash11h 5m11h 5m

Audible US lengths, checked 25 October 2026. Faster speeds and minutes a day are calculated. UK lengths from Audible UK, 25 October 2026.

How we ranked these

The list started from Audible US's editors' list of holiday rom-coms (December 2025), the Romantic Novel Awards shortlists, UK and US publisher Christmas lists, and the most-rated Christmas romance audiobooks on Audible US. Each recording was then scored the same way.

Recording honoursAudie win scores highest, then Audie finalist, then an AudioFile Earphones Award or a best-of-year pick
ProductionA documented strength, such as sound design, a named cast or specific praise from a named reviewer
ListenersAudible US rating and number of ratings, as of the date shown
The bookA Romantic Novel Awards shortlisting, or a named bestseller list such as the New York Times for the book itself. One point for a popular book with neither.

Each measure scores 0 to 3, so every recording is out of 12. Ties go to the recording with more ratings. Dramatisations are listed separately because they adapt the text. No publisher paid for a place. Where Read vs Listen has a full read or listen verdict for a book, it is shown on its entry. For what each service costs, see Audible vs Kindle.

Recording awards are almost empty for Christmas romance: no Audie win or finalist was found for any book here, so a place on Audible's editors' holiday list counts as one point, and production, listeners and the book's standing decide most places. Only One Day in December has more than 10,000 Audible US ratings. Each book appears once: books with a named high-heat label go to the spicier section, books under 5 hours go to the short section, and recordings made for audio first rank in the multi-narrator section rather than in the top 3 overall. Heat levels come from the source named on each entry: Hachette UK's chilli labels, Kirkus, All About Romance's sensuality ratings or the publisher's own summary.

There is no "better read" section, because no Christmas romance on Read vs Listen comes out as Read and none of these books has maps, documents or a page layout that the audiobook loses.

Checked against Audible US, publisher pages (Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Hachette UK, Pan Macmillan, Random House Children's Books), Kirkus, Library Journal, All About Romance and the Romantic Novelists' Association on 25 October 2026.

Questions people ask

What are the best Christmas romance audiobooks?

One Day in December, read by Eleanor Tomlinson and Charlie Anson; In a Holidaze, read by Patti Murin; and The Twelve Dates of Christmas, read by Elizabeth Knowelden in the US edition. One Day in December has 4.5 stars from 18,528 Audible US ratings, the most of any Christmas romance audiobook checked (October 2026).

Which Christmas romance audiobooks have more than one narrator?

Not Another Christmas Rom Com, an Audible Original read by Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton, runs 6 hours 7 minutes and has 4.4 stars from 5,721 Audible US ratings. Last Christmas in Paris has nine narrators and 4.7 stars, and How My Neighbor Stole Christmas has five.

Which Christmas romance audiobooks can you finish in one evening?

On a Night Like This (3 hours 34 minutes), Cruel Winter with You (2 hours) and The Christmas Book Hunt (3 hours 26 minutes). All three are under 4 hours at normal speed.

Is In a Holidaze worth listening to before the film?

Simon & Schuster says In a Holidaze is soon to be a Netflix film. The audiobook, read by Patti Murin, runs 7 hours 40 minutes, or 5 hours 7 minutes at 1.5x speed (calculated), so it fits into a weekend. The Read vs Listen verdict is Listen: one main character and one narrator.

Are there spicy Christmas romance audiobooks?

Yes. How My Neighbor Stole Christmas and Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn both carry Hachette UK's "A lot of spice" label, and Kirkus called A Merry Little Meet Cute "so deliciously hot".

Are Christmas romances better as audiobooks?

None of the Christmas romances on Read vs Listen comes out as Read. In a Holidaze, Christmas Shopaholic, Let It Snow and Carol are Listen. One Day in December, The Christmas Bookshop and Dash & Lily's Book of Dares are Either.

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