NextBookAfter Holiday Romance Spotlight

Books Like Good Spirits

B.K. Borison's Good Spirits captured readers' hearts in late 2025 as a standout holiday romance, blending cozy Christmas vibes with light paranormal magic and deep emotional resonance. Its popularity stems from delivering feel-good escapism during the festive season, where a temporary, bittersweet romance between a living woman and a ghostly man offers cathartic tears, swoony moments, and ultimate hope--perfect for readers craving heartwarming stories that acknowledge life's impermanence without descending into despair.

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The Dead Romantics cover Buy on Amazon

If you loved the grumpy Irish ghost Nolan

Florence Day, a jaded romance ghostwriter who suddenly sees the ghost of her handsome new editor, Benji, forcing her to confront grief and belief in love again while navigating his unfinished business.

Why it's your next read

  • This ghost MMC is total swoon-city with his charming wit and instant protective vibes.
  • The banter between living FMC and ghostly editor? Chef's kiss levels of flirty tension.
  • That moment he starts falling hard and showing up in unexpected ways--your heart will explode.
  • Emotional depth that hits you right in the feels without being too heavy.

However: Readers who wanted a strictly holiday setting might miss the focused Christmas cheer, as this one leans more into small-town funeral home quirks and general grief themes.

The Ex Hex cover Buy on Amazon

If you loved the cozy Christmas magic in the Crow's Nest

Vivi, a witch who returns to her quirky magical town and rekindles sparks with Rhys, the man she once cursed in a drunken heartbreak ritual, amid escalating hilarious supernatural chaos.

Why it's your next read

  • Small-town vibes packed with enchanted shops and seasonal witchy festivities that scream cozy fall-to-winter magic.
  • That warm, twinkly atmosphere where everyday places feel secretly extraordinary.
  • Light paranormal hijinks that make the setting pop with whimsical energy.
  • Holiday-adjacent charm with curses, candles, and cozy gatherings that'll give you all the snug feels.

However: Some might find the heavier emphasis on comedic curse mishaps less emotionally grounded than the gentle antiques shop haunting.

Funny Story cover Buy on Amazon

If you loved Harriet's chaotic sunshine energy

Daphne, an upbeat librarian dumped by her fiance, fake-dates his ex's new boyfriend's roommate to navigate heartbreak, leading to genuine connection and self-discovery.

Why it's your next read

  • FMC who's a ray of messy sunshine, bringing humor and heart to every chaotic situation.
  • Relatable optimism that shines through personal upheaval, making her instantly lovable.
  • That infectious energy that melts even the grumpiest hearts around her.
  • Perfect blend of vulnerability and joy that makes you root for her happiness hard.

However: Without any paranormal elements, readers craving ghostly magic might feel it's too firmly contemporary.

The Seven Year Slip cover Editor's Pick Buy on Amazon

If you loved the bittersweet limited-time romance

Clementine inherits an apartment that magically slips back seven years, allowing her to fall for Iwan, a charming chef from the past, in a romance bound by time's unforgiving rules.

Why it's your next read

  • The gut-wrenching beauty of knowing your time together is borrowed and precious.
  • That urgent, live-every-moment intensity that makes every interaction electric.
  • Bittersweet pining mixed with pure joy in the present--total emotional rollercoaster.
  • Hopeful resolution that earns every tear you shed along the way.

However: The time-slip mechanism differs from ghostly transience, so those wanting a spirit-specific farewell might prefer a more direct afterlife angle.

Under the Whispering Door cover Buy on Amazon

If you loved the Christmas Carol-inspired ghost rules

Wallace, a grumpy lawyer who dies and ends up in a quirky tea shop for wayward souls, guided by a reaper and ferryman toward acceptance before crossing over.

Why it's your next read

  • Whimsical afterlife bureaucracy with rules, supervisors, and redemption arcs that'll remind you of haunting departments.
  • Clever, heartfelt twists on ghost lore and unfinished business.
  • Cozy yet profound exploration of what it means to move on.
  • Magical systems that feel both bureaucratic and deeply compassionate.

However: Its heavier focus on death and queer found family might feel less seasonally festive and more introspective year-round.

First Time Caller cover Buy on Amazon

If you loved Nolan's he-falls-harder devotion

Aiden, a single dad radio host, connects deeply with Lucie, a hopeful caller, in a slow-burn romance full of tender protectiveness.

Why it's your next read

  • MMC who starts reserved but goes all-in with quiet, fierce devotion that sneaks up on you.
  • Those grand-yet-understated gestures that scream "I've fallen harder than I expected."
  • Protective energy wrapped in heartfelt vulnerability--pure catnip.
  • Emotional payoff when his walls crumble completely.

However: As a contemporary small-town story without magic, it lacks the supernatural layer that elevated the ghostly falling-in-love.