“Hanukkah O’ Hanukkah, come light the Menorah!” From singing cheerful songs and eating crispy potato latkes to seeing the beautiful burning candles and celebrating with family, you can easily get in the Hanukkah spirit this year. But our favorite way to feel festive is to curl up with a good holiday-themed book. And if you’re looking to read more than just Christmas stories this season, Hanukkah books are here to round out your TBR (to be read) list. From stories set in small towns to delightful tales about Hanukkah festivals, there’s something to savor for each night of the holiday. Keep scrolling to see our complete list of Hanukkah books.
Jessica Sack’s journalism career is on the line if she doesn’t nail her next assignment. The story? She has to interview Thomas Carville, a Browerville firefighter and celebrated hero, who is also her childhood crush. When Jessica returns home for Hanukkah, Thomas is as handsome as ever but plans to keep his story to himself. He doesn’t want Jessica diving into his past and asking questions. But even their differences can’t get in the way of love.
What readers are saying: “Jennifer Wilck does an amazing job of bringing these characters to life. The storyline of them getting to know each other and subsequently falling for each other completely draws the reader in. The obstacles to their relationship are realistically written and you are fully invested in Jessica and Thomas’ story.”
Full of small-town charm and Jewish joy, Stacey Agdern’s latest novel is here right in time for Hanukkah. Mayor Olivia Nachman is thrilled to be elected into the county legislature and help her Jewish community thrive. But as she’s working to improve the town, she’s blindsided by a PR scandal that could threaten Hanukkah celebrations. A friend of hers decides to hire a “fixer,” but now Olivia’s stuck working with a PR consultant who is way too handsome, plus he thinks he knows everything. For Artur Rabinovich, solving problems is his livelihood. But balancing his attraction to Olivia and finding a solution might be what tips him over the edge. Can these two compromise and mix business and pleasure before Hanukkah arrives, or will it end in disaster?
What readers are saying: “This is an entertaining Jewish holiday romance that holds your attention captive from beginning to end. The storyline is intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters have strong chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.”
This sparkling, snow-kissed romance is a holiday delight! Café owner Abby Cohen is tasked with planning her Vermont town’s fledgling Hanukkah festival. She puts out a call for help online—and she’s surprised to hear from one of her regular customers, Seth. But can she deal with his irritatingly sunshiney attitude? When Seth pitches a mutually beneficial fake-dating charade, it stirs up very real feelings.
What readers are saying: “Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot is an enjoyable, reverse grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, forced proximity, Jewish romcom that is sweet, full of humor, heart, and holiday spirit. It’s a book that will warm you from the inside out, much like the best latkes do. The food descriptions made my mouth water, but the slow burn, fake dating story was delightful. I might have shed a few tears watching Abby open her heart.”
Still dealing with grief from the death of her father, Andi is not looking forward to spending her first Hanukkah alone. She’s also about to lose her job and could use a pick-me-up to get through all eight nights. Her neighbor, Leo Dentz has had a crush on her for years but he’s never said anything—until he notices the Hanukkah candles in her grocery bag. Determined to get out of his comfort zone Leo offers to join Andi for the first night of Hanukkah. As they start to fall for each other over the course of the holiday, the pair realize that miracles still exist after all.
What readers are saying: “I’m always up for a Hanukkah romance at this time of year and Eight Nights to Win Her Heart was the perfect cozy holiday read. It even felt like a Hallmark Hanukkah movie. The story was really sweet and I found myself unable to put it down once it really got going.”
Filled with starry-eyed moments and emotion, this tale follows grumpy, soon-to-be-CEO Cohen Ford. While visiting London, he stumbles into the Great Greenwich Ice Creamery, and he’s immediately taken by the woman behind the counter, River De Luca. She was born deaf, and her passion for life is inspiring. Will River’s love dare Cohen to embrace Christmas, Hanukkah and life?
What readers are saying: “There are books that fall into your life with little fanfare and end up being absolute treasures. For me, this December, one of those books is Sharon Ibbotson’s Hanukkah at the Great Greenwich Ice Creamery, which is a romance told through food and shared stories. This is a much deeper novel than the back cover blurb implies, and I recommend it to everyone looking for a holiday read.”
Bestselling author Tod Goldberg is bringing a bit of dark noir to the holidays with a curated collection of 11 humorous and twisted Hanukkah hijinks that will keep you entertained for all eight nights. From characters trying not to commit murder at the dinner table to those doing something drastic just to get out of the festivities, these stories have a little something for everyone.
What readers are saying: “If you’re like me, when it comes to holiday stories you usually expect a romance or even a cozy mystery. But that isn’t the case with the book Eight Very Bad Nights. Nope, this book is billed as Hanukkah Noir! I’d never heard of it before, either, but dang if it wasn’t entertaining. As with any collection, I enjoyed some stories more than others, but overall, I enjoyed them all to some degree. It’s quite the eclectic collection, each story having its own identity and tone, from dark and gritty to rather humorous.”
Equal parts enchanting and hilarious, this sweet saga stars Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt, a nice Jewish girl with a big secret: She loves Christmas and has a career as a Christmas romance author. But when her publisher asks her to write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration runs dry. Then, at the “Matzah Ball,” she runs into her arch nemesis, Jacob Greenberg. To her surprise, sparks begin to fly during this festival of lights.
What readers are saying: “It’s official. Jean Meltzer has my entire heart. I loved this book so much. Rachel was a fantastic character, and I loved the Jewish representation and the invisible disability representation. It was a delightful story that was perfect for the Hanukkah season. I couldn’t stop reading and loved the sheer joy it brought me!”
Memorable characters, simmering romance and endearing moments abound in Home for Hanukkah — the fourth installment in Rebecca Crowley’s Orchard Hill series. Zach Strauss is facing a career crisis: His Bay Area start-up may have failed, but he vows to raise more money to fix it. Now, back in his hometown, he finds himself needing a job. After a turbulent childhood, Noa Jacob is set on making her thrift store-turned-boutique in Orchard Hill a success. So when a handsome stranger named Zach walks into her store full of ideas, she hires him to help. As they work together, they launch a Hanukkah Miracle Market that draws families and tourists into town. Although they differ in many ways, Zach and Noa realize they might make a perfect pair.
What readers are saying: “What a wonderful and moving read. From the moment I picked up this book, I could not put it down. As I read on I became invested in the main characters and the journey their story was taking them on. Their story was sweet, inspiring, a little hot and so much more. I look forward to reading more by this author.”
