Holiday Romance

The holiday romance subgenre has emerged as a distinct and popular category of contemporary romance fiction, characterized by specific structural and thematic conventions. These novels typically feature a compressed timeline centered around a winter holiday (most commonly Christmas), employ seasonal imagery and symbolism, include themes of family and homecoming, and promise both romantic resolution and a return to tradition or community values. Walsh’s novel adheres closely to these conventions: The story revolves around the Christmas season, features characters who return home for family celebrations, and uses winter weather as both an obstacle and a plot device.

The holiday romance genre gained significant commercial traction in the 2010s and 2020s, driven in part by the Hallmark Channel’s seasonal movie programming and the rise of “cozy” aesthetics on social media platforms. Holiday romances offer readers a sense of predictable comfort as the essential elements of the romance genre are wrapped in festive packaging. Walsh’s novel capitalizes on this cultural moment while adding literary depth through its decade-spanning friendship narrative. Molly’s determination to transport Andrew home through a chaotic travel scheme uses holiday travel as both a literal complication and a symbolic journey toward romantic clarity. The holiday romance genre depends fundamentally on travel narratives, as characters must either journey home for Christmas or find themselves stranded away from their intended destination. This movement creates tension between the obligations of family, tradition, home, and the desire for the developing romantic connection on the way.

Walsh’s Holiday Romance shares tonal and structural affinities with other contemporary Christmas love stories such as One Day in December (2018) by Josie Silver and In a Holidaze (2020) by Christina Lauren. Like these works, Holiday Romance balances romantic tension with emotional warmth, using festive settings as a backdrop for self-discovery. Each of these novels reimagines the familiar “holiday miracle” through the lens of modern adulthood—work burnout, emotional avoidance, and the longing for connection in an over-scheduled world. Walsh’s emphasis on friendship as the foundation of romance recalls When Harry Met Sally…, while her focus on transatlantic travel and cultural belonging adds an Irish twist that differentiates her from US-based counterparts.

The novel’s accessibility and gentle humor also align it with the rise of digital-first romance publishing, particularly through Kindle Unlimited, which has expanded the audience for contemporary rom-coms and seasonal fiction. Within this ecosystem, Walsh’s work stands out for its cultural specificity and balance of levity and sincerity, appealing to readers seeking both escapism and emotional authenticity. By combining classic holiday tropes with millennial relatability, Holiday Romance reinforces why the seasonal romance remains an enduring, comforting genre.