Books Like Not Home Alone by Kayley Loring: 8 Holiday Romances
One of the things I love most about Kayley Loring’s romance books is her hilarious humor and witty banter, and Not Home Alone has some of her best! But what makes this Christmas romance so good is the sweet second chance love story underneath all those laughs.
After he broke her heart and embarrassed her in front of their entire small town during a performance of The Notcracker, these two find themselves back home for the holidays and forced to share the same house. And when they agree to fake date each other for their own reasons, it doesn’t take long to realize their spark never went away.
If you loved the humor, forced proximity, fake dating, and the chance to get love right the second time around in Not Home Alone, these are the Christmas romance books I’d recommend reading next. And for more of my favorite romance recommendations, be sure to join my email list!
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
⭐ Start Here: Books Most Like Not Home Alone
👉 The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart – For another second chance romance where a hero who broke the heroine’s heart is back for Christmas and they can’t avoid each other.
👉 A Very Bossy Christmas by Kayley Loring – For the hilarious banter, family antics, fake dating, and holiday steam you love from Kayley.
👉 You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan – For another awkward holiday reunion where forced proximity reignites a spark that never really disappeared.
The Best Books Like Not Home Alone
The Plight Before Christmas
by Kate Stewart
Second Chance Romance • Forced Proximity • Holiday Reunion
There’s nothing quite like being forced to spend Christmas with the person who broke your heart, which is why The Plight Before Christmas is such a great follow-up to Not Home Alone.
Whitney is hoping for a relaxing holiday with her family when the man who hurt her years ago unexpectedly becomes part of their Christmas celebration. Despite all the time that’s passed, neither has forgotten the other, and being together again brings those unresolved feelings right back to the surface.
I love a second chance romance where the characters have to confront their past, and this one brings plenty of emotion alongside the holiday atmosphere.
A Very Bossy Christmas
by Kayley Loring
Fake Dating • Workplace Romance • Holiday Humor
If you loved the humor and steam in Not Home Alone, then you absolutely need to read A Very Bossy Christmas. It’s one of my all-time favorite Christmas romance books by Kayley Loring, and it has everything I love about her writing.
This time, a fake relationship becomes the solution to keeping an overly involved family off the hero’s back during the holidays, though he’s hiding a reason for needing the arrangement in the first place.
The banter is hilarious, the chemistry is fantastic, and the family antics make this such a fun holiday read. It’s the first book I’d recommend to anyone who wants more of Kayley’s signature style.
You Make It Feel Like Christmas
by Sophie Sullivan
Forced Proximity • One-Night Stand • Holiday Reunion
Imagine showing up for the holidays only to discover that the man who ghosted you after a one-night stand six months earlier is staying in the same house. That’s exactly the awkward situation Maisie finds herself in when she comes face-to-face with Nick.
Their attraction hasn’t disappeared, but neither have the circumstances that make a relationship complicated. I love the tension that comes from two people having to spend time together when there’s unfinished business between them.
This is a great pick if you enjoyed the holiday forced proximity in Not Home Alone and want another romance where avoiding each other simply isn’t an option.
The Nightmare Before Kissmas
by Sara Raasch
Enemies to Lovers • Forced Proximity • MM Romance
For another holiday romance that doesn’t skimp on humor, The Nightmare Before Kissmas is a fantastic choice. Coal, the Prince of Christmas, and Hex, the Prince of Halloween, have a connection from the past, but their reunion comes with plenty of complications, including family expectations and the fact that they’re supposed to be rivals.
With Hex staying with Coal, avoiding each other isn’t exactly possible, and their growing attraction makes an already complicated situation even more entertaining.
What I particularly love about this book is its hilarious holiday puns and playful humor. If Kayley’s comedic writing was one of your favorite things about Not Home Alone, this is a fun way to get more of that energy in a very different Christmas setting.
The Fake Wedding Project
by Pippa Grant
Fake Engagement • Small Town • Romantic Comedy
If the holiday complications and romantic comedy elements of Not Home Alone were what hooked you, The Fake Wedding Project by Pippa Grant is another book worth picking up.
A fake engagement between two people who aren’t actually planning to get married becomes a whole lot more complicated when they find themselves in a small town where everyone seems to have an opinion about their relationship.
I love the way Pippa Grant takes an already ridiculous situation and makes it even more entertaining with her humor and quirky characters. It’s a great choice when you want a romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still gives you a couple worth rooting for.
Snowed In
by Catherine Walsh
Fake Dating • Holiday Romance • Friends to Lovers
If you enjoyed the holiday relationship complications in Not Home Alone, then Snowed In gives you another couple whose plans for Christmas take an unexpected romantic turn.
Megan and Christian agree to pretend they’re together when they return home for the holidays, hoping their fake relationship will help them avoid uncomfortable family questions and expectations.
Of course, pretending to be a couple when there’s genuine attraction between you is never quite as simple as it sounds. I love the combination of family holiday gatherings, fake dating, and growing feelings in this one, especially if you’re looking for another cozy Christmas romance with plenty of chemistry.
All I Want Is You
by Falon Ballard
Second Chance Romance • Snowed In • Forced Proximity
There’s nothing like a snowstorm to force two people to confront feelings they’d rather ignore, and that’s what makes All I Want Is You such a fun recommendation after Not Home Alone.
Jessica and Nick have a romantic history that didn’t end happily, but when they find themselves snowed in at the same hotel during the holidays, there’s no escaping each other or the memories of their relationship.
I love the setup of a second chance romance where the characters have nowhere to go and plenty of unresolved feelings to work through. It’s perfect when you want a Christmas romance with forced proximity, tension, and another chance at love.
The 14 Days of Christmas
by Louise Bay
Grumpy Sunshine • Small Town • Holiday Romance
If you’re looking for another Christmas romance with plenty of personality and humor, The 14 Days of Christmas is a great choice, especially if you love a grumpy hero paired with a heroine who adores everything about the holidays.
He’s not interested in Christmas, decorations, or any of the festive fuss, while she’s determined to put on the best Christmas market the town has ever seen.
I love that contrast between someone who wants nothing to do with Christmas and someone who wants to celebrate every minute of it. The small-town setting and holiday preparations make this a fun pick when you want more festive atmosphere alongside your romance.
How to Pick Your Next Read
- Want more hilarious banter and holiday steam? A Very Bossy Christmas
- Want another holiday reunion with unresolved feelings? The Plight Before Christmas or You Make It Feel Like Christmas
- Want more laugh-out-loud Christmas humor? The Nightmare Before Kissmas or The Fake Wedding Project
- Want fake dating or a holiday relationship arrangement? Snowed In
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