Of course, when I go to a coffee shop, Starbucks or otherwise, I bring a book with me. During part of November and all of December, that book is very likely to be a holiday novel – usually Christmas, but I make sure to sprinkle in a few Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s books. A lot of those books are romance novels: in fact, I read more romance during the holidays than at any other time of the year. If you’re also a romance reader and a Starbucks holiday drink fan, keep reading: I’ll give you a romance novel based on your favorite drink. A note: although most of my holiday romance reading is seasonal, I purposefully chose romances that aren’t about the holidays. So no matter what you celebrate, you should be able to enjoy the story regardless. In the market for more book + drink pairs? We’ve got you. Few drinks are as decadent as the Caramel Brulée Latte, which makes this romance set in the Gilded Age the perfect companion. Both Lady Honoria Parker and her father agree that she needs to marry. The only problem? Her father despises the man she loves. So Honoria decides to take matters into her own hands: she will pick a horrible fiancé, one that will make her father agree to let her marry as she chooses. But Julius Hatcher, gorgeous, dissipated, and wealthy, may not be as terrible a match as she expects. The Chestnut Praline Latte is heavy on spices, and so is this novel about a woman who runs into her old college professor on a singles’ cruise. Camryn Southern doesn’t have big expectations for this trip: she just wants to relax, and soothe her wounds after a recent breakup. But it turns out that Sylvester Cameron, a man she had a huge crush on at 18, is on the cruise too. And he’s certainly noticed that she’s far from a teenager now. Like a peppermint mocha, this book manages to be both sweet and fresh. Professional bakers Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere are polar opposites, both in their approach to baking and to life. As a result, their relationship is nonexistent – and their interactions icy. When an opportunity arises to bake the cake for an upcoming royal wedding, neither of them are willing to lose. It’s a shame that they spend almost as much time staring at each other as they do thinking up ideas for a royal wedding cake. A bold drink like the Irish Cream Cold Brew requires a bold read. In Her Closet introduces us to Yves Santiago, an entertainment columnist who both works and plays hard. She describes her exploits on The Lust Diaries, a blog that is supposed to be anonymous. Enter Elijah Weinstein, a Creative Nonfiction editor who happens to know both the blog and the identity of the blogger. Yves wants him…but can she trust him? Falling in love is fraught with (emotional) peril in normal circumstances. In the midst of a reality show? The stakes go way up, as D’Vaughn Miller and Kris Zavala come to discover. Although it has some angst, this novel about two women who must pretend to be engaged and in love matches the sweetness of the Sugar Cookie Latte. Sweet and topped with sparkles, the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha reminds me of this novel. Tommy and Philippa’s love story is sweet, but there’s enough of a spark to keep it from being fluffy. It’s a heist romance featuring found family, bluestockings, a protagonist who reads non-binary, and a homing kitten. Like the now defunct gingerbread latte (RIP), this novel is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. In truth, I could have chosen any of Talia Hibbert’s novels for this one, but I went with my personal favorite. It includes a Teddy Bear of a hero (wrapped up in a brooding, gorgeous package), a brilliant heroine (who can’t take a hint no matter how hard the universe tries), and a fake relationship that’s getting more real by the day. The Eggnog Latte was less sweet than most other holiday options, which was a blessing for many. Similarly, this book is a lot less sweet than most others on this list – crossing all the way over to angsty. Pro baseball player Zach Glasser has many regrets. The big one: losing his love, former teammate Eugenio Morales, because Zach wasn’t ready to come out. Three years after parting ways, the two meet again in the league’s All-Stars Classic. Can they make it work this time?
