Trope Tuesday: Home for the Holidays — 8 Favorite Picks
- genredpodcast
- Dec 23, 2025
- 3 min read
Home for the Holidays is the trope where a character returns to their hometown or family home during the holiday season and is immediately confronted with unresolved relationships, old versions of themselves, and the life they thought they left behind.
It’s second chances, emotional reckoning, and the quiet (or chaotic) realization that going home changes you, whether you want it to or not.
🎁 Why We Love It
Because nothing tests personal growth like sleeping in your childhood bedroom while your relatives ask deeply invasive questions over baked goods.
This trope works so well during the holidays because it combines:
Nostalgia and routine
Emotional proximity you can’t escape
The pressure to pretend everything is fine
Whether it’s romance, mystery, or something darker, Home for the Holidays stories thrive on tension between who you were and who you’re trying to become — with twinkle lights on top.
📚 Our Favorites (With Vibes)
In a Holidaze - By Christina Lauren
Vibes: Nostalgic • Snowy • Second-chance romance
A holiday time loop that forces one woman to re-examine her life, her choices, and the person she might still love. Cozy, emotional, and deceptively thoughtful.
Why we love it: It captures that end-of-year feeling of what am I doing with my life? and wraps it in snow, tradition, and romantic tension.
A Merry Little Meet Cute — Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
Vibes: Spicy • Self-aware • Holiday chaos
When former child stars reunite on a Christmas movie set, sparks fly, and nothing stays as wholesome as it looks.
Why we love it: It gleefully subverts Hallmark expectations while still delivering chemistry, humor, and very intentional mess.
A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas — Jackie Lau
Vibes: Estranged family • Healing arc • Comfort food energy
A holiday road trip forces two former flames to confront past hurt, family expectations, and the possibility of forgiveness.
Why we love it: Quietly emotional, grounded, and refreshingly adult — this one understands that “going home” isn’t always romantic, but it can still be healing.
The Christmas Guest — Peter Swanson
Vibes: Snowbound mystery • Old secrets • Slow-burn unease
A holiday gathering at a remote English manor becomes a masterclass in tension, memory, and unreliable narration.
Why we love it: Proof that Home for the Holidays isn’t always cozy — sometimes it’s unsettling in the best possible way.
The Santa Suit — Mary Kay Andrews
Vibes: Small town • Renovation romance • Southern holiday charm
A woman returning to a quiet town uncovers secrets tied to an old house, and a mysterious Santa suit.
Why we love it: Cozy without being shallow, nostalgic without being saccharine. Perfect if you want low-stress holiday vibes.
The Afterlife of Holly Chase — Cynthia Hand
Vibes: Holiday fantasy • Redemption arc • Modern fairy tale
A sharp, modern reimagining of A Christmas Carol with a reluctant heroine forced to confront her past choices.
Why we love it: It’s festive, emotional, and surprisingly introspective, ideal for readers who like a little magic with their growth arcs.
Murder for Christmas — Francis Duncan
Vibes: Classic cozy mystery • Snowed-in estate • Holiday murder
A country house Christmas turns deadly when a guest is found murdered during a snowstorm.
Why we love it: Old-school cozy mystery energy that proves holiday gatherings have always been suspicious.
The Lights on Knockbridge Lane — Roan Parrish
Vibes: Queer small town • Gentle romance • Holiday healing
A quietly beautiful story about returning home, repairing relationships, and finding love where you least expect it.
Why we love it: Soft, emotionally rich, and deeply comforting — chosen family perfection.
❓ Mini FAQ
Is this trope always romance?
Not at all. As this list proves, Home for the Holidays works beautifully in mysteries, fantasy, and emotionally driven fiction.
Why do holiday settings make stories hit harder?
Because holidays amplify everything — expectations, regrets, joy, and unresolved feelings.
If I loved Hallmark movies, where should I start?
Start with In a Holidaze or The Santa Suit — then work your way toward the spicier or darker picks.
💬 Join the Conversation
Would you ever go home for the holidays if it meant running into your past — or would you fake a last-minute work emergency?
Tell us which book you’re picking up, tag us on Instagram or TikTok, or drop your favorite “home for the holidays” chaos in the comments.
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Fast Facts: Home for the Holidays Trope
Best for readers who love:
Second chances • Small towns • Found family • Emotional slow burns • Holiday tension
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