Reading with a Side of Life

Everyone that knows me, knows that because my birthday is so close to the holiday’s-I am not a big fan of Christmas. I know-how dare I. So this year I decided to create a book list that has to do with New Year’s Eve. Let’s just skip over Old Saint Nick and go straight to the fireworks, drinking beautiful drinks, and let’s not forget how we all ring in the new year.

There is something magical and magnetic about books that use New Year’s Eve as a theme. Last year be banished to the gates of hell and bring on the fresh new wave of hope in this messed up world of ours. So if you want a cozy romance for the countdown, a keep-me-on-my-toes thriller, or a character piece that is all about new beginnings-I got you boo. Let’s welcome 2026.

1. Rules of Civility (Amor Towels)

To start off this list I am going to mention the book that is set in the earliest time that I know when New Year’s Eve really started poppin’ off. I mean-I know Flapper girls started in the Roaring 20’s but their free spirt impact set the world on fire. This book is set in 1937. This story is about my girl Katey Kontent and she is pretty much telling us about New Year’s Eve in 1937 when she was a hot little 20 something at a law firm. Her bestie and roomie, Eve Ross, is far more outgoing and wants to hit the town (despite being broke as a joke) for New Year’s Eve. They both hit up a jazz club and boom-both see this hot rich man, Tinker Grey. Side note- I love the name Tinker for a name but I bet he definitely got teased on the playground. Eve call’s dibs on Tinker but it does not take long for both of them to see that Tinker only has eyes for her. After a wild turn of events, Katey is now put into the posh going to events, and even though she feels like a fraud-she wants to keep remember all the luxury for as long as she can. And even though rich people show that they can be just as cruel as someone with no money-she relies on her common sense and wit to get through the year. Think Mad Men meets Sex in the City…based in the 1930’s.

Drink to go with this book

2. Hunting Party (Lucy Foley)

A reunion weekend that culminates on New Year’s Eve at a remote Scottish Highlands lodge. Let it snow. Let the secrets begin. Let the past reveal buried lies. And let the lusty stares begin. Perfect for readers who want that midnight thrill-er. This is told from multiple points of view and duel timelines. It is about a group of friends who have been friends for years. They all went to an Ivey League school together-so you can imagine that they are not the best at living that camping life. They are more glamper’s for sure. Anyways, they do their best and at least some of them had common sense. But them someone get’s murder and you do not know who until the very end. If you listen to the audio version-it was nice to hear the voice actors for the different characters. If you liked the Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley, then you will definitely like this one.

Drink to go with this book

3. A Long Way Down (Nick Hornby)

This is a dark romantic comic novel that begins with four strangers who are all in London and all at the same rooftop party for New Year’s Eve. They are all there for the same thing and all have made the same choice that change their lives forever. This book has a trigger warning of suicide-so if that is not your bang to bring in the new year-this one may not be for you. This book comes from the different POV of the attendees and why they are all there wanting to try to fix…choices they have made before they decide to unalive themselves. This book is about human connection and being like your part of humanity even if it lets you down at at times. Read this book if you want something witty, thoughtful, surprisingly uplifting at midnight.

Drink to go with this book

5. Bridget Jones’s Diary (Helen Fielding)

The most famous diary-style romantic book that features New Year’s Eve/Day moments and resolutions in the narrators life. It is funny, relatable, and great for readers who loved the movie and loves to make resolutions. However, though most people have seen the movie…I have always seen this book as a tip-of-the-hat to skinny culture. Like.. Bridget thinks that 128lbs is fat. Girl..girl…who hurt you? She is obsessed with diet culture as everyone in the 90’s was but would be lying to ourselves if we thought it wasn’t around today. Common-we all have that cringe Insta feed that kinda makes you inspire and hate yourself. But this book is better than the movie!

Drink to Go with This Book

6. This Time Next Year (Sophie Cousens)

A modern rom-com meets drama that is goes back and forth from past and present New Year’s Eve. Our girl Minnie and our boy Quinn are both born minutes apart. However, you know how some hospitals give prizes to the first baby of the year or they feature then in the newspaper? Well-Quinn gets a cash prize. This puts a shadow on how Minnie thinks of her self for the rest of her life. Constantly thinking that she has this bad luck charm that follows her around. This book is perfect readers looking for contemporary hope-and-second chances vibes they head into the New Year.

Drink to Go with This Book

7. Secrets of a Perfect Night (Stephanie Laurens)

This book is essentially three books in one and who doesn’t love reading a few short stories to switch up from long novels. These are a historical yet regal romance stories that is on one Good reads top New Year’s reading list. It must because the characters have so many emotions. From being betrayed, to finding love, and even a little suspense is sprinkled in there. Think lush, romantic, and escapist for readers wanting to glamorize a countdown.

Drink to Go with These Stories

8. Midnight in Death (J.D. Robb)

This book is all about the DRAMA. If you want to figure out who the serial killer is-then this short story may be for you. So this story takes place between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Eve, our main girlie and main detective in the story is called in when the tortured body of a judge is found in Central Park. As chilling as that is, there is also a spooky little note attached to the victims body. David, our main psycho killer of the story was caught by Eve three years earlier but he has escaped from prison and resuming his torturous actions with those who caused his last arrest and conviction. Eve is on his…naughty list.

Drink to go with this book

9. Midnight Kiss (Novella Collection by Robyn Carr, Jean Brashear, Victoria Dahl)

This book is actually part of a series but this particular book is the main one that focuses around New Year’s Eve and pretty self explanatory. Midnight Confessions is actually the 12th book in the series. It is about Sunny and Drew. Both are dealing with broken engagements and doesn’t misery love company? And who knew that they would end up spending New Years Eve together after meeting at Jack’s Bar. There is instant attraction but both love birds are so broken that they realize that they both have a lot to overcome before starting a new relationship. This is for those who may be going through something but starting to see the glass half full.

Drink to Go with this Optimistic Book

10. Oona Out of Order (Margarita Montimore)

This book staring date is: New Year’s Eve, 1982. Oona is about to turn 19 and like most teenagers she thinks that its agonizing problem- thinks her biggest problem is choosing between London, music, or her boyfriend. Cute right? (Wait till she has to buy a house or a child). But on New Year’s Ever night-striking midnight…she faints. Oona awakens to being an actual adult. 32 years later in her 51-year-old body, living a life she doesn’t recognize. Turns out, every year she randomly time-jumps to a new age. Talk about a plot twist! This book is perfect for those who do not feel grown but are or not quite grown but having to make grown decision and all of those in between.

Drink to go with this Book

11. The Rewind (Allison Winn Scotch)

For those that love the 90’s will love this nostalgic, second-chance rom-com where college exes Frankie and Ezra—former sweethearts turned full-on enemies—wake up on New Year’s Eve 1999 married, hungover, and furious about it. One chaotic wedding, zero memory, ten years of unresolved drama, and alllll the old wounds, bad decisions, and the big “what if” of their past to have to hash out. Funny, swoony, and packed with Y2K nostalgia, it’s enemies-to-lovers with a rewind button and feelings they definitely didn’t plan for.

Drink to go with this book

12. Season’s Schemings (Katie Bailey)

The Last Party is a sharp, wintry murder mystery where rich, arrogant developer Rhys turns up dead in Mirror Lake after throwing a flashy New Year’s party—and honestly, almost everyone wanted him gone. So you can imagine with that many people wanting you dead-it is kinda hard to figure out who did it. I love a good over the sea’s read and this one is set in a picture perfect divided lakeside village of old-school Welsh locals and wealthy English newcomers. It’s the Welsh clash of the generations. The story follows DC Morgan and DC Brady, forced to team up despite jurisdictional tension and a very inconvenient past interactions. Packed with grudges, class divides, and small-town secrets, this is a chilly whodunit that proves the prettiest places hide the darkest motives.

Drink to go with this book

13. New Year’s Kiss (Lee Mathews)

New Year’s Kiss is a cozy YA rom-com where shy Tess run’s away to her grandma’s Vermont lodge and decides this is finally the year she stops playing it safe. Armed with a New Year’s bucket list and unexpected help from charming (and secretive) Christopher, she tackles some vicious ski slopes, decides to take on her family chaos, and her own fears—all while falling hard for Sir Christopher. Cute, fast-paced, and full of snowy vibes, it’s a feel-good holiday romance about courage, first love, and kissing your comfort zone goodbye.

Drink to go with this book

14. Dropping the Ball (Melanie Jacobson)

If you are actually feeling the holiday cheer and in a festive little mood, you might like this rom-com where Kaitlyn is forced to team up with her high school nemesis—and heartbreaker extraordinaire and total hottie—Micah Freakin’ Croft to pull off a holiday gala and save her family’s reputation. Cue enemies-to-lovers tension with unresolved sparks wrapped in twinkle lights and second chances. Sweet, swoony, and big on holiday charm, this is proof that sometimes the worst person from your past is the one who shows up right on time

Drink to go with this book

15. All Year with Anthony: A Short Story (Katie Fitzgerald)

This little novella is stars Gwen. She is a party planner why may nor may not be one party flop away from getting fired. So her last chance is her New Year’s Eve event and low and behold-it is spiraling fast. Stressed the freak out, stuck with a nightmare boss, and questioning her future as a party planner in general, she escapes to the parking lot after midnight—only to find comfort in Anthony, the kind, steady sous chef who’s been quietly stealing her heart all year. Sometimes the best New Year’s reset doesn’t happen at the party, but right after you walk away.

Drink to go with this book

Final Toast: Books and cocktails have one thing in common: timing matters. New Year’s Eve stories are full of reflection, recklessness, romance, and reinvention- which make them perfect inspiration for these themed book inspired drinks.

Here is to you! Have a wonderful 2026

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