The Anti-Smut Winter Reading List

Think soft blankets, hot drinks, maybe a snowstorm outside if you’re lucky, and a book that stays with you long after you close it. No spice, no cringe, no “why did they add that scene?” Just genuinely good reading you can feel good about.

Lately, my husband and I have been defaulting to movies, but honestly, I’m over it. Every streaming platform wants $14.99 a month, and half the shows feel like chaotic fever dreams. The final straw was a YouTube ad that went from “cute girl living in Japan” to “graphic violence in 0.4 seconds.” I literally yelled, “WHAT was that?!” at my screen. Between that, the Kardashian cleavage jump scares on Disney+, and romcoms that are basically softcore now, I’ve hit my limit.

So I’m pivoting. Winter feels like the perfect time to slow down, breathe, and be more intentional about what I’m consuming. Less doom-scroll. Fewer weird algorithm ads. More stories that actually make me feel grounded instead of frazzled.

Which brings me to the list below. These books don’t just pass the time, they enrich it. They’re thoughtful, cozy, atmospheric, emotional, and most importantly, clean. Some are classics, some are runaway bestsellers, some are on their way to becoming movies. So grab a blanket, light a candle, ditch the remote, and let yourself fall into something truly worth remembering.

Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St Amant

If you want a cozy holiday romance without the smut, Holly and Nick Hate Christmas is the perfect pick. Holly Sinclair has despised Christmas her whole life (being a Christmas baby named Holly will do that to a girl) so when her brother brings home his equally Grinchy best friend as her pity date, she decides to out-Christmas him out of spite. What follows is a hilarious, wholesome enemies-to-lovers showdown filled with family secrets, festive chaos, and two wounded holiday cynics slowly softening toward each other. Betsy St. Amant Haddox delivers a clean, charming romcom packed with humor, heart, and plenty of twinkle-light magic, no smut required.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin 

Get ready for your heartstrings to be tugged at. A. J. Fikry is an aging bookstore owner whose life has drifted into despair: his wife has died, his store is struggling, and his prized rare book has been stolen. Then an unexpected package appears at the bookstore, and slowly his life begins to shift. Through relationships, books, and a community that rallies around him, Fikry finds redemption, connection, and renewed purpose.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Midnight Library is the perfect winter read if you want something meaningful to end the year with. Matt Haig follows Nora Seed into a magical library between life and death, where every book offers a glimpse into the lives she could have lived. Instead of romance or shock value, the story leans into emotional depth discussing regret, possibility, and the quiet courage it takes to choose your own imperfect life. Honest about mental health without ever feeling heavy, it’s a comforting, hopeful novel that stays with you long after the last page.

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell

The film starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep may have come out over fifteen years ago, but some plotlines just hit differently when you read them in your mid-thirties as opposed to when you were in college. Julie and Julia is a delightful read that reminds us that when we have a supportive spouse at our side, even our most absurd ambitions can be achieved so long as we have someone to make us laugh at the ridiculousness of it. (And for anyone struggling with infertility, this one will just hit you harder than you expect.)

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Published last fall, The Frozen River boasts a plethora of awards and has a hearty 4.4 rating on Goodreads from nearly half a million reviews. A body locked in ice, a town full of secrets, and one relentless midwife who risks everything to expose the truth,The Frozen River grips you from the first frozen breath and doesn’t let go.

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins

People-pleasers, listen up! This “self-help” book is actually one of those rare ones that are worth the read. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins teaches that freedom and happiness begin with two words: Let Them. By releasing control, ignoring others’ judgments, and focusing on what you can change (your mindset, goals, and energy), you gain confidence, healthier relationships, resilience, and a clearer path to a fulfilling, self-directed life. There’s a lot of hype around this book… and for good reason.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus is a dreamy, atmospheric novel set inside a black-and-white circus that appears without warning and only opens at night. The story follows two young magicians bound to a magical competition they never chose, creating a world that feels romantic, enchanting, and beautifully immersive. There are no explicit scenes, no political undertones, just lush prose, gorgeous visuals, and a slow-burn connection woven through pure imagination. It’s the perfect winter escape if you want something magical, clean, and utterly transportive.

Feminism Against Progress by Mary Harrington

But if you want to get political? (Cracks knuckles) Let’s do it. Mary Harrington’s first published work is a refreshing take on how modern feminism increasingly serves a narrow class of elite professional women, pressuring all women to adopt a corporate-friendly script while dismissing dissent. Harrington argues that women’s liberation stemmed less from moral progress than from industrial-era conditions now replaced by a digital age that commodifies women’s bodies and relationships. Evie readers will appreciate this sharp critique, which affirms embodied femininity, authentic intimacy, and the freedom to pursue fulfillment beyond elite expectations.

After She Falls by Carmen Schober

After She Falls is an emotional, faith-filled story about a woman reclaiming her strength after escaping an abusive relationship. When former MMA fighter Adri Rivera returns to her small Pennsylvania hometown with her young daughter, she must rebuild her life, and her confidence, from the ground up. Working with Max Lyons, the man she once pushed away, Adri begins training again while navigating trust, healing, and a spark that never fully died. Part redemption arc, part slow-burn romance, and part underdog sports story, this debut delivers heart, grit, and hope in equal measure.

The Second Mrs. Astor: A Heartbreaking Historical Novel of the Titanic by Shana Abe

There’s no hidden gut punch here because it’s in the title. Shana Abe’s novel warns you that it will break your heart right at the start. If you were like me and found Leonardo and Kate’s love story a little too shallow (excuse the pun), Abe’s elegant love story will heal you. This richly detailed novel follows the whirlwind romance and ill-fated Titanic honeymoon of Madeleine Force and John Jacob Astor. Amid scandal, luxury, and tragedy, seventeen-year-old Madeleine survives the sinking and must choose between society’s expectations and forging her own future. It's a haunting, gorgeously written story of love, loss, and resilience.

Was It Something I Said?: Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work, and Life by Alison M. Cheperdak 

Love our Ask Alison column? Then this is the book for you. Was It Something I Said? is a warm, practical guide to navigating the social and professional moments that make most of us second-guess ourselves. Drawing on her experience as a lawyer, news anchor, and former West Wing staffer, Alison M. Cheperdak breaks down everything from small talk and tricky conversations to dress codes and awkward moments with clear, modern advice. It’s a charming, confidence-boosting read that helps you move through the world with more ease, kindness, and polished presence.

Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser

Dubbed Barnes & Noble’s 2025 Book of the Year, Mona’s Eyes will surely make your own water. Ten-year-old Mona, threatened with losing her sight forever, embarks on fifty-two weekly museum visits with her devoted grandfather to preserve “all that is beautiful in the world.” As iconic artworks reshape her understanding of life, this touching novel becomes a luminous celebration of imagination, art, and the unbreakable bond between generations. The hardcover even comes with a fold-out of fifty-two masterpieces!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This bestselling favorite is as heartwarming as it is unexpected. The story follows Tova, a grieving widow who takes a night-shift job at a local aquarium, where she forms an unlikely bond with Marcellus, a brilliant, wisecracking giant Pacific octopus. What unfolds is a gentle, uplifting novel about second chances, healing, and the quiet ways people (and animals) can change each other's lives.

Searching for more options? Head to our Anti-Smut Summer Reading List!