RaeAnne Thayne on Cozy Holiday Romance Magic

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If you love cozy small-town romances, holiday charm, and stories that feel like emotional comfort food, this episode is for you. Today I’m chatting with fan-favorite author RaeAnne Thayne, whose Christmas novel Snow Kiss delivers all the warmth and heart of a Hallmark movie… with even deeper emotional layers.

In our conversation, RaeAnne shares the inspiration behind Snow Kiss, her plotting process, why fake dating is her new favorite trope to write, and the joy of crafting holiday stories that remind readers to choose kindness. We also talk about her extensive backlist, her women’s fiction summer releases, and her 2025 novel The Lost Book of First Loves. Plus—double book recs from RaeAnne across two different interviews!

📚 Books Mentioned
By RaeAnne Thayne

Snow Kiss — Fake dating, single mom, small-town Christmas Genre: Sweet Romance / Women’s Fiction | Audio: ✅

Christmas at the Shelter Inn — “Return-to-town” holiday romance; sisterhood & community Genre: Holiday Romance | Audio: ✅

The December Market — Best-friend’s-brother + holiday family drama Genre: Holiday Romance | Audio: ✅

Haven Point Series — Cozy small town + emotional arcs Genre: Contemporary Romance | Audio: ✅

Hope’s Crossing Series — Community-centered romance; best place to start her interconnected world Genre: Contemporary Romance | Audio: ✅

Cape Sanctuary Women’s Fiction Books (standalone-friendly) The Cliff House · The Sea Glass Cottage · Summer at the Cape · The Path to Sunshine Cove · The Café at Beach End | Audio: ✅

15 Summers Later — Women’s fiction set in Idaho Genre: Women’s Fiction | Audio: ✅

The Lost Book of First Loves Dual-story women’s fiction about half-sisters, a missing manuscript, and family secrets. | Audio: ✅

Book Recommendations From RaeAnne Thayne

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy magical realism; found family | Audio: ✅

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner — Historical fiction around the 1906 San Francisco earthquake (TW: domestic violence) | Audio: ✅

How to Know a Person by David Brooks — Nonfiction; empathy, connection & understanding | Audio: ✅

⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome + why I love having RaeAnne on during the holidays

[00:01] RaeAnne shares what she’s been up to — writing cycles & travel

[00:02] Elevator pitch for Snow Kiss

[00:03] Fake dating, emotional arcs & why it’s a joy to write

[00:04] RaeAnne’s Christmas series: Christmas at the Shelter Inn, The December Market, Snow Kiss

[00:05] How her Christmas and summer/women’s fiction books connect

[00:06] Virgin River vibes — small-town communities & emotional healing

[00:06:30] Book recommendations from RaeAnne

[00:07] How she writes Christmas books (yes, the tree stays up until March!)

[00:17] Her plotting process, writing retreats, and collaborating with author friends

[00:20] Teaser for her 2025 women's fiction release The Lost Book of First Loves

[00:23] Navigating spice levels in her 75+ book backlist

[00:24] Where to find RaeAnne online

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