Crossword Genius

Christmas book lacking heart (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

noel

'christmas' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'book lacking heart' is the wordplay.
'book' becomes 'novel' (novel is a kind of book).
'lacking heart' suggests removing the centre.
'novel' with its centre removed is 'NOEL'.

(Other definitions for noel that I've seen before include "Christmastime" , "Festivity" , "Coward for one" , "A lone French Christmas" , "Sir - - Coward" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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