Loves of Our Lives: Poems for Hopeful Hearts by Josie Balka

A special thank you to the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

From the coziness of lifelong friendship to the aching intensity of lost love, Loves of Our Lives is a poetic journey through the heartfelt relationships that make us human.

In her highly anticipated second collection, social media sensation Josie Balka masterfully puts words to the indescribable, weaving her signature blend of raw emotion and vivid imagery into poems that speak straight to the soul.

Featuring eighty poems, some already beloved by her followers and others exclusive to this collection, Loves of Our Lives spotlights six types of love—familial, toxic, romantic, friendship, self-love, and lost love—and invites reflection, offering solace and celebration in equal measure in this love letter to love itself. 

Loves of Our Lives is an exploration of love in all of its forms. Balka's beautiful words stitch together the exciting and exhilarating parts of love with the more complex and heartbreaking moments. The themes—friendship, loss, grief, aging, acceptance, love in its various forms—are not only relatable, but they allow readers to take away what resonates with them. 

This book makes the perfect gift to celebrate those that have touched your heart.

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JOSIE BALKA is a voiceover artist, poet, and New York Times bestselling author of I Hope You Remember. She holds a diploma in radio, television, and film from Niagara College and has worked for some of the largest media companies in North America as an on-air personality. She can often be caught recording viral poetry in her sound-proof closet. 

Balka was born and raised in Toronto and currently lives in Calgary, Canada. 

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Q & A with Josie Balka*

GWR: How did you start writing/become a poet?

JB: I’ve always been really into writing. Before this most of my writing was done in the form of songs rather than poems. I’ve played piano my whole life and picked up guitar the first year of high school and have always been really interested in putting my words to music. I’d write the occasional poem here and there, but never with the intention to show anyone I the way I would post my music. Then one day, I decided to video me recording a poem I’d written in my voiceover studio in our basement, and people seemed to resonate with that style even more than they did with the music I’d been posting for many years, so I went with it. It is such an amazing outlet, whether it’s to music or not. 

GWR: What does your process looks like?       

JB: My writing process doesn’t really have any rhyme or reason. Often, I’ll come up with a concept or a line at a time when I am not able to write, so I’ll jot it down in my notes app. The next time I have a few minutes I sit down and read over all my first lines I’ve written down over the last little while and expand on the ones that are inspiring to me at the moment. The inspiration kind of comes out of nowhere, and any time I’ve tried to force it it never comes out properly. 

GWR: The themes of this book—friendship, loss, grief, aging, acceptance, love in various forms—are not only relatable, but they allow your reader to take away what resonates with them. Do you use writing as a way of coping/an opportunity for healing, or do you write situationally? 

JB: I only ever write about things that I’ve been through personally, so every time I write it is definitely a form of coping and healing from things I have already been through. I find the most healing part of it to be when I put it online and find out that the thing I went through that felt very unique to me at the time, isn’t unique at all. It’s in those moments that the loneliness starts to dissipate, and I really can cope knowing that I’ve never been as alone as I’ve felt. I also write situationally, depending on what I’m going through at the time. 

GWR: How did the structure come about? Did you write poems to put in these buckets—romantic love, lost love, family love, toxic love, friendship love, and self love—or did the categories present themselves?

JB: My team and I had a bit of a brainstorm about all the types of love you experience in your life and decided on the names of the chapters. Then I went through a bunch of my unpublished work and divided them up to fit in the columns, and then continued writing based on what was still needed to fill the chapters. In my first book, we came up with the chapter idea after I had handed in the manuscript, so having these categories to write about kind of simplified the process for me and helped me not lean too heavily into one specific topic. 

GWR: Where do you draw inspiration from?

JB: I always draw inspiration from my own life. I haven’t tried to write about things I haven’t been through in some capacity. Sometimes I will ask for poem requests online, but I will only pick the ones that I also resonate with. I find it to be the most authentic that way in my particular case! 

GWR: When did you realize that your words were sparking connection and community? 

JB: Honestly, it happened fast. Probably after the first poem I ever posted back in late 2023. It really did motivate me to keep going, and I’m so glad I did. 

GWR: What do you hope readers will take away from Loves of Our Lives? 

JB: I hope readers walk away with the realization that pretty much everything we do is rooted in love, and how important it is. The way you love your people, your daily routine, your pets, yourself. All of it matters so much in everything we do. I hope that, if forgotten, it reminds them that there is so much love all around them all the time, including the love they give themselves. That they’re not alone in their hurt and their losses, but are also not alone in their joy. 

GWR: If your book was a beverage, what would it be? 

JB: Ooooohhhh good one, um, maybe a glass of cold white wine, in a nice wine glass though, not an ugly one. The glass really matters here, haha. 

GWR: What are you working on now?

JB: I’ve had a huge shift in my life as of recently. I lost my dream job of 11 years this past month so as I navigate this major change and take on writing full time, things are looking a little different. Right now I’m working on a new routine and lots and lots of writing. I have a few ideas tucked away, and a ton of time to work on them. I’m excited for what comes in 2026! 

*A version of this post was published on STYLE Canada.

The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea

A special thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumours of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.

Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.

As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.

Lea's latest contemporary romance opens with a hilarious meet-cute—Andi, thanks to a jumpsuit, has an awkward encounter in the bar bathroom the same night that she finds out that her best friend is dating her ex. Fast forward three years and she is now the personal assistant to the prime minister's wife (and secret romance writer). Andi is introduced to the PM's newest bodyguard, only to discover that she already knows Nolan from the disastrous one night stand from three years ago.  

This fake-dating rom-com checks all the boxes: well-developed characters with fully fleshed out backstories, incredible chemistry, a glimpse into the publishing industry, slow-burn with plenty of spice.

The Bodyguard Affair is full of humour, heart, and heart. 

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AMY LEA is the international bestselling author of romantic comedies for adults and teens, including Set on You, Exes and O’s, and Mindy Kaling’s Book Studio selection Woke Up Like This. Her acclaimed works have been featured in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Elle Magazine and has been long listed as a CBC Canada Reads finalist. They have also been optioned for film and sold to over a dozen foreign territories.

Lea resides in Ottawa with her husband and two goldendoodles. 

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Q & A with Amy Lea*

GWR: Is there a particular author/work that inspired you to become a writer or the way you write?  

AL: There are so many authors and works that inspired me to become a writer along the way. One of the very first was Meg Cabot and her Princess Diaries series. I adored her humor and wanted to bottle her hilarious voice and sprinkle it into my own works. In my adult years, Christina Lauren’s books were the authors that made me stop and think, “This is what I want to do!” Their hooky premises, accessible style, and cackling banter inspired me to open my lap top and write immediately.

GWR: What does your writing process look like? Are you a pantser/gardner or a plotter/architect?

AL: My writing process differs in every book! My first published book, Set on You, was written by the seat of my pants with no plan. Since then, I’ve attempted to be a responsible adult who outlines (and sometimes it works)! Other times, my color-coded, detailed outline gets launched out the window and I chase whatever shiny idea my brain is hyper focusing on. 

GWR: Does any of Andi’s publishing journey mirror your own? 

AL: Andi’s shame and fear about being discovered as a secret romance writer mirrors my journey and inspired this book. Like Andi, I worked a very serious government job by day while writing romcoms at night. For the longest time, I kept my writing life hidden. I’d always wonder, What if someone finds out? Would I get fired? Would they read Chapter 17 and never make eye contact with me again? That fear and the absurdity of it sparked this entire book.

GWR: What was the inspiration for The Bodyguard Affair?

AL: In addition to my job in government by day and romance writer by night, I was also inspired by watching the movie Love, Actually. One of the side plots is Hugh Grant’s character as this young, hot PM with an assistant, which I thought was such a cute, forbidden dynamic. I wasn’t sure I wanted to tackle a Prime Minister hero, so I decided it was the perfect opportunity to try out the bodyguard trope.

GWR: Why was it important for you to set your book in Canada and touch on Canadian politics? 

AL: I love reading books set in Canada! We have towering mountains, flat prairies, deep forests, beaches, and all four seasons. It’s the perfect playground for romance. And since I’ve lived in Ottawa for 13 years, the political backdrop felt natural. Ottawa is known for beautiful government buildings, political drama, and amazing shawarma.

GWR: What were the most important characteristics and dynamic that you wanted Andi and Nolan’s relationship to have? 

AL: Both Andi and Nolan genuinely like who the other person is, professionally and personally. They care about each other’s ambitions. They want each other to win. The romance grows out of that foundation of two people who see one another clearly and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. 

GWR: The Bodyguard Affair features some of the best romance tropes—fake dating, friends-to-lovers, office romance, forced proximity—what is your favourite trope to write and what is your favourite to read? 

AL: My favourite trope to write is enemies or rivals to lovers because of the fun banter and tension! Fake dating is also one of my favourites to write because of the awkwardness, forced closeness, and accidental feelings. But I also LOVE reading friends to lovers because I find it so tender and emotional, usually because the characters have such a sweet bond that turns romantic. The end payoff is unmatched.

GWR: How do you balance complex subject matter—ailing parent, abandonment—with the lighter elements of a romance novel? Why do you think a rom-com has the ability to bring up more difficult things? 

AL: Real life can be messy, stressful and scary. But it also has joy and humour peeking through the cracks. I try to reflect that balance. When I write heavier moments, I aim to weave in softness, levity, and hope to remind readers that joy still exists alongside it. Rom-coms let us tackle tough subjects while still promising a satisfying, emotionally safe landing. 

GWR: What made you decide to write the book from a dual point of view? Was it easier or more challenging to explore the parallel storyline?

AL: Every book I’d written before this was single POV, so naturally I thought, Why don’t I make things harder? Lol, just kidding. Kind of. The truth us, Nolan’s perspective felt essential. His caregiving responsibilities and emotional history needed space, nuance, and interiority. His storyline wouldn’t hit the same if we only saw it from the outside. That said, balancing two voices, two arcs, and two emotional journeys is tough, but rewarding. 

GWR: If your book was a beverage, what would it be? 

AL: The Bodyguard Affair would be a Tim Hortons caramel iced cap with a shot of espresso. It’s very Canadian, sweet, yet strong, and guaranteed to make your heart race.

GWR: What are you working on now?

AL: I am currently working on my Adult 2026 romcom with Berkley, as well as my next Young Adult romcom with Amazon. I am beyond excited for both of them!

*A version of this post was published on STYLE Canada.

In the Bones by Tessa Wegert

A special thank you to the author, Tessa Wegert, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s almost summer in Cape Vincent, and as the heat rises, ex-professional ice hockey superstar Mikko Helle arrives, ready to move into his extravagantly renovated waterfront home. Mikko is 30, handsome, and wealthy. He’s a stranger in town. There’s no reason to suspect Mikko is anything other than he seems.

Local married mother-of-two Nicole Durham works her connections hard to get hired as his cleaner. She needs this job—and not just because of the money. Nicole is desperate to expose a secret, and she’s running out of time.

But when Nicole disturbs an intruder while cleaning, New York State Police Investigator Tim Wellington discovers that the luxury mansion is hiding its own unthinkable truth. Deep in the basement lie the bones of a young woman, identity unknown.

The celebrity athlete. The local. The thief. Everyone is hiding something—but someone in the North Country’s a ruthless killer, and one of the three knows exactly who it is. 

The arrival of a celebrity athlete on a remote peninsula in New York’s Thousand Islands unearths dark and deadly buried secrets in this heart-pounding blend of suspense and mystery, the first in the new North Country series—Agatha Christie meets Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley. Although In the Bones can be read as a standalone, reading the Shana Merchant series not only provides the atmospheric escape of a thriller, but it offers insight into many of the characters. This background information fully fleshes out the cast only for Wegert to yank the table cloth right out from under the reader without disturbing the masterfully crafted plot. Highly recommend!

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TESSA WEGERT is the critically acclaimed author of the Shana Merchant mysteries, as well as the North Country series. Her books have received numerous starred reviews and have been featured on PBS and NPR Radio. A former journalist and copywriter, Tessa grew up in Quebec and now lives with her husband and children in Connecticut, where she co-founded Sisters in Crime CT and serves on the board of International Thriller Writers (ITW).

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Q & A with Tessa Wegert*

GWR: How did you start writing/become a writer?  

TW: I grew up in a house packed to the gills with books, so I fell in love with reading and creative writing early on. For a long time I focused on short stories, and got so into it that I won some awards, but I didn’t attempt to write a novel until I had two little kids (perfect timing, right? Ha!). The first book I wrote, which was a speculative thriller, got me my first agent, but it took several more years and practice books for me to land a contract. The timing was very lucky...I’d written an homage to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, and it went on submission just as the contemporary locked-room mystery craze was starting to gain steam. That mystery—called Death in the Family—was picked up in a two-book deal, and it ended up kicking off the Shana Merchant series, of which there are now six instalments. 

GWR: What does your writing process look like? How many hours a day do you write? Are you a pantser/gardner or a plotter/architect?

TW: Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. I write almost every day, but the timing and location vary, so while I try to get a few hours in every morning, I’ll also type up scenes while sitting in the rink during my son’s hockey practice, while I’m waiting for dinner to finish cooking, or at midnight when the house quiets down. I always have an initial outline, but have found over the years that my stories benefit from a more flexible approach. With several books, I’ve changed the identity of the killer within days of my deadline, and I think that made the mystery more unexpected (if I don’t know whodunit until I’m in deep, the reader isn’t likely to know either). 

GWR: How do you decide what point to start the story at and how much detail you’re going to provide?

TW: I aim to start the story when the action’s about to ramp up—like with The Coldest Case, which starts with a woman arriving by snowmobile at the police station to report a man missing from an isolated island, or In the Bones, which begins with a woman stalking a celebrity hockey player who’s about to move into his summer home. When it comes to decisions about details, I like to withhold quite a few of those to keep readers in suspense. There’s enough action that they’re engaged and curious, but they don’t have all the puzzle pieces quite yet. 

GWR: What draws you to darker themes? Why thrillers?

TW: I’ve grappled with this question a lot, and I think it comes down to fear. Writing mysteries and thrillers lets me channel my darkest fears and anxieties into a medium I can control, which is pretty cathartic. I’m also really curious about people and what makes them tick. Thrillers are risk-free escapism, and they pull back the curtain on the facets of human nature that we don’t always get to see. 

GWR: In the Bones is told from multiple points of view and feature familiar characters from the Shana Merchant series.  Were you consciously allowing readers to see Shana through a different lens? And what was it like to get inside those supporting characters’ heads? 

TW: This was such a fun book to write, because it’s the first in what’s essentially a spinoff series. It was definitely a conscious decision to diverge from Shana’s point of view, which is what you get with books in the Shana Merchant series, and provide a fresh perspective on her life and world. In the Bones allowed me to dig into secondary and new characters in a way that I couldn’t when I was in Shana’s head. I loved telling this story through disparate voices, and making decisions about who would reveal key aspects of the plot. 

GWR: Your books are set in the Thousand Islands and have a small-town vibe that is as claustrophobic as it is atmospheric. What role does setting play when constructing a mystery?

TW: Setting is hugely important to me, to the extent that I always start a book with atmosphere and mood rather than plot and let the setting drive the story. I’m so jealous of those writers who can visualize a twist before writing the first word! Typically, I see the crime—which is closely linked to setting—long before I know the killer, and the solution reveals itself as I get to know the characters and their motives. The Thousand Islands region is the gift that keeps on giving, because there are so many places where an interesting story stepped in local culture and socioeconomic dynamics can play out. So far, I’ve centered mysteries around priceless private island, controversial wind farms, street festivals that attract hordes of tourists, a tiny icebound community, and a waterfront home with a deadly secret, and there are so many more places I have yet to go.

GWR: What’s the one element of a thriller that is a must?

TW: High stakes, whether physical, emotional, or moral. Readers need to feel that turn of the screw and sense the danger mounting. The action and pressure has to be earned, though, so if I could add a second must-have, it would be a believable motivation. 

GWR: How do you write an effective red herring when you are so close to the material?

TW: The most effective red herrings are the ones that aren’t just surprising to readers but also throw the protagonist off kilter as they experience suspicion, betrayal, and doubt. I look for candidates among the cast of credible suspects I’ve written, and count on beta readers to confirm that the strategy worked. It’s all about misdirection and withholding just enough. Mystery and thriller readers can be pretty brilliant, so I have my work cut out for me.

GWR: If your book was a beverage, what would it be? 

TW: Ooh, I love this question (and researched the heck out of it, haha). In the Bones would be a Death in the Afternoon, which was apparently created by Hemingway. It’s made with absinthe and champagne: cryptic and bold, with an intense finish. 

GWR: What are you working on now?

TW: I’m currently drafting Book Two in the North Country series! It involves cross-border drug smuggling and a high-profile missing persons case, and it’s due to release in late 2026. 

*A version of this post was published on STYLE Canada.

The Christmas Cure by Kristine Winters

A special thank you to to the publisher, Simon and Schuster Canada, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

He wasn’t on her Christmas wish list, but he’s just what Santa ordered.

When Libby Munro returns to her hometown of Harmony Hills—a holiday-obsessed village that feels like stepping into a Christmas card—she’s longing for an escape. A respite from her hectic job as a big-city emergency room doctor, and a change of scenery after a painful break-up. Maybe Harmony Hills’s festive charm will help her rediscover the holiday spirit.

What she doesn’t expect is Liam the dreamy, green-eyed owner of the local bakery, whose smile rivals the glow of the town’s legendary Christmas tree. Or a run-in with Liam’s excitable pot-bellied pig, Mary Piggins, at the rumoured-to-be-magical tree-lighting ceremony. Libby’s knocked unconscious in the chaos and wakes up to find herself thrust into the specifically, to Christmastime, one year ago.

As she relives last Christmas, Libby begins to wonder if this is a second chance to change her life. With every snowflake-filled moment, the undeniable spark between her and Liam grows brighter. But if she’s going to rewrite her future, she’ll need to figure out what changes the past is asking her to make—and whether she’s ready to embrace the pull of home, and the promise of true love.

The Christmas Cure has a Groundhog Day-esque premise and all the festive feels of a Hallmark movie. Harmony Hills is as cosy as a mug of hot chocolate—the quintessential small town and the perfect setting for a holiday romance. With a pig that will steal your heart, this holiday gem is full of humour, cheer, and the magic of Christmas. Winters has gifted readers the perfect holiday rom-com!

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KRISTINE WINTERS is the pen name of Karma Brown, an award-winning journalist and author of the bestsellers Come Away With Me, The Choices We Make, In This Moment, The Life Lucy Knew, and Recipe for a Perfect Wife. Her first non-fiction book, The 4% Fix, published in 2020. Karma's writing has appeared in publications such as Redbook, SELF, and Chatelaine. She’s also one half of the writing duo behind The Holiday Swap and All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox. 

Brown lives just outside Toronto, Canada with her husband, daughter, and their adorably handsome labradoodle, Fred.

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Q & A with Kristine Winters*

GWR: As an author who has written in different genres, do you approach each book the same way? 

KW: Generally speaking, yes. I typically write a synopsis first, once I have a good handle on the idea (and decide it has legs). Then I’ll do some early research and brainstorming. After that, more in-depth research and brainstorming…until I’m itching to start writing. I wait until the momentum is strong to avoid false starts, because the first draft is my nemesis and I need to show it who’s the boss. There have been a few exceptions to the pattern—notably my non-fiction book, The 4 % Fix, which required its own process (and even though it was about finding creativity at 5 a.m., it refused to be written at 5 a.m...). 

GWR: Tell us about your writing process. Are you a pantser/gardner or a plotter/architect?

KW: I call myself a “plantser.” I have a solid outline and have done a lot of work on character/setting and plot details before I commit a single word to the document, but once I start writing I let things flow. Sometimes a book will closely resemble my outline, sometimes it looks wildly different by the time I type The End.

GWR: What was the inspiration for The Christmas Cure?

KW: It was inspired by one of my early novels, the one I signed with my agent for. It came close to selling, but we couldn’t quite get it over the line. It was not a holiday rom-com, but did feature a small-town doctor returning to her charming but gossip-happy small town after a tragedy. I loved the small-town vibe (it’s one of the tropes I enjoy the most), and even though that book has been shelved for over a decade now, the protagonist and the cast of characters has stuck with me. Plus, I’m a sucker for anything time-travel, especially with a Groundhog Day vibe.

GWR: Who is your favourite side character?

KW: Mary Piggins, no question. I adore that calamitous pig!

GWR: This novel is as much about a romantic relationship as it is about female connections (sisters, mother/daughter, best friend/high school best friend). What were the most important characteristics and dynamics that you wanted Libby and Liam’s relationship to have, as well as Libby’s with her sister, and her friends, Helena and Claire?

KW: I wanted Liam to be solidly in the “green flag guy” category, and for Libby to see what might be possible if she let go of the past. Miscommunication is a tricky trope in rom coms, so I tried to minimize that as much as possible between Liam and Libby. 

In terms of the relationships between the women, my goal was for those connections to be strong and supportive, but also showcase a hint of gentle truth-telling to help Libby find her way. 

GWR: The Christmas Cure features some of the best romance tropes—small-town romance, holiday romance, fated mates—what is your favourite trope to write and what is your favourite to read?

KW: My favourite tropes to write and read are similar. I’m a fan of enemies to lovers, small-town romance, anything involving warring chefs or food competitions, forced proximity, and, obviously, holiday-themed romance!

GWR: You really captured the magic and whimsy of Christmas—why do you think holiday books are so beloved?

KW: The coziness of the holiday season is hard to beat. Lit fireplaces, warm blankets, gently falling snow, twinkle lights, midnight black skies with stars and chilly air, nostalgic traditions and holiday carolling, family gatherings, everything decorated to within an inch of its life…add a sweet romance in there, and you’ve ticked a lot of boxes.

GWR: Why was it important to you to set the book in Canada? (Yay!)

KW: In my mind there is no better setting for a snowy holiday romance than Canada. It’s a vibe! Also, I was very excited to put ‘toques’ in my story, and use ‘u’s with reckless abandon. Canadian spelling for the win.

GWR: If your book was a beverage, what would it be? 

KW: Hot chocolate with vanilla whipped cream, milk-chocolate shavings, and a dash of edible glitter on top. It’s Hallmark-style sweet and cozy.

GWR: What are you working on now? And will there be more Kristine Winters books?

KW: I’m currently on a much-needed break, and am looking forward to releasing two books over the next few months. The Christmas Cure this fall, and then my debut horror novel (Mother Is Watching), coming spring 2026. It’s been a busy couple of years, but I can’t wait for these releases. Even though they are quite different genres, both were a joy to work on. I’m grateful to the readers who follow me wherever this journey takes me! 

*A version of this post was published on STYLE Canada.

Christmas at the Ranch by Julia McKay

A special thank you to the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

She hasn’t been in love in ten years, but she’s about to get back in the saddle.

With the holidays around the corner and her father recently imprisoned for financial fraud, disgraced journalist Emory Oakes doesn’t know where to turn. She’s only certain of one thing: She needs to get away.

Fate takes the wheel, leaving her stranded in snowy Evergreen, the picturesque town where she spent her happiest Christmas as a teen—and chronicled every moment in her journal as she fell in love with handsome local, Tate Wilder, at his family’s idyllic horse ranch—until it all went wrong.

Emory isn’t ready to face Tate, but kismet and Christmas magic have other ideas. As the love they’ve denied for a decade rekindles, the betrayals that kept them apart resurface, as does Emory’s family scandal. Yet Tate Wilder and his ranch feel more like home than anywhere ever has. Will Emory and Tate’s alchemy fizzle or will their Christmas wishes come true? 

This swoony second chance holiday romance is about a woman who escapes a family scandal by fleeing to the charming, nostalgic place where she both fell in love for the first time and had her heart broken. Set against a perfect snowy setting, Christmas at the Ranch is a story of love, hope, and the magic of Christmas. With themes of forgiveness and second chances, this is the perfect holiday escape.

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JULIA McKAY is the pen name of Marissa Stapley, a New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Reese's Book Club pick Lucky (soon to be an Apple TV+ limited series starring Anya Taylor-Joy). She has also co-written several bestselling holiday romances, including The Holiday Swap, All I Want for Christmas, and Three Holidays and a Wedding. 

Stapley divides her time between city life in Toronto and lake life in Haliburton, where she writes about love, second chances, and the magic of the holidays.

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Q & A with Julia McKay*

GWR: What inspired you to write holiday romances? 

JM: There’s just something about the holidays that makes my storytelling heart come alive. The lights, the traditions, the way love and nostalgia seem amplified—it’s irresistible! I’m also fascinated by the contrast the season brings: joy and celebration isn’t all there is to the holiday season. It can also be full of loneliness and family unrest, which can stir up old tensions or heartbreak. That mix of comfort and complexity gives me so much to explore as a writer. And, of course, I adore capturing the cozy magic of a small Canadian town blanketed in snow.

GWR: What sparked the idea for Christmas at the Ranch? What is the story behind the story? 

JM: The story was born from my deep love of cottage country—and my own little slice of it. The lake in the book is inspired by the one where I spend my summers (and sometimes snowy holidays), where the ice makes the most haunting, beautiful sounds as it shifts and cracks. I’ve also been an equestrian most of my life, so weaving in a ranch setting and that bond between humans and horses felt natural. Christmas at the Ranch is my love letter to winter in Ontario—snow, family, healing, and second chances all included.

GWR: You’ve also co-authored holiday romance books writing as Maggie Knox (with Karma Brown) and with Uzma Jalaluddin—is there a trope that you haven’t explored yet that you would like to?

JM: I have a soft spot for Opposites Attract, and I think an office romance might be next on my wish list. That seems like it could be great fun—especially when the mistletoe gets involved.

GWR: What elements are a must in a holiday novel?

JM: Even the most laugh-out-loud or glamorous holiday story needs emotional truth underneath,  that spark of connection and hope that makes readers feel deeply invested in the love story. Setting is key, too: snow-covered streets, glowing windows, twinkle lights, and the smell of something baking in the background. And of course, a satisfying happily-ever-after...because if not at Christmas, when?

GWR: I loved the juxtaposition of Toronto and cottage country. What is it about the small-town setting of Evergreen that makes it the perfect backdrop for a Christmas romance?

JM: Evergreen is everything I love about small-town Ontario: it’s full of charm, community, and a little mischief. People know one another’s business—for better or worse—but that also means they show up when it counts. The natural beauty of the snow-covered lake and forests creates a built-in sense of wonder, and the town provides the perfect opportunity to introduce a quirky cast of supporting characters, something I always love to do.

GWR: You utilized a dual timeline as well as an epistolary element through the inclusion of Emory’s diary entries—how did this structure come about? 

JM: I wanted readers to feel the depth of Emory and Tate’s history,  to sense how the past still echoes in the present. The diary entries allowed me to weave in emotion, secrets, and reflection in a really intimate way.

GWR: If your book was a beverage, what would it be? 

JM: For a cocktail, I’d say Ranch Water: traditionally made with tequila, water, and lime, but made festive with a splash of cranberry juice, a few frozen cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary. It easily becomes a mocktail by skipping the tequila and adding a dash or two of bitters.

GWR: Can you share what are you working on now?

JM: I’m currently finishing my next romance novel, which I’ll be able to share more about soon—but for now, I can say it’s set in small-town Ontario and full of cozy vibes, second chances, and seasonal magic. On the other end of the spectrum, I’m also deep into writing the sequel to Lucky. It’s a busy but very exciting time!

*A version of this post was published on STYLE Canada.

She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena

A special thank you to the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When a beloved wife and mother disappears, a luxurious condo building transforms into a potential crime scene, and the investigation begins: can the detectives find her before it's too late?

Bryden and Sam have it all: thriving careers, a smart apartment in a luxury condominium, supportive friends and a cherished daughter. The perfect life for the perfect couple.

Then Sam receives a call at his office. Bryden—working from home that day—has failed to collect their daughter from daycare. Arriving home with their little girl, he finds his wife’s car in the underground garage. Upstairs in their apartment her laptop is open on the table, her cell phone nearby, her keys in their usual place in the hall.

Except Bryden is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she just walked out. 

The queen of domestic suspense, Shari Lapena, is back with a gripping and claustrophobic tale of deception, revenge, and jealousy. 

She Didn't See it Coming is union of a suburban thriller and police procedural. Told from multiple points of view, this cast of unreliable and unlikable characters are full of secrets, lies, and in some cases motivation—everyone is a suspect for Detective Jayne Salter.

Expertly plotted and full of red herrings and twists, this is Lapena is at her finest. Strong recommend.

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SHARI LAPENA is is the internationally bestselling author of nine thrillers—including The Couple Next Door—which have all been New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe and Mail bestsellers. Her books have been sold in forty territories around the world. 

Lapena lives on a farm outside Toronto with her husband.

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Q & A with Shari Lapena*

GWR: Is there a particular author/work that inspired you to become a writer or the way you write?  

SL: There’s no one book or author who inspired me to become a writer exactly, but I do remember being nine years old and reading Nancy Drew books and thinking that I’d like to grow up and write Nancy Drew books one day. As far as the way I write, I take inspiration from Patricia Highsmith, who was so good at getting into the deep, dark psychology of her characters.

GWR: Are you a pantser/gardner or a plotter/architect? 

SL: That’s interesting—I haven’t heard the gardner/architect labels before. I’m definitely a pantser/gardener. I’ve tried planning but I just can’t think of anything that might happen unless I’m actually writing inside a character in a scene and seeing what happens next. I’m definitely an organic writer—one thing leads to another for me. I start with a couple of characters and a situation or conflict and see what they do and go from there. 

GWR: As a seasoned author, what is your favourite part of the publishing process? Is there anything that you still find difficult?

SL: I still love writing the first draft. I love to see where the story is going. And I love touring and going to festivals. I still find edits a slog after a while, but they’re a necessary part of the process. There’s also a lot of administrative work that goes along with being an author, but it must be done.

GWR: What sparked the idea for She Didn't See It Coming?

SL: I’ve always been interested in stories about people who go out to the corner store to get a loaf of bread for example and are never seen again. I always want to know what happened. I came up with the idea of a woman working from home one day in a condominium building who appears to have just stepped out for a moment, leaving her purse, keys and phone behind. No signs of a struggle. And no clues as to what happened to her. Of course, the people left behind are going mad not knowing what happened to her. The police investigation is extra interesting because there is no evidence that she ever actually left the building—but they can’t find her.

GWR: Detective Jayne Salter and her partner, Dr. Michael Fraser, are persuasive and compelling characters—will either/both be featured in any upcoming works, or for a series perhaps? 

SL: That’s a good question! I’ve always written stand alones, but I’m actually starting to consider doing a series. And I like Jayne and Michael too—her struggles with being a homicide detective, and the extra colour he provides as a psychologist. I might come back to them. People are already asking for a sequel to She Didn't See It Coming.

GWR: Why do you prefer to write from a third-person point of view? 

SL: I love third person point of view, but even more, I love multiple points of view. Third person is great because you can get as shallow or as deep as you like into a character—and I like to get deep into their emotions and complexities. And I love multiple viewpoints because I find it really helps to keep the pacing fast and sets up lots of opportunities to engage and mislead the reader.  

GWR: How do you write such effective red herrings when you are so close to the material?

SL: I don’t even have to think about red herrings—they just occur naturally as I write. I think of every character, or most characters, as a suspect, so I’m imagining why they might have done the crime and how and why. So the red herrings are there naturally for each suspect.

GWR: As the queen of domestic suspense, do you build your stories around a twist/reveal, or does this happen organically?

SL: It’s all organic for me. I don’t plan any of it, and that includes plot, character, twists, reveals, and the ending. I start with an incident—for example, in She Didn't See It Coming, I knew Bryden would disappear from her condo and not pick her child up from daycare. I knew she would have a husband. But that’s it. After I’d written that, I went back and added a prologue about a minor car accident she’d had. And then I started adding in other characters as they occurred to me in the story.

GWR: What draws you to darker themes? 

SL: That is such a good question, and do we ever really know? I just find that I’m curious about them. It’s curiosity that drives me to write, and I think it’s curiosity that drives us to read. We want to know what happens next. People have a built-in love for story. I think it’s how we learn.

GWR: What’s the one element of a thriller that is a must?

SL: Tension. You can’t have a thriller without tension. You can have a thriller without a dead body, but you must have tension.

GWR: If your book was a beverage, what would it be? 

SL: Oh, no one’s ever asked me that before. Maybe a black coffee with a shot of gin. I wonder what that tastes like? (Shari said that the black coffee for a jolt and the gin because apparently psychopaths drink gin.)

GWR: Can you share what are you working on now?

SL: Yes, I’ve just finished my tenth crime novel, called Getting Away With Murder. It will be out next summer. It just might be my best yet.

*A version of this post was published on STYLE Canada.