Wassailing We Will Go

by Amanda Emdin

She needs a Christmas miracle; he may be just what Santa had in mind.

Kate Donnelly is all grit and to-do lists trying to keep her family’s Prince Edward County cidery—and her sanity—afloat. A glossy new competitor is stealing her customers, her ornery neighbour has made ruining Kate's life her full-time job, and her beloved cidermaker lands in the ER days before the Christmas Wassail Festival—the event that could make or break the year.

Enter Harrison Turner: a sunny Australian with outdoorsy good looks, effortless charm, and exactly the cidermaking skills Kate needs to make it through the next two months. Their hot-tub meet-cute feels suspiciously like fate… until she learns he’s best mates with the competition and living in their basement. As sparks fizz and “professional boundaries” start to blur, Kate must decide how much of her family’s legacy—and her guarded heart—to trust to a man caught between two orchards.

169 pages, ebook

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Amanda spent many years working for the tourism industry in Prince Edward County before finally setting in the Durham Region.

She lives with her husband, kiddo, dog, and cat on Lake Ontario, and gets back to Prince Edward County every chance she gets, because it’s where the free baby sitters and good restaurants live.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5!

Cute, cozy, and charming! Perfect for your holiday reading lineup.

[Amanda Emdin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am tempted to mark this as read 37 times, because that would be more accurate.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the coziest Christmas read, and it was set in Prince Edward County (in ON, Canada) and of course as someone who spends summers there it was so special to spend Christmas there in a book 😍

I need to go IRL obviously.

But I honestly loved this book. Amanda’s writing is so refreshing, so real.. I felt like I was talking to a friend about her life, not reading it.

I really loved Kate and Harrison’s story because it was just so funny how they met, and their funny banter and trying to fight their feelings was just so precious. But even more than that I loved reading about Kate’s frenemy-ship with fellow business owners of a rival cidery. Remember though, kindness and friendship rules over all.

Literally the coziest small town romance read. Everyone needs to read this book ❤️

[Marie]

This was such a fun, festive read. I absolutely LOVED the setting - Prince Edward County, Ontario - and getting to see familiar places within the story. It was interesting to see some of what goes into running a cidery, and I really enjoyed the cast of characters and how they all came together and came up with creative ideas to bring in more business during the slower season. The flirty banter between Kate and Harrison was a lot of fun, as was watching them attempt to keep things professional, despite their attraction and chemistry.

[Madison ONeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute and cozy winter romcom with all the happy little vibes. Having a huge affinity for all things County, it brought me such joy reading about an area so near and dear to me. Toss in a campy cast of characters that could honestly have been at home in Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow and it was the perfect segue into the Holiday season. 🥰

[Danielle Belliveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a lover of the holiday hallmark movies like I am, this book is for you! Set in a cute small town, the characters are relatable and you fall in love with the story, town and people in it. It makes you want to take a trip out to Prince Edward County, visit the town and a Cidery to experience everything the charming town has to offer.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute holiday read! Loved the Canadian setting of course!

Thank you to Kobo Books for my copy!

[Crystal L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basically a Christmas hug… with cider.

Kate Donnelly is out here juggling a whole life crisis starter pack:
a failing family cidery, a petty neighbour who wakes up every morning choosing violence, and a festival deadline breathing down her neck. And just when things can’t get worse? Her cidermaker taps out and lands in the ER. Iconic timing.

Enter Harrison Turner—sunshine in human form, with Australian charm, annoyingly perfect outdoorsy vibes, and cider skills that could single-handedly save Christmas. Their hot-tub meet-cute? Hallmark could NEVER.

But then Kate learns he’s best buds with the competition and literally living in their basement like a very handsome mole. Suddenly “holiday miracle” feels dangerously like “holiday chaos.”

This book gave me:
✨ Crackling chemistry
✨ Small-town drama so delicious it counts as a snack
✨ Christmas magic without being sticky-sweet
✨ A heroine you root for
✨ A hero who feels like Santa’s gift to women everywhere

If you like cozy romance with real-life stakes, lovable characters, and enough festive charm to thaw even the coldest Canadian winter—read this. Immediately.

It’s warm, witty, and a teensy bit chaotic… just like the holidays. 🎄💛

[Rebecca Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a charming holiday read! I loved how the story captured the cozy, small-town magic of Prince Edward County—it felt nostalgic in the best way, like stepping into a familiar place at Christmas. The writers voice was whimsical and engaging. I especially appreciated how well thought out the supporting characters were—they added so much heart to the story. Sweet, funny, and perfectly PG, this rom-com is an ideal feel-good read for the season!

[Jenn (burlingtonbiblio) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

What its Got
✅ closed door romance
✅ workplace romance
✅ friends to more
✅ small town
✅ karaoke


📕 Loved all the Canadian content, the names may have been changed on some of the places in Prince Edward County but I think I recongnized most of them

📕 I am always a sucker for a man with an accent

📕 the workplace issues, competing orchards, marketing and tourism plot points added to the authenticity of the setting and town

Overall
📕 A Sweet holiday read perfectly paired with a spiced cider

[Samantha Sylvestri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect November read to get in the Christmas spirit but could truthfully be read year round. It fit in great with my Hallmark Christmas movie line up.