Christmas In Willow Ridge

by Faith Newcomb

One family Christmas tradition. One very off-limits man. And seven years of feelings neither of them has forgotten.

For Nora Bennett, Christmas means returning to Willow Ridge for a week of snowy mountain views, cozy cabin nights, and the holiday traditions her family has cherished for years. It's supposed to be a chance to slow down, enjoy the magic of the season, and spend time with the people she loves.

There's just one problem.

Cole Mercer.

Her brother's best friend. The boy who broke her heart seven years ago. And the one man she's spent years convincing herself she's finally over.

When Cole joins the Bennett family's annual Christmas getaway, Nora finds herself sharing more than just holiday traditions with the man she's never quite forgotten. Between twinkling Christmas lights, stolen glances, and a snowstorm that brings them closer than either anticipated, keeping her feelings buried becomes nearly impossible.

For Cole, the Bennetts have always been the family he never wants to lose. He's spent years keeping his distance from Nora, knowing that crossing the line with his best friend's little sister could cost him everything. But surrounded by Christmas magic and the woman he's wanted for far too long, his carefully constructed walls are beginning to crumble.

As old feelings resurface and the line between friendship and something more begins to blur, Nora and Cole must decide whether some risks are worth taking—even when the stakes are the people they love most.

Because this Christmas, the greatest gift might be the love they've been too afraid to claim.

Christmas in Willow Ridge is a cozy, spicy small-town holiday romance featuring a brother's best friend, forced proximity, years of unspoken feelings, found family, and a happily ever after worth waiting for.

Part of the Willow Ridge series, this holiday novella can be enjoyed as a standalone, with familiar faces for returning readers.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2026

Reviews

[Katina Sites · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing this review voluntarily.

This is a sweet, cozy and festive small-town romance with humor, banter and spice that will keep you coming back for more. Two people who have known each other for a long time and consider each other family try to figure out how the dynamics change and what the consequences may be when they become more than friends. It was also nice to get an update on all of the couples from Willow Ridge.

[Aly · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

One of the cutest books I’ve read, the romance, the yearning. The whole story was so good, made me cry more than I’d like to admit, so freaking good.

[v_readsromance · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This is a charming, sweet story between Nora & Cole.

* Found family
* Forced proximity
* Secret relationship
* Friends to lovers
* Small town romance
* Christmas romance

Nora returns to Willow Ridge on a temporary basis. However, Cole & Nora have been hiding their feelings for years, can they risk giving into them?
If they change things, will it be for the worst or better? Should they take the risk?

This is a great story with really lovely characters. It has a very hallmark setting with the cabins in the snow and the descriptions of the Christmas fair. In true Christmas story style, the community pull together & not just for the events! Willow Ridge is an idyllic setting.

With its soft spice scenes and the inevitable attraction between Nora & Cole we hope for a HEA that works for both their lifestyles.

I recommend this cosy read; time for warm socks, a blanket & hot chocolate… and a place to read in peace!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute & cosy Christmassy read. 🎄❄️
Willow Ridge sounds like a place I'd want to visit!
Cole has been a family friend for years, but for years he's also had feelings for his best friends sister, Nora!
A lot of will they.. won't they..
Will they ruin the family feel if it all goes wrong??
Good humour, banter and only a bit of spice for my liking!

This small town romance was a super, easy, festive filled read! Curl up with a hot chocolate and delve in to Willow Ridge!

[Crystal McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and cozy Christmas read! The small-town setting had all the Hallmark Christmas movie vibes, and I loved the humor and banter between Nora and Cole. They were genuinely fun together, and the years of unresolved feelings added just enough tension to their story.
Brother’s best friend, forced proximity, snowed in together, some spice, and lots of Christmas coziness. This was a fun, feel-good holiday romance that definitely put me in the Christmas mood!

[Harmony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, romantic, christmasy story. You don’t choose who you fall in love with. It just happens.

Putting this on my favorites for Christmas romance cause the realism in this book couldn’t be more real. It’s about what you gain instead of losing. The characters realize this as they experience the love around them. The importance of taking control of your life even when you don’t feel like you have the reins.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Christmas in Willow Ridge and it was such a delightful introduction to Willow Ridge! It has humor and banter, soft spice level, and Hallmark vibes with the setting and characters. I enjoyed the dual POV and seeing the two main characters find their HEA. I will definitely be reading the other Willow Ridge books!

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a cozy snuggle up book to have with a hot chocolate and a fire burning in this winter this is the one. It has you fall in love with Nora and Cole from the first chapter.
Faith really knows how to get you hooked from the first chapter. Sweetness, Warm fuzzy feeling ☕🎄💋

[Ashley · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was a great "hallmark style" book that had that sweet snowy Christmas ❄️🎄 feel and a HEA!